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Prepared by: Citizens’ Research Education Network,
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000
There are 49 items on the agenda. The Council meeting will begin at 7 P.M. at Hartford City Hall in Council Chambers. It will be preceded by an open agenda public hearing that will begin at 6:30 P.M. The Council will vote to cancel the last scheduled meeting in December, so the next Council meeting will be Monday, January 10, 2005 at 7 P.M.
Historic Preservation: The Council will vote on two ordinances aimed at protecting historic properties. If passed the ordinances would create an Historic Preservation Commission which would protect about 4,000 properties in Hartford. The ordinances would cover properties on the National Register of Historic Places, the State register of Historic Places, and historic districts. Restrictions on demolitions and changes to the exterior of properties would be utilized to prevent the corruption of the historic integrity of the properties. Any proposed exterior changes would have to conform to the historic design manual which will be provided by the Historic Preservation Commission. These ordinances have been to public hearing and are on the agenda for action. (Items #36 and 37)
Tax Increment Financing: The Council will consider a resolution which would authorize the Hartford Redevelopment Agency to accept, review, and recommend TIF applications in the same manner as the Hartford Economic Development Commission. This resolution has been reviewed by the Finance and Revenue Committee which is recommending passage. (Item #23)
Free Speech and Conduct in Retail Establishments: The Council will vote on an ordinance that would guarantee freedom of speech in retail establishments on City-owned property. The Council delayed action on this item at its last meeting in order to get additional information and to review changes that had been made to the original ordinance. The Management and Budget Committee and the Labor and Workforce Development Committee held a joint meeting to discuss this ordinance and are recommending passage. (Item #16)
Funds for Community Organization Programs: The Council will vote on a resolution authorizing the Mayor to accept and sign agreements pertaining to an appropriation of $35,000 from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving and $35,000 from the Melville Trust to be used for community organization programs. (Item #5)
Hartford Membership in Connecticut Coalition for Justice in Education Funding: The Council will vote on a resolution authorizing the Mayor to formalize the relationship between the City of Hartford and the Connecticut Coalition for Justice in Education Funding. If the resolution is approved, the Mayor will become a member of the Coalition on behalf of the City of Hartford, and up to $20,000 will be expended for first year membership fees. (Item #6)
Funds for CPTV Digital Equipment: The Council will vote on a resolution authoring the Mayor to re-program $25,000 in recaptured Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to Connecticut Public Television (CPTV) for the purchase of digital equipment. CPTV is mandated by the federal government to convert its facilities to digital technology by 2006. This transition will result in four times as many channels being available to the Hartford community, including an educational channel, a news and public affairs channel, a health channel, and a sports channel. (Item #7)
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. |
