Bridgeport City Council’s Monday work session started out with Safety Manager Matt Looker’s overview of a recent energy assessment performed at city-owned buildings. The assessment was conducted by Tower Engineering in May of 2019, the purpose to identify and recommend infrastructure improvements and provide recommendations on equipment condition, service life, compliance with current buildings codes, energy use and maintenance.

 

Looker broke down energy consumption, including electric and natural gas – separately and combined – as well as energy expressed in terms of square footage - for City Hall, the Benedum Civic Center, Main Street fire station, fire department sub-station, Bridgeport Public Library and Recreation Center.

 

“The overall report had several recommendations and several options for each of those recommendations,” Looker said.

 

The cost to implement all higher-dollar recommendations combined would cost approximately $3.3 million over the next 10 years, he said.

Alternatively, some system upgrades could be deferred until mechanical, electrical or plumbing systems are reconfigured or the buildings are renovated. That option, Looker said, would cost $935,000 over the next 10 years, primarily including fire alarm system replacements at City Hall, the Civic Center, Main Street fire station and library ($160,000), HVAC system replacements at City Hall, Civic Center, Main Street fire station, fire department substation, library and Rec Complex press box ($580,000), electrical and LED bulb conversion ($137,000) and code related violations ($25,000).

 

City Manager Randy Wetmore said the report came at a good time as Council is currently working on strategic planning and that the recommendations will be taken into consideration as the governing body continues that action Dec. 2.

 

“Some of these investments may change, depending on what we do with the police station, fire station and here at City Hall,” he said. “We’ll start talking about that before we make huge investments in structures that we may not keep for the next 25 years. We may want to do some different thinking.”

 

Wetmore said he has talked with each city department head about items they hope to take care of in the next three to five years, giving Council a roadmap of sorts to help with future direction.

 

“Some are easy things we can knock out before the next budget meeting and other things will need to be further talked about and planned for,” he said.

 

Wetmore reported on the human resources director position which is now open. More than 50 applications were received and have been narrowed down to 12, he said.

 

“Ten of those responded to the second phase of the process and next week we hope to narrow it down to three to five and interview them in December,” Wetmore said. “Hopefully, we’ll have someone in here the first part of January and no later than February 1. That’s the goal.”

Council also discussed the general manager position for the new Indoor Sports and Recreation Complex and how the new hire will fit into the current staff hierarchy. Wetmore reminded Council that the GM, as well as the marketing director/manager, are key in the success of the new facility.

 

The next strategic planning meeting takes place 5:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2 at Bridgeport Conference Center. Wetmore asked each Council member to come with three to five broad-goal statements for discussion.

 

Parks and Recreation Director Joe Shuttleworth reminded Council that the city Christmas Parade is 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 and that city government officials and staff are encouraged to take part in the holiday procession.

 

Read coverage of Monday night's regular meeting, which followed work session, HERE.