Council Previews & Reviews >> Reviews > October 9, 2012

Council Review
Hartford City Council Meeting

Monday, October 9, 2012

Prepared by:
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000

There were 36 items on the original agenda. One additional item was submitted during the meeting. The next public hearing will be Monday, October 15, 2012 at 7 PM. The next regular Council meeting will be held on Monday, October 22, 2012 at 7 P.M. in the Council Chambers in Hartford City Hall.

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/Minutes/council_meeting_minutes.htm

ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST

EDA Grant – The Council referred, to its Planning & Economic Development Committee, a resolution to accept a $1.0 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration. The grant will allow the City to solicit economic development proposals from teams of experts. From the proposals, three firms will be selected to develop and submit comprehensive, strategic economic development plans for implementation of the Hartford Innovation Hub. The Hub will provide support and assistance to entrepreneurs who will develop and grow businesses creating high-wage jobs. (Segarra) (Item #4)

C-PACE Financing – The Council referred, to its Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee, a resolution authorizing the City to participate in the State of Connecticut’s Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) financing program administered by the Clean Energy Finance & Investment Authority (CEFIA). The program allows commercial and industrial property owners to obtain low-cost financing arranged by CEFIA to make energy-related improvements to their property. Repayment of the loans is made through an assessment on the property tax bill. (Segarra) (Item #11)

TIGER Grant – The Council postponed action on a resolution authorizing acceptance of a $10 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation through its Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program. The funds will be used to implement Hartford’s Intermodal Triangle Project which is intended to improve the connections between various modes of transportation - pedestrian, bicycle, taxi, bus, rail, air – in the downtown area. Specifically, the project will improve Union Station and the State House Square area, create a drive along the northern edge of Bushnell Park, and prioritize transit uses on Pearl and Asylum Streets. Total project cost is $21,121,000 and other funds will be provided through the City’s Capital Improvement Fund. (Segarra) (Item #18)

NRZ Strategic Plan Updates – The Council approved an ordinance adopting updated Neighborhood Revitalization Zone (NRZ) Strategic Plans for two NRZs: MARG (Maple Avenue Revitalization Group) and the West End. The original plans were prepared by the NRZs in 2001 and 2002 respectively and have now been revised to reflect work already accomplished and changes in neighborhood demographics, the economy, new technologies, and new opportunities. Both the original and updated plans were developed by residents and other neighborhood stakeholders with the assistance of staff of the City’s Development Services Department. The content and process of NRZ Strategic Plans are governed by State Statute. (Segarra) (Item #31)

Commission on Addiction and Public Health – The Council approved an ordinance establishing a new Commission on Addiction and Public Health as a successor to the no-longer-active Commission on Drug and Alcohol Abuse. The recommendation for the new commission was made by a group of 35 agencies and organizations which provide addiction-related services. The Commission will consist of nine members and will serve as a coordinating body for planning, awareness, prevention, and education efforts that address substance abuse in Hartford. (Segarra) (Item #30)

LIST OF ALL AGENDA ITEMS

Item #

  1. Caez Claim. Settlement, in the amount of $75,000, of a workers’ compensation claim made by Raul Caez, Jr. (Segarra) Passed
  2. Access to Food. Authorization to extend current contracts with four operators of food pantries in the amount of $13,750 each. (Segarra) Referred to Health & Human Services Committee
  3. Union Contract. Approval of a collective bargaining agreement with Local 1716, Council 4, AFSCME, AFL-CIO for a four year period from July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2015, (Segarra) Referred to Operations, Management, Budget & Legislative Affairs Committee
  4. Economic Development Administration Grant. Authorization for the City to accept a $1.0 million grant to be used for the Hartford innovation Hub which will help entrepreneurs to start and grow companies in Hartford. (Segarra) Referred to Planning & Economic Development Committee
  5. Project Safe Neighborhoods. Approval for the City to accept $42,745 in federal funds from the U.S. Department of Justice which will be used to reimburse the City for the cost of purchasing 42 cameras for use by police officers in the field. (Segarra) Referred to Quality of Life, Public Safety, and Housing Committee
  6. Reception. Approval for the City to serve alcohol at a reception in City Hall on October 11th in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. (Segarra) Passed
  7. Neighborhood Conditions Report. Submission of a report on properties being addressed through the City’s Anti-Blight Ordinance. (Segarra) Received
  8. ING Marathon. Approval of a fee of $60,000 to be paid by the ING Marathon to reimburse the City of Hartford for costs associated with the race. (Segarra) Referred to Operations, Management, Budget & Legislative Affairs Committee
  9. No-Freeze Shelter. Authorization for the City to execute a contract with Immaculate Conception Shelter & Housing Corporation for $92,000 to provide shelter beds for homeless individuals during the winter months. (Segarra) Referred to Health & Human Services Committee
  10. Charter Oak Cultural Center. Approval for the City to provide a grant of $60,000 to the Charter Oak Cultural Center for replacement of their inoperable heating system. (Segarra) Passed
  11. C-PACE Financing Program. Authorization for the City to participate in the State’s Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program, which will provide low-cost loans to commercial and industrial businesses to make energy improvements to their property. (Segarra) Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee
  12. Credit Union Lease. Approval for a lease with the Greater Hartford Police Federal Credit Union for space in the Public Safety Complex. (Segarra) Referred to Operations, Management, Budget & Legislative Affairs Committee and Public Hearing
  13. Monthly Mayoral Update. Submission of the Mayor’s monthly report on operations, finances, and initiatives of Hartford City Government. (Segarra) Received
  14. Commission on HIV/AIDS. Confirmation of the Mayor’s appointment of Hector Davila to the Commission on HIV/AIDS. (Segarra) Passed
  15. Design District. Approval to accept a grant of $387,600 from the Capitol Region Council of Governments for creation of a design district in north downtown. (Segarra) Passed
  16. Transit Oriented Development Grant. Authorization to accept a grant of $730,000 from the CT Department of Transportation to develop regulations that will encourage transit oriented development in the downtown area. (Segarra) Postponed
  17. Appointment. Confirmation of appointment of Michael T. McGarry to the Board of Assessment Appeals. (Segarra) Passed
  18. TIGER Grant. Approval to accept a $10 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation for implementation of the Intermodal Triangle Project which will make improvements to Hartford’s transportation hub in downtown Hartford. (Segarra) Postponed
  19. Amendments to NRZ Plans. Report by the Planning & Economic Development Committee on an ordinance approving updates of the Neighborhood Revitalization Zone (NRZ) Strategic Plans of the West End NRZ and the Maple Avenue Revitalization Group (MARG) NRZ. (Segarra) (also see #31) Passed
  20. Brownfield Grant. Authorization for the Hartford Redevelopment Agency to accept a $500,000 grant from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development to be used to conduct environmental assessment and remediation on five vacant properties at Woodland Street and Albany Avenue. (Segarra) Passed
  21. Bioscience Enterprise Zone. Authorization for the City to participate in the State’s Bioscience Enterprise Zone program through which State and local tax incentives, already available to businesses within the City’s Enterprise Zone, are also made available to bioscience businesses located anywhere in Hartford. (Segarra) Passed
  22. 17-19 Squire Street. Approval of the sale of property at 17-19 Squire Street by the Redevelopment Agency to Southside Institutions Neighborhood Alliance and Carlos Valinho for rehabilitation into two 2-family homes. (Segarra) Referred to Planning & Economic Development Committee
  23. Transportation Grant. Approval to accept a $451,250 grant from the Federal Transportation Administration for creation of a single integrated transportation strategy and action plan. (Segarra) Passed
  24. Immunization Grant. Approval to accept a $19,000 grant from the CT Association of Directors of Health to develop a system for billing insurers for immunization services provided through the Health & Human Services Department. (Segarra) Passed
  25. Commission on Addiction & Public Health. Report from the Health & Human Services Committee on an ordinance creating a Commission on Addiction & Public Health to replace the former Commission on Alcohol & Drug Abuse. (Segarra) (also see #30) Passed
  26. HIV/AIDS Prevention Grant. Authorization for the City to accept $150,000 from the Connecticut Department of Public Health to be used for education, counseling, and other services to prevent HIV/AIDS among Hartford residents. (Segarra) Passed
  27. Library Reception. Authorization for the Hartford Public Library to serve alcohol at the Wallace Stevens Birthday Bash on Saturday, November 3, 2012 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. (Jennings) Passed
  28. Rocktoberfest. Proposal to close one lane of Farmington Avenue on Saturday, October 20, 2012 from 2 to 7 PM and to provide a special events fee waiver for the Rocktoberfest event. (Kennedy) Withdrawn
  29. Milner School. Ordinance appropriating $2,000,000 for the renovation of Milner School. (Segarra) Passed
  30. Commission on Addiction & Public Health. Ordinance creating a Commission on Addiction & Public Health to replace the former Commission on Alcohol & Drug Abuse. (Segarra) (also see #25) Passed
  31. Amendments to NRZ Plans. Ordinance approving updates of the Neighborhood Revitalization Zone (NRZ) Strategic Plans of the West End NRZ and the Maple Avenue Revitalization Group (MARG) NRZ. (Segarra) (also see #19) Passed
  32. Fee Schedule. Ordinance changing the fee schedule for use of Dillon Stadium by teams, organizations, and the Hartford Public Schools. (Kennedy) Postponed
  33. Blighted Housing Special Assessment. Ordinance establishing a special assessment on blighted housing which will result in owners of blighted housing being liable for an additional tax. (Segarra) Passed
  34. Race Fees. Ordinance allowing the Mayor, with the approval of Council, to set flat fees for services provided by the City for marathons and other races. (Segarra) Referred to Operations, Management, Budget & Legislative Affairs Committee and Public Hearing
  35. Library Café. Ordinance transferring $223,810 from completed capital improvement projects for the purpose of funding improvements to the café space at the Hartford Public Library. (Segarra) Referred to Operations, Management, Budget & Legislative Affairs Committee and Public Hearing
  36. Wedding Reception. Approval to serve alcohol at a wedding reception on November 10, 2012 at the Northend Senior Center. (Anderson) Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee
  37. 920-944 Main Street. Authorization to amend an existing lease between the City of Hartford and Richardson Redo LLC, for property at 920-944 Main Street, by extending the term of the lease and changing the way in which rental payments are calculated. (Segarra) Passed

If you have any questions about the agenda, please call Richard Frieder at the Hartford Public Library, 695-6365, or email Linda Bayer at lbayer@Hartford2000.org. The Council Preview/Review is a joint project of Hartford 2000 and the Hartford Public Library.

| Last update: September 25, 2012 |
     
Powered by Hartford Public Library  

Includes option to search related Hartford sites.

Advanced Search
Search Tips

Can't Find It? Have a Question?