Copperas Cove City Manager Andrea Gardner encouraged Kempner council members to sign a resolution supporting Copperas Cove’s prospective bypass. Also pictured is Kempner Mayor Pro Tem Paul Cook. PHOTO BY MAT TAYLOR Those who drive through heavy traffic in Copperas Cove may be able to take an alternate route in the future.

Kempner City Council last week approved and Mayor Gene Isenhour signed a resolution supporting the city of Copperas Cove in the preparation and submittal to the Texas Department of Transportation a pass-through toll financing application for the construction of the Southeast Bypass Project.

The project also is known as the U.S. Highway 190 Reliever Route.

Copperas Cove City Manager Andrea Gardner addressed the Kempner council and encouraged members to approve the resolution. The resolution will be included with Copperas Cove’s application for approval by TxDOT.

“The Southeast Bypass Project was originally proposed to be constructed as a four-lane, controlled access roadway from existing U.S. Highway 190 west of FM 2657 eastward to U.S. 190 east of Copperas Cove city limits,” Ms. Gardner said. “The development of this project will reduce congestion on U.S. 190, and improve mobility and safety through the area.”

Copperas Cove will fund the project and be reimbursed through yearly payments from TxDOT. In conjunction with the bypass, the city has included a widening project for FM 2657 from U.S. 190 to County Road 4744. The resolution supports both projects.

Isenhour said Kempner would benefit greatly from the completion of the bypass and would make it much easier for people in Lampasas County to drive to Fort Hood, Killeen and Temple.

Councilman Cliff Morse said he was concerned about the wording of “pass-through toll financing” and wondered if the proposed bypass would become a toll road.

Ms. Gardner said the program is called a pass-through toll financing, but Copperas Cove had the option to make it a toll road or not, and the city chose not to utilize a toll road. That decision is stated in the application.

The Copperas Cove city manager said the city expects to hear from TxDOT in August about whether funding has been approved and if so, the city will issue the debt in November. The project would be let in early 2011.

Completion of the highway could take up to three years. Ms. Gardner added that the right of way easements already have been acquired.

In other business, Pedernales Electric Cooperative representative Wayne Tucker updated the council on PEC activities.

“Last month through the Light the Way program, PEC donated $1,000 to 19 organizations in the Bertram area, which includes Kempner and Lampasas County,” he said.

Donations went to fire departments, emergency medical services, libraries, child advocacies and senior citizens’ groups.

Tucker said PEC offers scholarships to graduating seniors whose parents are PEC members. PEC awarded 50 scholarships this year, including one to a student from Lampasas High School.

Also this year, PEC supported 39 area high schools -- including Lampasas High School -- by giving $500 to Project Graduation groups. “These donations will help graduates celebrate their achievement in a safe, responsible way.”

Tucker said at Lampasas Middle School recently, PEC sponsored a Powerhouse Program that teaches students ways to conserve energy in their home.

In other business last week, the Kempner council approved a Letter of Engagement from Singleton, Clark and Company, PC, regarding the city’s 2010 annual financial audit. The letter stated the cost to be $5,350, which is $150 more than last year’s audit.

In regard to the city park, Isenhour said soldiers from the 36th Engineer Brigade have completed sidewalks to four pads where picnic tables will be constructed. Four picnic pads have been poured, he added.

The mayor said when the soldiers were working recently, an anonymous person donated pizzas to all the workers. “I don’t know who the person was, but both the soldiers and I appreciate the gesture.”

The city of Kempner will conduct a Memorial Day Ceremony May 31 at 10 a.m. at the Sylvia Tucker Memorial Park north of U.S. 190, east of the downtown area.

The ceremony will include a color guard, “Taps,” a rifle squad, playing of the national anthem, pledge of allegiance to the American flag and a wreath-laying at the base of the Veterans Memorial.

Kempner City Council will meet again in regular session May 25 at 7 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers.

A called meeting is today at 7 p.m. for presentation of a first reading on an ordinance annexing 1.812 acres into the city limits.