Bridgeport council approves $15,000 contract for Investigation A and delays decision on $25,000 continuation for Investigation B

The Bridgeport City Council on Aug. 19 approved a contract not to exceed $15,000 with Flannry Georgalis LLC to complete Investigation A and voted to postpone a decision on a proposed $25,000 continuation for Investigation B to a work session next week and a possible executive session.

The $15,000 completion contract for Investigation A (item 7.1) was put on the floor, seconded and carried by roll call; councilors recorded unanimous 'Yes' votes. The clerk recorded the vote as: Councelor Chris Kenny — Yes; Councelor Jyner — Yes; Councelor Clayton Rice — Yes; Councelor Jason Campbell — Yes; Councelor Don Burton — Yes; Reporter Hank Murray — Yes; Mayor Robert Mini — Yes. The council approved the expenditure to finish the first investigation with Flannry Georgalis LLC.

On item 7.2, councilors debated whether to continue with Flannry Georgalis LLC for Investigation B at a proposed cap of $25,000 or to pursue alternatives. A council member urged keeping the current lawyer on Investigation A because it was 'essentially done' but recommended soliciting other firms or asking the county prosecutor to assist on Investigation B to avoid potential perception issues, noting that 'Mr. Ford is the one that brought on that lawyer.' Another council member raised cost concerns, saying the $25,000 figure seemed high and referencing prior spending 'about $75 or $80' on the related work.

Opponents of postponing the item argued against 'changing horses in the middle of the stream,' saying the investigator had a good reputation and continuing would provide more information; one speaker estimated a $25,000 engagement would likely represent roughly a week's work. Council members also discussed whether parts of the follow-up discussion should occur in an open work session or an executive session because personnel and litigation matters may be involved. Dean Ramsey, Weston Jones and John Ashkam were named as expected participants for further briefings.

Council then voted on a verbal amendment to postpone item 7.2 to a work session next week and to hold an executive session for sensitive matters. The clerk recorded the roll call as: Councelor Jacqueline Roger — Yes; Councelor Clayton Rice — Yes; Councelor Jason Campbell — No; Councelor Don Burton — Yes; Reporter Hank Murray — Yes; Mayor Robert Mini — No; Councelor Chris Kenny — No. The chair stated, 'Motion carries.' The amendment therefore passed 4–3 and the council did not at that time authorize the $25,000 continuation with Flannry Georgalis LLC.

Councilors used the closing comments to reiterate a shared commitment to finish the investigations and to express concern about incomplete information and public perceptions; a work session next week was ordered to provide more briefings before any further action. The meeting adjourned after a motion to adjourn carried by voice vote.

Notes: The transcript records the firm name as 'Flannry Georgalis LLC' and that figure amounts and past spending were described in discussion; where participants cited amounts such as 'about $75 or $80' those figures were presented in the meeting as approximate and were not documented in the motion language.