Killeen City Council Meeting - January 7, 2025

The Killeen City Council met on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at 3:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. All seven council members were present. The meeting included a work session to discuss agenda items 1–13, followed by a regular session with consent agenda, public hearings, and councilmember requests. The meeting lasted approximately several hours and featured extensive citizen comments, including heated debate over a proposed condemnation of a small land strip for road connectivity.

Consent Calendar

• MN-25-001 and MN-25-002: Minutes of the regular city council meetings of December 3 and December 10, 2024, approved unanimously.
• RS-25-001: Award of RFP #25-05 for custody services to U.S. Bank at an estimated $17,100 annually. Approved as part of consent.
• RS-25-002: Resolution authorizing application for the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority Grant Program ($500,000 total, $400,000 grant, $100,000 city match) to expand camera systems targeting vehicle and catalytic converter theft. Approved.
• RS-25-003: Lease agreement with CSI Aviation, Inc. for Hangar #2 at Killeen Regional Airport. Term: 6.5 years starting February 6, 2025, monthly rent $8,846.67 (annual revenue $106,160.04). Approved.
• RS-25-004: Rejection of bids for terminal security improvements (Bid #24-27) because the lowest bid failed to meet FAA Buy American requirements. Approved.
• RS-25-005: Professional services agreement with Viking Industrial Painting for engineering, renovation, and ongoing maintenance of the city's 10 water storage tanks, approximately $3,800,000 over five years. Approved.
• RS-25-006: Change Order #2 for the Gilmer Street Road and Pedestrian Improvements Project in the amount of $905,195.23 to replace a four-inch water main with a six-inch main and repair sewer infrastructure. Approved.
• RS-25-007: Professional services agreement with Kimley-Horn and Associates for design of the Featherline Road Reconstruction Project in the amount of $1,833,873. Approved.
• RS-25-008: (Removed from consent at request of Councilmember Boyd, who recused himself.) See below.
• OR-25-001: Ordinance amending the North Killeen Revitalization Program to alleviate minimum off-street parking requirements within the revitalization area. Approved as part of consent.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Cameron Cochran expressed appreciation for the Killeen Police Department and urged the city to install steel barriers downtown to prevent vehicular attacks at events, referencing New Year's incidents. He questioned why revitalization funding is concentrated in North Killeen and not other areas.
• Michael Fornino (citizen) strongly opposed the condemnation request (RS-25-008), accusing the council of using eminent domain for a private developer's benefit and alleging conflicts of interest involving Councilmember Boyd. He stated the developer should have planned properly. Councilmember Boyd later refuted the accusations as false and unproven.
• Sean Price questioned transparency and oversight of the grant-funded camera system, expressed concern about coatings in water tanks contributing to microplastics, and argued that condemning private property is theft. He also asked about the cost of delaying the Featherline Road project.
• Melissa Brown (citizen) spoke against the North Killeen parking ordinance, stating it would further congest narrow roads and reduce safety. She also argued against the condemnation, calling it a lack of planning. She later commented on both public hearings, noting that rezoning decisions affect all potential uses, not just the proposed one.
• Travis Parks (General Counsel for WBW Development Group, owner of the strip of land in RS-25-008) stated that the developer made only two email offers and that no extensive negotiation occurred. He argued the city should not use eminent domain for a private benefit and that a policy shift would affect all developers. He suggested that proper access already exists via Clear Creek and Stan Schlueter.
• Additional speakers on PH-25-001 and PH-25-002 are noted in their sections.

Discussion Items

• RS-25-008 – Condemnation Request for Mohawk Drive Extension: Council discussed the need to connect Mohawk Drive through a 0.032-acre strip (14 ft wide, 726 ft long) owned by WBW Development, which was not annexed into the Bunny Trail PUD. The developer offered $20,000 (appraised value $1,264), but the owner did not accept. City Attorney explained that this is only the initial step; full eminent domain proceedings with special commissioners would follow if approved. Councilmember Boyd recused himself from the vote. Councilmember Alvarez noted that the road is on the thoroughfare plan and benefits the city. After debate, the motion to approve passed 6–0 (Boyd abstaining).
• Downtown Security: During citizen comments, Mayor and Chief Lopez responded to concerns about downtown event safety. Chief Lopez confirmed that his team is working on a proposal for bollards (estimated cost $997,000) and that the city is increasing staffing. He did not recommend canceling events but improving safety.
• PH-25-001 – Rezoning 3000 Lake Road from B-3 to B-4: Applicant sought to allow a liquor store in an existing shopping plaza. Staff recommended approval; planning and zoning commission had recommended 6–0. One written opposition from a neighboring property owner (3001 Lake Road) cited traffic and proximity to a fourplex with young residents. The Girl Scouts building is within the notification area but did not respond. Public speakers opposed the zoning, arguing a liquor store would harm the neighborhood and that other uses (auto sales, muffler shop) could also become allowed. The applicant’s representative said the property had been vacant for three years. Council voted 4–3 to approve (Boyd, Alvarez, Cobb voted no; Adams, Gonzalez, Segarra, Solomon voted yes).
• PH-25-002 – Rezoning 1005 N. 10th Street from B-2 to B-3: Applicant proposed a mortuary/funeral chapel (no cremation) in a 1,500 sq ft building. Staff recommended approval; planning and zoning commission had recommended 6–0. One written response in support from the property owner. Public speakers expressed concern that B-3 zoning allows many other uses not suitable near dense residential (duplexes, apartments). The applicant’s representative noted the small size limits potential uses. Council voted 5–2–1 to approve (Boyd no, Solomon abstained, others yes).

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda Items 1–9 and OR-25-001 were approved unanimously (7–0).
• RS-25-008 (Condemnation) was removed from consent due to recusal; approved 6–0 (Boyd abstained).
• PH-25-001 (Lake Road rezoning) approved 4–3.
• PH-25-002 (N. 10th Street rezoning) approved 5–2–1 (Boyd no, Solomon abstain).
• Councilmember Adams’ request for a Neighborhood Walk Program (RQ-25-001) failed for lack of a second; the item died.
• The meeting adjourned after the failed motion.

Next Steps: Staff will proceed with the approved projects. For RS-25-008, the city will proceed with eminent domain proceedings if a voluntary agreement is not reached. For downtown security, Chief Lopez will bring a formal proposal to council in coming months.