Bridgeport council pauses hotel emergency fee increase for a year, awards sidewalk contract and abandons alley

The Bridgeport City Council approved three administrative measures during its June 22 meeting and heard multiple public comments on neighborhood safety and code enforcement.

On the second and final reading, council approved amendments to pause an emergency services fee increase for one year to give staff and hotels additional time to vet program details. Manager Mark Shuttleworth said the pause will allow continued police investment through fund balance transfers while the city evaluates the fee program.

The council then approved a contract with CK Services LLC for Main Street sidewalk cleaning and sealing. City Engineer Aaron Stevens explained the project covers roughly 59,000 square feet of sidewalk from Virginia Avenue to Benham Drive. The contract amount was reported as $97,295.40 with a 10% contingency (total not to exceed $107,024.94). The motion passed by voice vote.

Council also passed a resolution to abandon a portion of an unimproved alley perpendicular to Orchard Avenue; staff explained deeds will be prepared to divide the vacated alley equally between adjacent property owners and that the process carries administrative recording fees paid by the property owners.

During public comment, longtime resident 'Miss Hot' urged the city to enforce existing codes for trash cans in easements and requested increased enforcement near schools to deter cut‑through traffic. Doug Cornelius introduced himself as the recently appointed Harrison County circuit clerk and announced he will run in the special election on Nov. 3 to complete an unexpired term. Benjamin Quinonus asked about a timeline for a mausoleum at the city cemetery and raised safety concerns at a single‑lane bridge on Pennsylvania Avenue.

All three formal measures were approved by voice vote; council moved on to additional staff reports and adjourned at the close of the meeting.