City Council - Regular Meeting

Landa Smith, Hakee Boy, Janette Heron, Michelle Lions, family, Amy Marie Visio, Panicia, Mary Mcbrryley, Richard Ortiz Alfredo Castello, Frederick Hodgees, Id Neves, Maria Valley here,

Maria Pereira, Samia Solomon, Anita Martinez, Ernest Newton. We have a quorum. Thank you very much, madam clerk. Um, is this is your first time addressing the city council? Make sure you say your name and address for the record. Good. Um, make sure you say your name, address for the record so we can have it clearly on the record. I just want to remind you that these video these uh meetings are now streamed on YouTube. When speaking and signing up for public speaking, the person signing up shall in addressing the city council confine their address to their listed topic or subject matter. Refrain from personal character or political attacks on council persons or other persons, be courteous and not use unbecoming abusive, inflammatory, defamatory, and unparliamentary language and shall avoid personality. Any speaker who violates these rules of decorum may have his he or their opportunity to address the city council at this time or future meetings re suspended or revoked by the council president. If you are a suspended speaker you under this rule you do not sign on the signin sheet as you will not be called upon. We have currently on the signup sheet we have nine people who have signed up electronically. We will go in that order and I want to remind everyone because we have so many speaker it is a hard three minute stop to respect the time of the next speaker. So I just want to remind everyone we have two people who signed up off the floor. So we have in total 11 speakers. So I will call the first speaker this evening. You have three minutes. Mr. Cecil Young.

Good evening to the council. As you know, I've been coming here what for about 18 years now, trying to redeem my name, which was taken from me by both of them who basically couldn't control what I had to say in terms of me exposing the contaminated dirt piles at the city health department, which is located on the east side, which I believe you are the council president on the east side, as well as the other council members from the east side. I would hope that maybe you might want to consider maybe taking my issue before your committee and taking a vote on it to see if whether or not the evidence that I have presented to you over the last years would either give you justification to either go against me or go for me in terms of saying if whether or not the city was justifiable in terminating me. You had my city councilman Ernest Newton and Councilman Anita Martinez indicating that they were concerned about me being treated right. They asked that the city council and they asked that the mayor look into my situation to justify the action that they took against me. I'm saying the mayor gan okay even though you take pictures given around the city that you care about people's rights being violated. I say what about my rights as the taxpayer as a homeowner as an ex city employee with the city of Bridgeport for 27 and a half years. I would like to think that I deserve my rights to be heard as well. And I think that you have enough common sense to know that you took an oath to say that you would be fair and impartial in terms of representing those of them that duly elected you. And even though I may not have been in your district, those other districts, I say to you to my two district council person who did vote for me and the rest of you who know that they voted for me in terms of saying that they wanted justice pertaining to my issue that I would hope to God that you would take that before your committee and come back with an answer saying that Cecil the city looked at your situation. And we found that the city was justifiable in terminating you after 27 and a2 years because you dared enough to want to speak about kids playing on terminated dirt at the city health department. And if you find that that was not the case and that I cannot back that up or they cannot back up their allegation and terminate me, which they requested, you should tell the mayor to comply. He's no more above the law than anyone else is. And that's why

I say no one's above the law. And if I'm right, I deserve to be treated right. And the old saying is that someone is mistreating my brother and they doing them wrong. And those of y'all who know that and have the evidence of that know that should be saying something about that. Meaning that you know that right should be made wrong when you have the evidence that been put before you. Now you can go on YouTube and download the Cecil Young Show seven days a week and you will find out that everything that I'm not saying here in these three minutes. You can get a whole hour of what I have to say and what I've been saying for the last 18 years. And I will continue to come forward to say that because again, like I said, I lost a lot personally, physically, psychologically, and I hope to God that you will consider my consideration of asking what I asked you for tonight. Thank you kindly for hearing my thoughts. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Young. The next speaker is Miss Betsy Ortiz. Miss Betsy Ortiz, she's with us. Ortiz [snorts] [snorts] made the road. Bridgeport. for ache. Miss Ninga Virch.

much. Bridgeport. resolution. Gracias. much. The next speaker

Oh, I'm going to translate for her. Is that okay? So that everybody understands? No, it's okay. We'll have it translated. Yeah, we'll have it translated for the record. Okay. Okay. Daniela, are you Daniellea Mendez? No. No. The three minutes are up, honey. Okay. Good evening, honorable city. Excuse me. It's Daniela. Daniela Mendez is next. Hi. Um, I'll be I'll be taking the place of Danielle Menendez today. No, we uh we we don't do substitutions. Don't do substitutions. If the person doesn't show up, I'm sorry. We have to go to the next person and then the next person because this is already a public record. Got it.

Okay. Just want to remind everyone if a speaker is not present to speak the next speaker will be called and then the speakers who signed up off the list will be called next. Okay, gracia. The next person, if Daniela is not here, is Daria Marin. Hello everyone. I am taking the place of Jose Pablano tonight. Um,

there is no Jose. I'm reading his story. My name is Dara Marin. You're Da Al Marine. Okay. Okay. Go ahead.

Hello everyone. My name is Jose Pablano. I currently attend Bridge Academy and I am a senior. I wanted to share my story with you all. I was born here in Bridgeport, Connecticut. When I was 6 years old, my mother took me and her to live in Mexico. She was then faced with a difficult decision to send me back here to the United States with just my father who had immigrated here 10 years prior. My mother sent me here because she knew better opportunities were offered and she wanted me to grow up in a space where I felt comfortable and could thrive and have opportunities of freedom. She along with many others at the time saw America as the land of opportunity. This being said, if she were to have made that decision again today, I can say for certain she would not she would have kept me by her side because who would willingly send their kid to a country where they're being put at risk simply because of how they look? This country has three unalienable rights. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It has failed at all three of these. It attacks hardworking people. It ostracizes them. And it makes them feel like a plague. My father has been in this country for over 20 years now. He has never had never had to worry about being deported or being pulled aside for questioning. He pays his taxes. He doesn't miss bill payments. and he works seven days a week, up to 12 hours a day in landscaping. He has done no wrong in his time being here. He now looks at his surroundings and sees people like him being taken away and tackled to the ground. He is rightfully concerned for his safety. Shouldn't we protect the integral people that help make our community and country better? Shouldn't we do better? With all the fear in the community, we all have the opportunity to make a change and be louder than the fear and protect our community. We all have mothers, fathers.

And I ask you, what if this was your story? What if your parents, cousins, sisters, and brothers were scared to simply exist? Well, that is your reality because they are your brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, and they need protection. Fear paralyzes us and my fellow members of the community should not be scared to go out and buy bread and take their kids to school or go to work. I ask like everyone to stand with families, not fear. This vote is about safety, dignity, and justice, not politics. I thank Council Member Jorge Cruz and the public safety committee for taking the first steps to protect Bridgeport's immigrant community. Now we all Now we ask uh all of you to continue this path of courage and justice. Vote yes and strengthen our families. Thank you. Thank you. The next speaker will be Miss Nelly Mendoza. Nelly Mendula. Is she with us? You have to make sure or the organization you're representing into the record, please. Oh,

so my name is Nelly Mendula and I live in Bridgeport. Bridgeport. Mama. Um, [snorts] for [snorts] [snorts] [snorts]

[snorts]

Multicultural Cruz. inclusive [snorts] resolution. [snorts] The next person is Sonia Hernandez, please. Sonia Hernandez.

Hi, good afternoon city council. So, my name is Sonia Hernandez. Um, I am a community organizer. I have make that role but also I am resident of Bridgeport and I am a immigrant mom with three kids. you know this um I asking all the city councils to pass this resolution because as you hear the stories but also my story I have three kids but also as a community organizer I hear the stories or every family's calling that they are afraid going to the places of work churches schools uh even to the court to pay a ticket because ICE is everywhere we are afraid to not know who we are affecting, who we are in fronting because they are wearing a mask. They're not showing their batches. They're not showing a warning signed by a judge. They're knocking our doors. They are terrified our community, but also more our kids. You know, I don't want to go back and live in that, you know, have nightmares that my kids are not going in peace to school. They're not enjoying the life, a normal life to have their kids to enjoy, to go to school, to study, to dream big, to come, you know, what they want to come to go to college. As a mom, hearing the stories break my hearts because at the first administration, I suffer a lot and many of you were witness at how I was almost deported, you know, and leaving my three kids. They were terrified. They were traumatized. They almost commit suicides. You know, they weren't therapist. They weren't psychiatric. And that's what they're coming now. You know, every kids are suffering anxiety, you know, depression, not want to go to school because they're terrified. They're not going to find their parents when they come home or they're not going to be nobody pick it up from school, you know. So, there is really we need your

support. We need you to stand up as a Bristo city council. You are welcoming us as a immigrants but also we want you to do something more you know to prevent what happening around other cities. Thank you on Bridgeport. We're not seeing so much but are we seeing that they are being families already detained and deported. So we don't want to see no more families deported or separated. We need your help and stand up and speak that you are saying that you are with us as an immigrant families. We are welcoming. We are defending and you stand out with us. Thank you. And I hope you can consider our stories and prevent our kids to go to more traumatized and more mental helps. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Miss Hernandez. The next person is Helen Kinons. Good afternoon everyone. Hi community. My name is Helen Kinon. I live in 87 Bennett Street in Bridgeport. I'm here today because I understand that everybody in this room know very well what the actual administration is doing to all families. We know all the attack that this administration is doing. We know that this administration is say to every city, don't do anything for immigrant families. But also we hear this night because we understand that BRSport has responsibility. Bricksport has the power to protect our community. So the reason that we are here all my community here is because we understand that you has some power in the local level. That is not only to protect in the federal level. Everybody here know how the community is living, how the community is suffering. People don't want to go to hospital. All my my friends told what the community is doing. So I don't want to repeat the same thing because I know that you know this. I'm here to say please pass this resolution. We don't have time to wait. Every single day one person more than one person is deported. Every single day we has to talk with somebody who is suffering because they don't know how they can take care about the childrens. I don't know how I can go to my bank every night because I have to talk with

families every single day that has somebody who has deported. So I'm here today to say that you has the responsibility to pass this resolution. So thank you for to thank you council member Horge Cruz. Thank you for the committee on transportation and safety for for taking this seriously. But also uh I want to say thank you in advance to everyone who will vote yes for this resolution. So please don't don't ignore our community because every single day that you go to restaurant that you go to uh any store people who are thinking about you and serving you is our community. So have a good night. Thank you so much.

Thank you very much Mr. Kinones. The next person is Mr. Frank Cruz. Frank Cruz Frank right there.

Okay. Okay. is Frank Cruz, Connecticut. different areas, Connecticut. eyes star area or at Maurica. The hand solos famil.

Immigrant Bridgeport. I Graciasto in oil speedo Familias. The next speaker will be Miss Cali Helman. Callie

Hi. Uh, good evening. I lost my voice, so I'm going to give my time to Mag Doyle. Thank you. Bear with me one moment. Let me just find my Okay. My name is Meg Doyle. I live at 29 Haden Street in Bridgeport. [clears throat] History teaches many lessons. One of them is that obeying it advance is not a guarantee of protection from the consequences you're trying to avoid in the first place. to refuse to enact sufficient protective measures against over overreaching ICE activity now as a way to ensure federal funding later is a strategy that historical evidence tells us is unreliable at best and a significant threat to the community at worst. Whether you do the right thing now for the safety of Bridgeport residents or you don't, the end result might be the same. no safety and no money. We also learn from history how willing some people are to allow harm to come to others if they're given permission to do so by an authority figure. As our constitutional right to due process is being challenged by federally sanctioned ICE activity, your constituents are coming to you for guidance and leadership. When masked police are allowed to show up without proper ID or legal warrants, grab people off the street and take them to who knows where, the question you must answer as elected officials is whether you're willing to defend due process and transparent policing or not. This is a yes or no proposition. If fear can drive people to either speak

up and act out or be silent and do nothing, please find the courage to say yes and stand beside us to defend Bridgeport residents right to due process and transparent lawful policing. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you very much. And our last speaker for the evening will be Mr. John Marshall Lee. Thank you. 30 Beacon Street, John Lee. Ladies and gentlemen of the city council. Greetings on this Monday session of the legislative body of Bridgeport just before the vote are become counted in the next 48 hours for 2025. for you as your future representatives in the 10 districts, but also to the response of registered voters to the prospect of a new and improved city charter to replace the 1993 model that has outlived its usefulness perhaps at a time when many of our Bridgeport residents are worrying about food security, social security continuation, and rent subsidy from HUD. The focus has been taken away from local matters. Perhaps we shall look at the results in terms of voter totals and questions where civics is practiced in the city when they are seen and compare them to the 2021 5,350 ballots. Will we have more or fewer? Casual civics conversations have been held across the library system for months previous to when these materials were developed. Now, we have a brochure that contains some of the many invitations I've extended to each of you as city council persons to hold such conversations in each district. How did you respond or show interest?

Do you think the subject of becoming and continuing as an informed voter is well in hand? Or do you seriously believe that keeping voters in the dark, though registered and uninformed by the town committee itself, is a better, more controllable environment. So you'll see this in front of restaurants which people feel are safe. Personally, I've been dis disappointed by civic response to the more than 25 hearings by the charter commission and the city council over major and minor details of the charter document. Some debated and left alone, others revised ser simplicity of understanding, ease of administration, and to decrease unnecessary taxpayer expense. and you approved the charter by 11 to six votes in this room. More needs to be accomplished with the documented next review, but oversight in the meantime is a worthy objective so that we can eliminate the 1993 direction to the city to create quote an economic development and housing commission unquote ignored for three decades. We must do better and get all citizens participating. Vote yes twice on the city charter, the new charter. It provides the steps.

Thank you. Time will tell.

Thank you very much. I apologize. The last speaker will be Miss Beth Lazar if she's with us. Beth Lazar. My name is Beth Lazar and I live at 1241 Main Street, Bridgeport. Dear city council members, I'm speaking in favor of the resolution calling for enhanced transparency and accountability with the Department of Homeland Security. In everyday language, it's the ICE resolution. The resolution essentially tells ICE that when they operate in Bridgeport, they must uphold due process enshrined in the United States Constitution. In other words, ICE is not above the law. They cannot legally drag people off the streets and ship them out of state or out of the country. The resolution demands that ICE respect people's constitutionally protected due process rights. That means ICE must obtain a signed warrant for a specific individual before they arrest that person. The individual must be told why they are being arrested, be given an opportunity to make a telephone call, and have access to legal counsel. The resolution demands that ICE agents take off their masks and identify themselves as ICE law enforcement officers. This is because some people have impersonated ICE or DHS agents in order to harass or assault others.

Above all, the resolution calls upon ICE to limit their immigration enforcement actions within Bridgeport to operations against undocumented immigrants who commit violent crimes. If an undocumented immigrant is a law-abiding, peaceful, productive member of the community, leave them alone. This resolution is pro- due process, pro- democracy, pro- transparency and accountability. I support this resolution. I am asking the Bridgeport City Council to please vote in favor of this resolution calling for enhanced transparency and accountability with the Department of Homeland Security. Thank you for your time.

Thank you very much. [applause] That ends public speaking. We're going to take you ready to go to the next. Everyone good? We're going straight through. Okay. The time is now 7:09. We will begin the November Monday, November 3rd, 2025 city council meeting. Today I'm going to ask um Mary McBride to lead us in a prayer for our last council meeting for the session and then I'm going to ask Kee Boy to lead us in the pledge and then we'll have the roll call in that order.

Mary, you have the floor. Let's please all stand for the prayer, please.

Father God, in the name of Jesus, we thank you for this day that you made. Thank you, oh God, because we rejoicing in it. Lord, we thank you for everyone that's assembled here tonight. And oh God, we ask you to bless this council. bless the mayor of this great city and Lord we ask you to bless us all one by one then bless us collectively in the name of Jesus and now God we are asking you to help Bridgeport and the cities throughout the United States of America and ask you oh God when we go to the polls on tomorrow oh God let us go with humbleness let us go with wisdom in the name of Jesus and now God as we go into this meeting tonight ask you to guide us and lead us into all truth. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

I just want to take a moment of silence for a constituent, a friend and the nephew of Councilwoman Maria Vay, Mr. Roy Peppers who was an avid parent in the east side and uh was part of our weed and seed and uh defy program for many years for Bridgeport youth which was unfunded after Desert Storm but um he was an avid parent in a neighborhood dad. So we want to take a moment of silence for him. Thank you. Um, council member Wood. Oh, yep. Oh, yes. Go ahead, Amy Marie.

Thank you. I'd like to take a moment of silence for Rose Hoy, uh, former city uh, employee with the Department of Aging and very much involved in the city of Bridgeport in many capacities. Um, knew her know her family. Um, her dedication to the city and the citizens, especially the seniors, um, was just 100% of her time. So, but I would like to uh ask that you give the her family strength in prayer and give her memories for her to continue on their legacy u with family and traditions. And may Rose Hoy uh rest in peace. Madam Speaker, can we have a moment of silence for Jamaica as you all have witnessed their whole island was almost taken. So we just ask for a moment of silence of prayer. Thank you. Are we going to leave this in the mayor? Councilman Boysy.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. Are you ready for the roll call? Scott Burns here. Matthew McCarthy, George Cruz, Denise Taylor Moy, Dasha Spell, Rolanda Smith, Ake Boy, Janette Heron, Michelle Lions, Amy Marie Visio, Panicio, Mary McBry, Lee, Richard Ortiz, Alfredo Castello, Frederick Hodgees, Id Neves,

Maria Valley, Maria Pereira, Samia Solomon, Anita Martinez, Ernest Newton. We have a quorum. Thank you very much. Um, we have I need a motion for the approval of the city council minutes. We have a motion by Councilwoman Martinez. Can I get a second? Second by Councilman Ortiz. All in favor?

Any oppose? Hearing? None. The motion passes. We have matters to be acted upon. Is there any item in which a council member would like an item removed from the consent calendar? I'm going to acknowledge you, Councilwoman Martinez. One second. You have the floor. Would like to remove item number 127-24, please. 127-24. And that is on the on the regular agenda. Yes, that is the uh amendment of to the municipal code of ordinance amend chapter 8.76 antillight program.

Okay, got it. Okay. And then councilman bar, you have the floor. Uh I would like to remove 121 uh primarily for the purposes of abstaining for that vote. So 121 12124. Okay, madame clerk, you have the floor to read the remaining into the record.

Item number 115-24, economic and community development and environment committee report, grant submission, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, urban and community forestry trees for communities. Item number 122-24, economic and community development and environment committee report, grant submission, state of Connecticut, Department of Public Health, FY26 per capita funding allocation 26220. Item number 124-24, economic and community development and environment committee report. Resolution requesting that the city council declares the Remington Arms Campus and employment first site intended for employment generating uses uses. Item number 118-24, ordinance committee report updated ranges for officers and unaffiliated employee salaries pursuant to and as required by municipal code section 2.36010. Item number 112-24, public safety and transportation committee report grant submission state of Connecticut court support services division youth violence prevention initiative. Item number 120-24 miscellaneous matters committee report settlement of pending litigate pending claim in the matter of Seda Junasi. Item number 125-24, miscellaneous matters committee report. Resolution requesting the city council to call upon the United States Congress to pass the HR5356 to create a national infrastructure bank to finance urgently needed infrastructure projects. Item number 126-24, miscellaneous matters committee report, settlement of pending litigation in the consolidated matters of Jose Velasquez versus City of Bridgeport ET and all document number FBT CV 246130118-S

and Robert and Aliyah Falcon versus Agardo Gadilla in city of Bushport docket number FBTCV261448-S. Item number 128-24A, miscellaneous matters committee report requests to establish the classification and specifications of the following pursuant to municipal charter chapter 17 section 206D director of enrollment services. Item number 128-24B, miscellaneous matters committee report, request to establish the classification and specifications of the following pursuant to municipal charter chapter 17 section 206D supervisor of enrollment services.

Motion by council Martine second. Second by councilwomania. All in favor? Any opposed? Hearing none. The motion passes. I'm going to take it in this order. We have item number 127-24. That would be council Martinez to begin with motion and 1214 which would be Mr. Council Martinez. You have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The reason that I requested that the item be removed was because there was a typographic error was found in the ordinance draft of of chapter 8.76 anti-blite program. Therefore, I would like to make a motion to amend item number 127-24 to remove the following language. Exempt property means any building or structure undergoing remodeling, restoration, repair or renovation, provided that the blighted condition will be corrected thereby and that the period thereof will not exceed one year from the date of receipt by. So I request that we have a motion to approve as amended. Please take the motion to amend first. So

yeah, we did that. So she got take I want to make sure the clerk has that language. You have that language. Okay. We have a We have an amendment to item 127-24. I have a motion by Councilman New. I need a second. Second by Councilman Boyd. Any discussion on the item? Motion to approve as amended. Hearing none. Hold on. Hearing none. All in favor? Any oppose? No. The mot the amendment passes. Now we need a motion to approve as amended. Motion to approve as amended. Madam Chair, second. I

have a motion by Councilwoman Martinez, second by Councilman Newton. All in favor? Any opposed? Hearing none, the motion passes as amended. Thank you, Councilman Burns. You have the floor. Uh, thank you, chair. Uh, item 12124. Uh, I have an interest in it, so I'm going to be abstaining. So, I would ask uh someone from the committee to uh make a motion to approve. Thank you. Okay. I need a motion to approve item 121. Who moved the question? Councilwoman Martinez. I need a second. Second by Councilman Cruz. Any discussion on the item? I don't see any lights. All in favor?

Anyone opposed? Hearing none. The motion passes. We have one more item. Is a matter Excuse me. Oh, and one abstension by Councilman Burns. I apologize, Councilman Burns. One abstension. Do you have that, Madam Clerk? Okay. Then we have the last item is item number 113-24. I don't see the chairs of public safety. We have a motion by Councilwoman Martinez. I need a second. I have a second by Councilman Newton. Any discussion on the item? See

no lights. All in favor? Oh, you have lighter. Nope, there's no lights. Any opposed? Hearing? None. The motion passes. And then one one opposition. You want Okay. As stated in committee. Councilwoman Vizanitia. Hold on one second. We have a moment of personal privilege with Councilman Burns. Councilman Burns, you have the floor.

I have the Oh, thank you. Um, [clears throat] thank you, chair. Uh, as some of you know, a few of us won't be back come December, including myself. Uh, so I just want to say thank you to a number of folks. Um, and

you know, just [snorts] so I don't screw it up. I want to thank my family first and foremost. Uh, my wife Claire who is uh given me ridiculous amount of hours to do this work uh and and patience and listening to my complaints and crumbles. Uh but to my kids as well who uh when I came here first were in my home and now they're moved out. They're grown up. They're on their own. And my immediate family, including my 96-year-old mother who doesn't always understand what the heck's going on, but she's supportive. Uh I want to thank my colleagues in particular. I want to note uh my uh budget and corporation co-chairs Denise Taylor Moy who helped shepherd me onto the council in the last six years with Councilman Newton. Uh my 130th district partners Katie Bukowski and Matt McCarthy, council presidents Tom McCarthy and Idi Nevas and all the rest of you who've helped make my experience richer and more positive and we've done some good work together. Um, and really that's that's the thing message I would like to leave is that I hope we are all here for the same thing which is to make this city better, to make this world better. We make mistakes along the way. We don't get everything done we want to get done. Uh, but if the right spirit drives us, I think we're all going to head in in the right direction. Um, I've enjoyed working with many of the city employees. Too many to name. I'll I'll offend somebody if I start to name names, so I'm not going to do that. And most of all, the people of of Black Rockck and the West End. Um gotten to know many people in ways I never anticipated. Um but it's been fabulous experience. I've enjoyed my time. It's been an honor to serve and uh I I again thank you all for giving me the opportunity to serve and uh I'll be around. So, don't be afraid

to pick up the phone and say hello and um or curse me out, whatever you want to do. Uh [laughter] but it's been a pleasure and uh I wish you all the best, especially those who are coming back and uh thank you. Thank you very much. [applause] All right, Councilman Newton and then Councilman Cruz has the floor. Councilman Newton and then Councilman Cruz. Go ahead, Councilman Newton.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Scott, I want to personally thank you. We did some great work with our committee. We made some changes that has never been done before in the history of this city. And I just wanted to let you know I appreciated you as being the co-chair. We had some rough nights putting budgets together, but um you hung in there and I think we did a good job on bonding stuff. A lot of new changes has really helped this council and it wouldn't have been done without your help, ma'am. So, thank you. Do you have the floor?

Thank you, Madam Chair. And again, uh I wish you the very best, Scott. Uh hopefully one day you know what the handball court is. You know, you want to come and have a workout.

Uh ready to help you in your retirement. Um thank you, Madam Chair. Yes. I uh the reason I asked for a point of personal privilege to be able to some of the members of the audience make the road were not able to have a translator. So I asked them they had one written in English. I'm going to read just two for uh for the record. So this one is here from Frank Cruz. Good evening city council members and community members. My name is Frank Cruz, a leader member of Make the Road Connecticut. Today I am here to ask you to vote in favor of the resolution that we just voted that protects immigrant families in Bridgeport. As a father and provider of my family, I work in different areas in of Connecticut. And every day I go to work with fear and dread of not returning home and leaving my wife and children without a father because ICE could be in any area. Not knowing what they look like because they are always wearing masks or what kind of cars they drive is terrifying. and seeing the news about how they are disappearing, arresting people, destroying families, and leaving children alone in the cities around Bridgeport is even more frightening. I constantly receive calls from friends, family members, and neighbors saying that someone has been detained, immigrant families, and residents of Bridgeport. We want our council members to make the decision to protect and prevent our more families from being separated. We already know that in Bridgeport from January to July 25 people have been detained and five deported and that's not counting those from August until now. Thank you to Councilman George Cruz and the public safety committee for taking the initiative today. I ask the mayor and all the council members to think about the trauma this is causing our children

and families. Many of our families immigrated to seek peace and a better quality of life, not to be persecuted and treated like the worst criminals. Thank you for listening to me. I ask you to vote in favor of the resolution that demands greater transparency and accountability from Department of Homeland Security. And I'm going to read the last one. Thank you, Madam Chair. Uh from Besida Ortiz, Councilman Cruz, are you reading what was just said in public? just translate only two for the record. The respect we're going to have we're going to have it translated in English for the record but also

I would like the other audience let's hear not understand with all due respect madam chair so they could understand what they were not able to understand when they spoke in Spanish. So I appreciate you very much.

My name is Besid Ortiz and I'm a proud member of Make the Road Connecticut. Tonight, I'm here to ask you to vote yes on the resolution that protects immigrant families in Bridgeport. As a mother, I used to love taking my kids to school. It was a beautiful way to connect with my neighbors in my community. But today, fear has taken that joy away from us. Not long ago, a young girl asked me where she could find a job. I was surprised and said, "You can't work right now. School starts next week." with tears in her eyes and in the middle of an anxiety attack, she said, "I'd rather quit school and go to work so my parents can stay home and not get deported. That way, my little brothers and I can still have a family." That completely broke my heart. It breaks my heart, too. A few weeks later, a friend called me and asked if I could pick up him from work. He said ICE was in the area and he was too afraid to take the bus home. No family should have to live with that kind of fear. More than half of the students in our schools come from Hispanic families, many without legal status. These families take their kids to school, go to work, the grocery store, the doctor, and to church, just like everyone else. But what used to be everyday life has now become a source of stress and anxiety. Immigrants are the heart of Bridgeport. We want this city to be a place where families can live, work, and dream without fear. And tonight, you have the opportunity to send a message of hope and unity to by voting yes on this resolution. Thank you, Councilman George Cruz, and the entire city council members and the public safety committee for taking the first step. Now, we ask all of you to continue this path of courage and justice. Want to thank each and everyone for the vote tonight.

Thank you very much. The next person to have the floor will be Councilwoman McBride and then Anita Martinez. You have the floor. Councilwoman McBride.

Oh. Uh, first of all, I would like to say Scott, I'm really going to miss you. I don't have anybody to holler at anymore. [laughter] Okay, I got you. And I I just want to say that uh I when when I found out that Scott was leaving, I said to myself, "Oh, boy." I told Scott, I said, "Sh, I'm I'm going to be praying real hard that you stay." He said, "I think my wife voice is stronger." So, I I [clears throat] I'm going to miss you. And um as far as the resolution is concerned uh I'll fight for anyone that's legal here and I think that we should and and the ones that that need to be uh documented, you know, I encourage I see one of my good friends back there. uh the ones that's uh not documented. I advise you to get documented because some of us that's sitting right here today voted for Trump and he told us what he was going to do, you know, and and I think some of us ignored him and he's doing this. Everybody's going to be affected. I believe even with what's going on now, we're going to be a affected. But I don't believe in standing still and waiting on something to happen to me. We have to prepare. We got to prepare. I will fight for anyone that's right. But I also would encourage one that's not right to get right because uh you know none of none of us know what's going to happen from one day to the next. I'm not sure what the um if the resolution is is is for uh documented uh immigrant that I'm all for it. But if it's not then I I

I have to have some discussion on on what it is. I hadn't read it yet. But we have talked about it. But I like to see it myself. And maybe someone named that's on that uh resolution can tell me are we are we fighting for documents and undocumented? Uh I I need to know that because there no point in putting something band-aid over a uh over over a sore if you don't treat it. you know, we have to make sure that we treat it because let me tell you something and I'm not going to fight uh those people down in Washington DC either. You know, they not bothering me and I'm not going to bother them. However, if someone that started the resolution can tell me what are we voted on tonight? Are we and what we voted on?

Um Mary, what? Councilwoman Lee, we've already voted on the item and it's passed. So, I think Councilman Cruz can give you the update on everything. Wait, I I I I don't hear good out this G. So, you're going to have to talk louder. I'm going to I'm going to acknowledge Councilwoman Martinez and she's going to explain it to you.

Councilwoman and Reverend Lee, we have voted on item number 113-24 already. So, we have passed that item. We [clears throat] the chair requested that anyone that had any uh uh conversations before we second it to address it then. Right now we're addressing our council colleagues who are going to be leaving us and not coming back December 1st. We have passed the resolution. There's nothing else to discuss. We're done with it. It passed. Well, and I tell you what, uh I mean the attitude pass,

but even if you have passed it, I still have a right to say what I got to say. Yeah, you do. But you're being don't you have the right to say what you have to say, but you're This is First of all, you are not my president and you're not my mayor. So that's and I don't want to be the president. Neither do I want to be the mayor. But you're being biased right now. You are being biased. You're being council towards these people that are sitting in the conversation now.

Yes, you are. Yes, you are. Because when you tell somebody No, no, no. Excuse me, Madam Chair. When you tell somebody that they're documented or undocumented, if they're not right, they need to get right. You can't say that to somebody because you don't Martinez. Let me tell you, you walked across the bridge. you not write a book about it. So you have to give them the opportunity to say what they HAVE TO SAY. YOU CAN'T BE RACIST. You cannot do that. You are YOU CAN'T BE RACIST. NO, YOU CAN'T DO THAT. AND I'M NOT GOING to sit here and allow you to do that.

I'm not going to do that. There's no question. There is no question. There is no question. I want to clarify. There is no question. A Marie. Yes. Yes, ma'am. Yes.

We're going to honor Amy Marie Vizio Ponichia for her knowledgeable educational to her council colleagues such as myself. I want to thank you for educating me in the many years that you have served on the council, for continuing to run a miscellaneous matter in a corrected aspect, for fighting for the confidentiality of all that came before us. When you presented to miscellaneous when you were in pain and suffering, you showed up to our meetings. You will truly be missed. I know I will personally miss you. So, thank you for educating me and all the services that you did. Scott Burns, you were a pillar to our council. You maintained the numbers. You maintained our budget at a balanced basis at all times. You constantly gave us advice. I know you gave me advice when I called you. You will be missed. I want to thank you for your services on the council. I have your number. I will continue to call you. Thank you. Councilwoman Tana Moore, you have the floor. Councilwoman Taylor Moore, you have the floor. Your mic is on. Denise, your mic is on.

Well, I I just want to um thank Scott. It was a privilege working with you being that co-chair for them. I just want to thank you. Oh, okay. I'm going start all over again. [laughter]

Scott, it was a privilege working with you being co-chair. the things that we worked together on during the years that we worked on budget. It was really, really hard, but we got through it. We made it through it because we was able to work together, get them numbers right, and move forward with what we needed to do for the city. So, I just want to thank you. It was a privilege, and I honor that time that we shared. and Amy Marie. I've been on miscellaneous with Amy Marie from the time I came on the council. And that was one committee that I never wanted to come off of. I never wanted to because of the simple reason she always knew what was going on, who to call, and she always sat there and she did that job, that committee job with dignity. you know, those who don't like some of the ways that some of us do right now, we need to honor these two people because they walked the walk and they talked it. I just want to say thank you for knowing both of y'all and working with you. Thank you. Thank you, Madam President. I too would like to thank Amy for all the hard work. 30 years is a long time. I'm not you always

22. And I can I can tell you as a person who's invested a lot of time in public service myself, the long hours away from family, missing different kind of events. It takes a lot to be dedicated to the city council and you did it. Um, and you should be commended for wanting to serve as many years as you have. All I can say to you is that I'll be looking for a commission to try to get you on. Have a good one.

Thank you. So, I'm going to ask the council members to please come up to the center so we can present Amy Marie. And I just want to say that um Amy Marie has served this city of Bridgeport 134th District for 22 years. Um she was uh one of my mentors when I first came on the council. I remember when she took me for my first uh dinner at NLC and showed me the ropes at National League of Cities and has represented the city in many many capacities and nationally represented our city very well. um you will be missed your knowledge and your wealth of knowledge and your historic wealth of knowledge as she has been a far committed deep committed member of the budget and appropriations committee. So I want to ask Amy Reed to come down to the center please so we can present her and we'll read off the citations. So, Amy Marie, I want to say thank you very much for your years of service. I know that not all the council is here today, but you are loved and you are cherished and you are appreciated and every vote you took was on the best interest of our community and our city. And you've also been involved with children. So, I know that you you won't stop, but okay, Nona, we'll miss you, Nona.

Thank you. [applause]

And um here's the official citation. As this Bridgeport City Council holds its final meeting of 2025, we say farewell and pay tribute to a friend and a colleague who not well so long for a little while. one who has served with this body, the city and her constituents with distinction and dedication. Honorable council council majority leader Amy Marie Vizopenitia, city council member of the 134th district, a symbol of great character, humility, your unwavering focus has always been on serving this city and improving life for its residents. Your 22 years in office have been extraordinary in legislative achievements, policy advances, and on behalf of the citizens of our city, the embodiment of stability, and procedural integrity. You will be missed by everyone. Best wishes for the future, and God bless you given this third day of November 2025 at city hall by Idy Ne and the entire Bridgeport city council. [applause]

And we have some beautiful flowers for you. You want to say something?

There you go.

Everything is red and black for Central High. What can I say? Ah, class of 76. Almost 50 years next year. Um, good. See? Oh, good baby. Uh, I want to thank everyone for um all their dedication to the city of Bridgeport. My heart is always the city of Bridgeport. I always tell people I live, work, and breathe it. Uh, 22 years on the council, but over 55 years as a continued volunteer. I'm going to take a couple of months off, but I'll be back in some capacity um in many different ways to give back to my city as I've always done and was always taught to do. So, I'm doing that. So, now I'm going to be a full-time grandma, get my house in order, work at my shop, and uh see what I can do for for others. But grandma's grandma's life is calling me, so I have to do that. But I'm always here. Everyone has my number. I'm not retiring, but I'm off for city council. But thank you. Welcome. Get you off. I

Okay, we have one for Scott Burns. As the Bridgeport City Council holds its final meeting for 2025, [cheering] we say thank you and we're proud of you, Scott, for all of the work you have done and especially me because we came on together as freshmans and uh every idea we've come up with, we've been able to pass. So that's that's a high five to me and you. Great work, buddy. Great work, buddy. Um, I just want to say that Scott Burns, Scott Burns is somebody who's very committed. He's a very quiet person and he sits in his seat, but when he gets his fire going and he wants to change something, he really doesn't. He has the tenacity to do it. And um, I know what that meant. And I'm going to miss that very much. And we thank you for your unwavering commitment to public service, good governance, and community development. You have been a role model for all of us, demonstrating exceptional community leadership, advocacy, and constituency services throughout your tenure. Putting the city first, putting the budget first. With heartfelt gratitude, we wish you continued health and success in the future given this third day uh of November 2025 at city hall by IDM council president and the entire city council. And I'll miss you. [applause]

Thank you.

[cheering] And can I get a motion to adjourn? All in favor? All right, we're done. Oh, group picture. Group picture, everybody. Group picture. Sign your report. Sign your reports. We did. We just did.