Bridgeport Council Meeting
By
Sherri Blevins
The
Bridgeport City Council convened in a regularly scheduled session on Monday, September
9, 2019, at City Hall. Mayor David
Hughes as well as Councilmembers Joe Stovall, Wayne Crabtree, Bobby Seabolt,
and Barry Huges attended the meeting. Councilmember
Michelle Willis was unable to attend.
After
the meeting was called to order, Councilmember Crabtree moved to approve the
minutes from the previous meeting. Councilmember Seabolt seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.
Mayor
Hughes informed the council that Resolution 09.09.19 needed passage regarding
the use of the electronic voting machines. He also asked for the passage of Ordinance
09.09.19A regarding the earmarking of the new excise tax on gasoline and diesel
fuel according to the Rebuild Alabama Act HB2. Councilmember Stovall moved to
pass both of these. Councilmember Crabtree seconded the motion. The motion
passed unanimously.
Mayor
Hughes stated that the lease agreement with Ms. Carolyn Wright Brown for the
use of the property where the downtown playground is located needed to be
renewed. The city agrees to pay Ms.
Wright $1,200.00 per year. The lease
agreement is for one year only. Councilmember
Seabolt moved to approve the lease. Councilmember
Crabtree seconded the motion, and it passed unopposed.
Mayor
Hughes explained that the city needs another city credit card issued in
Councilmember Seabolt’s name so that there will be two cards. Councilmember Hughes moved, Councilmember
Crabtree seconded the motion. All voted in favor of the motion.
Councilmember
Crabtree moved to approve requests from The Sentinel for a $300.00 ad in the
North Jackson Baseball Showcase section and a BES donation for $500.00 for
their upcoming Fall Festival. Councilmember Stovall seconded the motion. The
motion was approved unanimously.
Councilmember
Stovall moved to approve the purchase of a new prisoner van to transport
inmates to and from court. The van is a
2004 passenger van for $3,500.00. Councilmember Crabtree seconded the motion. All voted in favor of the motion.
Councilmember
Stovall moved to assign the inspections and cleaning of the Community Center to
Brenda McAllister for $200.00 per month. Councilmember Crabtree seconded the motion. All voted aye, and the motion passed.
Dorothy
Roberts and Janice Chism addressed the council with concerns over the number of
dogs running loose in their neighborhood as well as yards nearby being unkempt.
Mayor Hughes agreed that abandoned dogs
are a problem citywide, and they are attempting to find a solution soon. Mayor Hughes also stated that he will work to
get the nearby yards mowed.
Councilmember
Seabolt stated that he has met with BES, and together they are planning the
Halloween Parade this year. The parade
will begin before the start of the Trick or Trunk festivities. Times and more specifics will be discussed at
a later date.
Councilmember
Hughes moved to purchase a 20×32 building for the dock area. The cost of the building is $7,000.00.
Councilmember Crabtree seconded the motion. The motion was approved
unanimously.
Mayor
Hughes reminded everyone about the upcoming Trail of Tears. The mayor praised Rip Gibson for all of his
hard work, along with the Trail of Tears committee.
Councilmember
Hughes moved to adjourn the meeting. Councilmember
Seabolt seconded the motion, all voted in favor of the motion, and the mayor
adjourned the Bridgeport City Council meeting.
