Council Previews & Reviews >> Reviews > November 13, 2007

Council Review
Hartford City Council Meeting

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Prepared by:
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000

There were 32 items on the original agenda.  Six more items were submitted during the meeting.  The next regular Council meeting will be held on Monday, November 26, 2007 following a special public hearing on the Noise Ordinance (see below) at 7 P.M. in the Council Chambers in Hartford City Hall.  Regular public hearings will be held Monday, November 19 and Monday, December 17, 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

Minority Workers – The Council approved 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 Council’sLabor and Workforce Development Committee recommended approval.  (Item #16)

Higher Education Task Force – The Council adopted a resolution establishing a task force to study the issues of Hartford residents applying, gaining admission, matriculating, and finishing degrees (both undergraduate and graduate) in all institutions of higher education located in Hartford.  The Council’s Education Committee recommended approval.  (Item #17)

Extension of Mark Twain Drive – The Council passed a resolution authorizing the acceptance of federal funds for the extension of Mark Twain Drive from Plainfield Street to the rear entrance of the University of Hartford.  The project will include drainage, street paving, sidewalks, and lighting and will be funded with $2,728,000 in federal funds through the CT Department of Transportation.  (Item #4)

South Branch Trail – The Council approved two resolutions related to the construction of a 1.8 mile greenway and multi-use trail along the South Branch of the Park River between Nilan Street and Flatbush Avenue.  The first resolution authorizes acceptance of a $35,000 grant from the CT Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to complete the portion of the greenway multi-use trail along the South Branch of the Park River from Newfield Avenue to Flatbush Avenue and to complete the Meadow Trail, which connects the multi-use trail and the river.  DEP has previously provided two grants totaling $550,000 for this project.  The second resolution authorizes a license agreement with DEP to allow the work to be done. (Items #6 and 7)

Residency Incentives – The Council received a communication from the Labor and Workforce Development Committee Residency Task Force.  The purpose of the Task Force is to assess progress in Hartford residents achieving gainful employment with public and non-profit institutions.  A resolution will be created to support the earmarking of $100,000 in the 2007-2008 budget for residency incentives through piloted initiatives that focus on providing home buying assistance, tax incentives, and other incentives targeting the Police, Fire, and school departments.  The Labor and Workforce Development Committee surveyed 46 agencies and found that 40% of them have shown an increase in Hartford residency among their employees over the past three years while 15% have shown a decrease.  (Item #11)

Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program – The Council adopted a resolution authorizing the City Department of Health and Human Services to apply for, accept, and receive funding from the State Department of Public Health and other agencies and organizations for the Childhood Lead Poison Prevention Program.  The total amount available is approximately $87,614 for the period July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2009.  These funds will permit the continuation of programs aimed at reducing elevated blood lead levels in children.  (Item # 15)

Appropriation of $11 Million for Various Public Improvements – The Council passed a resolution that appropriates $11 million for various public improvements and authorizes the issuance of $11 million in City bonds.  The ordinance includes:  $7 million for the Kelvin Anderson Center, $600,000 for Citywide Day Care and Park Enhancements, $3 million for a Floodwater Project, and $400,000 for Economic Development Site Acquisition.  The Council’s Finance & Revenue Committee recommended adoption.  (Items #18 and 35)

Elderly Tax Relief – The Council referred, to its Finance and Revenue Committee, an ordinance amending the qualifying income limits for the Elderly Tax Relief Program, which provides for a tax credit of $500 per property for individuals who are 65 years of age or older and who meet income limits.  The ordinance would raise the maximum income for an individual to $33,400 per year and for a married couple to $38,500.  A public hearing on this matter will be held on Monday, December 17, 2007 at 7 PM.  (Item #20)

WALK-IN ITEM

Noise Ordinance – The Council received a proposed ordinance which amends the Municipal Code with regard to noise.  In addition to some technical amendments, the ordinance adds the following  statement “In the absence of a sound level meter, any noise plainly audible at a distance of one hundred (100) feet from its source, by a person of normal hearing, constitutes prima facie evidence of a violation of this chapter”.  The ordinance was referred to the Quality of Life and Public Safety Committee and a public hearing was set for Monday, November 26, 2007 at 7 PM.  (Item #38)

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.

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