Killeen City Council Regular Meeting – July 15, 2025

The Killeen City Council met on July 15, 2025, at 9:00 AM (afternoon session) to conduct a regular meeting. The agenda included presentations, consent items, public hearings on three zoning requests, and discussion items on the reunification center, budget, and zoning code changes in response to new state laws. All six council members were present (Councilwoman Cobb and Mayor Pro Tem Adams were initially noted absent but later corrected). The meeting featured multiple public comments, votes on zoning changes, and a motion of direction on the reunification center project.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the agenda (6-0).
• Approved the consent agenda (items MN 25017, RS 25109–RS 25121) as a block (6-0). Consent items included:
  • Professional services agreement with Blue Skies Associates for data migration ($75,000).
  • Suspension of Encore rate increase effective date and cooperation with the steering committee.
  • Award of bid for AWOS relocation at Skylark Field to FW Electrical Contractors ($300,250).
  • Authorization to accept FAA grants for terminal mechanical/security improvements and terminal rehabilitation design.
  • Award of bid for airfield lighting control system at Robert Gray Army Airfield to KOBL Utility Construction ($470,000).
  • Utility easement to Bartlett Electric for EOC Fire Station No. 4 complex.
  • One-year license agreement with ESRI for GIS ($55,781.29).
  • Design-build contract for parks maintenance, fleet services, and police evidence storage buildings ($23,890,278).
  • Award of bid for reuse water golf course irrigation to Bell Contractors ($770,362.29).
  • Award of bid for McGregor Estates sanitary sewer improvements to BP3 Utilities ($243,133.53).
  • Professional services agreement with Kimley-Horn to update water/wastewater impact fees ($136,080).
  • Agreement and easement with Bartlett Electric for Chaparral Pump Station power.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Melissa Brown (multiple appearances): Spoke on several items. Expressed concern about protecting the historic nature of Marlborough Heights when rezoning to B3 (PH 25034). On PH 25035 (rezoning to R3F), she advised leaving the property as B1 because upcoming code changes would allow multifamily anyway. On PH 25036 (True Fountain rezoning to R2), she opposed the change, citing traffic, safety, and flooding concerns, and noted that denial would still allow multifamily under new state law. She also criticized the council for reducing citizen speaking time and for not listening to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
• James Rogers: Criticized the council for limiting citizen speaking time by 25% and for proposing to remove the supermajority requirement for zoning decisions, arguing it weakens checks and balances.
• Heather McNeely: Attempted to speak during citizen comments but was not recognized as comments were closed.
• Applicant Gary Purser Jr. (for PH 25036): Apologized for past behavior; argued his request meets the 2040 comprehensive plan and future land use map; asked for council support.

Discussion Items

• DS 25038 – Women in Municipal Government Conference: Councilwoman Cobb reported on the conference, emphasizing women's leadership, resilience, and the importance of respectful discourse. Councilmember Sigara noted the hiring of a female workforce leader.
• DS 25039 – FY 2026 Budget Discussion: Councilmember Solomon proposed reducing the council travel budget, noting it grew from $35,000 in 2021 to a proposed $131,250 for 2026. He urged the council to lead by example given the city's tight budget.
• DS 25040 – Reunification Center Project Status: Staff presented three options: (1) proceed with construction using the only responder (Families in Crisis), (2) reissue an RFP for operations, (3) suspend the project and reallocate funds. The project has $3.12 million remaining (CIP $1.8M, CDBG $1.32M). Council discussed operational sustainability. A motion of direction was made to suspend the project, hold the $1.8M CIP for future use, and direct staff to seek a fiscally viable operations partner. The motion passed 6-0.
• DS 25041 – Changes to Chapter 31 Zoning in Response to 89th Legislature: Staff presented three bills taking effect Sept 1, 2025:
  • SB 840: Requires cities to allow mixed-use and multifamily (3+ units) in all commercial zones (B1–B5, UD, C) except within 3,000 ft of airports/military bases. Will affect ~5 sq mi (9% of city).
  • SB 15: For unplatted tracts ≥5 acres in single-family zones, prohibits lot sizes >3,000 sq ft, lot width >30 ft, depth >75 ft, and restricts setbacks and parking requirements. Will affect ~4.24 sq mi. Staff proposed requiring alley-loaded garages for lots <50 ft wide.
  • HB 24: Reduces the supermajority vote requirement for zoning changes that allow more residential development (simple majority suffices even with 60% protest). Repeals the three-fourths vote needed to override a Planning and Zoning Commission disapproval. Staff recommended removing the three-fourths requirement from code and requiring applicant-posted signage. Council discussed and approved a motion of direction (6-0) to bring back revised ordinances as presented.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved (6-0).
• Public Hearing PH 25034 (Marlborough Heights rezoning to B3): Approved 6-0.
• Public Hearing PH 25035 (Evening Hollow rezoning to R3F): Approved 6-0.
• Public Hearing PH 25036 (Southwest Crossing rezoning to R2): Motion to approve failed (no second); motion to disapprove (based on staff recommendation) passed 6-0.
• Motion of Direction on Reunification Center (DS 25040): Approved 6-0 to suspend construction, retain $1.8M in CIP for future use, and direct staff to seek a sustainable operations partner.
• Motion of Direction on Zoning Code Changes (DS 25041): Approved 6-0 to direct staff to bring back revised ordinances implementing SB 840, SB 15, and HB 24 as presented.