A handful of individuals addressed Bridgeport City Council at Monday’s meeting, but the majority of the comments focused on the arts and none of them involved recent issues that have caused turmoil in the city.

 

Instead, two of the four individuals speaking during the public forum addressed their support for an ordinance that would provide resolution on an issue that came up in May of 2024 and drew the ire of several, including those in the arts and culture community. The ordinance, which amended an existing ordinance that would provide an exemption for artistic performers – musical or theatrical – from needing to acquire a Bridgeport business license passed unanimously when it came up under new business.

 

The ordinance in question was one of several items on the agenda for meeting that did not last 40 minutes. The vote was the first of two required to make the ordinance official. The second vote is expected at the April 28 meeting.

 

What that means is the issue that came to the public forefront last year when Music on Main announced it was closing due to the fee - $15 for a business license and the possibility of paying taxes if earning over a certain amount – as they said it impacted performances taking place at their Main Street location. Multiple performers spoke out against it, and it was not settled until nearly a year later at Monday evening’s meeting.

 

The ordinance exempts artistic performers from the fee.

 

Bridgeport resident Jason Young, speaking as the chair of the Cultural Foundation of Harrison County in support of the ordinance, spoke for nearly six minutes on the matter. He said the city was “wise” to remove obstacles to help make the city’s arts and culture scene vibrant. However, he said the move was just a first step.

 

“If we want to have a thriving, vibrant community that truly is a great place to live, work, and raise a family that also attracts visitors and becomes known as also a great place to spend a weekend, then this body and this city should be thinking beyond just the vote tonight,” said Young. “We must be thinking about how we bring together all the stakeholders that I mentioned previously to build a creative economy that, at present, is lacking in this community.”

 

Prior to Young speaking. Dr. Jaclyn Rominger also addressed the Council. She did so in her role as a member of the Associated Businesses of Bridgeport. Like Young, she said the ABB supported the move.

 

“We feel this type of ordinance is for the good of the city,” said Rominger.

 

Ironically, Bridgeport student Alexandria Southern spoke asking City Council to consider donating funds to assist the group that, once again, qualified for the International Thespian Festival that begins June 22. However, funding must be in place by May 7.

 

Action on Southern’s request was not taken due to it not being on the agenda. However, City Record Harry M. “Hank” Murray asked for Council to include a funding request on the April 28 agenda.

 

The final individual speaking was David Goldberg, President and CEO of Mon Health System and Davis Health System - Vandalia Health Northern Region, and Executive Vice President of Vandalia Health. He talked about the early phases of the Mon Harrison Neighborhood Hospital going in place at Charles Pointe.

 

On the financial front, Council approved one big-ticket item. A contract with West Virginia Excavating Company of Powhatan Point, Ohio, for $688,200 with a 10 percent contingency of $68,820 for a total of $757,020 was given the okay.

 

Development Services Manager Jake Griffith told Council the contract will allow for the installation of a soldier pile wall that will help fix a slip on the hillside between Gabe’s Plaza and Home Depot Plaza. The contract will also remediate Thompson Drive, which has had a lane closed in the area of the slip since it occurred following an August 2023 torrential rain.

 

As long as the city stays under the cost listed above, including the contingency, and things proceed as planned, Griffith said the entire cost will be covered by FEMA Disaster Recovery Funds. That would mean no Bridgeport tax dollars are spent on this.

 

A second big-ticket item was given an okay but is contingent on funding of the same amount coming from the Harrison and Marion County Commissions. Council agreed to provide $500,000 in B&O tax dollars from the $25 million-plus North Central West Virginia Airport terminal project to be used for the airport apron project.

 

Council member John Wilson made the motion and stated that two county agencies, which jointly own the NCWV Airport, would have to provide the same dollar total. The motion by Wilson passed unanimously.

 

The city’s governing body also approved one appointment a city board, while another board appointment was tabled. Council approved Jason Campbell to fill a seat represented by Council on the board of The Greater Bridgeport Convention & Visitors Bureau. A move to fill a vacant seat on The Bridge Advisory Committee was tabled at the request of Council member Clayton Rice until after their group can look at restructuring their setup.

 

Former Council member Jon Griffith held both seats prior to resigning from the city’s governing body in March.

 

Council also tabled general fund budget revision #8. Finance Director Sharon Hinkle had said the revision will transfer funds into the Office of the City Attorney in the amount of $76,164 and reduce the available contingency funds in the amount of $36,164 and Community Development (economic incentive funds) in the amount of $40,000. Council member Jeff Smell recommended it be tabled to look closer at the line items from where the dollars are coming from.

 

The other item tabled involved amendments to the Master Fee Schedule. Council wanted to be able to review the amendments with more information. The schedule sets the fees for items such as rentals of city property and facilities.

 

Prior to official business, Council recognized the 2024-25 BHS boys Class AAA state championship basketball team. Photos from this in the days ahead on Connect-Bridgeport.

 

The meeting was also the first for interim City Manager Joe Shuttleworth. Shuttleworth thanked Council for giving him the opportunity to serve and thanked several others, including former interim City Manager Mark Rogers who is still in his role as police chief, and retired City Manager Randy Wetmore. Shuttleworth also updated Council on several projects and status of job hirings.

 

Bridgeport Mayor Andy Lang had one item during his report. He read into the meeting minutes a statement released by the mayor’s office and Bridgeport City Council earlier today regarding an investigation undertaken by the City of Bridgeport. You can read that HERE.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo is of Cultural Foundation of Harrison County Chairman Jason Young, while City Recorder Hank Murray is shown in the second photo. In the third photo, Development Services Manager Jake Griffith talks to Council and that is followed by Council member John Wilson. Bottom photo is of Interim City Manager Joe Shuttleworth.