City council approves changes to hotel occupancy tax policy

By LYNETTE SOWELL

Cove Leader-Press

 

The Copperas Cove city council made quick work of a smaller agenda during Tuesday night’s meeting, giving approval to a bid for the Southwest Water Improvements Phase 1, an asphalt overlay for Weeping Willow Lane, and the west side monument sign. Bids for the water improvement project phase 1 along with the Weeping Willow Lane asphalt project was awarded to Wolff Construction in at $1,199,719 and $44,408.52, respectively. The southwest water improvement project phase 1 includes installing approximately 8,100 linear feet of 16” waterline, appurtenances, pavement repair and re-vegetation, along with bores under U.S. Highway 190 and FM 2657, and the installation of approximately 575 linear feet of LF of 12” gravity wastewater collection line, manholes, pavement repair, and re-vegetation. The west side monument sign project bid in the amount of $67,090 was awarded to TTG Utilities, who was the lowest bidder willing to work on the west end monumentmunity out,” Dery said. project only. Also during the meeting, Patricia Thomas and Virginia Flakes were reappointed and appointed to the Housing Authority Board, respectively; Brandon Parton and DeAdrian Malone were appointed to the Youth Advisory Council, and Ronnie Viss and Barbara Gividen were reappointed to the Cemetery Advisory Board. The council also approved an ordinance amending the city’s Hotel Occupancy Tax policy. These amendments include proposed changes such as revised application for funding, along with requiring entities requesting funding to attend annual training during the budgeting process, as well as reporting quarterly on activities. The marketing plan has also been changed to a narrative document from a financial document. The department of Public Works is also getting a new heavy duty dump truck for the water distribution department to replacea 1996 dump truck. The purchase is being funded with a combination of budgeted funds of $70,000, along with funds for other budgeted equipment replacement that will not be replaced, with a total amount of $92,068 for the truck along with an additional $13,540 for a dump body. While councilmen George Duncan commended the department on keeping a nearly 20-year old dump truck up and running for so long, he wondered if the city could save the expense on purchasing a new dump truck by contracting the work out. “Not at 2 a.m.,” said city manager Andrea Gardner. Public Works director Daryl Uptmore said his department uses the truck during times when they need to haul off excavated materials when performing street work. The truck is subject to use any time of the day or night, should the need arise such as during a broken water main or other times of emergency. The council also declared some cityowned personal property as surplus, so it can be disposed of via donation, recycled or destroyed. City secretary Mariela Altott said the surplus items are items the city can no longer use from the old city hall. During the preceding workshop, the council received a presentation on the city’s most recent update on its Facilities Master Plan, including updates on leased property by the city. Councilman Duncan asked about the leased property for Cove House, which lease is up at the end of December 2015. He wondered if the nonprofit might purchase the property, thus putting the property back on the city’s tax rolls. Cove House leases 104, 106 and 108 Halstead Ave. along with 706 and 708 N. Main St. at a cost of $1 per year for each lease. The city also leases properties to Hill Country Community Action Association/ Head Start, Star Group – Veterans Helping Veterans, Cove Saddle Club, and Central Texas Armed Services YMCA. Also at the workshop, employees were recognized for their years of service to the city to include Bardell Gilliard, Wastewater Operator II, 5 years; Douglas Hunter Jr., Patrol Officer, 5 years; Hope Torres, Patrol Officer, 5 years; Damon Randolph, Patrol Officer, 10 years; Richard Williams, Communications Operator, 15 years; James Mullen, Street/Drainage Superintendent, 15 years; Michael Fleming, Deputy Fire Chief/ Fire Marshal, 30 years. Departing Keep Copperas Cove Beautiful board member Bob Hill was recognized for his 5 years of service. The new Rabbit Fest royalty were also recognized for their first quarter of service to the community, during which they have already accumulated nearly 1,000 hours of service, with members of the royalty receiving the Bronze Presidential Volunteer Service Award. Leader-Press publisher David Morris presented a check to the Copperas Cove Parks and Recreation department on behalf of the sports banner project, that raised $1,905 from 11 Copperas Cove businesses for the youth football program. A few months ago you changed an ordnance that restricted banners in our city and opened the door to a partnership with the Leader-Press,” Morris told the council. “Today we reap the rewards of that change.” The Leader-Press initiatives offers four sponsorship levels for business who wish to support the youth sports year round. Youth flag football coverage can be found on page 6B. Inaugural sponsors include: Able’s Top Hat Chimney Sweeps, Air Care and Dryer vent cleaning, Cove American Little League, First Texas Bank, HEB Plus!, Hot Vapes, Mattress and More, The Preferred Plaza, Shawn Camp’s Progressive Insurance, Shear Perfection, Trinity Worship Center and Stepping Stones Childcare along with Western Insurance.