Council hears micro-mobility, redevelopment membership, tax-abatement and budget-transfer motions; committees recommend several items

City councilors considered multiple administrative and development items, including a proposed multiyear partnership to introduce e-scooters, a municipal redevelopment authority membership, a tax-abatement amendment tied to affordable housing rehabilitation, and a transfer of city funds to expand the corporation counsel’s legal-services budget.

The city services and environmental policy committee recommended favorably a multiyear agreement that would partner the city, the Capital Region Council of Governments and a private operator (Veyo) to implement shared micro-mobility services in downtown New Haven. A committee presenter described the Veyo system as a “large scale private micro mobility system” that would offer e-scooters accessed via the Veyo app, enforce a 15-mph speed limit and include sidewalk detection and other safety features. A related license agreement would allow the New Haven Parking Authority to use an underground air-rights garage parking facility for five years, with an option to extend for an additional five years.

On redevelopment, the community development committee voted to recommend that New Haven join the Connecticut Municipal Redevelopment Authority as a member municipality. Committee staff said the state-created redevelopment authority focuses on affordable housing and inclusive economic growth within a half-mile radius of Union Station and the state rail station; membership would allow New Haven to participate in development projects in The Hill, downtown, Worcester Square and the Long North development areas.

Councilors handled a tax-abatement item tied to rehabilitation of affordable housing. The utility development and tax committee considered an amendment by substitution to reflect correct ownership for an entity seeking a long-term tax agreement. A presenter described the request as a 17-year agreement with a PILOT (payment-in-lieu-of-taxes) starting in year three at 50% per unit and increasing 3% annually thereafter; the committee recommended approval to the full board.

On municipal finance, the Office of Policy Management Grants asked the council to authorize a budget transfer (number 133-5-1) to increase the maximum allowed expenditures for outside legal services. The motion listed transfers from multiple departmental salary and contractual accounts totaling $1,005,000 to the corporation counsel legal services budget and authorized amendments to agreements with several outside law firms to provide additional legal support. A council presenter told colleagues these firms “possess vital expertise and do important work for the city” and that the in-house staff cannot cover the increased workload.

The council also received two requests to forgive tax interest for residents; staff said forgiving the interest would allow the residents to pay their property taxes in full, with the two claims totaling $5,083.51. Several ceremonial remarks and recognitions (including acknowledgement of recent homicide victims and a moment of silence for Pope Francis) occurred later in the meeting.

Several items were moved and recommended favorably from committee. The meeting transcript records committee recommendations and motions; a roll-call sequence later in the meeting recorded affirmative votes on at least one item.