After an executive session last nearly two hours Monday evening, Bridgeport City Council reconvened and addressed the one item on the agenda that was for public consumption. And that was a vague item listed as “traffic regulations.”

 

As it turns out, the issue involves a number of complaints City Manager Kim Haws said officials have been receiving regarding vehicles, in particular business vehicles, parking on sidewalks within the city limits. Haws told Council about the situation shortly after going back into session.

 

“City staff has received a number of complaints from its citizens regarding vehicles being driven on public sidewalks,” said Haws. “The concern is mixing pedestrian traffic with vehicular traffic.”

 

Haws said his staff researched city ordinances on the matter. The purpose of which was to clarify what was and was not allowed.

 

“It has come to our attention that there is an ordinance on the books that prohibits vehicles from being driven on public sidewalks,” said Haws. “The city began enforcing this as soon as it was brought to our attention.”

 

Haws said the city will continue to enforce the ordinance as it stands. He said the only way that will change is if members of City Council would, at some point, would determine they would want to change the ordinance.

 

There were no comments from Council after Haws made the statement regarding changes. In fact, there was little discussion on the matter after Haws’ statement on the situation.

 

Although the complaints have centered on groups doing business, Haws said it applies to more.

 

“This is for everyone,” said Haws. “It also includes UPS, mail carriers, Fed-Ex or anyone else that might have on occasion driven on city sidewalks. They’re not meant for vehicular traffic.”

 

Prior to the statement on the sidewalk ordinance, Council gathered in executive session shortly after 7 p.m. and emerged shortly before 9 p.m. As promised, there was no new information regarding what will be included in the Bridgeport Indoor Sports Complex.

 

Council was joined in the session by Haws, Assistant City Manager Jimmy Smith, Parks and Recreation Director Don Burton, Deputy P&R Director Joe Shuttleworth, City Engineer Beth Fox, Community Development Director Andrea Kerr and Architect Richard Forren of Omni Associates, along with City Attorney Dean Ramsey.

 

Mayor Andy Lang said he is hopeful Council will announce the components, and their scope, that will be included in the complex by early March. He has emphasized Council wants to make sure what they decide will be included will definitely be included in the facility that will soon be built along State Route 131 at the existing Bridgeport Recreation Complex site.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows City Manager Kim Haws, left, talking as City Recorder Dr. Hank Murray listens after the executive session ended. Bottom photo is of those gathered just prior to the start of the executive session Monday night.