Prepared by: Citizens’ Research Education Network,
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000
There were 51 items on the regular agenda. The next Council meeting will be January 8,
2001 at Hartford City Hall in Council Chambers. The next public hearing will be December 18, 2000.
Weed and Seed – The Council passed a resolution that
outlines the 2000-2001 allocations for Hartford’s Weed and Seed program in the
Northeast Neighborhood. The program
plan was developed by a steering committee comprised of representatives from
the Police Department, city staff, the United States Attorney’s office, and the
community. The plan includes funding
for several groups who will be working in the area. Some of the organizations to receive funding are: Knox Parks Foundation ($10,000), Connecticut
Bicycle Coalition ($30,000) Friends of Keney Park Computer Center ($10,731),
Children’s Culinary Institute of Connecticut ($25,000), and United Connecticut
Action for Neighborhoods ($59,305) as Weed and Seed coordinator. The Weed and Seed program is funded through
the United States Department of Justice.
Block Watch Funding – The Council also passed a
resolution authorizing the city to receive U.S. Department of Justice Local Law Enforcement Block Grant
funds. The block grant monies are used
to provide funds for neighborhood community organizers.
Funds for Façade Improvements – The Council referred
to City Manager an Alphonse Marotta, resolution designating $240,000 for façade improvements in South
Hartford. The resolution argues that
several businesses on Franklin Avenue have applied for façade funds but the
state monies for façade improvements have not come through. The resolution directs the City Manger to
identify funding for the improvements.
Surplus Computers Donation to the YWCA -- On the
recommendation of Council member Veronica Airey-Wilson, the Council passed a
resolution approving the donation of 10 surplus city computers to the
YWCA. According to the resolution the
city has surplus personal computers that it can no longer use. The computers will be used at the YWCA for
education and training. (Item #43)
Elderly Tax Relief
Program -- The Council sent to public hearing, December 18, 2000, an ordinance
which would adjust the income eligibility levels of the Elderly Tax Relief
Program. The ordinance would raise the
level of qualifying income from $31,000 to $31,700 for married taxpayers, and
from $26,800 to $27,500 for unmarried taxpayers. The Elderly Tax Relief Program was established to mitigate the
tax burden of elderly, low-income persons. In 1999 the program aided 895 persons with an average benefit of
$448.95.
HouseHartford Funding – The Council consented a
request from the Department of Housing and Community Development for
approval to allocate $400,000 to the HouseHartford program. The
HouseHartford program assists homebuyers with down payment and closing
costs. The Department of Housing and
Community Development had allocated $1 million of Hartford’s 2000 HOME funds to
HouseHartford, but demands on the program have been extensive and at the
present rate of usage will run out in February of 2001.
If you have any questions about the agenda call Greg Vickers at CREN, 249‑1416. The Citizens' Research Education Network is a non‑profit research and education center for Hartford community‑based organizations. |