Copperas Cove city council to hear presentation on Animal Shelter project

By BRITTANY FHOLER

Cove Leader-Press

The city council will discuss the proposed Animal Shelter project during its workshop meeting on Tuesday, with a presentation by Deputy Police Chief Brian Wyers, who oversees Animal Control. 

The workshop meeting will begin at 5 p.m., while the regular meeting is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m., or 10 minutes after the workshop meeting concludes. 

The city will also recognize several employees for their years of service to the city with the April 2021 Employee Service Awards. Richard Williams, Keith Downes, Raymond Barber, Velia Key, Becky Burns and Kevin Keller will be recognized for their years of service. 

Keep Copperas Cove Beautiful will also be presenting an award to The Mission Continues during the workshop meeting. 

Limited in-person attendance will be permitted in the Council Chambers, 508 S. 2nd Street, subject to social distancing and face coverings requirements as established by the City of Copperas Cove. The public may also participate in these meetings by dialing the toll-free number, (888) 475-4499, using meeting ID: 986 602 9818, and passcode: 2545474221. The public will be permitted to offer public comments telephonically as provided by the agendas and as permitted by the presiding officer during the meetings. Written questions or comments may be submitted up to two hours before the meetings via email to Lisa Wilson, City Secretary, at lwilson@copperascovetx.gov.

The public may also view the meetings live on the Gov’t Access Channel – Spectrum Ch. 10, as well as on the city’s YouTube Channel at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIHkZ_Fwq-Y0iRkNU1-fM8w.

The Copperas Cove City Council will take action on amending the city’s Personnel Improvement Plan and the Capital Outlay Plan for fiscal years 2021-2025 during their regular meeting at 6 p.m. The amendment to the PIP and fiscal year 2020-21 Position Listing includes a reclassification of several positions in the General Fund and Water and Sewer Fund. The changes in the General Fund include removing the City Engineer position and continuing the use of an engineering consulting firm for all city engineering services and needs. Changes in the Building and Development Department include a title change from the current Senior Inspector to a Senior Building Inspector to provide consistency with the other building inspector positions in the department. 

Proposed changes in the Water and Sewer Fund include a reclassification of the Senior Customer Service Representative to a Billing Technician position. The department currently has one Billing Technician responsible for 14,000 accounts with seven billing cycles. This position also monitors and approves adjustments on accounts. 

The proposed amendment to the COP for fiscal years 2021-2025 includes the purchase of a skid-steer loader for the Street Department, for $42,000 using savings of identified in the 2020 Certificates of Obligation to cover the expense. 

The proposed amendment also includes the purchase of a light duty truck for the Sewer Department, for $35,000 using savings identified in the 2020 Certificates of Obligation will be utilized to cover the expense.

Proposed changes in the Solid Waste Fund include the purchase of a brush truck for the Residential Operations-Brush Department, for $146,545, using savings identified in the 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2020 Certificates of Obligation.  

The city council will also hear a presentation of the Boys and Girls Club of Copperas Cove for expenses related to the club’s operations and take action on authorizing payment for eligible expenses. The Boys and Girls Club of Copperas Cove is requesting $15,000, which is the total amount allocated in this year’s fiscal year budget for the club. 

The city council will also take action on whether to authorize the City Manager to execute a professional services agreement with Mitchell & Associates, Inc. for the design and construction-phase services for the Hardeman Street and MLK Boulevard Drainage Improvements project. 

The council will also take action on a resolution to suspend the effective date proposed by Atmos Energy Corporation - MidTex Division (“Atmos Energy”), to increase rates under the Gas Reliability Infrastructure Program for 45 days and authorize the city’s continued participation in a coalition of cities known as the “Atmos Texas Municipalities”. 

The city council will also hold an executive session to consult with the city attorney on legal issues relating to the Five Hills Scholarship Pageant Program, to deliberate the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property for cell tower site number 374490 located at 1203 Craig, and will also deliberate regarding the property located 401 N. Main St.