Matthew Shuttleworth of Boy Scout Troop 549 did the honors of leading City Council in the Pledge of Allegiance to open tonight’s Bridgeport City Council meeting. Before delving into line items on a short agenda, Mayor Bob Greer provided a report – calling attention to the city’s preparedness for Snowstorm Stella, which is expected to pass through town, as well as calling attention to the current West Virginia Legislative Session.

 

“There are a number of bills circulating through the legislature; one involves the amendments to the Home Rule provisions as they relate to municipalities. The Senate bill, we believe at this time, is going to move forward which would eliminate Home Rule as a pilot program and open it to all cities, adding a couple of restrictions which will have little or no effect on Bridgeport as we will be grandfathered for our prior actions,” he said.

 

The other bill, from the House of Representatives, Greer said, allows city ambulances and other ambulance services to modify billing to better accommodate the actual cost of services.

 

Before providing his share of Bridgeport Parks and Recreation Department’s annual report to Council, Deputy Director Joe Shuttleworth shared some background about how the city could benefit from the services of Sports Facilities Advisory and Sports Facilities Management with regard to further planning of the city’s new indoor sports complex.

 

Shuttleworth said a designated committee, including members of Council, have had preliminary discussions with representatives of the sister firms concerning the actual operations of the forthcoming facility.

 

“They do both advisory/consultation work and also professionally manage sports facilities all over the country, including several large facilities which are similar to ours,” Shuttleworth said.

 

He said the firms’ expertise encompasses sports tourism, economic development and other areas which are not the forte of the contracted architectural firm. The committee held a video conference with SFA/SFM and members were very impressed with the group and believe its representaives will be key in further planning.

 

Councilor Dustin Vincent, also on the committee, echoed Shuttleworth’s recommendation, adding that the firms can ascertain proposed revenues generated from specific sports programs such as basketball and volleyball tournaments and swim meets, picking up where a completed feasbility study left off.

 

“From a finance and staffing side, it can really help us determine what to look at needs-wise, not just the brick and mortar, but actual programming needs,” Vincent said.

 

Council unanimously voted to enter into a service agreement with SFA/SFM. Mayor Greer said the service will be paid for from special funding, specifically sales  tax dollars.

 

Also a unanimous vote, Council moved to accept the slate of poll workers for the June 13 municipal election, during which a mayor and two Council seats will be filled. Individuals may file to run in the election through April 14. 

 

The report proved by Shuttleworth and Parks and Recreation Director Don Burton encompassed all aspects of the city’s parks and recreation program. Included were renovations to the Benedum Civic Center, enhancements to Bridgeport City Park and Bridgeport Recreation Complex, city walking trails, pool facility, Main Street seasonal décor and parks and recreation classes and programming. Read more about the report HERE.

 

Prior to tonight’s regular Council session, Council met in a work session during which they discussed the $14.4 million budget for the 2017-2018 fiscal year. Finance Director Monica Musgrave said the budget must be approved by March 27 and be submitted to the state by March 28.

 

Mayor Greer asked Council members to thoroughly review the proposed budget over the next 48 hours and express any interest in meeting again by noon Wednesday. Otherwise, the budget will be presented at the March 27 Council meeting and voted upon at that time.

 

Pastor Brad Harris of Simpson Creek Baptist Church provided the invocation at tonight’s meeting. Harrison County Assessor Rocky Romano attended tonight’s meeting, expressing his appreciation for support and welcoming the governing body to approach him with any concerns or needs.