Public Meetings - Killeen, Texas

The Planning and Zoning Commission of Killeen, Texas, held its regular meeting on June 8, 2026, at the Utility Collections Large Conference Room, 210 W. Avenue C. The workshop convened at 4:41 p.m. and the regular meeting at 5:07 p.m. Commissioners present: Patrick Purifoy (Chair), Andrew Giacomozzi (Vice Chair), Ramon Alvarez, Khandiese Cooper, Bear Jones, Scedric Moss, Sandra O’Brien. Commissioners Cyndi Rowe and Luvina Sabree were absent. The commission considered a 302.42-acre PUD rezoning, a thoroughfare plan amendment, bylaw amendments, and staff updates. Workshop Summary - Staff and commissioners discussed the upcoming agenda and received updates on recent City Council actions. - The City Council unanimously approved a rezoning for the Puff Puff Hookah Lounge (from B3A to BC1) and approved an extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) release for approximately six acres near 2484 and Brewer Road. - New Principal Planner Jason Deckman was introduced; Commissioner Ramon Alvarez was welcomed as a new appointee; JoAnn Lomas was promoted to Planner. Public Comments & Testimony - No citizens spoke during the general citizen comment period. - No members of the public testified during the public hearings; only the applicant’s attorney, Breda Wallace, presented in support of PH-1. Discussion Items - PH-1 – PUD Rezoning (Case Z26-08): Staff presented the request to rezone 302.42 acres from R-1 and M-1 to PUD with SF-2 and M-1 uses. The proposal includes 115 acres of residential (40-, 50-, and 60-foot lots; 60-foot lots allow two-family dwellings by right), 131 acres of industrial/manufacturing, and 56 acres of parks and open space. Staff notified 128 surrounding property owners and received one response in opposition. Staff recommended approval. Applicant’s attorney Breda Wallace stated the PUD would increase industrial land from 36% to 43% of the property, create about 1.2 million square feet of new industrial space, and accommodate about 536 homes. She noted the future land use map amendment had already been approved by the City Council in 2025. One commissioner acknowledged a written citizen comment from Kenneth Martin urging preservation of industrial land, but noted the plan increases industrial capacity. Another commissioner expressed concerns about the area’s food desert and the fact that the traffic impact analysis had not yet been completed (staff responded it is required at plat). A commissioner voiced strong support, citing benefits for north Killeen, including attracting grocery stores. Staff clarified the commission’s recommendation would go to City Council for final zoning decision. Note: The applicant’s attorney described the residential/parks component as 171 acres, which conflicts with staff’s breakdown of 115 residential and 56 park acres; the commission relied on staff’s figures. - PH-2 – Thoroughfare Plan Amendment: Staff (Principal Planner Jason Deckman) proposed reclassifying Roy J. Smith Drive from a proposed collector to a local street. Reasons included existing floodplain/drainage, the railroad, and development patterns from the PUD. Staff recommended approval to align the plan with actual conditions. - Bylaw Amendments: Staff reviewed proposed amendments, mostly formatting and numbering changes to reflect current governing standards. No substantive objections were raised. - Attendance Chart: Staff reviewed the attendance chart, showing commissioner attendance ranging from 78% to 100%; commissioners were encouraged to maintain attendance. Key Outcomes - The commission unanimously approved the agenda (motion by Cooper, second by Giacomozzi). - The commission unanimously approved the minutes of the May 11, 2026, regular meeting (motion by Giacomozzi, second by Cooper). - The commission unanimously recommended approval of PH-1, the PUD rezoning (motion by Cooper, second by Jones). - The commission unanimously recommended approval of PH-2, the Thoroughfare Plan amendment (motion and second not specified). - The commission unanimously adopted the bylaw amendments (motion by Cooper, second by Jones). - The meeting adjourned; the next regular meeting is scheduled for June 22, 2026.

The Killeen City Council convened at 3:00 PM on June 2, 2026, for a work session and regular session. The meeting focused on presentations from 10 community partners regarding their fiscal year 2027 funding requests, approval of consent agenda items, a public hearing for a zoning change, and discussion of legislative priorities and charter amendments. The council also voted on several resolutions, including awarding contracts and approving a fireworks display permit for July 4th celebrations. The quarterly financial report (Item 12) was removed from the agenda due to the presenter's unexpected absence. Consent Calendar - Minutes Approval (MN-26-017, MN-26-018): Approved minutes of special city council meetings of May 12, 2026, at 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM. - Interlocal Agreement with TML-IRP (RS-26-087): Approved a memorandum/resolution authorizing an interlocal agreement with TML-IRP to provide group critical illness coverage for firefighters and peace officers, retroactively effective January 1, 2026. Estimated cost is $40,000 per year for FY26 and FY27. - Council Appointments (RS-26-088): Approved appointments of councilmembers to various boards, commissions, and committees as detailed in the meeting. - W.S. Young and I-14 Drainage and Landscape Project (RS-26-089): Initially included in consent but pulled for separate vote. See Discussion Items. - Chaparral Road Traffic Signals (RS-26-090): Approved award of Bid No. 26-22 to ATSCC (Austin Traffic Signal Construction Company) in the amount of $420,000 for traffic signals at Feather Line and Chaparral Road. Bell County will reimburse the city for construction costs. - ETJ Release Petition (RS-26-091): Approved a petition from James Rich to release approximately 6.5 acres of land from the city's extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) located near FM 2484 and Brewer Road in Salado, Texas. The release is required under Senate Bill 2038 and was approved after council confirmation that it is a ministerial duty. - Fireworks Display Permit (RS-26-092): Initially included in consent but pulled for separate vote. See Discussion Items. Note: The consent agenda was approved by a vote of 4 to 3, with items 6 (RS-26-089) and 9 (RS-26-092) pulled for separate consideration. Public Comments & Testimony - Anka Yagu: Expressed support for homeless services but raised concerns about the definition of "City of Killeen" in legislative priorities, suggesting limits to local control to prevent government overreach. Also criticized changes to citizen comment periods following a past council vote. - Michael Fernino: Criticized the National Mounted Warfare Foundation museum for poor marketing and low attendance. Expressed frustration with the councilmember for District 3 regarding lack of responsiveness and raised concerns about legal costs from a previous ballot proposition (Prop A). - Dr. Sue Nisi Croft: Attempted to speak about utility billing issues related to private septic systems but was ruled off-topic. The city attorney noted a public hearing on the fee schedule is scheduled for June 16, 2026. Councilmember Kimball offered to follow up on her correspondence. - Charles Wilson: Did not appear. Discussion Items - Community Partner Presentations (PR-26-013): Ten organizations presented funding requests for FY2027. Key highlights: - National Mounted Warfare Foundation: Requested $80,000 (unchanged). Councilmembers questioned the effectiveness of advertising and tracking tourist spending. Councilmember Brown expressed preference for funding in-city projects over Fort Hood-based entities. Councilmember Nash-King suggested partnering with downtown events. - Tax Appraisal District of Bell County: Presented budget and appraisal data; city taxable values are expected to decline this year due to market softening. - Bell County Communications Center: Requested increased funding due to a reduced credit from fund balance. Usage share for Killeen is about 17%. Councilmember Kimball asked about sharing costs with KISD for police calls. - Bell County Public Health District: Requested increase for additional staff to meet FDA food inspection requirements. Councilmember Brown questioned whether the city pays for inspections in the ETJ. - Hill Country Transit District (the HOP): Requested $650,000 (same as previous years). Ridership has doubled since implementing microtransit. Councilmember Brown raised concerns about higher cost per trip compared to other cities and about new walking requirements for riders. - Killeen Rodeo: Requested $50,000. Reported record attendance (18,000 visitors) and economic impact of $1.8 million. Councilmembers praised the event's community impact and inclusivity. - Killeen Economic Development Corporation (KEDC): Requested $1.5 million. Councilmember Brown strongly questioned the organization's failure to recruit a grocery store for north Killeen, alleging staff directed KEDC away from that priority. A motion was passed (7-0) to place a future agenda item to investigate the matter. - Children's Advocacy Center of Central Texas: Requested funding increase (specific amount not stated in transcript but noted as $17,000? - clarification needed). Presented data on serving over half of families from Killeen, new school-based therapy, and a standalone counseling center. - Families in Crisis, Inc.: Requested $350,000 gap funding for the homeless shelter. Councilmembers expressed concerns about rising costs, lack of detailed metrics on homelessness prevention, and the organization's reliance on city funds. Councilmember Nash-King requested performance metrics for permanent housing placements. - Innovation Black Chamber of Commerce: Requested $186,000 for phase two of business services, including work with ministerial alliances. Councilmembers discussed the program's structure and potential to help other nonprofits secure grants. - FY2027 Legislative Priorities (DS-26-040): Council discussed adding several new priorities, including: - Seeking state reimbursement/reinvestment for revenue lost due to veterans property tax exemptions. - Advocating for a bullet train stop in Killeen. - Increased funding for first responders and senior programming. - Supporting the Central Texas Water Alliance's positions. - State regulation of data centers regarding water and power usage. - Seeking designation as a "military-impacted municipality" to qualify for infrastructure grants. - Funding for roadway expansion and multimodal transportation. - Elevating technology innovation tied to Fort Hood talent. Councilmember Nash-King urged narrowing priorities to a top five. Staff will compile and bring a resolution for formal adoption. - Setting Special Meetings for Charter Amendments (DS-26-044): Council voted 7-0 to set special meetings on June 9, June 22, July 14, and July 28, 2026, at 5:00 PM to discuss proposed charter amendments. - Overview and Specifics of Charter Review Committee Recommendations (DS-26-043, DS-26-045): Council voted 7-0 to table these items to the upcoming special meetings for more detailed discussion. - Work Session Discussion: The council briefly discussed items 2–10 from the regular session, including the consent agenda and public hearing item. Key Outcomes - Consent Agenda (with exceptions): Approved 4-3. Mayor Solomon, Councilmembers Gonzalez, Nash-King, Kimble, Brown, Bass, Williams, and Kendrick voted. The dissenting votes were not explicitly recorded but likely noted. - W.S. Young and I-14 Drainage Project (RS-26-089): Approved 6-1. Councilmember Brown opposed due to concerns about using drainage funds for landscaping and the location of a city sign. - Fireworks Display Permit (RS-26-092): Approved 7-0. The permit allows two displays on July 4, 2026: a smaller one downtown at 9:00 PM and a larger one at Killeen Athletic Complex at 9:30 PM. The event is fully sponsored at no cost to the city. - Rezoning (PH-26-016): Approved 7-0. Rezoned 0.04 acres from B-3A to B-C-1 at 1103 West Veterans Memorial Boulevard to allow expansion of Puff Puff Hookah Lounge. - Special Meeting Dates for Charter Amendments: Approved 7-0. - Tabling Charter Review Items: Approved 7-0. - Investigation into Staff Direction to KEDC: Motion passed 7-0 to place a future agenda item to discuss the staff member who allegedly directed KEDC not to recruit a grocery store for north Killeen.

The Killeen City Council met on May 19, 2026, in a combined work session and regular meeting, beginning at 3:00 PM. The meeting addressed presentations, a city manager search, multiple resolutions, and a preliminary fee schedule discussion. Several council members are newly seated, and the council is in a transition period with City Manager Kent Cagle retiring May 29. Consent Calendar - Approved minutes of the April 21 and May 5, 2026, regular council meetings. - Approved the investment report for the quarter ended March 31, 2026. - Approved renewal of a three-year Cisco Enterprise Agreement from Insight Public Sector Inc. for $313,530.99, expected to save $109,000 annually. - Approved a minimum revenue guarantee (MRG) to attract new air service to Killeen Regional Airport, totaling $750,000 per year for three years (up to $2.25 million), funded entirely from aviation enterprise funds and grants, with zero taxpayer dollars. - Approved change order 1 for the 24-inch Highway 195 and Chaparral Road waterline project with Black Rock Construction in the amount of $246,688.82, representing a 2.47% increase to the original $9.98 million contract; project is 60% complete. - Approved a memorandum of agreement with Armed Services YMCA for joint use of facilities, including the natatorium and Lions Club Park fields. - Approved renaming the Fort Cavazos Regional Trail to General Cavazos Trail to avoid future name changes. - Approved naming a new park within the Preserve at Thousand Oaks development as Yow Family Park, recognizing land donations of more than 90 acres. - Approved a professional services agreement with the Innovation Black Chamber of Commerce (IBCC) for up to $50,000 to fund a business service center (BSC) providing technical assistance to small businesses. The consent agenda was approved 6-1, with three items pulled for separate consideration: RS 26076 (executive search firm), RS 26079 (Planning & Zoning appointment), and RS 26082 (Georgetown CCN transfer). Public Comments & Testimony - Dr. Sue Croft: Encouraged deliberate governance and financial alignment during the transition; praised council's handling of the search firm presentations. - Michael Fernino: Stated his district representative had not responded to emails; called for rigorous vetting of city manager candidates, including asking whether candidates have ever been fired for cause. - Anka Niagu: Opposed animal services fee increases, arguing the city wasted money on a building not designed as a shelter; urged selling the building and constructing a new one. Also opposed engineering services fee increases, saying they would be passed to homeowners. - Gary Purser: Questioned the need for fee increases, suggesting expenditure reviews instead; noted he had received five stop work orders in the past year, two of which were later rescinded. - John Fisher: Supported the Georgetown CCN transfer, saying it secures Killeen's future growth to the south, but called for service to existing residents in the area who currently rely on Georgetown water. - Heather McMillan: Expressed strong support for the airport MRG, saying it would benefit citizens through more flights and competition. Also criticized that staff recommendations on charter review differ from the committee's recommendations. Discussion Items - City Manager Recruitment (RS 26076): Four firms presented: AFION Public, Clear Career Professionals, Government Professional Solutions, and Strategic Government Resources. Council asked questions about guarantees, costs, military community experience, and candidate vetting. After presentations, the council selected AFION Public. - Investment Report (RS 26077): Scott Gruber reported no Federal Reserve rate changes over the quarter; the portfolio's weighted average yield dropped slightly from 4.03% to 3.98%, still above market rates. He noted market volatility due to Middle East conflict and rising energy prices, but said higher yields have created buying opportunities for the city's portfolio. - FY 2027 Fee Schedule (DS 26042): Various departments presented proposed fee increases and new fees, including animal services, parks and recreation, fire department, development services, public works, and utility collections. Council members raised concerns about the impact of fees on seniors, youth, and small businesses. Councilmember Nash King argued the fees were too high for seniors and families. Staff said they will explore a universal senior membership and a youth donation/scholarship model. The fee schedule will be presented again on June 2, with a public hearing on June 16. - Legislative Priorities (DS 26040): Lobbyist Stan Schluter discussed the upcoming 89th Legislature, emphasizing water, disabled veteran exemption reimbursement, and property tax proposals. Councilmember Brown added priorities including mental health, indigent health care, and data center regulation. The council voted to bring the priorities back for further discussion on June 2. - Other Items: Council discussed and later approved the Georgetown CCN transfer (RS 26082) and the Planning & Zoning appointment (RS 26079). A motion to bring back discussion on the closed animal services building passed 5-2. Key Outcomes - Approved consent agenda with three items pulled (6-1). - Selected AFION Public as the executive search firm for the city manager recruitment (7-0). - Appointed Ramon Alvarez to the Planning & Zoning Commission (6-1), with Councilmember Brown supporting James Sills. - Approved the retail water CCN service area transfer agreement with the City of Georgetown for $5,804.67 (4-3). - Tabled the quarterly financial report (DS 26041) and the Charter Review Committee overview (DS 26043) to a future meeting (6-1). - Approved motion to bring legislative priorities back for further discussion on June 2 (7-0). - Approved motion to bring back the animal services building discussion for a future agenda (5-2). The meeting adjourned after discussion of the fee schedule, with a motion by Councilmember Brown.

The Killeen City Council held a special meeting on May 12, 2026, at 5:00 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers to canvass the returns of the May 2, 2026 general and special elections, administer oaths of office to newly elected officials, recognize outgoing council members, and elect a mayor pro tem. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Riakos Adams, who noted all council members were present at the start, though several would be leaving after the transition. Public Comments & Testimony - Dr. Sue Nisi Croft addressed the council, congratulating the winning candidates and acknowledging the broader electorate. She emphasized that the 494 citizens who supported her vision for stronger accountability and greater community voice remain engaged, and she urged the council to remember that democracy begins at the ballot box but continues through civic participation and transparency. Discussion Items - Ordinance OR-26-009 – Canvass of Election Returns: The council considered an ordinance to canvass the returns and declare the results of the May 2, 2026, General and Special Elections. City staff read the returns, showing that 4,760 voters cast ballots. The vote tallies were: for Mayor – Joseph Solomon: 1,000; for Council Member At-Large – Melissa Brown: 1,126, Nicholas Guajardo: 757, Debbie Nash King: 2,484; for District 3 Council Member – Cameron Cochrane: 312, David Bass: 573, Terry Mustafer: 222. The council also noted that Charles Kimball was declared the winner for District 2 when candidate applications closed (uncontested). The ordinance passed unanimously. - Special Recognitions and Remarks: Outgoing council members, including Mayor Adams and Councilmember Solomon, received plaques of appreciation. Mayor Adams gave remarks thanking the community and noting his decision not to seek re-election to focus on family. Outgoing members shared reflections on their service. - Oaths of Office and Certificates of Election: Judge Blackburn of Bell County administered the oath of office and statement of officer to the following newly elected officials: Joseph Solomon (Mayor), Debbie Nash King (Council Member At-Large), Melissa Brown (Council Member At-Large), Beverly Ann Williams (Council Member At-Large), David Bass (District 3 Council Member), and Charles Kimball (District 2 Council Member). Each received a certificate of election and a Bell County challenge coin. After the swearing-in, each new council member delivered brief remarks thanking supporters and expressing commitment to serving the city. - Standards of Conduct: The city secretary read the eight principles of the City Council's Standards of Conduct, covering honor, equality, obedience to law, conflicts of interest, influence, confidentiality, interference, and civility. All council members signed the standards document. - Resolution RS-26-075 – Election of Mayor Pro Tem: Councilmember Debbie Nash King nominated Councilmember Anthony Kendrick for mayor pro tem; the motion was seconded by Councilmember David Bass. However, the vote failed (2 in favor, 4 opposed). Councilmember Melissa Brown then nominated Councilmember Jessica Gonzalez; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Charles Kimball and passed unanimously. Jessica Gonzalez was elected mayor pro tem. Key Outcomes - Canvass of Election Unanimously Approved: The council accepted the election results for Mayor, three At-Large Council Members, and District 3 Council Member, as read. - New Council Seated: Six newly elected officials took the oath of office and joined the council. - Mayor Pro Tem Elected: Councilmember Jessica Gonzalez was elected mayor pro tem by a 4–2 vote (after the initial nomination for Anthony Kendrick failed). - Adjournment: The meeting adjourned following the election of mayor pro tem. The next regular city council meeting was noted for May 19, 2026.

The meeting was called to order with a quorum announced. The purpose was to canvass election results under Texas Election Code Section 67.004(a). Two members of the Canvassing Authority completed the canvass of votes. No further discussion occurred. The meeting was adjourned with the results to be announced at the next meeting. Key Outcomes - Canvass of election results completed by two members of the Canvassing Authority. - Results will be announced at the next meeting. - Meeting adjourned.

The Planning and Zoning Commission held a regular meeting on May 11, 2026, immediately following a workshop at 4:30 p.m. The regular meeting began at 4:46 p.m. in the Utility Collections Large Conference Room, 210 W. Avenue C, Killeen, Texas. The primary agenda item was a public hearing on a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for a wireless telecommunication tower on property zoned B-3 (Local Business District) at 7432 East Trimmier Road. Consent Calendar - Approval of Agenda: Unanimously approved via motion by Commissioner Jones, second by Commissioner Giacomozzi. - Approval of Minutes: Minutes from the April 27, 2026 regular meeting were approved unanimously via motion by Commissioner Cooper, second by Commissioner Giacomozzi. Public Comments & Testimony - Applicant Representation: Vince Heber (Vincent Gerard & Associates) presented on behalf of First Assembly of God Inc. He explained the need for an 85-foot monopole wireless tower to improve capacity and in-building coverage in southeastern Killeen, particularly for the Verizon network. He stated the tower would be designed to accommodate multiple carriers and meet all code requirements including a 40-foot fall zone. He provided coverage maps showing improvement. - Opposition Speakers: - Stephen Jones: Opposed citing existing towers nearby, property value concerns, health risks for children, and questioned the need since fiber internet is available. He called the tower an unnecessary bombardment. - Edward Depreet: Opposed; stated they moved to avoid such structures, expressed health concerns, and noted existing service was perfect with Verizon. - Ricky Reyes: Opposed; cited potential $12,000 property value loss, questioned the need given multiple nearby towers, and urged reconsideration of location. - Support Speakers: - Pastor Cecil Adams (First Assembly of God): Expressed reluctant support, citing growth of 30,000 new homes, need to reach younger generations, and that the church property was the only suitable commercial tract in the area. - Donald Smith (church member): Supported, stating the tower solves a future problem and noted the church board voted unanimously to approve. Discussion Items - Staff presented the CUP request, including site plan, zoning context (surrounded by AR1 and R1 properties), notification results (12 responses received: 5 within 200-foot buffer, 6 within 400-foot buffer, 1 outside the notification area). Staff recommended approval with conditions, including collocation requirements, landscaping screening, lighting, and a six-month construction timeline. - Commissioners questioned the applicant about fall zone safety, property values, co-location potential, and RF health effects. Commissioner Jones noted that eight homes in the neighborhood sold in the last 180 days, with six at 100% of asking price and two at 98%, countering property value decline concerns. - Commissioner Cooper suggested a condition requiring the tower to be designed as a pine tree (monopine) to blend with the area, similar to a tower in north Killeen. - The two opposing commissioners explained their votes: one cited solidarity with residents and uncertainty about health effects; the other echoed that residents reported no service issues and questioned whether existing tower capacity was truly exhausted. Key Outcomes - Vote on Public Hearing (Case Z26-10): The commission voted 5–2 to recommend approval of the Conditional Use Permit as requested, with an additional condition that the tower be designed as a pine tree (monopine). The motion was made by Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Rowe. Five commissioners (Purifoy, Giacomozzi, Cooper, Jones, Rowe) voted in favor; two commissioners (Moss, O’Brien) voted against. - Note: The CUP ultimately requires a three-fourths majority (minimum six votes) of the seven-member City Council for final approval. - The next scheduled Planning and Zoning Commission meeting is June 8, 2026.

The Killeen City Council met on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at 3:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers for a work session followed by a regular session. The meeting included presentations, approval of consent agenda items, discussion of several policy matters, and public comments. Mayor Riakos Adams presided, with councilmembers present (vacancies noted). The meeting adjourned after addressing all agenda items. Presentations - Proclamation PR-26-009: Recognizing the week of May 3–9, 2026 as Municipal Clerk's Week. Presented to City Secretary Laura Calcote and staff. - Proclamation PR-26-010: Recognizing May 5, 2026 as Silver Star Service Banner Day to honor families of wounded, injured, or ill veterans. Several veterans and family members joined at the front. Consent Calendar The consent agenda was approved unanimously (4-0) with the removal of item 6 (Animal Advisory Committee appointments). The following items were approved without separate debate: - RS-26-066: Technology equipment for Rosa Hereford Community Center ($235,265 from CDBG funds). - RS-26-067: Phase 2 outdoor warning siren capital improvement project – purchase and installation from Federal Signal ($250,486.30). - RS-26-069: Expiration of four Conditional Use Permits (CUPs) per Code of Ordinances Sec. 31-456(e)(1)(A). - RS-26-070: Amendment to FY2026 agreement with Killeen Economic Development Corporation (KEDC) – increase of $215,000 for economic development services (total FY26 appropriation $1.1 million). - RS-26-071: Granting electric utility easement to Bartlett Electric Cooperative for Highway 195 Ground Storage Tank. - RS-26-072: Award of Bid No. 26-24 for Pavement Marking Services to D.I.J Construction, Inc. ($473,664). - RS-26-073: Authorization to apply for Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority Grant (continuation of Flock camera program; estimated $300,000 total with $250,000 grant and $50,000 city match). - RS-26-074: Agreement with Target Solutions for water damage repair at Stonetree Golf Course Clubhouse ($137,676, fully covered by TML insurance). Public Comments & Testimony Four citizens spoke during the public comment period: - Dr. Sue Croft – Expressed support for accountability in economic development, questioning the measurable return on the KEDC $885,000 base funding before approving an additional $215,000. Urged the city to consider building in-house economic development capacity rather than outsourcing to KEDC. - Anka Nagu – Spoke on the Animal Advisory Committee removals, requesting that the three members (especially Brianna Rosales) be given an opportunity to explain their absences before removal. Noted that one member had requested virtual attendance but was denied. - Brianna Rosales – Defended her attendance record, explaining that she had requested a virtual option due to work schedule conflicts and experienced a flat tire on the day she missed her third consecutive meeting. Stated she is now available to attend in person or virtually. - Melissa Brown – Opposed the Parcels in Trust program, citing concerns about return on investment, staff burden, and prior losses on city-managed properties. Also criticized the pavement overlay plan, arguing that Turkey Trot Road lacks curb and gutter and will require repeated repairs, and that Swanner Loop is primarily used by the business park and should be funded by KEDC. - Michael Fanino – Opposed the KEDC funding increase, calling the organization a “failed bloated entity.” Suggested reducing KEDC’s budget and allowing competition. Also addressed animal control administration issues and encouraged council to focus on fixing the Animal Services department. Discussion Items - DS-26-035: FY2026 ADA Remediation – Ms. McNair presented a plan to remediate accessibility issues at city-owned polling locations, City Hall, Senior Center, and Rodeo Grounds. The City Hall dais modification (seating for nine) is non-compliant; council was informed that the city manager will move back to the staff box to restore compliance. Estimated total remediation cost: $434,000 (funded in FY26 CIP). Public meetings on the ADA transition plan are scheduled for May 12, 2026. Staff will return in July for adoption. - DS-26-036: Parcels in Trust Program – Ms. Mesher presented the program to foreclose on tax-delinquent abandoned properties (approximately 114 identified; 35 meet eligibility criteria). The city aims to partner with KISD, Bell County, and CTC to transfer unsold properties into a trust for low-to-moderate income housing development. A revitalization coordinator position has been reclassified and is being advertised. Councilmember Alvarez expressed strong support for the program, noting long-standing neglect in north Killeen. - DS-26-037: Pavement Overlays for 2026 – Mr. Zegers provided an extensive presentation on the city’s street maintenance program. The city maintains 566.24 centerline miles of roadways. The current street maintenance fee generates $4.3 million annually, which is insufficient to achieve the target Pavement Condition Index (PCI) of 77. Three funding scenarios were presented: Scenario 1 (current $4M) would let PCI drop; Scenario 2 ($9.38M/year) would achieve the goal. Proposed 2026 mill-and-overlay projects by district were listed, with backup streets if funds allow. Council discussed communication with residents about parking removal before work begins. Councilmember Gonzalez noted that a federal infrastructure bill could open new funding avenues for maintenance. - DS-26-038: May 12, 2026 Special Meetings – Ms. Calcote outlined the two special meetings: a 4:00 PM canvassing session (quorum of two councilmembers) and a 5:00 PM meeting for ordinance canvassing, oaths of office, and election of mayor pro tem. Councilmembers Kendrick and Gonzalez will perform the canvassing. - DS-26-039: Executive Search Firm for City Manager – Council discussed 11 proposals. After narrowing, a motion of direction passed (4-0) to invite the following four firms for interviews: Affion Public, Clear Careers, Government Professional Solutions (GPS), and Strategic Government Resources (SGR). The next council will conduct interviews. Key Outcomes - Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (4-0) with item 6 removed. All expenditures and authorizations listed above were approved. - Animal Advisory Committee Appointments: After hearing from Brianna Rosales, council voted to appoint Christy Wilbanks and Scotty Hilder (citizen and animal welfare reps) and to retain Brianna Rosales, not declaring her seat vacant. Motion passed (4-0). - ADA Remediation: Staff directed to proceed with the remediation plan using available FY26 CIP funds. Council requested regular updates on the overall ADA compliance status (including the terminated DOJ settlement agreement) and the transition plan. - Parcels in Trust: Staff will continue implementation; the revitalization coordinator position is advertised. Council expressed support for the program. - Pavement Overlays: The 2026 overlay list and backup streets were accepted as presented. Staff will coordinate public notifications. Council urged continued advocacy for additional state/federal funding. - City Manager Search: Four firms selected for interviews; direction given to staff to arrange interviews for the incoming council. - Special Election Canvassing: Set for May 12, 2026 at 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM.

The Killeen Planning and Zoning Commission convened a workshop at 4:30 PM followed by a regular meeting at 4:37 PM on April 27, 2026, in the Utility Collections Large Conference Room. The meeting addressed two public hearings: a rezoning request for a hookah lounge and a conditional use permit for a data center. Commissioners voted to approve the rezoning and deny the data center permit. Approval of Minutes - The minutes of the April 13, 2026 regular meeting were approved unanimously. Public Hearings PH-2: Rezoning from B-3A to B-C-1 (1103 West Veterans Memorial Boulevard, Suite 105) - Applicant Shana Bailey, representing Y & J Investments Management, requested rezoning of 0.04 acres to allow expanded alcohol sales for an existing hookah lounge. The adjacent suite 104 was already zoned B-C-1. Staff recommended approval, noting no written opposition from surrounding property owners. No public testimony was offered. The commission voted unanimously to approve the rezoning. PH-1: Conditional Use Permit for a Data Center (6509 South Fort Hood Street) - Applicant Ziyad Ziyal Gamel, co-founder and CEO of OnMine, presented a proposal for a 10-megawatt "computing and energy research annex" (described as a mini data center) on 2.615 acres zoned University District (UD). The project, estimated at $30–40 million, would include a closed-loop cooling system (using only 10,000 liters of glycol coolant, no city water for cooling), battery storage, and a fiber backbone along South Fort Hood Street. The applicant claimed grid stabilization benefits, stating the facility could return up to 10 MW of power to Encore within 30 seconds during peak demand, potentially reducing electricity costs by 6% for nearby residents. The project would employ 3–4 on-site technicians and up to 14 total employees, with additional local contractors. - Staff recommended approval subject to conditions including compliance with noise ordinances, architectural standards, landscaping, and a screening wall along the southern property line. Staff noted that neither "data center" nor "computing and energy research annex" are defined in the city code, requiring a conditional use permit. - Public Testimony: Eleven residents spoke in opposition, raising concerns about: - Noise pollution (low-frequency hum, especially at night) - Environmental impacts (land clearing, light pollution, battery disposal) - Minimal job creation (3–4 permanent jobs for a $40 million investment) - Grid benefits unproven (critics cited studies showing data centers raise, not lower, electricity rates) - Incompatibility with the University District (designed for neighborhood-scale commercial use) - Safety risks from lithium-ion batteries and potential coolant leaks - Precedent for industrial use in a residential-adjacent area - Several speakers noted that other cities (e.g., Temple, Memphis) are reconsidering data centers due to negative impacts. One speaker provided academic references from Harvard, Yale, and Columbia. Key Outcomes - PH-2: Approved unanimously by a voice vote. - PH-1: After discussion, Commissioner Cooper moved to disapprove the conditional use permit. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Moss. The vote was 4 in favor of disapproval, 0 against, with Commissioner Jones abstaining. The motion carried, and the permit was denied. - The next regular meeting is scheduled for May 11, 2026, at 5:00 PM.

The Killeen City Council met on April 21, 2026, beginning with a work session at 3:00 PM and transitioning to a regular session after a recess at 4:17 PM. The council considered a consent agenda of 13 items, held a public hearing on a budget amendment, and voted on several appointments and contracts. All votes were 4-0 unless otherwise noted. Consent Calendar - Approved minutes of the March 24, 2026 regular city council meeting (MN-26-013). - Accepted the dedication of 14.42 acres of land within the Preserve at Thousand Oaks Planned Unit Development as public parkland (RS-26-054). - Approved a five-year maintenance support contract with Cooper Crouse-Hinds, LLC for the airport lighting control system at Killeen Regional Airport in the amount of $265,850.00 (RS-26-055). - Awarded Bid No. 26-18, Traffic Signal Infrastructure Upgrade, to Austin Traffic Signal Construction Co., LLC in the amount of $646,001.50 (RS-26-056). - Approved a contract with Symtech (SIMTEC) Live Fire Simulation Technology to build a fire training tower prop in the amount of $1,063,062.65 (RS-26-057). - Authorized a 10-year agreement with SEGRA, LLC to provide two strands of dark fiber connecting 15 city facilities to the city’s network (total contract value $1,499,000.00, with one-time construction cost of $350,000.00) (RS-26-058). - Authorized the purchase of network equipment from GTS Technology Solutions in the amount of $478,233.00 (RS-26-059). - Approved a master software agreement renewal with CivicPlus, LLC in the amount of $424,404.82 (RS-26-060). - Appointed seven members to the Main Street Board: Tony Ringold, Josh Pemberton, Daniel Watkins (citizen members); Ronnie Russell, Candice Cooper, Michelle Flores, and Dustin Evans (organizational members) (RS-26-063). - Approved the appointment of Christina Ramirez as Executive Director of Public Works, effective June 15, 2026 (RS-26-064). - Approved the appointment of an interim city manager plan, with Meredith Wilson, David Cagle, and Jeffrey Reynolds serving on consecutive dates until a permanent city manager is appointed (RS-26-065). Items 9 (Arts Commission vacancy) and 10 (Board of Adjustment appointments) were removed from the consent agenda for separate votes. Public Comments & Testimony - Candice Cooper (Downtown Merchants Association, former Downtown Advisory Committee vice chair) expressed strong support for the new Main Street Board appointments, highlighting that the board will advance downtown revitalization and leverage Texas Main Street program resources. She emphasized that board members, as property owners and stakeholders, are deeply invested in the area’s growth. - Melissa Brown raised concerns about the parkland dedication (Item 2), questioning whether HOA maintenance could restrict public access and whether the agreement includes city standards. She also questioned the CivicPlus renewal, asking about additional services and cost-effectiveness given existing Code Red through Central Texas COG. She strongly opposed the interim city manager plan, arguing for a single interim for consistency and criticizing the cost of retaining former City Manager Cagle. - Sue Nisi Croft expressed appreciation for the structured interim city manager plan, stating it balances continuity and stability. She reiterated her earlier proposal for a quality-of-life committee to strengthen community input. - A fourth speaker (unidentified, military veteran) strongly objected to former City Manager David Cagle’s involvement past his retirement date, arguing it reflects poor planning and a lack of succession management. He stated that other city staff are competent to serve as interim. Discussion Items - Parkland Dedication (RS-26-054): Staff clarified the 14.42 acres are public parkland, with maintenance handled by the HOA under a future MOU. Estimated annual HOA maintenance cost is $35,000. Councilmember Kendrick confirmed public access. Councilmember Solomon praised the addition. - Airport Lighting Maintenance (RS-26-055): Staff noted the contract is for a five-year maintenance support for the new AL CMS system, funded through an IGSA agreement with Fort Hood. - Traffic Signal Upgrade (RS-26-056): The project upgrades four span-wire intersections with components over 30 years old. Councilmember Gonzalez asked about wireless connectivity and signal adjustment from the Traffic Management Center (TMC); staff confirmed radios are used currently, with plans to move to cellular modems. - Fire Training Tower (RS-26-057): Deputy Chief Foster presented three vendor quotes: Fire Facilities ($1.266M), WHP Training Towers ($1.023M estimate, plus foundation), and SIMTEC ($1.063M plus $39,376 for foundation). Staff recommended SIMTEC based on quality and features. Current training facilities are unsafe, with shipping containers welded together and a 35-foot tower unsuitable for live fire. - Dark Fiber Agreement (RS-26-058): The 10-year contract will connect 15 city facilities, replacing fragmented Metro E and point-to-point connections. Annual cost is $114,900, plus $350,000 one-time construction funded by CIP projects. Staff noted redundancy through a ring design. - Network Equipment Replacement (RS-26-059): The city operates 146 switches and 131 wireless access points, many nearing end-of-life in 2027. The purchase of Aruba equipment through TIPS contract is budgeted in FY26. - CivicPlus Renewal (RS-26-060): The three-year renewal consolidates website hosting, social media archiving, ADA compliance, and mass notification (Connexus). Staff explained that the new system will integrate with IPAWS, allow geo-targeting, and replace the current Code Red system. Budget adjustments absorbed the increase over prior contract. - Arts Commission Vacancy (RS-26-061): Council declared a vacancy due to a commissioner missing over 25% of meetings. After nominations, Ashley Rutser was appointed (3-1 vote). - Board of Adjustment Appointments (RS-26-062): Council appointed Lamar Molina (construction experience), RJ Threat (aviation experience), Iperlita Lois and Misty Dunn (regular members), Patsy Bracey (alternate), Jennifer Knotts and Vantonio Frawley (alternates). One construction vacancy remains. - Main Street Board (RS-26-063): Staff recommended seven members based on the four-point approach (design, organization, promotion, economic vitality). Council approved the recommendations during the work session, with final approval on the consent agenda. - Executive Director of Public Works (RS-26-064): Christina Ramirez, with 17 years of experience and a civil engineering degree from Texas A&M, introduced herself, emphasizing cross-training, public engagement, and availability outside traditional hours. - Interim City Manager Plan (RS-26-065): Staff proposed a phased plan: Meredith Wilson (May 30–June 14 and June 20–28), David Cagle (June 15–19 and from June 29 under a temporary employment agreement for up to 20-25 weeks), and Jeffrey Reynolds (after Cagle’s term until permanent hire). The plan was approved on consent after citizen comments. - Budget Amendment – Public Hearing (PH-26-015): Budget Manager Bonnie Hanchey presented amendments transferring $3,297,571 in excess fund balance from the general fund to CIP funds, including $600,000 for downtown solar lighting and $550,000 for municipal court security upgrades. The aviation fund transferred $1,328,029 to its CIP. The public hearing was held, and the ordinance was adopted. Key Outcomes - Consent agenda approved 4-0, with items 9 and 10 pulled for separate votes. - Ashley Rutser appointed to the Arts Commission (3-1). - Board of Adjustment appointments approved 4-0, with one construction vacancy left open. - Budget Amendment PH-26-015 approved 4-0. - All contracts, appointments, and the interim city manager plan approved as part of the consent agenda.