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Prepared by:
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000
There were 23 items on the original agenda. Two additional items were submitted during the meeting. The next regular Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 13, 2007 (due to Monday holiday) at 7 P.M. in the Council Chambers in Hartford City Hall. The next public hearing will be Monday, November 19, 2007 at 7 PM.
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
No Freeze Program – The Council approved a resolution authorizing the City to enter into a contract with the Salvation Army to operate a No Freeze Shelter from December 1, 2007 through March 31, 2008. The term “no freeze” refers to a policy of bringing homeless individuals who might otherwise sleep outdoors into shelter during the coldest nights of the year. The Salvation Army will operate the No Freeze Shelter at its Washington Street Citadel location and will coordinate with other local shelters to handle any overflow. $100,000 has been included in the City of Hartford Health and Human Services Department budget to cover the cost of operating the No Freeze Shelter. (Item #2)
Weed & Seed Grant – The Council adopted a resolution authorizing the Police Department to apply for and receive $200,000 available from the U.S. Department of Justice to operate the Weed & Seed program for fiscal year 2007-2008. The program supports a broad array of human service and revitalization programs within the Upper Albany and Clay Arsenal communities. (Item #4)
Fair Rental Housing Protection – The Council approved a resolution scheduling a November 20th meeting, convened by the Council’s Housing Committee, of City departments, Councilmembers, and fair housing advocates. This group will develop recommendations for strengthening City policies and capacity to assure that there are adequate fair rental housing protections in place and that there not be any displacement caused by rental conversion. The Housing Committee held an initial meeting on October 16, 2007, discussed the issue and recommended that the November meeting take place. (Item #8)
Public Art Ordinance – The Council considered two ordinances both of which authorize the formation of a Public Art Advisory Committee to guide and implement a Greater Hartford Arts Council administered program. A master plan will also be fashioned by the Greater Hartford Arts Council and approved by City Council. The first ordinance required that the City “give no less than $50,000 per annum” for the procurement of art; that ordinance was withdrawn from consideration. The second ordinance adds the phrase “subject to City Council approval” to the funding language. That ordinance was referred to the Public Works, Parks and Environment Committee which will hold a meeting on Thursday, November 20th at 5:30 PM. There will be a public hearing on the new ordinance on Monday, November 19th. [Item #10 (withdrawn) and 15 (referred)]
Eminent Domain – The Council adopted a resolution authorizing the Mayor to acquire the property at 31-37 Atlantic Street through eminent domain. This parcel of land is to be utilized in the construction of the City’s new Public Safety Complex. The owner, Yenwod Realty, LLC, and the City have been negotiating the sale of the property but have been unable to agree on the amount of money to be paid. (Item #19)
Maria Sanchez Way – The Council referred, to its Public Building Dedication Committee, a resolution authorizing the addition of the name “Maria C. Sanchez Way” to Williams Street in the Clay Arsenal neighborhood. Ms. Sanchez was the first Hispanic to be elected to the Hartford Board of Education and the first Hispanic woman elected to the Connecticut General Assembly. She was a pioneer and supporter of bilingual/bicultural education and a founder of the Puerto Rican Parade Committee, La Casa de Puerto Rico, the Spanish American Merchants Association, and the Community Renewal Team. She lived at 51 Williams Street for many years and died in 1989. The designation of Maria C. Sanchez Way will perpetuate her memory and recognize her valuable contributions to the Hispanic community and the city of Hartford. (Item #20)
Minority Workers – The Council referred, to its Labor and Workforce Development Committee, a resolution authorizing the Mayor to allocate up to $80,000 to the Minority Construction Council (MCC) for its continued support and advocacy on behalf of the city’s minority workers. The MCC advocates for the non-discriminatory distribution of jobs and is an important partner in the City’s efforts to provide quality jobs to skilled and qualified minority workers. The MCC will provide a detailed report to the Office of Human Relations by August 15, 2008. The Labor and Workforce Development Committee will meet on Thursday, October 25th at noon. (Item #21)
New Item
Sale of Clemens Place – The Council passed a resolution approving the sale of Clemens Place Apartments by current owners Intown West Associates to JSS Realty Associates. Such approval is required as a condition of the City assistance provided to Clemens Place at the time of its development. Clemens Place is a 583 unit, 42 building apartment complex in the West End. In 1980, the City provided a 99 year land lease, a UDAG loan (which has since been repaid) and a 40-year tax deal under which the owners would pay, in lieu of taxes, $200 per unit per year or $116,600 annually. Additionally, if a certain amount of “surplus” cash was generated, the project would make additional payments in lieu of taxes amounting to $320 per unit per year. If the necessary cash was not generated, the additional payments would be accrued and paid upon refinancing or at the termination of the agreement. No payments have been made under this term of the agreement. The resolution passed by Council waives the requirement to pay the accrued amounts at this time but maintains the outstanding amount and continues the accruals. It also continues the requirements that the owners pay $200 per unit per year as payment in lieu of taxes and that 20% of the units be rented to low income households. (Item #24)
If you have any questions about the agenda, please call Richard Frieder at the Hartford Public Library, 695-6365, or Linda Bayer at Hartford 2000, 509-3710. The Council Preview/Review is a joint project of the Hartford 2000, and the Hartford Public Library. |
