Council Review
Hartford City Council Meeting

Monday, September 13, 2004

Prepared by: Citizens’ Research Education Network, Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000

There were 50 items on the original agenda: six more were added at the meeting. The next Council meeting will be Monday, September 27, 2004 at 7 P.M. The next public hearing will be Monday, September 20^th.

The Council was preceded by an open-agenda public hearing at which nine people spoke. Five of the speakers represented a coalition of over 30 non-profit organizations that are concerned about one of the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) policies. Under the policy, organizations which have received CDBG funds for three consecutive years would ineligible to receive funds for two years. The speakers expressed concerns that their organizations provided essential services to many Hartford residents and that the loss of funding would seriously effect their ability to provide those services.

Absentee Landlord Registration: On the recommendation of Mayor Eddie Perez, the Council referred to public hearing on September 20^th and to the Housing Committee an ordinance that would require property owners who do not reside at their property to register with the Town Clerk and provide contact information for the public. According to the attached letter, many residents have complained of difficulties contacting owners of rental properties who do not live in the city.

Property Taxes from Semi-Annual to Quarterly: The Council referred to public hearing on September 20^th and to the Finance and Revenue Committee an ordinance that would change the collection of property taxes from twice yearly to four times each year. This resolution would reverse a recent Council decision that established twice yearly collection.

Pocket Bikes: The Council referred to its September 20^th public hearing and to the Quality of Life and Public Safety Committee a proposed ordinance amending the Municipal Code regarding pocket bikes and similar vehicles. The proposed ordinance would make it unlawful to operate pocket bikes on any street or sidewalk in the City of Hartford or on any public property, including school property, playgrounds, and parks. Anyone who violates the ordinance could be fined up to $99, given community service, and/or up to 25 days jail time.

Open Hearth Homeownership Program (HOP): The Council passed a resolution authorizing Mayor Eddie Perez to allocate $50,000 from Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) funds and in Unspecified Local Option (ULO) funds to contribute towards the purchase and renovation of five condominiums in Hartford for the homeless. The program would enable the homeless to live in the condominium provided that they contribute 100 hours of sweat equity, attend two phase transition living programs, have a sponsor, contribute $1,000 down payment, have sufficient income to manage household expenses, and live in the unit for 30 months prior to approval of purchase. The program is operated by the Open Hearth.

Voter Registration Day: The Council passed a resolution declaring September 30^th, 2004, Voter Registration Day in the City of Hartford. The Hartford Public Library will have a citywide voter registration drive on September 30^th. Several other organizations will be participating including Hartford 2000, Democracy Works, the League of Women Voters, the Urban League, the Interfaith Coalition for Equity & Justice, the San Juan Center, and the NAACP.

Hartford Parks Trust Funds for Carousel: The Council passed a resolution authorizing $26,172 be made available from the Hartford Parks Trust Fund for the New England Carousel Museum. New England Carousel Museum has begun a restoration project on the Bushnell Park Carousel for which it has been raising funds. The funds authorized in this resolution were left over after the completion of a carousel renovation project from November 2001.

Metropolitan Medical Response System: The Council passed a resolution authorizing the Mayor to apply for and receive funds from the Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency and for the Purchasing Agent to contract with the Capitol Region Council of Governments for services related to emergency medical response for the period of October 1, 2004 through March 31, 2006. It is anticipated that the City of Hartford may receive approximately $250,000 to continue a project funded earlier to support “first responders” such as law enforcement, fire services, hospitals, and others, in developing their ability to respond to a mass casualty incident, especially an event resulting from the use of a weapon of mass destruction (WMD).

Drug Treatment Programs for Women of Color: The Council also passed a resolution authorizing the Mayor to apply for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Substance Abuse (SAMHSA) funds to expand the capacity of drug treatment programs for women of color. The resolution authorizes the Purchasing Agent to contract with St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center and Community Health Services for the provision services for the period July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2008.

Capital Improvement Fund Projects: The Council referred to its public hearing on September 20^th and to the Management and Budget Committee a proposed appropriation ordinance in the Capital Improvement Fund for $3,975,000 to finance seven Local Capital Improvement Program (LoCIP) projects including: Police Headquarters HVAC Improvements and Roof Replacement ($1,350,000); Mark Twain Branch Library ($75,000); City Hall Department Reconfiguration and Canopy Roofs ($400,000); City Hall Fourth Floor Improvements ($400,000); Central Business District Street Light Replacement ($500,000); Street Resurfacing and Repairs ($1,000,000); Colt and Keney Park Swimming Pool Renovations ($250,000).

If you have any questions about the agenda call Greg Vickers at CREN, 509-3701 or Richard Frieder at the Hartford Public Library, 695-6365.  The Council Preview is a joint project of the Citizens' Research Education Network and the Hartford Public Library.