Bridgeport City Council approved a Capital Reserve Fund budget revision in the amount of $313,050 Monday night, funding a number of items for the city’s Parks and Recreation department.

 

From flowers and fireworks to repairs to the Civic Center porch and City Park trail, the expenditures are set off by hotel/motel tax fund balances, explained Finance Director Monica Musgrave.

 

“These and other capital projects in other departments had to be cut from the (2018-19 fiscal year) budget to make it balance,” she said. “These hotel/motel tax dollars are from previous years – 2017-18 and some from 2016-17 – and since hotel/motel tax is dedicated for those type of projects, we thought we’d dedicate to fund these items.”

The original list of requests was made by Don Burton, former Parks and Recreation director. Since then, Burton retired and Joe Shuttleworth, former deputy director, took the head position. Shuttleworth reviewed and tweaked the list. The trail slip repair in the amount of $90,000 is the largest line item.

 

Civic Center repairs and maintenance, including sidewalk replacement, porch repair and AC building roof replacement, totals $73,000. Tree removal and Civic Center tennis court repair/court recoat each total $20,000. Civic Center master plan and Compton Park shelter roof replacement each total $25,000.

 

Main Street projects, including flowers for spring of 2019, winter banners and fireworks for Light Up Night total $19,000. Various other smaller items include furniture and equipment for Civic Center, Recreation Complex and pool, as well as Rec Complex maintenance.

 

After the $313,050 budget revision, the amount of hotel/motel tax set aside in the capital reserve fund has a balance of $552,181.96.

 

Council also voted unanimously to adopt a pair of ordinances, both on second reading. The first ordinance deals with random inspection of commercial rental properties, aimed at assuring safety of residents and prevention of deterioration of city properties. Community Development Director Andrea Kerr said at a prior Council meeting that the inspections should help keep landlords apprised of code requirements. The second ordinance adopted Monday night was to amend the city code, falling in line with the 2015 edition of the international property maintenance code.

 

Kerr also proposed an item of new business, the abandonment of an alley located on Grand Avenue.

 

“The abandonment is just for a portion of the alley – beside the house (402 Grand Avenue),” Kerr said. “The city engineer and I thought with Bartlett Street paved half way and it being an alley for many houses down Grand Avenue, we didn’t want to grant an alley abandonment for the back of the house, just for the side portion of the property.”

 

Kerr said the property owner making the request had received affirmative signatures from owners of surrounding properties.

 

Council voted affirmatively to grant the abandonment; the first step of the process, Kerr said. Legal notice and a public hearing will follow, after which City Attorney Dean Ramsey will set legal documentation in place.

 

Also Monday Night, Council heard a presentation from Anita Hornor, club sponsor, and Bridgeport High School sophomore Emma Romano, representing the BHS Chapter of Drug Free Clubs of America, heard from Ellen Condron about the next Community Conversation on Substance Abuse slated for Oct. 9 at All Saints Catholic Church and from Ruth Allen of GFWC Bridgeport Women’s Club about the next community food drive to benefit Shepherd’s Corner. That drive will take place Sat., Oct. 20. Once again, the Women’s Club, Bridgeport Lions Club and Bridgeport Fire Department will work together to scour the Bridgeport community for donations of non-perishable foods and other items needed by Shepherd’s Corner and the residents they serve.

 

“We ask that residents place their donations by their mailbox or at the end of their driveways,” Allen said. “We’ll be driving around in teams to pick up items and taking them back to Shepherd’s Corner.”

 

In addition to canned fruits, vegetables and soups, peanut butter and jelly, household cleaning products and personal care/grooming items are needed. 

 

Volunteers from other clubs, churches and scout groups assist in the annual project, sorting donations and putting them away. The project is always successful in stocking the shelves of Shepherd’s Corner for the winter months.

 

“The need increases every year,” Allen said. “Hopefully, everybody will participate.”

 

Editor’s Note: Stories about the request of the BHS Chapter of Drug Free Clubs of America, as well as the Oct. 9 Community Conversation are forthcoming on Connect-Bridgeport.