Monday's Bridgeport City Council meeting will get off on a positive note as the 2015 Bridgeport High School football team will be presented with a proclamation in honor of the team's third consecutive West Virginia Class AA state championship. 

 

"We are very lucky in Bridgeport to not only have outstanding academics and athletics, but to have a three-time state championship team in attendance is something Council is looking forward to," said City Clerk Andrea Kerr. "These young men have put their hearts and souls into this program and it shows year after year. We appreciate them and the coaches taking time out of their evening to join us at our City Council meeting."

 

Mayor Bob Greer will be making the presentation to members of the team, Head Coach Josh Nicewarner and members of his staff. Each will be presented with a key to the city. 

 

North Central West Virginia Airport Executive Director Rick Rock will then take the floor, delivering a presentation to Council regarding status of the airport. As was released at a recent meeting of the Benedum Airport Authority, 2015 was a banner year for the airport. Nearly 50,000 individuals utilized the terminal and 25,326 passengers flew out. The magic number that has been targeted in recent years is 10,000 enplanements. That quantity enables facilities to be eligible for the Essential Air Service Program, explains Mayor Greer, a member of Benedum Airport Authority.

 

“An airport has to have 10,000 people flying out in any given year in order to get $1 million in federal grant money,” he said. “Since the onset of Allegiant flights, we haven’t had problems reaching that minimum level, but this year’s more than 25,000 enplanements is the highest it’s been here since 1980.

 

Monday's Council meeting will also feature a discussion regarding cooperative action of Minimum Revenue Guarantee (MRG) for new service at the airport.

 

“The service provided under that essential air service – which is what we have now through Silver Airlines is put out to bid every so many years,” Greer said.

 

This year’s bid process includes a major pitch to try to bring in one of three major airlines – Delta, American or United so that flight service can be offered to a major hub such as Charlotte, Chicago or Houston.

 

“Then we could offer flight service - with only one stop – to 90 percent of destinations available in the U.S.,” Greer said.

 

As per the airport and its consulting services, it is believed that if that service were available, it would be utilized and would be positive for the airport, just as the Allegiant flights have been, Greer said.

 

With Rock making his presentation Monday night, it seemed the ideal time for a discussion about the Minimum Revenue Guarantee.

 

“Several years ago - before Allegiant - we did something similar to this type of proposal with another carrier for basically the communities regionally,” Greer said. “We put together a guarantee agreement for these carriers for their consideration that would take the risk out of their deciding to initiate service from the airport here in Bridgeport.”

 

In addition to Greer, Council members John Wilson and Diana Cole Marra, were serving at that time.

 

“Everyone else serving on Council has rolled over and we want to make sure everyone else understand what we’re talking about and hopefully it will be very positive,” he said.

 

Also to be discussed Monday evening is the approval of the low bid for a new air conditioning system at the Benedum Civic Center. At $75,405, Casto Technical provided the low bid for the project, which replaces the system which has been utilized for 25 years, said Parks and Recreation Director Don Burton. Money has been escrowed for the project. Also submitting bids were Stuart McMunn and Michel Inc. Bids were competitive, Burton said.

 

Council will also vote to approve the reappointment of Rod Smallridge to the zoning appeals board for a term of three years and will address any necessary budget revisions or authorizations.

 

Open to the public, the meeting gets under way at 7 p.m. at Council Chambers, Bridgeport City Hall. 

 

Editor's Note: Pictured above is the scene at Wheeling Island following the 2015 WVSSAC Class AA state football championship. Also pictured is NCWV Airport Director Rick Rock.