[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6374851,"mediaKeyId","2143043-ba81fe8b203d436d7adb532f69d62b63","parentId",2143043,"title","Cove House reports new debt-free sixplex and rising shelter use; seeks possible second building","audioSeconds",530,"startMs",9166000,"endMs",9696000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2143043-ba81fe8b203d436d7adb532f69d62b63&start=9166&end=9696","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2143043-ba81fe8b203d436d7adb532f69d62b63/thumbnail_9166000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6374851/Copperas-Cove/Coryell-County/Texas/Cove-House-reports-new-debt-free-sixplex-and-rising-shelter-use-seeks-possible-second-building","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6374851-6611ec6cccb0bb171425853053361c54/orig.mp4?Expires=1775223903&Signature=oWn3adPUddx2bi2n9X7TqEX5cXDO2TJuZgNi~McJ6XFU9glusd-Kg9Enfd21sq0W40iYJLxqkUSt-RB7~aepS6HN-VG15bS40EwvkxKLeA6HL3V2h908SIJmaoWNiEHKAwRVwdXRMSCFgQR1glYOcH3b2gZApV~NcFIFBnyigqvCYZe5wtLezYgVm0L5IcYNBOXXMK~wUYZkKvPG2dkkIiPvwKZdX2wAE4w1253XsEs39L5E0SvEVlDMTF6jyouvZ9Edt~F41QSNQIR4n44SQWAR7B7kwe2SHRQOuITdvH56dhwRie7XeGCqoPTOsd8D6tCruj-6N3e8aRLbrneTeA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Copperas Cove TX","date","2025-01-22T02:07:46Z","article","Brian Hawkins, executive director of Cove House Homeless Shelter, thanked council for ARPA funding and described the completion and immediate occupancy of a new six-unit building and an earlier duplex. He said the funds the city provided enabled two buildings to be completed and that the project came in substantially under typical construction cost because the primary builder and many subcontractors donated labor or provided materials at reduced cost.

Hawkins said Cove House sheltered 70 residents from Jan. 1, 2024 to the present (six families and 50 individuals) and expects the sixplex to be fully occupied by late February or early March after volunteers completed furniture and move-ins. He described the units as modestly furnished with utilities and services provided in-house, and said the shelter limits single-adult occupancy to four people in a unit that contains bunk beds so that units remain suitable for families.

Hawkins outlined a potential follow-up project: replacing an aging on-site office building with a two-story structure that would include a small laundromat and storage on the ground floor and a second-floor men’s dorm for about 10 men; the duplex would remain focused on single women and the sixplex on family housing. He invited councilmembers to tour the property and said Cove House would prepare a plaque to thank the council.

Why it matters

The shelter expansion increases the city’s capacity to house people experiencing homelessness and provides a base for partner services (food, clothing, referrals). Cove House reported local partnerships with nonprofits and businesses to support residents and program operations.

Staff follow-up

Cove House will coordinate visits for council members and continue operational work to fill and furnish the units. Hawkins said he would speak further with Development Services on the feasibility of the second building and potential funding approaches.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting 01-21-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Cove House told the council it completed a six-unit shelter building funded largely with ARPA and donated labor/materials, sheltered 70 residents in 2024, and plans a possible second building to add a men’s dorm and laundromat.","taxTitle","Copperas Cove, Coryell County, Texas","taxId",52762,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6374856,"Votes at a glance: Copperas Cove council approves fee and budget changes, interlocal diversion agreements, construction contracts and more",3580,3559000,7139000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2143043-ba81fe8b203d436d7adb532f69d62b63&start=3559&end=7139","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2143043-ba81fe8b203d436d7adb532f69d62b63/thumbnail_3559000.jpg","/articles/6374856/Copperas-Cove/Coryell-County/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-Copperas-Cove-council-approves-fee-and-budget-changes-interlocal-diversion-agreements-construction-contracts-and-more","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6374856-ea70548d23ba0b244a0eb21e408a51a8/orig.mp4?Expires=1775223903&Signature=eNryeiGoUDK-Lkdu9Esm-SYIr6FtHG1FLMgoQVplugO7GyhOy0wUDxGdzuQjnZHx-2a7j-ZKUOLo9Kj0i~A3QLzQLs0ZNAqoVH1aGeRB8SDdBleKygMeQc-P86qakFnRYNAoUKm7ToiOoFH91fVROMyuYOB2NZBx4-L-flRlEF~GfRXE9joEZcG1vkBPw1iXuBMkbcJEb8gP4G2nNDJ7cOIOnOaHwdjniPZnuAV62NSEQ20Nl5PfS57Q1JTdFy-ymcvrOMtDxe1HaeZ3d8dipC7C07kG3F5NFWCqvnoaKo99bL3pax2D-mRJ9eEIkXrm0AJG46yHKZIb04rCACb9Yg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Copperas Cove City Council took action on multiple ordinances, interlocal agreements, appointments and contracts on Jan. 21, 2025. The items below summarize formal motions the minutes record and their outcomes.

Votes at a glance

- Consent Agenda (items F1–F4: approval of workshop and regular meeting minutes, Oak Hill/Deer Flat change order, and an excused absence for Councilmember John Hale) — motion to approve items 1–4; motion made by John Hale; second by Kristina Strophas; outcome: approved on voice vote.

- Municipal Court Associate Judge evaluation (H1) — council approved the required annual evaluation form for the municipal court associate judge as presented; motion and second not specified in the minutes; outcome: approved.

- Interlocal Agreement with Copperas Cove Independent School District (H2) — authorize the city manager to execute an interlocal agreement to jointly administer a youth diversion program required by changes in state law (House Bill 3186); motion and second recorded on the minutes; outcome: approved.

- Interlocal Agreement with Coryell County Juvenile Probation (H3) — authorize the city manager to execute an interlocal agreement with Coryell County Juvenile Probation to jointly administer the youth diversion program; motion made by John Hale; second by Del Treadway; outcome: approved.

- Appointments to Keep Copperas Cove Beautiful Commission (H4) — council appointed Mark Payne, David Harden and Nikki Withward Razzola to fill three of four vacancies described in the packet; motion and second recorded; outcome: approved.

- Economic Development Corporation Board appointment (H5) — council nominated and appointed Fred Chavez to fill the unexpired term for Position 1 on the EDC board; nomination by the mayor; outcome: approved.

- Ordinance No. 2025-2 (H6) — amend the city fee schedule to revise aquatics fees (residents $3→$3.50; nonresidents $5→$5.50) and establish senior swim pass and restoration fees; motion made by John Hale; second by Del Treadway; outcome: approved.

- Ordinance No. 2025-1 (H7) — fiscal year 2024–25 budget amendment to carry forward prior-year commitments and fund items including seasonal pay increases for aquatics; motion made by Del Treadway; second by John Hale; outcome: approved.

- Resolution No. 2025-3 (H8) — establish the city population estimate as 40,638 persons as of Jan. 1, 2025 (staff calculated 381 new dwelling units added in 2024, an estimate of 1,002 additional persons); motion made by John Hale; second by Del Treadway; outcome: approved.

- Resolution No. 2025-1 (H9) — authorize the city manager to execute an advanced funding agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation for the Fort Cavazos access ramps project (agreement amount in packet $10,300,000; total project cost $12,900,000); motion made and second recorded; outcome: approved.

- Stormwater Management Plan submission (H10) — authorize the city manager to execute and submit the updated MS4 stormwater management plan to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality on or before the Feb. 11, 2025 deadline; motion made by Del Treadway; second by John Hale; outcome: approved.

- Construction agreement for duck pond walking surface (H11) — authorize the city manager to execute a construction agreement with Seneca Construction Management, LLC for $193,333 to install 8,600 square feet of concrete walking surface around the duck pond and connect pedestrian bridges; motion made by Del Treadway; second by Vanya Hart; outcome: approved.

- City council committee assignment changes (H12) — council approved the mayor’s committee assignments; motion made by Del Treadway; second by Kristina Strophas; outcome: approved.

Notes on vote records

Most actions were approved on voice votes; the minutes record the maker and seconder for many motions where the clerk captured them verbally. The minutes do not include individual roll-call tallies for those voice votes. When the minutes did not specify a mover or seconder, the roundup notes the motion and outcome without attributing names.

Why it matters

The agenda combined routine housekeeping (minutes, appointments and committee assignments) with substantive decisions that affect city finances (fee schedule, budget amendment), intergovernmental youth diversion programs, transportation grants and local capital projects.","At its Jan. 21 meeting the council approved a package of ordinances, interlocal agreements, contracts and appointments. This roundup lists each formal action, the motion where reported, and the outcome as recorded in the minutes.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6374862,"Copperas Cove council backs higher lifeguard pay, pool fee increases to keep summer aquatics program running",6028,968000,6996000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2143043-ba81fe8b203d436d7adb532f69d62b63&start=968&end=6996","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2143043-ba81fe8b203d436d7adb532f69d62b63/thumbnail_968000.jpg","/articles/6374862/Copperas-Cove/Coryell-County/Texas/Copperas-Cove-council-backs-higher-lifeguard-pay-pool-fee-increases-to-keep-summer-aquatics-program-running","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6374862-c0bf0898ef52e8a309474c088d5ade75/orig.mp4?Expires=1775223903&Signature=WriRASuJUdwR0Tmuw4bpYuRX7vfP74qZosbKZ~nJA253dvhx6gzpYT4HFL5AT2ywJHO3JnNIy3hEGENnGiBMnJq4h0AFoLKnGlbwPUVbqWvhJFdceXnGWUmx3PHEkLQfdfMQ5mIxeyw~7by1fCVWZn1agEvpWEFP0sh-KkpJV-1~bfZN5a5tEFIsBMKXWcIp05aa2l3IwKs5xeP7ahDPWc8aaveJaYidSJqZ1liWo0bch7W5F7O12G8cJ1HZz72B-7GcsP8X7vmVWsxBAMGvfqL5VdNmHM4MdjXyUaBKAYpbc0LmEbxvUdAp3ElHSyP-kAVRaaDGWo0FTe5tNSZVlA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jeff Stauter, director of Parks and Recreation, briefed the City Council of Copperas Cove on the department’s 2025 aquatics program and staffing needs, saying the seasonal program runs from May through September — “roughly about 20 weeks long.” He told council the department needs 22 lifeguards to staff City Park and South Park pools and must meet a Red Cross standard of one lifeguard per 25 patrons on the pool deck.

The city manager explained why staff proposed both pay increases and changes to the fee schedule: without changes, the aquatics program runs a structural shortfall covered by tax revenue. “You can see at the very bottom that the revenues do not cover the expenses,” City Manager Ryan said during the budget workshop, and staff said the shortfall would grow under the recommended pay changes.

Council heard that staffing limits have forced curtailed services in prior seasons. Stauter said Copperas Cove competes with nearby employers and military installations for lifeguards, noting that some local teens choose jobs in Killeen or on Fort Hood for higher pay. To address chronic understaffing and to create consistent maintenance, staff proposed adding a dedicated pool maintenance technician and raising seasonal salaries. The presentation showed the department’s proposal would raise total seasonal salaries to $104,405, an increase of $36,607 over current seasonal payroll estimates. Stauter said those changes — combined with modest fee increases and a new senior swim fee — were intended to keep pools open and reduce the frequency of capacity-based admissions cuts.

Arianna Beckman, director of budget, presented the related fee changes on the regular agenda. The ordinance approved by council raised daily admission for residents from $3.00 to $3.50 and for nonresidents from $5.00 to $5.50. The council also approved a senior swim season pass and program fees: a seasonal pass at $40, a $2 daily senior fee, and a $10 restoration fee. Beckman confirmed the pass is an annual/seasonal pass.

Council discussed the trade-offs between raising fees and using tax revenues to subsidize the program; several members signaled support for the staff recommendations. The council adopted the fee-schedule ordinance (Ordinance No. 2025-2) and later approved the related budget amendment that carries forward and reallocates prior-year amounts and funds the recommended pay changes (Ordinance No. 2025-1).

What the changes mean in practice: Stauter said the City Park pool’s maximum capacity is 250 and South Park’s is 150 (staff typically caps South Park at 100 because of staffing). The department expects a modest revenue increase from the fee changes — presentation figures showed an amended pool revenue line of $70,850 and an estimated program revenue increase of $4,850 — but staffing and program costs still require general-fund support.

Council action

- Ordinance No. 2025-2 (amending the city’s fee schedule to raise pool admission and create senior swim fees) — motion carried on a voice vote (motion made by John Hale; second by Del Treadway). Outcome: approved.
- Ordinance No. 2025-1 (fiscal-year 2024–25 budget amendment that includes the aquatics salary increases and other roll-over items) — motion carried on a voice vote (motion made by Del Treadway; second by John Hale). Outcome: approved.

Why it matters

The pool program is a seasonal public-service offering the council has historically subsidized. Council members and staff framed the pay increases and small fee upticks as a way to maintain service levels (hours, lessons, senior programming) rather than reduce access. The city manager noted that the council has historically treated the aquatics program as a public service and that any remaining difference between revenues and expenses is covered from tax revenues.

Staff follow-up

Parks staff will implement pay changes and the updated fee schedule for the coming season. Stauter said pools may remain open into October when weather and staffing permit. The fee ordinance and budget amendment give staff authority to set the program up under the revised pay and fee structure for 2025. The council did not add additional conditions to the adopted measures.

","After a workshop briefing, the council approved fee-schedule and budget amendments that raise seasonal pay and modestly increase admission fees to address lifeguard shortages and operating shortfalls for the city’s two public pools.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Cove House reports new debt-free sixplex and rising shelter use; seeks possible second building

Votes at a glance: Copperas Cove council approves fee and budget changes, interlocal diversion agreements, construction contracts and more

Copperas Cove council backs higher lifeguard pay, pool fee increases to keep summer aquatics program running