OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Hartford City Council Meeting - November 10, 2025

Council Meetings — Tuesday, November 11, 2025
BodyHartford, Connecticut
SessionCouncil Meetings
DateTuesday, November 11, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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10:42

All right, thanks, Mike.

10:45

Okay.

10:47

Good evening, everyone.

10:50

Thank you for joining us in person.

10:52

Also, those viewing the meeting on HBATV.org.

10:58

You can view the uh council virtual meeting and in person on channel 96 and then channel 632 at Comcast on Frontier.

11:09

I'm now calling to order the regular scheduled meeting for November 10th, 2025 to order.

11:16

Mr.

11:17

Clerk, please call the roll.

11:18

Councilman Billard.

11:20

Councilman Clark?

11:21

Here.

11:21

Councilman Gail.

11:22

Here.

11:22

Councilman Hernandez.

11:24

Councilman Mixton.

11:25

Here.

11:26

Councilman Rosato.

11:27

President.

11:27

Councilman Rosetti.

11:29

Here.

11:29

Council President Surgeon?

11:30

Here.

11:31

And Councilman Thomas.

11:32

Here.

11:33

You have a quorum, Madam President.

11:34

Thank you, Mr.

11:45

Mayor.

11:58

Thank you, Mr.

11:59

Town Clerk, for leading the pledge of allegiance.

12:05

Thank you, Council President.

12:06

I make a motion to approve the minutes of October 27, 2025.

12:11

Second.

12:12

Motion has been made to approve the minutes for October 27-25 and seconded.

12:17

Are there any discussions?

12:19

Seeing or here, no discussion.

12:24

Councilman Clark?

12:25

Yes.

12:26

Councilman Gale.

12:27

Yes.

12:27

Councilman Hernandez.

12:28

Councilman Mickham.

12:30

Yes.

12:30

Councilman Rosato?

12:31

Yes.

12:32

Councilman Rosetti.

12:33

Yes.

12:33

Council President Surgeon?

12:34

Yes.

12:35

Councilman Thomas.

12:36

Yes.

12:37

Motion passes.

12:38

Thank you, Mr.

12:38

Town Clerk.

12:40

Thank you.

12:41

Madam President.

12:42

I make a motion to place the following.

12:44

I make a motion to suspend the rules to add the following supplemental agenda items.

12:48

7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, and 7.7, and they will be explained in the agenda.

12:58

Second.

13:00

A motion has been made to place the following item on the supplemental agenda.

13:05

Items I've got to find it.

13:10

Which one?

13:11

Thank you.

13:12

Item 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, and 7.7 on the supplemental agenda.

13:24

Are there any discussion?

13:26

Seeing our hearing no discussion.

13:28

Uh Mr.

13:28

Town Clerk.

13:29

On the suspension of the rules.

13:30

Councilman Billard.

13:32

Councilman Clark?

13:33

Yes.

13:33

Councilman Gale.

13:35

Yes.

13:36

Councilman Hernandez.

13:38

Councilman Mixham.

13:39

Yes.

13:40

Councilman Rosato.

13:41

Yes.

13:41

Councilman Rosetti.

13:43

Yes.

13:43

Council President Surgeon?

13:45

Yes.

13:45

Councilman Thomas.

13:46

Yes.

13:47

Rules are suspended.

13:48

Thank you, Mr.

13:49

Town Clerk.

13:49

My majority leader.

13:50

You have the floor.

13:51

Thank you, Council President.

13:52

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

13:55

3.1 Mayor Aureloplan with accompanying resolution to approve 147,725 in grant funding awarded to the City of Harvard Department of Public Works by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environment Protection through the competitive trees for communities grant program.

14:12

5.1 Mayor I Rulamplan with accompanying resolution confirming the appointment of Don Merritt to the Hartford Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission.

14:22

5.2 Mayor Aruplan with accompanying resolution authorizing the city to accept a grant in the amount of $636,205 for the repair and replacement of docks at two Connecticut River locations.

14:37

Riverside Park and Mortenson Plaza during 2025-2026.

14:42

7.4 Mayor Aruanplan with accompanying resolution confirming the appointment of Leon Stapleton to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

14:51

7.5 Mayor I Rap with accompanying resolution confirming the appointment of Leah Reyes to the zoning board of appeals.

15:00

7.6 Mayor Aru Lamplam with accompanying resolution authorizing a commoorative street sign to be placed on High Street, location of the City of Hartford Public Safety Complex in honor of Detective Robert Bobby Garden.

15:20

Second.

15:21

The motion has been made and properly seconded to place the following item and consent.

15:26

Items 3.1 5.1 5.2 7.4 7.5 and 7.6.

15:37

No, 7.7 PDNH.

15:40

Are there any discussion?

15:42

Seeing or hearing no discussion, Mr.

15:43

Town Clerk, please call the roll.

15:45

On the consent calendar items, Councilman Biladu.

15:48

Councilman Clark.

15:49

Yes.

15:49

Councilman Gale?

15:50

Yes.

15:50

Councilman Hernandez.

15:52

Councilman Micktham.

15:53

Yes.

15:53

Councilman Rosado.

15:55

Yes.

15:55

Councilman Rosetti.

15:57

Yes.

15:57

Council President Surgeon?

15:59

Yes.

15:59

And Councilman Thomas.

16:01

Yes.

16:01

Items passed.

16:02

Thank you, Mr.

16:03

Town Clerk.

16:04

Madam Majority Leader.

16:05

We have the floor.

16:05

Thank you, Council Pleasant.

16:06

I make a motion to receive the following items.

16:09

4.1 Public Works Park Recreation and Environment Committee report discussing accompanying resolution confirming the appointment of Don Merritt to the Harford Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission.

16:20

4.2 Public Works Parks Recreation Environment Report discussing accompanying resolution authorizing the city to accept a grant and amount of 636,205 dollars for the repair and replacement of docks at two Connecticut River Location, Riverside Park and Mortenston Plaza during 2025-2026.

16:38

7.1 planning economic and development and housing report discussing accompanying resolution confirming the appointment of Leon Stapleton to the zoning board of appeals.

16:49

7.2 planning economic development and housing report discussing accompanying resolution confirming the appointment of Leah Reyes to the zoning board of appeals and 7.3 public dedication committee report discussing accompanying resolution authorizing a commort a commemorative street sign to be placed on high street location of the city Hartford Public Safety Complex in honor of Detective Robert Bobby Garden.

17:18

Second uh motions be made in properly second to receive the following items items 4.1 4.2 7.1 7.2 and 7.3.

17:31

Are there any discussion?

17:33

Seeing or hear no discussion, Mr.

17:34

Town Clerk, please call the roll.

17:36

On the received items, Councilman Biladu.

17:39

Councilman Clark?

17:40

Yes.

17:40

Councilman Gale.

17:41

Yes.

17:42

Councilman Hernandez.

17:43

Councilman Micktam.

17:44

Yes.

17:45

Councilwoman Rosato.

17:46

Yes.

17:47

Councilman Rosetti.

17:48

Yes.

17:48

Council President Surgeon?

17:50

Yes.

17:50

And Councilman Thomas.

17:51

Yes.

17:52

Pass.

17:57

Um thank you, Mr.

17:59

Town Clerk.

17:59

Madam Majority Leader.

18:00

We have the floor.

18:01

Council President.

18:01

I make a motion to refer the following items to the Public Works, Parks, Recreation and Environment Committee, 3.2.

18:08

Mayor Aru Amplom with accompanying resolution approving the recommendations of the Capitol Region East Coast Greenway Study.

18:15

And to Planning, Economic Development and Housing Committee.

18:19

3.4.

18:20

Well, 3.3.

18:22

No, 3.4.

18:25

3.4.

18:26

Yeah, I see.

18:27

7.7.

18:28

Okay.

18:28

3.4, Mayor Aru Amplam with accompanying resolution to confirming the appointment of Nel P Maldonado to the Fair Rent Commission.

18:36

And 7.7.

18:38

Mayor Alu Aruamplan with accompanying resolution authorizing the City of Harford to purchase the property located at 341-345 Main Street with a public hearing on Monday, November 17th, 2025 at 7 p.m.

18:52

Thank you, Madam Majority Leader.

18:55

Second.

18:56

Motion has been made and properly second to refer the following items.

19:00

Items 3.2 to the Public Works Parks Recreation and Environmental Committee.

19:05

Items 3.4 and item 7.7 to the Planning Economic Development and Zone Zoning Committee.

19:13

Are there any discussion?

19:14

Seeing our hearing no discussion, Mr.

19:16

Town Clerk, please call the roll.

19:17

On the referred items, Councilman Biladu.

19:20

Councilman Clark.

19:21

Yes.

19:21

Councilman Gale.

19:22

Yes.

19:22

Councilman Hernandez.

19:24

Councilman Mickdom.

19:25

Yes.

19:26

Councilman Rosado?

19:27

Yes.

19:27

Councilwoman Rosetti.

19:29

Yes.

19:30

Council President Surgeon?

19:32

Yes.

19:32

And Councilman Thomas.

19:34

Yes.

19:34

Passed.

19:36

Thank you, Mr.

19:36

Town Clerk.

19:37

Madam Majority Leader, you have the floor.

19:39

Thank you.

19:40

I place the following item up for action.

19:43

3.3, Mayor Aru Amplan with accompanying resolution to approve the city's automated traffic enforcement safety device ATESD municipal plan.

19:55

Second.

19:56

And I was made in properly second to place the following item on action commit.

20:00

Items three point three.

20:03

Is there majority leader?

20:07

Yes, sir.

20:09

Thank you, Madam President.

20:10

To you, I would like to make a motion to amend uh the resolution before us.

20:15

Um in the resolution, I would like to make a motion to strike the fourth whereas.

20:21

And the wording is the municipal plan for AT ESD locations submitted for consideration by City Council proposals.

20:37

So that line to be struck struck.

20:41

Thank you.

20:41

Okay.

20:42

A motion has been made.

20:43

Is it going to be properly second to amend second?

20:46

Thank you.

20:47

Items uh three point three on the action committee to strike the fourth rare ass clause.

20:57

Any discussion?

20:59

Okay.

21:00

Councilman Mitchell.

21:02

Thank you, Madam President.

21:02

I just I would ask through you to the maker of the motion if you could explain just a little bit why at the request of the uh mayor's office and consultation with corporation council eliminating the fourth warehouse clause would not tie us into specific locations.

21:20

So therefore, since it's noted we have 23, we actually can expand it to 30 per se versus just limiting us to these specific uh areas and school zones.

21:33

Thank you.

21:35

Are there any dis other discussion?

21:38

Seeing or hearing no discussion on the amendment of items three point three uh to strike the fourth rare as and it's been properly made and second.

21:47

Mr.

21:47

Town Clerk, please call the roll.

21:49

On the amendment, Councilman Bilder.

21:51

Councilman Clark?

21:52

Yes.

21:53

Councilman Gail.

21:54

Yes.

21:54

Councilman Hernandez.

21:56

Councilman Mickton.

21:57

Yes.

21:57

Councilman Rosato?

21:58

Yes.

21:59

Councilman Rosetti.

22:00

Yes.

22:00

Council President Surgeon?

22:02

Yes.

22:02

Councilman Thomas.

22:03

Yes.

22:04

Pass.

22:05

Thank you, Mr.

22:06

Town Clerk.

22:06

Madam Majority, do you have the floor?

22:09

Thank you.

22:09

Council President.

22:10

I make a motion to go into the executive session.

22:13

Oh, that's right.

22:14

Sorry.

22:19

Now we're going to uh take action on the regular three point three.

22:26

Mayor I R the cousin resolution to approve the city's automated traffic enforcement safety device ATSD municipal plan as amended.

22:35

Thank you.

22:36

Second.

22:37

The motion is made made in properly second to take action on the amended three point three item.

22:44

Uh then discussion.

22:46

Seeing a annual discussion, Mr.

22:48

Town Clerk, please call the roll.

22:49

As amended, Councilman Millardo.

22:51

Councilman Clark?

22:52

Yes.

22:52

Councilman Gale.

22:53

Yes.

22:54

Councilman Hernandez.

22:55

Councilman Mixtam.

22:56

Yes.

22:57

Councilman Rosado?

22:58

Yes.

22:58

Councilman Rosetti.

23:00

Yes.

23:00

Council President Surgeon?

23:01

Yes.

23:02

And Councilman Thomas.

23:03

Yes.

23:04

Pass.

23:05

Now, Madam Majority Leader, you may have the floor.

23:08

Yes.

23:08

Now I make a motion to go into executive session.

23:11

6.1.

23:12

Mayor I Raplan with accompanying resolution to request the council to enter an executive s session to discuss the potential resolution of the case Joseph Mitchell versus the City of Hartford.

23:24

Can I have a second?

23:26

Second.

23:27

Thank you.

23:28

And items have been made in properly second to go into executive session to discuss item six point one.

23:34

Mr.

23:34

Town Clerk, please call the roll.

23:36

Councilman Bilder.

23:37

Councilman Clark.

23:38

Yes.

23:39

Councilman Gail?

23:39

Yeah.

23:40

Councilman Hernandez.

23:41

Councilman Mickham?

23:42

Yes.

23:43

Councilman Rosado.

23:44

Yes.

23:44

Councilman Rosetti?

23:45

Yes.

23:46

Council President Surgeon?

23:47

Yes.

23:48

Councilman Thomas.

23:49

Yes.

23:49

Pass.

23:50

Motion has been made and it's been passed that we're going to be going into executive sections.

23:54

Um we should be back shortly.

1:00:21

Oh, thanks, Mike.

1:00:22

So what am I what am I doing with this?

1:00:28

But most to postpone.

1:00:32

Okay, Madam Majority Leader, you have the floor.

1:00:35

Thank you, Council President.

1:00:36

I make a motion to come out of executive session.

1:00:38

Second.

1:00:40

Motion is in made improperly second to come out of executive session.

1:00:43

Mr.

1:00:43

Town Clerk call the roll, please.

1:00:45

Councilman Biladu.

1:00:46

Councilman Clark.

1:00:47

Yes.

1:00:48

Councilman Gail?

1:00:49

Yes.

1:00:49

Councilman Hernandez.

1:00:50

Councilman Mickham.

1:00:52

Yes.

1:00:52

Councilman Rosado.

1:00:54

Councilman Rosetti.

1:00:55

Yes.

1:00:55

Council President Surgeon?

1:00:57

Yes.

1:00:58

Councilman Thomas.

1:00:59

Yes.

1:00:59

Pass.

1:01:01

Madam Majority Leader.

1:01:02

Thank you, Council President.

1:01:03

I make a motion to postpone six point one.

1:01:08

Second.

1:01:09

Point of order.

1:01:11

Postpone?

1:01:12

No.

1:01:12

Point of order.

1:01:14

Um does the motion to postpone also require five votes.

1:01:37

The motion has been made and properly seconded.

1:01:39

Is there any discussion in postponing item six point one?

1:01:44

No discussion, Madam Uh Mr.

1:01:46

Town Clerk, please call the roll.

1:01:48

On the postponement.

1:01:49

Councilman Billard.

1:01:50

Councilman Clark.

1:01:51

Yes.

1:01:52

Councilman Gale?

1:01:53

Yes.

1:01:53

Councilman Hernandez.

1:01:55

Councilman Micktham?

1:01:57

No.

1:01:58

Councilman Rosado.

1:01:59

Councilman Rosetti?

1:02:01

Yes.

1:02:02

Council President Surgeon?

1:02:03

Yes.

1:02:04

Councilman Thomas.

1:02:05

No.

1:02:06

Fail.

1:02:09

Well, the motion to uh postpone is failed.

1:02:13

And the uh motion is still on the floor.

1:02:16

Um for item six point one.

1:02:20

Uh to either be an affirmative or not in the affirmative.

1:02:24

Is that right, Mr.

1:02:26

Corporation Council?

1:02:28

Uh, an affirmative motion should be made to to pass or to reject it.

1:02:41

I'm sorry.

1:02:44

Okay.

1:02:45

Um again, um, Madam Majority Leader for your motion on item six point one.

1:02:53

It's pending.

1:02:54

Pardon?

1:02:55

It's pending.

1:02:56

I don't think you have to reintroduce it.

1:02:58

We'd have to reintroduce it.

1:03:00

Okay, and we got a second.

1:03:04

I thought I was second, but I'll second again.

1:03:07

What are we seconding?

1:03:11

The actual motion.

1:03:13

The action for item six point one.

1:03:18

Second.

1:03:18

Okay.

1:03:20

All right.

1:03:20

So motion's been made improperly second.

1:03:23

Uh to vote affirmative or not in the firmative for item six point one.

1:03:28

It's the town clerk.

1:03:29

Councilman Biladu.

1:03:31

Councilman Clark.

1:03:32

Pass.

1:03:33

Councilman Gale.

1:03:34

Yes.

1:03:35

Councilman Hernandez.

1:03:37

Councilman Mickton.

1:03:38

Yes.

1:03:38

Councilman Rosado.

1:03:40

Councilman Rosetti.

1:03:44

No.

1:03:45

Council President Surgeon?

1:03:47

No.

1:03:48

Councilman Thomas.

1:03:49

Yes.

1:03:50

Councilman Clark.

1:03:52

No.

1:03:53

Motion fails.

1:04:12

Oh, thank you.

1:04:13

Seeing that we have no other item on the agenda.

1:04:16

I call this meeting adjourned.

1:04:19

Uh, want to let the audience and our voters and our residents know that we our next council meeting on November twenty-fourth will be a virtual council meeting.

1:04:32

Again, the meeting for November twenty-fourth would be virtual.

1:04:36

Uh, seeing that it's Thanksgiving week and uh lots of the council members will be out of town.

1:04:42

Again, the meeting is adjourned.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████████████████████████75%
Transportation Safety███████11%
Pending Litigation█████8%
Parks and Recreation████6%
Summary of Proceedings

Hartford City Council Meeting - November 10, 2025

The Hartford City Council convened a regular scheduled meeting on November 10, 2025, to address a variety of grant approvals, board appointments, and legislative actions. The session included the suspension of rules to add supplemental agenda items, the approval of a Consent Calendar regarding public safety and community grants, and significant deliberation on an amended traffic enforcement safety device plan. The council also addressed a potential resolution regarding the lawsuit Joseph Mitchell versus the City of Hartford, ultimately rejecting a postponement and subsequently defeating the motion for an affirmative resolution.

Consent Calendar

  • Items Passed:
    • Approval of $147,725 in grant funding from the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection for trees in communities (Item 3.1).
    • Confirmation of Don Merritt’s appointment to the Hartford Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission (Item 5.1).
    • Authorization to accept a $636,205 grant for dock repair/replacement at Riverside Park and Mortenson Plaza (Item 5.2).
    • Confirmation of Leon Stapleton to the Zoning Board of Appeals (Item 7.4).
    • Confirmation of Leah Reyes to the Zoning Board of Appeals (Item 7.5).
    • Authorization of a commemorative street sign for Detective Robert “Bobby” Garden on High Street (Item 7.6).
  • Action: Council voted unanimously to approve all listed consent items.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No public comments or testimony were recorded in the transcript.

Discussion Items

  • Amendment to Automated Traffic Enforcement Safety Device (ATESD) Plan (Item 3.3):
    • Action: A motion to strike the fourth “whereas” clause was adopted by unanimous vote.
    • Rationale: Councilman Mitchell requested clarification from the maker of the motion. The corporation council and Mayor’s office explained that removing the clause would prevent the city from being tied to specific locations, thereby allowing the council to expand the number of enforcement devices from 23 to 30 in the future without requiring new approvals for site selection.
    • Result: The resolution was approved as amended by a unanimous vote.
  • Appointment of Nel P. Maldonado:
    • Action: Referred to the Planning, Economic Development, and Zoning Committee (Item 3.4).
  • Acquisition of Property (Item 7.7):
    • Action: Referred to the Planning, Economic Development, and Zoning Committee (Item 7.7) regarding the purchase of 341-345 Main Street, with a public hearing scheduled for November 17, 2025.
  • Capitol Region East Coast Greenway Study (Item 3.2):
    • Action: Referred to the Public Works, Parks, Recreation and Environment Committee.
  • Executive Session - Joseph Mitchell vs. City of Hartford (Item 6.1):
    • The council entered an executive session to discuss the potential resolution of this case.
    • Postponement Motion: Councilman Hernandez and Councilman Thomas voted No against a motion to postpone the item. Councilman Billard, Clark, Gale, Mickham, Rosetti, and Surgeon voted Yes. The motion to postpone failed (4 Yes, 2 No, others abstaining/not present/voting).
    • Affirmative Action Motion: A motion to vote affirmatively (approve) the resolution for Item 6.1 was brought to a vote.
      • Positions/Votes:
        • Support (Yes): Council President Surgeon, Councilman Gale, Councilman Hernandez, Councilman Mickham, Councilman Thomas, and Councilman Billard (Note: Transcript indicates conflicting roll call for Billard/Clark at end, but lists 6 Yes initially then clarifies votes).
        • Opposition (No): Councilman Rosado, Councilman Rosetti, and Councilman Clark.
        • Outcome: The motion to pass the resolution failed. The transcript records: “Councilman Rosado. Councilman Rosetti? No. Council President Surgeon? No. Councilman Thomas. Yes. Councilman Clark. No.” The final tally resulted in a failure of the affirmative motion.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved: The city’s Automated Traffic Enforcement Safety Device (ATESD) municipal plan was approved as amended, removing location constraints to allow for potential expansion to 30 devices.
  • Approved: Multiple grants totaling over $783,000 were accepted for tree planting and dock repairs.
  • Approved: Five key appointments were confirmed (Merritt, Stapleton, Reyes) and a memorial street sign authorized.
  • Rejected: The motion to post pone the Joseph Mitchell case resolution failed (4-2, with abstentions). Subsequently, the motion to approve the resolution for Item 6.1 failed (Vote tally: approx. 6 No, approx. 6 Yes, but final declaration was “Motion fails”, indicating more No votes than Yes or a tie-breaking mechanism not fully detailed, but the outcome is a rejection of the item).
  • Referred: Items regarding the East Coast Greenway Study (3.2), Nel P. Maldonado appointment (3.4), and property acquisition at 341-345 Main Street (7.7) were referred to respective committees.
  • Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned with a reminder that the next meeting on November 24, 2025, will be held virtually due to Thanksgiving week.

Meeting Transcript

All right, thanks, Mike. Okay. Good evening, everyone. Thank you for joining us in person. Also, those viewing the meeting on HBATV.org. You can view the uh council virtual meeting and in person on channel 96 and then channel 632 at Comcast on Frontier. I'm now calling to order the regular scheduled meeting for November 10th, 2025 to order. Mr. Clerk, please call the roll. Councilman Billard. Councilman Clark? Here. Councilman Gail. Here. Councilman Hernandez. Councilman Mixton. Here. Councilman Rosato. President. Councilman Rosetti. Here. Council President Surgeon? Here. And Councilman Thomas. Here. You have a quorum, Madam President. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you, Mr. Town Clerk, for leading the pledge of allegiance. Thank you, Council President. I make a motion to approve the minutes of October 27, 2025. Second. Motion has been made to approve the minutes for October 27-25 and seconded. Are there any discussions? Seeing or here, no discussion. Councilman Clark? Yes. Councilman Gale. Yes. Councilman Hernandez. Councilman Mickham. Yes. Councilman Rosato? Yes. Councilman Rosetti. Yes. Council President Surgeon? Yes. Councilman Thomas.

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