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Prepared by: Citizens’ Research Education Network,
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000
There were 45 items on the regular agenda; eleven were added
on the supplemental agenda. Three were
walked in at the meeting. The Council
met on Tuesday, rather than Monday, because of the Columbus Day Holiday. Council member Veronica Airey-Wilson was
absent. There were over 100 citizens in the Council chambers for the
meeting. The next Council meeting is
Monday, October 25.
Living Wage Ordinance
– The Council passed the “living wage ordinance.” The ordinance would establish a living wage for all service
workers "employed for work performed in execution of service contracts
with the City of Hartford." Under the ordinance only those development
projects which cost in excess of $100,000 would be required to pay the
wage. During the discussion around the
ordinance, Council member O’Connell argued that it was “feel good” legislation
which would cost the city an unknown amount of money. Council member Sanchez countered that it would be “feel
great” legislation to those who could
buy their children new clothes because of the higher wages.
Housing Overlay
District – The Council postponed action on five ordinances which would
create a housing overlay district (HOD) in the downtown area
north of Bushnell Park. HODs establish
a residential development requirement in areas zoned for office use. If passed, the ordinances would require any
new structures or enlargements of existing buildings in the HOD to include 25%
gross floor area be reserved for residential use. Several businesses in the effected area have filed official protests
to the proposed district.
Labor Contract --
The Council ratified the Tentative Agreement of a labor contract between the
city and Local 1716, AFSCME. The five
year agreement includes a 2% wage increase per year, extended work hours on
Thursdays, institution of a new automated sanitation truck program, and
implementation of a new worker’s compensation package.
Rodent Control –
The Council consented an ordinance appropriating $2 million from the general
fund unreserved fund to finance the Rodent Control Program. The program, passed at the Council’s
September 13 meeting, consists of “coordinated inspection, baiting and clean up of all residential and
commercial properties in the city,” a public education and awareness campaign
and the implementation of semi-automatic trash removal for all residential one
to six family properties.
Golfing – The
Council passed a resolution creating a task force to decide how best to respond
to a request for $750,000 over three years from the Hartford Parks Trust
Fund. The request comes from First Tee
of Hartford, Inc to create a Junior Golf Program in Keney and Goodwin Parks.
Helicopter in
Bushnell Park – The Council consented a resolution allowing a helicopter to
land in Bushnell Park for National Red Ribbon Celebration Week, October
21-31. The celebration, in memory of the
death of DEA agent Enrique Camarena in 1985, was established to educate youth
to the dangers of drugs. There will be
National Guardsmen and a DEA agent in Bushnell Park to discuss problems related
to drug use on October 21. Tours of the
helicopter will be given after the discussion.
New Sister City –
The Council passed a resolution making Dongguan, China a sister city with
Hartford. The Sister Cities program
promotes friendship and understanding between people of different countries.
If you have any questions about the agenda, call the Council at 522‑4888 or Greg Vickers at CREN, 249‑1416. The Citizens' Research Education Network is a non‑profit information center for Hartford community‑based organizations. |
