Council to continue utility rates discussion tonight, discuss Business 190 median

By LYNETTE SOWELL 
Cove Leader-Press 

Proposed utility rate increases for Copperas Cove customers will be up for discussion again at today’s Copperas Cove city council workshop which starts at 5 p.m. At last Tuesday’s special city council meeting, the council proposed raising rates for the base water rate by 25 cents, from $11.75 to $12, along with increasing the water volumetric rates for both residential and sprinkler meters by 25 cents, from $4.50 to $4.75 per 1,000 gallons used. Solid waste collection rates would bump up by $1, from $17 to $18  per month. 
During its 6 p.m. regular meeting tonight, the council will discuss the Business 190 median project, where it concerns setting a final date for the council to either proceed or cease design on the project. 
At the council’s July 17 meeting, it discussed changes to the design, which could include keeping three lanes in each direction intact, while narrowing proposed sidewalk to six feet on the southbound side, and instead of a mixed-use sidewalk, creating a four-foot bicycle lane on the southbound side as well. 
Those proposed modifications are included with a list of possible future transportation projects within the city, which the council will discuss this evening. The City of Copperas Cove will be submitting projects to the Killeen Temple Metropolitan Planning Organization for inclusion in the area’s Metropolitan Transportation Plan 2045. 
Amendments to the city’s Capital Outlay Plan for fiscal years 2018-2022 and the Capital Outlay Plan for fiscal year 2018 are up for a vote by the council. The amendment concerns projects from the Water and Sewer Fund, where it concerns upgrades to the monitoring system for the city’s water tanks, with two sites per year upgraded over six years. The other project is an increase in the cost to replace the city’s sewer van along with its camera inspection system which has been in place since 1988, at a cost of $200,000 instead of the original quote.
An interlocal agreement between the city and CCISD for policing services is up for renewal this evening, with the total cost to CCISD for two officers at $146,976.
The council will also vote on a resolution for the November 6 general election, along with an ordinance ordering a special election for proposed amendments to the city’s charter. 
The council will receive a quarterly update this evening from the Heart of Texas Defense Alliance on activities. The council will then take a vote on payment for professional services from HOTDA, in an amount up to $11,342.50.
An executive session is on the agenda for this evening, for the council to discuss an economic development project dubbed Project 3-Door.
Also during the 5 p.m. workshop, two city staff will be recognized for their retirement, James Stayton III, Firefighter I with 20 years of service; and Joe Wooten, Wastewater Chief Plant Operator, with 40 years of service. Sgt. Kevin Miller with the Copperas Cove Police Department will be recognized for 10 years of service.
Both the workshop and the meeting will take place at the city’s technology center, located at 508 S. 2nd St. Thirty minutes has been allotted for citizens’ forum at the start of the 6 p.m. meeting.