At Bridgeport City Council’s last regular meeting of November, members voted to approve two separate resolutions authorizing Mayor Andy Lang to enter into agreements with the Division of Justice & Community Services to receive and administer grand funds.

 

Police Chief John Walker explained that his department has applied for the grants several times and this year was awarded $30,000 to be used through the Greater Harrison County Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force and one in the amount of $15,000 to be used toward Prevention Resource Officer Jamie Hamrick’s salary.

 

Via roll call vote, Council approved a general fund budget revision in the amount of $10,000 for a donation to Bridgeport High School’s drug-free club.

 

“For the last couple years, Council has supported the drug-free program at BHS and last year we made mention that the cost had gone up each year,” said Councilor Dustin Vincent. “We had mentioned that we will continue to support the club, but it may be a good idea to look for other sponsors and maybe find a place that drug testing could be done at a reduced cost.”

 

Both of those things happened. The school club, formerly under the Drug-Free Clubs of America umbrella, has divided from that national organization and drug testing, as is required for membership, is going to be done through United Hospital Center.

 

“So, this year they have requested less than they have in the past,” Vincent said. “The donation will cover initial testing (of students) and random testing throughout the year. The club is getting sponsors and getting more kids involved.”

 

Membership includes about 170-180 students.

 

Monday’s agenda had also included a first reading of an ordinance concerning the city’s sign regulations. Mayor Andy Lang announced that based on advice from City Attorney Dean Ramsey, the item is being postponed.

 

“We need to send it to the planning commission to take into consideration at one of their meetings and then they will send a recommendation back to Council,” Lang said.

 

The final item of business was to approve a change order – the first – concerning the Indoor Sports and Recreation Complex. Contractor A.M. Higley requested a time extension of 77 work days based on the delay of contract award date.

 

“This was kind of a combination of when we had financing issues and had to wait for bids to be awarded and then later into the year when we wanted to make sure the pool was built at the right time of year and under the right conditions,” said City Manager Randy Wetmore. “We added that together and came up with this many days.”

 

The extension does not involve any additional funds, but it does push the end date to March 23 of 2021.

 

Monday's meeting opened with prayer by the Rev. Jim Lang of Bridgeport United Methodist Church. 

 

Prior to the 7 p.m. meeting, Council met in work session to discuss the city’s energy analysis as well as some personnel issues. Look for coverage of that meeting coming to Connect-Bridgeport.