On Tuesday night, Coppell Mayor Karen Hunt authorized two resolutions amending and approving the City of Coppell’s allocation of funds from the CARES Act (The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act) for local businesses and social services.

The allotted funds are for educational purposes, supporting local businesses and the purchase of four Lucas CPR Chest Compression Systems for the fire department from Stryker Medical. 

“We can avoid some of the challenges that government entities around the country are having in being questioned about how they spend the money,” council member Gary Roden said. “If the money is not needed, it can be returned to Dallas and Denton County and then back to the federal government.” 

The two resolutions would state that the $2.2 million remaining in the CARES Act fund after distributing $199,123.14 to local businesses in grants would support the Coppell Fire Department, sponsor more grants for local businesses and fund distance learning occurring in Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD called Operation Connectivity. Operation Connectivity provides equipment for distance learning in CFBISD, which has 411 Coppell residents enrolled. They have been allocated $50,000 of the fund. 

Chief Richardson of the Coppell Fire Department discussed the benefits of the Lucas CPR Chest Compression Systems, calling them protection from COVID-19 during resuscitation. Because this machinery falls under the personal protective equipment requirements, it is eligible for CARES Act funds. Richardson also supports the idea that mechanized CPR provides the highest degree of care rather than physical CPR. 

The council came to a consensus and approved the proclamation naming October, “National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.” 

“National Breast Cancer Awareness Month educates women about the importance of early detection for breast cancer,” Mayor Karen Hunt said. “One in 8 women will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of their lifetime. Since the inception of the National Breast Cancer Awareness month, mammogram use has doubled and breast cancer deaths have declined.”

Other items discussed included renewal of the contract with Allied Waste Services of Fort Worth, LLC, Republic Services Company (Republic Services), to provide Waste, Recycling and Household Hazardous Waste Collection for a five–year term ending in 2026 and the budget for fiscal year Oct.1 2019 through Sept. 30.

The full-length recording of the meeting can be found here.