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Council Preview
Hartford City Council Meeting

Monday, October 14, 2008

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 public hearing will be Monday, October 20, 2008 at 7 PM. and the next Council meeting will be held on Monday, October 27, 2008 at 7 PM.

There are 53 items on the agenda. Below is detailed information about items of special interest to neighborhoods. Following those details is a listing of all agenda items, in layperson’s language. The complete official agenda for the Council meeting is available online by clicking on "Council Agendas" at the following web site: http://www.hartford.gov/government/Town&CityClerk/Agendas/archive.htm  

ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST

Previously Submitted Items: 

The following items were previously on the Council Agenda and were included in the Council Preview/Review.  They were referred to committees and/or public hearing or action was postponed by the Council.  They are now on the agenda again for action.

Sex Offender Monitoring – The Council will take action on a resolution approving acceptance of a $164,977 grant from the US Department of Justice to establish a one-year intensive program to track and monitor registered sex offenders in Hartford and to apprehend violators of the Sex Offender Registration & Notification Act. The Council’s Quality of Life and Public Safety Committee recommends approval. (Item #13)

Quality of Life Initiative Program – The Council will vote on a resolution authorizing the Mayor to apply for and accept funds for the 2008 Quality of Life Initiative Program in the amount of $100,000 from the State of Connecticut, Office of Policy and Management. The funding will be used to enhance the police department’s response to quality of life crimes. Response teams dedicated to the handling of quality of life complaints will be deployed throughout the city. The Council’s Quality of Life and Public Safety Committee recommends approval. (Item #15)

Shot-Spotter – The Council will consider a resolution requesting that the Mayor acquire a Shot-Spotter. This is new technology that can identify the location of a gunshot within five seconds of firing, which would assist in apprehending individuals firing guns in Hartford. The resolution also asks that state, federal, and other funding options be explored in order to acquire the Shot-Spotter as soon as possible. The Council's Quality of Life and Public Safety Committee recommends that action be postponed pending additional information from the Police Department. (Item #28)

New Agenda Items

COPS 2008 Technology Grant – The Council will vote on a resolution authorizing the Mayor to accept the COPS 2008 Technology Grant in the amount of $1,940,748 from the U.S. Department of Justice. The funding will be used to purchase and equip the new Public Safety Complex with state of the art technology. (Item #2)

New Infant and Toddler Facility – The Council will vote on a proposed ordinance that, if approved, will result in an appropriation of $1 million of the Capital Improvement Fund for the construction of a new infant and toddler facility in Hartford. This represents 20% of the funding needed for the facility. The other 80% is being applied for by The Office for Young Children as a loan from the Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority (CHEFA). (Item #32)

Code of Ethics – The Council will vote on a proposed amendment to the existing Code of Ethics ordinance. The amendments have to do with certain definitions, and with pension revocation in the event of convictions or pleas to criminal conduct, pension distribution pursuant to convictions or pleas to criminal conduct, and disclosure of financial records upon indictment or probable cause finding, arrest, or conviction of criminal conduct. (Item #34)

Freedom of Information Advisory Board – The Council will vote on a proposed amendment to the existing FOI ordinance to create a 3-member Freedom of Information Advisory Board. The amendment describes the purpose, membership, and duties of the Advisory Board. Among its duties are: act as a liaison to the State Freedom of Information Commission, provide relevant information and education to municipal officials and employees and others, make recommendations to municipal officials concerning the application and implementation of the state Freedom of Information Act, and other duties. (Item #35)

Charter Revision Commission – The Council will take action on a resolution appointing ten Hartford residents to the 11-member Charter Revision Commission that was established by the Council on September 22, 2008. An additional member will be appointed later. The resolution also requires the Commission to submit a draft report to the Council by June 1, 2009 and authorizes the Commission to spend up to $35,000 for necessary staff, such as a clerk and legal counsel. (Item #39)

Personnel Freeze – The Council will consider a resolution that imposes a freeze on new hires and promotions within the City workforce. (Item #47)

Freedom of Information Appeal – The Council will consider a resolution concerning fines imposed on two City employees by the Freedom of Information Commission for violation of the Freedom of Information Act. The City has appealed the fines in Court and the resolution states that, if the fines are not reversed on appeal, the two individuals shall reimburse the City for all costs associated with the appeal of their fines. (Item #49)

Barriers to City Employment – The Council will act on a resolution directing the City's Human Resources Department to review the City's civil services processes to determine what barriers to City employment may exist for individuals with criminal records. The resolution also requires that such barriers be eliminated and that a report of the review process be submitted to the Council within 90 days. (Item #53)

LIST OF ALL AGENDA ITEMS

Item #

1. Delegation of Authority. Delegation of the Council's authority to assign tax liens, of $20,000 or less, to the Corporation Counsel, with approval of the Mayor.
2. Police Technology. Authorization to accept a $1.9 million grant from the US Department of Justice to purchase technology for the new Public Safety Complex.
3. Crime Hotspots. Authorization to accept a $342,052 grant from the US Department of Justice to implement aggressive crime fighting strategies.
4. Maple Mews. Authorization for the City to pay half the cost, with the MDC paying the other half, of correcting problems of storm-related sewage back-up in Maple Mews.
5. Lozada Park. Authorization to accept a $350,000 grant from the CT Department of Environmental protection for construction of recreation facilities in Lozada Park.
6. Grand Piano. Acceptance of a 1866 Knabe Square Grand Piano from Dr. Pierre Marteney for display in the City Hall Atrium.
7. Executive Session. Request for Council to go into Executive Session to discuss the legal matter of David Belanger v. City of Hartford.
8. School Test Results. Report from the Council’s Education Committee on a presentation by School Supt. Adamowsky on student scores on the CMT and CAPT tests.
9. Support for Fernando Betancourt. Statement of opposition to the firing of Fernando Betancourt as Executive Director of the Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission.
10. Pratt Street. Report from the Council's Planning & Economic Development Committee recommending approval of termination of an agreement with Aetna for maintenance of Pratt Street.
11. Riverwalk North. Letter from Council’s Operations, Management & Budget Committee indicating a future meeting concerning appropriation of $324,697 in the Capital Improvement Fund. (also see #17)
12. Justice Assistance Grant. Letter from Council's Quality of Life & Public Safety Committee recommending acceptance of a $105,431 grant from the US Department of Justice to be used to concentrate Police services on criminal hotspots in the city.
13. Sex Offender Monitoring. Letter from Council's Quality of Life & Public Safety Committee recommending acceptance of $164,977 from the US Department of Justice for a one-year intensive program for tracking, monitoring, and apprehending (where necessary) registered sex offenders in Hartford.
14. Weed and Seed. Letter from Council's Quality of Life & Public Safety Committee recommending acceptance of a $150,000 grant from the US Department of Justice to continue the Weed and Seed program, in Clay Arsenal and Upper Albany neighborhoods, which addresses crime through prevention, intervention, and treatment.
15. Quality of Life Crimes. Letter from Council's Quality of Life & Public Safety Committee recommending acceptance of a $100,000 grant from the CT Office of Policy & Management to be used by the Police Department to enhance its response to quality of life crimes occurring throughout the city.
16. Monument in Bushnell Park: Authorization to install monument to workers killed on the job.
17. Riverwalk North. Approval of appropriation of $324,697 in the Capital Improvement Fund for construction, inspection, and maintenance of a lighted walkway along the Connecticut River from Bulkeley Bridge to Riverside Park. All funds will be provided by the State of CT and Riverfront Recapture. (also see #11)
18. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver and street closings for CT Special Olympics Corporate 5K held on August 14, 2008.
19. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver for "Walk in Our Footsteps" sponsored by CT Coalition Against Domestic Violence to be held on October 3, 2008.
20. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver and street closings for "Christian Parade" sponsored by the Church of God Pentecost held on August 30, 2008.
21. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver for Latino Fest sponsored by Hacemos Scholarship Foundation held on September 6, 2008 in Bushnell Park.
22. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver for "Take Back the Park" held by Hartford City Mission in Keney Park on July 31 and August 1, 2008.
23. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver for "Community Garden Picnic" held by Broad Park Development and Hartford Public Library on August 22, 2008.
24. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver for a summer outing held by Liberty Christian Center on August 17, 2008.
25. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver for the "Evangelical Campaign Outreaching for the Vision of Christ 2008" at South Green Park by Ebenezer Pentecostal Church on August 30, 31, 2008.
26. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver for a series of summer religious services held by Bibleway Temple Nation.
27. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver for a series of religious services held by La Iglesia de Dios in August and September 2008.
28. ShotSpotter. Report by Quality of Life and Public Safety Committee postponing action on request to Mayor to acquire technology that identifies the location of a gunshot within five seconds of the shot. Further discussions with Police will be held by committee.
29. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver for "Community Street Fest" held by Liberty Christian Center on August 30, 2008.
30. Appointment. Appointment of Mark A. Reaves to the Fair Rent Commission.
31. Appointment. Appointment of Imani Zito to the Advisory Commission on Food Policy.
32. Infant Toddler Center. Appropriation of $1.0 million in the Capital Improvement Fund for construction of a new infant and toddler child care center. The City is also applying for a loan of $4.5 million from CHEFA for this project.
33. University High School of Science & Engineering. Appropriation of $1,650,000 in the Capital Improvement Fund and approval to issue $165,000 in bonds to cover the City’s 10% share of the construction of transitional classrooms at the High School.
34. Code of Ethics. Amendments to the City’s Code of Ethics that expand definitions and provide for revocation of pensions of City officials or employees and reimbursement of monies spent by the City to pursue legal cases leading to convictions.
35. Freedom of Information Advisory Board. Establishment of a three-member advisory board to foster compliance with the CT Freedom of Information Act.
36. Hiring & Promotions. Proposal to define a condition of budgetary deficit and prohibit promotions during such times.
37. Reappointment. Reappointment of Jeffrey A. Syjeski to the Civilian Police Review Board.
38. Reappointment. Reappointment of Edwin Vargas, Jr. to the Planning & Zoning Commission.
39. Charter Revision Commission. Appointment of 10 Hartford residents to the Commission (11th member to be determined), authorization to spend up to $35,000 for staff for the Commission, and requirement that a draft report be submitted to the Council by June 1, 2009.
40. Midget Football. Establishment of a Midget Football Task Force to expand and improve the program for youth between 7 and 14 years old.
41. U-Verse Boxes. Request to the Mayor to insure that residents know they have a say in where AT&T’s U-Verse boxes are located and that locations are publicized throughout the community.
42. Hartford Preservation Alliance. Allocation of $25,000 to the Hartford Preservation Alliance.
43. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver for the American Cancer Society’s "Making Strides Against Cancer" event on October 5 in Bushnell Park.
44. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver for SS. Cyril & Methodius Church’s sidewalk procession on October 5.
45. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver for The Hooker Day Parade, being sponsored by the Hartford Business Improvement District on October 26.
46. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver for the "Lord of Miracles Procession" being sponsored by the Brotherhood of Miracles of Peru on October 19.
47. Hiring/Promotion Freeze. Proposal to institute a freeze on new hires and promotion by the City of Hartford.
48. Cancellation of Referendum Question. Proposal to withdraw, from the November 4th ballot, a question on an increase in Council Members’ salaries.
49. FOI Appeals. Proposal to require City staff who have been fined for violation of the CT Freedom of Information Act to reimburse the City for the costs of appeal of those fines, if the fines are not reversed upon appeal.
50. T&J Food Service. Approval to execute a license agreement with T&J Food Service to allow them to utilize the North End Senior Center kitchen both for preparation of senior meals and their catering business.
51. Veterans. Approval to notify disabled veterans of a change in obtaining documentation from the US Department of Veterans Affairs to apply for tax exemptions.
52. LGBT Commission. Allocation of $6,000 to the Commission on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues to secure a Graduate Social Worker Intern for FY 2008-09.
53. Barriers to Hiring. Proposal to review the City's current civil service processes and eliminate any barriers that may prevent applicants with criminal records from securing employment with the City of Hartford.