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Council Preview
Hartford City Council Meeting

Monday, November 24, 2008

Prepared by:
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000

The Council meeting will begin at 7 P.M. at Hartford City Hall in Council Chambers. The next opportunity for public comment will be Monday, December 8, 2008 at 6:30 PM.

There are 46 items on the agenda. Below is detailed information about items of special interest to neighborhoods. Following those details is a listing of all agenda items, in layperson's language. The complete official agenda for the Council meeting is available online by clicking on "Council Agendas" at the following web site: http://www.hartford.gov/government/Town&CityClerk/Agendas/archive.htm  

ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST

Previously Submitted Items:

The following items were previously on the Council Agenda and were included in the Council Preview/Review. They were referred to committees and/or public hearing or action was postponed by the Council. They are now on the agenda again for action.

New Infant and Toddler Facility – The Council will consider a proposed ordinance that, if approved, will result in an appropriation of $1 million of the Capital Improvement Fund for the construction of a new infant and toddler facility in Hartford. This represents 20% of the funding needed for the facility. The other 80% is being applied for by The Office for Young Children as a loan from the Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority (CHEFA). A public hearing on this matter was held on Monday, November 17, 2008 and the Council's Operations, Management & Budget Committee recommends approval. (Items #5 and 16)

Personnel Freeze – The Council will vote on a resolution that imposes a freeze on new hires and promotions within the City workforce. The Council's Operations, Management, & Budget Committee considered the item but did not make a recommendation. (Item #7)

Code of Ethics – The Council will consider a proposed amendment to the existing Code of Ethics ordinance. 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. (Items #11 and 18)

Freedom of Information Advisory Board – The Council will vote on a proposed amendment to the existing FOI ordinance to create 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 recommends approval. (Items #12 and 19)

Commission on Cultural Affairs - The Council will consider an ordinance to revitalize the Commission on Cultural Affairs. Among the changes are an increase in the number of members of the Commission from 20 to 22 and further definition of the groups that must be represented on the Commission. The ordinance also calls for the Commission to develop and submit to the Council an arts policy by January 1, 2010 and every five years thereafter. The Director of Cultural Affairs will staff the Commission. The ordinance was referred to the Council's Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee and a Public Hearing on this item was held on Monday, November 17, 2008. (Item #20)

Budget Resolutions -- The Council will discuss and vote on ten resolutions on budget matters. A summary of the resolutions follows:

Item # 22: That there be an immediate cessation of violations of the Hartford Municipal Charter and/or Code as they relate to provisions requiring a balanced budget and providing reports to the City Council.

Item # 23: That the layoffs implemented by the Mayor be suspended until a clear plan that outlines a legal rationale is submitted to Council for approval. Council shall approve the layoffs.

Item # 24: That there be immediate compliance with all Committee of the Whole (City Council) non-financial resolutions related to budget years 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 that are related to the City's budget and finances.

Item # 25: That sanctions be imposed on persons responsible for any intentional and/or willful violations of the Hartford Municipal Charter and Code, specifically related to a balanced budget and providing reports to the City Council.

Item # 26: That an immediate freeze be placed on all salary increases and promotions of City employees except as required by law or Charter.

Item # 27: That there be a freeze on all new equipment and vehicle purchases except as required by law.

Item # 28: That the Mayor implement an immediate hold on all Capital Improvement Projects that may result in an increase in the City's debt.

Item # 29: That subpoena power be granted to the Chair of the Operations, Management & Budget Committee to request financial information and to have access to all documents acquired from the City from external agencies and/or governmental branches by way of subpoena.

Item # 30: That the City Council appoint a three person ad-hoc committee composed of members of Council to work with the Mayor and the Unions to look for ways that Unions can assist the City in resolving the deficit and stabilizing its finances.

Item # 31: That the Mayor implement an immediate system-wide hiring freeze within the City of Hartford and that any and all hiring must be only upon approval by seven members of City Council (excluding hiring protected by the Hartford Municipal Charter and Code).

Item # 32: That a multi-year approach to balancing the budget be developed so as to protect the fund balance.

New Agenda Items

Funds to Help Close Budget Gap – The Council will vote on a resolution that each member of the City Council contribute $1000 from their council remuneration in a manner to be determined by each member to help close the City's budget gap. Each City department has been asked to reduce their budgets by 15%. In addition to the action called for in this resolution the City Council will not fill one vacant position and is reducing its travel and activities account by $35,000. (Item #39)

Two Year Limit on City Council Funds for Community Based Organizations – The Council will vote on a resolution that states that funds from the City Contributions account cannot be made to the same community based organization or sports league for more than two consecutive fiscal years. Funds available to the City Council for donations to such organizations have already been exhausted for this fiscal year due to pressures resulting from the current nationwide financial crisis. (Item #40)

Reduction in Salary for Highly Paid Managers – The Council will vote on a resolution that City managers and executives with salaries above $80,000 accept progressively scaled salary reductions. The resolution states that City workers have been suffering losses of jobs and benefits and that, under these conditions, pay raises for government officials and highly-paid managers are not appropriate. (Item #45)

No Pay Raises, No Layoffs – The Council will vote on a resolution stating that it is the intention of the City Council that government pay raises should not occur when depression and job loss conditions prevail, and that recent layoffs be rescinded and future layoffs halted. The resolution states that City workers have been suffering losses of jobs and benefits and that under these conditions pay raises for government officials and highly-paid managers are not appropriate. (Item #46)

LIST OF ALL AGENDA ITEMS

Item #

1. Financial Report. Submission of October report of revenues and expenditures.
2. Lawsuit. Request for Council to go into Executive Session to discuss Hector Lopez v. Ray Ramos, et al
3. Audit. Request to the Internal Audit Commission to perform audit of contractual processes and arrangements relating to health premiums paid by retirees.
4. Maple Mews. Recommendation by the Council's Operations, Management, & Budget Committee to authorize the City to pay half the cost, with the MDC paying the other half, of correcting problems of storm-related sewage back-up in Maple Mews.
5. Infant Toddler Center. Recommendation by the Council's Operations, Management, & Budget Committee to appropriate $1.0 million in the Capital Improvement Fund and issue $450,000 in bonds for construction of a new infant and toddler child care center, also known as the Early Learning Center. (Also see #16)
6. University High School of Science & Engineering. Recommendation by the Council's Operations, Management, & Budget Committee to appropriate $1,650,000 in the Capital Improvement Fund and approve issuance of $165,000 in bonds to cover the City's 10% share of the construction of transitional classrooms at the High School. (Also see #17)
7. Hiring/Promotion Freeze. Report from the Council's Operations, Management & Budget Committee making no recommendation on a proposal to institute a freeze on new hires and promotion by the City of Hartford.
8. LGBT Commission. Recommendation by the Council's Operations, Management, & Budget Committee to allocate $5,000 to the Commission on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues to secure a Graduate Social Worker Intern for FY 2008-09.
9. Transfers of Funds. Recommendation by the Council's Operations, Management, & Budget Committee to disapprove transfers of funds among City departments as requested by the Mayor.
10. First Quarter Financial Report. Recommendation by the Council's Operations, Management, & Budget Committee to receive the report of financial operations for the three month period July – September, 2008.
11. Code of Ethics. Report by the Council's Legislative Affairs Committee postponing action on 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. (Also see #18)
12. Freedom of Information Advisory Board. Recommendation by the Council's Legislative Affairs Committee to approve the establishment of a three-member advisory board to foster compliance with the CT Freedom of Information Act. (Also see #19)
13. Monument in Bushnell Park: Authorization to install monument to workers killed on the job.
14. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver for "Community Street Fest" held by Liberty Christian Center on August 30, 2008.
15. Procurement. Amendments to the procurement section of the Municipal Code. (Not included in the agenda package. Available in Town Clerk's Office.)
16. Infant Toddler Center. Appropriation of $1.0 million and issuance of $450,000 in bonds for planning, acquisition of property and construction of a new Early Learning Center (Infant Toddler Center). (Also see #5)
17. University High School of Science & Engineering. Appropriation of $1,650,000 in the Capital Improvement Funds and issuance of $165,000 in bonds to cover the City's 10% share of the construction of transitional classrooms at the High School. (Also see #6)
18. 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. (Also see #11)
19. Freedom of Information Advisory Board. Establishment of a three-member advisory board to foster compliance with the CT Freedom of Information Act. (Also see #12)
20. Commission on Cultural Affairs. Proposal to increase the number of members of the Commission, further define what groups should be represented on the Commission, and require that the Commission develop an arts policy by January 1, 2010 and every five years thereafter.
21. 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.
22. Cessation of Charter/Code Violations. Resolution calling for an immediate cessation of violations of the Charter and/or Municipal Code related to requirements for a balanced budget and provision of monthly and quarterly reports to the Council.
23. City Layoffs. Resolution requiring that layoffs be suspended until Council receives and approves a legal rationale and approves layoffs.
24. Compliance. Resolution requiring that the City comply with all non-financial resolutions passed by Council relating to last year's and this year's budgets.
25. Sanctions. Resolution requiring that sanctions be imposed on anyone responsible for willful and/or intentional violations of the City Charter and Municipal Code requiring a balanced budget and monthly and quarterly reports to Council.
26. Pay Raises & Promotions. Resolution requiring that there be an immediate freeze on salary increases and promotions of City employees.
27. Purchasing Freeze. Resolution requiring that there be an immediate freeze on all equipment and vehicle purchases.
28. Capital Projects. Resolution requiring a hold on all Capital Improvement Projects that would increase the City's debt.
29. 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.
30. 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.
31. Hiring Freeze. Implementation of a City hiring freeze with exceptions to be approved by 7 members of Council.
32. Fund Balance. Resolution requiring a multi-year approach to balancing the City's budget to protect the fund balance, i.e. emergency funds.
33. Appointment. Appointment of Virginia Adams to the Commission on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues.
34. Appointment. Appointment of Dorothy Lovett Buckley to the Permanent Commission on the Status of Hartford Women.
35. Re-Appointment. Reappointment of Jennifer P. Stephens to the Civilian Police Review Board.
36. Appointment. Appointment of David Klein to the Ethics Commission.
37. Appointment. Appointment of Alice N. Ferguson to the Commission on HIV/AIDS.
38. Library Report. Acceptance of the Audit Report on the Hartford Public Library.
39. Councilmember Contribution. Resolution calling for each Council member to contribute $1,000 from their pay to help close the City's budget gap.
40. Restriction on Contributions. Resolution establishing a restriction on the use of Council's Civic and Cultural Account such that contributions to community based organizations and sports leagues can be made only for a maximum of two consecutive years.
41. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver for First Night Hartford's New Year's Eve event.
42. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver for Three King's Day parade, sponsored by the Spanish American Merchants Association, on January 6, 2009.
43. Release of Funds. Resolution authorizing the release of $40,000 allocated to the Office of Cultural Affairs in the 2008-09 budget.
44. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver for a religious procession to be held on December 14, 2008 by St. Peter's Church.
45. Reduction in Salary. Resolution calling for City managers and executives with salaries above $80,000 to accept reductions in their pay.
46. Reversal of Layoffs. Resolution requiring that layoffs made in the past two months be rescinded and that no additional layoffs be made.