By LYNETTE SOWELL
Cove Leader-Press
The Copperas Cove city council directed the city’s administration to make up an approximately $1.5 million shortfall for the senior center construction project, using some of the city’s general fund balance.
Sometimes called the “rainy day fund,” the fund balance is 90 days’ worth of operating funds which are held in reserve, as per the city’s ideal fund balance policy.
Currently, the city’s fund balance for the end of the current fiscal year is a total of $14.7 million, with $8.1 million of those funds being over the ideal balance, said City Manager Ryan Haverlah.
Jeff Stoddard, Director of Parks & Recreation, gave the background on the project and the reasons why the project ended up being underfunded. The original estimate was thought to be within the allocated budget of $1.7 million.
That number was based on the city’s prior experiences as general contractor through previously projects, such golf course drainage improvements, several administrative facility improvements, Civic Center improvements, and the Parks Maintenance facility.
Other projects in progress with staff performing as the general contractor include the Municipal Court renovations and the City Park Duck Pond project which includes the installation of bridges, walking paths, and a monument. All of the aforementioned projects have been completed within the budgeted allocation of funds.
Stoddard explained that because the senior center is a new build, legally the city had to go with sealed bids. This means it is considered a public work construction project, and according to the City’s construction attorney, The Chapman Firm, the city must follow state law which means that if the bids received are more than the initial estimates, the city cannot negotiate directly with contractors for services due to the requirement to accept the lowest responsible bid.
Also, Haverlah said that due to the delays in getting the project up and running, costs increased. A new build estimated two years ago was $3.3 million.
The other option that was given to the council for making up the shortfall was including the $1.5 million in this year’s certificate of obligation bonds as part of the annual debt issuance.
After giving that direction, the council voted to reject all bids for the senior center plumbing project. This was plumbing that would be installed in the facility after the building is constructed.
Also on Tuesday evening, the council approved the rezoning of several properties, the vacant lot at 810 N. 3rd St., as well as 811 and 813 N. 1st St., in order to make way for the construction of a daycare facility. The North 1st Street addresses currently have dilapidated buildings on them.
The council also approved two conditional use permits for short-term rentals, at 1316 Concord Dr. and at 910 Davie Lee Dr.
The council denied rezoning the property at 1618 Veterans Ave. from NC (Neighborhood & Commercial) to RC (Retail & Commercial). Datta Bahadur of KC Liquor Shop applied for the rezoning. This would have allowed the property to have a liquor store onsite. The current convenience store presently sells beer. The rezoning would have allowed a separate storefront for liquor sales. There was a previously issued liquor permit for the property in 2017, but the business discontinued it in 2018.
The rezoning did not pass with the Planning & Zoning Commission, which expressed concerns that the location was just down the street from Fairview/Jewell Elementary, even though the distance of the store from the school exceeded the 1,000-foot minimum requirement. Likewise, Planning Director Bobby Lewis said that owners of five of the 26 neighboring addresses sent notices responded with requests for denial, citing reasons such as Copperas Cove didn’t need any more liquor stores and concerns that a liquor store in the neighborhood could possibly decrease property values and increase crime.
For the council to pass the rezoning, a three-fourths majority of all council members would be required. Councilmember Dale Treadway made a motion to deny the rezoning, which was seconded by councilmember Rita Hogan. The council voted 5-1 in favor of denial, which Shawn Alzona casting the lone nay vote.
The council heard a presentation from Keith Sledd, Executive Director of the Heart of Texas Defense Alliance, on the organization’s quarterly activities and the happenings at Fort Cavazos. After the presentation, they approved a payment of $18,020 for HOTDA’s services. The council also voted to release funds to the Noon Exchange Club for the annual Feast of Sharing, which was held in November.
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