Council Review
Hartford City Council Meeting

Monday, September 13, 2010

Prepared by:
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000

There were 42 items on the original agenda. Thirteen (13) additional items were submitted during the meeting. The next regular Council meeting will be held on Monday, September 27, 2010 at 7 P.M. in the Council Chambers in Hartford City Hall. The next public hearing will be Monday, September 20, 2010 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 agenda items can be found online at: http://www.hartford.gov/government/Town&CityClerk/Minutes/council_meeting_minutes.htm.

ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST

Library Construction Grant – The Council passed a resolution authorizing the City to apply for and accept a grant of $153,333 from the Connecticut State Library for creation of a Multi-Purpose Room at the Central Branch of the Hartford Public Library. The space is currently unfinished, but is used for a wide variety of programs. The grant and other monies from the Library's Capital Fund will be used to install acoustical ceiling tiles, a sprinkler system, light fixtures, window blinds, audio visual equipment, and partitions to allow the room to be divided into smaller rooms. (Segarra) (Item #2)

Five Free Parking Days – The Council referred, to its Planning & Economic Development Committee, a resolution authorizing the Hartford Parking Authority to offer up to five free parking days through the Special/Holiday Parking Days Program on days, times, and locations approved by the Authority during the 2010-2011 fiscal year. The Authority has proposed this Program as a means of spurring retail traffic. (Item #11)

Parking Loyalty Program – The Council referred, to its Planning & Economic Development Committee, a resolution authorizing the Hartford Parking Authority to implement a Loyalty Program for parking patrons in order to spur repeated use of Authority facilities and support downtown businesses. A patron that makes three paid visits to any Authority garage will earn a free fourth visit which must be redeemed by June 20, 2011. (Item #15)

Refer a Friend Parking Program – The Council referred, to its Planning & Economic Development Committee, a resolution authorizing the Hartford Parking Authority to implement a Refer a Friend Program to increase monthly patrons at the Morgan Street Garage. A month of free parking will be provided for any current monthly patron (at any Authority facility) who refers a friend who enrolls and pays for three months of parking at the Morgan Street Garage. The Program would expire on June 30, 2011, and would require enrollment by February 28, 2011. (Item #16)

Adopt-A-Median – The Council passed a resolution that requests the Department of Public Works to establish an Adopt-A-Median program through which individuals, community groups and businesses would take responsibility for the upkeep of medians and traffic islands throughout the city. The resolution further authorizes the City to charge such groups up to $50 for a sign that gives credit to the adopter. The Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee recommends passage of the resolution. (Cotto) (Item #22)

Novelty Lighter Regulation – The Council referred, to its Quality of Life & Public Safety Committee and to Public Hearing, a proposed ordinance that would regulate novelty lighters - those which are designed to be attractive to children by incorporating flashing lights, musical sounds, or a toy-like appearance. The ordinance would prohibit the sale, gift, or distribution of such lighters within the city of Hartford. (Torres) (Item #27)

Parks & Recreation – The Council postponed action on two proposed ordinances which, together, would change the way the City's parks and recreation functions are organized. The first ordinance would remove the Parks Maintenance Division from the Department of Public Works and would remove the Division of Recreation and Youth Services from the Department of Health and Human Services. The second ordinance would create a separate Department of Parks and Recreation which would consist of three divisions: Administration, Parks, and Recreation & Youth Services. The changes would be effective 90 days after passage of the ordinances. A public hearing on this matter was held on June 21, 2010. (Cotto) (Items #43 and 44)

Campaign Contributions – The Council postponed action on a proposed ordinance that would prohibit campaign contributions by City contractors to candidates running for Mayor, Council, Board of Education, Treasurer, and Registrar of Voters. City contractors include individuals, business entities, and nonprofit organizations that have agreements or contracts with the City of Hartford, Hartford Parking Authority, Hartford Housing Authority, or the Board of Education, as well as those who have submitted bids or proposals for the purpose of obtaining an agreement or contract. Contributions would be prohibited to candidates, exploratory committees, and political and party committees. A public hearing was held on this item on July 19. (Cotto) (Item #46)

Poet Laureate – The Council passed a resolution establishing the position of Poet Laureate for the city of Hartford and a process for selecting an individual to serve as the Laureate. The resolution would create a selection committee consisting of the head of Office of Cultural Affairs, the Superintendent of Recreation, and representatives of the Hartford Public Library, Hartford Public Schools, and the Greater Hartford Arts Council. The Poet Laureate would serve for two years and would receive an honorarium of $2,000. (Cotto) (Item #54)

LIST OF ALL AGENDA ITEMS

Item #

1. Commissioner's Term. Correction of expiration date of Sylvia Reid's term on the Human Relations Commission. (Segarra) Passed
2. Library Construction Grant. Authorization to apply for and accept $153,333, from the CT State Library, for renovation of the Multi-Purpose Room at the Downtown Branch of the Hartford Public Library. (Segarra) Passed
3. Lease of Parking Spaces. Authorization to continue leasing 12 spaces in the City's 166 Sheldon Street parking lot to US Marshals/Court Security Officers for $50 per month per space. (Segarra) Referred to Planning & Economic Development
4. Lease of Parking Spaces. Authorization to continue leasing 10 spaces in the City's 166 Sheldon Street parking lot to the US District Court for $40 per month per space. (Segarra) Referred to Planning & Economic Development
5. Lease of Parking Spaces. Authorization to continue leasing 18 spaces in the City's 141 Sheldon Street parking lot to the US Department of Justice for $40 per month per space. (Segarra) Referred to Planning & Economic Development
6. Lease of Parking Spaces. Authorization to continue leasing 22 spaces in the City's 141 Sheldon Street parking lot to the US District Court for $40 per month per space. (Segarra) Referred to Planning & Economic Development
7. Health Needs Assessment Grant. Authorization to accept $60,000 from Hartford Hospital, St. Francis Hospital, and the CT Children's Medical Center to be used for a community health needs assessment. (Segarra) Passed
8. Energy Grant. Authorization to accept $1,372,700 in stimulus funds from the US Department of Energy through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant. (Segarra) Passed
9. Emergency Management Grant. Authorization to accept approximately $57,069 in grant funds from the CT Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security to be used by the City's Department of Emergency Services and Telecommunications. (Segarra) Passed
10. Public Safety Grant. Authorization to accept $702,268 from the CT Department of Public Safety for enhanced 911 services. (Segarra) Passed
11. Five Free Parking Days. Authorization for the Hartford Parking Authority to offer up to five free parking days during the 2010-11 fiscal year to help attract people to downtown shops, restaurants, and other destinations on specific days, such as the day after Thanksgiving. (Segarra) Referred to Planning & Economic Development
12. Lawsuit. Request from the Mayor for the Council to go into Executive Session to discuss Murtha v. City of Hartford. (Segarra) Executive Session
13. Readiness Grant. Authorization to accept $25,000 from the CT Department of Public Health to be used to plan for large-scale bioterrorism events. (Segarra) Passed
14. 2009-10 Report. Letter informing Council that the City's 4th Quarter report will be submitted prior to the Council meeting. (Segarra) Received
15. Loyalty Program. Authorization for the Hartford Parking Authority to establish a program through which a patron of the HPA garages may earn a free visit for every three paid visits. (Segarra) Referred to Planning & Economic Development
16. Refer a Friend Program. Authorization for the Hartford Parking Authority to establish a program whereby a free month of parking will be provided to a patron who refers an individual who enrolls and pays for three months of parking at the Morgan Street Garage. (Segarra) Referred to Planning & Economic Development
17. Keney Park. Report by the Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee on discussions held about the possibility of listing the northern portion of Keney Park on the National Register of Historic Places. (The southern portion is already listed.) Received
18. Civic & Cultural Grants. Requirement that entities previously allocated funds through the Civic & Cultural account follow procedures established by the Council for such grants. (Winch, Airey-Wilson, Kennedy, Ritter) Passed
19. Incentive Retirement Program. Authorization for the Mayor to offer a retirement incentive program to unclassified non-bargaining unit employees. (Segarra). Passed
20. Lease Extension. Approval of a five-year extension of a lease with Marshall Realty Corporation for 1002-1008 Wethersfield Avenue at a rate of $836 per month (increased from $684 per month). (Segarra) Passed
21. Fee waiver. Waiver of fees for the Reeve Foundation's "Roll-A-Thon" to be held in Bushnell Park on September 18. (Cotto) Passed
22. Adopt-a-Median. Establishment of a program through which individuals, groups, and businesses will take responsibility for maintaining a median or traffic island. (Cotto) Passed
23. Event Permission. Approval for the Hartford Public Library to serve alcohol at three events to be held in the downtown branch: CT Book Awards on September 19, ArtWalk on October 15, and Wallace Stevens Birthday Bash on November 6. (Cotto) Passed
24. Fee waiver. Waiver of fees for the 9th Annual Hope Out Loud Peace and Arts Festival to be sponsored by the CT Coalition for Peace and Justice in Bushnell Park on September 19. (Cotto) Passed
25. Fee waiver. Waiver of fees for the Three Kings Day Parade held on January 6, 2010 by the Spanish American Merchants Association. (Cotto) Withdrawn
26. Intelligence Collection and Profiling. Report by the Quality of Life & Public Safety Committee postponing action, pending further discussion, on an ordinance limiting domestic surveillance and immigration enforcement activities by the Police Department. (Cotto) Received
27. Novelty Lighters. Proposed ordinance prohibiting the sale, gift or distribution of lighters, in Hartford, that are designed to be attractive to children. (Torres) Referred to Quality of Life & Public Safety Committee and Public Hearing
28. Appointment. Approval of the appointment of Olga Colon as Executive Assistant to Councilman Alexander Aponte. (Aponte) Passed
29. Appointment. Appointment of Dr. Robert Painter to the Capital Region Council of Governments Policy Board. (Boucher, Winch, Kennedy, Torres, Ritter) Postponed
30. Hartford Knights. Allocation of $15,000 to the Hartford Knights youth program. (Winch) Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee
31. Soccer Program. Allocation of $3,000 to the South Hartford Community Alliance youth soccer team. (Winch) Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee
32. Hartford 2000. Request to Operations, Management & Budget Committee to consider an allocation of funds to Hartford 2000. (Boucher) Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee
33. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for "Impact Hartford – Live with Hope" event to be held in Bushnell Park on October 2 & 3, 2010. (Cotto) Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee
34. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for the Mount Olive Child Development Center's annual Walk-a-thon to be held in Keney Park on October 16, 2010. (Cotto) Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee
35. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees and street closings for the ING Run for Something Better on October 8, 2010 and the ING Hartford Marathon on October 9, 2010 in Bushnell Park and Hartford streets. (Cotto) Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee
36. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for the 2010 Hartford Heart Walk to be held on October 23, 2010 in Bushnell Park and surrounding streets. (Cotto) Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee
37. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees and closing of Russ, Park, Washington, and Babcock Streets for the End it Now – March Against Domestic Violence to be sponsored by the Spanish 7th Day Adventist Church on September 11, 2010. (Cotto) Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee
38. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees and closure of Trinity Street for the Alzheimer's Association's Memory Walk to be held on October 3, 2010 in Bushnell Park. (Cotto) Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee
39. Corporation Counsel. Confirmation of Mayor's appointment of Saundra Kee Borges as Corporation Counsel. (Segarra) Passed
40. Police Chief. Confirmation of Mayor's re-appointment of Daryl K. Roberts as Chief of Police. (Segarra) Passed
41. Director of Emergency Services & Telecommunications. Confirmation of Andrew T. Jaffee as Director of Emergency Services and Telecommunications. (Segarra) Passed
42. Small Business Issue. Request to the Mayor to assign a staff person to assist businesses being affected by construction resulting from the MDC's Clean Water Project. (Airey-Wlson) Passed
43. Organization. Ordinance removing the division of Parks Maintenance from the Public Works Department and removing the division of Recreation & Youth Services from the Department of Health & Human Services. (Cotto) Postponed
44. Parks & Recreation. Ordinance creating a Department of Parks & Recreation to include Parks Maintenance and Recreation and Youth Services. (Cotto) Postponed
45. Board of Education Budget. Request to the Board of Education to provide the Council with adopted line-item budgets for the past two fiscal years and year-to-date figures for the current fiscal year. (Deutsch, Segarra) Postponed
46. Campaign Contributions. Proposed ordinance prohibiting individuals and entities who have contracts with the City of Hartford from making contributions to candidates for Mayor, Council, Registrar of Voters, Treasurer, or Board of Education. (Cotto) Postponed
47. Commission Appointment. Appointment of Althea Cordner to the Commission on Aging. (Segarra) Passed
48. Commission Appointment. Appointment of Kenneth Lerman to the Hartford Parking Authority. (Segarra) Passed
49. Commission Appointment. Appointment of John Nelson to the Commission on Aging. (Segarra) Passed
50. Commission Appointment. Appointment of David Cedar IV to the Commission on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues. (Segarra) Passed
51. Commission Appointment. Reappointment of Cheryl Zeiner to the Commission on Disability Issues. (Segarra) Passed
52. Sale of Property. Approval to enter into a purchase and sale agreement with Habitat for Humanity for property at 18 and 20 Liberty Street. (Segarra) Referred to Planning & Economic Development and Public Hearing
53. Appointment. Appointment of Sharon Patterson Stallings to fill a vacancy on the Board of Education. (Segarra) Passed
54. Poet Laureate. Establishment of a Poet Laureate position for the city f Hartford. (Cotto) Passed
55. Majority Leader. Appointment of Councilman James Boucher as Majority Leader for the Court of Common Council. Passed

If you have any questions about the agenda, please call Richard Frieder at the Hartford Public Library, 695-6365, or Linda Bayer at Hartford 2000, 547-1663 X21. The Council Preview/Review is a joint project of Hartford 2000 and the Hartford Public Library.