Recreation Centers Approved for Schools
There were 72 items on the regular agenda. Thirteen were added
on the supplemental agenda and three were walked in during the
meeting. Deputy Mayor Sanchez was absent. The next Council Meeting
will be September 11.
Bond Ordinances - The Council passed a series of resolutions
and ordinances directing Town Clerk Dan Carey to place seven
bond ordinances on the November ballot. Together the bonds total
$172 million. The projects include:
$35 million - construction of a public safety complex;
$3 million - environmental improvements for police headquarters;
$68 million - construction of a new Hartford Public High School;
$27 million - Hartford schools renovations;
$13 million - roof and underground tank removal at schools;
$10 million - road improvements; and
$16 million - recreation facility projects
The Commission on the City Plan recommended approval of all of
the ordinances except for the $35 million public safety complex
and the $16 million recreation facilities projects. The $16 million
bond ordinance for recreation facilities were amended during
the Council meeting. As amended the ordinance will pay for improvements
to school recreational facilities that would then be opened to
the public. The original bond ordinance had been for improvements
to facilities at Goodwin and Keney Parks.
Hartford Parks Trust Fund - The Council scheduled three
Parks Trust fund ordinances for Public Hearing August 17 and
referred them to the Operations, Management, Budget, Education
and Labor Committee. Together the three ordinances will appropriate
a total of $1,225,000 from the Hartford Parks Trust Fund.
$825,000 for the restoration of park ponds at Keney Park, Pope
Park, Goodwin Park, and Elizabeth Park. The funds will be used
for planning and to install filtering devices to improve water
quality.
$100,000 for improvements to Elizabeth Park. The funds will be
used for the green house, adjacent buildings, and associated
site work.
$300,000 for improvements to Batterson Park. The money will be
used to construct a new ticket booth, renovate the bath houses,
install a new play apparatus and grills, and purchase new sand
for the beach.
Hartford Parks Trust Fund - On the recommendation of Councilman
Al Marotta, the Council passed a resolution which will allocate
$80,000 from the Hartford Parks Trust Fund to purchase iron fencing
and plants for Columbus Park and the new Floridia, Italy Sister
City Park.
CDBG - The Council allocated Community Development Block Grant
funds to several programs;
$43,000 from the Community Development Future Projects Pool to
ONE/CHANE ($25,000) and to the St. Martin Nursing Assistant Program
($18,000).
$9,400 to Creative Gifts, Inc. for an educational program associated
with the Knox Parks Foundation's horticultural center.
$18,000 to the Betances Family Resource Center.
Alternative Transportation Fair - The Council voted to
waive all fees associated with the Alternative Transportation
Fair to be held September 22, 11 am to 2 pm, in Bushnell Park.
The fair, sponsored by the Connecticut Department of Environmental
Protection, will highlight "vehicles that prevent pollution
by not utilizing the internal combustion engine."
Community Employment Incentive Program - The Council voted
to authorize the Department of Human Services (DHS) to apply
for funds from the Connecticut Department of Labor under the
Community Employment Incentive Program (CEIP). The resolution
allows DHS to enter into contractual agreements with South End
Community Services, the Connecticut Puerto Rican Forum, and the
Urban League of Greater Hartford to provide employment related
services to eligible residents.
Farmer's Market Checks for WIC Families - The Council
passed a resolution allowing the Hartford Health Department to
apply for funds from the Connecticut Department of Agriculture
to operate a Farmer's Market Coupon Program with the Women, Infants
and Children Supplemental Food Program (WIC). Under the coupon
program anyone eligible for WIC services will receive a $10 Farmer's
Market Coupon. There is no cost to the city.
Task Force on Adult Literacy - On the recommendation of
Council members Stewart, Watkins, and Park, the Council passed
a resolution creating a task force on adult literacy. The task
force will compile information about literacy services and identify
specific actions needed to improve literacy in Hartford.
If you have any questions about the agenda, call the Council
at 522-4888 or CREN at 249-1416.
The Citizens' Research Education Network is a non-profit information
center for Hartford community-based organizations.
