Council Review
Hartford City Council Meeting

Monday, November 28, 2011

Prepared by:
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000

There were 33 items on the original agenda. No additional items were submitted during the meeting. The next regular Council meeting will be held on Monday, December 12, 2011 at 7 P.M. in the Council Chambers in Hartford City Hall, preceded at 6:00 PM by a public comment period. The next public hearing will be Monday, December 19, 2011 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/Minutes/council_meeting_minutes.htm

ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST

Albany/Main Intersection – The Council adopted a resolution that commits the City, if awarded a grant through the STP Urban Act Funding Program, to provide the necessary cash match from City bond funds. The City’s application is being considered for a grant in an amount up to $3.5 million to be used for improvements to the six-way intersection at Albany Avenue and Main Street. Improvements will include new pavement, curbing, sidewalks, ornamental lighting, traffic signal upgrades, and design changes to improve the safety of the intersection. The Council’s Operations, Management & Budget Committee recommended approval. (Segarra) (Item #13)

Anti-Blight Special Fund – The Council passed an amendment to the Anti-Blight Ordinance that establishes an Anti-Blight Special Fund for the purpose of providing a source of funds for the City to use in securing and remediating blighted properties and in enforcing the provisions of the Anti-Blight Ordinance. All monies collected as fines, penalties, or liens as a result of violations under the Anti-Blight Ordinance will be deposited into the Special Fund, a permanent revolving account, which shall be administered by the City’s Director of Development Services. The funds will be used exclusively for anti-blight activities. (Item #16)

Amendment to Pest Extermination Ordinance – The Council referred, to public hearing and to the Health & Human Services Committee, a proposed amendment to the Pest Extermination Ordinance that, if approved, will authorize the Director of Health and Human Services, Director of Licenses and Inspections, or their authorized agent(s) to oversee the management of bed bug extermination efforts in infested residences throughout the city. The creation of a program specific to bed bugs is imperative to maintaining the health and welfare of Hartford’s residents because bed bugs are a growing public health concern. (Item #19)

LIST OF ALL AGENDA ITEMS

Item #

1. DUI Grant. Authorization to accept a grant of $159,840 from the CT Department of Transportation to be used by the Police Department for checkpoints and roving patrols to prevent accidents and fatalities related to driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. (Segarra) Passed
2. Bomb Squad Grant. Approval to accept a grant of $31,772 from the CT Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection to be used to upgrade equipment used by the Police Department’s Bomb Squad. (Segarra) Passed
3. Nurturing Families Grant. Authorization to accept a three-year grant of $656,394 from the Children’s Trust Fund to be used for services to first-time parents which will help prevent child abuse and neglect. (Segarra) Passed
4. Second Chance Grant. Approval to accept a grant of $569,715 from the U.S. Department of Justice to assist ex-offenders to successfully transition from incarceration back into the community. (Segarra) Passed
5. DEEP Grant Extension. Approval to extend for one year the term of a $5 million grant from the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection which is being used for improvements to Hartford’s flood control system. (Segarra) Passed
6. Storm Debris Removal. Report by the Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee on discussions with the Public Works Department on removal of storm debris and leaf removal. Received
7. VITA/HABC. Resolution supporting the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program and the Hartford Asset Building Collaborative both led by Co-Opportunity, Inc. (Boucher) Passed
8. Children’s Advocacy Center. Allocation of $2,000 to the Children’s Advocacy Center operated by St. Francis Hospital. (Deutch) Passed
9. St. Justin’s Church. Allocation of $500 to St. Justin’s Church for installation of a handicapped accessible ramp. (Deutch) Passed
10. Hartford 2000. Allocation of $7,500 to Hartford 2000 for civic engagement activities. (Kennedy) Passed
11. Early Learning Center. Approval for the City to enter into a lease with Asylum Hill Congregational Church for space to operate an Early Learning Center which is being relocated from a City building on Coventry Street. (Segarra) Passed
12. 52 Franklin Avenue. Approval of the sale of City-owned land at 52 Franklin Avenue to Pope Park Zion for renovation of a single family house for homeownership. (Segarra) Passed
13. Albany/Main Intersection. Authorization to commit City bond funds to match a grant of up to $3.5 million for improvements to the six-way intersection at Albany Avenue and North Main Street. (Segarra) Passed
14. Bond Refunding. Authority for the City to refinance the outstanding balance of $23 million in bonds, previously issued for capital improvements, in order to reduce the debt service currently being paid. (Segarra) Withdrawn
15. Blight Citation Appeals Officers. Proposed change in the appointing authority, from Mayor to Corporation Counsel, of individuals who hear appeals of blight citations. (Segarra) Passed
16. Anti-Blight Fund. Establishment of a special fund in which the City will deposit fines, penalties, and repayments of liens resulting from blight citations, to be used by the City for securing and remediating abandoned properties. (Segarra) Passed
17. Deletion of Anti-Blight Language. Deletion of requirement that funds for securing and remediating abandoned properties be allocated in the General Fund. The provision is no longer needed due to the establishment of the Special Fund (see #16). (Segarra) Passed
18. Internal Audit Commission. Resolution stating that the Council shall appoint an individual to fill a vacancy on the Internal Audit Commission. (Winch) Postponed
19. Bed Bugs. Ordinance concerning the management and enforcement of bed bug extermination in Hartford residences. (Segarra) Referred to public hearing and Health & Human Services Committee
20. City Treasurer Salary. Resolution establishing the salary of the City Treasurer at $150,000 per year. (Winch) Passed
21. Reduction in Fee. Resolution recommending a reduced fee for Gardner’s House and the Caribbean Multicultural Arts & Heritage Center to use the City Hall Atrium for three fundraisers. (Winch) Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee
22. Allocation of Funds. Allocation of $3,000 to Leadership Greater Hartford, $1,000 to Hartford Artisans Weaving Center, and $1,000 to Keney Park Family Day Festival. (Boucher) Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee
23. MARG. Allocation of $200 to the Maple Avenue Revitalization Group (MARG). (Cotto) Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee
24. Hartford Knights. Transfer of $1,600 to the Parks Division to offset fees associated with the use of Dillon Stadium by the Hartford Knights Midget Football League. (Cotto) Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee
25. St. Justin’s Church. Allocation of $1,000 to St. Justin’s Church for a wheelchair accessible ramp. (Aponte) Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee
26. OPUS, Inc. Allocation of $2,000 to OPUS, Inc. (Aponte) Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee
27. Children’s Advocacy Center. Allocation of $1,000 to the Children’s Advocacy Center at St. Francis Hospital. (Aponte, Torres) Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee
28. Judah House. Allocation of $2,500 to Judah House. (Aponte) Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee
29. OPUS, Inc. Allocation of $1,000 to OPUS, Inc. Arts & the Aging. (Brinson) Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee
30. CDBG Task Force. Appointment of Marian Eichner to the CDBG Task Force. (Painter) Postponed
31. Breaks in Service. Authorization to close breaks in service for four employees so that they may qualify for pension credits for previous time worked for the City. (Painter) Passed
32. Blue Hills Civic Association. Allocation of $1,000 to the Blue Hills Civic Association. (Torres) Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee
33. Hartford 2000. Allocation of $2,000 to Hartford 2000, Inc. (Torres, Aponte) Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee

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.