Print

Council Review
Hartford City Council Meeting

Monday, December 8, 2008

Prepared by:
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000

There were 39 items on the original agenda. One additional item was submitted during the meeting. The next regular Council meeting will be held on Monday, January 12, 2009 at 7 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. Note: The December 22, 2008 meeting has been cancelled.

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

Downtown West Section II Redevelopment Plan – The Council referred, to its Planning & Economic Development Committee, a resolution approving a Redevelopment Plan for Downtown West Section II (Union Station – Walnut Street Project). The project includes 13 properties on Walnut, Edwards, Spring and Myrtle Streets and Huntley Place and includes the vacant Capitol West office building. The plan calls for transit-oriented mixed use development that is supportive of the new commuter bus and rail service to be centered at Union Station and serves nearby insurance companies and neighborhood residents. (Item #1)

Downtown North Redevelopment Plan – The Council referred, to its Planning & Economic Development Committee, 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 referred, to its Planning & Economic Development Committee, 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 referred, to its Public Works, Parks and Environment Committee, 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. The Council agreed that, following review by the PW,P&E Committee, the matter would be discussed by the Planning & Economic Development Committee. (Item # 7)

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 considered a proposed amendment to the existing Code of Ethics ordinance as well as a legal opinion and, after some discussion, postponed action in order to consider legal issues. 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 adopted an amendment to the existing FOI ordinance creating 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)

Green Belt Task Force - The Council referred, to its Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee, 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 referred, to its Operations, Management, and Budget Committee, 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 adopted a resolution authorizing an allocation of $1,000 and a commitment and guarantee by Council to raise $32,000 to offset the immediate cost of an overflow shelter at the Salvation Army’s Marshall House for the next four months. The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving has also committed $33,000 toward the $66,000 cost of operation. This will allow homeless families in Hartford to be given a temporary place of refuge in urgent situations. (Item #39)

ACTION ON 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. Referred to Planning & Economic Development Committee
2. Downtown North Redevelopment Plan. Approval of a Redevelopment Plan for the Downtown North Project. Referred to Planning & Economic Development Committee
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. Referred to Planning & Economic Development Committee
4. Financial Report. Revenue and Expenditure report for the month of November. Received
5. DUI Grant. Authorization to accept $141,450 from the State of Connecticut for enforcement of Driving Under the Influence laws. Passed
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. Passed
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. Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee
8. Technology Equipment Donation. Approval to accept, from Sonitrol, the donation of equipment to implement the Mutualink Interoperable System. Referred to Quality of Life & Public Safety Committee
9. Acceptance of Grant Funds. Approval to apply for and accept Ryan White grant funds to provide services to people with HIV/AIDS. Passed
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. Received
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. Received
12. Procurement. Report from the Labor & Workforce Development Committee postponing discussion on changes to the City’s procurement system. Received
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. Referred to Labor & Workforce Development Committee
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. Allocation Passed
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. Passed
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. Passed
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. Passed
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. Withdrawn
19. Monument in Bushnell Park. Authorization to install monument to workers killed on the job. Postponed
20. Procurement. Proposed changes to the City’s procurement system, including affirmative action. Postponed
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. Postponed
22. Freedom of Information Advisory Board. Establishment of a three-member advisory board to foster compliance with the CT Freedom of Information Act. Passed
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. Tabled
24. Capital Projects. Resolution requiring a hold on all Capital Improvement Projects that would increase the City’s debt. Postponed
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. Postponed
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. Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee
27. Appointment. Appointment of Virginia Adams to the Commission on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues. Passed
28. Appointment. Appointment of Dorothy Lovett Buckley to the Permanent Commission on the Status of Hartford Women. Passed
29. Re-Appointment. Reappointment of Jennifer P. Stephens to the Civilian Police Review Board. Passed
30. Appointment. Appointment of David Klein to the Ethics Commission. Passed
31. Appointment. Appointment of Alice N. Ferguson to the Commission on HIV/AIDS. Passed
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. Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee
33. Appointment. Appointment to the Metropolitan District Commission of Anwar Al-Ghani. Postponed
34. Appointments. Appointment of Inez Pegeas, Ronald Armstrong, and J. Stan McCauley to the Metropolitan District Commission for six-year terms. Postponed
35. Appointment. Appointment to the Metropolitan District Commission of Anwar Al-Ghani, William DiBella, and Gertrude Mero. Postponed
36. Cancellation of Meeting. Cancellation of the Council’s regularly scheduled meeting of December 22, 2008. Passed
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. Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee
38. Moratorium. Declaration of a moratorium on fee waivers for special events for the remainder of fiscal year 2008-09. Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee
39. Winter Shelter. Allocation of $1,000 and commitment by Council to raise $32,000 for temporary operation of a shelter for women and children for four months by the Salvation Army at Marshall House. Passed
40. Executive Session. Motion to enter Executive Session to discuss Trinity College Area Improvements/Park Street Enhancements Project. Executive Session