The March Forward For Copperas Cove Utilities

The March Forward For Copperas Cove Utilities

The Council:
Mayor Diaz-Present
Joann Courtland-Present
Fred Chavez-Present
Dan Yancey-Present
Jay Manning-Present
Dianne Campbell-Present
Marc Payne-Present
Jack Smith-Present

Watch>>> City Council Video <<<Watch 

Good evening, Copperas Cove. In case you didn't know or was getting ready for Thanksgiving, there was a Special Council Meeting this evening at the council chambers. There were no votes taken but the council came to a consensus to everything the City Manager asked them.

The first thing the City Manager told everyone was that Fathom will stay live until December 9 and possibly December 17. This means that you will still receive a bill that must be paid and you can still pay online if you wish. This was confirmed today!

There will be new Customer Service Representatives starting as early as next week.

On Friday at the Town Hall, the City Manager said that Core & Main could maintain our meter and reading system for an estimated $30,000 for a 36 month maintenance agreement but the actual price is $27,843.75. This includes all maintenance to the modems and repeaters and everything that collects our data from the water meters. This is a very good deal. A new modem that fails or is life-cycled can cost $16,000 each.

The software option:
Incode and Starnik are the two options being discussed. In Texas, there is the Competitive Sealed Bid Process for projects. It was disclosed to us during the meeting that Incode is part of the CSBP but Starnik is not part of it. Since this constitutes an emergency, the council decided on Incode and allowed the City Manager to enter into negotiations with Incode. The company would integrate easily with Copperas Cove and it's financial systems. No cost were discussed this evening about Incode. Using Incode would allow the CIS and Billing to work together in which they must.

Portal:
Watersmart was discussed with the council this evening. Fathom used them for the online portal, so we are already familiar with them. In fact they contacted the city and offered their service free of charge on an interim basis. This would allow us to maintain our portal on a static basis after Fathom goes dark. This would mean you account page would stay up but not updated and allow you still to make online payments. The annual fee to use them on an permanent basis is $2 per account per years with unlimited notifications. There was consensus for this also.

Payments:
There is a drop box in Suite B Utility Department. The city is also working with CCPD to place a drop box there for payments.
There maybe the option of online payments through the Watersmart portal.

Office Update:
The Suite B remodel will cost less than $10,000 and should be ready by December 1. The city is presently working the phones issue and parking solutions.

The 305 S Main St building will take several months and will be a Sealed Bid Project.

Here are the slides from this evening:

The Town Hall about Utility Admin and no Pitchforks

The Town Hall about Utility Admin and no Pitchforks

The Council:
Mayor Diaz- Present
Joann Courtland- Present
Fred Chavez- Present
Dan Yancey- Present
Jay Manning- Present
Dianne Campbell- Present
Marc Payne- Present
Jack Smith- Present

Watch>>> Town Hall Video <<<Watch

Good evening, Copperas Cove! If you were not available to be at the Civic Center for the Town Hall about Fathom, we have you covered. This is a very important video to watch because it will answer many of your questions. There will also be a Special Council meeting this coming Tuesday evening at 5pm, at the council chambers.

Recent history of water service:
2015 was last full year of in house water service in Copperas Cove
2016, Fathom appears to the council in April and passed in May
2017 Fathom goes live with lots of transition issues
2019, on Saturday November 9, Fathom notifies city that they are going out of business.

The Fathom contract:
They city was unable to leave the contract because of how it was written
It was reviewed by bond attorneys as per the law. The city didn't know that the bond attorney only looked at the debt bond issue and not the contract. City lawyers were not used. Lesson learned!
Fathom's biggest problem was customer service.

The future:
The city is requesting the addition of several employees.
The new total would be 1 supervisor, 6 CSR, 4 meter readers, 1 Finance person.
We own all the equipment but not the reading software ($30,000)

Locations:
Current location is at Suite B and will be expanded to include Suite A at a cost of about $10,000.
Old Utility Admin building will require a new roof, floor, asbestos abatement, and a bathroom. It will more than a couple months to be ready.
Please be nice to the staff!

Payments:
TURN OFF AUTOPAY NOW!
No ACH
No online payments
Online payments will stop on November 30
The local phone number will be released next week.
City departments may soon be able to accept utility payments
The city is considering the use of kiosk and secure drop boxes
The new PO Box has been announced. PO Box 1419, Copperas Cove, TX 76522

Software needs:
Customer information system- database
Online portal-online account for customers
Work order system
Payment processor
Bill printer/mailer

Software options:
Fathom-OUT OF BUSINESS
Vertex One- Will not Consider
AUS- used by Fathom and will not consider
Incode- was used by the city before Fathom
Starnik- Company ready to go but has questions about it

Information:
There are 14,238 water accounts up 2,500 from 2015
There will no interruption in water service
Please be honest with your payments
All payments will go to city utility funds
The city retains all account deposits
Turn off AUTO pay
Fathom is not bankrupt

After Fathom Special Council Meeting

After Fathom Special Council Meeting

The Council:
Mayor Diaz-Present
Joann Courtland-Present
Fred Chavez-Present
Dan Yancey-Present
Jay Manning-Present
Dianne Campbell-Present
Marc Payne-Present
Jack Smith-Present

Editorial by Cayla Siddiqui. As we all prepare for Thanksgiving, families and friends coming in to our fine city. We all hope for sunny, bright, and warm holiday. But as we know it, we have a plague that has rested upon our wonderful town. Making our city dark, stormy, and gloomy. Thinking that our holidays would continue to be dark and gloomy, Santa had brought us an early Christmas miracle. Fathom is leaving us! Joyous news. But now raises the question, “Who to pay our water bills to?”.

 That over the last week the city manager’s office has been talking with Fathom since they emailed the city up till an hour before the special city meeting. Trying to work out a solution. They have recommended a company to us. So, now that raises the next question “Do we go with the recommended company or go back to in-house again?”.

Well today was the day if citizens would light their torches and grab their pitchfork and storm city hall, and take back the city.  Luckily, for us the city government heard and felt our angry and grievances (and for everyone sanity) they had unanimously voted to go back in-house. That’s right the city government listened to the people! Christmas did come early this year. So, put away the pitchforks and dose the torches beside they are against city ordinance.

Since we are now going back to being in house, that leaves us with a very big problem. “Where will the water department be at? Do we have enough staff for it?  Who will maintain the meters? How do we make the payments? What software will we be using?” Editorial by Cayla Siddiqui

Watch >>Special Council-Fathom Video <<Watch

Here is a summary of today's Special Council Meeting:

The city spoke with Fathom for at least an hour before the meeting and a decision must be made. A transition like this takes at least a year and the city has only a few days.

From Scott Osburn... NEEDS

Personnel                                              Current               Proposed
Supervisor Utility Admin                          1                          1
Customer Service Rep (CSR)                    3                          6
Senior Meter Reader                                  1                          1
Meter/Service Technician                           3                          3
Billing Technician                                      0                          1

Total                                                           8                          12

Budget Cost                                       $315,622                  $466,984
Difference of $141,362

Information Systems Department.... NEEDS
Stand Up CSR
Must have phones and computers for customer service

CM says we will have better customer service and will bring on temporaries to help out with calls.

Locations...
Recommend converted automated kiosk at drive thru window at 305 Main
305 Main needs remodeled bathroom, roof and sign. Minimum 2 years work.

Suite B will need to be expanded for needed  temporary space
Campbell and Chavez recommends renovating 305 Main.

Must have a new modem for building $16,500-$30,400 (Core and Main)

Old Building remodel...
$20,000 Mold removal
$18,000 Roof
$10,000 Flooring
$8,000   Paint
$15,000 Paving
$5,000   Sign

Credit card payment must me made with same name on water account. Dec 1 start

City Manager does not recommend HEB Kiosk for water payment

City Manager recommends Kiosk in CCPD for water payment

City looking at using "Square" readers for CSR to do payments

There will be only printed receipts

CM wants more hours and locations

Councilman Chavez stated that we must  have a timeline

Software issue....

Suite A and B is a must at this point and bring the service in-house (COUNCIL AGREES)

In the video you will see a discussion about software options. It is needed to make the systems work and print bills.

We may even go dark for a while.

More to follow at the 6pm Town Hall on Friday.

Having issues on getting our data back from Fathom.

See yall Friday!

No Pitchforks and Torches Yet

1st Council Meeting after Fathom announcement

The Council:
Mayor Bradi Diaz- Present
Joann Courtland-Present
Fred Chavez-Present
Dan Yancey-Present Swearing-In Video
Jay Manning-Present Swearing-In Video
Dianne Campbell-Present Swearing-In Video
Marc Payne-Present
Jack Smith-Present Swearing-In Video

The Workshop Agenda

Recycling and Parks Workshop Video

Council Agenda

Fathom Update Video

Newly seated Copperas Cove City Council

Good evening Copperas Cove. Today's council workshop and meeting went from 5:00pm to 9:45pm. During the workshop all four election winners were sworn into office. Place 3, 4, 5 are for three years and Place 7 will have to run for reelection next year because it was an unexpired term. Place t is Jack Smith. There were a lot of people in attendance this evening.

Besides the swearing in ceremony the workshop had to two briefing in it. Scott Osburn gave a very detailed brief on the city's recycle program and it's future. The second was a brief on the Park's Master Plan by the contracted engineer firm MRB (BSG was merged into this firm but the same people are there). Please watch the the attached video which is linked above for the entire discussion. It is worth it especially with the recycling program.

Workshop summary:
Larry Scott was announced as Copperas Cove's Solid Waste Director.
1993-2013, Copperas Cove curbside recycling sorting in effect with no cost to customers
2013, Transition began to the Single Stream program.
All our recycles are sent to Taylor, Texas, to Wilco. Wilco would then begin the process of sending it to China. China controls the world's recycling industry. China has now stopped accepting recycle waste.
The city worked out an agreement with Fort Hood for us to take our recycles to them for disposal. This has been in the works for several years now. It has to go through congress for approval. It is now in Conference because it was passed in the House but not included in the Senate version. Watch the video.

There were no attached slides for the Parks Plan but it is discussed in the video.

Council Meeting

The council immediately went into Executive Session as soon as the meeting started for 20 minutes about Fathom so that the council was up to date with Fathom before the meeting went forward. When it returned to open session, the City Manager gave everyone a full briefing on what we are facing with Fathom closing up. See the video link, above.

Citizen's Forum:
Sylvia Rhodes spoke out in favor of continuing the recycle program.
Terri Deans spoke out about about Fathom and the future afterward. She said it shows that outsourcing does not work in Copperas Cove.

Consent Agenda:
All items on the Consent Agenda passed 7-0, to include the purchase of new vehicles for Public Works.

The were no Public Hearings

Action Items:
H1. Dir Keith Sledd from the Heart Of Texas Defense Alliance gave their quarterly briefing and the request the payment of $4250. It passed 7-0

H2. The Chamber Of Commerce came to the council with a briefing and to request a payment of $11,750. The vote passed 6-0-1, with Jack Smith abstaining.
Summary of briefing:
$11,750 was for payroll and staff expenses.
All employee hours are logged and are 28 hours a week.
They are designing a new logo to include tourism.
All Tourism funds are kept separate from CoC funds.

H3, The Chamber of Commerce is requesting that the city pay it's membership dues of $1000. This would include the entire city, in the membership. This passed by a vote of 7-0. 
Summary of discussion:
Fir this to be legal, the following criteria must be met:
1. Public purpose
2. Retain public funds
3. Return on investment
CoC reassured the city that all three requirement will be met.
The City Attorney said that the governing body determines public purpose.

H4. The council appointed three people to the three vacancies to Keep Copperas Cove Beautiful. Councilman Payne continued to insist that if a person wants to be on a board they should be present for their vote. There are now only two vacancies.
Diana Lentz, 6-1 passed
Samantha Peck, 7-0 passed
Robert Thompson, 6-1 passed

H5. The council appointed one person to the Cemetery Advisory Board. Ronnie Viss owns Scott Funeral Home and was not present. There is still one vacancy on the board.
Ronnie Viss, 6-1 passed

H6. The council appointed nine teenagers to the Youth Advisory Council (YAC). After the vote there are 22 vacancies on YAC. Most of the applicants were present and Payne voted for all them. Vote to appoint all applicants was 7-0
Kacy Carter
Jonathan Daley
Audrey Martin
Olivia Martin
Myranda Mayfield
Deceia Montoya
Haley Wang
Taylor Welch
Taylor Flores

H7. Jimmy Clarke and Wes Atkinson brought to council a Ft Hood land swap deal. By law, private entities can not do this with the Federal Government but can with the city. So Clarke and Atkinson will transfer to the city, then the city will transfer to Ft Hood, then in reverse. Clark and Atkinson will pay all fees for the transfers. Vote passed 7-0

H8. This is for prioritising street maintence in FY20 for Copperas Cove. Scott Osburn briefed the council for 30 minutes on this. He was extremely detailed and was hard to take notes on. Please review the slides on the agenda for this. The council setteled on the $708,000 package and it passed by a vote 7-0. Ray Payne asked that the city assess the roads for pipes before work is done.

H9. Scott Osburn brought to council on awarding a bid for the Northeast Waste Water Treatment Plant UV Disinfection Improvements including Alternate 1. The cost will be $734,650 for the project. Shauna Holmes asked the council about the size of the crane that will be used to move 24 inch valves. She was a crane operator in the Army. Vote passed 7-0

H10. Ms Beckman brought several changes for the FY20 Personnel Improvement Plan. Vote passed to 7-0
Summary of discussion:
4 new positions for Utility Department for upcoming changes.

H11. The council awarded 75 votes for Manning and 834 votes for Mayor Diaz for the Coryell Central Appraisal District. Vote 7-0

H12. The council awarded 75 votes for MIke Kriegal for the Lampasas Central Appraisal District. Vote 7-0

City Manager report:
The search for a city engineer is ongoing. Three interviews conducted, 1 person was offered position but declined due to salary.
The search for a Parks and Recreation Director is ongoing. Two rounds of interviews conducted, 1 offer was made to applicant, the city is waiting on a reply.
The search for IS Director is ongoing. There have been several rounds of interviews. There have been several offers made but all declined due to salary.

Business 190 Median Project update:
Near 100% design completion
Will present to council on Decemeber 3, 2019
Out for bids in March 2020
The idea was brought up to TxDOT about burying all cables was brought up. TxDOT said that it must be done before the Median Project or after it.

Fathom Town Hall at Civic Center on November 22

Fathom Town Hall at Civic Center on November 22

This letter was just put out by the city at 9:24PM. It includes the original statement, update 1, update 2, and the Fathom email from November 9, 2019.

The Town Hall will be on November 22, 2019 at 6PM, at the Civic Center. YOU WILL BE ALLOWED TO ASK QUESTIONS. "Speak Up!!! Copperas Cove" will be there.

Here is the letter:

City of Copperas Cove and FATHOM to Separate – Update #2

Tuesday, November 12, 2019:

Copperas Cove, Texas – The City of Copperas Cove received email notification from FATHOM this past Saturday, November 9, 2019, that they will be going out of business. The email stated in part that “Despite a massive effort this year, we [FATHOM] have not been able to secure an investment or additional debt to save our business”. The City of Copperas Cove and FATHOM entered into a partnership on May 17, 2016.

FATHOM hosted a webinar early Tuesday morning with clients throughout the nation to provide further details on the situation, leading City administration to believe FATHOM will discontinue all contracted services as early as the end of November 2019. To say we are astounded by this announcement is an understatement. While City administration was aware of and understood the day-to-day challenges faced over the past 3½ years, we are disappointed that FATHOM representatives not once spoke of or alluded to this possibility.

We are sharing this information with our citizens and customers in an effort to be transparent about this situation and will continue to provide updates as new information is available. At this point, we are privy to very limited information and continue to seek answers to questions. Calls or visits to Utility Administration to verify or ask questions about the matter, while important, will only slow down local day-to-day operations so please be patient and know updates will be provided as soon as possible.

Regarding account payments, until further notice customers are encouraged to continue making regularly scheduled payments on utility accounts. The revenues received through bill payments will continue to be received by the City of Copperas Cove.

Lastly, FATHOM representatives will meet face-to-face with City administration early next week to further discuss the situation. We will continue to evaluate our options in an effort to develop a transition plan and way forward. City administration anticipates hosting a Town Hall meeting late next week to provide an update and receive questions from our citizens. Further information on that event will be released later this week.

###

Wednesday, November 13, 2019: (Update #1)

Copperas Cove, Texas – City staff has reviewed the many comments and messages that were left on our social media page and wish to provide some answers to common questions and concerns which many of you have. We also conducted several media interviews today, with both print and TV media outlets, and will share some of their stories over to social media for additional info. We will continue to provide more updates as they become available:

1. Will I have an interruption in water service? There will be NO interruption in water service to our customers resulting from Fathom’s decision to close their business. The City receives its water from Belton Lake, through a contract with Bell County WCID #1, and we maintain the city’s water system. The water meters and Neptune meter readers, which were installed during the transition in 2016 and 2017, are owned by the City. FATHOM does NOT have the capability to turn water on/off to your residence, this must be done by City staff.

2. How do I make bill payments, where does the money go, and what happens to my account deposit? Until further notice, we recommend customers continue to make payments via the current options available. All money that is collected by FATHOM on behalf of the City by any method is applied to the appropriate customer account and remitted to the City. The option to make in person payments to City staff is also available by visiting Utility Administration at City Hall, 914 S. Main Street, Suite A. Account deposits are also in possession of the City, not FATHOM.

3. Who will handle my billing and customer service needs? Until further notice, FATHOM is still handling billing and customer care needs through the end of November 2019. City administration has a scheduled meeting with FATHOM representatives the week of November 18^th to discuss options moving forward. All options will be evaluated, such as needed service agreements, software, and personnel. One such option is to bring full-service in-house utility billing needs of our community back to Copperas Cove.

4. Will FATHOM be required to pay any money back and/or be sued by the City? The City’s Attorney, DNRBZ, is currently reviewing the contract and will provide a legal opinion on their findings at next week’s City Council Regular Meeting on Tuesday, November 19^th, at 6pm during an Executive Session. As this item is sensitive and may require future litigation, this portion of the meeting will not be open to the public. Any legal action the City might take would be initiated at the direction of City Council.

5. How can I find out more? City Manager Ryan Haverlah will make a brief statement referencing the situation during next week’s City Council Regular Meeting, on Tuesday, November 19^th beginning at 6pm in the Council Chambers, 508 S. 2^nd Street. A Town Hall Meeting is also being coordinated for late next week and details will be released very soon. The meeting will be open to the public to attend and allow opportunities for questions to be asked and answered.

###

Thursday, November 14, 2019: (Update #2)

Copperas Cove, Texas – City administration continues to gather information in effort to develop a transition plan suitable for our community and citizens. A Utilities Administration Town Hall Meeting has been scheduled for Friday, November 22, 2019 at 6pm at the Copperas Cove Civic Center, located at 1206 W Avenue B. City Manager Ryan Haverlah will give a presentation and provide a factual overview of the situation. The meeting will allow ample time for a Q&A session so public questions may be received and answered. This event will be streamed via Facebook Live, we encourage those unable to attend to view on the City’s Facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/cityofcopperascove/

Additionally, the City has recently processed an Open Records Requests for the email which was received by the City from FATHOM. We thought this would be a good opportunity to share that document with our citizens as well to ensure transparency:

                                                                                      ###

Kevin A. Keller

Public Information Officer/

Interim Parks & Recreation Director

City of Copperas Cove

508 South 2^nd Street

254.547.4221 ext. 6243

mailto:kkeller@copperascovetx.gov

    

This message may contain information which may be confidential and privileged if stated as such in the subject line of the email. Unless you are the addressee (or authorized to receive for the addressee), you may not use, copy or disclose to anyone the message or any information contained in the message. If you have received the message in error, please advise the sender by reply e-mail and delete the message.

***ATTENTION TO PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND OFFICIALS WITH OTHER INSTITUTIONS SUBJECT TO THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT ***

A "REPLY TO ALL" OF THIS EMAIL COULD LEAD TO VIOLATIONS OF THE TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS ACT.  PLEASE REPLY ONLY TO SENDER.

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Twas the day of the election and there is a council meeting!

Twas the day of the election and there is a council meeting!

The Council:
Mayor Bradi Diaz- Present

Joann Courtland-Present
Fred Chavez-Present
Dan Yancey-Present
Jay Manning-Present
Kirby Lack-Present
Marc Payne-Present

Place 3 Candidates
Jayme Sigler- Absent
Dario Eubank-Absent

Place 4 Candidates
Matt Russell- Absent
Benjamin Beck- Absent

                                                                                                                                                                    Place 5 Candidates                                                                         

Dianne Campbell- Absent                  
Gary Kent- Absent

Place 7 (Unexpired Term) Candidates
Jack Smith-Present
Terri Deans-Absent

Workshop Agenda
Workshop Video

Council Agenda

Well, we made it to election day. We definitely will have two newly elected council members tonight and then Place 3 and 4 have three candidates in them. If neither winner has over 50% in them then there will be a runoff election. Update: Dan Yancey, Jay Manning, Dianne Campbell, and Jack Smith won their election races.

Be sure to watch the Workshop video. The HOP gave a three person very detailed briefing and our Fire Chief gave a presentation on open burning inside the city limits.

Councilman Lack announced that the Copperas Cove Veteran's Day parade will be November 9 at 10AM

Citizens Forum:
Charolette Brown spoke about the Blue Santa program and that it is in it's 20th year, in Copperas Cove.
Yolanda Clem spoke about a petition that is being passed around the Heartwood Park area concerning a .7 mile stretch of Courtney Rd. They want it widened and have sidewalks on both sides. They want the builders to absorb most of the cost like in other communities across the US.
Sheri Butler spoke about BNSF continually blocking Bradford road (off of 1113). Bradford Rd is the only entry/exit point for that community. BNSF trains have been stopping for extended amounts of time.
Chamber of Commerce spoke about the Visitor's Bureau and some upcoming events.

Consent Agenda:
There were 17 items on the Consent Agenda this evening. There are items considered routine. Items 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11, 16, and 17 should have been discussed so that the community understands about spending inside the city. Vote to pass 6-0

Public Hearing:
Deputy Police Chief Wyers briefed the council and public on the city adopting a 3 year rabies vaccine in Copperas Cove. Currently we are the only city in the region that has a rabies vaccine valid for one year. There were no public speakers. Vote to pass 6-0

Action Items:
Jonas Titus, Executive Director EDC, brought proposed By-Law changes to the council. The changes include the following: Vote to pass 6-0
Delete the requirement of the one week training requirements that new EDC appointees must have after appointment. The training can be attained by other means.
Reduce the requirement to one signer on checks for routine purchases not to exceed $1000.
The EDC annual meeting will be held at 502 S 2nd Street in Copperas Cove.

Animal Shelter Advisory Committee appointees:
Marcie Lowery approved by a vote of 4-2 (Chavez and Payne voted against her and gave no reason)
Pat Thomas appointed by a vote of 6-0

Board of Adjustments appointees:
Howard Hawk approved by a vote of 5-1 (Payne voted against)
For some reason, Bobby Lewis informed the council that there was no conflict of interest because he serves on multiple city boards. Councilman Payne started asking about why none of the nominees were present at council meeting.

Quality of Life appointees:
Cheryl Kielman Place 2, approved by a vote of 5-1 (Payne voted against)
Billie Pederson Place 3, approved by a vote of 5-1 (Payne voted against)
Adam Redmond Place 4, approved by a vote of 5-1 (Payne voted against)
Shawn Alzona Place 5, approved by a vote of 5-1 (Payne voted against)
Amy Williams Place 6 (Unexpired), approved by a vote of 5-1 (Payne voted against)

The Fire Chief brought the updated Mobile Food Vendor ordinance back to the council. It would go into effect on January 1, 2020. He said that the Chamber of Commerce holds an insurance binder that covers their events. Vote to pass 4-2 (Manning and I believe Lack voted against)
These are a few of the changes in the ordinance:

• Chapter 609 defines where commercial cooking hoods are required and refer construction standards to the International Mechanical Code.
• Chapter 904 defines the standards for automatic fire-extinguishing systems, system types, where they are required, maintenance, testing, and Class “K” fire extinguishers.
• The verbiage “and other specific sections of this code” refers to portions throughout the code that impact required locations, maintenance, testing, installation, alarms, monitoring, and applicability of automatic fire-extinguishing systems and hoods not covered under Chapters 904 or 609. For example, Chapter 906.4-Cooking grease fires: “Fire extinguishers provided for the protection of cooking grease fires shall be of an approved type compatible with the automatic fire-extinguishing system agent and in accordance with Section 904.12.5”.
• Specifically, 904.2.2 as mentioned in the proposed Ordinance indicates Type I hoods shall be protected with an approved automatic fire-extinguishing system because they are used for handling grease-laden vapors or smoke, whereas Type II hoods handle fumes, steam, heat and odors. However, due to the expense of an automatic fire-extinguishing system, the fire department is compromising to substitute an automatic fire-extinguishing system for the appropriate number of Class “K” fire extinguishers. 904.2.2 is referenced in the Ordinance because if a vendor already has a ventilation hood installed, then it must comply with the Code.

Jay Manning stated the government should not be telling small business how to operate. 

The Fire Chief again came to council with a request to purchase 3 Zoll defibrillators in order to replace 2 existing and give the department 1 replacement. The equipment is proprietary. The cost is $89.999.99 for the total price. Vote to pass 6-0

City Council and CCISD Election Winners

City Council and CCISD Contested Election Winners

Congratulations to the election winners this evening. Only just over 2000 citizens voted in our city council elections. There are several things to take from the results: never stop trying, get out and campaign if you want to win, signs do count, and you must raise and spend money. Next year Place 6 Councilman Marc Payne is up for reelection and so will Place 7 Councilman-elect Jack Smith. Start your planning now if you want to challenge them.

Place 3 Candidates
Dan Yancey     57.92%  1163 votes
Jayme Sigler    22.36%    449 votes
Dario Eubank  19.72%    396 votes

Place 4 Candidates
Jay Manning       56.11%   1143 votes
Matt Russell       27.34%     557 votes
Benjamin Beck   16.54%    337  votes

                                                                                                                                                                    Place 5 Candidates                                                                         

Dianne Campbell  69.09%  1415 votes                   
Gary Kent             30.91%    633 votes

Place 7 (Unexpired Term) Candidates
Jack Smith           52.73%   1071 votes
Terri Deans          47.27%     960 votes

CCISD Trustee Place 5
Jeff Gorres            50%        1146 votes
Harry Byrd           50%         1143 votes

The Forums on video before Election Day

The Forums before Election Day

If you have not voted yet and are still doing research on the candidates, we are posting both of the candidate forum videos. So here they are and don't forget to vote.

1st Forum

2nd Forum