On Nov. 15, it was Finance Director Sharon Hinkle, City Engineer Beth Fox, Library Director Savanna Draper, Fire Chief Phil Hart, Police Chief Mark Rogers, and Public Works Director Tiny Grimes.

 

Last night, it was Parks and Recreation Director Joe Shuttleworth, Community and Economic Development Director Andrea Kerr, Information Technology Director Jesse Chaney, Director of Emergency Management Tim Curry, and Human Resources Director Jordan Hill’s turn.

 

The reason those individuals mentioned had turns was due to Bridgeport City Council holding the second of three strategic planning meetings. And like the first, this one was held at the Benedum Civic Center.

 

There will be a final strategic session on Dec. 13. That is tentatively set for the Benedum Civic Center and at 6 p.m.

 

“I think the meeting went well,” said Mayor Andy Lang. “There was not a whole lot of new items to talk about because the departments are working on a lot of things on what I call our ongoing list of projects. There were updates and discussion on a lot of things we’re actively doing or looking at doing.”

 

One item of particular interest that has been discussed for years is the status of the city’s long-time outdoor pool. Shuttleworth talked about the finding funding to help add to the roughly $1.4 million that has been set aside for it. The pool project, when it comes to fruition Shuttleworth has said in the past, will cost more than what is currently available.

 

Lang said he knows items talked by the Parks and Recreation are ones that draw a lot of public interest and attention. He said the pool, the continuation of trails in the city, the master plan for the Benedum Civic Center grounds around the pool, and future projects at The Bridge are all critical and all ones that will draw plenty of attention.

 

“People told me when I started a lot of projects, like water and sewer, aren’t sexy,” said Lang with a laugh. “They’re important, but the ones like the pool draw the public’s attention.”

 

While all items discussed were critical, some like the pool, have been discussed publicly before. Among those are issues involving the few structures in the city needing to be demolished. There are currently seven in the city, according to Kerr, that need demolished.

 

Other items discussed were the use of drones, improved cybersecurity, an updated employee handbook and more. What will become of the suggestions by the department heads from the first two meetings will be prioritized at the December meeting.

 

City Manager Brian Newton said after the first strategic session that the final meeting will have Council sitting down, reviewing funds and resources available, and getting priorities to be addressed from what’s discussed with department heads.

 

A lot of what could happen, particularly those items that require funding, will be determined as the city learns more about the amount of money it may have at the end of the fiscal year. Council generally takes revenues in excess of expenses – carryover – from a fiscal year and assigns a portion of it to purchases and projects. Newton said that will eventually determine a lot of what can be done.

 

Newton provided HR information at the meeting. Hill was unable to attend.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Tim Curry, while Joe Shuttleworth is shown in the second photo. Bottom photo is Andrea Kerr.