Thursday, March 28, 2024

Bridgeport Council approves updated junk vehicle ordinance

Nuisance dogs on the docket

Posted


BRIDGEPORT – It may be amended following further study down the road, but for now, the City of Bridgeport has an updated junk vehicle ordinance approved by city council members at their regular monthly meeting last Wednesday, April 18. The new addition to the Bridgeport Municipal Code (BMC) will help city officials initiate some remedial action against the growing number of non-working vehicles parked on properties within the city limits.
The new ordinance limits junk vehicles to one per property that cannot be seen from an adjacent property.
Council member Phil Lee, who serves on the council’s junk vehicle committee estimates that the new guidelines will affect “30 or more sites” where more than one non-working vehicle is parked.
After postponing action at the March meeting, council members voted to approve the ordinance presented to them several months ago by Mayor Janet Conklin, who had helped draft the measure with assistance from the city attorney and code enforcement official.
“I have been working on a solution to junk vehicles for three years,” Conklin said.
While a couple council members remain unsatisfied with the ordinance as it stands, Conklin suggested that they city attorney might be invited to attend a workshop at a later date to fine-tune the details. In the meantime, the new ordinance is just the first step in a process that could prove to be arduous where enforcement is concerned.
Scrap metal prices are down sharply from a high of about $300 to $30 currently, according to sources in the industry. In addition to pickup costs and the title acquisition process, storage space is shrinking for dealers who must store vehicles while they await more favorable prices.
Dawn Davies of the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society (WVHS) was a guest speaker at the council meeting. Davies discussed options to help Bridgeport officials deal with unlicensed and unneutered dogs running loose within city limits, a growing problem for residents.
One proposal involved a $25 voucher that a dog owner could purchase at city hall and apply toward neutering costs at the Brewster Veterinary Clinic. The clinic would credit the voucher and bill WVHS for the difference.
Conklin said the council is looking at other options to raise the awareness level of nuisance dogs, including education projects in the local schools.
“One of the problems we have is that most people don’t even read the information that is posted, sent or given to them,” Conklin said.
The mayor added that while it is one thing to approve an ordinance to address junk vehicles or nuisance dogs, enforcement comes with costs that the city is hard-pressed to cover.
While the council continues to discuss options for better dog control, members did approve residents to have chickens within city limits but stressed that doing so is by permit only. The permit application allows for inspection for such requirements as adequate property size, approved containment facilities, and related items.

dog nusisances, junk cars, bridgeport

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