Council Preview
Hartford City Council Meeting

Monday, November 8, 2010

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 6:00 PM, by an open agenda public hearing. The next public hearing will be Monday, November 15, 2010 at 7 PM.

There are 56 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/Minutes/council_meeting_minutes.htm

ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST

New Agenda Items: The following items appear for the first time on the Council's Agenda.

Teen Pregnancy Prevention Grant – The Council will vote on a resolution authorizing the acceptance of $4.5 million in Teen pregnancy and STI/HIV Prevention Education grant funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through its Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The purpose of the grant is to reduce rates of pregnancy, STIs (sexually transmitted infections), and HIV among Hartford teenagers. Prevention services will be provided to low-income African-American and Hispanic teens ages 13-19. The period of the grant is five years, from September 30, 2010 through September 29, 2015. (Segarra) (Item #3)

Tree Ordinance – The Council will vote on a proposed Tree Ordinance. The purpose of the proposed ordinance is to maintain and grow Hartford's urban forest, maintain trees in a healthy condition, protect existing trees, and mitigate loss and damage to Hartford's trees. Hartford has approximately 450,000 trees that cover approximately 26% of the city's landmass. The trees remove 2400 tons of carbon and 73 tons of other pollutants from the air each year. Cooling provided by the trees reduces energy use in Hartford by 1800 megawatt hours each year. The estimated replacement value of the trees is $590 million. The ordinance also provides that 5% of investment income from the Parks Trust Fund may be used to implement the Tree Ordinance. (Boucher, Cotto) (Items #45 and 46)

Limiting Police Department's Domestic Surveillance and Immigration Enforcement Activities – The Council will vote on a proposed amendment to Chapter 29 of the Hartford Municipal Code creating a new article with the purpose of maintaining the focus of the Hartford Police Department (HPD) on their core public mission by limiting their domestic surveillance and immigration enforcement activities. This is a re-introduction of an earlier ordinance introduced on August 16, 2010. The initial ordinance brought forth some objections from Police Chief Roberts and Corporation Counsel. Under the proposed amendments, HPD would retain the operational flexibility to engage in surveillance based on reasonable suspicion of criminal activity (a less demanding standard than probable cause), while also remaining subject to the original bill's reporting requirements and the limits on collaboration with federal departments. (Cotto) (Item #47)

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.

Raising of Retirement Age – The Council will consider a resolution requesting assistance from the Mayor's Office for proposing and amending ordinances to raise the age at which newly hired non-unionized employees can collect pensions. The City's recently empanelled Fiscal Analysis Task Force recommended the retirement age be raised to make the City's retirement program more comparable with that offered by the State. The Council's Labor & Workforce Development Committee recommends postponement, pending additional information. (Ritter) (Item #13)

Novelty Lighter Regulation – The Council will consider a proposed ordinance that would regulate novelty lighters - those which are designed to be attractive to children by incorporating flashing lights, musical sounds, or a toy-like appearance. The ordinance would prohibit the sale, gift, or distribution of such lighters within the city of Hartford. The Council's Quality of Life & Public Safety Committee recommends postponement of this item pending additional review by Corporation Counsel. (Torres) (Item #41)

Campaign Contributions – The Council will consider a proposed ordinance that would prohibit campaign contributions by City contractors to candidates running for Mayor, Council, Board of Education, Treasurer, and Registrar of Voters. City contractors include individuals, business entities, and nonprofit organizations that have agreements or contracts with the City of Hartford, Hartford Parking Authority, Hartford Housing Authority, or the Board of Education, as well as those who have submitted bids or proposals for the purpose of obtaining an agreement or contract. Contributions would be prohibited to candidates, exploratory committees, and political and party committees. A public hearing was held on this item on July 19. The item has been postponed several times. (Cotto) (Item #43)

Parks & Recreation – The Council will consider two proposed ordinances which, together, would change the way the City's parks and recreation functions are organized. The first ordinance would remove the Parks Maintenance Division from the Department of Public Works and would remove the Division of Recreation and Youth Services from the Department of Health and Human Services. The second ordinance would create a separate Department of Parks and Recreation which would consist of three divisions: Administration, Parks, and Recreation & Youth Services. The changes would be effective 90 days after passage of the ordinances. A public hearing on this matter was held on June 21, 2010. The item has been postponed several times. (Cotto) (Items #40 and 42)

LIST OF ALL AGENDA ITEMS

Item #

1. On-Call Architects. Approval of the option for the City to extend one-year contracts with on-call architects for two additional one-year terms. (Segarra)
2. Dial-a-Ride. Authorization to accept a grant of $136,658 from the CT Department of Transportation for the Dial-a-Ride program and approval to enter into a contract with the Greater Hartford Transit District to operate the service. (Segarra)
3. Teen Pregnancy Prevention. Acceptance of a $4.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services for HIV, STI, and pregnancy prevention programs for teenagers. (Segarra)
4. Capital Improvement Program. Letter from the Mayor indicating his intention to submit the Quarterly CIP report. (Segarra)
5. Executive Session: Colon. Request for Council to enter executive session to discuss resolution of Marcos Colon v. City of Hartford. (Segarra)
6. Executive Session: Rodriguez. Request for Council to enter executive session to discuss resolution of Heriberto Rodriguez v. City of Hartford. (Segarra)
7. Executive Session: Legrier. Request for Council to enter executive session to discuss resolution of Richard Legrier v. City of Hartford. (Segarra)
8. Executive Session: Capasso-Rubio. Request for Council to enter executive session to discuss resolution of Myrna Capasso-Rubio v. City of Hartford. (Segarra)
9. Executive Session: Pettino. Request for Council to enter executive session to discuss resolution of Vittorio Pettino v. City of Hartford. (Segarra)
10. San Juan Center. Allocation of $11,600 to the San Juan Center sports program. (Torres, Aponte)
11. CT Puerto Rican Forum. Allocation of $25,000 to the CT Puerto Rican Forum. (Aponte, Torres)
12. CRRA PILOT. Approval to enter into an agreement with the CT Resources Recovery Authority for payment in lieu of taxes of $106,618 per year on property at 2 Reserve Road. (Segarra)
13. Retirement Age. Resolution requesting assistance from the Mayor's Office in preparing a proposal for raising the age of retirement for newly hired non-union City employees. (Ritter)
14. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees and approval of street closure for the "Pour House Summer Block Party Series" held on Allyn Street on April 20, June 18, and Sept. 17, 2010. (Cotto)
15. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees and street closures for the Hooker Day Parade held on October 23, 2010 in downtown Hartford. (Cotto)
16. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for the Mount Olive Child Development Center's annual Walk-a-thon held in Keney Park on October 16, 2010. (Cotto)
17. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for "Impact Hartford – Live with Hope" event held in Bushnell Park on October 2 & 3, 2010. (Cotto)
18. Fee waiver. Waiver of fees and street closing for the Salvation Army's Marshall House Block Party held on September 9th on South Marshall Street. (Cotto)
19. Fee waiver. Waiver of fees for the Sawyer School Picnic held on September 24 in Goodwin Park. (Cotto)
20. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for City Day held by the U.S. Army in Colt Park on June 12, 2010. (Cotto)
21. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for "King's Chapel Day" held by the King's Chapel Church of God on June 19, 2010 at 400 Woodland Street. (Cotto)
22. Block Party. Approvals for a series of block parties sponsored by the Up or On the Rocks and Black Bear Saloon on Allyn Street and Union Place on May 21, June 18, August 20, and September 17, 2010 (Cotto)
23. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees and closing of Russ, Park, Washington, and Babcock Streets for the End it Now – March Against Domestic Violence sponsored by the Spanish 7th Day Adventist Church on September 11, 2010. (Cotto)
24. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for Multicultural Family Fun Day held by the Mutual Housing Association of Greater Hartford on June 12, 2010 in Pope Park. (Cotto)
25. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees and street closures for Our Lady of Fatima's St. Anthony's Festival held on June 13, 2010 and the Day of Portugal festival held on June 6, 2010 in Parkville. (Cotto)
26. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for the Rose Weekend Festival held by the Friends of Elizabeth Park on June 19 and 20, 2010 in Elizabeth Park. (Cotto)
27. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for a church service held by La Casa del Alf in South Green on July 24. (Cotto)
28. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for "Party in Park 2010" sponsored by The King's Temple Church in Day Park on August 14, 2010. (Cotto)
29. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for "Plays in the Parks" presented by HartBeat Ensemble in Elizabeth Park on July 10, Goodwin Park on July 11, Pope Park on July 17, Sigourney Park on July 18, and Keney Park on July 24. (Boucher)
30. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for "Clay Hill Recognition Day" sponsored by the Clay Hill Improvement District on July 17, 2010 at DeLucco Park. (Cotto)
31. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for the "Bobby Sands Memorial Celebration" held by the Ancient Order of Hibernians at the Hunger Strike Memorial at Maple Avenue and Freeman Street on August 20, 2010. (Cotto)
32. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for "Outreaching the Vision of Christ 2010" sponsored by the Ebenezer Pentecostal Church A/D on August 7 and 8 in Barnard Park. (Cotto)
33. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for a series of religious services held by Iglesia Fuente de Salvacion Misionera on street corners throughout Hartford on Mondays and Wednesdays from June 21 through September 22, 2010. (Cotto)
34. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for the "Walk for Vision" held by the CT Chapter of the Massachusetts Eye Research and Surgery Institute in Bushnell Park on August 21, 2010. (Cotto)
35. Executive Session: Legrier. Request for Council to enter executive session to discuss resolution of Richard Legrier v. City of Hartford. (Segarra) (Duplicate. To be withdrawn)
36. Executive Session: Capasso-Rubio. Request for Council to enter executive session to discuss resolution of Myrna Capasso-Rubio v. City of Hartford. (Segarra) (Duplicate. To be withdrawn)
37. Appointment. Resolution that Council should appoint its member to the Internal Audit Commission. (Kennedy)
38. Board of Education Budget. Request to the Board of Education to provide the Council with adopted line-item budgets for the past two fiscal years and year-to-date figures for the current fiscal year. (Deutsch, Segarra)
39. Commission on Aging. Confirmation of the Mayor's appointment of Katherine Calloway, Lewis Myrick, and Ruby Reese to the Commission on Aging. (Segarra)
40. Parks & Recreation. Ordinance creating a Department of Parks & Recreation to include Parks Maintenance and Recreation and Youth Services. (Cotto)
41. Novelty Lighters. Proposed ordinance prohibiting the sale, gift or distribution of lighters, in Hartford, that are designed to be attractive to children. (Torres)
42. Organizational Changes. Ordinance removing the division of Parks Maintenance from the Public Works Department and removing the division of Recreation & Youth Services from the Department of Health & Human Services. (Cotto)
43. Campaign Contributions. Proposed ordinance prohibiting individuals and entities who have contracts with the City of Hartford from making contributions to candidates for Mayor, Council, Registrar of Voters, Treasurer, or Board of Education. (Cotto)
44. School Bus Contracts. Request that the Administration investigate school bus contracts to determine if there are willful or unintentional violations of the Living Wage Ordinance. (Winch, Airey-Wilson)
45. Tree Ordinance. Ordinance governing the planting, removal, altering, or damaging of trees in Hartford for the purpose of maintaining and growing Hartford's urban forest. (Boucher, Cotto)
46. Tree Fund. Authorization for the Mayor to spend annually up to 5% of the investment income from the Hartford Parks Trust Fund for purposes that implement or promote the Tree Ordinance.(Boucher, Cotto)
47. Intelligence Collection. Ordinance limiting certain intelligence collection and profiling activities by the Police Department unless directly related to criminal activity. (Cotto)
48. Cultural Dance Troupe. Proposed allocation of funds to the Cultural Dance Troupe of the West Indies. (Cotto)
49. Library. Approval for the Hartford Public Library to serve alcohol at its Latino Empowerment Fund event on November 30, 2010. (Cotto)
50. Moratorium. Declaration of a temporary moratorium on fee waivers for events until an accounting of the Special Event Overtime Account is completed. (Cotto)
51. Contributions. Allocation of funding to Martin Luther King Soccer League, West Indian Foundation Youth Day Program, Cultural Dance Troupe of the West Indies, and Caribbean Urban Research Education & Training. (Airey-Wilson)
52. Contributions. Allocation of 20,000 to Guakia, $8,400 to Artist Collective, $3,000 to Hartbeat Ensemble, and $600 to the San Juan Center. (Deutsch)
53. Health Benefits. Request that the City Administration consider alternatives for benefits contracts for employee health coverage. (Deutsch)
54. Shelter Services. Resolution that there be regular and sufficient funding for shelter services for women and families during the winter. (Deutsch)
55. Banking Services. Request that the City Administration consider using banking institutions that consider type and quality of services, price, and employment for Hartford residents and City government. (Deutsch)
56. No-Freeze Shelter. Designation of the Salvation Army's Marshall House as the "no freeze" shelter for women and families and allocation of funding for the shelter. (Deutsch)

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, 547-1663 X21. The Council Preview/Review is a joint project of Hartford 2000 and the Hartford Public Library.