Council Previews & Reviews >> Previews > November 8, 1999

Council Preview
Hartford City Council Meeting

Monday, November 8, 1999

Prepared by: Citizens’ Research Education Network, Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000

There are 39 items on the regular agenda, though more may be added on the supplemental agenda. The meeting will begin at 8 P.M. and will be televised on Hartford Public Access, Channel 21.

Sale of 960 Main Street and Proposed Morgan Street Garage – The Council will begin with a public hearing over the proposed sale of the old G. Fox Building (960 Main Street) and rights to use up to 1,100 spaces in the proposed Morgan Street Garage. The sale, for $4,250,000, is to the state of Connecticut for use by the Capital Community Technical College. The terms include a tentative “Tax Fixing Agreement” in which CCTC will pay at least 15% of the tax cost the first year and gradually increase its payments until full taxes are paid in the 7th year. (Item #1)

Housing Overlay District – The Council will be voting on several 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. The Planning, Economic Development, and Zoning Committee has recommended passage. The ordinances have been to public hearing. Action on these ordinances was postponed at the Council’s October 25 meeting. (Items # 20-29)

Consolidated Plan – The Council will consider a resolution initiating the process of creating a new Consolidated Plan. The Consolidated Plan is used as the basis for spending under federal programs administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Plan will include assessments and recommendations for addressing issues like housing, homelessness, lead-based paint hazards, and poverty. In order to complete the Plan the city must encourage citizen participation in its creation. Programs funded by HUD include Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG), and the Home Investment Partnership Program (HOME). (Item # 3)

Affirmative Action Plan -- The Council will vote on a resolution establishing a new Affirmative Action Plan for the city. The plan sets hiring goals and enforcement policies for city departments for "minority" males and females and white females. The plan is intended to “remedy past discrimination employment patterns.” The city's last plan was passed February 1995. This resolution has been postponed several times. (Item #19)

Transportation Improvements -- The Council will consider three resolutions recommended for passage by the Operations, Management, Budget, Education, and Labor Committee relating to transportation and street improvements:

  • Mark Twain House – TEA-21 funds for improved pedestrian and disabled access. (Item # 11)
  • Trinity College Road -- TEA-21 funds for streetscape and pedestrian improvements on Park, Broad, and Vernon Streets. This project requires $500,000 in city matching funds. (Item # 11)
  • Computerized Traffic Signals -- Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program funds ($1,480,000) to update the city’s traffic control system and make it Y2K compliant. (Item #12
  • New Gateway for Parkville -- On the recommendation of City Manager Kee Borges, the Council will consider a proposal to contract with Real Art Ways to conduct a design competition to create a new gateway design for Parkville. (Item #7)

Lead Education -- On the recommendation of City Manager Kee Borges, the Council will vote on a resolution which would authorize the City Purchasing Agent to enter into a contract with the University of Connecticut to create an activity book on lead education for second graders. The activity book would educate second graders on lead issues. Twenty-three hundred school children will be able to participate in the program at a cost of $16,300 to the city. (Item #6)

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.

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