Killeen City Council Regular Meeting – January 20, 2026
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Killeen City Council Regular Meeting – January 20, 2026
The Killeen City Council met on January 20, 2026, at 3:00 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers. All members were present except Councilmember Riakos Adams (arrived later) and Councilmember Nina Cobb (initially absent). The meeting featured a Star Award presentation, approval of numerous contracts and agreements, public hearings on budget amendments and zoning changes, and discussions on unfinished motions, charter review procedures, a certificate of convenience and necessity (CCN) transfer, and updates on community center renovations and street projects.
Consent Calendar
- Approved minutes of the December 9, 2025 and December 19, 2025 regular and special meetings.
- Authorized a Professional Services Agreement with Parkhill for design of trailhead amenities at Purser Heritage Hike & Bike Trail in the amount of $317,800.
- Authorized a Letter of Agreement with Pump Solutions, Inc. for removal and installation of six submersible chopper pumps at Lift Stations #21, 22, and 24 for $227,857.
- Authorized a Professional Services Agreement with Central Texas Alcohol Rehabilitation Center for substance use disorder counseling and treatment services for $132,723.69.
- Authorized procurement of a tactical robot from ICOR Technology ($149,144.28) and amendments to the Axon contract for technology upgrades ($300,387.60).
- Authorized an Interlocal Agreement with Bell County for bidding and construction of traffic signals along Chaparral Road.
- Authorized the City Manager to enter into an Advance Funding Agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation for the Rancier Project.
- Authorized a Letter of Agreement with Insituform Technologies, LLC for sewer replacement on Conder Street for $124,245.
- Approved the purchase of real property at 108 W. Jasper Road from Killeen Independent School District for Fire Department facilities for $803,000.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Michael Fernino criticized the lack of detailed discussion, the timing of the appointment meeting (2 PM), and unfinished road projects; questioned the need for a police robot and accountability of city staff.
- Heather McNeilly requested streetlights on Valley Street (calling it a city park) and remote participation for public hearings, noting 93-year-old Sue Hallmark was denied phone access; asked about environmental studies for Stagecoach Road.
- Melissa Brown raised concerns about the Rancier project’s underground utility process, potential property damage, and the charter review committee composition; urged consideration of CCN liabilities.
- Public Hearings (PH-26-002 to PH-26-009): Multiple residents spoke for and against zoning changes. Key points included traffic, drainage, wildlife habitat (ornate box turtles), and perceived misuse of the comprehensive plan.
Discussion Items
- RS-26-021 (Councilmember Resignation): Councilmember Jose Segarra resigned. Council set a special meeting on February 3, 2026 at 2 PM for interviews; applications close February 2, 2026.
- DS-26-004 (Unfinished 2025 Motions): Andy Wallander reported four pending motions: IBCC funding ($50,000) and KEDC funding awaiting FY2025 audit; $1.8 million reunification center update scheduled February 3; land banking discussion also scheduled February 3.
- DS-26-005 (Charter Review Procedures): Council agreed to a topic-limited review by a citizen committee of one representative per district. Applications open January 21, close January 30; appointments on February 3; first committee meeting February 4 at 6 PM, location determined by staff.
- DS-26-006 (CCN Transfer): Steve Cagle updated on negotiations with Georgetown. Killeen declined a paid transfer of developed areas and is waiting on Georgetown to propose a free transfer of undeveloped land in the ETJ, which would help control future development.
- DS-26-007 (Community Center & Street Projects): Detailed updates:
- Rosa Hereford Community Center: Roof and structural issues caused delays; current substantial completion target May 2026; contract limit nearly reached at $9.27 million (25% statutory cap).
- Bunny Trail: Substantially complete December 2025; final touch-ups ongoing.
- Gilmer Street: Open to traffic; awaiting BNSF crossing; full completion spring 2026.
- Stagecoach Road (Phase 1): Base material issue resolved; on track for summer 2026.
- Watercrest Road: Base problems caused delays; contractor accelerating; estimated completion summer 2026.
- Lilac Springs & Rancier, Chaparral, Featherline, Mohawk designs progressing; construction timelines ranging from 2027 to 2028.
Key Outcomes
- Consent calendar approved 6-0.
- Budget amendment (PH-26-002) approved 6-0.
- FLUM amendment (PH-26-003) approved 6-0.
- Rezoning 802 Highland Ave (PH-26-004) approved 6-0.
- Rezoning 4801 Onion Road (PH-26-005) approved 6-0.
- Rezoning 97.13 acres (PH-26-006) approved 6-0.
- Conditional Use Permit for 1417 W. Stan Schlueter (PH-26-007) approved 5-0 (Alvarez absent).
- Conditional Use Permit for 1100 W. Jasper (PH-26-008) approved 4-2 with condition “venue only, not open to the public as a bar.”
- Rezoning 15.3 acres along Love Spur (PH-26-009) approved 6-0 (as SR1 per P&Z recommendation).
- Appointment process for Segarra’s vacancy set: special meeting February 3, applications due February 2.
- Charter review committee established: one member per district, application process, first meeting February 4.
- Updates on CCN transfer and infrastructure projects received; no formal action taken.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon, everyone. It's three o'clock, and we like to thank everyone for coming. Uh let the record show that all council members are present except Councilmember Abaris. I gotta sign that. And Councilmember, which she is in route. We will start off with the invocation, Mr. Smith. Will you please do the invocation? And Councilwoman Gonzalez, you have the Pledge of Allegiance. Please stand. Let's all bow our heads, please. Thank you, Lord, for allowing us to attend this council meeting. I think most of us know the Lord's prayer. Part of it says, Say thy will be done. Not my will, not your will, but God's will. Just think how much better our lives would be if we followed that. The prayer also says, forgive our trespasses and forgive those who trespass against us again. If we follow this, how much better our life will be. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Councilmember Cobb and also Councilmember Abarrest. Thank you, Mr. Smith, and thank you, Councilwoman Gonzalez. The approval of the agenda. Councilmember Solomon. Councilmember Mayor Pro Temp Adams. I second. All in favor, yes. All opposed, no. PR twenty-six zero zero three Clean Star Award. Thank you. Thank you so much, Brett. Thank you all once again for coming out this afternoon. The Star Award is a very significant award for an individual, he or she that may go beyond to make a difference in the city of Kaleen and not asking for anything in return. This individual, he or she give for themselves to make a positive impact, not only on the city, but on individual residents that live here. And for that, we are grateful and we are thankful. This month, Councilwoman Gonzalez had the honor of honoring that significant person. Thank you. Thank you all for being out here today in attendance with us. Before I invite this uh gentleman up that we're gonna honor today, um, I just want you to know that he could have gone anywhere. The map of the world lay open, bright cities, quiet coasts, places that would ask nothing of him, but he came back to the streets. He knew his footsteps back to the city where he once stood, optimistically believing knowledge could change a life. He returned not because it was easy, but because it mattered. You must understand that he grew up during a time when he saw a city pulling at its seams, voices raised, patience thin, and Jim's crows were flying all around. And the tempting language of blame floating just within reach. One could cower, one could be bitter, but he chose something much, much harder. He rolled up his sleeves and he began to impart the positive, supportive, creative world knowledge that he gained to our once small town. He purposed himself to live in this place and to leave this place a bit better than when he was introduced into it. He reminded us that together we could achieve more. Instead of being angry, he got motivated.
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