Council Review
Hartford City Council Meeting

Monday, September 10, 2012

Prepared by:
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000

There were items on the original agenda. No additional items were submitted during the meeting. The next regular Council meeting will be held on Monday, September 24, 2012 at 7 P.M. in the Council Chambers in Hartford City Hall. The next public hearing will be Monday, September 17, 2012 at 7 PM.

This Review consists of two sections: Items of Special Interest and Action on All Agenda Items. The City’s official listing of actions taken on all items on this agenda can be found online at: http://www.hartford.gov/government/Town&CityClerk/Minutes/council_meeting_minutes.htm

ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST

TIGER Grant – The Council referred, to its Planning & Economic Development Committee, a resolution authorizing acceptance of a $10 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation through its Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program. The funds will be used to implement Hartford’s Intermodal Triangle Project which is intended to improve the connections between various modes of transportation - pedestrian, bicycle, taxi, bus, rail, air – in the downtown area. Specifically, the project will improve Union Station and the State House Square area, create a drive along the northern edge of Bushnell Park, and prioritize transit uses on Pearl and Asylum Streets. Total project cost is $21,121,000 and other funds will be provided through the City’s Capital Improvement Fund. (Segarra) (Item #13)

Asylum Hill Early Learning Center – The Council passed a resolution that authorizes the City to enter into a lease agreement with Asylum Hill Congregational Church for space at the church’s facility at 814 Asylum Avenue to be used by the City as an early learning center for 44 infants, toddlers, and preschoolers from Hartford families. The resolution also authorizes the City to provide up to $172,500 to the church for renovation of the space to meet State licensing standards. (Segarra) (Item #24)

Blighted Housing Special Assessment – The Council postponed action on an ordinance establishing a Blighted Housing Special Assessment as part of the City’s Anti-Blight Program. Annually, a special assessment would be levied on housing units that are determined by the City to be blighted. This assessment would result in an additional tax to the owners of blighted property. The amount of the additional tax would be determined by adding up the direct costs to the City for public safety, code enforcement, and property maintenance for the blighted properties, and dividing the total cost by the number of blighted housing units. The cost of blighted housing would therefore be shifted from the general public to the owners of the properties. (Segarra) (Item #29)

Nuisance Vehicle Towing Program – The Council adopted an ordinance establishing a towing program to deal with abandoned vehicles which have been determined by the City’s Health Inspectors to be public health nuisances as a result of harboring rodents, illegal drugs, weapons, trash, debris or toxic materials. Owners of the vehicles or the property on which they are located will be notified to remove the nuisance vehicles. If the owners fail to do so, the Police Department may tow the vehicle at the owners’ expense. (Segarra) (Item #32)

Commission on Addiction and Public Health – The Council referred, to its Health & Human Services Committee, an ordinance that would establish a new Commission on Addiction and Public Health as a successor to the no-longer-active Commission on Drug and Alcohol Abuse. The recommendation for the new commission was made by a group of 35 agencies and organizations which provide addiction-related services. The Commission will consist of nine members and will serve as a coordinating body for planning, awareness, prevention, and education efforts associated with substance abuse in Hartford. (Segarra) (Item #37)

NRZ Strategic Plan Updates – The Council referred, to its Planning & Economic Development Committee and to Public Hearing on September 17th, an ordinance to adopt updated Neighborhood Revitalization Zone (NRZ) Strategic Plans for two NRZs: MARG (Maple Avenue Revitalization Group) and the West End. The original plans were prepared by the NRZs in 2001 and 2002 respectively and have now been revised to reflect work already accomplished and changes in neighborhood demographics, the economy, new technologies, and new opportunities. Both the original and updated plans were developed by residents and other neighborhood stakeholders with the assistance of staff of the City’s Development Services Department. The content and process of NRZ Strategic Plans are governed by State Statute. (Segarra) (Item #38)

LIST OF ALL AGENDA ITEMS

Item #

1. Transportation Grant. Approval to accept a $451,250 grant from the Federal Transportation Administration for creation of a single integrated transportation strategy and action plan. (Segarra) Referred to Planning & Economic Development Committee
2. Transit Oriented Development Grant. Authorization to accept a grant of $730,000 from the CT Department of Transportation to develop regulations that will encourage transit oriented development in the downtown area. (Segarra) Referred to Planning & Economic Development Committee
3. Design District. Approval to accept a grant of $387,600 from the Capitol Region Council of Governments for creation of a design district in north downtown. (Segarra) Referred to Planning & Economic Development Committee
4. Housing Study. Authorization to accept a grant of $200,000 from the CT Department of Economic & Community Development to conduct a housing study and needs analysis. (Segarra) Referred to Quality of Life, Public Safety, and Housing Committee
5. Immunization Grant. Approval to accept a $19,000 grant from the CT Association of Directors of Health to develop a system for billing insurers for immunization services provided through the Health & Human Services Department. (Segarra) Referred to Health & Human Services Committee
6. Mayoral Update. Monthly report from Mayor Segarra on operations, finances and initiatives of Hartford City Government. (Segarra) Received
7. Financial Report. Report of City financial transactions during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011-12. (Segarra) Received
8. 20 & 36 Wolcott Street. Approval to sell City-owned land at 20 and 36 Wolcott Street to Pope Park Zion LLC for $10,000 for construction of two 2-family homes. (Segarra) Referred to Planning & Economic Development Committee and Public Hearing and Planning & Zoning Commission
9. 272 Garden Street. Approval to sell a City-owned building at 272 Garden Street to Chrysalis Center, Inc. for $5,000 for renovation into seven apartments and a property management office. (Segarra) Referred to Planning & Economic Development Committee and Public Hearing and Planning & Zoning Commission
10. 920-944 Main Street. Authorization to amend an existing lease between the City of Hartford and Richardson Redo LLC, for property at 920-944 Main Street, by extending the term of the lease and changing the way in which rental payments are calculated. (Segarra) Referred to public hearing, Operations, Management, Budget & Legislative Affairs Committee, and Planning & Zoning Commission
11. 4th Quarter Transfers. Authorization of transfers of funds within the fiscal year 2011-12 budget to cover in the Registrars of Voters Office, Police Department, Benefits & Insurances Account, and a non-operating account used for the purchase of tax liens. (Segarra) Referred to Operations, Management, Budget & Legislative Affairs Committee
12. Appointment.  Confirmation of appointment of Michael T. McGarry to the Board of Assessment Appeals (Segarra) Referred to Planning & Economic Development Committee
13. TIGER Grant. Approval to accept a $10 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation for implementation of the Intermodal Triangle Project which will make improvements to Hartford’s transportation hub in downtown Hartford. (Segarra) Referred to Planning & Economic Development Committee
14. Health & Human Services Committee. Notation that a report from the Committee will be forthcoming. Postponed
15. Greater Hartford Transit District.  Confirmation of the Mayor’s reappointment of Jennifer Cassidy to the Greater Hartford Transit District. (Segarra) Passed
16. Aerial Imaging.  Authorization for the City to enter into a 3-year $40,647 contract with Pictometry International Corporation for aerial photographs of Hartford for the City’s Geographic Information System and Assessor’s data base. (Segarra) Passed
17. Employee Breaks in Service. Approval to consider breaks in service, for two employees, as leaves of absence, in order that they may qualify for pension credit for all the years they have worked for the City. (Segarra) Passed
18. Transfer of Capital Funds. Report from the Operations, Management, Budget & Legislative Affairs Committee supporting approval for the City to transfer an unused appropriation of $500,000 in the Capital Improvement Fund to a project to improve the City-owned building at 525 Main Street which is occupied by the Department of Public Works. (Segarra) (also see #30) Received
19. Commission on HIV/AIDS.  Confirmation of the Mayor’s appointment of Hector Davila to the Commission on HIV/AIDS. (Segarra) Postponed
20. Ryan White Grant.  Acceptance of a grant of $4.6 million from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services for the City to provide medical and support services to individuals living with HIV/AIDS in 57 towns in Hartford, Middlesex, and Tolland Counties. (Segarra) Passed
21. HIV/AIDS Fellowship Program.  Approval for the City to accept $11,000 from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving to implement a program through which ten individuals living with HIV/AIDS will be trained to be effective leaders and advocates. (Segarra) Passed
22. Grandparents Commission.  Confirmation of the Mayor’s reappointment of Winifred Eileen Nelson to the Commission on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren. (Segarra) Passed
23. Teen Pregnancy Prevention. Authorization for the City to extend its contracts with nine organizations who are providing services and programs to prevent pregnancy among Latino and African-American youth between 13 and 19 years old. (Segarra) Postponed
24. Asylum Hill Early Learning Center.  Authorization for the City to enter into an agreement with Asylum Hill Congregational Church and to expend $172,500 for creation of an early learning center at 814 Asylum Avenue. (Segarra) Passed
25. Human Relations Commission.  Confirmation of the Mayor’s reappointment of Harry Hartie to the Human Relations Commission. (Segarra) Passed
26. Nuisance Vehicle Towing Program.  Report from the Planning & Economic Development Committee in support of an ordinance creating a process whereby Health Inspectors notify the owner of nuisance vehicles to remove them, and, if they are not removed, the Inspector will notify the Police Department which will tow the vehicle at the owner’s expense. (Segarra) (also see #32) Received
27. Jefferson Street Air Rights. Approval of an air rights easement over Jefferson Street to enable Hartford Hospital to construct a skywalk between their employee parking garage and the hospital campus. (Segarra) Passed
28. Recreation & Community Centers. Establishment of a policy that City recreation and community centers provide services for all ages with normal or extended hours during school vacations and the summer. (Deutsch) Postponed
29. Blighted Housing Special Assessment. Ordinance establishing a special assessment on blighted housing which will result in owners of blighted housing being liable for an additional tax. (Segarra) Postponed
30. Transfer of Capital Funds. Approval for the City to transfer an unused appropriation of $500,000 in the Capital Improvement Fund to a project to improve the City-owned building at 525 Main Street which is occupied by the Department of Public Works. (Segarra) (also see #18) Passed
31. Pension Benefits. Ordinance providing an opportunity for police officers and fire fighters who are promoted to non-union positions to choose to change the pension program in which they are enrolled. (Kennedy) Postponed
32. Nuisance Vehicle Towing Program. Ordinance creating a process whereby Health Inspectors notify the owner of nuisance vehicles to remove them, and, if they are not removed, the Inspector will notify the Police Department which will tow the vehicle at the owner’s expense. (Segarra) (also see #26) Passed
33. Retirement Incentive. Ordinance creating an incentive for Assistant and Deputy Chiefs of Police and Assistant Fire Chiefs to retire during 2012. (Kennedy) Postponed
34. Dillon Stadium. Ordinance concerning the fee schedule for the use of Dillon Stadium. (Kennedy) (see also #39) Withdrawn
35. LGBTI Appointment. Confirmation of the Mayor’s appointment of Dianne B. Waller to the Commission on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues. (Segarra) Referred to Health & Human Services Committee
36. Milner School. Ordinance appropriating $2, 000,000 for the renovation of Milner School. (Segarra) Referred to Operations, Management, Budget & Legislative Affairs Committee
37. Commission on Addiction & Public Health. Ordinance creating a Commission on Addiction & Public Health to replace the former Commission on Alcohol & Drug Abuse. (Segarra) Referred to Health & Human Services Committee
38. Amendments to NRZ Plans. Ordinance approving updates of the Neighborhood Revitalization Zone (NRZ) Strategic Plans of the West End NRZ and the Maple Avenue Revitalization Group (MARG) NRZ. (Segarra) Referred to Planning & Economic Development Committee and Public Hearing
39. Fee Schedule. Ordinance changing the fee schedule for use of Dillon Stadium by teams, organizations, and the Hartford Public Schools. (Kennedy) (see also #34) Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee
40. AmeriPride. Resolution calling on the AmeriPride company, which provides linen cleaning services, to reach agreement on labor contracts, including affordable benefits and working conditions, with Hartford-based employees. (Deutsch) Referred to Health & Human Services Committee
41. Library Events. Approval for the Hartford Public Library to serve alcohol at two ArtWalk receptions on October 5 and December 7, 2012. (Jennings) Passed
42. Climate Change. Resolution calling for the U.S. Government to use the Clean Air Act to reduce carbon in the atmosphere to no more than 350 parts per million. (Jennings) Passed
43. North Hartford Senior Center. Approval for the Men’s Club to serve alcohol at the North Hartford Senior Center at their Fall Dance on September 21, 2012. (Kennedy) Passed

If you have any questions about the agenda, please call Richard Frieder at the Hartford Public Library, 695-6365, or email Linda Bayer at lbayer@Hartford2000.org. The Council Preview/Review is a joint project of Hartford 2000 and the Hartford Public Library.