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Prepared by: Citizens’ Research Education Network,
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000
There were 49 items on the agenda. The next Council meeting will be Monday, January 10, 2005 at 7 P.M. It will be preceded by a public hearing that will begin at 6:30 P.M.
Public Hearing: Fourteen residents spoke during the p ublic hearing. Several speakers addressed the Council on the need for increased attention to public safety. Three other spoke in support of an ordinance, passed later in the Council meeting, guaranteeing free speech in establishments built on city-owned land. One person objected to the ordinance.
Additionally a group of about 30 protesters entered Council Chambers during the public hearing and protested an incidence of reported police misconduct while asking the Council to arrange a meeting between the protesters and Chief of Police Patrick J. Hartnett. According to one of the members of the group the Chief has not returned repeated phone calls on the matter. The Council attempted unsuccessfully to contact the Chief but did agree to help the protesters arrange a meeting with him and several agreed to meet with the protesters themselves.
Historic Preservation: The Council postponed action 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.
Tax Increment Financing: The Council passed on consent a resolution authorizing the Hartford Redevelopment Agency to accept, review, and recommend TIF applications in the same manner as the Hartford Economic Development Commission.
Free Speech and Conduct in Retail Establishments: The Council passed an ordinance that guarantees freedom of speech in retail establishments on City-owned property. Before passing the ordinance Council members discussed the possibility that the ordinance, the first of its kind passed by a municipality, might not be able to withstand a legal test. According to Corporation Counsel recent amendments to the ordinance made certain that it was a lawful document.
Funds for Community Organization Programs: The Council passed on consent a resolution authorizing Mayor Eddie Perez 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.
Hartford Membership in Connecticut Coalition for Justice in Education Funding: The Council also passed a resolution authorizing Mayor Perez 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 which will be used for research on spending in education.
Funds for CPTV Digital Equipment: The Council referred to the Management and Budget Committee 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.
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. |
