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Council Review
Hartford City Council Meeting

Monday, September 22, 2008

Prepared by:
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000

There were 68 items on the original agenda. Eight additional items were submitted. The next regular Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at 7 P.M. (change due to holiday) in the Council Chambers in Hartford City Hall. The next public hearing will be Monday, October 20, 2008 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/council_meeting_minutes.htm  

ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST

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.

HEDCo Business Resource Center – The Council will vote on a resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement with HEDCo (Hartford Economic Development Corporation) to operate its Business Resource Center. The Center provides entrepreneurs and small businesses with critical training and technical assistance, with a focus on assisting small and minority owned contractors to obtain contracts on major projects in Hartford. Funding in the amount of $138,000 for the Business Resource Center has been allocated to HEDCo in the 2008-2009 General Fund Budget. (Item #2)

Sex Offender Monitoring – The Council referred, to its Quality of Life & Public Safety Committee, a resolution approving acceptance of a $164,977 grant from the US Department of Justice to establish a one-year intensive program to track and monitor registered sex offenders in Hartford and to apprehend violators of the Sex Offender Registration & Notification Act. (Item #4)

Keney Park Pond House and Pope Park Phase III - The Council passed a resolution authorizing the reprogramming of $1.1 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) – Unspecified Local Option (ULO) funds - to the Department of Public Works for renovation and accessibility improvements to the Keney Park Pond House ($400,000) and accessible walkways and other outdoor improvements to Pope Park ($700,000), as contained in Phase III of the Pope Park Plan. (Item #5)

Quality of Life Initiative Program – The Council referred, to its Quality of Life & Public Safety Committee, a resolution authorizing the Mayor to apply for and accept funds for the 2008 Quality of Life Initiative Program in the amount of $100,000 from the State of Connecticut, Office of Policy and Management. The funding will be used to enhance the police department’s response to quality of life crimes. Response teams dedicated to the handling of quality of life complaints will be deployed throughout the city. (Item #7)

Recommendations of the Living Wage Task Force – The Council received recommendations from the Living Wage Task Force. In summary, they include: Increase the living wage from 100% to 120% of the federal poverty level; Expand the scope of living wage requirements in several ways such as including all workers (not just service positions) and all city contracts; Increase the wage differential for those with no health benefits to an amount that makes it beneficial for the employer to pay the higher rate; Require the school bus company to provide health care; Increase enforcement efforts; and Ensure ongoing assessment. (Item #9)

Rules for Considering Vetoes From the Mayor – The Council passed a resolution that clarifies the process after a veto by the Mayor. The resolution states that City Council Rules will be updated to indicate that any vetoed resolution or ordinance shall be automatically placed, by the Town Clerk, on the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting agenda. The Legislative Affairs Committee has recommended approval. (Item #10)

Shot-Spotter – The Council postponed action on a resolution requesting that the Mayor acquire a Shot-Spotter. This is new technology that can identify the location of a gunshot within five seconds of firing, which would assist in apprehending individuals firing guns in Hartford. The resolution also asks that state, federal, and other funding options be explored in order to acquire the Shot-Spotter as soon as possible. (Item #32)

Medical Premiums for Retirees – The Council defeated a resolution, previously postponed, reaffirming its intention that the Mayor submit to the City Council, for final approval before implementation, any plan which might impact medical premiums for retirees. (Item #44)

Richard Weaver-Bey – The Council passed a resolution stipulating that, in recognition of Richard Weaver-Bey’s outstanding leadership and contributions to the city, the name “Richard Weaver-Bey Way” be super imposed on Garden Street between Albany Avenue and Mather Street. Richard Weaver-Bey died in May. He was one of the most influential African-American businessmen in Hartford and was also a community leader who was well known in political, celebrity, and civic circles. The Public Building Dedication Committee recommends approval. (Item #35)

Freedom of Information – The Council withdrew a resolution that commits the Council to reviewing the question of whether the City should further appeal a Freedom of Information ruling. (Item #45)

Charter Revision – The Council passed a resolution authorizing the establishment of a Charter Revision Commission and stating that members be appointed within thirty days. Its purpose will be to review the current Charter and all aspects of the structure of the City Government. (Item #70)

ACTION ON ALL AGENDA ITEMS

Item #

1. Parkville Business Association. Allocation of $35,000 to the Parkville Business Association for staff and operating costs. Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee
2. HEDCo. Approval to enter into a contract with the Hartford Economic Development Corporation’s Business Resource Center for $138,000 allocated in the General Fund Budget. Passed
3. Justice Assistance Grant. Approval to accept $105,431 from the US Department of Justice to be used to concentrate Police services on criminal hotspots in the city. Referred to Quality of Life & Public Safety Committee
4. Sex Offender Monitoring. Approval to accept $164,977 from the US Department of Justice for a one-year intensive program for tracking, monitoring, and apprehending (where necessary) registered sex offenders in Hartford. Referred to Quality of Life & Public Safety Committee
5. Keney and Pope Parks. Approval to allocate $1.1 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for renovation and accessibility improvements to Keney Park Pond House ($400,000) and accessible walkways and other outdoor improvements to Pope Park as planned in Phase III of the Pope Park Master Plan ($700,000). Passed
6. Weed and Seed. Approval to accept $150,000 from the US Department of Justice to continue the Weed and Seed program in Clay Arsenal and Upper Albany neighborhoods which addresses crime through prevention, intervention, and treatment. . Referred to Quality of Life & Public Safety Committee
7. Quality of Life Crimes. Approval to accept $100,000 from the CT Office of Policy & Management to be used by the Police Department to enhance its response to quality of life crimes occurring throughout the city. Referred to Quality of Life & Public Safety Committee
8. Executive Session. Request for the Council to go into Executive Session to discuss the legal matter of Daniel Albert v. City of Hartford, et al. Executive Session
9. Living Wage. Report from the Living Wage Task Force making recommendations concerning wage levels, benefits, and job opportunities. Received
10. Mayoral Vetoes. Recommendation by the Legislative Affairs Committee to change the Council Rules to state that any item passed by Council and vetoed by the Mayor must be placed on the next Council agenda. Passed
11. Scapegoat: Report from Operations, Management, and Budget Committee recommending approval of a grant of $5,000 to Debbie Goffe and her dance company, Scapegoat Garden. Passed
12. Latin-American Basketball. Report from Operations, Management & Budget Committee giving no recommendation on a grant of $3,500 to the Juan Castillo Latin-American Basketball League, due to lack of available funds. Withdrawn
13. HARC. Report from Health & Human Services Committee forwarding request for grant of $7,500 to HARC for recreational programs for children with mental disabilities. No recommendation due to lack of quorum. Passed
14. OPUS. Report from Health & Human Services Committee forwarding request for grant of $5,000 to OPUS, Inc. for artistic programs for children. No recommendation due to lack of quorum. Passed
15. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver and street closings for CT Special Olympics Corporate 5K held on August 14, 2008. Postponed
16. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver and street closings for Marshall House Block Party held on September 5, 2008. Passed
17. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver for "Walk in Our Footsteps" sponsored by CT Coalition Against Domestic Violence to be held on October 3, 2008. Postponed
18. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver and street closings for "Christian Parade" sponsored by the Church of God Pentecost held on August 30, 2008. Postponed
19. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver for Latino Fest sponsored by Hacemos Scholarship Foundation held on September 6, 2008 in Bushnell Park. Postponed
20. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver for "Take Back the Park" held by Hartford City Mission in Keney Park on July 31 and August 1, 2008. Postponed
21. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver for "Community Garden Picnic" held by Broad Park Development and Hartford Public Library on August 22, 2008. Postponed
22. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver for a summer outing held by Liberty Christian Center on August 17, 2008. Postponed
23. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver for the "Evangelical Campaign Outreaching for the Vision of Christ 2008" at South Green Park by Ebenezer Pentecostal Church on August 30, 31, 2008. Postponed
24. Monument. Approval to erect a monument to Marcus Garvey at the intersection of Granby and Cornwall Streets (Marcus Garvey Triangle). Passed
25. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver for "Community Street Fest" held by Liberty Christian Center on August 30, 31, 2008. Passed
26. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver for a fundraiser held by The Barrio Riders and the Pit Stop held on August 30, 2008. Passed
27. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver for "Grilling for Green" to be held by Knox Parks Foundation on October 2, 2008 at Elizabeth Park. Passed
28. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver for Sigourney Square Family Festival held by LifeTime Solutions on August 30, 31, 2008. Passed
29. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver for a series of summer religious services held by Bibleway Temple Nation. Postponed
30. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver for a series of religious services held by La Iglesia de Dios in August and September 2008. Postponed
31. Emergency Preparedness. Approval to enter into agreement with the State for services and funding for emergency preparedness in the region. Will be withdrawn as Council took action in July. Withdrawn
32. ShotSpotter. Report by Quality of Life and Public Safety Committee postponing action on request to Mayor to acquire technology that identifies the location of a gunshot within five seconds of the shot. Further discussions with Police will be held by committee. Postponed
33. Riverfront North. Recommendation by Legislative Affairs Committee to approve appropriation of $324,697 for walkway along Connecticut River. (see #38) Passed
34. Victor Jarm. Report by the Public Building Dedication Committee recommending approval of request to name the playground at Forster Heights Park “Victor Jarm Playground”. Passed
35. Richard Weaver-Bey. Report by the Public Building Dedication Committee recommending approval of request to name the corner of Garden Street between Albany Avenue and Mather Street "Richard Weaver-Bey Way". Passed
36. Monument in Bushnell Park: Authorization to install monument to workers killed on the job. Postponed
37. School-Community Partnerships: Report by Council’s Education Committee postponing action on funding for the Partnership. Referred to Education Committee
38. Riverwalk North. Appropriation of $324,697 in the Capital Improvement Fund for construction, inspection, and maintenance of a lighted walkway along the Connecticut River from Bulkeley Bridge to Riverside Park. All funds will be provided by the State of CT and Riverfront Recapture. (also see #33) Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee
39. Appointments. Approval to appoint Robin Kimberly Hussain and Linda R. Nelson to the Hartford Commission on Grandparents Raising Grandparents. Passed
40. Appointment. Approval to appoint Sean P. Arena and Rafael Lopez-Hernandez to the Hartford Redevelopment Agency. Passed
41. Appointment. Approval to appoint Craig Mergins to the Advisory Commission on the Environment. Passed
42. Reappointment. Approval to reappoint Melvin L. Crockett to the Civilian Police Review Board. Passed
43. Reappointment. Approval to reappoint Melvin D. Pettigrew and Jesse J. Smith to the Greater Hartford Transit District. Passed
44. Premiums. Request to the Mayor that he submit to Council any plans that might impact medical insurance premiums for retirees. Failed
45. FOI. Request to Council to review the question of further appeals versus settlement of Freedom of Information Commission decision. Withdrawn
46. Bulkeley School. Appropriation of $790,000 for construction of student bathrooms at Bulkeley High School and approval of issuance of $190,000 to pay for the City’s share of the costs. Referred to Operations, Management & Budget
47. Two Schools. Appropriation of $92.5 million for construction/renovations of the Journalism and New Media High School ($40 million) and the International Baccalaureate School ($58 million) and approval of issuance of $31 million in bonds to pay for the City’s share of the cost. Referred to Operations, Management & Budget
48. Transfer Center. Appropriation of $1.1 million for construction and renovation of the bulky waste drop-off station at the Hartford Landfill into the Hartford Bulky Waste and Recycling Transfer Center. Referred to Operations, Management & Budget
49. Procurement Ordinance. A new procurement ordinance will be submitted to Council at the Monday meeting. Referred to Operations, Management & Budget
50. Appointment. Approval of appointment of Mark A. Reaves to the Fair Rent Commission. Postponed
51. Appointment. Approval of appointment of Imani Zito to the Advisory Commission on Food Policy. Postponed
52. Appointment. Approval of appointment of Constance Belton Green to the Hartford Public Library Board of Directors. Passed
53. Appointment. Appointment to the Ethics Commission of person not specified. Withdrawn
54. Soccer Task Force. Appointment of fourteen individuals to a soccer task force. Passed
55. Financial Report. Fourth Quarter (April – June, 2008) Financial Report will be submitted to Council at the Monday meeting. Referred to Committee of the Whole
56. Procurement Regulations. New procurement regulations to be submitted to Council at the Monday meeting. Withdrawn
57. Cemeteries. Request to the Mayor to identify $100,000 for the purpose of addressing the deterioration of Hartford’s five public cemeteries through fencing, signage, and landscaping. Referred to Operations, Management & Budget
58. West End Community Center. Request to the Mayor to identify $35,000 to be granted to the West End Community Center for repairs and renovations to its building. Referred to Operations, Management & Budget
59. Fee Waiver. Request for a fee waiver for the Columbus Day Parade and celebration to be held on October 10-12, 2008. Referred to Operations, Management & Budget
60. Sheff Movement. Request for $5,000 to match funds provided by various foundations and organizations to carry out activities and strategies that support full implementation of Sheff v. O’Neill decisions. Referred to Operations, Management & Budget
61. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver for Rochambeau Day to be sponsored by the Governor’s Foot Guard on September 20, 2008. Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee
62. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver for Adventist Youth Program to be held at Elizabeth Park on September 13, 2008. Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee
63. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver for "Veterans Salute" sponsored by the VFW on September 25-29, 2008 at Brainard Airport. . Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee
64. Soccer. Approval of a $7,500 grant for the Hartford Jaycee’s Soccer Program. Referred to Operations, Management & Budget
65. Blue Hills Civic Association. Approval of a $10,000 grant to the Blue Hills Civic Association for a homeownership counseling program. Referred to Operations, Management & Budget
66. Minority Contracting. Request that the Mayor identify up to $80,000 for workforce empowerment efforts by the Minority Contract Council. Referred to Operations, Management & Budget
67. HOPE. Request that the Mayor identify up to $5,000 for outreach activities of Hartford Organizing for Power & Equality (HOPE). Referred to Operations, Management & Budget
68. Ebony Horsewomen. Request that the Mayor identify up to $10,000 for the Ebony Horsewomen for youth programming. Referred to Operations, Management & Budget
69. Basketball League. Request that the City provide $3,500 to the Juan Castillo Latin-Ameican Basketball League for youth. Referred to Operations, Management & Budget
70. Charter Revision. Establishment of a Charter Revision Commission. Passed
71. Council Lawyer. Ordinance to authorize the allocation of no less than $75,000 to hire an attorney to advise the Court of Common Council. Failed
72. City’s Financial Situation. Approval for the Operations, Management and Budget Committee to hold a series of special meetings to discuss the City’s financial situation and how to reduce spending while maintaining core City services. Passed
73. Support for Fernando Betancourt. Statement of opposition to the firing of Fernando Betancourt as Executive Director of the Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission. Tabled
74. Bicycles. Approval to accept two bicycles from several community based organizations and nonprofit businesses for use by the Police in the Northwest Division. Passed
75. Soccer. Approval to identify $7,50 for the Martin Luther King Junior Soccer League. Referred to the Operations, Management and Budget Committee
76. Immigrant Celebration. Designation of October as Immigrant Appreciation Month and support for an Immigrant Celebration on October 18. 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, 509-3710. The Council Preview/Review is a joint project of the Hartford 2000, and the Hartford Public Library.