Council approves submission of sidewalk projects for state funding

By LYNETTE SOWELL 

Cove Leader-Press 

Future sidewalk extension projects and possible grant funding for those projects were among the items at Tuesday evening’s Copperas Cove city council meeting. 

The council approved a resolution to authorize City Manager Ryan Haverlah to submit sidewalk projects in the order of priority for eligible funding consideration under the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Transportation Alternatives Program, also known as TAP. 

Among the eligible projects in Copperas Cove are the Avenue D sidewalk extension that will connect the Mesquite subdivision to the high school and extend into downtown.

The #2 project on the list is a Robertson Ave sidewalk extension that will connect Copperas Cove Junior High School along the south side of Robertson Ave. from Margaret Lee St. to Williams Street, with an estimated cost of $373,900. 

The third priority project is an extension of sidewalks on Georgetown Rd. to Veterans Ave., to connect Fairview/ Miss Jewell Elementary School from the north side of Veterans Ave., then along the east side of Georgetown Rd. to Business 190, and would allow pedestrian accessibility across Business 190 to F.M. 116. The estimated project cost is $483,600.  

The fourth on the list is a sidewalk extension on Big Divide, to connect Clayton Ranch, a new 212-llot single-family residential subdivision under construction to Taylor Creek Elementary School. The estimated project cost is $229,600.  

The total cost for all four projects is $1,560,780. Of this amount, the city would be responsible for a 20 percent match of $475,020 and the grants could total $1,085,760. 

The call for TAP projects is expected to open on Dec. 2, 2022..

Also on Tuesday evening, the council approved an amendment to the city’s electrical code, adopting the National Electrical Code (NEC) - 2017 Edition.

The council also approved revisions to the bylaws for the Keep Copperas Cove Beautiful Commission.

Three vacancies were filled on the city’s Quality of Life Advisory Board, with Craig Foster, Teresa Chavez, and Victor Hall II being appointed. 

One spot was filled on the city’s Cemetery Advisory Board, with the council appointing Taylor Tidwell. There still remain two vacancies on that board.

After a completely vacant Youth Advisory Council, 14 young people were appointed. The board has a total of 30 positions, and all 30 were vacant. The following students were appointed to the council: Jeremiah Lopez, Ava Adams, Hannah Johnson, Jeremiah Forres, Torin McHugh, Ciara Cooper, Pico Straczek, Allyson Sokolowski, Leita Spencer, Evan Wharton, Shelby Reed, Christopher Lewis, Ryan Reed and Juliana Calhoun. 

The council also approved an agreement with C and C Sporting Goods to provide recreation sports uniforms for the Parks and Recreation Department, and likewise also authorized the City Manager to execute an agreement for a five-year golf cart lease between the City of Copperas Cove/Hills of Cove Golf Course and Yamaha Golf Car Company. 

The lease is for a total of 40 carts, five golf cars, and a PTV, in the amount of $228,215.91.