Killeen City Council Regular Meeting - April 15, 2025

The Killeen City Council met on April 15, 2025, starting at 3:00 PM for a work session and regular session. The meeting included a consent agenda, public hearings, discussion items, and an executive session. Key outcomes included the denial of a wholesale water contract, approval of two voluntary annexations, a budget amendment, a temporary speed limit, and a motion to reallocate park funding. The council also discussed code enforcement methodologies and voted to hold a public hearing on renaming Bunny Trail. An executive session resulted in a 4% salary increase for the Presiding Municipal Judge.

Consent Calendar

• Items 1-18 (except RS-25-059): Approved unanimously (7-0). These included approval of minutes, creation of a regional 9-1-1 district, rejection of bids for an automated weather system, award of contracts for a beer and bratwurst festival (SBG Hospitality, $75,000), an animal services incinerator (American Incinerators Corp, $185,500), an incinerator building (J Poole Group, $210,201), a contract amendment for Stagecoach Roadway Replacement (Pape Dawson Engineers, $355,360.38), a sole-source pavement contract (Donelson Construction, $2,587,264.80), storage tank mixers (Cleanwater1 Pax Water Technologies, $342,202), a highway lighting agreement with TxDOT, interlocal agreements for a household hazardous waste event (with COG and Harker Heights), wholesale water contract (see below), petroleum products bid (American Lube Supply and Safety-Kleen, annual $115,000), acceptance of 38.5 acres of parkland dedication, and interlocal agreements with Bell County for platting authority.
• RS-25-059 (Wholesale Water Contract): Denied by a vote of 7-0 after extensive discussion. The contract would have sold up to 1.5 million gallons per day to Texas Water Utilities for a 10-year term with a $1 million connection fee and $4 per thousand gallons. Mayor Nash-King and several councilmembers expressed concerns about committing future water resources and the long-term implications.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Cameron Cochrane: Ceded time.
• Michael Fornino: Criticized Councilmember Boyd's agenda items, including parks and renaming Bunny Trail, and called his efforts a "jazz funeral." He received a warning for personal attacks.
• CJ Nickens: Supported reviewing the banner ordinance to help downtown businesses.
• Melissa Brown: Opposed the wholesale water contract, arguing it would commit the city's water reserves and that current residents are underserved. She cited existing approved developments and drought conditions.
• John Chisholm (Texas Water Utilities corporate development director): Asked the council to support the wholesale water agreement, emphasizing that Texas Water Utilities would build and maintain the delivery line.
• Ronnie Russell: Supported updating the banner ordinance, noting it was from 2010 and outdated.
• Gary Purser: Opposed the water sale, stating the city has a "gold mine" of water; also questioned the $355,360 engineering amendment for Stagecoach Road. He was removed after ignoring the mayor's direction to stay on agenda.
• Michael Fornino (on public hearings): Opposed both annexation items (PH-25-014 and PH-25-015), citing insufficient police, fire, and code enforcement resources.
• Melissa Brown (on PH-25-014 and PH-25-015): Opposed annexations, arguing the city cannot adequately serve current residents and that new developments would strain services.
• Michael Fornino (on PH-25-016 budget amendment): Criticized the use of bonds and called the budget vote a formality.
• Melissa Brown (on PH-25-016): Raised concerns about increased property taxes from bond debt.

Discussion Items

• DS-25-011 Semi-Annual Capital Improvement Advisory Committee Report: Presented by Mr. Zagers. Report covered the status of impact fees, projects from the 2019 master plan, and the deficit in the wastewater fund. Council took no action.
• DS-25-012 Future Parks Funding: Mr. Murphy presented options to reallocate $4.15 million intended for Westside Regional Park due to grant delays. Councilmember Boyd proposed a motion to fund design for Bunny Trail Passive Recreation Park and West Clean Natural Area, and full design and construction for Goodnight Ranch Community Park, Saddle Ridge Pocket Park, and Purser Heritage Oaks (playground and restroom) – total $3.8 million. Councilmember Solomon added an amendment to reserve remaining funds for a splash pad at Purser Heritage Oaks. Motion passed 7-0.
• DS-25-013 Code Enforcement Methodologies: Code Enforcement Director Jerry Miller answered questions about priorities, communication, repeat violations, and appeals. Council directed staff to arrange ride-alongs for councilmembers and to continue public education efforts.
• DS-25-014 Renaming Bunny Trail: Mrs. Mesher explained the process and estimated cost of $4,056. Councilmember Boyd moved to hold a public hearing on May 6, 2025, to consider renaming the street to A.L. Davis Trail. Councilmember Segarra opposed, suggesting other forms of recognition. Motion passed 6-1.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved (except RS-25-059) by 7-0.
• RS-25-059 (wholesale water contract) denied 7-0.
• PH-25-014 (annexation of 97.13 acres) approved 7-0.
• PH-25-015 (annexation of 47.895 acres) approved 6-0 (Councilmember Cobb absent).
• PH-25-016 (FY25 budget amendment) approved unanimously.
• PH-25-017 (temporary speed limit on SH 195) approved unanimously.
• DS-25-012 (park funding reallocation) approved 7-0 with amendment.
• DS-25-014 (renaming Bunny Trail) – motion to hold public hearing passed 6-1; hearing set for May 6, 2025.
• RQ-25-005 (banner ordinance) – placed on next agenda; moratorium on enforcement continued.
• Executive Session (DS-25-015 & RS-25-063): Council evaluated Presiding Municipal Judge Kristina Krishna and approved a 4% COLA, raising her salary to $159,847.93.