All right, thank you.

Good evening, everyone.

Um, those in person here, and who is joining us at um the hybrid council meeting.

Um again, welcome.

Thank you for joining us.

And I want to call uh let you everybody know to call the meeting order yet first.

I want to let everybody know that to view the meeting, they need to go to Hartford PA TV.

Also on Channel 96 and sixty thirty two for Comcast.

If you have Comcast at home or Frontier.

So welcome everyone.

This is a way to um stay in touch with us at the council meeting.

I'm now calling the uh regular schedule October 1425 2025 meeting to order, Mr.

Town Clerk.

Please call the role.

Councilman Bility.

Here.

Councilman Clark.

Here.

Councilman Gail.

Here.

Councilman Hernandez.

Councilman Mixum.

Here.

Councilman Rosado.

Councilman Rosetti.

Here.

Council President Surgeon.

Here.

And Councilman Thomas.

Here.

You have a quorum, Madam President.

Uh thank you, uh, Mr.

Town Clerk.

Let's stand and say the Pledge of Allegiance.

Under God.

Liberty and Justice for all.

Thank you, Mr.

Town Clerk, and leading us in the pledge.

I know Madam Majority Leader.

We have a point of privilege tonight before we get our council meeting started.

Um join us with a point of privilege.

Uh Miss Madam Majority Leader.

Thank you, Council President.

I believe we will start with the music and then we will go into the citations.

So where do you want to?

Should we have him here?

Um Mike, is it okay if they come in the middle of the floor right here with the music so you can capture that?

Okay, thank you.

Do you need some cheers set up in the middle?

All right, and then right in the middle right here.

Face the public access.

No, you're good, okay.

So I'm here.

Could you hold on one second, please?

There we go.

You wanna come hold this mic?

So I'm um I'm here.

We came from Long Island.

Uh we came from a funeral.

Left the funeral early to be up here to uh be in place to honor my brother Mixashan.

We've been together a long time.

He's part of our drum group.

I'm here, he's being honored here, and his uh organization being honored.

So we said we're gonna come up and appropriate what we do.

I'm a shirt Candy in for North Carolina and uh I'm the drum keeper Youngblood Drum Group.

So we're gonna sing him and the council and you guys.

And there's four push-ups, and then we have a sit back and find out what y'all do.

Uh I don't know what y'all do on here.

So this is an honest song, so people can buy stand up if you want to.

This is the honor song.

Everybody in this room, and make sure on behalf of you.

Okay.

I'm sorry.

This honor song is for our relatives here, my brother McShaw.

Getting a little way to kick it out, so here it is.

Oh yeah, take my car, bro.

Oh, yeah.

Oh, okay, hey cook, hey, me a ch A Wa Kee.

Hello.

Hey, yeah, yeah, uh, yeah, yeah, yeah, hey, yo, uh, uh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, hey, yeah, yeah.

Hi up here.

Uh, yeah, oh uh, uh, go ahead.

So uh relatives there, that song is uh it's uh it's an honor song saying look at me, see me for who I am and um before we conclude.

I'm just gonna say a short prayer in the turkey language, cause my brother, he's a churchy, and he's Mohegan.

And we've been together a long time, about the years.

Um 51 years singing together in uh an American Indy movement and working together for the kids and I've been sold my whole life from 68.

None of that colonization drugs, no weed, no alcohol, no drugs, no pills, none of that.

None of it.

None of it.

No wine, none of that.

None of it.

You're not gonna give it to me, and not gonna ever have it in my body.

I'm gonna die this way.

I'm good with it.

Help my relatives.

So we also have a gift for you, too.

Because uh, you know what you've done.

So before the gift, I'm gonna say this short prayer in turkey, because I know y'all got a time frame.

So just bear with me.

Uh yeah, ta yo he huh, a state of hunt uh young daughter, I'll hear the gun.

O style mixy, Ulina Gito T Wa don't keep gonna no e gonna get you go O stee on a dot dot name.

Well don't well don't well don't well don't well don't oh stay gone.

So it was a short prayer by told the creator that we're uh asking for help and we're praying and giving thanks for this great person, uh Mixer Sean Rosie.

And he's powerful.

Ulina gita O Stanquo T is good medicine, and we thank you, creator.

Why don't they lunke gone on e and uh that's what we got for you, man, and everybody in this room.

We had no idea we were coming up to, we just knew we're gonna city hall, so here we are.

So um you relatives, I hope you can receive these things.

Make sure you can open up your gift.

That's some some uh good stage and pull the bag, open the bag up, cause you gotta pull it out so that I can see what you got.

But it's for you, man.

And thank you, yellow to uh giving us this time.

I know y'all have a unique schedule, what you're doing, but we're part of you too.

We all one family hold it up so everybody can see your your shirt.

This is for our brother.

Yeah, we sing we had those shirts at the the the festival of the concert in Manhattan in uh Central Park, and we wore these shirts.

He wasn't there, but we got his too.

So there you go.

So Osta Gungu, we uh love y'all, and appreciate just giving us his time.

So well come from I gotta shake it by his hand because that's what we're supposed to do.

Oh stuff.

Oh stuff.

Oh style, no.

Okay.

Oh, okay.

Oh, it's done.

Yeah.

Thank you.

Yeah, and then after Vince, you can present it.

And he's got a brother.

He's uh Richard has Yeah, I'm just gonna do a short song.

Present the rewards, and then uh brother from Golden Hill, Golden Hill, right?

So we gotta have Connecticut representative thing.

This song is for the metaphysical tourists.

Whisper to us inspiration another day, another year.

You want to go up there?

All right.

So well, let's start with Chief Teal.

I I just uh I just told Chief Teal a story, which I'm going to repeat if that's okay.

Um Chief Teal is our retired fire chief, and I had the honor of serving on the council twenty years ago.

I was 10.

And um the chief came into their room on budget night looking dapper, and I said he had on his shiny chief shoes that firefighter chiefs would have on.

And he said to me, I've worked my whole career for this night.

And I I can still hear him saying that.

So that's the kind of dedication that he was.

So here we have an official citation that will kind of start the framework for this evening.

I will read mine and then council president read hers, and then Councilwoman Billadie will end with hers.

So whereas Charles, Chief Charles Teal, born and raised in the city of Hartford, is a bona fide success story.

Through determination, consistent and persistent efforts, he became an important leader in one of the foundational institutions in the city, where he began his career with the Hartford Fire Department in 1982.

And whereas over the next 18 years, Chief T.

O.

built a career that is unique in the history of the department.

He was promoted through seven levels of responsibility and was named chief in 2000.

During this time, he also earned an associates of science degree in fire technology, a bachelor of science degree in human services, and a master of public administration degree, and holds several distinctions and awards for his work with the Hartford Fire Department and six significant community service.

And whereas the chief has a reputation developed through his career for a leadership style that combines empathy for others with strong personal example, and has devoted his life to community service and served as the president of the Phoenix Society, president of the Board of Trustees at the Connecticut Historical Society, and the current worshipful master of Tuscan Lodge number 17, to name a few.

And whereas Chief Teal also served on Mayor Aru Oblam's transitional quality of life and community safety team and made the connection between the city's present ongoing challenges with gun violence and Hartford's past role in the arms trade through companies such as Sharp's Rifle Company and Colt Firearms, which have contributed to a historical legacy of violence with impacts still felt today.

And whereas the transitional quality of life and community safety team also recognized the unfair treatment of Native Americans.

Chief Teal is in comradeship with Lee Mixishon Rossi, initiated the process for the council resolution that was passed on February 24th, 2025 by the Hartford Court of Common Council, acknowledging this historical impact of colonialization on indigenous communities and committed to supporting efforts that promote the cultural revitalization and self-determination of Native people while changing our city's culture from one of violence to building one of love, respect, and trust.

Now, therefore be it resolved on this day, October 14th, 2025, Council President Shirley Surgeon, Majority Leader Marilyn Rossetti, and the Court of Common Council and the residents of the City of Hartford, we commend and congratulate Chief Charles A.

Teal Sr.

for his many years of excellent public service, commitment, and investment in our city of Hartford.

Thank you.

But the truth of the matter is I wouldn't have been able to do any of them without the people of the City of Hartford helping me.

That is the truth.

And my wife Helene.

So please stand up.

Oh no.

I wanted you to stand and be recognized, but that's okay.

It's all right.

It's all right.

But yeah, she and I both were born and raised in the city of Hartford, and we met in the sixth grade when I first learned, yes, when I first learned about the history of natives in the city of Hartford, we actually had a publication, and I wish I could put my hands on it now, that said when Thomas Hooker came here from Cambridge, he and his fellow adventurers, when going by what is now known as the Keeney Clock Tower, saw natives in that area.

And I kept hearing that confirmed throughout the years.

Excuse me.

We had um one individual now deceased, perhaps you remember uh Mr.

Swift, the gold beater that owned the gold beating factory.

Absolutely, at the age of 1002, he told me that, well, he was 1002, not me, but the age of the age of 1002, he informed me that his grandfather, who moved into that area in 1871, said that Love Lane was the oldest street in the city of Hartford.

He said that the Indians used to use it to go down to the river.

And I said, the river, but the river, I'm thinking Connecticut River is way over there.

He said, No, the river used to come by here and went down Albney Avenue.

He said, Where do you think the name Brook Street came from?

I mean, a wealth of knowledge related to exactly what you know I'm I'm referring here to here today.

So much has already been said about um about me that truly I'm embarrassed.

I really simply want to say thank you to our city council, especially to our council president, majority leader, and my former classmate, incidentally, we were in high school together, and the rest of the members of our city council, thank you so much for this honor.

I just don't have the words to express how pleased I am.

Thank you.

And now we will go to uh Mixershawn.

Then we'll end with this because that's the festival.

Just phenomenal Shirley.

Yes, no problem.

Mr.

Mixershan, it was lovely meeting you a couple months ago when Chief came and work with us regarding the resolution that was passed.

So I learned a lot, Chief, to be honest with you.

It's it's nice when people um pass on their knowledge of the city.

So thank you for that.

So this resolution is from Majority Leader Rossetti, myself as council president, but it's on behalf of all the council members here tonight, who is not here, is also on television watching us.

So please know that even though it's not signed, they are in support of this resolution for you.

So let me read the resolution for you, Mr.

Lee and Mixer Sean Roxy.

Did I say that right?

Razi Rosie, thank you.

So it starts reading, whereas Lee Mixer Sean Rossi, acclaimed composer, educator, activist, author, wow, marine time and wave artists, has been a part of the American jazz and creative music scene for over four decades.

I'm not that old, so I don't remember that.

Uh he is participating or practicing multidisciplinary and international hail jazz artists and hold a degree in history and is to musicology from Trinity College, and he's also is the author of the book, Indigenous Roots of Social Evolution.

Powerful.

And whereas Mr.

Roxy has collaborated and performed with artists such as Donald Alexander Strachaction, did I pronounce his name right?

Starchin.

Oh Strand, yes.

Yeah, Strand, okay, and a lot more artists, if um to that he has um worked with.

And whereas Mr.

Roxy was born in the middle of the 20th century in Hartford to Margaret Lee Roxy of Cherokee descent and Edward Roxy Sr., who was born in Windsor, Connecticut, and off the Mohawk and the Mehican descent, locally acknowledged but not federally recognized, like so many Connecticut Rivers, indigenous communities across the four states spanned by this long tridole tribal river.

And whereas Mr.

Roxy, in addition to his musical genius, has also made outstanding contribution and historical significance while uplifting the voices and visibility of this of the indigenous people in the Greater Hartford area and beyond.

And whereas Mr.

Roxy is Camrodoship and Chief Teal's initiative, the process of a council resolution that was passed on February 24, 2025, by the Hartford City Court of Common Council, acknowledges the historical impact of colonialism on indigenous communities and committed to supporting efforts to promote the cultural revitalation and self-determination of native people while changing our city culture from one of violence to building one of love, respect, and trust.

Now therefore be it resolved, on this day, October 14, 2025, the Court of Common Council, Council President Surgeon, Majority Leader Rosetti, and on behalf of the Court of Common Council and the residents more importantly of the City of Hartford, we commend and congratulate Mr.

Lee Maxisha and Roxy on his continued dedicated advocacy as a practitioner of performer of native tradition and his commitment to the cultural revitalation and determination of the native people.

Thank you so very much for hanging in here.

Right, congratulations.

Would you like to say a few words?

Thank you.

Thank you, everyone.

I really appreciate this.

And council members, Rosetti, Surgeon, all of you, and especially Charmaine.

Yes.

What we do without showing she's a very valuable member of our community.

Thank you all.

I already ran my mouth enough, so but um hopefully what I hope that what this recognition will do will involve uh help Native people who live here in Harvard and from this area to actually participate in things and not base everything on uh hierarchy and uh what the uh state or the United States government says because people are people, we're the only people who have to prove who we are.

So I don't need no plastic ID card to tell me who I am.

I'm a Connecticut Indian, I don't give a damn.

Thank you.

And finally, but not final, we have the Sukiyag Intertribal Council citation.

So we'd like folks for that to come up, please.

Good evening, everyone.

This is an official citation uh presented to the Sukiog Intra Tribal Council on behalf of Council President Shirley Surgeon and Majority Leader Marilyn Rossetti, and also on behalf of the entire city council, thank you all for being here tonight.

Whereas long before European settler colonialism began in the early 1600s, Sukiog was the heart of a thriving society in the Connecticut River Valley.

Sukiyog, sometimes called spells Sukyag or Sikhog, means Black Earth in Algonquin languages for the rich soil of the bottomlands.

The indigenous settlements in the region of what became Hereford consisted of people the English would later call river Indians, smaller communities who are often named by the place they called home.

And whereas, for example, one of the larger river Indian communities from pre-colonial times until today is the Wangong meaning at the bend in the river, because the central community of Wang's historically was at the Great Bend in the Kunatok, Connecticut, near today's Portland, Connecticut.

Wangong's were probably the majority of Sukiyog's population before 1600, but Wangonk's Lake, all river Indians intermarried with their neighbors and welcomed people to the river valley from all over Northeast region.

And whereas Sukiog Hartford was a meeting ground, a nexus for numerous native tribes to meet and trade.

And whereas the Sukiag Intertribal Council created in January 2025 mission states, we are dedicated to preserving the rich his heritage of Harford County's indigenous peoples while fostering education and understanding within the urban community.

We honor and uphold native ceremonies, traditions, and the sacred connection to our ancestral lands, which serve as a vital part of our cultural identity and spiritual practices.

And we're as the city of Hartford acknowledge and celebrate the value and great significance of Indigenous People's Day, October 13th, 2025, and strongly support the sixth annual Sukyag Harvest Fest celebration of native culture on October 25th, 2025.

Now therefore, be it resolved.

The Sukiyog Intertribal Council is officially recognized as an organization preserving the importance of the rich cultural heritage, traditions, and historical significance, while uplifting the visibility of the indigenous peoples in the Greater Hartford area and beyond.

And be it further resolved on this day, Tuesday, October 14th, 2025, Council President Shirley Surgeon and Majority Leader Marilyn Rossetti, on behalf of the Hartford Court of Common Council and the residents of the city of Hartford, do hereby uh proclaim Saturday, October 25th, 2025, Sukiog Fest Day, and commemorate the value of indigenous history and foster respect for ancestral traditions.

Thank you very much.

Absolutely, yes.

No, I don't.

Oh yes, you will.

Come on.

I'll leave it back.

Oh, yeah, that's a good idea.

No, you have a little over there.

Does anybody know?

Wayne.

Wayne.

Yeah.

So we guys and Charmaine.

Yep.

There we go.

Wayne, get in the picture.

Stand right here in front of me.

No.

Okay.

Richard.

Yep.

Sorry, very uncomfortable tribe.

And um, I thought this song was appropriate because of the connection.

The song was given to me by Red Medicine, uh, who is a friend of us all here.

And this was given to him by a cheap bright canoe.

And uh it's a thank you song, and we do it in the morning for summarize, but I think it's appropriate.

I woke up to that, thought this would be appropriate for um mixes on the make me quasiquagna.

Thank you for the earth and sky.

Thank you for the water and the rock.

Thank you for all the trees and just for today.

Great spirit, I thank you, great spirit.

I thank you.

Thank you for the earth and sky.

Thank you for the water and the raw.

Thank you for all the trees and just for today.

Great spirit, I thank you.

Great spirit, I thank you.

Hey, hey, yay, uh ho.

Tabotney Wuche K Siko.

Tabotne Wu Che Mediqua Siko.

A ton of Tana to botany.

Hey, yay, oh.

Thank you for all the earth and sky.

Thank you for all the water and the rock.

Thank you for all the trees and just for today.

Great spirit, I thank you.

Great spirit, I thank you.

Hey, oh.

Tabatatua Monk.

And now to a tauntuum monk.

Wuche Nea Wanny.

We give thanks to all good things.

And today we give thanks to Botney to make sure Shaw.

Oh.

Okay.

Thank you.

Thank you.

And that is what you have to do.

Okay, we can go back.

Oh, that's right.

Let us know when you're ready.

Okay.

Wait, I'm waiting for Mike.

Mike.

Somebody must be a big thing.

Yeah.

Don't give away my phone, okay?

I know I know that I need a new one.

Uh, okay, Mike.

Thank you, ma'am.

Thank you.

Ah, thank you, sir.

Uh so we are now um hope everyone um here and watching Hartford Access um TV have enjoyed the uh presentation um here tonight.

Miss Majority Leader G you are you ready to go?

Thank you, Council President.

I make a motion to suspend the rules and the following supplement agenda item seven point one and seven point two, which will be explained later.

Second, a motion has been made in properly second to spend the rules for item seven to have on the agenda item seven point one and item seven point two.

Are there any discussion?

Seeing or hear no discussion, Mr.

Town Clerk, please call the roll.

On the suspension of the rules, Councilwoman Billadu.

Yes, Councilman Clark.

Yes, Councilman Gale.

Yes, Fernandez, Councilman McTum.

Yes, Councilman Rosato.

Councilman Rosetti.

Yes.

Council President Surgeon?

Yes.

Councilman Thomas.

Yes.

Motion passes.

Thank you, Mr.

Town Clerk.

And before you um go again, Majority Leader Merilyn Rosetti.

I just want to let some everyone know that is here and watching on television.

Um that Councilman Rosado wanted me was to mention due to her work job.

She's unable to be here with us tonight.

So just want to make sure I mention that.

Okay.

Your turn.

Thank you, Council President.

I make a motion to place the following items on consent.

6.1, Mayor Aruplam.

Do that.

Council President, we I I need to make a motion to approve the minutes of September 22nd, 2025.

Second.

A motion has been made to approve the minutes for September 22, 2025.

And has been motions and made in second.

Is there any discussion?

Seeing or hearing seeing or hearing no discussion, please call the roll, Mr.

Town Clerk.

Motion to approve the minutes of September 22nd, 2025.

Councilman Billadu?

Yes.

Councilman Clark?

Yes.

Councilman Gale.

Yes.

Councilman Hernandez.

Councilman Micktham.

Yes.

Councilman Rosado.

Councilman Rosetti.

Yes.

Council President Surgeon?

Yes.

Councilman Thomas.

Yes.

Pass.

Okay.

Mr.

Mrs.

Majority Leader, please continue.

Council President.

Now I make a motion to place the following items on consent.

6.1, Mayor Aru Oplon with accompanying resolution authorizing the write-off of the following receivables which are recorded as receivable and deferred revenue in the city's general ledger.

6.2 Council President Shirley Surgeon.

Assistant Majority Leader Clark.

Resolution appointing Octavia Rodney to the Internal Audit Commission.

6.3 Assistant Majority Leader Clark Resolution establishing the Board of Education Equity and Funding Task Force.

6.4 Mayor Aru Lopalam with accompanying resolution authorizing the city to transfer two city-owned properties to Sina for the development of two two-family homes.

6.5 Mayor Aru Lopanam with accompanying resolution authorizing the city to transfer four city-owned properties to Habitat Humanity of North Central Connecticut for the development of four new owner-occupied residences.

6.6 Mayor Aru Apunham with accompanying resolution authorizing the redevelopment of 110 Washington Street and underutilized city-owned property currently used as a warming center.

7.2 Mayor Aruplan with accompanying resolution authorizing the City of Hartford Hartford Departments of Health and Human Services to contract with community renewal team for the period of one year from November 1st, 2025 to October 31st, 2026, with the option to extend for three additional one-year terms to provide crisis response services for the heart team initiative.

Okay second a motion has been made and properly seconded to place the following item on consent calendar items 6.1 6.2.3.4 6.5 6.6 and 7.2.

Are there any discussion?

Madam President.

Council President.

I would ask the 6.6 go on action, please.

I'm sorry.

I would ask that 6.6 go on action.

Okay.

All right.

So we're going to be removing 6.6 from the consent calendar and put 6.6 on action.

And go ahead.

Go ahead, Mr.

Council President.

I I'd like to make a comment also about 6.6.

Okay.

So when it goes on the um action commit, you can make your comment at that time.

Okay.

So let's start over again.

So the items in consent um that was properly seconded.

We are going to remove 6.6 from the consent calendar and put it on the action calendar.

Are there any discussion for that action?

Seeing or hearing no discussion.

On the consent calendar.

Councilman Billido?

Yes.

Councilman Clark?

Yes.

Councilman Gale.

Yes.

Councilman Hernandez.

Councilman Micktam.

Yes.

Councilman Rosado.

Councilman Rosetti.

Yes.

Council President Surgeon?

Yes.

Councilman Thomas.

Yes.

Pass.

Thank you.

Mr.

Town Clerk.

My majority leader.

Sure.

All right.

I make a motion to place the receive the following items.

Uh 3.8, planning, economic development and housing report discussing presentation from the Department of Developmental Services Planning and Zoning.

3.9 Public Works Parks Recreation and Environment.

Special Event Recommendation Presented by Nyesha McCauley.

4.1 Operations Management Budget and Government Accountability Report discussing postponement of the following resolution of the Hartford Court of Common Council for reviewing and amended handicapped parking policies and meter charges in collaboration with Harvard Parking Authority and Disability Rights Organization.

4.2 Operations Management Budget and Government Accountability Committee Report discussing resolution authorizing the write-off of the following receivables, which are recorded and receivable and deferred revenue in the city's general ledger.

4.3 operations management budget and government accountability committee report discussing resolution appointing Octavia Rodney to the Internal Audit Commission.

4.4 Labor Employment Workforce and Youth Development Committee report discussing resolution establishing the Board of Education Equity and Funding Task Force.

4.5 Planning Economic Development and Housing Committee report discussing resolution authorizing the city to transfer two city owned properties to Sina for the development of two two family homes.

4.6 planning economic development and housing report discussing resolution authorizing the city to transfer four city-owned properties to Habitat for Humanity of North Central Connecticut for the development of four new owner-occupied residents.

4.7 planning economic development and housing report discussing resolution authorizing the redevelopment of 110 Washington Street and underutilized city-owned property currently used as a warming center.

4.8 planning economic development and housing report discussing postponement of the following resolution directing the Department of Public Works to evaluate and reconfigure bike lanes to support small business viability and multimodal safety.

4.9 public works parks recreation environment committee report discussing an ordinance amending chapter 31 Article 3 Section 31-87 and 31-95 of the municipal code of Hartford to preserve the safety of city streets and sidewalks post-construction by utilities and others and post-repaving of the city and 7.1 Health and Human Services Committee report discussing resolution authorizing the City of Hartford's Department of Health and Human Services to contract with the community renewal team for the period of one year from November 1st, 2025 to October 31st, 2026, with the option to extend for three additional one-year terms to provide crisis response services for the Hart Team Initiative.

Second thank you, Madame Majorita Leader.

Motion has been made and properly seconded to place the following item on the receive calendar.

I only have one question before I start reading it.

Um councilman Gale, 4.9.

That ordinance.

I believe it's on the agenda is 5.1.

Thank you, sir.

Thank you.

That's what I was looking for.

5.1.

Thank you.

Oh, well, I I asked my question a little bit too early, my dear majority leader.

Have the answer.

I'm sorry.

Geez.

All right.

So I'm on my feet.

All right.

So I'm going to read off the items that is going to be on the receive calendar.

Uh items 3.8, items 3.9, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, and item 7.1 are the items that we're placing on the receive calendar, which was properly uh made and and properly second.

Any discussion.

Seeing or hear no discussion.

Uh Mr.

Town Clerk, please call the roll.

Thank you, Council President.

Um the received items, Councilman Billadu.

Yes.

Councilman Clark.

Yes.

Councilman Gale.

Yes.

Councilman Hernandez.

Councilman Micktham.

Yes.

Councilwoman Rosado.

Councilman Rosetti.

Yes.

Council President Surgeon?

Yes.

And Councilman Thomas.

Yes.

Items pass.

Thank you.

Mr.

Town Clerk.

Madam Majority Leader.

Make a motion to refer the following items to Health and Human Services.

3.1, Mayor Aru Oplam with accompanying resolution authorizing the City of Harvard's Department of Health and Human Services to continue to utilize the cook and prep cook services of Latte's Kitchen for the North End Senior Center lunch meals to Public Works Parks Recreation and Environment Committee 3.2 Mayor Aru Lopalam with an accompanying resolution authorizing the city to accept a grant in the amount of 636,205 dollars for the repair and replacement of docks at two Connecticut River locations, Riverside Park and Mortonson Plaza during 2025-2026.

3.4 Mayor Aru Loplan with accompanying resolution confirming the appointment of Don Merritt to the Hartford Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission to Operations Management Budget and Cover Government Accountability Committee 3.3 Mayor Arunplam with accompanying resolution making various end of year budgetary transfers for the fiscal year ended June 30th, 2025, as well as one additional appropriation to address the Board of Education budgetary challenges and 3.5 Mayor Arul Amplam with accompanying resolution confirming the appointment of Talia Neves to the City of Hartford's Ethics Commission and then to the Planning Economic Development and Housing Committee 3.6 Mayor Aru Laplam with accompanying resolution confirming the appointment of Leon Stapleton to the zoning board of appeals and 3.7 Mayor Aru Loplan with an accompanying resolution confirming the appointment of Leah Reyes to the zoning board of appeals.

Second a motion has been made improperly second to refer the following items to the to the different committees.

Items 3.1 to the Health and Human Service Committee, items 3.2 and 3.4 to the Public Works Recreation and Environmental Committee.

Items 3.5 and 3.5 3.3 and 3.5 to the operation management budget and governmental accountability accountability committee and items 3.6 and 3.7 to the planning economic development and housing committee.

Are there any discussion for these items referrals?

Seeing or hearing no discussion, Mr.

Tumcler, please call the roll for the referral items.

Thank you.

On the received items, Councilman Biliter?

Yes.

Councilman Clark.

Yes.

Councilman Gale.

Yes.

Councilman Hernandez.

Councilman Micktam.

Yes.

Councilman Rosotto.

Councilman Rosetti.

Yes.

Council President Surgeon.

Yes.

And Councilman Thomas.

Yes.

Items are referred.

Uh, thank you, Mr.

Toncler.

Madame Majority Leader.

Thank you, Council President.

Make a motion to postpone until September 27th.

No.

No, no, not September.

I'm not going back in time.

Um October 20th.

What's the date?

October 20th.

Oh, October.

Okay.

October.

Monday, October 20th.

No, no.

It's postponed till the 27th, but the public hearing.

Okay.

So a motion to postpone till October 27, 2025.

5.1, Councilmember Gale, Councilmember Hernandez, and Ordinance Amending Chapter 31, Article 3, Sections 31-87 and 31-95 of the Municipal Code of Harford to preserve the safety of city streets and sidewalks post-construction by utilities and others and post-repaving by the city with a public hearing on Monday, October 20th, 2025 at 7 p.m.

Second.

Thank you.

To postpone items 5.1 for public hearing on October 20th, 2025.

And it was postponed on to September 27th.

October 27th.

Oh my gosh.

Okay.

October postponed until October 27th 2025 with a public hearing on October 20th, 2025 at 7 p.m.

All right.

We're not going back, we're going forward.

Thank you for that correction.

So is there any discussion on the postponed item?

Uh seeing that the item has been properly made and second and nose of discussion, Mr.

Townclerk, please call the role.

On the postponement, Councilman Biladu?

Yes.

Councilman Clark?

Yes.

Councilman Gale.

Yes.

Councilman Hernandez.

Councilman Micktum.

Yes.

Councilman Rosotto.

Councilman Rosetti.

Yes.

Council President Surgeon?

Yes.

Councilman Thomas.

Yes.

The item has been postponed.

Thank you, Mr.

Townclerk.

Madam Majority Leader.

Thank you.

Council President, make a motion to place the following item up for action.

Uh 6.6.

Mayor Aru Lopalam with accomplishing resolution authorizing the redevelopment of 110 Washington Street and underutilized city owned property property currently used as a warming center.

Second.

Ah, thank you, Madame Majority Leader.

So item isn't made and properly second to place item 6.6 on the action uh committee.

Are there any discussion?

Let him go first.

Um councilman Mitchum.

Hi there, how are you?

Okay, we're open for discussion, sir.

Thank you to Councilwoman Rosetti for saying let me go first.

So graciously.

Uh it's a good proposal to be clear.

I think the redevelopment of one center Washington Street into all affordable housing is a great thing.

But as I said at the committee meeting, um Washington Street is a warming center, which we need.

And I am sure everyone is trying their best.

Well, no, let me realistic.

I do not think that this city as a rule prioritizes the needs of its most vulnerable people.

I learned that when we had a whole hue and cry last year about what we do with displaced tenants in terms of where we put them up.

And everyone on this council agreed how terrible it was we have to do better.

So did the administration and they've changed nothing.

That's what happens when we don't force the question and make it impossible not to do the right thing.

So as much as I like this proposal to change one Washington Street into all affordable housing, I do not think we should go forward with it until we have a plan to replace the warming center.

That is what legislative bodies do.

They force the executive to do the right thing by holding up other things the executive.

And if we don't do that, we're misunderstanding our power and our duty to our most vulnerable.

So I think we what we should do is postpone it.

I'm not going to move to postmone it because I know I don't have the votes, but I think we should postpone it until we have a plan to replace the warming center or do anything else that they respond.

Okay, thank you, Councilman.

Thank you, Councilman Mitchum.

Um first I'd like to state that um during the committee meeting.

First, I I also want to state that I you know my day job is to run a homeless facility, and I am on monthly calls about the warming center.

It was stated in the committee meeting that number one, it would be made clear that 110 would be the warming center this year, which I think is very important.

There were misconceptions in the community that it wasn't going to be used, and people were worried.

With that being said, are there times when we've waited too late to figure out a warming center?

There's a there's many things that go into running the warning center, and it isn't just the location.

There's also many times we cannot find someone to run the warming center.

So that's another issue.

But in the committee meeting, the promise was made that developmental services, we would now have the warming center as a monthly agenda item on our agenda, and we would start now to find a warming center for winter.

This would be 2025-2026 for 110 Washington for winter 2026-2027.

I feel that's the right thing to do.

I'd be happy to take the the you know the lead on that.

I understand my colleagues' concerns, but I also think what was presented that day was a uh a viable workforce housing initiative for that property.

So I think with the opportunity for it to be monthly on uh PD P PEDH for us as uh providers that have it at least two or three meetings a month discussion and to take the initiative now to look at alternate facilities that we're in a position to go forward with that tonight.

Thank you, Council President.

Okay, thank you.

So let's clarify.

Um Mr.

Councilman Mitchum, did you have a proposal on the floor to postpone this?

Is that a motion you're putting on the floor?

Or was it just a statement?

Okay.

It's not.

And can I I'll I'll just, if I could, through you, Council President, I'll respond very briefly to my colleague and also clarify on that point.

Go ahead, Councilman Mitchum.

Thank you.

Only to say this.

I I I appreciate that promises were made, and I as a rule do appreciate the sincerity of the people making the promises, but I don't think the promises of you know, the I don't think promises are a substitute for the compulsion that this body can bring to bear.

And so I hope everyone will do it.

I know councilwoman Zetty will because that's like her whole that's her whole thing.

That's her expertise.

I I don't doubt her for a moment, but sometimes I do doubt the administration when it comes to our media.

And I think we would do better if it's a good proposal now for workforce housing development, it'll be a good proposal in six months or whenever it is that we find that.

And if people want it to get done, this will put a fire under them to find the new warming center.

So I just think that we should hold those folks accountable in a more concrete way and then ask for their promises because promises are not a thing that will keep people warm in the winter or that we can take to the thing.

Thank you, Councilman.

Are there any other discussion on the um item of um 6.6 on the action committee?

I just have one thing I will have to um to say, and that is we have a whole year to actually find a new location for a warming center.

Um councilman Mitcham not disagreeing that we need to really hold the administration feet to the fire to make this happen.

But we also the longer we maintain the um the warming center there, you know, construction cannot begin for another year or two.

And if I remember correctly, this items was placed from 2021, RFP out, um, to do something with this building.

So uh I am asking my council members and the members of the PDNH committee, which includes majority of the council members here to let's hold the administration to fire.

So if six months from now, after the winter, we have summer rolls around, and we don't have another building.

You know, I really believe that you know we can take some action at that point.

But I'm gonna give the administration at least the next six months, you know, to make sure a location is on a bus route.

All the things that is needed as council as majority leader um Rossetti reminds me of that people have to get to the warming center.

So I am asking for us to um pass this item to start getting this building uh back again on our tax role.

Any other discussion?

Seeing her here, no other discussion, Mr.

Tom Clerk, please call the roll.

Councilman Billetive, yes, Councilman Clark, yes, Councilman Gale, yes, Councilman Hernandez, Councilman Micktum.

No recording stopped.

Councilman Rossetti, yes, Councilwoman Council President Sergeant.

Yes, Councilman Thomas.

Um I would just say that we are recording.

Um are we are we are recording for sure?

That was my point of order.

I just because we are doing so meeting.

The um Hartford Public Access Television is still recording the council meeting.

That's weird on that note the item passes.

That really okay.

All right, okay, so we are still recording.

Uh and so I believe we have no other items on the agenda.

So seeing that seeing that we have no other item on the agenda, I'm gonna ask everyone in the community and here with us to be safe.

And I'm now calling the meeting or journey the meeting right now.

Thank you.