Council Gets Short Shrift

February 24, 2006

When Hartford voters approved a strong-mayor form of government, they didn't intend for the city council to become the mayor's doormat.

Unfortunately, council members' ineffectiveness was exposed last week when they approved a four-year labor contract that was handed to them by the mayor's office moments before their regular meeting.

Council members were told that if they didn't approve the agreement immediately between the city and the union representing 67 professional employees, including health inspectors and accountants, the pact automatically would become binding five days later. And, if they rejected the deal, it could go to arbitration, where the end result could be disadvantageous to the city.

After first turning down the contract by a 3-2 vote with four abstentions, the council reconsidered and passed it 5-0 with four abstentions. Some of those who approved the contract said it was justified because the settlement is favorable to the city. The council then asked its president, John Bazzano, to send a strongly worded letter to the mayor, telling him that such last-minute deals are unacceptable.

The contract approval is only one example of the council being hurried or essentially ignored by Mayor Eddie Perez. In one case, the council interviewed a department-head candidate a month after he moved to Hartford and started his job. The council also took no part in screening candidates for police chief.

The mayor's office had plenty of time to deliver the contract to the council before the meeting so that members could have at least read it carefully before a vote. City officials finished negotiating the labor contract on Jan. 6 and, by law, council members had 44 days in which to act on it.

The council should have received copies of the deal right after it was reached. The excuse for the delay - that union members didn't vote on the contract until Jan. 31 - is weak and suggests that Mr. Perez's office has little regard for the council's oversight role.

Rushing to get the contract approved also cut off the opportunity for public comment.

Mr. Perez should, as a matter of courtesy and good management, make sure that council members are given a reasonable time in which to read and understand anything on which they will be asked to vote. The presentation of this contract at the last minute was highhanded and undermined good government.