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Prepared by: Citizens’ Research Education Network,
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000
There were 38 items on the agenda: one additional item was walked in during the meeting. The next Council meeting will be Monday, December 22, 2003 at 8 P.M.
False Alarms – Over 15 residents and business owners spoke against a proposed ordinance that would have changed the city's policy of responding to security alarms. The ordinance was withdrawn, but had it passed, police would have only responded to alarms if a “private guard responder” confirmed that there was an actual or attempted crime. Speakers argued that such a policy would make security alarms less effective as a deterrent to criminal activity. The ordinance had been proposed to reduce the cost to the police department of responding to false alarms. Residents argued that utilizing the punitive fine system, already in place for repeated false alarms, would be a more effective way to deal with the cost of police response.
Tax Relief for Elderly Homeowners – The Council referred to the Operations, Management, and Budget Committee 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 couples and $29,700 for singles. The proposed 2003 limits represent a $400 increase 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 public hearing date of December 15, 2003, has been set for the proposed ordinance.
Brownfields Assessment – The Council passed on consent a resolution authorizing City Manager Lee Erdmann 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.
Job Descriptions for Mayor, Chief Operating Officer, Corporation Counsel, and Director of Development Services – The Council withdrew a resolution establishing new job classifications, compensation plans, and job descriptions for the positions within the mayor's office.
Civilian Police Review Board – The Council amended and then passed an ordinance that will change the structure of the Civilian Police Review Board. The ordinance, aimed at increasing the Review Board's effectiveness, will expand the board size and remove the voting power of police representatives. The amendment delays the start date of the changes for 90 days in order to allow other potential amendments based on the discussions with the plaintiffs in the Cintron court order. Nicholas Carbone and plaintiffs from the lawsuit plan to submit an ordinance that would change the complaint process.
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. |
