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.
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.