Council authorizes $597,000 contract for senior center mechanical, electrical and plumbing work

The Copperas Cove City Council voted to authorize the city manager to execute a construction contract with Texas HomePro LLC for mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) work at the new senior center site at 2400 Walker Place Boulevard.

Bids opened April 21. Texas HomePro submitted the low bid of $597,000; the two competing bids were Seneca Construction at $1,069,932 and HCS at $1,091,053. City staff recommended Texas HomePro and provided a project budget summary showing that council previously approved a budget amendment of $1,800,000 to fully fund the project; staff had previously identified a $1.5 million budget shortfall before that amendment.

Council deliberation and vote: Councilmember Jack Smith moved to authorize the city manager to execute the agreement; Councilmember John Hale seconded. On roll call the motion passed 4-3. Voting yes: Christina Strophas, Sean Alzona, John Hale and Jack Smith. Voting no: Rita Hogan, Del Treadway and Vanya Hart. The council asked staff and the architect to provide bid review and the budget summary that explain the recommendation and cost breakdowns.

Why it matters: The senior center project advances a city facility relocation and construction program. City staff said the municipal budget now includes sufficient appropriation after the April budget amendment and that staff had prepared material answering council questions about HVAC and material costs.

What was not changed: Council did not change the contractor selection; the approved action authorized the city manager to sign the MEP construction agreement with Texas HomePro at the low bid amount.

Ending: City staff said procurement documents, the architect—s bid review and an itemized HVAC cost analysis would be included in project records and that construction will proceed under the awarded contract.