Special City Council Meeting - May 13, 2025: Election Canvassing, Oaths, and Farewell to Councilman Boyd
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Special City Council Meeting – May 13, 2025
The Killeen City Council held a special meeting at 5:00 PM on May 13, 2025, in Council Chambers at City Hall. The meeting focused on canvassing the results of the May 3, 2025 special and general elections, swearing in newly elected council members, recognizing outgoing District 4 Councilman Michael Boyd following a successful recall election, and electing a Mayor Pro Tem. All seven council members were present, along with Assistant City Manager Wilson.
Consent Calendar
- Both ordinances (OR-25-008 and OR-25-009) were approved unanimously (7–0). These actions are detailed under Key Outcomes.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Chief Kabinsky (Killeen Fire Department) led an opening prayer honoring Captain Marvin Teller III and offered remarks. He expressed opposition to the recall of Councilman Boyd, stating, "It is a rare thing for a young person to take interest in their community." He commended Boyd for listening to citizens and taking action. He recommended that the council review and adjust the recall process to prevent it from being weaponized by disgruntled citizens and former council members. He also criticized local media for focusing on negative stories rather than positive achievements.
Discussion Items
- Canvassing of Bond Election Results (OR-25-008): City staff presented the May 3, 2025 special election results for Proposition B. Early votes: 774 in favor, 1,086 against. The proposition failed. Council unanimously approved the ordinance.
- Canvassing of General and Special Election Results (OR-25-009): Results for District 1: Sherry Oipela (262 votes), Jessica Gonzalez (350 votes) – Gonzalez duly elected. District 2: Verlin Valentine (223 votes), Joseph Solomon (671 votes) – Solomon duly elected. District 4: Christy Wilbanks (260 votes), Anthony Kendrick (330 votes) – Kendrick duly elected. For Proposition A (recall of Councilman Michael Boyd): 317 in favor, 264 against – recall passed. Council unanimously approved the ordinance.
- Recognition of Outgoing Councilman Michael Boyd: Boyd delivered a farewell speech, detailing accomplishments during his four-year term, including: road improvements (Bunny Trail, Watercrest Road, Robinette Road, etc.); parks funding reallocation of $4.15 million establishing Goodnight Ranch Community Park (38.5 acres), Bunny Trail Passive Recreation Park (33 acres), West Killeen Natural Area and Trail (23 acres), and Saddle Ridge Pocket Park (0.9 acres); economic development at Killeen Regional Airport including two new corporate hangars, a 9,000 sq ft office for CSI Aviation (relocating from New Mexico, creating 35 jobs at an average salary of $95,000), and a new FBO at Skylark Airport; and community engagement efforts. He criticized local media, particularly the Killeen Daily Herald, for biased reporting and called for a professional rebranding initiative. He expressed gratitude and trust in incoming councilman Anthony Kendrick.
- Election of Mayor Pro Tem (RS-25-077): Two nominations were made: Councilmember Solomon (nominated by Councilwoman Cobb) and Councilmember Adams (nominated by himself). After a motion and second, a vote was taken. The final tally was 5–2 in favor of Councilmember Adams as Mayor Pro Tem, with Councilmembers Solomon and Cobb dissenting. The vote was initially somewhat confused due to a seconding council member’s misunderstanding, but the result stood.
Key Outcomes
- OR-25-008 – Ordinance canvassing bond election results: passed 7–0. The bond proposition (Proposition B) failed.
- OR-25-009 – Ordinance canvassing general/special election results: passed 7–0. Jessica Gonzalez (District 1), Joseph Solomon (District 2), and Anthony Kendrick (District 4) were declared duly elected. The recall of Councilman Michael Boyd was approved.
- Oaths of Office and Certificates of Election were administered to the three newly elected council members by Judge Krishna.
- Standards of Conduct were read and signed by all council members.
- RS-25-077 – Resolution electing a Mayor Pro Tem: Councilmember Riakos Adams was elected by a vote of 5–2 (Solomon and Cobb dissenting).
- Adjournment – The meeting was adjourned at approximately 6:16 PM (estimated based on meeting duration).
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon, everyone. Good afternoon once again to everyone and thank you all for coming out to a special night. And I would like to call the meeting to order. Let the record show that all council members are present. And assistant city manager Wilson is also on the dais. As you all know, the city of Killeen is going through a try and time. And then in order to honor Captain Marvin Teller the third, I spoke to um Chief Kabinsky today, and he has signed up for citizen comment. And he would not only pray for the income and council members, but we also wanted to honor him. Chief Kabinsky. Let us acknowledge the universal source of goodness and peace, whatever name we may use to describe it and ask for a blessing that encompasses all passive faith. Lord, thank you for this beautiful day today. Brightly upon our new incoming city council members to be sworn in. Let us thank our outgoing council members for their wisdom and their courage to lead. And I ask that you bestow that courage and wisdom to lead on our new incoming and returning council members and all of our count council members and the mayor. And make sure that he and his family are taken care of not only in the coming weeks, but for the years to come. I thank you for the community that you bestowed upon us and the strength that community has shown our department over the last couple of days is encouraging, and I ask that you take that community strength and share it with the city council and ask our community to support the city council in the way that they've supported us. I ask that you pray for Marvin and that you keep him next to you so that he can protect us. Amen. Um I just want to comment regarding councilman board and the recall. I don't agree with the recall of councilman board. It is a rare thing for a young person to take interest in their community and the city, which he has done. And so I would like to commend Councilman Board for his contribution to his district and the city of Kleene. He actually listened to the citizens and took action on their behalf. His compassion is far reaching. Even in an attempt to recognize a veteran that served 30 years fought in four Vietnam War, received a purple heart, returned to his city after he served his country and protect our freedom, and was known as the running man, greeting people as he ran through the city. I would like to recommend to the council that they review and make adjustment to the recall process to prevent disgruntled citizens and formal council members from weaponizing it to tear down members of the council that they disagree with. And finally, I know bad news sell, but it would be refreshing to hear about the good things that all of you guys have done over the years for Killing. I see the growth. And finally, to Councilman Board, I would like to say, as you move to another phase in your life, always remember the crowd is not always right. There was a crowd that once shouted, crucify him, crucify him, and they accepted a thief instead. But you know what? They talked about Jesus too, and he turned out just fine. And I'll just like to uh thank everyone for what they have done and pray that God will continue to bless you as we live in this city and as it grow. And I just thank all of you for what for your service and what you have done. And I just want councilman board to know that I am very pleased and proud of him. God bless you. He thank you. Now we will have ordinances, madam secretary. OR 25008. Consider an ordinance canvassing the returns and declaring results of the May 3rd, 2025 special election regarding a bond election. The caption of the ordinance reads an ordinance canvassing the returns and declaring the results of a bond election and other matters in connection therewith. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor. And I'm going to start off with the bond. It's um the results are early votes in person, 774. 1,086 against. A majority of the qualified voters of the city of Kleene, Texas voting in such election, have voted against proposition B. So the council hereby finds and determines this proposition failed at the election. Madam Mayor. Thank you.
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