Council to discuss annual bonds, city manager recruiting

By LYNETTE SOWELL
Cove Leader-Press 

The Copperas Cove city council is being asked to approve nearly $10 million in 2018 certificates of obligation bonds for a number of projects during its 6 p.m. meeting this evening. 
Approximately half of the funding is going toward water/sewer fund supported projects, such as the $2.8 million for the Killeen/Cove 20-inch transmission line relocation and a little more than $1.9 million for an elevated storage tank. 
The tax-supported portion of the bonds include projects like funding $1.065 million for the design of the Business 190 median from the intersection of Robert Griffin III Boulevard to the intersection of Avenue D, Parks and Recreation improvements funding of $378,029, $206,000 toward the South F.M. 116 sidewalks along with $416,838 toward The Narrows sidewalk project. The notes have a life of 10 years with the exception of the Solid Waste funded portion of $638,000, to be repaid over seven years. 
The subject of two requests for qualifications are on the agenda, with the council set to review two RFQ received by the city from recruiting firms CPS HR Consulting and Springsted Waters. Both firms submitted proposals to conduct a search for a new city manager.
Two public hearings are on the agenda this evening, to include an ordinance to rezone a 0.43-acre tract of land located at 956 W. Bus. 190 from R-1 (Single-Family Residential District) to B-4 (General Retail District), to allow the development of a retail printing business. The second hearing is related to an amendment to the city’s Subdivision ordinance, by adding two appendices, Appendix F Design Standards and Specifications and Appendix G Standard Detail Drawings.
Two local businesses, Kletus Rack Room and Yong’s Oriental Market and Korean Grill in Cove Terrace Shopping Center, have applied for variances to the city’s code where the sales of alcoholic beverages near a church is concerned. Both are within 300 feet of Christian Freedom Ministries, also in the shopping center. 
An executive session is on the agenda for the city council this evening, to discuss with the city attorney Cause No. DC-15-43731, (Kempner Water Supply Corporation vs. City of Copperas Cove, Texas). The council is also meeting in executive session to discuss a complaint against Place 6 councilman Marc Payne. 
During the 5 p.m. workshop, the council will receive an update on Utility Administration services to include contract services through Fathom Water Systems. 
The workshop and meeting will take place at the city’s Technology Center, located at 508 S. 2nd St.