Copperas Cove city council to vote on agreement for park restroom project

By BRITTANY FHOLER
Cove Leader-Press

The Copperas Cove city council will take action on an agreement for the design and build of the city parks restroom project during its regular meeting this evening. 
The council will decide whether to approve an agreement with G. Hyatt Construction for the design/build project. RFQ submissions were due in February 2021, and the city received submissions from HCS Inc., G. Hyatt Construction Inc. and Hill and Wilkerson Construction. 
The council will also take action on a professional services agreement with Walker Partners, LLC, for the design and construction-phase services for the Veterans Avenue Sidewalk Improvement Project.  The project involves reconstruction of the sidewalk and the installation of handicap ramps along the north side of Veterans Avenue from South 5th Street to South 31st Street. The project will provide continuous sidewalk access and will be ADA compliant. 
The council will also take action to appoint four members to the Library Advisory Board. Currently, three members’ terms have expired and a fourth has resigned, leaving positions 1, 2, 4, and 5 vacant. Six applications have been received for these positions.  
The council will also take action on an ordinance amending the city’s Fee Schedule, with several changes including revising fees under Building and Development such as increasing the Reinspection Fee from $50 to $60 and decreasing the fee for Contractor Registration from $110 to $85 and increasing the fee for above ground pool permit fees from $20 to $50 and in ground pool permit fees from $30 to $200.
The fee changes also include a revision to Utilities regarding unauthorized service, with the change adding “When meter is turned on or off by anyone other than water department personnel or when account service is not established or transferred to a new resident who is responsible for City utilities within thirty (30) days of the purchase or leasing of the residence)” and changing the fee from $100.00 to $100.00, plus any fees associated with water meter equipment that is damaged by customer. 
New fees for customer-damaged equipment include $50 for water meter antenna, $250 for water meter MXU, $100 for water meter curb stop and $450 for a water meter. 
The fee schedule also includes a new fee for Solid Waste for overloaded dumpster/containers of $10. 
The city council is also being presented with a resolution finding that Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC’s application for approval to amend its distribution cost recovery factor to increase distribution rates within the city should be denied, authorizing participation with Oncor Cities Steering Committee; authorizing the hiring of legal counsel and consulting services; and finding that the city’s reasonable rate case expenses shall be reimbursed. 
The council will hear from the city manager regarding the After Action Review from the emergency management response to Winter Storm Uri in February 2021. 
During the workshop meeting, the city will recognize two employees, patrol officer Codi Nunez and firefighter Robert Woods III, for their years of service to the city. 
Mayor Bradi Diaz will also read aloud proclamations for Police Week and Peace Officers’ Memorial Day, Storm Water Pollution Awareness Week and Motorcycle Awareness Month during the workshop. 
The council will also hear a presentation and update on the iChoosr/Texas Power Switch program, which the city joined last year. The Texas Power Switch program is available to any Texas household located in a deregulated service area and provides an opportunity for residents to participate in a reverse auction, where electricity providers compete to try to offer the lowest rate to residents. 
The council will also have a discussion and provide direction on scheduling budget workshop dates for the FY 2021-2022 Budget. 
The workshop meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m., and the regular council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. or 10 minutes after the workshop meeting adjourns. 
Limited in-person attendance will be permitted in the Council Chambers, at 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 meeting will also be broadcast 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.