Killeen City Council Meeting - April 7, 2026
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Killeen City Council Meeting - April 7, 2026
The Killeen City Council met on April 7, 2026, at 3:00 PM in the Council Chambers. The meeting was called to order with all council members present. The agenda included a presentation of the Killeen Star Award, consent agenda items, a public hearing on a rezoning request, discussion of the Arts Commission annual report, tiny homes and ADUs, the city manager's retirement and search process, and an executive session. The council took several actions, including approving consent agenda items (with one item pulled), granting a rezoning request, directing staff to prepare an ordinance for tiny homes/ADUs, and initiating the process to hire a search firm for a new city manager.
Presentations
- Killeen Star Award: Councilmember Solomon presented the Killeen Star Award to Mrs. Ruby L. Jackson, recognizing her more than 50 years of community service, advocacy, and volunteerism. Mrs. Jackson spoke briefly, thanking the city and those who supported her.
Consent Calendar
- MN-26-012: Approved minutes of the regular City Council meeting of March 3, 2026.
- RS-26-052: Approved a firework display permit for the Killeen Municipal Court on April 25, 2026, as part of the Celebrate Killeen festival. The fireworks will be in the Santa Fe Plaza parking lot, and the Fire Marshal found no significant issues.
- OR-26-008: Approved an ordinance designating the City Manager as pricing officer for the issuance and sale of General Obligation Refunding Bonds. The bonds will refund $28.5 million in existing debt, resulting in a net present value savings of $1 million (3.6% of refunded principal). The rating was affirmed at AA, with no extension of maturities. The consent agenda was approved with the exception of item RS-26-051 (which was pulled from the agenda).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Citizen Comments on Agenda Items:
- Michael Fanino expressed confidence in internal talent for an interim city manager and noted he had intended to speak on the pulled item.
- Christy Wilbanks urged the council to take time in hiring a new city manager, emphasizing experience with cities of Killeen's size and budget, and a military town background.
- Dr. Sue Croft (Nisi) stressed the importance of stability in the interim city manager selection and recommended involving the incoming council in the permanent search process for long-term alignment.
- Barrach Road, owner of 17 small houses (former army barracks), urged approval of a tiny home ordinance to allow tenants to purchase their homes. He also raised a concern about city ordinances allowing chickens but not ducks or geese, which affected his tenants.
- Melissa Brown questioned the bond refinancing, asking about maturity dates and interest rates. She also opposed tiny homes/ADUs unless mobile home parks and manufactured homes are also allowed, arguing that the earlier removal of those zoning options reduced affordability. She later spoke during the public hearing on the rezoning.
- Charles Kimball, Councilman-elect for District 2, asked the council to slow the city manager search to allow the incoming council to participate. He noted his experience as an executive recruiter for municipal leadership and suggested a short-term extension if needed.
Public Hearing
- PH-26-014: Held a public hearing on a rezoning request for approximately 3.25 acres (Lots 1-7 and part of Lot 8, Block 1, Clear Creek Estates, Phase I) and approximately 1.746 acres (T. Robinett Survey) from "B-5" (Business District) to "R-2" (Two-Family Residential District). The properties are located at 4603-4707 Barrington Trail and 5201 West Stan Schlueter Loop. Staff presented that the request is consistent with the Killeen 2040 Comprehensive Plan, and the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval unanimously. Two public speakers: Melissa Brown opposed the rezoning on safety grounds, citing the high-speed road and potential for vehicle accidents. The applicant, Gary Percy, noted the properties have been vacant for 18 years, no houses will face Stan Schlueter Loop, and argued that the safety concerns are not unique to this location. The council confirmed that the lots face Barrington Trail and Dayton Drive, not Stan Schlueter. The public hearing was closed and the council approved the rezoning unanimously (4-0).
Discussion Items
- DS-26-029: Received the Arts Commission Annual Report. Chairman Christopher Brown reported that in FY 2025, grants were approved for seven organizations, funding 18 events with $305,200 allocated (of which $228,655 was paid out). The commission recommended funding at the maximum 15% allowed by state law for 2027 ($272,403). Long-range goals include establishing a poet laureate program, improved marketing, and public art projects. Councilmembers discussed leveraging arts for economic development and incorporating poetry into festivals. Staff agreed to provide data on the economic impact of funded events.
- DS-26-030: Discussion regarding tiny homes and ADUs. Staff presented a proposal to amend the zoning code to allow tiny homes (on permanent foundations and on wheels) and accessory dwelling units (ADUs) within the North Killeen Revitalization Program (NKRP) boundary. The overlay would also limit certain undesirable land uses (e.g., vape shops, pawn shops). Councilmember Alvarez highlighted the benefit of re-establishing a tax base in older areas. Councilmember Gonzalez noted the sustainability and energy efficiency aspects of tiny homes. The council unanimously approved a motion of direction for staff to prepare an ordinance codifying the NKRP ordinance and establishing the overlay.
- DS-26-031: Acknowledged the retirement of City Manager Kent Cagle, effective May 29, 2026, and discussed the search process for a new city manager. City Attorney Clements outlined two options: issue a formal RFP (adding 6-8 weeks) or have staff obtain quotes from qualified firms. Councilmembers agreed that starting the process now is important to allow the incoming council (to be seated after the upcoming election) to make the final decision on the search firm. The council passed a motion of direction (4-0) for staff to bring back quotes from capable and qualified firms.
Executive Session
- Council entered executive session at 4:48 PM under Texas Government Code sections 551.087 (economic development negotiations) and 551.074 (personnel matters). The session covered: DS-26-032 (discussing incentives for a business prospect in Killeen Industrial Park), DS-26-033 (appointment of an interim city manager), and DS-26-034 (annual evaluation of the Municipal Judge). The council reconvened at 6:07 PM. No action was taken on the first two items; the only action was on the judge evaluation.
Key Outcomes
- Approved consent agenda items (minutes, fireworks permit, GO bond refunding ordinance) with the exception of RS-26-051 (pulled).
- Approved the rezoning (PH-26-014) from B-5 to R-2 for the Clear Creek properties (4-0).
- Directed staff to prepare an ordinance allowing tiny homes and ADUs within the North Killeen Revitalization Program area and to limit certain land uses (4-0).
- Directed staff to obtain quotes from qualified executive search firms for the city manager search (4-0).
- After executive session, approved a 5% cost-of-living adjustment for the Municipal Judge (motion passed).
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 6:09 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon, everyone. I'm gonna call it uh the April 7th council meeting to order. All council members are present. Um I'm gonna ask Pastor Moton if you can give the invocation. Pastor Moton, come to the okay. Oh Lord, our Lord, how excellent is your name in all of the earth. We bless you, Lord, for the privilege to be able to call upon your holy name in prayer and for the purpose that you have gathered us here today. We honor your presence. We thank you, Heavenly Father, for loving us the way that you do, that you would bless us in so many ways that you have, not because we are so deserving, but because you are so good. Thank you, Father God, for the joys of this time that we will share. Thank you for every matter of business that will be required for discussion. It's our prayer that all will honor you and you will get the glory. And we thank you and we bless you for this privilege just to invoke your presence for your presence makes the difference. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Thank you, Pastor Moten. Thank you, everyone, for being here this evening. Uh Council, we uh will now have approval agenda with the exception pulling RS 26-051, that's agenda item number three. So please include that exception in your motion. Uh Councilmember Solomon. Yes, thank you, Mr. Mayor. I'll make a motion that we approve the agenda with the exception of RIS-26-051. Is there a second? Councilmember Kendrick. All in favor, aye, all opposed, no. Motion carries four to zero. All right. Presentations. Councilmember Solomon, will you join me down at the mic? So in the spirit of volunteerism, if all of you remember when George Bush talked about points of light, he mentioned a bunch of people sharing for uh and caring for their communities. And that led to a whole bunch of awards and programs and projects to exist, including here in Texas, the One Star Foundation, and then the eventual establishment of the Clean Star Award, which each of our council members can choose some worthy individual who has promoted, supported, or did something in their community award to be recognized for. Thank you, sir. Thank you. Well, good evening, everyone. It is my honor to uh ask Mrs. Ruby L. Jackson to please come. Ma'am, it's such a delight to stand here before you and to um to present this Star Award to you because you represent so many people and you are a pioneer in this community. And you have been for many, many years, decades to say. And so it's just an honor. And I want to read this for the public. For more than 50 years, Mrs. Ruby L. Jackson has been a steadfast advocate and guiding right within the Kaleen community. Her life reflects a deep and enduring commitment to service, marked by compassion, strength, and unwavering dedication to uplifting others. Through her guidance, encouragement and example, she has helped shape countless lives, instilling confidence, dignity, and a sense of purpose in those who have had the privilege of knowing her. Many have gone, want to achieve great things, carrying with them the value she so faithfully poured into them. Mrs. Jackson is known for her consistent encouragement and her passion for keeping others connected.
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