Bridgeport revisits revised city code items

BRIDGEPORT – The city council put three title revisions in the Bridgeport Municipal Code (BMC) back on the table at its regular monthly meeting last Wednesday, April 17, so council members can review and approve proposed changes before the revisions are forwarded to city attorney Julie Norton for legal review. The three BMC revisions address right-of-way (Title 10). public events (Title 5.20), and private events (Title 5.18).

Right-of-Way

Revisions to street parking are proposed to enable public works personnel to adequately plow snow during the winter months. The proposed revision reads in part: 

During a snow event, parking shall be prohibited on all streets within the municipal limits of the city between the hours of one (1) a.m. and eight (8) a.m.

The proposed revision replaces the previous the odd/even parking rule:

On all streets in the city from November 15th to March 15th of each year, parking will only be permitted on the odd-numbered street side on the odd-numbered days of the month and on the even-numbered street side on the even-numbered days of the month.

A second revision limits vehicle parking time: 

No vehicle shall be parked on any street, alley, or right-of-way of the city for a consecutive period of more than seventy-two (72) hours. 

Public Event

‘Special Event’ has been changed to ‘Public Event’ to include not only old standbys like Bridgeport Daze but any new event “that is to be held in whole or in part upon city-owned and controlled property and/or public rights-of-way, or, if held wholly upon non-city-owned and controlled property, will nevertheless affect or impact the ordinary and normal use by the general public of city-owned or controlled property or public rights-of-way within the vicinity of the event.”

Private Event

“We used to call it a family function,” said clerk/treasurer Judy Brown. “We’ve had a lot of complaints from community members about our event centers in town and those are private events.”

Two key provisions of a private event are:

• No charge for admission.
• No charge for alcohol. Alcohol (liquor board permit required) can be served without charge.

A permit for a private event must be obtained from the city clerk-treasurer at least 15 days prior to the event.

Private events are not open to the public. If a private event is held at a private event, the owner of the residence must be present.

Mayor Sergio said the more clearly defined event provisions will give the city more authority to enforce noise control and other activity that has been the source of community complaints.

Mike Maltais: 360-333-8483 or michael@ward.media