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Council Preview
Hartford City Council Meeting

Monday, December 8, 2008

Prepared by:
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000

The Council meeting will begin at 7 P.M. at Hartford City Hall in Council Chambers. The meeting will be preceded, at 6:30 PM, by an open agenda public hearing. The next public hearing will be Monday, December 15, 2008 at 7 PM.

There are 39 items on the agenda. Below is detailed information about items of special interest to neighborhoods. Following those details is a listing of all agenda items, in layperson's language. The complete official agenda for the Council meeting is available online by clicking on "Council Agendas" at the following web site: http://www.hartford.gov/government/Town&CityClerk/Agendas/archive.htm  

ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST

Previously Submitted Items:

The following items were previously on the Council Agenda and were included in the Council Preview/Review. They were referred to committees and/or public hearing or action was postponed by the Council. They are now on the agenda again for action.

Barriers to City Employment – The Council referred, back to its Labor & Workforce Development Committee, a resolution directing the City's Human Resources Department to review the City's civil services processes to determine what barriers to City employment may exist for individuals with criminal records. The resolution also requires that such barriers be eliminated and that a report of the review process be submitted to the Council within 90 days. The Council's Labor & Workforce Development Committee had previously considered the item, but did not have a quorum at its meeting and, therefore, did not take a position. (Item #13)

Code of Ethics – The Council will consider 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. (Item #21)

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. (Item #22)

New Agenda Items

Downtown West Section II Redevelopment Plan – The Council will consider a resolution approving a Redevelopment Plan for the Union Station & Walnut Street area which is bounded by Spring Street, Walnut Street and I-84 and which includes the vacant Capitol West building. The plan calls for transit oriented development that serves nearby insurance uses, neighborhood residents and transit riders. (Item #1)

Downtown North Redevelopment Plan – The Council will consider a resolution approving a Redevelopment Plan for the Downtown North Project which consists of 81 properties north of downtown, north of I-84 and east of Main Street and west of the River. There are five sub-areas in the plan, each with its own vision, including historic preservation, mixed use development, commercial and research facilities, and the Capitol Preparatory Magnet School. (Item #2)

Constitution Plaza East Redevelopment Plan – The Council will consider a resolution approving a Redevelopment Plan for Constitution Plaza East which includes the vacant hotel building and former Channel 3 building. The plan calls for demolition of the two existing buildings and construction of a mixed use development with office space, residential units and retail all located within high rise buildings. (Item #3)

Equestrian and Exhibition Center in Keney Park - The Council will vote on a resolution that would approve the selection of Ebony Horsewomen Inc. as the tentative developer for the purpose of identifying funding for the Connecticut Equestrian and Exhibition Center in Keney Park. A 200-acre section of the park has been identified for lease and an updated feasibility study has been completed that supports the need and economic opportunity for such a facility. (Item # 7)

Green Belt Task Force - The Council will vote on a resolution establishing a Green Belt Task Force with the task of developing a plan for a future greenway connecting Hartford's parks and open space The greenway will consist of a network of roads and trails that will connect all of the City's parks so that they will be seen and used by the public as an integrated system. (Item # 37)

Moratorium on Fee Waivers - The Council will vote on a resolution declaring a moratorium on fee waivers for Special Events for the remainder of fiscal year 2008-09. This will be communicated to event sponsors via the Special Event permit application and the Special Event section of the City's website. The Council may grant waivers to certain Special Events on a case-by-case basis. (Item # 38)

Emergency Safety Services for Hartford Shelters - The Council will vote on a resolution authorizing the transfer of $33,000 from the appropriate contingency account to the department of Health and Human services expressly to offset the immediate cost of an overflow shelter at Salvation Army's Marshall House for the next four months. This will allow homeless families in Hartford to be given a temporary place of refuge in urgent situations. (Item #39)

LIST OF ALL AGENDA ITEMS

Item #

1. Downtown West Redevelopment Plan. Approval of a Redevelopment Plan for Downtown West Section II (Union Station-Walnut Street Project), including Capitol West.
2. Downtown North Redevelopment Plan. Approval of a Redevelopment Plan for the Downtown North Project.
3. Constitution Plaza East Redevelopment Plan. Approval of a Redevelopment Plan for land including the vacant hotel and former Channel 3 building on Constitution Plaza.
4. Financial Report. Revenue and Expenditure report for the month of November.
5. DUI Grant. Authorization to accept $141,450 from the State of Connecticut for enforcement of Driving Under the Influence laws.
6. McKinney Shelter. Approval to renew the contract with the Community Renewal Team for the operation of the McKinney Shelter for homeless men and to secure grant funds from the State of CT to do so.
7. Keney Park Equestrian Center. Designation of the Ebony Horsewomen, Inc. as tentative developer of the CT Equestrian and Exhibit in Center in Keney Park.
8. Technology Equipment Donation. Approval to accept, from Sonitrol, the donation of equipment to implement the Mutualink Interoperable System.
9. Acceptance of Grant Funds. Approval to apply for and accept Ryan White grant funds to provide services to people with HIV/AIDS.
10. Shelter Services. Report from the Health & Human Services Committee discharging the committee from consideration of a resolution to allocate funds for winter shelter at Marshall House.
11. H&HS Report. Report from the Health & Human Services Committee on discussions concerning the Healthy Hartford Initiative, the "No-Freeze" shelter, and the re-instituting of the City's Commission to End Homelessness.
12. Procurement. Report from the Labor & Workforce Development Committee postponing discussion on changes to the City's procurement system.
13. Barriers to Hiring. Report from the Labor & Workforce Development Committee postponing discussion on a proposal to review the City's current civil service processes and eliminate any barriers that may prevent applicants with criminal records from securing employment with the City of Hartford.
14. Hartford Knights. Report from the Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee making no recommendation on an allocation of $25,000 to the Hartford Knights after-school program at Simpson Waverly School.
15. Husky Sports Program. Report from the Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee recommending allocation of $13,035 as partial funding for the UConn Husky sports and mentoring program at Kelvin D. Anderson Center.
16. Fee Waiver. Report from the Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee recommending a fee waiver for "Body Shredders: Exercise in the Park" sponsored by the New England Carousel Museum and Bushnell Park Carousel held on October 25, 2008.
17. Fee Waiver. Report from the Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee recommending approval of a fee waiver for "Freedom Run to Benefit the CT National Guard" held on November 8, 2008.
18. Fee Waiver. Report from the Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee recommending withdrawal of request for fee waiver for My People Clinical Service's "Pre-Thanksgiving" event which will not be held as planned in the City Hall Atrium.
19. Monument in Bushnell Park. Authorization to install monument to workers killed on the job.
20. Procurement. Proposed changes to the City's procurement system, including affirmative action.
21. 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.
22. Freedom of Information Advisory Board. Establishment of a three-member advisory board to foster compliance with the CT Freedom of Information Act.
23. 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.
24. Capital Projects. Resolution requiring a hold on all Capital Improvement Projects that would increase the City's debt.
25. 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.
26. 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.
27. Appointment. Appointment of Virginia Adams to the Commission on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues.
28. Appointment. Appointment of Dorothy Lovett Buckley to the Permanent Commission on the Status of Hartford Women.
29. Re-Appointment. Reappointment of Jennifer P. Stephens to the Civilian Police Review Board.
30. Appointment. Appointment of David Klein to the Ethics Commission.
31. Appointment. Appointment of Alice N. Ferguson to the Commission on HIV/AIDS.
32. Tax Credit. Ordinance establishing a $500 property tax credit for the surviving spouses of police officers and firefighters who die in the line of duty.
33. Appointment. Appointment to the Metropolitan District Commission. No name specified.
34. Appointments. Appointment of Inez Pegeas, Ronald Armstrong, and J. Stan McCauley to the Metropolitan District Commission for six-year terms.
35. Appointment. Appointment to the Metropolitan District Commission. No name specified.
36. Cancellation of Meeting. Cancellation of the Council's regularly scheduled meeting of December 22, 2008.
37. Green Belt Task Force. Establishment of a Green Belt Task Force of seven members for the purpose of developing a plan for a greenway connecting Hartford's parks and open space.
38. Moratorium. Declaration of a moratorium on fee waivers for special events for the remainder of fiscal year 2008-09.
39. Winter Shelter. Allocation of $33,000 in Contingency funds for temporary operation of a shelter for women and children for four months by the Salvation Army at Marshall House.