Killeen City Council Meeting – February 18, 2025
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Killeen City Council Meeting – February 18, 2025
The Killeen City Council met on February 18, 2025 at 3:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included presentations on firefighter deployments, economic development updates, and park grants; a consent agenda approving routine items and contracts; and four public hearings on zoning changes and a thoroughfare plan update. All agenda items were approved, with one rezoning passing 5–1.
Presentations
- Recognition of Firefighters (PR-25-003): Four firefighters (three from Killeen, one from Morgan's Point) were recognized for their 14-day deployment to assist with California wildfires. Chief Kabinsky and Battalion Chief Sibley thanked the council and community for support.
- Killeen Economic Development Corporation Update (PR-25-004): Scott Connell, KEDC President, reported on:
- New VP Tyler Roberts.
- Lease of 13,500 sq ft (42 employees) at the former Blackboard Building to Triple Impact Connections.
- USAMM construction to finish summer 2025; MGC Pure Chemicals ($150M investment) delayed to late summer 2025.
- Workspace USA groundbreaking Feb 26 (five-acre parcel).
- Wolf Technology Park (95 acres) infrastructure design underway.
- New online property listing tool with 158 properties; 13 new project submissions and 40 in pipeline.
- Local Park Grant (PR-25-005): Awarded by Texas Parks & Wildlife for Long Branch Park – converting one tennis court into four pickleball courts ($25,000 estimated cost). Killeen ranked #8 out of 58 non-urban applicants; only 22 projects funded.
- Life Jacket Grant (PR-25-006): Through the Coast Guard, provides up to 200 life jackets annually, saving ~$6,200/year in replacement costs.
- American Red Cross Centennial Campaign (PR-25-007): Killeen Parks & Recreation accepted; benefits include staff training, reduced swim lesson fees, and national recognition. Last year 850 participants in swim lessons.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes of Jan 21 and Feb 4, 2025 meetings.
- RS-25-021: Street construction materials contract – awarded to five vendors (Asphalt Inc., Crafco, DIJ Construction, Killeen Crushed Stone, Killeen Ready Mix) not to exceed $1,000,000.
- RS-25-022: Acceptance of VOCA 2025 Crisis Assistance Grant ($87,523.81) with 20% match ($21,880.95); total project $109,404.76.
- RS-25-023: Acceptance of 2024 JAG Grant ($85,235) and interlocal agreement with Temple and Bell County; Killeen's share $43,043 used for equipment.
- RS-25-024: Adoption of revised Arts Commission Rules and Regulations.
- RS-25-025: Award of delinquent account collection services to McCreary, Veselka, Bragg & Allen, PC. Estimated annual cost $60,000–$65,000 (contingent on collections).
- RS-25-026: Readoption of Financial Governance Policy including Investment Policy.
- RS-25-027: Agreement with Jamail & Smith Construction for Transfer Station Push Wall repairs ($202,702.03) after fire damage.
- RS-25-028: Professional services agreement with Kleinfelder for environmental and geotechnical services ($70,339.50) for design-build projects.
Public Comments
- James Seals: Thanked council for addressing Featherline area traffic concerns; acknowledged progress on turn lanes, signals, and sidewalks.
- Cameron Cochran: Criticized KEDC transparency and timing of Featherline development; questioned state-of-the-city speech references.
- Sean Price: Asked about concrete vs. asphalt for street repairs; questioned collection service contract details; voiced concerns about Transfer Station repair cost and environmental testing on city-owned property.
- Melissa Brown: On Featherline rezoning: argued infrastructure is insufficient, noted water pressure tests were not during peak use, and warned of single ingress/egress issues similar to Alamoctios.
- Gary Purser: On thoroughfare plan: believed process lacked public outreach and did not fully consider costs and impacts on drainage and fence ordinances.
Discussion Items
- Delinquent Collection Services (RS-25-025): Councilmembers asked about one-year term and cost structure. City staff clarified the $60–65,000 is estimated fees based on collections, not upfront cost. Previous vendor had no fee for municipal court; new contract covers multiple departments.
- Rezone 8058 Trimmier Rd (PH-25-005): Citizen Sean Price raised concerns about mental health services in a residential area. Council emphasized the vote was only on zoning. Approved 6–0.
- Rezone near Chet Edwards Loop (PH-25-006): Sean Price questioned loss of agricultural land. City Manager explained agricultural zoning is a holding category. Approved 6–0.
- Rezone 8390 Featherline Rd (PH-25-007): Extensive discussion. Applicant Garrett Nordike outlined timeline (3–4 years before occupancy). Citizens expressed traffic and safety concerns. Councilmember Cobb opposed due to infrastructure readiness. Approved 5–1 (Cobb dissenting).
- Thoroughfare Plan Amendment (PH-25-008): Staff presented eight changes to road classifications. Public questioned process and connectivity. City Engineer clarified that developers pay for infrastructure and the plan aligns with future development. Approved 6–0.
Key Outcomes
- All consent agenda items were approved 6–0.
- Public Hearings PH-25-005, PH-25-006, and PH-25-008 passed 6–0.
- Public Hearing PH-25-007 passed 5–1 (Councilmember Cobb opposed).
- The meeting adjourned at approximately 5:30 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Thank you all once again. Thank you all for coming out. Uh it is three o'clock and let the record show that council member thank you, ma'am. Adams, he's in out the country. And I don't think he will be here. Um and all other council members are council member board is here. Yes, he I saw him. Okay. Well, we do have all council members here except council member Adams. Correct, Francisco. He didn't call Zomer. Okay, thank you, sir. So we're gonna call the meeting to order. We will have the invocation by Mr. Uh Pastor Revan Kim Wooten and the Pledge of Allegiance by Councilmember Cobb. Please stand. But let me just uh open it up in prayer if you don't mind and uh thank you for being here. Uh let's bow our heads, please. Lord Jesus, we thank you for Mayor Debbie Nash King and our city council members Joseph Solomon. We thank you that he serves District 2 and 9 o'clock Cobb serves district three. And Father Michael Board also, we thank you for him serving District 4. And Rick Casos Adams, we thank you for his willingness to be a council member and for way he is serving, and for Jessica Gonzalez, the mayor pro term team and the district number one. And Jose, wow, Lord I appreciate you. He comes to our press summits on post working with the chaplains and Roman Alvarez, the council at large. Father, this is a good day that we're having. We ask that you give guidance. We ask that you give protection as the city council members guide our city. But Lord, as you guide our city, we pray that you would give them encouragement. That they need Lord courage is something that's very difficult in our society. They need the strength that they need for you to give them the discernment and making decisions, even though some of us may not like their decisions sometimes. So for those of those those of us, even I confess, Lord, sometimes I wonder about their decisions. We know now that even better, we can find your grace to be sufficient to support their decisions. So Lord, help us as a city to be team members. Though we may not agree all the time with decisions, but we want to be a team member for your glory and for your honor. And finally, Lord, please, out of your mercy and grace, protect them and their family members. In your name, Lord God, we ask this for your glory. In Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. Can I just add one more word, a couple of words? In prayer? No, just to just to make an announcement. Uh sir, that's not on our agenda. I apologize. We have to follow up and meet neck. Thank you. The pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag. Please, please take your seat. Uh thank you, Chaplain Revan Wouton and Councilmember McCobb.
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