The organizational meeting of the newly empaneled Charter Revision Commission will take place Friday (tonight) at 6 in City Hall, 45 Lyon Terrace. First order of business will be selection of a chair.
For the first time in decades, the charter commission has an opportunity to take a holistic look at the document that governs municipal rules and regulations.
The City Council approved a 13-member panel that will take the next several months to review and make charter revision recommendations for changes that presumably will be presented to voters to decide in the November general election.
It’s still unclear the size and scope of the charter review.
Reduce the size of the City Council?
A paid City Council?
President of the City Council chairing meetings rather than the mayor?
Civil Service classifications?
The commission must present a draft report to the City Council by June 16. A public hearing will follow prior to the council issuing comments back to the commission in preparation of a final report. The council will decide if questions are broken out separately or contained as a package with one question for voters to decide.
See resolution below approved by the City Council.
RESOLUTION
Concerning the Establishment and Appointment
of a Charter Revision Commission
for the City of Bridgeport
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
Whereas, pursuant to the provisions of C.G.S. § 7-188 (b) at its meeting on January 21, 2025 the City Council of the City of Bridgeport voted to initiate action to amend the Charter of the City of Bridgeport; and
Whereas, the City Council seeks to establish and appoint a Charter Revision Commission in accordance with the provisions of C.G.S. § 7-190.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Bridgeport that:
- Pursuant to C.G.S. § 7-190 (a) the following thirteen (13) members are appointed to serve as members of the Charter Revision Commission:
| Aishah Wright Abdullah (D) | John Hosier (U) |
| Kim Eaton (D) | Kelly Nims (D) |
| Thomas Gaudett (D) | Terri Williams (U) |
| Joe Larcheveque (R) | Steve McKenzie (R) |
| Moises Gonzalez (R) | Faith Sweeney (D) |
| Susan Martin (D) | John Marshall Lee (D) |
| Daee McKnight (U) |
- Pursuant to C.G.S. § 7-190 (b), the Charter Revision Commission appointed herein, shall consider, among other items which may arise during the public hearings and Charter revision process:
- Proposals to modernize and improve the City Council as the City’s legislative body including, but not limited to, potential compensation for Council members, the composition of the body, and powers of the City Council President over the Office of Legislative Services; and,
- Proposals to modernize and improve the City’s civil service provisions; and,
- Proposals to update and modernize the City’s Boards and Commissions including, but not limited to, their composition and terms of office; and,
- Proposals to comprehensively update and modernize the language of the City Charter generally including, but not limited to, integrating inclusive and gender-affirming language, correcting syntax and other grammatical issues, clarifying poor internal references, eliminating references that are not no longer applicable to modern government, and updating language to be consistent with state statutes.
- Pursuant to G.S. § 7-190 (b), the Charter Revision Commission shall submit its draft report no later than June 16, 2025 in order to assure that the final report, proposed charter, and questions will be submitted in order to be considered at referendum in the general election of 2025.
- Pursuant to C.G.S. § 7-190 (c), the Charter Revision Commission shall terminate upon acceptance or rejection of its final report by the City Council.
I suggest that the Commission set up a website to post progress and solicit suggestions comments from the public… (There should be a Charter Commission “blog,” if you will.)
Ditto, Jeff.
These were brief observations I offered in print for the fellow Committee members last evening. Eleven of the thirteen were present at the two hour meeting where a committee chair, Faith Sweeney, vice-chair, John Hosier, and Secretary, Rev Terry Williams were elected. Many members of the City Council were present from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM for the initial meeting. A draft report is due from the group by June 16, 2025.
Comments on City of Bridgeport – Charter Review Process
As we gather for our first meeting, I am pleased to meet each of you, as a fellow Bridgeport resident and citizen who believes that as Americans, we have duties as well as rights. A City Charter is a way of structuring the ‘public power’ of each citizen to ensure safety of person, the security of property and a promise of opportunity to future generations .
The combined power of each informed and capable adult citizen resides in leadership from a Mayor; legislation and representation from 20 City Council members, an assortment of other officials for whom we currently vote (without perhaps understanding why); and broader public opinions that we may not inform nor educate as an important part of the “power pyramid”. Open, accountable, transparent, and honest values must show.
I am a thinker on subjects that are likely called ‘politics’ but which I reference as ‘governance.’ After reflecting on the rules of law, observations on what may be missing in the operation of our community, I have regularly addressed the City Council in Public Speaking sessions, with comments published in City archives.
In my opinion, our Executive branch has adequate “power” to do the things expected of it, but perhaps too little organization and structure to fully accomplish them well.
The City Council has far less budget, voter support, and framework relative to its current structure than the Executive branch and oversight without enforcement power, creates ongoing power vacuums.
Public opinion force has diminished through the years. Polarization of people from Internet popularity rather than professional journalism and media leaves too many ill-informed as to facts, data trends, or professional opinion. How do we heal the interests of public opinion such that registered voters trust officials, become better informed, and vote at each opportunity so that all of us know in aggregate what each of us has come to know and trust? Do we have enough time for an independent review and report by June 16? I do not know but I believe that TIME WILL TELL as it always does. John Marshall Lee 2/28/2025