City's $1.6 Million Mother Nature-Provided Issue Takes Step Toward Fix to Stabilize Key Roadway, Hillside
By Jeff Toquinto on February 13, 2024
The Bridgeport City Council signed off on a resolution that will set the stage for a FEMA Hazard Mitigation grant of just over $1.6 million to be applied for with the city manager’s signature.
The action by Council, the only formal action taken during the regular session of the meeting, came after a 15-minute presentation by Bridgeport Emergency Services Director Tim Curry breaking down the critical need to have the grant in place if needed in a work session. The city would be responsible for slightly more than $400,000 of the grant, which is the 25 percent match FEMA requires.
What would the grant be used for?
Curry showed Council pictures of a slip that stretches from the top of Thompson Drive all the way to the area behind Ollie’s at the Home Depot Plaza. The slide took place during the August 29 flooding when the city saw an almost unheard of 2.4 inches of rain in 20 minutes, Curry said. The flooding led to a recent disaster declaration by FEMA.
The good news? According to Interim City Manager Mark Rogers there has been no further slipping in the area since the August rain event. The bad news? There is no guarantee that the portion of Thompson Drive in question will not see more slipping, along with the businesses in the area below at the Home Depot Plaza seeing further damage from the entire slip area with a significant rain event.
“This fix will address the issue,” said Rogers. “We’ve had some substantial rain events since August, and it’s been stable, but you have to get that fixed. In the interim, the city has done a few things to mitigate the issue.”
Because of that Curry asked for Council to move ahead with the grant application with the city potentially footing a price tag of $400,000 to make what would likely be a “permanent” fix. The money would come from the city Capital Improvement budget.
The reason the city may be “potentially” footing the bill is that Curry said FEMA might end up allowing for public assistance under the recent disaster declaration. Public assistance allows government entities to apply for federal funds. If that happens the city would be eligible to apply for funding in that manner. Curry felt FEMA will allow for public assistance since it is already allowing individual assistance (for residents and businesses)
“Best to have all of your ducks in a row with a couple of options instead of relying on the federal government,” said Curry.
There is also the possibility that FEMA will not grant public assistance or approve the mitigation grant application if that happens. If so, the city could be stuck paying the entire $1.6 million unless it opts to go a cheaper route. Curry does not recommend that.
“There are cheaper ways to do this, but the fix may last five to 10 years,” said Curry.
Curry said the city turned the claim over their insurance company. However, it was denied as the insurance company declared it "an act of God," said Curry.
After the presentation during the work session and action on the grant during the regular session, Council did as was expected and went 
into executive session. The city’s governing body talked about advance construction planning regarding Bridgeport Parks and Recreation with P&R Director Joe Shuttleworth.
into executive session. The city’s governing body talked about advance construction planning regarding Bridgeport Parks and Recreation with P&R Director Joe Shuttleworth.
The other item involved discussion of who will be the next city manager. Council members recently received a list of qualified applicants and their applications for the job. On Feb. 5, a special meeting was held – also in executive session – to discuss the position.
There is no timetable for the hiring. Until a new city manager is brought on board, Rogers will remain in the interim role.
While there were no other items, their public forum was taken advantage of. Ryck Morales, a public affairs specialist for the Smal Business Administration’s Office of Disaster Recovery addressed Council.
Morales talked about what it available to residents of Bridgeport through the SBA as a result of the same August flooding. He asked for those who were homeowners or renters, and other groups, including businesses, to file an application with the SBA for loan assistance on damage that occurred during the flood.
The SBA and FEMA are currently staffing the Disaster Relief Center located in the Harrison County Courthouse. Read about the Center HERE.
Editor's Note: Top photo shows Tim Curry during his work session presentation, while Council members, from left, Harry M. Murray, Don Burton, and Jason Campbell, along with Mark Rogers, listen to Curry's discussion. Bottom photo shows Ryck Morales talking with Mayor Andy Lang.
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