Bridgeport Council approves new member, across-the-board wage increase

BRIDGEPORT – Council members unanimously approved the appointment of Anthony Jenkins as the newest member of the city council at its rescheduled monthly meeting last Monday, Dec. 18. Jenkins will fill the seat being vacated effective at the end of the year by Eric Schmidt.
Jenkins, a former Marine, who was raised in Bridgeport and is the grandson of County Commissioner Steve Jenkins, returned from residency in Spokane to the small-town atmosphere in Bridgeport about five years ago.
Jenkins said that while in the Corps he studied avionics “but my passion is welding.” Jenkins has worked for various agricultural and technology companies such as Wilbur Ellis, Maf Industries, Gebbers, Chelan Fruit and Blue Bird, Inc.
Council members also unanimously approved Resolution 17-11, tabled at the November monthly meeting, which increases city staff salaries by fifty (.50) cents an hour across-the-board starting next year.
Council members also set a public hearing for costs related to the cleanup of a property at 440 10th Street. The hearing was set for its next regular meeting on Jan. 17, 2018.
An agreement being negotiated with the Douglas County PUD for the expansion of the RV park facilities at the Bridgeport Marina RV Park was tabled while the mayor and legal counsel study the issue further.
Ordinance 17-683 addressing the numbers of junk vehicles within the city limits also came before the council for further discussion.
“I have been getting good feedback on what the town is beginning to look like so I think we’re moving in the right direction,” said Mayor Janet Conklin, “but we do have to get a handle on these junk vehicles.”
Council member Matthew Schuh recommended additional time to review the ordinance provisions drafted so far and suggested the issue be taken up at next month’s meeting.
The city has been unsuccessful in finding and hiring the right person to act as the Marina Park host. Mayor said she has interviewed several candidates and requested authorization from the council to hire a suitable candidate without first bringing the person before the council for approval so that the post can be filled quickly.
The next regular meeting of the Bridgeport City Council is January 17, 2018.