City council to vote on fate of Business 190 median project

By LYNETTE SOWELL
Cove Leader-Press 

The Copperas Cove city council will decide tonight at its 6 p.m. meeting whether or not to continue forward with phase 1 of the Business 190 median project. 
A resolution has been given to the council that, if approved, the project which is still in the design phase will continue. 
The council previously approved the submission of an alternative plan for the project that would keep six lanes of traffic and still install bicycle lanes and sidewalks. The alternative is presently included in a public comment period for amendments to the regional 2019-2022 Transportation Improvement Plan with the Killeen-Temple Metropolitan Planning Organization, with that comment period concluding on Saturday, Oct. 6. 
Another item on the agenda for tonight’s meeting is an amendment to the professional services agreement with BSP Engineers for design of the Business 190 median. The amendment would approve $72,000 for the project modification for the alternate changes as noted previously. According to the agenda item, there are sufficient funds in the design budget, with the original PSA amount of $721,963 out of a total of $1,000,000 in certificate of obligation bonds already approved by the council. 
Two ordinances that would amend the city’s Personnel Improvement Plan for fiscal years 2019-2023 and the position listing for fiscal year 2018-2019 are being presented to the council this evening. The amendments include adding jailer job duties for the communication supervisor and for six communications operators at the Copperas Cove Police department. Changes in the Solid Waste Department include reclassifying the Recycling Superintendent position to that of a recycling supervisor, and creating a new part-time standalone position for the executive director of Keep Copperas Cove Beautiful commission.
A professional services agreement with MRB Group for the design of the Rattlesnake elevated storage tank project that is part of the fiscal year 2018 capital improvement projects is also up for approval, with a lump-sum cost of $198,000. 
The council also has an executive session on the agenda this evening, to discuss an economic development incentive for a business prospect referenced as #ED-2018-1 Project 3-Door, and will also discuss personnel matters to include the interim city manager. 
During the workshop set to begin at 5:30 p.m. employee service awards for the month of October will be presented, along with proclamations for Crime Prevention Month and Fire Prevention Week. 
Both meetings will take place at the city’s Technology Center, located at 508 S. 2nd St.