Council Previews & Reviews >> Reviews > November 24, 2008

Council Review
Hartford City Council Meeting

Monday, November 24, 2008

Prepared by:
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000

There were 46 items on the original agenda. No additional items were submitted during the meeting. The next regular Council meeting will be held on Monday, December 8, 2008 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers in Hartford City Hall, preceded at 6:30 by a public comment period. The next public hearing will be Monday, December 15, 2008 at 7 PM.

This Review consists of two sections: Items of Special Interest and Action on All Agenda Items. The City's official listing of actions taken on all items on this agenda can be found online at: http://www.hartford.gov/government/Town&CityClerk/Agendas/archive.htm  

ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST

New Infant and Toddler Facility – The Council adopted an ordinance appropriating $1 million of the Capital Improvement Fund for the construction of a new infant and toddler facility in Hartford and authorizing $450,000 in bonds. Additional funding is being applied for by The Office for Young Children as a loan from the Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority (CHEFA). A public hearing on this matter was held on Monday, November 17, 2008 and the Council's Operations, Management & Budget Committee recommended approval. (Items #5 and 16)

Personnel Freeze – A resolution imposing a freeze on new hires and promotions within the City workforce was withdrawn in favor of agenda items 26 and 31. The Council's Operations, Management, & Budget Committee considered the item but did not make a recommendation. (Item #7)

Code of Ethics – The Council postponed action 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. A public hearing on this matter was held on Monday, November 17, 2008. The Council's Legislative Affairs Committee discussed the item but did not make a recommendation. (Items #11 and 18)

Freedom of Information Advisory Board – The Council postponed action 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: to act as a liaison to the State Freedom of Information Commission, to provide relevant information and education to municipal officials and employees and others, to make recommendations to municipal officials concerning the application and implementation of the state Freedom of Information Act, and other duties. A public hearing was held on this matter on Monday, November 17, 2008. The Council's Legislative Affairs Committee recommended approval. (Items #12 and 19)

Commission on Cultural Affairs - The Council adopted an ordinance to revitalize the Commission on Cultural Affairs. Among the changes are an increase in the number of members of the Commission from 20 to 22 and further definition of the groups that must be represented on the Commission. The ordinance also calls for the Commission to develop and submit to the Council an arts policy by January 1, 2010 and every five years thereafter. The Director of Cultural Affairs will staff the Commission. A Public Hearing on this item was held on Monday, November 17, 2008. (Item #20)

Budget Resolutions -- The Council discussed ten resolutions on budget matters. A summary of the resolutions and the actions taken by Council follows:

Item # 22: That there be an immediate cessation of violations of the Hartford Municipal Charter and/or Code as they relate to provisions requiring a balanced budget and providing reports to the City Council. Resolution amended to require that the Code and Charter be strictly adhered to and that a copy of the resolution be provided to City staff and made available to the public. Passed

Item # 23: That the layoffs implemented by the Mayor be suspended until a clear plan that outlines a legal rationale is submitted to Council for approval. Council shall approve the layoffs. Failed

Item # 24: That there be immediate compliance with all Committee of the Whole (City Council) non-financial resolutions related to budget years 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 that are related to the City's budget and finances. Passed

Item # 25: That sanctions be imposed on persons responsible for any intentional and/or willful violations of the Hartford Municipal Charter and Code, specifically related to a balanced budget and providing reports to the City Council. Failed

Item # 26: That an immediate freeze be placed on all salary increases and promotions of City employees except as required by law or Charter. Passed

Item # 27: That there be a freeze on all new equipment and vehicle purchases except as required by law. Resolution amended to "recommend to the Mayor""that a freeze on nonessential equipment and vehicles be imposed. Passed

Item # 28: That the Mayor implement an immediate hold on all Capital Improvement Projects that may result in an increase in the City's debt. Postponed

Item # 29: That subpoena power be granted to the Chair of the Operations, Management & Budget Committee to request financial information and to have access to all documents acquired from the City from external agencies and/or governmental branches by way of subpoena. Postponed

Item # 30: That the City Council appoint a three person ad-hoc committee composed of members of Council to work with the Mayor and the Unions to look for ways that Unions can assist the City in resolving the deficit and stabilizing its finances. Postponed

Item # 31: That the Mayor implement an immediate system-wide hiring freeze within the City of Hartford and that any and all hiring must be only upon approval by seven members of City Council (excluding hiring protected by the Hartford Municipal Charter and Code). Resolution amended to resolve "that the City of Hartford implement an immediate hiring freeze". Passed

Item # 32: That a multi-year approach to balancing the budget be developed so as to protect the fund balance. Passed

New Agenda Items

Funds to Help Close Budget Gap – The Council unanimously approved a resolution that each member of the City Council contribute $1000 from their council remuneration in a manner to be determined by each member to help close the City's budget gap. Each City department has been asked to reduce their budgets by 15%. In addition to the action called for in this resolution the City Council will not fill one vacant position and is reducing its travel and activities account by $35,000. (Item #39)

Two Year Limit on City Council Funds for Community Based Organizations – The Council referred, to its Operations Management & Budget Committee, a resolution that states that funds from the City Contributions account cannot be made to the same community based organization or sports league for more than two consecutive fiscal years. Funds available to the City Council for donations to such organizations have already been exhausted for this fiscal year due to pressures resulting from the current nationwide financial crisis. (Item #40)

Reduction in Salary for Highly Paid Managers – The Council referred, to its Operations, Management & Budget Committee, a resolution that City managers and executives with salaries above $80,000 accept progressively scaled salary reductions. The resolution states that City workers have been suffering losses of jobs and benefits and that, under these conditions, pay raises for government officials and highly-paid managers are not appropriate. (Item #45)

No Pay Raises, No Layoffs – This resolution was withdrawn. It stated that it is the intention of the City Council that government pay raises should not occur when depression and job loss conditions prevail, and that recent layoffs be rescinded and future layoffs halted. The resolution also stated that City workers have been suffering losses of jobs and benefits and that under these conditions pay raises for government officials and highly-paid managers are not appropriate. (Item #46)

LIST OF ALL AGENDA ITEMS

Item #

  1. Financial Report. Submission of October report of revenues and expenditures. Received
  2. Lawsuit. Request for Council to go into Executive Session to discuss Hector Lopez v. Ray Ramos, et al. Executive Session
  3. Audit. Request to the Internal Audit Commission to perform audit of contractual processes and arrangements relating to health premiums paid by retirees. Tabled
  4. Maple Mews. Recommendation by the Council's Operations, Management, & Budget Committee to authorize 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. Passed
  5. Infant Toddler Center. Recommendation by the Council's Operations, Management, & Budget Committee to appropriate $1.0 million in the Capital Improvement Fund and issue $450,000 in bonds for construction of a new infant and toddler child care center, also known as the Early Learning Center. Received (Also see #16)
  6. University High School of Science & Engineering. Recommendation by the Council's Operations, Management, & Budget Committee to appropriate $1,650,000 in the Capital Improvement Fund and approve issuance of $165,000 in bonds to cover the City's 10% share of the construction of transitional classrooms at the High School. Received (Also see #17)
  7. Hiring/Promotion Freeze. Report from the Council's Operations, Management & Budget Committee making no recommendation on a proposal to institute a freeze on new hires and promotion by the City of Hartford. Withdrawn
  8. LGBT Commission. Recommendation by the Council's Operations, Management, & Budget Committee to allocate $5,000 to the Commission on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues to secure a Graduate Social Worker Intern for FY 2008-09. Passed
  9. Transfers of Funds. Recommendation by the Council's Operations, Management, & Budget Committee to disapprove transfers of funds among City departments as requested by the Mayor. Resolution withdrawn
  10. First Quarter Financial Report. Recommendation by the Council's Operations, Management, & Budget Committee to receive the report of financial operations for the three month period July – September, 2008. Passed
  11. Code of Ethics. Report by the Council's Legislative Affairs Committee postponing action on 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. Received (Also see #18)
  12. Freedom of Information Advisory Board. Recommendation by the Council's Legislative Affairs Committee to approve the establishment of a three-member advisory board to foster compliance with the CT Freedom of Information Act. Received (Also see #19)
  13. Monument in Bushnell Park: Authorization to install monument to workers killed on the job. Postponed
  14. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver for "Community Street Fest" held by Liberty Christian Center on August 30, 2008. Passed
  15. Procurement. Amendments to the procurement section of the Municipal Code. (Not included in the agenda package. Available in Town Clerk's Office.) Postponed
  16. Infant Toddler Center. Appropriation of $1.0 million and issuance of $450,000 in bonds for planning, acquisition of property and construction of a new Early Learning Center (Infant Toddler Center). (Also see #5) Passed
  17. University High School of Science & Engineering. Appropriation of $1,650,000 in the Capital Improvement Funds and issuance of $165,000 in bonds to cover the City's 10% share of the construction of transitional classrooms at the High School. (Also see #6) Passed
  18. 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. (Also see #11) Postponed
  19. Freedom of Information Advisory Board. Establishment of a three-member advisory board to foster compliance with the CT Freedom of Information Act. (Also see #12) Postponed
  20. Commission on Cultural Affairs. Proposal to increase the number of members of the Commission, further define what groups should be represented on the Commission, and require that the Commission develop an arts policy by January 1, 2010 and every five years thereafter. Passed
  21. Elected Officials' Disclosures. Proposal to require all elected City officials to advise the Ethics Commission if, during their term in City elected office, they have been sued by the State for recovery of public funds and what the resolution of the suit was. Postponed
  22. Cessation of Charter/Code Violations. Resolution calling for an immediate cessation of violations of the Charter and/or Municipal Code related to requirements for a balanced budget and provision of monthly and quarterly reports to the Council. Resolution amended to require that the Code and Charter be strictly adhered to and that a copy of this resolution be provided to City staff and made available to the public. Passed
  23. City Layoffs. Resolution requiring that layoffs be suspended until Council receives and approves a legal rationale and approves layoffs. Failed
  24. Compliance. Resolution requiring that the City comply with all non-financial resolutions passed by Council relating to last year's and this year's budgets. Passed
  25. Sanctions. Resolution requiring that sanctions be imposed on anyone responsible for willful and/or intentional violations of the City Charter and Municipal Code requiring a balanced budget and monthly and quarterly reports to Council. Failed
  26. Pay Raises & Promotions. Resolution requiring that there be an immediate freeze on salary increases and promotions of City employees. Passed
  27. Purchasing Freeze. Resolution requiring that there be an immediate freeze on all equipment and vehicle purchases. Resolution amended to "recommend to the Mayor" that a freeze on nonessential equipment and vehicles be imposed. Passed
  28. Capital Projects. Resolution requiring a hold on all Capital Improvement Projects that would increase the City's debt. Postponed
  29. Subpoena Power. Resolution granting subpoena power to the Chair of the Council's Operations, Management & Budget Committee to request any and all financial information and to have access to other documents. Postponed
  30. Ad-Hoc Committee. Appointment of a 3-person committee of councilmembers to work with the Mayor and City unions to seek ways to reduce the City's deficit and stabilize its finances. Postponed
  31. Hiring Freeze. Implementation of a City hiring freeze with exceptions to be approved by 7 members of Council. Resolution amended to resolve "that the City of Hartford implement an immediate hiring freeze". Passed
  32. Fund Balance. Resolution requiring a multi-year approach to balancing the City's budget to protect the fund balance, i.e. emergency funds. Passed
  33. Appointment. Appointment of Virginia Adams to the Commission on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues. Postponed
  34. Appointment. Appointment of Dorothy Lovett Buckley to the Permanent Commission on the Status of Hartford Women. Postponed
  35. Re-Appointment. Reappointment of Jennifer P. Stephens to the Civilian Police Review Board. Postponed
  36. Appointment. Appointment of David Klein to the Ethics Commission. Postponed
  37. Appointment. Appointment of Alice N. Ferguson to the Commission on HIV/AIDS. Postponed
  38. Library Report. Acceptance of the Audit Report on the Hartford Public Library. Referred to Operations, Management & Budget
  39. Councilmember Contribution. Resolution calling for each Council member to contribute $1,000 from their pay to help close the City's budget gap. Passed
  40. Restriction on Contributions. Resolution establishing a restriction on the use of Council's Civic and Cultural Account such that contributions to community based organizations and sports leagues can be made only for a maximum of two consecutive years. Referred to Operations, Management & Budget
  41. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver for First Night Hartford's New Year's Eve event. Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment
  42. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver for Three King's Day parade, sponsored by the Spanish American Merchants Association, on January 6, 2009. . Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment
  43. Release of Funds. Resolution authorizing the release of $40,000 allocated to the Office of Cultural Affairs in the 2008-09 budget. Passed
  44. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver for a religious procession to be held on December 14, 2008 by St. Peter's Church. Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment
  45. Reduction in Salary. Resolution calling for City managers and executives with salaries above $80,000 to accept reductions in their pay. Referred to Operations, Management & Budget
  46. Reversal of Layoffs. Resolution requiring that layoffs made in the past two months be rescinded and that no additional layoffs be made. Withdrawn
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. The Council Preview/Review is a joint project of the Hartford 2000, and the Hartford Public Library.
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