Copperas Cove City Council meeting for January 3, 2019

Happy New Year!

Copperas Cove City Council meeting for January 3, 2019

The Agenda

The Council:
Mayor Pro Tem-Dan Yancey- Present
Joann Courtland-Present
Fred Chavez-Present
Jay Manning-Present
Kirby Lack-Present
Marc Payne-Absent (Excused)
Charlie Youngs-Present

     There were only two items for the workshop this evening. Michele Adkins and Robin Smith were recognized for five years of service to the City of Copperas Cove. Congratulations, ladies!

     The council meeting opened up with a moment of silence for our Mayor, who passed away on December 28, 2018. The Interim City Manager and all the members of council gave tributes to him. Frank's viewing is Saturday and Sunday 1-3PM and 6-8PM at Crawford Bowers Copperas Cove. Sunday at 7:30PM is the recitation of the Rosary. Monday is the funeral at 10:00AM, at Holy Family and 12:00 At Central Texas Central Veterans Cemetery.

Mayor Frank Seffrood 1939-2018

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/copperas-cove-tx/frank--seffrood-8102655

Three people spoke during Citizens Forum:

1. James Pierce-WCID action item

2. Jeremy Frew- Fathom issues

3. Dick Young-WCID action item

Consent Agenda:
Approval of prior meeting minutes/ Approval of leave for Mrs Courtland at next council meeting/ Approval for City Manager to submit an application with the TxSSC for the FY19 Tobacco Enforcement Program to enable CCPD to reduce the use and distribution of tobacco products pertaining to minors. - All Passed 6-0

There were two Public Hearings: 

1. Killeen Towing wants a conditional easement for an Impound Yard over by Gym Kix. Being an impound yard, this will not be a long term storage facility for vehicles (or junkyard). Dick Young spoke in favor of it and as company representative. Passed 6-0

2. Amending 2018-2019 city budget. Sometimes projects are started and funding is set aside, but the project may not be completed/closed out the same Fiscal Year that it was started. When that happens, they roll the funding for those projects into the next FY. That's what this was about. No speakers. Passed 6-0

Action items:

H1. Is about bringing in 133 lots on 31.76 acres out of a 55.42 acre tract of land labeled "Heartwood Park". No discussion in council. Passed 6-0

H2. Is about NE Waste Water Plant UV Disinfecting System. There were two qualified to bid, but only one bidder, Xylem Water Solutions USA (WEDECO), to apply for the contract. That bidder did come in under cost. The city reached out to the company that did not bid and was told something along the lines of they were not licensed to work in the state of TX. Mr Manning expressed concern about there being only one bidder. He was only speaker about it. Passed 5-1

H3. The council appointed Kevin Miller to the Housing Authority Board. There were two applicants, but the other applicant did not list any sort of experience or qualifications. Passed 6-0

H4. The council appointed Edith Freyer, Elizabeth Sherman, and Bo Roldan to the KCCB. There were 5 open positions and 3 applicants. The item passed 6-0

H5. The council set March 1 for the council retreat and March 21 for the planning session. It will be held at the council chambers. Passed 6-0

H6. The council supported the proposed Bell County WCID #1 expanded boundaries with no elections by a VOTE of 6-0. The goal is to eliminate the direct representation in favor of councils and organizations selecting representatives. The "optics" of this proposal comes directly after WCID #1 had their first contested election in 24 years. If this passes up to 275,000 people that get their water from WCID #1 would have no elected representative for them only appointees. What that means for Copperas Cove area customers is if the council appoints the representative for us then what happens to the voice of the people that live outside the city limits that use Copperas Cove water system? Their vote is infringed upon. 

H7. Capital Improvement Plan involving the Oak Hill project needing and additional $131,707, increasing the overall funding to $296,707. Funding will be transferred from another project with a large amount of left over dollars. No debate. Passed 6-0

H8. The council gave the ICM approval to sign a contract with L5E for electric supply for city offices at or below .04 cents per kWh. A 72 month contract right now is .0352 per kWh. Passed 6-0

Future agenda items:

Mr Youngs inquired about the Special Election for Mayor. ICM said it would be on the January 15 council agenda.
Mrs Courtland asked to have discussion the Civic Center Fee being reduced for the Refuge Corporation be post-poned to Feb 5th so she can be part of the discussion. - Passed 

James' opinion: Roberts Rules of Order says no debate before a motion is made. This was ignored at least twice tonight (supposed to be enforced by Mayor Pro Tem). In H6, WCID #1 should be expanded but we need to vote for the representative and equal representation. I agree with Mr Manning on H2 about the only one bidder.