Killeen City Council Meeting - March 18, 2025

The Killeen City Council convened on March 18, 2025, at 3:00 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included a work session, a regular session, a public hearing, a closed session for a city manager review, and adjournment at 6:21 PM. The council approved the consent agenda, heard public comments, debated a rezoning request, and ultimately approved the rezoning despite staff's recommendation for disapproval.

Presentation: Killeen Star Award

• Councilmember Segarra presented the Killeen Star Award to Pastor Rodney Gilchrist, who was unable to attend; representatives accepted on his behalf. Gilchrist was recognized for his extensive community service, including operating Liberty Christian Center as an emergency shelter, election precinct, and cooling/warming center, hosting monthly breakfasts with free haircuts, donating thousands of holiday meals, gifting 100 bicycles in 2022, providing weekend meals to underprivileged children, and overseeing KRGN radio station 98.5 FM.

Work Session

• The council reviewed agenda items 2-9 for the regular session, including presentations on election judge appointments, hangar roof rehabilitation, CityWorks licensing renewal, rejection of bids for pump and motor replacements, and a second amendment for substance abuse services. No final action was taken during the work session.

Consent Calendar

• MN-25-007: Approved the minutes of the March 4, 2025 regular meeting.
• RS-25-033: Approved the appointment of presiding and alternate judges for the May 3, 2025 General and Special Elections, with a total estimated cost of $35,506 (including pay at $20/hour, minimum hours for judges and clerks, plus $25 for delivering returns). Killeen ISD and Central Texas College will reimburse the city for their share.
• RS-25-034: Awarded a contract to LD Tebben, PAX Services Company through TIPS National Purchasing Cooperative for the Hangar Roof Rehabilitation Project at Skylark Field in the amount of $98,150. The project qualifies for a 90% reimbursement from the Texas Airport Maintenance Program; the remaining 10% ($9,815) will be covered by airport operational funds, not tax dollars.
• RS-25-035: Authorized the renewal of CityWorks licensing with Azteca Systems, LLC for one year at $77,175, covering unlimited users (currently 52 users). Staff noted this is the last one-year renewal; future agreements will be for three or five years at an estimated $110,000–$120,000 per year.
• RS-25-036: Authorized rejection of all bids for Bid No. 25-16 (multi-pump replacement for two pump stations and twelve lift stations) because the sole bid did not meet specifications. Staff will re-bid or use a cooperative purchasing process.
• RS-25-037: Authorized rejection of all bids for Bid No. 25-19 (motor replacement for four pump stations) because the sole bid did not meet specifications. Staff will re-bid or use a cooperative purchasing process. Most pump stations have multiple pumps, so emergency backup exists.
• RS-25-038: Authorized a second amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Central Texas Alcohol Rehabilitation Center (Sentex ARC), increasing funding by $57,734 (using opioid abatement settlement funds) for a total agreement amount of $200,864. The program has assisted 10 participants (9 males, 1 female, 1 veteran), all of whom remain housed. The referral process is voluntary and coordinated by the community engagement unit.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Melissa Brown: Expressed full support for the Sentex ARC program but questioned why the homeless initiative fund is not listed in the adopted budget, requested transparency on fund balances, criticized the city manager's handling of the budget deficit and change orders, and objected to fees for public information requests related to finance.
• Sean Price: Asked for clarification on the 10% cost share for the hangar roof (responded that airport funds cover it), the number of users for CityWorks (52 users), the definition of a cooperative purchasing process (explained as a bulk-purchasing program), and who decides eligibility for the substance abuse program (voluntary referral via community engagement unit).
• Public Hearing on Rezoning (PH-25-010):
  • Melissa Brown: Opposed the rezoning, citing flooding concerns and inconsistency with staff recommendations. She urged the council to follow staff's advice and criticized perceived favoritism toward certain developers.
  • Gary Wilson (resident at 6909 Shannon Circle): Objected to density, citing traffic congestion, speeding in school zones, and drainage issues from his property. He noted past opposition to high-density developments in the area.
  • Sean Price: Questioned whether the development would have an HOA and required concrete walls (not required for non-arterial roads) and expressed concerns about HOA enforcement.
  • Rick McLean (landowner on Stagecoach Road): Opposed smaller-than-R1 zoning due to traffic safety at the Turkey Trot/Stagecoach curve and potential for increased congestion.
  • Amy Retz (resident off Stagecoach): Protested the rezoning, citing crime concerns (over 170 police calls with two-hour waits) and traffic hazards on narrow Turkey Trot Road. Also noted that the applicant does not reside in Killeen.
  • Joaquin Vegas (resident at 720 Turkey Trot): Opposed any rezoning, citing horrendous traffic and safety concerns, and argued that infrastructure should be addressed before adding density.
  • Gary Purser (applicant): Defended his request, stating he meets the 2040 comprehensive plan (primary use residential mix), has built 74 duplexes without selling any, and that engineering will handle drainage and traffic. He rebutted claims about not being a citizen, stating he lived in Killeen for 67 years.
  • Brad Rutz (resident in the “donut hole”): Opposed the rezoning, arguing the area was originally intended for low-density housing, that past councils promised to maintain that character, and that adding density will strain infrastructure and public safety.

Discussion Items

• Rezoning Request (PH-25-010): Staff (Planning Department) recommended disapproval, finding the request inconsistent with the predominantly rural character of the surrounding area, despite being consistent with the 2040 comprehensive plan’s “residential mix” designation. The Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended approval (4-2). The applicant, Gary Purser, argued that his request meets all primary uses in the comp plan and that staff’s denial is arbitrary, noting that a neighboring property (across Wells Fargo) with a similar request for R1 and townhomes was recommended for approval. Councilmembers debated: Councilmember Adams asked about drainage (existing pond may be used; detention required) and road improvements (Turkey Trot would need widening to 60 feet, sidewalks, and drainage). Councilmember Segarra noted flooding as a key concern but was assured that engineering cannot worsen pre-development flows. Councilmember Boyd supported approval, citing the right to develop and the quality of Purser’s past projects.
• City Manager Review: The council convened a closed session at 5:03 PM under Section 551.074 (personnel matters) to conduct the city manager’s quarterly review. The meeting reconvened at 6:21 PM, and the council adjourned.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: All items (MN-25-007, RS-25-033 through RS-25-038) were approved unanimously by a voice vote (4-0).
• Public Hearing PH-25-010: Motion to approve the rezoning from R-1 to R-2 by Councilmember Boyd, seconded by Councilmember Segarra. The motion passed on a voice vote (4-0).
• City Manager Review: The council conducted the review in closed session; no action was taken in open session.
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 6:21 PM.