City Council - Regular Meeting

Council members, please go to your seats. Council members, please go to your seats. We're going to start public hearing in a couple of seconds.

George, please. It is 6:31. I will call the public hearing to order. Can we have a roll call, please?

Y Murray, he's on vacation. Okay, thank you. Nicole Nelson, present. Denise, Cruz, Dasha spell, Roland Smith, Akim Voy, Janet Herin, Loretta Dubac, Fish Alliance, family emergency, Mary Mcly Richard Ortiz here,

Alfredo Castillo, Frederick Hodes, Maria, Ka Medina, Maria, and Martinez, Ernest Newton. We have a Thank you. The first speaker tonight will be Cecil Young. I think he just stepped out the room. Okay. All right. We'll go to Germaine Davis and then when Cecil comes back, we'll take him right after.

Good. I got it.

Good evening. Uh my name is Jam Davis. Um, my address is 33 Cottage Place here in Bridgeport. I'm actually here tonight not uh in my personal capacity, but in my capacity as a uh board member on the DSSD's board of commissioners, and I'm going to uh hand the time over to Lauren, the president of DSS. Um, good evening to the council members. My name is Lauren Kley Vincent and I am the president and CEO of the Bridgeport Downtown Special Services District. My address, my home address is 380 Hilltop Road and my business address is 938 Broad Street. Um I'm speaking tonight uh to request the city council's assistance with um the DSSD being included in the 2027 fiscal year budget. Uh we had submitted a letter to the mayor's uh chief administrative officer and deputy uh at the time deputy chief of staff um to request that the DSSD be included as our sister cities uh do include Stanford, New Haven, Hartford and others do include their DSSDs in their um in their budget uh to provide things like trash removal uh beautifification services and the core services of the DSSD. Um, unfortunately, we were not included in the mayor's budget. So, we would uh request the assistance of the city council to get us amended into the budget. Um, I have left a letter at each of your stations that gives uh details about the uh programs and services the DSSD delivers. Um, we are an organization uh that consists of uh property owners and lease holders on our board. Jim is one of them. um who oversee and fund the maintenance, improvement, and promotion of our commercial district. We fund those programs and services currently through the three mills that property owners pay with uh within the DSSC service area on top of their property tax assessment. So

those extra taxes are directly reinvested into the district. Um and we wanted to highlight that uh the district 25% of the properties within the DSSD service area are in fact owned or controlled by the city of Bridgeport. And if the city of Bridgeport were a private property holder, they would uh be paying in roughly $234,000 to the DSSD and currently, you know, are not. So I might be at my time, but just wanted to say uh you know, any assistance with um participating in the budgeting process would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Um if I could just add um the key reason that we are seeking the funding is because for the last several years the DSSD um does the trash removal in the downtown area and snow removal and we have not been included in the budget at all. And with the um um the increased budget budget this year, we think it is fair that the um administration chip in to do some of the essential work like picking up the trash downtown and clearing uh the snow off of sidewalks, things like that. So, um, you know, if we don't get the money, we're not going to be able to continue to provide the downtown with that service, which, you know, would be a shame because we do a lot uh downtown to keep it clean and safe. Thank you. ready. Good evening. Uh, first of all, I I want I'm sorry.

Yeah. Thank you. First of all, I want to thank you for uh the last 20 years of me and my civil rights being violated by city and state officials. And I want you to know that this is a long ways from being over. If anything is all is what they would call a beginning of me as the old Caesar used to be with my bullhorn. I'm not going to come down here to the city council no more asking y'all to look into my unjust termination or to look into those civil rights violators who also committed fraud on the state level as well. And I want to say shame on the city of Bridgeport and shame on the mayor of the city of Bridgeport who hopes to want to run again and get elected. Well, I want the mayor to remember that I Cecil Caesar Young will be out there wherever he is running for office and I will be out there promoting the fact that he is allowing injustice. He's allowing corruption to to to materialize in the city and not to want to do anything about it. I say shame on Mayor Joe Ganham who also who been a victim of crime himself, who committed crime himself, who did time himself to turn around here and to have me be treated like I'm a nobody, knowing that I've been a taxpayer, I've been a homeowner, I've been a community activist for over 60 years in the city of Bridgeport and it really troubles me that I can come down here, okay, after 30, 40 years speaking out about issues that relates to all kind of people, black, white, Puerto Rican, Jew, what have you. It's a shame and a disgrace that I have to go back to the street with my PA system, my bullhorn, which I will be doing. So, you'll be seeing me in your neighborhood in the very near future highlighting the fact that you, those of you who are on the council, who have not responded to my issue, I want you to know tonight that you are just beginning to see the beginning of Ceil Caesar Young come back again live because I've been dormant for many years now because of what y'all have allowed to happen to me and no one seemed to give a damn about it. And I say, shame on you. Shame on the governor. I will likewise be waiting on him to travel to this city and I will be protesting on his doorsteps as well. This what the old saying is say what you do to me. You think I forgot about it? I lost my wife behind this issue. I got a back brace on now that I'm wearing seven days a week. I can't sleep. Haven't been able to

sleep in many years because of what y'all have done to me. And I say shame on those of us who are elected, especially those minorities, those minority folks who know what it's like to be treated like nobody. It really troubles me to know that I had two council person to say that they wanted the mayor's office to investigate the allegations to see if whether or not it was justifiable and terminate me. That's all I ask you for. And I'm saying to the rest of you council members, I want you to go on record as saying likewise that you agree with those two council members who suggested that my matter be looked into. As I said before, I'm not looking for no favors. I'm not looking for nobody to do anything for me. All I say is that to all of you who have been on this console, I plead with you to go to Sound View Media, to go to YouTube and download the Cecil Young Show. I have filmed over 40 different shows live and in color, black, whites, and and what have you. I also have audio tape of Dr. Evans, Jodie Paul, Albert Murphy, Gerald Wner, Mike Cohab. All of them have been on my recorders that I tape them unbeknown to them on my civil rights being violated. And I say to those of you who are duly elected, I say to you, practice what you preach, not what you teach. And it's sad to see that I have to come down here after 20 years of not working for the city of Bridgeport, after working for the city for 27 and a half years to be terminated. Okay? To be terminated from a job that I dedicated to, and I served this city over the last 60 years as a kid. Shame on you. Thank you very much for hearing my cry. Again, this is my last time you'll be seeing me down here, but you will be ready to meet me on the streets, and I will be there sooner than you think. Thank you much for listening. May the God be with every one of you, cuz I'm definitely planning that he get to you.

Thank you, Cecil.

Jada Reyes, please. Good evening members of the city council. My name is Jade Reyes and I'm a resident of 40 Sanford Place in zip code 06604. I'm speaking on behalf of myself and several other neighbors who drive and signed the petition regarding the ongoing parking issues on our street. For over a year, Sanford Place has had issues with public parking being taken up by idle, inoperable, unregistered, or otherwise unused vehicles, along with residents attempting to reserve public parking spaces as if they were private. A few weeks ago, after speaking with neighbors, I delivered a formal letter to the tenants at 46 Sanford Place addressing several repeated traffic violation violations we were witnessing and documenting. These included obstructing traffic on our one-way street while trying to save parking spaces and using multiple idle or unused vehicles to hold public parking. I also, excuse me, I [clears throat] also included in the letter that within several days we would be contacting the housing department as the residents also appeared overcrowded which may have contributed to the parking strain on our street. Shortly after that letter was delivered, those tenants made it their duty to move out before today's meeting. As I informed them in the letter that I had requested to speak at today's city council regarding the parking issues with them being a part of it. Saturday was their last day there. I also want to acknowledge Councilman Cruz from District 131 who I contacted last Wednesday. He responded very quickly and even came out to Sanford Place the same

day. He contacted traffic division director Daniel Pazaro and two idle vehicles that had been sitting there since the snowstorms were ticketed within 20 minutes and moved the next day. I truly appreciate him for taking the time to come out and help address the issue. However, there is still an inoperable Toyota Camry on the street that has no license plates and pop tires, and neighbors estimate it has been sitting there for over two years. A ticket was issued last week, but the vehicle still remains. Over the past year, I have personally called 911 non-emergency and traffic division multiple times to report these vehicles and was told someone would come out, but nothing has changed. Although I've heard numerous times that this is a common issue, I also want to note that there was a gas leak on the street last week in which legally parked cars were towed in order to allow crews to access underground utilities. Although two out of the five cars that were towed were either totaled or idle, this shows that these vehicles can be addressed when necessary. It is hard to understand how SCG, the Southern Connecticut Gas Company, was able to come out and have multiple cars towed within minutes in order to get underground, but this Camry has still been allowed to sit here for years with the common explanation from 911, not an emergency being that there are not enough tow trucks. Public parking should be available for residents who are actively driving to work, school, and caring for families, not used as storage for idle or inoperable vehicles. Thank you for your time today. Thank you, [clears throat] Clyde Nicholson.

Good evening, everyone. I am here. Speaking of parking, I just figured I'm not here for this. Uh, four parking tickets in front of my business for parking. Uh, commercial vehicles, $130 each. That's 520 a night. And I'm paying taxes. And I pay all the motor vehicle taxes. City of Bridgeport. This is how I get treated. Where am I supposed to park at? But that's not why I'm here. The reason I come here tonight is to talk about the way we getting ripped off, stuck up, and treated like we a bunch of nobodies. And this thing shows no racism or discrimination. It's all of us together. White, black, green, or purple, whatever. Somebody in the city, our elected officials need to do a cap on the oil, the gas, and the diesel. Cheapest gas, $4 a gallon. Diesel $6 a gallon. Home heater and oil $5. Now, going to the state, there should be a cap. At least 350 on diesel, $3 on gas, or $250 on gas. And heating oil for your home should be damn near free. But the problem I'm having with this, we're paying taxes and Donald Trump is taking our tax dollars and dumping it overseas and killing innocent folks. Now, we can't do nothing about that, but the mayor, the governor of the state of Connecticut, should do something about helping us, the citizen of this state, with capping these gas prices. You can go from one gas station to the next right across the street.

They're different prices. The the war started over in Iran at 10:00. The fuel prices was up in Connecticut at 10:30. I don't see how is that possible. And we still supposed to be taking care of taxpayers and citizen of the United States. We're being divided. White folks over here, black folks over there. Republicans, you need all the Republicans down there in Washington need to be thrown out of office because they're not doing their job. In the city of Bridgeport, I know I come down here a lot and I get complaints on the street. So, why do you go down there? You know they ain't gonna do nothing. You know they're going to do what Ganham tell them to do. I said, "No, I got to keep going. At least, you know, one day I'm going to come through." And I said, "How do we pay the rent, the mortgage, and these gas prices?" Speaking of $500 and some dollars, my business last week was $855 in diesel and gas, and I'm running all over the state of Connecticut. Can I get some help? Can we get some help? Now, after I leave here, do I get a phone call? Can I get one call? Somebody saying, "Listen, we're going to go talk to the governor. And if you're going to talk to the governor, please let me go with you. If y'all afraid, I'll send me to represent the city of Bridgeport." Thank you.

See, so that's not necessary. Don't do it again, please. Please, please, no it's notary. Do not do this, Cecil. Cecil, do not do this. Thank you. Let's keep a professional in our

don't have to be no master leader. Free speech is free speech. Thanks, Glide. Um, Darnell Stevenson from University of Bridgeport.

Good afternoon, good evening. Um, the hardest thing for me to do is to tell you how to be a black man in your America in three minutes. So, I'm gonna try to do my best and give you two minutes. I once dated a girl who committed suicide. She slit her wrist with a baby inside. Suicide. So, 13 years old, she decided to kill herself only because she was pregnant with my baby. suicide. Now, it was her constitutional right to kill herself. So, it was my constitutional right to speak the life that she deserved to live. Now, I'll remember Sandy Hook when 19 innocent souls were taken from this earth with an AR-15. It was his constitutional right to bear arms. So now when I see a police officer in the city of Bridgeport with a Glock 19, I'm afraid I might get shot with a bullet inside me with Glocks 1945s or the Uzi. So I remember that time I got shot, blood oozing on the floor to I remember the DNA forensic files. And so I remember Ted Bundy, but I'm walking down Park A and I see potholes. I once seen a prostitute on Main Street that had HIV, AIDS, STDs, and then we get frayed with COVID 19. You get it? We start wearing mask over our face like it's Halloween. That's why so many people commit suicide, murder, and homicide in the city of Bridgeport before the age of 19. I remember I died and came back to life like Jesus Christ on Easter, the resurrection. I'm going to hell only because that's

where Jesus went before he went to heaven. So next time you say crucify me on the cross, remember the first sin cast the first stone. So, I got blood in my eyes cuz I remember my girl committed suicide and it doesn't affect none of you, but she was 13 years old. So, she went to the Bridgeport public school and got an education to kill her soul. Now, I'm telling you as Bridgeport residents and citizens that I vote for you to kill my soul so I could die and res again like Jesus Christ. Cuz remember the only heaven I see is in jail, incarcerations, mass incarceration, criminal justice systems inside of the black America. So yes, 3 minutes is all I have to tell you how to be a black man in your America, but instead I'm going to give you two minutes and say thank you. Thank you. 30 Beacon Street, Bridgeport, Connecticut. Neighbors, Bridgeport citizens, elected officials, or human persons whom I care about and therefore address with respect. I ask you whether you care about me or all of us out here. unnamed or unknown to you as people and individuals with rights and responsibilities outlined to us as we dig into civics as a subject more deeply. That's why I have worked to develop casual civic conversations within all 10 council districts. We have scheduled meetings since October 24

monthly or more frequent at five locations this April representing three districts and I will announce five other locations in five additional districts for May. There is a QR code welcoming you to our website for more info. We are developing podcasts, including folks who feel the need for more municipal information, commentary, and participation. It's not too late to join us at casual civics conversations. We delve into subjects of your choosing of the people who attend that affect each of us at one time or another. housing, education, youth activities like swimming in the paper today, economic development, energy affordability, and opportunity for all to help grow the city. We're working on a series of podcasts to raise awareness, questions, and answers for all. Our goal is the common good. Now, I checked with the town clerk today. That's oversight. There are 11 council members who have not or I'm sorry, nine council members who have not signed the town clerk registry due January 2026. A couple people I spoke to today weren't aware of it. And there are more than 100 members of boards and commissions who received no notice to register annually. But it's an ordinance that was part of your history from eight nine years ago. Who reminds the mayor to register? Hopefully somebody will do that soon. Who reminds the mayor that there are no members of a fair housing commission, which we had 20 years ago, to deal with a broad range of housing and energy issues. So the pin I'm wearing, it calls

all citizens to perform oversight, question everything that seems plain curious or outrageous. Become informed. Vote when you're able. When you fail to vote, those in power who fail to include you in governance are happy because you've acquiesced to their conditions of cutting you from official information. Knowing that keeping the constituents ignorant leads to frustration, your frustration, and therefore not voting, what will you do about becoming informed about state candidates this fall? Will you cast your ballot then proving you will not be voiceless? Time will tell.

Maria Pereira.

Good evening. I really want to speak with you about an issue I've been trying to resolve as co-chair of miscellaneous matters since January. Today we have seven referrals on the agenda for candidates or nominees for boards and commissions. I personally don't have an issue with any of them, but and I've never voted for the city council rules who doesn't know that. Seven straight years I'm I think I've been the only one who has not voted for it by but I abide by them. Whether I I like the rules or not, I have to abide by them. And our rules say that whenever the administration or council member needs to submit something for a meeting, everything must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. the Wednesday before the meeting. Right? all the substantiating reports, a summary telling us what it's about, is it going to cost money, all that. So, we have seven referrals on the agenda. Where is their applications? Where is their background check? Where is their conflict of interest form? Where is their voter summary? By the way, these are all public records. The only thing you have to redact is their date of birth. It's personable identifiable information. John Bohannan has made it clear these are public records and my position is we are placing people on boards and commission who are making critical decisions that affect our constitu whether it's planning and zoning, police, fire, right? And so if we are nominating great people, why are we so frightened to have these records in our city council p uh packets on Thursday? Now they'll walk in, right? We'll have seven people sitting there and they'll hand us 42 sheets of paper and say, "Here, this is for the people that's you're going to start interviewing in five minutes." I don't operate like that. I read everything. I come prepared. And I've complained about this at many meetings. They'll walk in and hand us a 32page document. Now, if we're in the middle of how are you supposed to read

that in the middle of the meeting? and it's intentional and it's purposeful by this administration, okay? Because they don't want us to dig deep, okay? I don't have a personal gripe with any of these people. It's the process, okay? If these are the best of the best and we should be so proud of them, why aren't all their application and everything else uploaded on the council website? And why don't we, especially the everybody should have them, okay? Uh, I used to go to all as many miscellaneous matters meetings I could come and I wasn't on the member because I wanted to know who's being placed on this critical border commission. They make decisions that impact our constituents. So, I want you to know that here we are again, seven referrals today and we have nothing. Nothing. Okay? So, I'm voting against the referral tonight. Not because it's personal, but the problem with us is we don't hold the administration accountable. Because if we just didn't refer them and tabled it right here, that's how you'll teach them a lesson. Okay? Your your nominees aren't moving forward because you didn't do complete the responsibilities that you're responsible for. So, I'm voting no. Certainly, you have your vote and you're going to do whatever you want, but I expect this administration to fully comply with our city council rules because this is our body. Okay? I don't vote for the rules, but they still got to follow them just like I have to follow them. So, I'm just want to be clear. I've been trying to resolve this from January and it's still not resolved. Thank you.

Thank you. That concludes public speaking. Thank you everybody.

City Council, members of the city council and the public. Good evening. Just calling to order this Monday, April 6, 20 26 regularly scheduled meeting of the city council according to the agenda that's been published and that we all have in our hands. And at this point, I'd ask if we could stand and be led in a prayer. And I would ask if there's any one who would like to lead us in a prayer from the public as we always like to encourage they would step up to the microphones at the center of the council chambers. And as I talk slowly and don't see anyone approaching, I'm going to ask, as I always do, if Councilwoman Mary Lee, Reverend Lee, would lead us in a prayer. If she smiles what she just did, I'm gonna put her microphone on so she can do that.

Councilwoman Lee, Reverend Lee,

Father God, in the name of Jesus, we thank you for this day that you made. We thank you, oh God, because we are rejoicing in it. And oh God, we thank you for everyone that's assembled here today. Lord, we ask you the best Bere family that's on here tonight. those that are not here, we ask you, oh God, to bless them in the name of Jesus. Let the sick tonight say that I'm healed. Let the weak say that I'm strong in the name of Jesus. Lord, bless this great city of Bridgeport in the name of Jesus. Bless the leader of this city, our mayor, and all the council members that's represented here tonight. Lord, we ask you to do these things for us in Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Amen. Councilman Newton, as you always do, would you lead us in a pledgece to the flag of America to the republic for it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, liberty, justice for all. Thank you. As you take your seats, I draw the council members attention to the items on the agenda. Of course, the roll call would be next. Madame Clerk, it's your pleasure. Oh, I'm sorry. That's right. Councilwoman asks for a point of personal privilege with regards to a moment of silence.

Um, good evening, mayor. Thank you for the opportunity. First and foremost, I would like to wish our city attorney, um, Taiisha Toms, a happy birthday. She had a birthday April 1st. So, happy birthday to you, Attorney Toms. Thank you. Yeah.

Um, secondly, I would like to take a moment of silence for our firefighter, Terrence Kramer, um, who passed away on March 28th at the age of 41. He was one of our firefighters. He graduated from class 58 December of 2016, served for 9 years. Um, engine 6, which is the district that I represent on Central Avenue. um met the young man quite a bit of times, full of energy, loved his job, served the city with high level of integrity. So, if we can please have a moment of silence for Terrence Kramer, um I would appreciate it. Thank you, Mayor. Uh do you want to be heard on the same thing, Ernie? Councilman Newton.

Thank you. Thank you, Mary and Mary. Councilwoman Mary.

Thank you, Mayor. Let me also say that it's a sad day um to lose anybody but to lose a firefighter. And I knew him before he was a firefighter because my son and him went to school together. And so I ask you to also pray for the Bruce for the um Bush family because those are two families that are going to be dealing with a lot of issues. a loss of life and another one who will probably go to prison. So, let's pray for them and pray for this city, this state, and this country because if we ever needed the Lord before, we sure do need him now [snorts] with all the kind of things that are happening. And so, can we have a moment of silence?

Sure. Councilwoman?

Yes. Uh, I would like to say that on Wednesday before we got out for holiday, uh, there was a bomb threat at Watersville. And we would have been so proud of the staff and the students uh, that was at Watersville and especially the police department and the fire department. Our kids really children really acted professional. There wasn't any screaming and holling and all of that stuff. It was a very scary situation and uh I just want to thank Bridgeport uh all those that was involved uh on that particular day. They really did good and I also would like to thank neighbor called whole neighborhood house because they housed each and every one of us in the same place and we felt very safe and comfortable that day.

Thank you. Let's have a moment of silence for all those that have been recommended. Oh, I'm sorry, Councilwoman. Thank you so much. Please. Thank you very much. Um, one of our colleagues in Coral Springs, Florida was murdered on Wednesday. Her name was Nancy Bowen. She was a member of the National League of Cities. She was on the Committee of Women. She was at the March conference or the last conference we went to. So, many of us do know her, remember her. And I'd like to do a moment of silence for our colleague in another state. Thank you.

Thank you. Anyone? Let's have a moment of silence, please. Thank you. With that, members of the council, I'm going to ask the clerk if she will take the role. Madame clerk, you have the floor. Thank you. Nicole Nelson. Denise, Cruz,

Spell. Rolanda Smith, Aim Boy, Janet Herren, Loretta Dub, Marry Lee, Richard, Alfredo Castillo, Phil Hodes, Maria,

Medina, Maria, and Martinez, Ernest Newton. We have a quum. Um, before we get to the first item of business, Councilman Newton reminded me and I took note of it myself that we're honored today to have uh our young ambassadors here seated next to council members throughout the council chambers and we want to welcome you. Thank you for being here. It's our great honor to have you as part of our uh evening and into the future. Thank you so much. And with that, Madame President, uh there's an item on the agenda that calls for your attention. Under city council standing committees, and I grant you the floor.

Yes. Thank you. Um we're going to change one of the committees, uh budget and appropriations, we're removing Rolanda Smith and I'm replacing him with Alfredo Castile. So, I make a motion to approve. Motion's made in second. All in favor indicate by saying I. I. Please provide a copy to the clerk. Madame clerk, are you good? Yes, I am. Thank you very much. We will go to the minutes. Approve of the minutes on the agenda for from February 2nd, 2026. Is there a motion? If you were present, you would like to make a motion. Is there a second? Motion's made and seconded. You want to be heard on that? Councilwoman

ready. All in favor indicate by saying I. Any opposed? Abstensions, please show your hands as well, please. So the clerk can accurately reflect your abstension for

Okay, we'll hold that for Ernie. Janette says she was not there, so she wants to abstain. Council recorded as such and the motion carries. The next matter, not to be confused, 5125 is the ordering of, not the conducting of, but the ordering of a public hearing for 700 p.m. on April 20th, 2026. So, at the time of our next city council meeting, um, as you see that here, so it's the order of a public hearing. Someone would like to make the motion to do that. Is there a second?

All in favor indicate by saying I. Okay. So now we're if you look to the Yes. So that would take us all the way to page without objection a consolidated motion to refer all the items up until the consent calendar's been made. Not consent calendar. Correct. Up to the consent. Hold on. There's a mo hold. There's a motion on the floor. Is there a second? Which one is that? Is there a second to the consolidated motion to refer? Who made the second? Ernie made the second. You said this one. Yeah. Anita. Yeah. Yeah. An earnest. An earnest. Okay. So, there's a motion on the floor to consolidate and refer. Do you want to be heard on that? Yes. Go ahead.

5425 2525. Excuse me. Not 5125. I apologize. 5225 5325 5425 5525 5625 5725 5825. I just spoke publicly about why I'm doing this and I need to remove it in order to vote no to it. Well, you you can't remove it. There's a motion on the floor. Let me just clarify. There's a motion on the floor. Okay. There's a second on the floor. There's no motion to remove uh that I'm aware of. So, I mean, I'm not going to tell you what to do, but if that's your motion, I'm not going to recognize no on everything, which I Councilman Newton, you have the floor.

Mr. Mayor, I understand why Councilwoman Pereira feels it's necessary to withdraw these nominations, but from my understanding, and you all help me if I'm wrong, the materials that she's was looking for, you usually get those materials at the committee level unless the process has changed.

That's when you get the background checks. You get all that information when they call a committee meeting and they bring these people in front of you. That's the way it's always been done. I cannot remember ever getting that information before they call a committee meeting. I don't remember seeing it. and no packages I've ever had. Now, that's the way it's always been done. The stuff she's looking for, when it goes to committee, all that information is compiled so you can look at it. Did they pass the background check? Are they a resident of the city of Bridgeport? What party affiliation do they belong to? The committee is where that's done. It's not done before you send it to committee

and it's always I'll let you speak. It's always been the practice to refer as Ernie said. I think that's the protocol. Madam, if you want to be heard, we'll be heard and then we'll vote. Hold Let me give you the microphone.

Okay. I'm on the nominees. I'm voting on that our city council will say that every report, communication, everything must be submitted to the city clerk by 4:30 so that when we get our packet, it's in here. Now, we should be very proud of whoever we're nominating for boards and commissions. We shouldn't hide from it. These are people who make critical decisions about our community. And so, it's not personal. It's not It's the process that I'm opposed to. And I have never voted for the city council rules, but I do everything in my f power to follow them. And if we're supposed to have everything submitted by 4:30 on a Wednesday, including me, when then the administration needs to follow the same rules. So I'm a no of those seven committee members being referred not out of a personal protest, but out of the process. Thank you.

Thank you. All in favor indicate by saying I. Any opposed? Madam, do you want to oppose it? Councilwoman Per, do you want to oppose the motion? Do you want to vote? No. I only The point is I don't want to oppose every referral. I'm just trying to help. I'm opposing those seven. Thank you. That's it. Not every single referral. So recorded. All right. We're on the consent calendar. Anybody want to remove anything from the consent calendar? Give me an indication. I'm going to look to my left first. Anybody on the left side want to remove anything from the No. Anything on the right side? Councilwoman, I'm so sorry. resolutions to be referred to boards and commissions. So, we did the first half. So, now we have to

Okay, that's fine. I I thought it was all consolidate those. So, it is it is on the uh middle of page uh three it says resolution to referred. So, the motion the prior motion you clarifying did not include that and now you're making a motion to refer those. Likewise, everyone understand that? I'm fine with that. Second. All in favor indicate by saying I. Any opposed? Now we have Okay, so now we're down to the consent calendar. Are you with me, Madam Clerk?

Okay, so we have three matters on the consent calendar in the normal course. I will just repeat they would be read into the record uh without um without comment or discussion and then we would vote. But any council member can remove any item uh by raising their hand at this time and then it would be handled as an individual item on the agenda. To my left again, does anyone want to remove anything from the consent calendar? I see no indication from any council member on that side. On the right side, Councilwoman Martinez, you have the floor. Thank you, Mayor. I would like to remove item number 18-25.

1825 is removed. Does anybody else want to remove any of the two remaining matters? Looking both sides, I see no indication. Therefore, madame clerk, knowing that 1825 has been removed from the consent calendar, the two remaining items, 2125, 2125 and 2925 are on the consent calendar. You'll read it and then we'll make the motion. The clerk will read both of those into the record and then we'll see if there's a motion to and a second to approve. Madame clerk, you have the floor. 2125 miscellaneous matters committee report settlement of pending litigation regarding subo claims incorporate on behalf of Jacob Insurance ASO Clover Grant versus City of Bridgeport claim 1066008 2925 contest committee report agreement with the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees as me local 1303 3468 Council 4 regarding their collective bargaining unit contract from July 1st, 2024 through June 30th, 2028. Thank you, Madame Clerk. Having the items from the consent calendar been duly read into the record as council rules require, is there a motion to approve?

Is there a second? Motion's made and seconded. Madame clerk, all in favor indicate by saying I. Any opposed, please give an indication. I see none. They pass unanimously. We do have the remaining item, Councilwoman 18 25 that you asked to remove. Do you want to um be heard on that? Mayor, um I would like to yield over to council colleague Maria Pereira. She will read the uh summary of changes. Every council member has the documentation on their desk of the summary of changes. Um so I'm going to yield over to Councilwoman Pereira. Councilwoman Pereira, you have the floor.

Thank you, Councilwoman Martinez. So um this came out unanimously out of the public safety and ordinance committee, but um there were recommendations b made by Mark Anastasi. Um, and so these changes have since been made, which was he wanted the definition of standard truck moved into a separate section. Uh, we had to correct fines that were too high that were not allowed under Connecticut general statute. And then we had an entire section removed regarding the mayor's authority to suspend limitations on overnight parking because all those streets were eliminated. And Mark said that that was no longer relevant. that created a number of placement changes that are in blue and repageation and that's really it. So, uh I am um making a motion to substitute 18-25 as it came out of committee as amended which is before you. If it's already in black and and had underlined or stricken that was already approved out of committee there's no changes. Anything in blue was position changing, pageionation changes, and the changes I just reviewed. So, this is a motion to substitute 1825 as amended.

Okay. Motion's been made and second. Any discussion? Second. Yeah. I just want to make sure that which is on there. It states that item is being reported back to the city council with the recommendation that the council refers matter to the border police commission. I'm going to do that separately. We have to do that separately. You take a separate motion. Do we have to do that separately? Attorney Toms. Okay. All right. No problem. Okay. Is is all the language on the floor as we want it before we vote? All in favor by saying I. Any opposed? You want to do the next one? So, I think we cleared the decks on that. I think we're on No, we have to do one more item on that. One more. One more item on that. Okay.

Um, a motion to refer item 1825 to the board of police commissioners as amended. It's motion's made and second. Any discussion? Seeing and hearing none. All in favor indicate by saying Alfredo, do you want to be heard? Okay. You're good. Motion duly made and seconded. City clerk acknowledges that and I've looked over for any discussion or indication or comments. Seeing none, I'm going to call all in favor. Indicate by saying I. I.

Any opposed, please give an indication. Now, it's been um uh successfully voted on for the referral as well. We are now on what would be called top of page four, which are distinguished as roll call vote items, and that's because they are appointments to boards or commissions, which I think by ordinance um or some authority require a roll call vote. With that, they are both listed. One is 3025 and then 3225. Is there a person who would like to address or move these matters? Someone want to move?

I'm sorry, miscellaneous. I'm sorry. [laughter] I'd like a a motion to approve the appointment of William Jameson to the Historic District Commission. Made in second. Does anybody want to be heard before we vote? We're going to do a roll call vote. Yeah. All right. Hearing none. Madam clerk, when you're ready, we would ask for a roll call vote to address the matter of the appointment of Willie Jameson. Number 30-25 is listed on the agenda. Madame clerk, you have the floor for a roll call vote. You have roll call on each. Nicole Nelson. [snorts]

Denise Deloy. Denise, sorry. Yes. Dasha spell. Rolanda Smith. Aim boy. Janet Heron. Yes. Loretta Dub. Yes. Mary Mcry. Richard Ortiz. Alfredo Castillo. Yes. Fred Hodes. Maria, Kayla Medina, Maria Para, Martina. [laughter]

Are we good? Okay, the vote carries. Um, let's go to 3225. Is there a motion on that? Made in second. And anybody want to be heard before we do a roll call vote? Any who second it? Okay. Thank you. So, as uh as was mentioned on the prior, Lilian Ortiz now is for a reappointment to the pars commission. It's a roll call vote. Obviously, a vote of yes is in support of the appointment and a no is against it. Madam clerk, you have the floor. Nicole Nelson, yes. Denise Alamo Cruz, yes. Dasha spell. Yes. Rolanda Smith. Yes. Hakeim boy. Yes. Janet Hearn.

Yes. Loretta Dubach. Yes. Marcia Ortiz. Alfredo Castillo. Fred Hodes. Maria Ka Medina. Maria Parah Martinez. motion.

Okay. So, um look at matters to be acted upon. There's two these are the last two items on the agenda. The first is a motion it looks like to withdraw 2525 and um I'm wondering if if there's uh councilwoman would someone want to be heard on this? Someone want to move this matter? Is there a second? Second. Any discussion? Who's a second? Anita. Anyone want to be heard? All in favor indicate by saying I.

Any opposed? Okay. So, it's withdrawn. There's one other matter, miscellaneous matters, report settlement of pending litigation. Is there someone who's going to move this matter? Miscellaneous matters. Who's the chair? You don't have to, but if you move it, that would be a courtesy. We would appreciate it. Is there a second? I'm so sorry. Which is a settlement of pending litigation in the matter of Clean Earth Incorporated and Irish were specialty insurance company versus Primro Company. Motion's been made and seconded. Alfredo did.

Any discussion? You want to be heard? Councilwoman, you have the floor. I did vote for this in committee, but I was very disturbed by the amount of taxpayer funds that the original attorney cost it. It was staggering for a $250,000 settlement. And then the other issue is we did ask what the new fees were for the existing attorney handling this and we received a commitment commitment we were going to receive that and we did not receive it. So, um, it's already a staggering number, like a blow my blowing. It just blows my mind that we would spend that money then only pay 250,000 in a settlement. And it upsets me because we don't have the money we need for schools and things that our constituents really matter or care about. So, for that reason, I'm a no. And I think when we ask for information and we're told we're going to receive it, we should receive it. So, that's why I'm a no.

Thank you. All in favor indicate by saying I. I opposed, please indicate. Councilwoman, do you want to be recognized for a vote as opposed to a yes? I'm a no. She's a no. So, I just want to make sure the clerk got that. All right. It sounds like it might be appropriate to hear a motion to to adjurnn. All in favor indicate by saying I. Thank you very much. I hope everyone had a good Easter holiday as well.