Copperas Cove city council to hear presentation on sidewalk construction prioritization policy

By LYNETTE SOWELL

Cove Leader-Press

During a 5 p.m. workshop on Tuesday, the Copperas Cove city council will hear a presentation on a sidewalk prioritization policy to be given by Scott Osburn, the city’s Director of Public Works. 

A number of citizens voiced concerns over public safety on residential streets during the Jan. 21 Copperas Cove city council meeting after William Ames, was killed by a hit and run driver in the 600 block of Urbantke Lane on January 13. 

During its regular meeting at 6 p.m., the council will hear a report from the Heart of Texas Defense Alliance on quarterly activities and, and then take action on a payment to HOTDA for  $12,750 for its services.

Another presentation is on the agenda, that of the Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce for Krist Kindl Markt. The council had previously allocated $15,616 of Hotel Occupancy Tax funds to the chamber for the event, and authorized an interim payment of $12,400 in January, with the chamber requesting $3,216. 

The construction of new restrooms for the city’s parks is on the agenda again, this time with 

Jeff Stoddard, the city’s Director of Parks and Recreation, looking for authorization to put the project out for design-build firms. 

The council is bring presented with a resolution for the upcoming purchase of a pothole patcher and an herbicide sprayer for the Street Department, to be funded via future debt issuance for 2020. The cost is expected to be no more than $165,000 for both. 

The city is looking at an agreement with Valley Collection Service, LLC for collection services for the city. Valley Collection Service was the agency used by Fathom to collect on default utility accounts for the city. Upon Fathom’s closure, Valley Collection had been assigned approximately 2,719 default accounts with a total accounts receivable value of $814,310.65.

City Manager Ryan Haverlah will also be bringing a report to the council, on the city’s Utility Administration transition as well as the status of the city’s application for the Defense Economic Adjustment Assistance Grant. 

The workshop and meeting will be held in the council chambers at the city’s Technology Center, located at 508 S. 2nd St.