At the May 13 meeting of Bridgeport City Council, the governing body voted to hold the next meeting on Tues., May 28, rather than Monday, May 27, which is Memorial Day.

 

Council members also passed on first reading an ordinance to adopt updates to the city’s comprehensive plan. The vote came after a presentation from Compass Point consultant Wendy Moeller, who developed the newest five-year plan. Since 1999, the city has implemented the plan which includes various criteria, including input obtained through public survey.

 

“The comprehensive plan serves as the basis for many of the now current and future plans involving the city and it is renewed every five years,” said Council member John Wilson. “We had a preliminary meeting with Wendy Mohler in December of 2018 authorizing the development and ideas of the renewal of the comprehensive plan particulars.”

 

The plan, Wilson said, serves as a roadmap which directs many of the decisions made by Council and helps to guide city administration regarding various city projects.

 

Wilson said our city’s planning and decision-making process affects not only Bridgeport, but essentially the entire Central West Virginia region.

 

“So much of what we do in any of these cities reaches out and helps neighboring cities,” he said. “We are having substantial business growth in the Central West Virginia area and reasons for that includes transportation – air and roadway – education and broadband communication. It’s all so important in development.”

 

Also passed on first reading on May 13 was one to amend the planned unit development (PUD) at White Oaks, rezoning four parcels from Business-1 (commercial activity) to Residential-3 (multi-family units and town homes). According to Community Development Director Andrea Kerr, White Oaks developers High Tech Corridor Development has a plan in progress to develop nine acres of the land which will result in up to 100 high-end units.

 

Both of those ordinances are scheduled for second readings at Tuesday’s meeting, which begins 7 p.m. in Council Chambers, Bridgeport Municipal Building.

 

Also on Tuesday evening’s agenda is the second and final reading of an ordinance establishing the grade/step salary schedule for City of Bridgeport employees. As previously budgeted, city employees will receive a two percent pay raise starting June 14, according to City Clerk Donna Krivosky.

 

During the Awards and Presentation portion of the meeting, a trio of proclamations will be presented, all recognizing achievements of Bridgeport Middle School athletic teams. Present and receiving proclamations will be members and coaches of the BMS boys’ and girls’ soccer teams and boys’ basketball team.

 

In recognition of National Volunteer Week, Presidential Awards/Certificates will be presented to the City of Bridgeport’s Volunteers in Police Service “VIPS” for their volunteer hours and efforts within the City during 2018.

 

As always, members of the public are invited to attend and sign up to address Council if they so desire. The meeting will be preceded by a short Council work session.

 

Editor's Note: Photos, all taken at previous Bridgeport City Council meetings, feature (from top) Bridgeport City Council, Council Member John Wilson, Council Member Dustin Vincent and Director of Community Development Andrea Kerr and members of the 2017 VIPS honored in May of 2018.