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Prepared by:
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000
The Council meeting will begin at 7 P.M. at Hartford City Hall in Council Chambers. The meeting will be preceded, at 6:30 PM, by an open agenda public hearing. The next Council meeting will be Tuesday, October 10, 2006 at 7 P.M. The next public hearing will be Monday, October 16, 2006.
There are 32 items on the agenda. The complete agenda for the Council meeting is available online at http://www.hartford.gov/government/Town&CityClerk/Agendas/archive.htm
Previously Submitted Items: The following items have previously appeared on the Council Agenda. They were referred to committees and/or public hearing. They are now on the agenda again for action.
Amendments to the Anti-Blight Ordinance – The Council will consider, for action, an ordinance amending the Anti-Blight Program. Among the changes proposed are inclusion of vacant land in the definition of “blighted premises”, application of the ordinance to occupied properties as well as vacant ones, more precise definitions of “dilapidated” and “illegal activity”, elimination of most exceptions to the applicability of the ordinance, imposition of fines of $100 per day on owners who fail to correct blighting conditions, authorization to file liens against the property for fines and accrued interest not paid by the owner, requirement that owners file valid addresses with the City, and, a statement that, even if such address is not on file, the owner is still liable for penalties. A public hearing on this matter was held on Monday, August 21, 2006, and the Council’s Planning and Economic Development Committee recommends approval with the recommendation that the City not be exempt from the ordinance. (Items #8 and 20)
Fair Housing Officer – The Council will consider a resolution authorizing the use of $90,000 in repayments of federal grant funds (Urban Development Action Grant) to partially support the position of Fair Housing Officer in the Office of Human Relations at $30,000 per year for three fiscal years (2006-2009). This position will be responsible for an annual analysis of impediments to fair housing choice in the city. The resolution received a positive recommendation from the Housing Committee. (Item #15)
Redevelopment Plan for Downtown West Section I – The Council will consider, for action, a resolution approving the Redevelopment Plan for the Downtown West Section I project. The project area includes 4.29 acres of land bounded by Asylum, Ann, Jewell, and Ford Streets and includes the YMCA site on Jewell Street (now owned by Northland Investment Corporation), a fire station, and several surface parking lots. The primary goal of the project is to spur the orderly reuse and upgrade of the parcels in the project area to the betterment of the area and the city. The project area will be redeveloped as primarily residential. The plan was prompted by Northland Investment’s request for the City to provide Tax Increment Financing (TIF) to assist in development of the old YMCA site. TIF financing requires the establishment of a TIF district and a Redevelopment Plan is the best means of establishing such a district. The Redevelopment Agency approved the redevelopment plan on August 10th and the Council’s Planning and Economic Development Committee recommended approval. The Council previously postponed action on the item. (Item #17)
Regulation of Newsracks – The Council will consider, for action, an ordinance for the regulation of installation, operation, and maintenance of newsracks within the public right-of-way. The objective is to assure that newsracks do not unduly obstruct sidewalks, create traffic congestion, damage municipal property, or endanger the safety and welfare of individuals. The ordinance requires permits, regulates the location of newsracks, and provides standards for maintenance and installation. A public hearing on this matter was held on Monday, August 21, 2006. The Council referred the item to the Public Works, Parks, and Environment Committee; a report has not been received. (Item #21)
Temporary Recreation Site – The Council will consider a resolution to authorize the Mayor to enter into an agreement with St. Luke’s Church at 66 Bolton Street to utilize the church’s community room for City-run recreation programs while the Metzner Recreation Center is being renovated. (Item #6)
Landfill Closure – The full text of this resolution is as follows: “Whereas the City of Hartford is the owner of the Hartford Landfill which is currently leased to the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority (CRRA) now, therefore be it resolved, the City of Hartford will not object to the CRRA’s landfill closure”. (Item #24)
Lease – The Council will consider a resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a lease with Capital Community College for space on the 3rd and 6th floors of the College (950 Main Street) for the operation of the Capital College Preparatory Inter-District Magnet School. The term of the lease is two years and ten months and the rent is $1.00 per year. (Item #25)
Funding for HOT – The Council will consider a resolution asking the Mayor to identify $15,000 to be provided to a coalition of community organizations (Hartford Organizing for Tomorrow) to be used , along with another $15,000 in matching funds, to develop a pool of funding for community services, human services, and community development. (Item #27)
Residency Survey – The Council will consider a resolution requesting that a working committee be established to develop a plan to bring the percentage of Hartford residents in the City of Hartford, Board of Education, and nonprofit workforce to 50%. The resolution also authorizes a residency survey. (Item #32)
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. |
