The Bridgeport City Council met in regular session on June 14 where the council discussed the transition of trash pick-up within the city.
Atkins Sanitation was the previous pick-up provider as was approved by the council last year. Atkins, however, has sold out to Republic Services, who has now taken over the service in Bridgeport.
Bridgeport Mayor Tyler Griffin said that he anticipated trash pick-ups would be caught up by the end of the week and that Republic is working on city-wide clean-up projects as well.
“In the city’s eyes it has been a good transition,” said Griffin. “Republic has a lot on its hands because of the transition and city-wide clean-up being at the same time.”
Griffin is also reminding residents that trash pick-up day has now been moved to Fridays for all customers within city limits. All commercial pick-up dates remain the same.
Griffin said it had been a lot for Republic to take over and they are still learning the routes.
The council also discussed its continuing problem of animals running loose in residential neighborhoods including several aggressive dogs. 
“A couple of months ago we purchased a net gun for our chief of police Danny Ash,” said Griffin. “He’s been using the gun and caught a couple of dogs now.”
Griffin added that traps are also being used to catch small animals such as racoons, opossums and cats.
Bridgeport Police Chief Danny Ash said that the city is working to alleviate the problem and a more aggressive approach to the city’s animal control ordinances will be utilized in the future.
The first step is to talk to the animal’s owner about controlling and restraining the animal. If no action is taken, further consequences will be dealt with.
Griffin said that stray animals are taken to the pound in hopes that someone will come and take care of them. If the owners are known, they are contacted before the animal moves to the county pound.
“We know that sometimes they get loose, animals just run out,” said Griffin. “We are just trying to take care of those problems for our residents.”
Bridgeport residents are advised to keep their animals on leashes or in fenced in back yards for the safety off all who live in the city.
Griffin also said that the city’s attorney, Mike Neal, has been contacted about tearing down houses in the city that have been abandoned and are caving in.
“We have several properties that have been bought by out of town buyers who are looking to flip a home for a quick profit,” said Griffin. “Unfortunately sometimes they find out they have nothing to work with and leave the property abandoned.”
Police chief Ash has been in contact with Sumner Police Chief Travis Trainer who is offering advice on how the city of Sumner deals with these issues.
“Their process seems like an easier route to do,” said Griffin. “Everything is still done by the books, its just a different route. We can get the properties quicker and get them cleaned up quicker.”
Griffin said several letters had been sent out as the first step in the process. After a 30-day waiting period, the city is allowed to take action on the property. 
The city of Bridgeport has the equipment to tear down houses so no outside firm is hired for the process. Once the properties are cleaned up, the city will sell the land.
In other business:
• The old bandstand at Lanterman Park has been torn down and the project is now complete. The city hopes to put something up in place of the bandstand in the future.
• Aperion Care of Bridgeport is holding a Community Fireworks Show on Friday, July 1. Food and activities including shaved ice and balloon art will begin at 6 p.m. at the LeAnn Westall Softball Field. The fireworks show will begin at approximately 8:30 p.m.
The next meeting of the Bridgeport City Council is set for Tuesday, July 12 at 7 p.m. in Bridgeport City Hall.