Around this time in 1999, Bridgeport City Manager Kim Haws was playing host to his first Bridgeport Council meeting. On Monday, it will be the last one in which he’ll be the head of the city’s administration.

 

The Council, and staff that attends, will have a busy agenda to deal with as several key items – including more than one regarding Haws’ position – are on the docket. The meeting is set for 7 p.m.

 

One of the items that is toward the end of the meeting is discussion on the status of Haws’ replacement, Randy Wetmore of Statesboro, Georgia. As of this past Wednesday afternoon, Bridgeport Mayor Andy Lang said the contract has not officially been finalized as the sides go over the details, which Lang said is not unusual.

 

“The contract hasn’t officially been signed. It’s still being reviewed between his lawyer, or himself if he doesn’t have a lawyer on his end, and (Bridgeport City Attorney) Dean Ramsey,” said Lang. “There are no hang-ups. It’s a matter of crossing the t’s and dotting the I’s.”

 

Lang added there is also a chance that by the time Monday rolls around the contract could be signed. If so, Lang will have a better idea of when Wetmore will assume responsibility for running the day-to-day operations of the city.

 

Haws’ contract ends June 30. In order for there to be no interruption in having a city manager in place for the first time in roughly two decades, Wetmore would need to be in his office July 1. If that doesn’t happen, the city is already taking the initial steps need to keep things operating.

 

An agenda item is listed as “revising the Certified Copy of Corporate Resolutions for WesBanco Bank, Inc., removing A. Kim Haws, City Manager, and adding Glen A. Lang, Mayor, for the purposes of signing checks in the absence of a City Manager.”

 

“We just want to be prepared for any situation,” said Lang.

 

The Bridgeport Indoor Recreation Complex is also up for discussion. Lang said it’s a general update of the project and how close they are to getting the contractor signed on officially. The low bid for the project was $37 million from Albert M. (A.M.) Higley Company out of Pittsburgh on May 10.

 

While that bid hasn’t been approved, one is expected to be approved that has garnered plenty of attention. Council will look to approve the contract to demolish property at 822 West Main Street, more commonly known at the Towne House East Motor Lodge or Motel. The city purchased the property for just under $1 million and will have the acreage for future use once the lot is cleared.

 

“We’re going to get it down. It’s a liability to the city and right now we’re selling some of the contents,” said Lang. “We want to get it on the ground, get it graded where no one can get hurt, and then get it blocked off and make it look good before finding a future use for it.”

 

Council will also hear a department head report, which they do annually. This time, they will hear from Director of Library Services Sharon Saye, who has been with the city for decades. Saye, along with all other department heads, report to the governing body once a year to talk their most recent year, current status and what they plan for the future.

 

In other business, Council will:

Council also will hear a report from Lang and Haws. There is a public forum for anyone wishing to address the governing body. Prior to the 7 p.m. meeting, Council will meet in the conference room for a 6:30 p.m. work session.

 

The meeting is open to the public.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows City Manager Kim Haws, while bottom photo is of the Towne House Motor Lodge when it was for sale and prior to the city's purchase.