Bridgeport approves a pair of property cleanup resolutions

BRIDGEPORT – The Bridgeport City Council approved two resolutions at its regular monthly meeting Sept. 21 giving the city the power to clean up problem properties after the owners failed to respond to previous city requests to do so.

Title 8 Vegetation, Weed and Debris Abatement of the Bridgeport Municipal Code (BMC) establishes the guidelines under which the city can step in and bring property up to city standards and create a lien against the property for the cleanup costs involved.

Mayor Janet Conklin recited the two resolutions “declaring that a hazardous condition in violation of chapter 8.40 of the Bridgeport municipal code exists on real property located at Bridgeport, Washington, Douglas…and authorizing the city to remove or destroy the hazardous conditions and cause the cost of such removal or destruction to be a lien on said property.”

Superintendent of Public Works Stuart Dezellem clarified that the owners of the properties in question received three letters prior to the council’s actions and that the properties have been an ongoing problem since the middle of June.

In other business the council:

       • Set a preliminary 2023 budget public hearing for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19.

       • Postponed discussion on hiring an on-call City Fire Marshall pending more details from the county.

       • Discussed the appraisal and sale of R-1 zoned property near the public pool that could be divided into four, 10,000 square foot lots. Council members Jackie Hentges and Mike Bjornstad are opposed to selling the property and Matthew Schuh would like to see more discussion from both sides of the issue.

       • Considered removal the large pine tree in Bouska Square and replace it with a smaller tree that can be decorated for the Christmas holidays.

       • Was advised that public works is meeting with a swimming pool repair specialist to get a quote on costs to get the pool back in shape.

       • Urged to hire a full-time employee to keep up with city maintenance chores.

       • Asked to approve an eight-hour seminar for employees to learn advanced electrical techniques.

       • Heard from pool director Hentges that the city has one of its best pool seasons ever.