Council Previews & Reviews >> Reviews > September 27, 2004

Council Review
Hartford City Council Meeting

Monday, September 27, 2004

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

There were 38 items on the agenda. The next Council meeting will be, Tuesday, October 12, 2004 at 7 P.M at Hartford City Hall in Council Chambers. It will be preceded by a public hearing that will begin at 6:30 P.M.

Three Year Cap on CDBG Funds: The Council referred to the Management and Budget Committee a resolution to reconsider the policy of a three year cap on CDBG funds. On February 23, 2003, the Council adopted a policy limiting the period that an agency/organization can receive funds to three consecutive years. These agencies/ organizations would not be considered for additional funds for two years. A number of the agencies/organizations affected by this policy have requested that it be reviewed.

Property Tax Payments: After a lengthy discussion, the Council tabled a resolution that would “extend tax interest abatement opportunities to those taxpayers who tendered a partial payment on their first-half taxes payable on July 1, 2004 to the City of Hartford, and who have demonstrated significant hardship.” The resolution would also allow for the abatement of interest accrued on the remaining portions of first-half tax payments to the extent allowed by law. The Council tabled the resolution in order to get more information with regards to two proposed amendments and also expressed a desire to vote on the resolution at the next meeting. This resolution is in response to the impact that the semi-annual tax installment plan implemented by the City for 2004-2005 has had on a number of families, elderly, and small businesses.

Pocket Bike Ban: The Council received a report from the Quality of Life and Public Safety Committee recommending passage of an ordinance which would ban pocket bikes and similar vehicles from city streets and public property. After a presentation by the Segway Company, the committee Quality of Life and Public Safety Committee voted to recommend that the ordinance be changed to allow Segways to remain legal because they are taller than the pocket bikes, they cannot be modified, and are only used on sidewalks. (The actual ordinance will not be voted on by the Council until its October 12th meeting.)

WFSB Land Purchase: The Council passed a resolution confirming the terms of sale allowing WFSB Channel 3 to purchase a parcel of land just north of downtown and adjacent to Interstate 84 for relocation. Under the terms of the agreement, WFSB would, among other things, pay $800,000 for the property, give its property at 3 Constitution Plaza to the City at no cost, and pay reduced taxes for 7 years.

Consultant to Support Hartford Police Department: The Council referred to the Quality of Life and Public Safety Committee a resolution authorizing the Mayor to accept a proposal from the Gordon Wasserman Group, LLC, to provide consulting services to the Hartford Police Department (HPD) for an amount not to exceed $120,000. The consultants will assist the HPD in implementing information-led community policing programs and in continuing the overhaul of the organization, policies, and procedures of the Department.

Capital Improvement Fund Projects: The Council received a proposed appropriation ordinance in the Capital Improvement Fund for $3,975,000 to finance seven Local Capital Improvement Program (LoCIP) projects including: Police Headquarters HVAC Improvements and Roof Replacement ($1,350,000); Mark Twain Branch Library ($75,000); City Hall Department Reconfiguration and Canopy Roofs ($400,000); City Hall Fourth Floor Improvements ($400,000); Central Business District Street Light Replacement ($500,000); Street Resurfacing and Repairs ($1,000,000); Colt and Keney Park Swimming Pool Renovations ($250,000). This ordinance has been to public hearing. (Item #10)

Riverfront Recapture: The Council passed a resolution that supports the efforts of Riverfront Recapture to complete the basic infrastructure for the paved and lighted river-walk system that will connect the downtown riverfront and the Charter Oak Landing. An opening in the dike wall will be created by hydraulic steel gates that will allow access from Van Dyke Avenue. The steel gates would then become part of the City’s flood control system and result in an annual operating cost of $17,000.

If you have any questions about the agenda call Greg Vickers at CREN, 509-3701 or Richard Frieder at the Hartford Public Library, 695-6365.  The Council Preview is a joint project of the Citizens' Research Education Network and the Hartford Public Library.

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