City Council - Regular Meeting
About this meeting
- Government Body
- City Council
- Meeting Type
- City Council
- Location
- Copperas Cove, TX
- Meeting Date
- December 2, 2025
Transcript
79 sections (from 255 segments)
Good evening. Workshop council meeting for the city of Cers held December 2nd, 2025 is called to order at 5:45 p.m. Madam Secretary, call the role. Mayor Yansy here. Christina Strous here. Rita Hogan here. Howard Hawk here. John Hail here. Del Treadway here. Bona Hart here. Jack Smith here. Okay. Everyone's present. Item C announcements. None for me, Mr. Mayor. None for me, sir. None for me, sir. None, sir. Okay. I have none at this time, sir. Nothing, sir. On you? I have nothing. You have nothing, Whitney? Jack,
make sure everyone gets out to Chris Kindle Mart this weekend. Yes. Thank you. Okay. All right. We move to item D, public recognition. Item one, employee service awards December 2025. Ryan Haval, city manager.
Thank you, Mrs. Wilson. Mayor and Council, it's our first meeting and only meeting this month, so don't show up in two weeks, mayor and counsel. We're not having another meeting. Um but we get to recognize our amazing team members um this evening. And we are going to start with Yanina Scott who is uh celebrating five years of service with the utility administration department. She is currently our billing supervisor. So Yianina began her career with the city of Coppers Cove on December 21, 2020, joining the utility administration department as a billing technician. She promoted to billing supervisor in March of 2023 and has continued to serve the city and our community with steady dedication, which is very important. And Nina is widely regarded as the department's goto goto expert. Wow. Did you write that, Millie?
No, you didn't write that. But she is.
We're gonna find out who wrote it. Go-to expert for complex account matters. Her strong organizational skills, consistency, and commitment to continuous learning have elevated the entire utility administration team. She plays an instrumental role in implementing rate increase updates within Encode following fee schedule changes and she has ensured on time accurate billing across all cycles. A major accomplishment that reflects her diligence and leadership. Her supervisor shared that Yianina excels in her position as billing supervisor and is instrumental in helping to train all employees in the department. Thank you, Yina, for your great five years, especially during the transition that you came in on. You've really made the department stand out. Thank you so much for your service. and next we uh celebrate with Caleb Lynville, drainage supervisor with our drainage department, celebrating five years of service also. Caleb began his career with the city of Coppers Cove on December 14th, 2020 as a light equipment operator, herbicide crack sealer, and that's like three jobs crammed into one. In the street department, he quickly promoted to drainage supervisor in December of 2022, where he has continued to serve both the city and our community with steadfast dedication. In his role, Caleb oversees repairs and maintenance of the city's drainage system and various assigned equipment to handle the task, ensuring the system remains operational and meet required standards. He also assists in overseeing the
municipal separate storm sewer system. We call it MS4 if you've heard us talk about it in other items. His growing accuracy, sound decision-making, and adherence to policy have strengthened departmental operations and allowed additional responsibilities to be entrusted to him. Caleb consistently demonstrates professionalism and meaningful respect toward the citizens of Coppers Cove and fellow team members. His supervisor shared that Caleb can be counted on to complete his task and he has the respect of his team. Thank you, Caleb, for an amazing five years of service with our city. Yeah, I know I've seen you out at many emergencies after hours, so thank you also for sharing your time to our citizens. Next, we celebrate with Bobby Mcadoo Jr. celebrating five years of service with our wastewater treatment department. Bobby joined the city of Coppers Cove on December 14, 2020 as an operator in the wastewater treatment department where he continues to serve our city and community with dedication at the South Plant. He maintains his TCQ wastewater certification and CDL license and demonstrates a strong understanding of all aspects of his role. Bobby has relied upon his sound judgment regarding mechanical issues at the plant and has proven has the proven ability to identify potential issues before they escalate. He actively supports and instructs others working at the facility, begins each day engaged and prepared, and completes his weekly responsibilities on time and with care. His supervisor shared, "I feel comfortable and can rely on Bobby when I
have to leave the plant. He is very good at explaining to our newest employee what he is doing when working on mechanical issues." Bobby, thank you for your dedication and service to our city and community. Next, I can't believe it's only been five years. Next, we celebrate with Daniel Demer Deir Dimmers, the second. I didn't know you were the second. That is great. Celebrating five years of service. And and I got to say, Daniel is just a guy that's everywhere. So, it doesn't feel like it's only been for five years. Uh Daniel began his career with the city of Copper Scope team on December 7, 2020 as a labor in the parks and recreation department. He quickly promoted to maintenance technician in September of 2022 and most recently again to maintenance supervisor in June of 2024 where he continues to serve. Daniel has steadily expanded his knowledge of departmental policies and daily operations reflecting a strong commitment to professional growth. He has also strengthened his skills in managing the department's budget, ensuring resources are used effectively and efficiently while maintaining high standards of care throughout our parks system and our facilities. His respective has broadened considerably not only what is best for his department, but also what benefits the city as a whole and the citizens we serve. Daniel has the distinct opportunity to work with various departments on various projects and he has and is appreciated by all and we'll talk about that in just a moment. Um in his spare time, Daniel attended and graduated from the city's development and leadership academy. What spare time?
Oh, we're going to have to talk about that. His supervisor stated that Daniel is an exceptionally reliable colleague, consistently demonstrating his ability to provide clear and appropriate guidance to all team members when I am unavailable. And I got to say, uh, mayor and council that Daniel is I I don't want to say he's a a jack of all trades, but he knows so much. There are a number of facility improvements that we have. when you walk into city hall at the city secretaries and city manager's office, that entire lobby uh was part of Daniel's guidance and direction to make that happen. And that is through several other departments throughout the city. So Daniel, it's been a very short but seems like a very long five years. Thank you for your service to our city and community. And next, mayor and council, we celebrate with Christopher Wet, who is a heavy equipment operator with a solid waste department, celebrating five years of service. Chris began his career with the city of Coppers Cove on December 7, 2020 as a laborer in the solid waste department. He promoted to heavy equipment operator in March 2023, where he continues to serve to the to date. Chris demonstrates thorough knowledge of his duties, including cleaning the facility, operating heavy equipment such as the front end loader, yard mule, backhoe, skid steer, and crane, delivering dumpsters, training new employees, and maintaining the transfer station grounds. He performs routine vehicle and equipment maintenance, operates safely and consistently, adheres to the facility's policies and procedures. He is courteous and professional in both his mannerisms both which benefit the citizens our customers
and co-workers alike. His supervisor stated Chris's experience operating the transfer station is a great asset. He po possesses a strong understanding of daily operations and has significantly contributed to the efficiency and effectiveness of the facility. Chris, thank you for your five years of dedicated service to our city and our community. Mayor and council, that concludes our presentations this evening. Thank you, Ryan. There are no workshop items for this evening. So, the time is 5:55. We will adjourn and begin the regular meeting at 6 o'clock. And we wait again.
Ryan. It's still 6:00. Good evening. The regular council meeting for the city of Coppers Cove held December 2nd, 2025 is called to order at six o'clock. Uh Madam Secretary, please call the role.
Mayor, the invocation and pledge of allegiance first.
Oh, let me look at this a little closer. It says call to order. We're called to order. And now the invocation by Miss Hart, followed by the pledge of allegiance. Thank you. If you could please bow with me in prayer. Dear heavenly father, we just thank you for this day. Continue just to watch over our families and thank you for uh watching over us every single day and the continued grace that you show us. We ask that you watch over our first responders and our families and watch over the decisions that we make on the council that are so crucial in determining the goings on in for the cities and thank you again for everything that you bless us with. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Amen. Please join me to the flag of the United States of America and To the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. And to the state flag. Honor the Texas flag. I pledge algiance to the Texas. One state, one indivisible. Please be seated. Now, Madam Secretary, will you please call the role? Mayor Yansy here. Christina Strous here. Rita Hogan here. Howard Hawk
here. John Hail here. Dell Treadway here. Vonya Hart here. Jack Smith here. All right. Item D, announcements. M. None for me, Mr. Mayor. None for me, sir. No, Mr. Mayor. Yes, sir. Yes, I have some announcements. Okay.
Uh, this Friday at uh Excuse me. Let me back up. Um this Friday, yeah, this Friday at four 6 pm at Santa Fe parking lot, which is the parking lot downtown right next to the railroad tracks, uh we will be having the Christmas tree lighting ceremony as part of the Chris Kendall Mart. Um the following week on uh December 9th at 6 pm uh city will be hosting the first Christmas in the park uh at uh city park and uh please come out and enjoy the uh new walking trail around the pond as well as the uh Christmas decorations that will be out there. Um also thank you.
All right. Thank you, Ryan. I have no concern. Thank you. Nothing, Mr. Mayor, I don't have anything. Mr. Mayor, Jack, just to add on to what Ryan had spoke about, Chris Kindle Mart is uh this weekend, December 5th through 7th in downtown Coppers Cove. There will be a parade on December 6th, a lighted Christmas parade at 6 PM going down Avenue D. There's live music, food trucks, fun, and contests all weekend. So, come out and enjoy Chris Kindle Mart in downtown Copper Cove. tree lighting ceremony, as you said, is Friday evening. May Mayor, I do have one more. I apologize. Go ahead.
Um on on December 8th, that's 7 PM. If you want to come watch the Coppers Cove Police Department challenge the Lady Dogs volleyball team that's occurring at uh the Copper Cove High School in the main gym 7 p.m. It is a donation event. So bring uh goods for donation uh as part of that. It's a fundraiser. So, thank you. All right, we move to item E, citizens forum.
At this time, citizens will be allowed to speak for a length of time not to exceed five minutes per person on any item which is listed on the agenda and items not listed on the agenda. 30 minutes total has been allotted for this section. Pursuant to section 551.042 042 of the Texas Open Meetings Act. Any deliberation or decision about the subject of inquiry which is not listed on the agenda shall be limited to a proposal to place the subject on the agenda for a subsequent meeting.
All right. Is there anyone to speak during citizens forum? He said to try again. George is his word. Okay. No.
George McMaster, 111 Magnolia Avenue from the 2008 ruling in Loenberg v. Dallas. Though the city is a home rule municipal corporation with broad powers of city government citing Gates v. City of Dallas 1986 in articles 11 section five of the Texas Constitution. It cannot impose regulatory fees that are really taxes prohibited by the constitution. Based on arguments given to me by an anonymous source, anonymous source, I make the following. The street maintenance fund by public appearances is meant to raise revenue for the maintenance of city streets. Its calculations are based on property classification, square footage, and the predicted amount of trips each business receives in any given period of time and not based on the regulatory costs of maintaining city streets. The calculations and the fees imposed per those calculations appear to be more of an adorum tax that was not lawfully propo imposed in accordance with the laws of imposing such. In regards to an occupation tax argument, I base this off builder recovery service services LLC v. Leslake, the aformentioned 2008 ruling in Lowenberg vice and attorney general opinion Juliet Mike 338 Jim Maddox Beck I think 198 I don't remember exact date but is issued under attorney general Jim Maddox. Any fee meant to raise a revenue is a tax regardless of how you present it. As the businesses of the city are required to pay a tiered fee based on the type of business and the amount of businesses business they conducted according to these treat trip calculations. It appears this fee is not a regulatory fee meant to off street offset street maintenance costs but an occupation tax meant to raise revenue that is prohibited under article 8 section one subsection foxt trust of the Texas
constitution. Now, I checked the city charter if there was any taxing authority to begin with on this one. The city's taxing authority per section 9.01 of the charter comes from the state constitution and the general laws of this state. There is no provision for this tax for this program to be a tax under any provision of the charter. I looked there is a manner and method to avoid imposing advorum taxes under the constitution and state law that was not done here. There is a manner and method to imposing a street maintenance charge via sales taxes under state law. That was done previously by the city. I don't remember exactly when, but I know it was done by the city a few years ago, but it wasn't done here. It has long been held under municipal occ municipal under occupation taxes are unconstitutional. Unfortunately, it could be argued that this program is a violation of a permention provision because the street maintenance fund imposes a revenue generating tax than a fee to offset the regulatory cost of maintaining city streets. State tax law and court president do not give a favorable light to this whole thing. As such, it is reasonable for me for me and anybody else interested to conclude that there was no authorization under the city charter, state law, or even from the voters of Coppers Cove to enact such a tax and the business portion of this program could be considered an illegal occupation tax. I urge city council to direct city staff not to enforce this thing as a tax and to repeal it as soon as possible. I also urge council should it desire should it desire to do so in the future to lawful impose such a tax provided the tax itself is in compliance with Texas Texas law and the Texas constitution.
All right. Anyone else to speak during citizens forum?
Good evening Mr. Mayor and council members. My name is Jeffrey Burke. I'm a citizen of Colleen. I'm here uh about the ban that I received from Hills of Cove Golf Course. Uh to let you uh I would rather just read this. Uh I've sent both the emails to the city manager and to you, Mr. Mayor and with no response yet. I am right to formally dispute the appeal and ban that recently was placed on me at the Hills of Go golf course. I have played at this course for over 17 years with the same group. Have never had any issues at the course. I haven't been notified verbally or in writing that I was banned. The first time I was told of any such ban was during our phone call that I received 19 November 25 from the course manager, Tyler Morrison, saying that I was no longer allowed, not banned, no longer allowed to play at the course per Jeff. No written notice was provided, no explanation was given, and no due process was offered. This lack of notice and procedures inconsistent with city policy and with the requirements for restricting a citizen's access to public facility. The incident involving the golf cart occurred almost a year ago. I believe it's over a year now. Your city pressed charges. I turned myself in to be arrested. for backing into a golf cart. Um, I gave my uh statement to the police. I spent four hours in a cell. The district attorney dismissed the case. No charges, no violations. I played at the course three different
times with my buddies, some of them here tonight that I've played with for almost 18 years on Veterans Day. I am a veteran with 40 years both as in service and as a DoD civilian. This severity of this is I know is not right. No one contacted me. No one talked to me. I know that I made a mistake. I backed into that golf cart and I made a horrible decision because I didn't see the sever there was no severe damage to the golf cart. I snapped the front back on. I was late for a date and that's not an excuse. But I was signed for the golf cart as per the golf cart rules on the deal that I'm responsible for any damage found on that golf cart. The next morning, I wasn't contacted by the golf course or the manager. I was contacted by a friend that I was due to play there the next morning. They said they were banned from the golf course and could not play because I had hit a golf cart. And I said, "Yes, I have." And I'm on my way there. I got there, the police showed up. I gave a statement uh and I was told that I wasn't allowed to play anymore. And I begged the course to allow my friends to play because they had nothing to do with it. And finally, I guess they got the release to play. And I went home uh quite upset that with myself and that I had to talk to police over back into golf. Uh it's very troubling that I was looking
for the future of maybe buying a home in Cove and that being my home course. Today that is not the case. And uh I will finish this statement with um I am therefore requesting immediate review and reversal of this ban. A copy of written policy used to justify banning a citizen from a public golf course. A copy of all records, emails, notes, and internal communications that include my name or the playing partners that I play with, the card incident corresponds involving my name, of course, a meeting with you guys. uh the administration to assure that this is handled fairly and that's all I want. I've played at this course. I've had these friends forever. We serve together and I boycotted after was arrested and didn't play there for a year. And the only reason I came back for Veterans Day was because of my friends. And I think that's very important to all of us. And uh I this is a formal request under Freedom of Information Act public records act for all documentation required uh regarding this matter. I look forward to your timely response. Thank you very much.
All right. Anyone else to speak during citizens forum?
Good evening, mayor. Good evening, city council. I just wanted I'm a representative of WBW and I wanted to just introduce myself. My name is Tara um for our action item H4 and we just wanted to let you know we heard your concerns last week and instead of drawing this out um over months and months of negotiation and stuff, we just decided to go with what was suggested at the 0% um or the CCN transfer fee. Uh we wanted the city to feel comfortable with us and we want to start this project off on a good foot. So if you have any questions with for me afterwards or let me know. Thank you. Anyone else to speak during citizens forum?
All right, we will close citizens forum and move to item F, consent agenda.
All matters listed under this item are considered to be routine by the city council and will be enacted by one motion. There will not be separate discussion of these items. If discussion is desired, that item will be removed from the consent agenda and considered separately. Item one, consideration and action on approval of city council strategic planning session meeting minutes for November 14th, 2025. Lisa Wilson, city secretary. Item two, consideration and action on approval of city council workshop meeting minutes for November 18th, 2025. Lisa Wilson, city secretary. Item three, consideration and action on approval of city council regular meeting minutes for November 18, 2025. Lisa Wilson, city secretary. Item four, consideration and action on ordinance number 2025-41 and amending the personnel improvement plan for FY 2026 2030 and the position listing for FY202526. Ariana Beckman, director of budget. Item five, consideration and action on approval of ordinance number 2025-42 amending the fiscal year 2025 2026 budget for the city of Copper Cove. Ariana Beckman, director of budget.
Thank you, Lisa. Council, is there any item you wish to pull and consider separately? All right. Is there a motion to approve the consent agenda? Yes. I make a motion that we approve consent agenda item F1 through five. Second. Motion B by Mr. Hog. Second by M. Okay. All right. All those in favor say I. I.
Any oppose? Motion carries. We move to item G, public hearings and action. A governmental body shall allow each member of the public who desires to address the body regarding an item on an agenda for an open meeting of the body to address the body regarding the item at the meeting before or during the body's consideration of the item. Item one, public hearing and action on ordinance number 2025-43 to amend the future land use plan by Rayon Clayton and DBRC Holdings LP from retail to residential land use for land passes county property IDs 8956 and a portion of 8949 consisting of 10.73 acres generally located at 1624 West Highway West US Highway 190 Coppers Cove, Texas. Bobby Lewis, development services director.
Thank you. The time is 6:18 for this public hearing matter.
Thank you, Mayor and Council. Over the past several months, the applicant has experienced difficulty with selling their home to potential buyers as lenders are not will not loan funds to secure a mortgage to purchase the property as a single family home due to the commercial land use and zoning currently in place on the property. The reason for this request is to align the existing land use which is residential by amending the future land use plan map from retail retail commercial to lowdensity residential land use to allow the applicant an opportunity to sell their property to a potential buyer that needs to secure a mortgage for the purchase of the single family home. On November 24th, 2025, the planning and zoning commission voted 4 to two to recommend approval to city council to amend the future land use plan map from retail retail commercial to low density residential land use. With that, city staff and the planning and zoning commission recommend approval of ordinance number 2025-43 as requested.
All right. Thank you, Bobby. Is there questions council for Bobby? All right. Is there anyone in the audience who wish to speak on this public hearing matter? Hello. George McMaster, 111 Magnolia Avenue. I support it. And I get there's a regulatory need for a public hearing and all this other one, but sometimes maybe is a bit much and it's not a specific criticism of the thing. I was just like maybe a logical from a logical standpoint just let it happen. But yes, I do understand there's a point to it. But yes, I do support it.
Anyone else speak on this uh public hearing G1 matter? All right, we will close the public hearing time at 6:21. Council, is there action to be taken on this? Mr. Mayor, I make a motion that we approve item G1 um ordinance number 2025-43. I'll second.
Motion B by Mr. H by Miss Hogan council. Any questions? Right. Hearing none. All those in favor say I. I.
Any oppose? The motion carries. We move to item G2. Public hearing and action to approve ordinance number 2025-44 to reszone property by Rayon Clayton from HC to DI district to RE district for Lancast County property ID 8956 consisting of 1.834 acres and DBARC Holdings LP from HC district to AG district for a portion of Lasses County property ID 80 8949 consisting of 8.896 896 acres generally located at 1624 West US Highway 190 Copper Cove, Texas. Bobby Lewis, development services director.
All right. Thank you. The time is 6:22 for public hearing item G2.
Mayor and council, the applicant's property located at 1624 West US Highway 190 is a single family residence having an incompatible high commercial zoning district. The reason for this request is to align the existing land use and to reszone the property to allow the applicant an opportunity to sell their property to a potential buyer. On November 24th, 2025, the planning and zoning commission voted 4 to two to recommend approval of city council to reszone the property from HC Heavy Commercial District to RE Rural Estates District. With that, city staff and the planning and zoning commission recommend approval of ordinance number 2025-44 as requested.
All right, council, we have questions for Mr. Lewis.
All right. Is there anyone in the audience wishing to speak on this public hearing matter? George McMaster 11 Magnolia. Again, just for consistency sake, I support it. Anyone else to speak? All right, the time is 6:23. We'll close public hearing. Council, we have any action to be taken on this item? Mr. Mayor? Yes. Uh, recommend approval ordinance 2025-44. Second. Motion made by Mr. Treadway, second by Mr. Hail. Any other discussion? All right. All those in favor say I.
I. Any oppose? The motion carries. All right. That concludes public hearing matters. We move to item H. Action items. Item one, quarterly activity report for the Heart of Texas Defense Alliance. Keith Sled, executive director of the Heart of Texas Defense Alliance. Good evening, mayor, city council, city manager, and staff. I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and I want to wish you merry Christmas early. So, I don't know if I'll see you again before Christmas, but see you next year,
but hope you all had a chance to relax and spend some time with your friends and your family. So, uh this just a list of projects we're working on. I'll talk about a few of them. These are the updates for you. Uh back in November, the Army formally announced uh a program called Project Janice that will place small modular nuclear reactors on key military installations for energy resiliency. Now these when I say small these are 20 megawatt and below. So Fort Hood's average daily requirements about 35 megawatts. So it's be backup power for the installation. You'll see the list of the nine installations are not an E priority. That's just they're alphabetically listed up there of the ones that are being considered. They'll make a decision on who's going to get the first ones between now and the spring. And in the spring they'll make those site selection announcements. It is a good thing. The 20 megawatt reactors are about the size of a semi-truck. They're not large. They generate no nuclear waste. What happens is they run three to five years and then you pull that trailer out and put a new one in. Or you could, if you needed more power, you could stack another one beside it, hook them up in series and so on. Uh what it does do for the community is in a time of a think back to when uh Yuri happened what five years ago now or four years ago now I guess. Uh the power grid has limited amount of power. Ford is one of the prime power locations. is it will get power for key facilities like hospitals will as well. If they had something like this then 20 megawatts of that demand could be offset and allowed to go into the communities versus being required for those powered prime power sites. Uh these are it's new technology. It is not the technology we've seen in the past that build the large nuclear power plants you've seen in a couple places in Texas and around the state the US. Uh there's a lot of different there's five I think different designs. Eight different companies are competing. The Navy has operated small module reactors since 1954 when they built the USS Nautilus and they have operated hundreds of them since then on ships. Never had a failure. Uh so these are not what you think of when you think of some
of the larger plants. The project call sheets up there if anybody wants to pull it up and read about what it's supposed to do. Could be a good thing for the community and that it may bring new technology to the area. Also may bring some new businesses who want to see how this works and what they can do with it. Uh these are also proposed for use with future AI data centers as they are built to reduce demand on the commercial power grid versus having to to pretty high demand. So it's just a update for you. We'll let you know as more of this comes out. Uh but it has a great potential for it. The second I want to bring up to you and I'll show you a map in just a minute is uh the enhanced use lease. The army asked all DoD asked all installations and so the army asked Fort Hood to identify and report potential areas for enhanced use leases. Now enhanced use leases are sort of unique uh to government facilities. Uh DoD can do them for short-term or long term and essentially what it is you have to reimburse for the full market value of that in either money or in services you provide to the installations. So it's a direct benefit to the installations. Ford identified five areas that they thought would be potential. Well, I may not be able to get the map to work. Let me see if we'll go down to the map. Okay, there we go. So, you can see these five areas up there. You'll see two on either side of Highway 9, the 124 acres on the west side, the 207 acres on the east side, uh the 69 acres off north of Highway 14 or I-14, uh and some a little further over by Clear Creek. And then you'll see the other two places that are on the south side of I-14 that are in red there. Uh we don't know what will happen with these. They just had to identify the areas. DoD will then go back and see if they can anyone is interested in leasing these. It's a drawn out process to do it. One potential use would be for AI
data centers uh at the conference that the city manager and Fred Welch and I were at in end of October in Monterey for associates defense communities. One proposal is to put data centers on military installations so they are secure. Uh they have a footprint that not as large as those acreages you see up there but they have a pretty significant footprint and they have a large requirement in power and water. Uh we don't know if that will come, but it does have the potential if a company wanted to do this because they're responsible for all development of it. It's not funded by the federal government, but I just want to make you aware of these areas. The potential multimmoal site, the two sites that it came down to is the 207 acres on the east side of Highway 9 and 124 acres on the west side of Highway 9. So some of the committee is who gets there first to a degree. uh we don't know how long or how quickly the if a data center when to come will be before it would even begin to do this. This just happened in the last month and we haven't heard anything else about it recently. So, but if I do hear more, I will let you know.
Hey Keith. Yes. My first thought is that 124 acres on the west side of Highway 9 is been identified for years for a potential land swap. Fort Hood. How is this going to affect that? If they had an enhanced use lease, I don't know, they could do the land swap. They couldn't do it then. Now, if they got one of the other Are they gonna Are they going to take it off the table now? No, it's still it's in a congressional, it's in law, so there'll have to be some changes made. Okay. To go that way. I think if they did something, it'd either be the 69 acres or the 200, they could do the 68 acres, too. Although that's
not as secure a location. But, uh, the 207 acre site or the 69 acre site will probably I don't know how much land the data center needs. It's a more vertical construction than it is horizontal. uh they're building some over and clean now. We'll see where they you know it'll be an idea to see what they do with those. So I that's one reason I don't know if that would go for the 124 acres is because of that requirement because then you'd have to amend the the National Defense Authorization Act that was done back in 2017 I think if I remember right to to make that adjustment. Any other questions about that? That's all.
Okay. uh the AI data centers, there's a little bit of them here. It's another presidential executive order. They want to protect them because the potential for to be targeted or also to be uh to get access to them for other purposes. The RFPs will come out, requests for proposals will come out for these in the spring of 2026. And then that'll be the best indication if anybody's interested in doing something in this area here or not. Uh and when it says land lease, that would be an enhanced use lease. uh if was it Fort Hood, one of those potential areas that we identified for the FY26 budget. We did get a continuing resolution that funds government through the not quite the end of January, but almost end of January. On 30 January, there were three of the traditional 12 appropriation bills passed as part of that, the military and veterans affairs mil military construction, agricultural bill, and the legislative branch bill, which funds actual government operations. Uh, in the milcom bill, there is money for another motorpool for Ford Hood that Congressman Carter was able to work on. So, we do appreciate him doing that. The reason that's important is the motorpools of Fort Hood that house, especially for armored vehicles like the M1 tank or M2 Bradley were built back in the 50s and 60s for three generation of vehicles older and they don't fit. So, you can't pull an M1 tank into the motorpool bay to work on it. You work on it outside in the sun under sun shades traditionally. So, these are going to be designed to actually work on this kind of equipment, make it easier for the soldiers to maintain the equipment more efficient. Uh, the National Defense Authorization Act, there's a good chance it will be passed before the Christmas break. They're in agreement, uh, both the House and Senate on the bills. It's in a conference committee now. Uh, the biggest issue that's on work is what's called the right to repair. In the past, DoD has not always had the ability to do to get proprietary data for the right to repair vehicles. uh they are now making the case that they want that. Uh and so both bills include right to repair. It's just they do it in different ways. And so that's what they're haggling about
now. So hopefully we'll have some movement on the bill in the next week. Uh when it does pass, it does include a 3.8% pay raise for soldiers or and all service members. A 3.9% increase in BAH will come out between two and 6% depending on what location you're at at that point in time. We have not seen the new rate, so I can't tell you how much Fort's BH rate would increase. Another 3.4 4% increase in the basic allowance for subsistence. Notably, the army in strength increases by almost 12,000 soldiers in this NDAA which has gone down the last two previous years and that's a direct result of the improvements in recruiting. So, which is good news because we've been below authorizations at Fort Hood for almost three years now. In fact, uh, on the assigned, if you look at the fast facts, has gone up, uh, the last few months, which is good news. And it'll take a little while for the most soldiers come in in the summer because they graduate high school or whatever program they're in and then enlist to come in sometime after that. Uh, one other note I would bring up to you is the I-14 expansion from Copper Cove to Lomita is currently out for public comment. There's a first of three series started first one last night and there's two more sessions, one in Lan Passes and one in Lama over the next couple of weeks. Uh there's a website you can go to if you want to see the route. There's not tons of information on there. It just kind of shows proposed routes and allows public comment to be made about the potential impacts from those routes. There's another SER hearings that will go on in the spring and another one I want to say in the fall. This project is still four to five years out from design and then probably 10 or more years out from construction starting at least at this point. There's no funding committed to the actual construction yet. So, but it it's good news at least we're looking at and this is run by the Brownwood district not by the Waco district which does most of the stuff from kind of the west side of Copper Cove going back to the east. The Fort Hood fast facts there you'll see the 32,900 soldiers. Uh we have been down into the 31,000 level for a period
of time. You can see it starting to climb, which is good news. Deployment numbers did go up as third brigade is deployed currently over to Europe. Uh only went up about 600 additional soldiers this month and then about 1.9% overall. So subject to any questions you have. That's all I have for you this evening. Council, any questions? Thank you, Keith. Y'all have a merry Christmas and a happy new year. Thank you. Okay.
Move to item H2. Consideration and action on resolution number 2025-30, casting votes for candidates to serve on the Coral Central Appraisal District Board of Directors. Ariana Beckman, director of budget.
Thank you, Lisa. Uh, good evening, council, mayor, uh, city manager. Uh, the Coral Central Appraisal District has provided four nominees for appointment to it, uh, board of directors for 2026 2029 term. Uh those nominees uh are Fred Chavez, Inz Faison, Kevin George, and Councilman uh Dale Treadway. The city of Capas Cove has been allocated for 120 votes for this election. Uh you can distribute these votes to one or up to four candidates in any uh combination, but you cannot exceed four individuals. Uh one important factor to uh remember is that a total of 667 votes is required uh to ensure nominees placement on the coralcads board of directors. As we do imp as we have done in previous years, we do coordinate with uh Carpers Cove Independent School District and we were notified that they have casted 424 votes which is the allocated votes for the school district for Inz Faison. So following this allocation, Miss Faison is currently 211 votes short of the threshold that is needed for her placement on the board. If the city council uh chooses to support her uh appointment, you can apply 209 votes uh and that will secure her position and that will uh leave um the remaining votes for allocation to other nominees. Uh the city is required to formalize its ballot by resolution and submit it to the Corell CAD by December 15, 2025. So staff's recommendation is that council cast their votes and approve attached the
resolution electing candidates to serve on the corat board. Okay. Question. If don't cast enough votes for Mr. Faison, then the possibility exists that no representative co would be on the present district. So what was your question again? Is is that am I saying that right? Possibility exists that we wouldn't have anybody. Yes, Jack. Mr. Mayor. Yes.
Uh there's only four people on the ballot and three of them are from Coppers Cove and um I think they also this Central Texas College cast votes uh 50% for Dale Treadway and 50% for Inz Faison. I've been told. I don't know how many votes those are though. That was good. May I that is correct. Uh I did listen to their meeting. They were allocated six 64 votes total. So 32 were allocated for Miss Faison and the remaining 32 for um Fred Chavis. Fred Chavez. Fred Chavez or Fred Chavez. At the last minute they uh changed their voting. Okay.
Yeah. Okay. So, with those two entities combined, uh, Miss Faison needs uh 209 votes to be placed on the on their board. Mayor, yes. Uh, Mrs. Begman, can you also share what Corell County and Gatesville ISD how they cast their votes as well? Yes. Because that I think that'll really help council make a quick decision.
Yes. So, Coral County uh did 584 votes for Kevin George and then Gatesville ISD added another 291 votes for uh Mr. George. And then Miss Faison, she got the 424 votes from CCISD, 32 votes from CTC, and then Mr. Chavez got the 32 votes from C from CTC and that's all of the entities I believe.
Yeah. So, mayor and council, um, I mean, Kevin George is going to be on as a board of director, and even if you cast all of your votes just in in theory to Fred Chavez because he's kind of the underdog at this point, um, Id Faison will still be the other board of director. And so, I think think your action is pretty easy because you're the last organization to cast votes at this point. SS 456 is Kevin. Is he cop Gatesville?
That's Gatesville. Okay, that's what I thought. Okay. All right. So, council, there's 456 votes cast for Inz Baison and 267 is the magic number to elect somebody.
Mr. Mayor, yes. That's just a guarantee that they're elected, but they could be elected with 424 votes also if that's the most votes. the top three vote getters. Yes. Uh mayor, no. It's only two positions. Only two positions will be elected in this uh voting process. Only two, not three. Only two positions. Okay. Are available. So, Mr. George, already one of them. Yes.
Okay. All right, council. If I if I'm understanding correctly, takes 211 votes to ensure Miss Fison gets is on the appraisal district that represents Copper Code. Am I read Am I saying that right? Yes. Okay. Mr. Mayor. Yes.
I'd like to make a motion that we allocate 211 of our votes to Inz Faison and the remainder to Fred Chavez. Okay. Second. Motion made by Mr. Smith, second by who? Dale. Okay. Any other comments, questions? So, how many how many votes is that for Fred? So, less than what is needed. Less than what is needed to be guaranteed.
20. Okay. All right. Any other questions? All right. All those in favor say I. I. Any oppose? Motion carries. Right. Item H3, consideration action on resolution number 2025-31, casting votes for candidates to serve on the Lamp Passes Central Appraisal District Board of Directors. Ariana Beckman, director of budget.
Uh thank you, Lisa. Again, uh the Lampasa Central Appraisal District has provided five nominees for appointment to its board of directors. Uh their term, it's a two-year term though, uh 2026 through 27. Uh those nominees include David Barkley, Marshall Brewer, Steve Cook, Philip Garrett, and Chris Harrison. Uh the city of Cove has been allocated a total of 162 votes for this election. You can distribute these votes uh to one or up to five candidates. Uh we are required to formalize uh the ballot by resolution and submit it to the LA Passes CAD by December 16, 2025. Staff's recommendation is that council cast their votes and approved and approve a task resolution electing candidates to serve on the Lasses uh CAD board.
Okay, Mr. Mayor, I have a question. Okay. Are any of these individuals from Copper Code? Does anybody know? I don't believe so. I don't think so either. So there there would not be a representative from co on the lamp passes board. So anybody else I don't
I'm sorry. What was your question there? Has any other entities already voted? I don't know. Okay. So, it's basically a scatter shot. Take your 162 and divide them up or one or two people. Personally, I do not know any of them, so I couldn't tell you one way or the other. Mr. Mayor, I'm fine with dividing them evenly among all the candidates. Okay.
Which I know it won't come out exactly even, but Ryan can do the math. Thank you.
The odd vote go to matter. David Barkling. He's first one on there. Sounds fine. Okay. You was that a motion? I believe it was. I believe it was. Okay. And I second it. Okay. Motion made a second by John. Any other discussion? All right. All those in favor say I. Any oppose? Thank you, Gary. Thank you, Ariana. Move to item H4.
Consideration and action on authorizing the city manager to enter into a development and annexation agreement between the city of Coppers Cove and WBW Single Development Group LLC series 144 and WBW Investment Solutions LLC series 011. collectively the developer for property known as Corell County property IDs 15659354944 and 104649 consisting of 3.1 310.07 acres located along Lutheran Church Road and west of Summers Road in the city's extr territorial jurisdiction. Bobby Lewis, development services director. Mayor and council, since the city council meeting held on November 18, 2025, developers have agreed to remove the provision for city reimbursement of the CCN transfer costs and agree to all other previous negotiated requirements of the agreement. City staff has accepted all language changes to the draft development agreement and compiled all exhibits within the attached agreement representing the final development agreement for this 300 plus acre master plan development. With that, city staff recommended the city council authorize the city manager execute the development and annexation agreement between the city of Coppers Cove and WBW Single Development Group LLC series 144 and W and WBW Investment Solutions LLC series 011.
Okay. Council questions for Mr. Lewis. Mr. Mayor. Yes. I just want to thank uh city manager, city staff, and WDWBW for getting back so quick and working out the concerns and issues that we had with this. Okay. Anybody else? All right. Action be taken on this item. Mr. Mayor, I make a motion that we approve action item H4. I'll second that
motion made by Mr. Hog by Miss Hogan. Any other discussion?
All right. All those in favor say I. I. Any oppose? Motion carries. Thank you. All right. We move to reports from staff outside entities. advisory committees and boards. We have the city manager report from Riyot.
Thank you, mayor and councel. Uh so I'm going to go through my report. I'll go quickly again like I normally do. Interrupt me if you have any questions, concerns about any of the topics uh that I cover starting with capital projects animal control facility. uh that facility uh continues to move forward at this point and uh I a little cautious about saying this but it is supposed to be complete this month. Now we're we're in December so be complete in December and move in in January. Um next uh we have the senior center facility. Uh that uh senior center facility is is moving well. Um we are still uh hopeful that uh we can complete uh all components within the building by um next week with a certificate of occupancy uh inspection shortly after that. Um uh grand opening will be scheduled for this facility as well as the senior center facil uh animal control facility when those are done. Um city park improvements uh those are uh pretty much completed. Um, a lot of the landscaping and irrigation around uh City Park Pool is uh pond uh has been completed. It looks really nice if you haven't been out there. Um, but go out there uh this uh this weekend or next Tuesday uh when we'll have our uh Christmas and Cove Park celebration and event. Uh municipal court renovation. Unfortunately, that renovation is not moving as well as uh we uh continue to hope for. Uh there's a number of items that we have ordered that are not have not been received um that are on back order uh particularly flooring and and other fixtures and components. Fire Station number three expansion is moving
on as scheduled and so we expect that facility to could be complete this month as well uh with opening next month. Um city events activities department operations. So we've talked about some of the uh parks and recreation uh events and um operation uh activities that are occurring. Uh there's two I want to point out in particular. uh police department is doing uh Christmas and Cove again. So if you see anything that would support that, by all means uh council, I'd appreciate that you supported that as well. That has become a pretty large event that has been a great benefit to our community. The other uh department operation that's uh come to my attention is um the uh bylaws that are specifically that city council specifically approved for keep copper code beautiful. Um, back uh in I believe it was uh May, city council considered approval of revised bylaws for keep copper Cove Beautiful, which included a new section which is social media policy. And in that section, it does state that commissioners should remember that their online presence is an extension of KCCB and should reflect the organization's commitment to community engagement and positive impact. Uh there's been a recent uh concern uh about that policy. Um and some public comments on social media have been made uh about the city asking uh for a commissioner to resign or to uh change a post that that commissioner made. Um just just want you to be fully aware that um any discussion that did occur uh was not about removing a post. Um, initially, uh, it it was eventually made as an offer of, uh, trying to help remediate a situation. Um, but, uh, it we, uh, simply ask that, uh, an
individual that represents themselves as a KCCB commissioner, uh, understand that the bylaws that you, as a council approved, uh, state that they should be representing themselves, uh, for the benefit of KCCB as well. So, uh, wanted to bring that, uh, little section to your attention. Um, I I think overall, uh, the KCCB commissioners do an amazing job and they'll continue to do an amazing job. Um, social media is is one of those areas that has a lot of free expression and we fully do encourage that and but as a representative of an organization uh we bear that responsibility also for the bylaws specifically that council has approved and we need to follow those. So um next uh we do have emergency notifications and prep preparations. Unfortunately, we had to send out a message to our community about code red or onsolve, which is the emergency notification uh system that we utilize as part of uh central Texas council of governments. uh we were in partner with them and uh there was a concern that came out regionally uh that there may have been some type of sec cyber security incident with code red and onsolve and we just encourage those who are registered with code red and onsolve that they go in and change their password at a very minimum. It does not appear that there have been any uh issues or concerns in our region specifically. So this is more of a nationwide type of issue. Um, uh, city council strategic planning retreat. Um, mayor and council, I just want to say thank you for the engagement that we had during that retreat. Uh, we I will be bringing back uh the direction that council provided during that retreat to
uh slightly revise our vision and our mission statement and to uh bring back uh the strategic goals and objectives uh discussed during that retreat. And so you'll have an opportunity to review those, provide additional uh clarification or revisions uh on those goals and objectives and then an opportunity to adopt it so that we can begin focusing on uh those goals and objectives in the next few years. Uh grant status, uh not a whole lot to report. uh the fact that the federal government was shut down for some time. Uh we are dealing with kind of a backlog of reporting requirements. Uh we've continued to do our reporting as required by the grants, but now those representatives for those granting agencies are back to work and they're reviewing them and uh a number of them have asked us to make revisions to some of those things. So, we're trying to catch back up uh with the reporting cycle and we'll hopefully continue that process. Um, beyond that, uh, mayor, that concludes my report and I'll take any questions or concerns from the council.
Council, any questions for Ryan? Okay. Thank you, Ryan. Uh, we move to item J, items for future agendas. Nothing for me, Mr. Mayor. Nothing for me, sir. Nothing, Mr. Mayor. I have nothing, sir. Nothing, Mr. Mayor. Um, yes. I don't have anything for a future agenda, but I do have something that I would like to announce for future that I forgot to mention for at during the announcements, if I may. Sure.
Thank you. Um, Parks and Recreation will have be having their breakfast with Santa at the Civic Center December 13th, 8 to 10:30 a.m. Adaptive Cookies with Santa at the Civic Center December 13th, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. And don't forget about the magical mailbox that's located at the Civic Center for Letters Letters to Santa going all the way till December 12th. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor. All right, J. No items for future agenda.
All right. There is no executive session for tonight. So the time is 6:57. We stand adjourned. Want to wish everyone merry Christmas and happy new year.
This transcript was automatically generated from the official public meeting video and is presented unedited. It reflects remarks made on the public record by elected officials, staff, and public commenters. Transcript accuracy may vary; view the original recording for reference.