Good evening, everyone.

Thank you for joining us tonight.

Would like to call this Court of Common Council meeting to order for today, February ninth, twenty twenty-six.

Mr.

Madam Clerk, can you please call the roll?

Councilman Baludo here.

Council President Clark?

Here.

Councilman Gale.

Here.

Councilman Hernandez.

Councilman Mitcham.

Here.

Councilman Rosato.

Councilwoman Rosotto.

All right.

Councilwoman Rosetti.

Here.

Councilwoman Surgeon.

Councilman Thomas.

Here.

You have a quorum.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Let us all stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

It's the Republic for which it stands.

Thank you.

You may be seated.

Um before we begin our business tonight, uh, we have two personal uh points of privilege.

Um I will go first.

Um we're gonna have another personal point of privilege, uh, followed by Councilman uh Josh Mitchell.

And as an act of preservation and resistance, assessing that the history and contributions of black Americans be formally studied, honored, and woven into the national narrative.

During the same era, historically black letter Greek organizations, paternities and sororities emerged as enduring institutions of leadership, scholarship, and service, organized to uplift communities, confront injustice, and cultivate generations committed to the common good.

And for this, we are celebrating one hundred years of black history here in the great city of Hartford, and I'm glad to have many members of the Divine Nine who and also to other black led organizations that uh endured many hardships, but also are committed to the cause for the people of the city of Hartford.

And so we have official citations for each of the organizations that are going to be called.

And when you are called, please meet us down at the well uh to uh receive your citation and thank you for your service.

The citation reads City of Hartford Court of Common Council official citation, Black History Month, one hundredth anniversary commemoration, presented to the Lynx, Greater Hartford, Connecticut chapter, whereas in nineteen twenty six, Dr.

Carter G.

Woodson Woodson established National History Week to ensure that the history, contributions, and leadership of black Americans would be preserved, studied, and honored as central to American narrative.

The resolve clause reads, now therefore be a resolve that the heart that the Hartford Court of Common Council hereby formally recognizes the and honors the links incorporated, the Greater Harvard Connecticut chapter for its enduring contributions to service, leadership, and community advancement as part of the one hundredth anniversary observance of Black History Month in the United States.

So please come forward.

Thank you.

All right, next all the citations are read the saying.

The Hartford Court of Common Council hereby formulate formally recognizes and honors the links incorporated of the Farmerton Connecticut Valley chapter.

The next official citation is presented to the greatest fraternity on the face of this world.

Y'all knock on clap.

That's right.

Next uh organization, the Brothers of Omega Sci Fi Fraternity Incorporated.

My man.

Come on, friend.

Next up, the ladies of Sigma Gamma Row Sorority Incorporated.

The brothers of Five Beta Sigma.

Next we have the devastating Divas of Delta Sigma Theater Sorority Incorporated.

Next we have the Brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated.

And we have the wonderful ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated.

And the last one, do we have any of the officers of the National Pan Hellenic Council of Greater Hartford?

Yes.

And a lot of times they do not receive the recognition that they rightfully deserve to help out our kids.

They provide scholarships to children, uh, school supplies, putting put on health fares in our community.

So it's just great pleasure to recognize you for all your service and work.

We thank you very much.

And there's anything that we can do, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.

We appreciate your service to our community.

Thank you.

And uh folks may know that last week, um former councilman Larry Deutsch passed uh at his home in the Bronx.

Uh folks knew him as Councilman Deutsch, they knew him as Dr.

Deutsch, I knew him as Larry.

Uh he was uh he was a giant in this town and in this room.

And you know, it it was it was his stepping down from council that allowed me to be here, so I guess I have him to blame.

But uh he was I think someone who a lot of folks on this on this dais and who have sat on this dais uh fought with, but also someone that everyone listened to, and someone who never ever wavered in speaking for the things that he believed in.

Even when his voice was alone, his voice was strong.

And I can say that even after he stepped down, even after he moved to the Bronx, he would call me weekly about what was to be on council's agenda, what should be on my radar.

Uh, and you know, sometimes I might not answer him the first time.

He would call me again, and he would call me again.

And I'd be like, Larry, you live in the Bronx, man.

But he kept caring about the things he cared about.

He wanted to see DPW workers get a raise.

He wanted to see firefighters have better working conditions.

He wanted to see nail salons be safer and healthier.

I mean, this is just a few things, but Larry never got tired of fighting for folks without a voice for working people.

Uh and the thing I think about a lot, I've been thinking about Larry this past week since he passed is a lot of what we do up here is think about what is it possible to do.

And what Larry always did was think about what was it impossible not to do.

He was a person who had to act and had to speak and had to fight for folks who were forgotten.

So I just hope we could start with a little moment of silence.

I you know, his his son and daughter are here.

Um it's a lot of people around the city who had him as a doctor or as a friend or as an advocate, and he will be remembered a long time.

There will be an obituary for him, there will be a memorial service for him on May Day, fittingly.

But just for now, I wish we could take a moment of silence before we begin.

Sure, let's stand for a moment of silence.

That's the way we're going to be a very good idea.

That's the way his memory be a blessing.

Thank you, Councilman and Robin and Owen.

Our condolences go out to you and the rest of your family.

Your father was one of a kind.

So you council president, I make a motion to suspend the rules to add item 8.1.

Mayor Avru Lampalam with accompanying resolution authorizing the city to adopt the revised special event fee schedule.

Motion has been made in property second to suspend the rules to add uh item 8.1.

Are there any objections?

Nope.

All right.

Seeing none, uh, Madam Clerk, can you please call the roll?

Councilman Biladu?

Yes.

Council President Clark?

Yes.

Councilman Gail.

Yes.

Councilman Hernandez.

Councilman Mitcham?

Yes.

Councilwoman Rosado.

Councilwoman Rosetti.

Yes.

Councilwoman Sturgeon.

Councilman Thomas.

Yes.

Item has passed.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Madam Majority Leader, do you have the floor?

Through Council President, I move the following items to the consent calendar.

Item 3.2, Mayor Avru Lampalam.

Thank you.

I retract that last statement.

And I make a motion to approve the minutes of January 26, 2025.

Second.

Motion has been made and property second on approval of the minutes.

Any discussions?

Hearing or saying none.

Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

Councilman Biladoom.

Yes.

Council President Clark.

Yes.

Councilman Gale?

Yes.

Councilman Hernandez.

Councilman Mitcham?

Yes.

Councilman Rosado.

Yes.

Councilwoman Rosetti?

Yes.

Councilwoman Surgeon.

Councilman Thomas.

Yes.

Your item has passed.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Madam Majority, do you have the floor?

Sir Council President, I make a motion to move the following items to the consent calendar.

Item 3.2, Mayor Avru Lampalam with accompanying resolution authorizing a transfer of funds to the Registrar of Voters Office.

Item 6.2 Mayor Avril Lumpalam with accompanying resolution authorizing the city to accept grant funds from the Connecticut State Department of Education in support of the Department of Families, Children and Youth.

Item 6.3 Mayor Avru Lumpalam with accompanying resolution to accept grant funds from the State of Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development.

And item 6.4 Mayor Avru Lumpalam with accompanying resolution authorizing the City of Hartford to adjust the golf course rates and to adopt recommendations made by the golf course oversight commission.

Second.

Motion has been made in property second on the consent calendar items.

Any discussions on the consent calendar?

Any discussions?

Any discussions?

Hearing us seeing none.

Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

On the consent calendar.

Yes.

Councilman Gale.

Yes.

Councilman Hernandez.

Council Mitchell?

Yes.

Councilwoman Rosado.

Yes.

Councilwoman Rosetti.

Yes.

Councilwoman surgeon.

Councilman Thomas.

Yes.

Your item has passed.

Thank you.

Madam Majority Leader, you have the floor.

So you council President, I make a motion to receive the following items.

Item 4.1, Public Works, Parks, Recreation, and Environment Committee.

Report discussing postponement of ordinance amending chapter 7 of the Harford Municipal Code.

Item 4.2 Labor Education Workforce and Youth Development Committee report discussing resolution authorizing the city to accept grant funds from the Connecticut State Department of Education in support of the Department of Families, Children, and Youth.

Item 4.3 Labor Education Workforce and Youth Development Committee report discussing resolution to accept grant funds from the State of Connecticut, Department of Economic and Community Development.

Item 4.4 Public Works Parks Recreation Environment Committee report discussing authorizing the City of Harford to adjust the golf course rates and to adopt recommendations made by the golf course oversight commission.

Second.

Thank you.

Motion has been made and properly second on the received items.

Any discussions?

Hearing or saying none, Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

On the received items, Councilman Bilidoo?

Yes.

Council President Clark.

Yes.

Councilman Gale?

Yes.

Councilman Hernandez.

Councilman Mitchdam?

Yes.

Councilman Rosado.

Yes.

Councilman Rosetti?

Yes.

Councilwoman Surgeon.

Councilman Thomas.

Yes.

Items passed.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Madam Majority Leader, you have the floor.

Do you council president make a motion to refer the following items?

Item 3.1 to the planning, economic development and housing committee.

Mayor Aru Lumpalam with accompanying resolution authorizing the city to accept a grant from the State of Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development for Remediation Services.

Item 5.1 and item 7.1 to Health and Human Services Committee.

Item 5.1 Councilwoman Rosado, Council President Clark, Majority Leader Biladu, Councilwoman Surgeon, Councilman Thomas, and Councilman Mitcham with accompanying ordinance establishing the Puerto Rican and Hispanic History and Cultural Commission.

And that would have a hearing on February 17th, I believe, at 7 p.m.

Okay.

Thank you.

And item 7.1, Council President Clerk, Councilwoman Surgeon, and Councilwoman Rosado.

Resolution declaring traffic violence a public health crisis.

And to the public works, parks, recreation, and environment committee, item 8.1.

Mayor Aver Lampulam with accompanying resolution authorizing the city to adopt the revised special event fee schedule.

Second.

Motion has been made in property second on the referred items.

Any discussion?

Council President.

Yes, ma'am.

Um could you please add my name to 5.1 and 7.1?

It's duly noted.

Council President.

Yes, sir.

Likewise, would you please add my name to 5.1 and 7.1?

And Council President, please add my name to item 7.1.

Excuse.

If my name could be added to 7.1 as well.

Okay, duly noted.

Thank you, Council President.

Any other discussions?

Uh I would just add for 7.1.

Uh I think it's uh after we go through our round of uh discussion in committee and um discuss some of the possible changes.

I have already spoken to the director of planning on what the city has is currently doing, uh, and there is going to cost for some uh adjustments just to go in line with what the department and the division is doing.

But uh I would like the support of my colleagues to turn uh the final resolution into a draft ordinance so we can codify this into municipal code.

Uh any other discussions?

Hearing or saying none, madam clerk, can you please call the roll?

Councilman Biladoom?

Yes, Council President Clark, yes, councilman Gale, yes, councilman Hernandez, Councilman Mitcham, yes, councilman rosado, yes, councilman Rosetti, yes, councilman surgeon, councilman Thomas, yes, item has passed.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Um Madam Majority, do you have the floor?

So you council president, I make a motion to postpone the following items.

Item until the February 23rd, 2026 meeting.

Item 6.1, Mayor Avril Ampelam with accompanying ordinance amending chapter 7 of the Harford Municipal Code.

Item 6.5, Councilmember Mickdom, an ordinance amending chapter 18, Article IX, Section 18-11 of the Municipal Code of Hartford to provide adequate relocation services to displaced tenants.

Item 6.6 Assistant Major No Council President Clerk with accompanying ordinance amending display of flags.

Item 6.7 Councilwoman Rosado and Councilman Gale with accompanying ordinance chapter 6, section 6-15, limitation on the number of dogs and cats.

Second, second motion has been made and property second on postponed items.

Any discussions?

Any discussions?

I would just add that item 6.6 is now ready to go.

It was heard in the umbga committee, but uh it was not on the agenda because it was passed the agenda date, so it'll be set to go for next next month.

Next meeting.

Any other discussions?

Hearing or saying none.

Madam Clerk, can you please call the roll?

Councilman Biladoo?

Yes.

Councilman Clark.

Yes.

Councilman Gale?

Yes.

Councilman Hernandez.

Councilman Mitcham?

Yes.

Councilman Rosado.

Yes.

Councilman Rosetti?

Yes.

Councilman Surgeon.

Councilman Thomas.

Yes.

Item passed.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Since we have no other business to discuss at this time, uh this council meeting is now adjourned.

Thank you very much.

Have a good night.