Council Preview
Hartford City Council Meeting

Monday, September 14, 2009

Prepared by:
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000

The Council meeting will begin at 7 P.M. at Hartford City Hall in Council Chambers. Due to the death of Town and City Clerk Dan Carey, the public comment period normally held before the Council meeting has been postponed to 6 PM on Monday, Sept. 21st, immediately preceding the 7 PM Public Hearing.

There are 92 items on the agenda. Below is detailed information about items of special interest to neighborhoods. Following those details is a listing of all agenda items, in layperson's language. The complete official agenda for the Council meeting is available online by clicking on "Council Agendas" at the following web site: http://www.hartford.gov/government/Town&CityClerk/Agendas/archive.htm

ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST

New Agenda Items

Weed & Seed Continuation. The Council will vote on a resolution authorizing the mayor to accept the Weed & Seed Continuation Grant for fiscal year 2009 in the amount of $142,000 from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs. The City of Hartford has operated a Weed & Seed Program in the Upper Albany and Clay Arsenal neighborhoods since 2005. Weed & Seed is a collaboration of city and federal governments, the business community, and residents to improve quality of life in the targeted neighborhoods. (Item #9)

COPS Hiring Recovery Program. The Council will vote on a resolution authorizing the Mayor to accept $4,265,672 from the COPS Hiring Recovery Program, U.S. Department of Justice. The Program is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The funds will be used to hire twenty-three new sworn police officers and will cover 100% of the officers' salary and benefits for three years. (Item #12)

Illegal Dumping. The Council will consider an ordinance which makes it illegal to dump solid waste in Hartford in any location not licensed for dumping. Fines, which were previously set at $100 per day, are proposed to be changed to $1,000 for a first offense and $5,000 for every subsequent offense. (Item #56)

City Fiscal Analysis Task Force. The Council will vote on a resolution appointing four individuals to the new Fiscal Analysis Task Force. Additional appointments may be made in the future. The purpose of the Task Force is to make recommendations to the Council on matters related to reducing the property tax burden and expenditures, and assuring adequate, quality city services in the upcoming City budget. (Item #59)

Reclamation Task Force. The Council will consider a resolution concerning reclaiming the river that previously ran through Bushnell Park and now is enclosed in a tunnel beneath the park. The resolution calls for establishment of a "Reclamation of the River in Bushnell Park Task Force" which will be charged with creating a Master Plan Study to ensure that a river, or re-creation of the river will flow through the park. The plan shall include a cost estimate and feasibility analyses and will be completed with the goal of including the project in the next Capital Improvement Program (CIP). (Item #62)

Hospital Merger. The Council will consider a resolution that calls for the creation of a task force to work with UCAN (United Connecticut Action for Neighborhoods) to collect and analyze information about the proposed merger of Hartford Hospital and UConn's John Dempsey Hospital. The task force's work will look at the types of services being proposed, the delivery of such services to Hartford residents, and the effect on other health organizations in the city. The final report will include a strategy to protect the interests of the citizens of Hartford. (Item #67)

Main Street. The Council will consider a resolution concerning improvements to Main Street between Trumbull Street and Park Street. The resolution requests the City's Department of Development Services to hold a series of public meetings with various stakeholders in the next three months to inform people of improvements to areas adjacent to Main Street and to hear ideas about improvements to Main Street itself. Should there be interest among those who attend the meetings, the resolution proposes that a task force be set up to hold discussions and make recommendations. (Item #79)

Exceptional Service Increment Payments. The Council will vote on a resolution strongly urging the Mayor to halt the provision of all exceptional service increment payments until a formal process is outlined by the City Council. The resolution was motivated by concerns about making such payments in a tight budget environment and without a transparent process in place. (Item #87)

Martin Luther King, Jr. The Council will consider a resolution that requests the Public Building Dedication Committee to solicit public input and develop options for naming a street or avenue in Hartford after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The resolution states that there is no street named for Dr. King in the city and notes that Dr. King's worked in the Connecticut tobacco fields when he was a teenager. (Item #89)

Previously Submitted Items:

The following items were previously on the Council Agenda and were included in the Council Preview/Review. They were referred to committees and/or public hearing or action was postponed by the Council. They are now on the agenda again for action.

DeLucco Park. The Council will vote on a resolution requesting the Mayor to identify $41,348 to fully fund improvements to DeLucco Park in the Clay Arsenal neighborhood. The total cost of improvements was estimated by Public Works to be $470,000 and $428,652 has been allocated from Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, resulting in a shortfall. The OMB Committee recommends approval. (Item #25)

Homeless Prevention. The Council will consider a resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with an outside organization to implement the City's Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program. The City will receive $1,572,727 from the US Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to provide temporary financial assistance and housing relocation/stabilization services to individuals and families who are homeless or would be homeless but for this assistance. The City undertook an RFP (request for proposal) process and the selection committee recommends Mercy Housing and Shelter and the Salvation Army as the service providers. The Housing and Health & Human Services Committees recommend approval. (Item #26)

Keith L. Carr, Sr., Corner. The Council will vote on a resolution that will name the intersection of Main Street and Albany Avenue "Keith L. Carr, Sr., Corner." Keith Carr, who passed away on January 7, 2008, is remembered as a community legend whose advocacy and commitment had a great impact on the West Indian/American community. He worked with youth through the design of an after school tutorial program at the Martin Luther King School in Hartford, a citywide fine arts summer program and a youth cricket program. He was also one of the first to organize merchants along Albany Avenue. His vision for Albany Avenue and Main Street served as a catalyst for many of the development plans currently being pursued for the area. There was a public hearing on this matter on August 17th and the Public Building Dedication Committee recommends approval. (Item #38)

LIST OF ALL AGENDA ITEMS

Item #

1. Veto. Mayor's Veto of a resolution passed in appreciation of former DPW Director Clarence Corbin's service to the community.
2. Veto. Mayor's veto of Council action granting a 25% fee waiver for the August 1st New England Music Festival.
3. Veto. Mayor's veto of a resolution granting the OMB Committee subpoena power.
4. Financial Report. Submission of August 2009 monthly financial report.
5. Quarterly Report. Submission of Fourth Quarter (March – June) report for the 2008-2009 fiscal year.
6. UConn Husky Sports Program. Authorization to allocate $12,000 per year for three years to this program through which UConn female athletes mentor adolescent girls at Parker Memorial Center.
7. Fire Prevention Education. Approval to accept $26,122 from FEMA to be used for purchase of curriculum and materials for fire safety and risk reduction education for the public.
8. BearCat. Authorization for the Police Department to accept a Lenco BearCat armored tactical response vehicle from the Capital Region Council of Governments' Public Safety Council.
9. Weed and Seed. Approval to accept a grant of $142,000 from the US Department of Justice to operate the Weed & Seed program in Clay Arsenal and Upper Albany neighborhoods.
10. Nutrition Education. Authorization to apply for and accept a grant of $63,379 from the University of Connecticut to continue a nutrition education program targeted to families with young children.
11. Emergency Management. Approval to accept approximately $57,000 from the CT Dept. of Emergency Management & Homeland Security to be used to support the City's emergency management center and related programs.
12. COPS. Authorization to accept a grant of $4.2 million in stimulus funds from the US Dept. of Justice to hire and pay for 23 new sworn police officers for the next three years.
13. Post Offices. Resolution opposing the proposed closing of post offices at 433 Woodland St. and 80 State House Square.
14. 2008-09 Transfers of Funds. Authorization to transfer funds from accounts with balances to seven accounts with over-runs. (Mayor's Office, Town Clerk, Youth Services, Public Works, Library, outside legal services, and fuel, utilities, and trash disposal fees.
15. Grant Approvals. Report from OMB Committee authorizing grant payments to seven of the organizations which previously received Civic & Cultural allocations.
16. OMB Report. Report from the Operations, Management & Budget Committee transmitting information on an analysis of the City's financial condition.
17. H&HS Report. Report from the Health & Human Services Committee on issues discussed at a joint meeting with the Housing Committee, including water contamination, senior centers, and anti-blight.
18. Education Report. Report from the Education Committee on issues discussed by the committee with staff of the Hartford Public Library, including strategic planning processes and adult literacy.
19. PW,P&E Report. Report from the Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee on parks maintenance issues, including mowing and trash and litter pick-up.
20. PW,P&E Report. Report from the Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee on a presentation by and discussions with youth from the West End Community Center regarding the lack of recreational facilities and the condition of a nameless park on Sisson Avenue.
21. Fund Transfer. Report by OMB Committee authorizing a transfer of $121,760 to the Registrars of Voters Office. (also see #39)
22. Hyland Park. Appropriation of $500,000 from the Capital Improvement Fund to be used for improvements and renovations to the baseball fields at Hyland Park. Funds to be provided by the CT Department of Environmental Protection. (also see #51)
23. Southend Senior Center. Recommendation by OMB Committee to appropriate $682,500 from the Capital Improvement Fund to make improvements to the Southend Senior Center. Funds to be provided by the CT Department of Social Services. (also see #50)
24. Lien Waiver. Authority to waive a portion of a City public assistance lien on property at 219 Cornwall Street, to allow sale of the property by the deceased owner's estate.
25. DeLucco Park. Request of the Mayor to identify $41,348 to be added to $428,652 in CDBG funds previously allocated, to complete funding needed for renovation of DeLucco Park.
26. Homeless Prevention & Rapid Rehousing. Approval to enter into an agreement with the Salvation Army and Mercy Housing & Shelter to operate a program to provide temporary financial assistance and relocation services to individuals and families who are homeless or in danger of becoming homeless, with $1.5 million in HUD funds.
27. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees associated with the Community Renewal Team's "An Angel On My Shoulder" event held in Elizabeth Park on August 1, 2009.
28. Pork Pie Hat Music Series. Approval for the City to charge nominal fees for the music series sponsored by the City's Office of Cultural Affairs.
29. Fee Waiver. Street closure and waiver of fees associated with the Columbus Day Parade and Celebration to be held from Friday, October 9 through Sunday, October 11, 1009 on Maple Avenue and Columbus Park.
30. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees associated with HART's "National Night Out" event held in Pope Park on August 4, 2009.
31. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees associated with the Sawyer School Picnic to be held in Pope Park on August 29, 2009.
32. Fee Waiver. Street closure and waiver of fees associated with the "Franklin Avenue Block Party" sponsored by The Boriqueneers and Trantolo & Trantolo to be held on August 29, 2009.
33. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees associates with the "Neighborhood Block Party and Wellness Festival" held by the Charter Oak Health Center at Oak & Hungerford Streets on August 14, 2009.
34. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees associated with "The Connecticut Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Event" sponsored by the Sports Association of Gaylord Hospital at Batterson Park on August 13 – 16, 2009.
35. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees associated with the "Evergreen Block Party" sponsored by the West End Civic Association on July 25, 2009.
36. Fee Waiver. Street closure and waiver of fees associated with the "Salvation Army's Marshall House Block Party" held on South Marshall Street on September 11, 2009.
37. Fee Waiver and Funding. Street closure and waiver of fees associated with the West Indian Day Parade held on Main Street on August 8, 2009 and an allocation of $10,000 for the event.
38. Keith Carr Corner. Resolution naming the corner of Main Street and Albany Avenue Keith L. Carr, Sr. Corner.
39. Fund Transfer. Authorization of a transfer of $121,760 to the Registrars of Voters Office. (also see #21)
40. Collection Contracts. March report by OMB Committee on request for a report on fees paid to and profits made by agencies under contract with the City to collect overdue taxes.
41. Outsourcing. Report by Labor & Workforce Development Committee on discussion of proposal to prevent the City from engaging private organizations to perform maintenance and other services traditionally performed by City employees.
42. Living Wage. Amendments to the City's Living Wage ordinance, including increasing the definition of a living wage to 120% of the federal poverty level for a family of four plus health benefits and decreasing the amount of a contract that triggers the living wage ordinance from $50,000 to $20,000.
43. No Smoking. Proposal to ban smoking in health care facilities within the city of Hartford.
44. Senior Centers. Approval to enter into contracts totaling $691,523 with the Parkville Senior Center and the operators of the Southend Wellness Center, Northend Senior Center and the Salvation Army Senior Center.
45. Appointments. Appointment of Luz Torres, Paul Colbenson, and Betsy Correa-Navarro to the Commission on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues.
46. Reappointment. Reappointment of Walter Butler to the Civilian Police Review Board.
47. Appointments. Appointment of Benita Toussaint and Millicent Meadows to the Permanent Commission on the Status of Hartford Women.
48. Appointment. Appointment of Luz Sullivan to the Human Relations Commission.
49. Appointments. Appointment of Winifred Nelson and Jen Baron to the Commission on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren.
50. Southend Senior Center. Appropriation of $682,500 from the Capital Improvement Fund to make improvements to the Southend Senior Center. Funds to be provided by the CT Department of Social Services. (also see #23)
51. Hyland Park. Appropriation of $500,000 from the Capital Improvement Fund to be used for improvements and renovations to the baseball fields at Hyland Park. Funds to be provided by the CT Department of Environmental Protection. (also see #22)
52. Non-Union General Government Employees. Increase in the pension contribution rate for non-union City employees.
53. Non-Union Police & Fire Employees. Increase in the pension contribution rate for non-union Police and Fire employees.
54. School Crossing Guards. Increase in the pension contribution rate for employees who are members of the School Crossing Guard Association.
55. Tax Abatement Committee. Addition of Council President and Minority Leader to the Tax Abatement Committee.
56. Dumping. Proposal to make it illegal to dump solid waste in Hartford in any unlicensed location and to increase fines from $100 per day to $1,000 for first offense and $5,000 for subsequent offenses.
57. Civic & Cultural Funds. Establishment of an application process for grants from the Civic & Cultural account.
58. Exceptional Service Increments. Proposal for Council to approve guidelines for exceptional service pay for City employees as well as any lump sum exceptional service payments. (also see #87)
59. Appointments. Appointment of Joseph Kask, Yvon Alexandre, Lyle Wray, and Tim Sullivan to the Fiscal Analysis Task Force.
60. Appointment. Appointment of Joel D. Johnson to the Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission.
61. Appointment. Appointment of Maria T. Cerniuskas-Upton to the Commission on Disability Issues.
62. Reclamation of River. Establishment of a task force to prepare a plan to create a river or water features in Bushnell Park.
63. Basketball. Approval to allocate $1,500 to the Juan Castillo Latin-American Basketball League.
64. Nursing Assistants. Allocation of $10,000 for the St. Martin's Outreach Certified Nursing Assistant Program.
65. Sankofa Kuumba. Allocation of $3,000 to Sankofa Kuumba Cultural Arts Consortium.
66. Lease. Authorization of three-year extension of the lease between 184 Windsor LLC and City of Hartford, site of the Pathways to Technology Magnet School.
67. Hospital Merger. Establishment of a task force to examine the proposed merger of Hartford and John Dempsey Hospitals to determine the effect on Hartford citizens.
68. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees, use of Bushnell Park, and street closings for runs to be sponsored by the Hartford Marathon Foundation on October 9 and 10, 2009.
69. Science for Kids. Allocation of $5,000 to pay entrance fees for 400 Hartford students to the CT Science Center.
70. ACORN. Allocation of $9,000 to ACORN North End United.
71. Catholic Worker. Allocation of $2,000 to Hartford Catholic Worker.
72. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for the Alzheimer's Association's "Memory Walk" to be held in Bushnell Park on October 4, 2009.
73. Permission. Authorization for the Hartford Public Library to serve alcohol at its Art Walk Reception on October 9th, American Mural Reception on November 13th, and the Wallace Stevens Annual Birthday Bash on November 7th.
74. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees and lane closures for the "Lord of Miracles Procession" to be sponsored by Brotherhood of Miracles of Peru in Parkville on October 18th.
75. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for the Underground Coalition's "Mighty 4 Hartford Bboy/Skate Jam" in New Ross County Wexford Park on September 5 and 6.
76. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees and Blue Hills Avenue street closures for the Blue Hills New Testament Church of God's "Celebration Walk/Parade" on October 10th.
77. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for the "Heart of Hartford" event to be sponsored by the Mission for Jesus International in Bushnell Park on September 27th.
78. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees and street closures for "Rochambeau Day" to be sponsored by the First Company Governor's Food Guard at various downtown locations on September 19.
79. Main Street. Resolution requesting that the Development Services Department hold a series of public discussions concerning the revitalization of Main Street between Trumbull and Park Streets.
80. Livable Communities Act. Resolution supporting Senate Bill 1619 which would establish an Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities and establish grant programs for projects that create livable communities.
81. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees and closure of downtown streets for the Hooker Day Parade to be sponsored by the Hartford Business Improvement District on October 24, 2009.
82. Substance Abuse Facility. Resolution asserting that the Blue Hills Substance Abuse Services Division, located at 500 Vine Street, is critically important to Hartford residents and must remain open.
83. Disabilities Awareness. Resolution supporting opportunities for individuals with disabilities to work and be self-sufficient and declaring October 21st to be Disability Awareness Day in Hartford.
84. Hartford Hurricanes. Authorization for the City to pay the fees for use of Dillon Stadium on four dates in September and October on behalf of The Hartford Hurricanes, a youth football and cheerleading team.
85. North Hartford Senior Center. Acceptance of budget proposed by the Senior Center Advisory Committee and use of $30,000 in savings generated for maintenance of the facility. (also see #88 and 92)
86. Educational Grants. Resolution asking the Superintendent of Schools to participate with community and parent groups in seeking grant funds for after-school and other enrichment programs.
87. Exceptional Service Increments. Resolution urging the Mayor to halt exceptional service increment payments until the Council has outlined a formal process. (also see #58)
88. North Hartford Senior Center. Acceptance of budget proposed by the Senior Center Advisory Committee and direction to the City to provide maintenance services at the facility. (also see #85 and 92)
89. Martin Luther King, Jr. Request to the Public Building Dedication Committee to seek public input and recommend options for naming a street or avenue within the city for Dr King.
90. Health Care Reform. Resolution supporting the immediate enactment of President Obama's Health Care Reform Principles.
91. Handz-On. Allocation of $2,000 for Girls Expression, which serves girls from 8 to 17 years.
92. North Hartford Senior Center. Acceptance of budget proposed by the Senior Center Advisory Committee. (also see #85 and 88)

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.