Council Takes Next Step in Passing "Brunch Bill" Law; Now Matter to Go Before State Home Rule Board
By Jeff Toquinto on September 27, 2016 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
A decision by Council on funding for two potential members of a new Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Tactical Diversion Squad didn’t come Monday evening in a work session held by Bridgeport City Council. Whether it took place as a personnel matter in executive session 
was unknown as the city’s governing body said there would be no decisions coming once the group went back into regular session.
was unknown as the city’s governing body said there would be no decisions coming once the group went back into regular session.
While that decision on staff for the TDS to fight addiction problems in the area will come another day, there was plenty of action handled at Monday’s meeting both in the work and regular session. Among the most highly discussed statewide, however, has drawn almost no comments or reaction locally.
Council approved by a 5-1 vote, with Council member Lowell Maxey voting no, to the final reading of an ordinance involving the so-
called “brunch bill.” The bill, which several cities having Home Rule have either adopted or in the process of doing so like Bridgeport, allows for the sale of alcoholic beverages by beginning at 10 a.m. on Sundays. This is primarily for restaurants and not in grocery or convenience stores.
called “brunch bill.” The bill, which several cities having Home Rule have either adopted or in the process of doing so like Bridgeport, allows for the sale of alcoholic beverages by beginning at 10 a.m. on Sundays. This is primarily for restaurants and not in grocery or convenience stores.
What Council approved, however, was an ordinance that will allow Bridgeport to formally apply to amend its Home Rule Plan to the Home Rule Board. With Council’s blessing, City Manager Kim Haws, Assistant City Manager Jimmy Smith and City Attorney Dean Ramsey will formally seek approval from that state board Oct. 3.
If the Home Rule Board grants the amendment, Bridgeport then would have to pass the ordinance allowing for the sale on two readings. That could be done by the end of October meaning those individuals that want a mimosa or a bloody Mary with breakfast or brunch could do so by the start of November.
“I anticipate having the first reading at the first October meeting (Oct. 10) followed immediately by the second reading and the following meeting (Oct. 24),” said Haws.
Council did discuss items in the work session. The big item was a presentation by individuals involved with the Clarksburg Mission to 
create a sober living facility in Clarksburg that would serve that city, Bridgeport, Harrison and surrounding counties.
create a sober living facility in Clarksburg that would serve that city, Bridgeport, Harrison and surrounding counties.
Chris Mullett, the director of the Mission, lead a presentation showing that property on Pike Street has tentatively been acquired at a cost of $270,000. The property includes two Victorian-style homes that could hose 16 to 20 individuals for the purpose of aiding in addiction recovery after coming out of a treatment facility.
“Harrison County does not have a sober living facility … After treatment for a period of 30, 60 or 90 days, only 11 percent remain sober. After treatment if you spend six to 12 months in a sober living facility that number jumps to 68 percent,” said Mullett.
Mullett did not ask for a specific amount of funds. The group has until Dec. 31 to raise the dollars needed and is also looking at more than $100,000 to cover first year operating costs. Mayor Robert “Bob” Greer told Mullett that Council would have staff look into the matter and that it could be included on the next meeting of Council, which is set for Oct. 10.
In other business this evening, Council:
- Appointed Shawn Angus Morgan to the Police Civil Service Commission for a term of four years. She was the recommendation of the Fraternal Order of Police.
- Agreed to make a recommendation to the Harrison County Commission for a replacement of Chris McCarthy on the Centra Board. Council recommended Council Member Jeff Smell to fill the spot. Smell’s recommendation has to now be approved by the Harrison County Commission and the Clarksburg City Council.
- Passed, on first reading, an ordinance that will amend exterior improvement incentives as recommended by the Bridgeport Development Authority. The changes involve the city’s façade improvement program.
- Authorized Greer to receive and administer a Justice Department JAG grant of $20,000 to help fund the city’s Police Resource Officer (PRO) position, and a second one of $46,000 for the Drug Task Force.
- Agreed to enter into a contract with Tri-State Turf to install turf on the new soccer/baseball fields to be utilized at the Bridgeport Recreation Complex. The contract is for $41,895 and comes from the city’s portion of the hotel/motel taxes. Haws anticipates work to start first of October and the grading of the baseball infields to begin by Oct. 15.
- Approved a contract with Protection Services, Inc., to do roughly 30,000 linear feet of striping or pavement marking for areas that include the Meadowbrook Mall, White Oaks, Charles Pointe, Woodland Drive, East Philadelphia Avenue and various U.S. Route 50 East intersections. The contract, which was approved as the only bid received from businesses solicited, was for $16,430.
- Approved an ordinance relating to cross-connection and backflow prevention. The measure, said Kerr, is for the city to have the same regulations in accordance with the West Virginia State Bureau of Public Health.
- Took under advisement a request by resident Tom Leonette to do a brick veteran’s wall near the existing – or in the area of – the new Bridgeport Veteran’s Memorial. The wall, which would be done the Bridgeport American Legion, would allow for individuals to buy bricks to honor a veteran – living or deceased. The wall would be similar to the one at Bridgeport High School in front of the school or the one at Adamston Elementary School in Clarksburg.
- Proclaimed October as both as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
- Recognized resident Mike Cook, a long-time youth league umpire considered among the best in the nation. Cook, a 1979 Bridgeport High School graduate, was seen recently on national television umpiring the Little League World Series at Williamsport, Va.
Editor's Note: Top photo shows City Manager Kim Haws, far right, taking questions from members of City Council, while the second photo shows Clarksburg Mission Director Chris Mullett, right, addressing Council in the work session as Lou Ortenzio is shown to the left. Bottom photo shows Mayor Robert "Bob" Greer recognizing Bridgeport resident Mike Cook for his service as a Little League umpire and for calling 13 games in this year's Little League World Series, including Challenger League World Series games.
