Monday’s regular session of the Bridgeport City Council will have a lot of fanfare. And, according to Mayor Robert “Bob” Greer, it is all well-deserved and earned.

 

What takes place will get started at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers at the Bridgeport Municipal Complex.  The public is invited to attend.

 

“I think it’s fantastic that we’ll have two of this year’s three state championship teams from Bridgeport High School coming in for the meeting,” said Greer. “It’s a celebration of those student-athletes’ achievements and a celebration of our community. I’m really looking forward to it.”

 

The recognition involves a proclamation presentation by Greer to the Indians’ girls track team that won its second state title in three years. He’ll also have a presentation for a state championship season to the Tribe baseball team that won its third consecutive state crown.

 

BHS won three state titles this season. The football team was previously recognized by Council.

 

As far as official business, there are only two items on the main agenda. And one of those is ceremonial.

 

New Bridgeport Fire Chief Phil Hart will officially be sworn in a chief. Hart replaced former Chief Robert “Bob” Securro on an interim basis earlier on Jan. 27 and was announced as new chief during the May 23 Council meeting. The swearing in is a ceremonial procedure.

 

“He’s an outstanding leader and a great firefighter and protector of citizens. I’m looking forward to officially swearing him in for the promotion to that position,” said Greer.

 

The only other item on the regular agenda involves approval of the cemetery budget for 2016-17. Also, there will be reports by Greer and City Manager Kim Haws.

 

While those items will be taken care of after 7 p.m., at 6 p.m. a work session will take place where the rubber will finally start meeting the road in relation to the planned indoor recreation complex to be situated near the Bridgeport Recreation Complex along State Route 131.

 

According to City Clerk Andrea Kerr, the presentation will be made by WTW Architects Principal Warren Bulseco. Bulseco will bring Council up to speed on the project after doing work with the Sports Recreation Complex Committee that consists of three Council members (Greer, Diana Marra and Dustin Vincent), Parks and Recreation’s Joe Shuttleworth and Don Burton, Kerr, Community Development Director Randy Spellman, Assistant City Manager Jimmy Smith and Haws.

 

This meeting will be in executive session. The reason for that is due to advance construction planning, said Greer.

 

“(The group) has been working on the configuration of the layout of the building on the property and (WTW has) given us options and we’re looking at what layout will be the best,” said Kerr.

 

Results of the responses of a public survey on the complex as far as what the community wanted included will also be discussed. Approximately 600 responses were gathered during the survey period.

 

“He’ll go over the results and he’s also in the process of putting together a feasibility study that will include the cost of various programs. By programs, it’s the cost of a basketball court. Another program could be the cost of a swimming pool. He’ll be breaking it down,” said Kerr. “Eventually, Council will have to make the final decision as to what makes the most sense community wise and cost wise.”

 

Bulseco will then be meeting with the Sports Recreation Complex Committee on Tuesday to discuss the input gained from Council. From there, he’ll finalize the feasibility study that will be formally presented – and presented during regular Council session as well – at the first meeting in July.

 

The next meeting will be July 10. At that meeting, as well as this meeting, there will be a public forum for anyone wishing to address the city’s governing body.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo of this year's BHS seniors and middle photo of members of the Tribe girls track team are some of the individuals that will be on hand for proclamations recognizing them for their recent state championships. Third photo is from a past meeting of Council where WTW Architects Principal Warren Bulseco addressed the audience on the indoor recreation complex, while bottom photo shows current Chief Phil Hart, left, with former Chief Robert Securro.