CITY BUSINESS: Casual Comments in lieu of Public Speaking on March 16, 2026

Allow me to call attention to a notice regarding next Monday’s City Council meeting and

the preceding Public Speaking forum at 6:30 PM for March 16, 2026.

“Due to a lack of quorum, the Bridgeport City Council Meeting to be held on Monday,

March 16, 2026, in the City Council Chambers, 45 Lyon Terrace, Bridgeport,

Connecticut at 7:00 p.m. is hereby CANCELLED.

The Public Speaking forum for March 16, 2026, is also CANCELLED.

ATTEST:

LYDIA N. MARTINEZ

CITY CLERK”

I do not remember such a cancellation except for a Public Holiday and those exceptions

are included in a publication by the City Clerk's office. Any concern about a quorum,

before taking attendance at such meeting, is important. In this case City Clerk Martinez

tells me that an annual conference attended by many Council members and supported

by stipends from taxpayers, will make a quorum at a second March Council meeting

unlikely. She agreed that this is an unusual incident for missing a routine City Council

meeting.

Who will attend the Conference in Washington, DC? What sessions will they attend of

assistance to them in public service and how will they share their learning with us? How

many of them have registered their residence address and signed the Town Clerk

have missed signing the statement of residence, along with most of the BOARD AND

COMMISSION officials, who may not be aware of this responsibility but number more

than one hundred people. The mayor also needs to sign the register annually. He may

wish to consider how word of this Ordinance annual responsibility is communicated to

elected and appointed who become city officials by assigning the duty to one of his

cabinet members.

The revised Charter has also set out a requirement for Boards and Commissions to file

an annual report each calendar year summarizing the work they have accomplished

and plans for the next year. Perhaps the Mayor’s office can communicate that duty in

print?

Time will tell.