While there’s plenty of items on Monday’s Bridgeport City Council agenda, it’s likely that the item drawing the most attendance will be one requiring no official action. Monday, the city’s governing body will recognize the Bridgeport High School volleyball team for their Class AA state title.

 

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. A work session will proceed it at 6:30 p.m.

 

Mayor Andy Lang will present the team and their coaches with a proclamation for the school’s first-ever state title in volleyball. Coach Ali Burton’s squad won an exciting five-set match against defending champion Philip Barbour in the title game to clinch it.

 

“Recognizing the kids is always great and a lot of fun. (Councilman) Lowell (Maxey) made sure to get that on the agenda after it was difficult to get everyone together around the holidays,” said Lang. “All the school programs do well and volleyball is no exception. I look forward to these because it speaks to the success of our schools in Bridgeport.”

 

The proclamation will be one of two by Lang. The second proclamation involves one to Bridgeport Police Chief John Walker. The city will recognize National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, which was celebrated nationally on Jan. 9.

 

As far as business, there are several items Council will address. One that could prove interesting or one that could be business as usual.

 

The last official new business item on Monday’s agenda is discussion on City Manager Kim Haws’ contract. Haws has been City Manager since 1999 and his current contract expires the last day of June of this year. Personnel matters are almost exclusively talked about in executive session, which may mean there will be no decision regarding Haws’ status.

 

“We may go into executive session and we may come out of executive session at take some kind of action,” said Lang, who wouldn’t speculate on what that action may involve. “Mr. Haws’ contract ends on June 30 of this year and Council has to take some kind of action. It goes without saying the eventual action is to renew it or end it.”

 

Among other items that may be of interest is a contract for architectural and engineering services for a mausoleum at the Bridgeport Cemetery. Council will be asked to approve Matthews Gibralter Mausoleum International Companies, which is out of Pittsburg, to handle those duties.

 

“Understand, we’ll be voting on a quote for services to do drawings and come up with various budgets on what it would cost to build one depending on what we believe the services should include,” said Lang. “It’s been an issue residents have talked about on past surveys. Whether it’s for cremations, caskets or a combination of that or something else isn’t known. We hope to get some numbers and then determine the best option if we move ahead.”

 

Council will be asked to continue efforts to help spruce up areas of the city with a pair of Façade Improvement Grants that were approved in December by the Bridgeport Development Authority. One grant is for Twinkles & Sprinkles Bakery and the other is for Amelia Properties (KLM Properties building), both of which are situated on East Main Street.

 

The last official new business item is discussion on City Manager Kim Haws’ contract. Haws has been City Manager since 1999 and his current contract expires the last day of June of this year. Personnel matters are almost exclusively talked about in executive session, which may mean there will be no decision regarding Haws’ status.

 

In other business, Council will consider a bevy of reappointments to the Bridgeport Emergency Services Council. Geoff Marshall, Kerry Hess, John S. Wilson, Lowell “L.J.” Maxey, Ken Winkie, Raymond Shaw, Brad Ford, and Paul Calvert will be considered for four-year terms on the board.

 

Also, due to a conflict with the West Virginia Municipal League Conference on Jan. 28, Council will be asked to cancel that evening’s meeting.

 

Council will hear the regular report from Haws as well as Lang. There will be a public forum near the start of the meeting for anyone wishing to address Council. Pastor Mike Hopkins is scheduled to give the invocation.

 

The meeting is open to the public.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo by Joe Signorelli of www.benqueenphotography.com shows the BHS Volleyball team reacting as they win a 'AA' semifinal to advance to the title match late last year. Second picture shows City Manager Kim Haws, while Mayor Andy Lang is shown below.