Killeen City Council Regular Session and Work Session – April 21, 2026

The Killeen City Council met on April 21, 2026, beginning with a work session at 3:00 PM and transitioning to a regular session after a recess at 4:17 PM. The council considered a consent agenda of 13 items, held a public hearing on a budget amendment, and voted on several appointments and contracts. All votes were 4-0 unless otherwise noted.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of the March 24, 2026 regular city council meeting (MN-26-013).
• Accepted the dedication of 14.42 acres of land within the Preserve at Thousand Oaks Planned Unit Development as public parkland (RS-26-054).
• Approved a five-year maintenance support contract with Cooper Crouse-Hinds, LLC for the airport lighting control system at Killeen Regional Airport in the amount of $265,850.00 (RS-26-055).
• Awarded Bid No. 26-18, Traffic Signal Infrastructure Upgrade, to Austin Traffic Signal Construction Co., LLC in the amount of $646,001.50 (RS-26-056).
• Approved a contract with Symtech (SIMTEC) Live Fire Simulation Technology to build a fire training tower prop in the amount of $1,063,062.65 (RS-26-057).
• Authorized a 10-year agreement with SEGRA, LLC to provide two strands of dark fiber connecting 15 city facilities to the city’s network (total contract value $1,499,000.00, with one-time construction cost of $350,000.00) (RS-26-058).
• Authorized the purchase of network equipment from GTS Technology Solutions in the amount of $478,233.00 (RS-26-059).
• Approved a master software agreement renewal with CivicPlus, LLC in the amount of $424,404.82 (RS-26-060).
• Appointed seven members to the Main Street Board: Tony Ringold, Josh Pemberton, Daniel Watkins (citizen members); Ronnie Russell, Candice Cooper, Michelle Flores, and Dustin Evans (organizational members) (RS-26-063).
• Approved the appointment of Christina Ramirez as Executive Director of Public Works, effective June 15, 2026 (RS-26-064).
• Approved the appointment of an interim city manager plan, with Meredith Wilson, David Cagle, and Jeffrey Reynolds serving on consecutive dates until a permanent city manager is appointed (RS-26-065). Items 9 (Arts Commission vacancy) and 10 (Board of Adjustment appointments) were removed from the consent agenda for separate votes.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Candice Cooper (Downtown Merchants Association, former Downtown Advisory Committee vice chair) expressed strong support for the new Main Street Board appointments, highlighting that the board will advance downtown revitalization and leverage Texas Main Street program resources. She emphasized that board members, as property owners and stakeholders, are deeply invested in the area’s growth.
• Melissa Brown raised concerns about the parkland dedication (Item 2), questioning whether HOA maintenance could restrict public access and whether the agreement includes city standards. She also questioned the CivicPlus renewal, asking about additional services and cost-effectiveness given existing Code Red through Central Texas COG. She strongly opposed the interim city manager plan, arguing for a single interim for consistency and criticizing the cost of retaining former City Manager Cagle.
• Sue Nisi Croft expressed appreciation for the structured interim city manager plan, stating it balances continuity and stability. She reiterated her earlier proposal for a quality-of-life committee to strengthen community input.
• A fourth speaker (unidentified, military veteran) strongly objected to former City Manager David Cagle’s involvement past his retirement date, arguing it reflects poor planning and a lack of succession management. He stated that other city staff are competent to serve as interim.

Discussion Items

• Parkland Dedication (RS-26-054): Staff clarified the 14.42 acres are public parkland, with maintenance handled by the HOA under a future MOU. Estimated annual HOA maintenance cost is $35,000. Councilmember Kendrick confirmed public access. Councilmember Solomon praised the addition.
• Airport Lighting Maintenance (RS-26-055): Staff noted the contract is for a five-year maintenance support for the new AL CMS system, funded through an IGSA agreement with Fort Hood.
• Traffic Signal Upgrade (RS-26-056): The project upgrades four span-wire intersections with components over 30 years old. Councilmember Gonzalez asked about wireless connectivity and signal adjustment from the Traffic Management Center (TMC); staff confirmed radios are used currently, with plans to move to cellular modems.
• Fire Training Tower (RS-26-057): Deputy Chief Foster presented three vendor quotes: Fire Facilities ($1.266M), WHP Training Towers ($1.023M estimate, plus foundation), and SIMTEC ($1.063M plus $39,376 for foundation). Staff recommended SIMTEC based on quality and features. Current training facilities are unsafe, with shipping containers welded together and a 35-foot tower unsuitable for live fire.
• Dark Fiber Agreement (RS-26-058): The 10-year contract will connect 15 city facilities, replacing fragmented Metro E and point-to-point connections. Annual cost is $114,900, plus $350,000 one-time construction funded by CIP projects. Staff noted redundancy through a ring design.
• Network Equipment Replacement (RS-26-059): The city operates 146 switches and 131 wireless access points, many nearing end-of-life in 2027. The purchase of Aruba equipment through TIPS contract is budgeted in FY26.
• CivicPlus Renewal (RS-26-060): The three-year renewal consolidates website hosting, social media archiving, ADA compliance, and mass notification (Connexus). Staff explained that the new system will integrate with IPAWS, allow geo-targeting, and replace the current Code Red system. Budget adjustments absorbed the increase over prior contract.
• Arts Commission Vacancy (RS-26-061): Council declared a vacancy due to a commissioner missing over 25% of meetings. After nominations, Ashley Rutser was appointed (3-1 vote).
• Board of Adjustment Appointments (RS-26-062): Council appointed Lamar Molina (construction experience), RJ Threat (aviation experience), Iperlita Lois and Misty Dunn (regular members), Patsy Bracey (alternate), Jennifer Knotts and Vantonio Frawley (alternates). One construction vacancy remains.
• Main Street Board (RS-26-063): Staff recommended seven members based on the four-point approach (design, organization, promotion, economic vitality). Council approved the recommendations during the work session, with final approval on the consent agenda.
• Executive Director of Public Works (RS-26-064): Christina Ramirez, with 17 years of experience and a civil engineering degree from Texas A&M, introduced herself, emphasizing cross-training, public engagement, and availability outside traditional hours.
• Interim City Manager Plan (RS-26-065): Staff proposed a phased plan: Meredith Wilson (May 30–June 14 and June 20–28), David Cagle (June 15–19 and from June 29 under a temporary employment agreement for up to 20-25 weeks), and Jeffrey Reynolds (after Cagle’s term until permanent hire). The plan was approved on consent after citizen comments.
• Budget Amendment – Public Hearing (PH-26-015): Budget Manager Bonnie Hanchey presented amendments transferring $3,297,571 in excess fund balance from the general fund to CIP funds, including $600,000 for downtown solar lighting and $550,000 for municipal court security upgrades. The aviation fund transferred $1,328,029 to its CIP. The public hearing was held, and the ordinance was adopted.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved 4-0, with items 9 and 10 pulled for separate votes.
• Ashley Rutser appointed to the Arts Commission (3-1).
• Board of Adjustment appointments approved 4-0, with one construction vacancy left open.
• Budget Amendment PH-26-015 approved 4-0.
• All contracts, appointments, and the interim city manager plan approved as part of the consent agenda.