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Wednesday, March 16, 2016

THE FINAL BILL: FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION FOR HARTFORD

The draft bill was first posted here last night, here is the final bill which is now ready to move forward. The bills passage may be a tough fight according to several Legislative sources though.

 One source referred to the bill as "putting the fox in charge of the hen house", referring to the Commissions proposed makeup. I have to agree. Can we really count on at least four Hartford politicians to correct the problems created by Hartford politicians. I understand that for the most part it is a new freshman class of politicians.

As an example though, do you think Council members will really make the call to cut their own assistants?  $50,000 each times 9 , plus benefits is a large amount of money. This is one cost we can no longer afford. It is a small amount in the grand scheme of things, but it will set the tone that everyone is doing their part in the "shared sacrifice".

Do you think the Council would move to end their own pensions or medical coverage? It is a part time job, the Hartford City Council is one of the few similar bodies in the State of Connecticut  that actually get paychecks. I guess we could see who really wants to be there if we eliminated the pay for Council people.  Symbolic , but necessary, cuts are a necessity for the part time Council if we are going to see any mutual trust between the Union's and the Commission and we ask them to be part of the tough decisions.

The cuts need to be felt all the way from the top to the bottom. Can we really afford a videographer in the Mayor's Office? Can we really afford pensions for Council people after 5 years of service. Name me one other part time job that offers a pension after 5 years.

I could go on more about this, but if we are talking about cutting Union jobs to the bone, it has to also be fair and done across the board. I think we really need fresh unbiased eyes looking at the full picture, ready to make tough decisions and no one should be thinking about repercussions for the next election. That is what got us here in the first place.


Tuesday, March 15, 2016

THIS IS GETTING TIRING

I must be in the mood for beatings tonight, but here goes. I really am getting of tired of people that love to blame our budget problems and everything else to do with money on the City Treasurer . The City Treasurer is really the glorified keeper of the checkbook for the City of Hartford.( Sorry Adam)

The definition of the Treasurer's position is below, directly from the Hartford City Charter. No where will you find in there that he is responsible for the City's  budget, allocating money to departments(other than paying their bills when properly  requested) or any other financial responsibilities. I am sure he can (and probably does) make  financial  recommendations, but no one is bound to accept them. That is the Council's function as the fiduciary body for the City. Probably one of the largest and most important roles of the Treasurer is managing the Pension fund and heading the Pension Commission.

You may not like the Treasurer, but read the section below before commenting on so called " wrong doing"

Sec. 1. - City treasurer.    There shall be a city treasurer, who shall have the powers set forth in this Charter, or as otherwise provided by law. (a) Duties. The city treasurer shall have the following responsibilities, as well as any others set forth in this Charter, the General Statutes or by ordinance: (1) Custodian of city funds. Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to any of the provisions to which reference is made in subparagraph (4) below, the city treasurer shall have custody of, and shall disburse, all funds belonging to the city and shall deposit the same in one (1) or more authorized public depositories. For purposes of this chapter, an "authorized public depository" shall be any bank and/or trust company that qualifies as qualified public depository under and pursuant to the General Statutes to the extent the same has been designated as such by the council on the recommendation of the mayor, following consultation with the city treasurer. (2) Treasurer of town deposit fund and capital improvement funds. Investment responsibilities. The city treasurer shall have custody, and shall be treasurer, of the town deposit fund and the capital improvement fund as well as any trust or like funds which are established by or under this Charter or the General Statutes for any eleemosynary purposes by or for the benefit of the city of Hartford, its residents or any of its public parks, buildings or other improvements. In that capacity, the city treasurer shall have authority to invest and reinvest the assets of all such funds in cash, securities and other investment instruments and/or vehicles which are legal for the investment of trust funds under the General Statutes, consistent with the fiduciary and other standards set forth in the Connecticut Uniform Prudent Investors Act. Nothing herein shall be construed to prevent sinking funds and trust funds from continuing to be managed by the trust companies managing them at the effective date of this Charter, unless the appointment is revoked by the council for cause. Whenever a vacancy occurs in the management of any trust fund, or any trust fund is hereafter created, the council shall have power, on the recommendation of the city treasurer, to designate one (1) or more authorized public depositories to manage the same, which designation shall continue until revoked by the council for cause. (3) Disbursements. The city treasurer shall make no disbursement from any funds of the city except by check or electronic transfer signed or authorized by the city treasurer. Each check or transfer shall be based upon a voucher or payroll duly audited by the director of finance. Before signing any check or authorizing any transfer the city treasurer shall be satisfied that such check or transfer represents the payment of a duly authorized obligation of the city. The city treasurer shall keep such books and records as the director of finance shall prescribe. The city treasurer's official bond shall be a surety company bond in an amount sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the General Statutes and the ordinances. (4) The role of the city treasurer with regard to city pension funds. The city treasurer shall have the specifically delineated responsibilities pertaining to the care, custody and investment of the assets held in various of the pension and retirement funds that are maintained on behalf of current and/or former city employees and their beneficiaries, and such powers incident to such responsibilities (including the power, upon approval of the pension commission, to invest and reinvest the same and to enter contracts with qualified custodians, investment advisers and life insurance companies) all as and in the manner referred to in Chapter XII of this Charter.

OVERSIGHT BOARD LEGISLATION DRAFTED FOR HARTFORD, READY TO BE INTRODUCED

One the heels of Mayor Luke Bronin's first State of the City Address last night, Hartford's dire financial condition is becoming more evident by the minute.

Draft legislation has been formulated to institute an oversight board for the City of Hartford and its finances and related operations. This is also clear vindication for "We the People" a some in the mainstream media doubted my sources last week when I first broke the story of the possibility of a State takeover or oversight board for Hartford


Twitter feed from the Hartford Courant's Rick Green

According to sources, the bill is expected to be introduced by Senator John Fonfara, passage is not definite .
otentially b a tough sell to once again bail out Hartford.

HARTFORD TREASURER RE-APPOINTS ATTORNEY BRUCE RUBENSTEIN TO AUDIT COMMISSION

Hartford's City Treasurer Adam Cloud today re-appointed Hartford Attorney and resident Bruce Rubenstein  to another four year term on Hartford's Audit Commission.

Rubenstein has been an aggressive member of the commission in his first term, helping to expose and investigate corruption and waste throughout City government. Rubenstein is one of three members on the Commission

COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING MONDAY

OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
MONDAY MARCH 21, 2016
Councilpersons; Concepción, Deutsch, Gale, Jennings, and Sánchez will represent the Council at a Public Hearing to be held in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building at 7:00 P.M., Monday March 21, 2016.
1. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO ENTER INTO A LEASE WITH THE CONNECTICUT CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER FOR OFFICE SPACE LOCATED AT 379-381 WASHINGTON STREET. MAYOR BRONIN
Referred to Planning and Zoning Commission
2. ORDINANCE TO IMPLEMENT THE CHARTER PROVISION AUTHORIZING THE APPOINTMENT OF REGISTRAR OF VOTERS. (COUNCILMAN GALE)
Referred to the Operations, Management, Budget Committee and Government Accountability
3. ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 22, MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC BY ADDING THERETO ARTICLE IV, OBSTRUCTING INTERSECTION, OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE. (MAJORITY LEADER CONCEPCIÓN) (COUNCIL PRESIDENT CLARKE II) (COUNCILMAN GALE) (COUNCILMAN SÁNCHEZ) (COUNCILWOMAN THAMES) (COUNCILWOMAN WINCH)
Referred to the Quality of Life and Public Safety Committee
4. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO SELL AND ISSUE UP TO $85 MILLION IN GENERAL OBLIGATIONS REFUNDING BONDS. MAYOR BRONIN
Referred to the Operations, Management, Budget Committee and Government Accountability
Attest: John V. Bazzano
City Clerk
For more information on committee meeting date please contact the following:
A regular Quality of Life and Public Safety Committee meeting will be held on the third Tuesday of each month at 5:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers.
Kevin L. Murray 860-757-9563
Kevin.murray@hartford.gov
Kristen Squillante 860-757-9567
Squilante.Kristen@hartford.gov
A regular Operations, Management, Budget and Government Accountability Committee meeting will be held on the third Monday of each month at 5:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers.
Juan Hernandez 860-757- 9570
Juan.hernandez@

HARTFORD CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS FOR MARCH 14, 2016

PREPARED BY THE OFFICE OF HARTFORD'S TOWN AND CITY CLERK , JOHN BAZZANO. DISTRIBUTED BY SIXTO LAZU

MEETING OF THE COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL
March 14, 2016
The minutes of the regular meetings of February 8 & 22, 2016 were approved without objection.
ACTION TAKEN
COMMUNICATIONS
1. MAYOR BRONIN, Presentation State of the City Address.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________Received
2. MAYOR BRONIN, with accompanying resolution authorizing the City to accept HIV
Prevention Grant funding from the Connecticut Department of Public Health.
______________________________________________________________________________-______________________Consent
3. MAYOR BRONIN, with accompanying resolution authorizing the City to accept a grant from
the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environment Protection (DEEP) Community
Garden Grant Initiative for improvements to the Neighborhood Community Garden located at
122 Enfield Street.
______________________________________________________________________________-______________________Consent
4. MAYOR BRONIN, with accompanying resolution authorizing the City to enter into a lease
agreement with Club Car, LLC., for leasing golf carts at Keney Park Golf Course.
___________________________Referred to the Operations, Management, Budget and Government Accountability Committee
5. MAYOR BRONIN, with accompanying resolution authorizing the City to accept funds from
the Emergency Management Performance Grant from the Connecticut Department of
Emergency Services and Public Protection.
________________________________________________________Referred to the Quality of Life and Public Safety Committee
6. MAYOR BRONIN, with accompanying resolution authorizing the City to enter into a two-
year contracts with four service providers as part of the Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration
and Healthy Homes Program.
______________________________________________________________________________-______________________Consent
7. MAYOR BRONIN, with accompanying resolution concerning the appointment of four
individuals as regular members and three alternate member too the Zoning Board of Appeals.
_____________________________________________Referred to the Planning, Economic Developmen and Housing Committee
8. MAYOR BRONIN, with accompanying resolution authorizing the City to apply for and
accept a grant from the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) Highway Safety
Office for enforcement of Distracting Driving offenses.
______________________________________________________________________________-______________________Consent
9. MAYOR BRONIN, with accompanying resolution concerning the appointment of various
individuals to the Tree Advisory Commission.
___ _________________________________________ ______Referred to the Public Works, Parks and Environment Committee
10. MAYOR BRONIN, with accompanying resolution authorizing the City to accept a three-year
grant from the Connecticut Department of Health to address a variety of public health needs.
______________________________________________________________________________-______________________Consent
11. MAYOR BRONIN, with accompanying resolution concerning the appointment of various
individuals as members to the Hartford Parking Authority (HPA).
Replacement________________Referred to the Operations, Management, Budget and Government Accountability Committee
12. MAYOR BRONIN, with accompanying resolution concerning the appointment of Marilyn
Cruz-Aponte as Director of the Hartford Department of Public Works.
March 28, 2016 @ 6:00pm
_____ _________________________________________ ___________________________Referred to the Committee of the Whole
13. MAYOR BRONIN, with accompanying resolution authorizing the City to issue a $665,000
loan to RBH Group to assist in financing an approximately $20 million mixed use
development at 370 Asylum Street.
___________________________Referred to the Operations, Management, Budget and Government Accountability Committee
14. MAYOR BRONIN, with accompanying resolution authorizing the City to sell and issue up
to $85 million in General Obligations Refunding Bonds.
HEARING DATE - Monday, March 21, 2016
___________________________Referred to the Operations, Management, Budget and Government Accountability Committee
15. MAYOR BRONIN, with accompanying resolution authorizing the Mayor to accept an
Enhanced 911 Capital Expenditure Grant from the Connecticut Department of Emergency
Services and Public Protection.
______________________________________________________________________________-______________________Consent
16. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE, Communication concerning updates
from the Department of Health and Human Services.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________Received
17. PUBLIC WORKS, PARKS AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE, Communication
concerning the MDC/Niagara Bottling proposal and fact finding visit to Flint Michigan.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________Received
REPORTS
18. PLANNING, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING COMMITTEE, with
accompanying resolution concerning the appointment of Adrian Texidor to the Hartford
Stadium Authority.
______________________________________________________________________________-______________________Consent
19. PLANNING, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING COMMITTEE, with
accompanying resolution authorizing the City to enter into a Construction Agreement and an
Operating Agreement with the Hartford Public Library at 500 Main Street.
__________________________________________________________________Action postponed until March 28, 2016
FOR ACTION
20. Ordinance Establishing Hartford as a Sanctuary City.
______________________________________________________________________________-______________________Consent
PROPOSED ORDINANCES
21. (MAJORITY LEADER CONCEPCION) (COUNCIL PRESIDENT CLARKE II)
(COUNCILMAN GALE) (COUNCILMAN SANCHEZ) (COUNCILWOMAN THAMES)
(COUNCILWOMAN WINCH) Ordinance Amending Chapter 22, Motor Vehicles and Traffic
by adding thereto Article IV, Obstructing Intersection, of the Municipal Code
HEARING DATE - Monday, March 21, 2016
_________________________________________________________Referred to the Quality of Life and Public Safety Committee
22. (COUNCILMAN GALE) Ordinance to Implement the Charter
Provision Authorizing the Appointment of Registrar of Voters.
HEARING DATE - Monday, March 21, 2016
Replacement________________Referred to the Operations, Management, Budget and Government Accountability Committee
RESOLUTIONS
23. (COUNCIL PRESIDENT CLARKE II) (MAJORITY LEADER CONCEPCION)
(COUNCILWOMAN WINCH) (COUNCILWOMAN THAMES) Acceptance of
contributions from the City of Hartford Employee Retirement Fund to create a City Treasurer
Internship Program with the purpose of providing stipends to students participants of the
program from Hartford Public High Schools.
______________________________________________________________________________-______________________Consent
24. (COUNCIL PRESIDENT CLARKE II) (COUNCILWOMAN JENNINGS) (COUNCILMAN
SANCHEZ) The Court of Common Council hereby appoints Council President Thomas J.
Clarke II as a member of the School Building Committee.
______________________________________________________________________________-______________________Consent
25. (MINORITY LEADER BERMUDEZ) Support by Court of Common Council for the
passage of House Bill 5370, An Act Increasing The Minimum Fair Wage.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________Withdrawn
26. (MINORITY LEADER BERMUDEZ) Support by Court of Common Council for the
passage of Senate Bill 221, An Act Concerning Paid Family and Medical Leave.
Replacement__________________________________Referred to the Planning, Economic Developmen and Housing Committee
27. (COUNCILMAN SANCHEZ) (MAJORITY LEADER CONCEPCION) (MINORITY
LEADER BERMUDEZ) The Court of Common Council recognizes September 15, 2016
through October 15, 2016 as Hispanic Heritage Month and encourages the participation of
individuals of all cultural backgrounds to participle in this annual homage.
Replacement __________________________________________________________________-______________________Consent
28. (COUNCILMAN SANCHEZ) The Hartford Court of Common Council endorses and
supports the Hartford Veterans War Memorial Park-Over Deck project and request to initiate
the required park over deck design process that is necessary to obtain state and federal transit
oriented development funding already identified for constructing the project.
Replacement _________________________________Referred to the Planning, Economic Developmen and Housing Committee
Attest: John V. Bazzano
City Clerk