Council Review
Hartford City Council Meeting

Monday, September 26, 2005

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

There were 37 items on the agenda: two additional items were walked in during the meeting.  The next Council meeting is scheduled for scheduled for Tuesday, October 11, 2005.  It will be preceded by an open agenda public hearing that will begin at 6:30 P.M. 

Monday’s agenda is available on the Internet at http://www.hartford.gov/government/Town&CityClerk/Agendas/9-26-05.htm.

Communication regarding Mayor Eddie Perez’s veto of agenda items from the September 12^th meeting:  The Council, after a spirited discussion, voted against a resolution calling for a veto override of two of Mayor Perez’ vetoes. 

Mayor Perez vetoed two items from the September 12^th agenda: an act concerning Mr. Kendall Williams (#12) and an item regarding an incident on South Whitney St (#41).  Both were vetoed on the grounds that Council interfered with the executive authority of the Mayor and separation of powers between Mayor and Council. The Mayor stated in his veto communication that the Council may pass laws and budgets, but cannot order the Mayor to take executive actions. According to Mayor Perez the Council was fully briefed in executive session and had approved the settlement with Mr. Williams; concerns or a request for a public hearing could have been addressed at this time. 

In regards to the incident on South Whitney St, the Mayor stated that the Council was exceeding its authority by attempting to interfere with the Firearms Discharge Board of Inquiry, the Internal Affairs Division of the Police Department, and the Chief’s management of the Police Department.

Council President Hernan LaFontaine (D) was not at the meeting. Kenneth H. Kennedy  Jr. (D) voted in favor of challenging the veto; all other Council members voted against.

Reallocation of Community Development Block Grants:  For fiscal year 2005/06, due to a finding that a number of programs previously funded by CDBG were not eligible or were not placed in the correct category. The Council approved several adjustments proposed by Mayor Perez that will address the issue. (Item 3)

Provision of Living Wage to Bus Drivers:  The Council withdrew a resolution that would have allocated up to $250,000 to Laidlaw Transit Services, Inc., for the provision of a living wage to the bus drivers that they employ for the Hartford Public School System.  Laidlaw currently has a contract with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) that does not provide their bus drivers with a living wage that is commensurate with 2005 living wage standards. 

Authorization to Acquire a Fire Heavy Rescue Unit: The Council referred to the Management and Budget Committee and to the Quality of Life and Public Safety Committee a resolution which would authorize Mayor Perez to enter and execute a lease agreement for a Fire Heavy Rescue Unit. The City’s 10-year central equipment plan has allocated funds to acquire this equipment.

311 System:  The Council referred to the Management and Budget Committee and to the Quality of Life and Public Safety Committee a resolution which would authorize the acquisition of a City-Wide Work Order System and a Customer Relationship Management System, both to be in service of the City’s Master Technology Plan and 311 System, for up to $2.2 million. 

Morgan Street Garage:  The Council referred to the Planning Economic Development Committee a resolution authorizing the Hartford Parking Authority to lease approximately 13,000 square feet of commercial space that is available in the Morgan Street Garage to various potential tenants. 

Purchase and Installation of Surveillance Cameras:  The Council passed a resolution by Councilman Kenneth H. Kennedy Jr., (D) from the Council’s Quality of Life and Public Safety Committee, that the City look into purchasing and installing surveillance cameras throughout the city to help reduce the amount of criminal activity, and report its findings to the Council within 60 days.

Other agenda items included:

• Referring to the Health and Human Services Committee a resolution allocating $22,336 over two years to continue the UCONN Husky Sports Program, mentoring young girls from the Capitol Region at the Kelvin D. Anderson Center.
• Passing on consent a contract renewal with the Community Renewal Team Inc. to operate the Stewart McKinney Shelter and authorizing the Mayor to apply for funding from the State Department of Social Services to continue to fund the shelter’s operation.

If you have any questions or comments please call CREN at 509-3701, or the Hartford Public Library at 695-6365. The Council Preview and Review is a joint project of the Citizens' Research Education Network and the Hartford Public Library.