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Prepared by: Citizens’ Research Education Network,
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000
There are 38 items on the agenda. The Council meeting will begin at 8 P.M. at Hartford City Hall in Council Chambers and will be preceded by an open agenda public hearing that will begin at 7:30 PM. The next Council meeting will be Monday, January 12, 2004 at 8 P.M.
Tax Relief for Elderly Homeowners – The Council will vote on an ordinance amending the City Code on tax relief for elderly homeowners. The amendment would set the 2003 income limits to qualify for the $500 maximum tax relief benefit at $34,100 for married and $29,700 for unmarried. The proposed 2003 limits represent $400 increases in each category from the 2002 limits to cover inflation. Last year, a total of over seven hundred and fifty qualified applicants received $343,313 in benefits (an average of about $456 per qualified applicant). A hearing date of December 15, 2003, has been set for the proposed ordinance. (Item #34)
Brownfields Assessment – The Council will vote on a resolution authorizing the City Manager to apply to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for Brownfields Assessments funds for 2004. The funds will be used to assess a number of city sites that may be contaminated with petroleum and other hazardous substances. EPA will pay up to 80% of the cost of assessing sites up to $200,000. (Item #10)
Job Descriptions for Mayor, Chief Operating Officer, Corporation Counsel, and Director of Development Services – The Council will vote on a resolution establishing a new job classification, compensation plan, and job descriptions for the positions of Mayor, Chief Operating Officer, Corporation Counsel, and Director of Development Services. Doing so is necessary for implementation of the revised City Charter in January, 2004, under which the Mayor will be the Chief Executive Officer of the City. The Chief Operating Officer will direct the activities of City Departments and Divisions under the direction of the Mayor. The Director of Development Services will direct the activities of the Housing and Community Development, Planning, Licensing and Inspections, and Grants Management units. (Item #7)
Civilian Police Review Board – The Council will vote on an ordinance that would change the structure of the Civilian Police Review Board. Some of the proposed changes to the board include an increase in the board size and a loss of voting power of the police representatives on the board. Action on this item has been postponed from previous Council meetings. It ahs been to public hearing and the Quality of Life and Public Safety committee recommended passage of the ordinance at its November meeting. (Item #31)
If you have any questions about the agenda call Greg Vickers at CREN, 509-3701 or Richard Frieder at the Hartford Public Library, 695-6365. The Council Preview is a joint project of the Citizens' Research Education Network and the Hartford Public Library. |
