Council to hear update, discuss Business 190 median project tonight

By LYNETTE SOWELL 
Cove Leader-Press 

The proposed first phase of the Business 190 median and sidewalk project is on the agenda for tonight’s 6 p.m. meeting of the Copperas Cove city council. 
At the council’s July 3 meeting, place 2 councilman James Pierce Jr. requested to have the matter of deciding the fate of first phase of the project be placed on the agenda for this evening’s meeting, which was supported by several other council members.
However, according to the agenda information for tonight’s meeting, Pierce followed up via email after that meeting to request that taking action on the matter be postponed to August 7, with councilmembers David Morris and Kirby Lack also requesting to have the action item postponed until August 7. 
Four proposed amendments to the city charter are up for discussion and direction this evening. Among the changes include the mayor being considered a voting member of the council, and a quorum for conducting business to be five members, and for five majority votes to be the deciding number of votes by the council. There is also a proposal to increase council members’ compensation to $75 per meeting for the mayor and $50 per council member, and that the city council be responsible for appointing the position of city secretary. Another measure concerns the forfeiting of a council member or mayor’s office. All amendments would go before Copperas Cove voters at the November election. 
An executive session regarding a settlement between the City of Copperas Cove and Kempner Water Supply Corporation is on the agenda, along with a resolution regarding the settlement. 
The council also has an executive session agenda item this evening to discuss information regarding an economic development project called “ED 2018-1 Project 3-Door.”
There was a 5 p.m. workshop scehduled, but was canceled late yesterday afternoon. 
The meeting will take place at the city’s Technology Center located at 508 S. 2nd St. with a time of citizens’ forum at the beginning of the 6 p.m. regular meeting.