Killeen City Council Special Meeting – July 23, 2026

The Killeen City Council held a special meeting at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 23, 2026, in City Hall Council Chambers, 101 N. College Street, Killeen, Texas. The only substantive agenda item was consideration of legal action regarding the Board of Adjustment's decision overturning the Building Official's revocation of the Certificate of Occupancy for 605 N. Gray Street. After extensive public comment and an executive session, the Council voted 6-1 to file a petition to reverse the Board of Adjustment's decision.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jamie Carroll expressed concern that closing 605 N. Gray would displace about 200 residents and argued the city is not ready for 200 more homeless people. She estimated that 10 other similar ultra-low-income properties could put around 2,000 people at risk and urged the Council to work with these businesses through zoning changes or conditional use permits instead of shutting them down.

• Dr. Sue Neethi Croft acknowledged that life safety is non-negotiable but urged against abrupt closure, noting the property houses up to 200 vulnerable residents, including disabled and military veterans. She proposed using Section 31-38 of the city ordinance to issue a temporary Certificate of Occupancy, require phased compliance, mandate a 24/7 fire watch, and require an escrow of 110% of repair costs.

• Michael Buckley said he learned of the issue from the newspaper and asked whether the city would help residents. He noted that many tenants are disabled and have mental and physical handicaps, and he asked the Council to "give them a break" because the property helped him avoid homelessness.

• Sherry Volpicella said using taxpayer dollars to hire outside counsel to revoke the CO would push approximately 200 men, women, and children into homelessness. She urged the Council to halt legal efforts until a full assessment of resident needs and safety is conducted, hold leadership accountable without destroying housing capacity, and partner with housing agencies and nonprofits to secure alternatives before enforcement.

• Tessa Quiet said her father, who makes $12,000 a year on SSI, found independence and community there after the housing authority waiting list for a one-bedroom was closed. She warned that shutting down the building would put 200 people on the streets and hurt downtown Killeen's profits.

• Aracelli Cook accused the Council of micromanaging the Board of Adjustment and referenced an alleged city staff remark about "those people." She said the owner has donated to council campaigns and argued the Council should not turn its back on the residents or the owner.

• Gregory Cook, a military veteran with 39.5 years of service, said he and his wife donated appliances to the property. He argued that closing it would violate council members' oaths to represent residents, called tenants part of "Team Killeen," and asked the Council to support the owner rather than attack him.

• Paul Horn, a resident, said he and his girlfriend moved in after being homeless; his girlfriend has asthma, four heart stents, and a sleep apnea machine, and would not survive if put on the street.

• Emily Lopez / Kimmy Lopez, a resident with a 20-year epilepsy history, said the property saved her life and her husband's, called the residents her family, and pleaded with the Council not to tear down the building.

• John Thomas Hahn (JT Hahn) of Armor of God Outreach said he feeds residents weekly and described a 27-year-old mother who found another place but cannot afford the $1,875 move-in cost even though she can pay $500/month rent plus $150 utilities. He supported a temporary CO and a community team to help the owner come into compliance while keeping residents housed.

• Gail Perez described the owner as a military veteran, philanthropist, and "the heart of Killeen" who provides Christmas gifts and affordable housing. She asked the Council to help fix code violations rather than add to homelessness in heat over 100 degrees.

• Anna Luisa Carrillo Tapia, representing LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens), said the Latino community includes residents of the property and asked the Council to honor the Board of Adjustment's decision made a week earlier. She said "dedicated service for everyone" must not exclude low-income residents and urged the Council to help the owner and residents.

• Patsy Bracey said she was once close to homelessness and offered to provide Medicaid-certified nurse training and employment assistance to qualifying individuals in the room.

• Condice Cooper, chair of the Main Street Board and president of the Downtown Killeen Merchants Association, said downtown business owners are not anti the property. She noted the building falls outside the historic district and Main Street designation, and asked the Council to create a humane process or program to help the owner become compliant rather than excuse noncompliance or shut the building down.

• Laura Pimentez, a five-year resident, said the building has become a supportive home where tenants look out for each other. She asked the Council to meet the owner halfway and let tenants help.

Executive Session

At 3:43 p.m., the Council entered closed session under Texas Government Code § 551.071 (consultation with attorney) to discuss and consider legal action regarding agenda item DS-26-069, the Board of Adjustment decision on 605 N. Gray Street.

Discussion Items

• After reconvening, the City Attorney stated the Council's options were to take no action or to file a petition to reverse the Board of Adjustment's decision.

• Councilmember Bass (transcribed as "Bess") moved to file the petition; Councilmember Kimble seconded.

• Councilmember Brown said she highly disagreed with taking legal action against the appointed board and signaled she would vote no.

• Mayor Pro Tem said the Council must not choose between compassion and accountability, had reached out to community partners, and noted property owners willing to forgo deposits and work with residents on eviction statuses.

• Councilmember Nash-King acknowledged receiving a donation from the owner but said it does not control her vote. She stated the law is black and white and that safety and owner responsibility come first, and suggested using an activity center to connect residents with companies if needed.

• Councilmember Kimble said as a safety professional he will always side with safety, but he would bring the same energy to working with community partners to help residents if relocation is needed.

Key Outcomes

• The agenda was approved 7-0 at the beginning of the meeting.

• The Council voted 6-1 to file a petition to reverse the Board of Adjustment's decision overturning the Building Official's revocation of the Certificate of Occupancy for 605 N. Gray Street. Councilmember Brown appeared to be the sole dissenting vote.

• Councilmembers stated that nothing immediate would happen as a result of the vote and urged residents not to panic about being vacated immediately.

• The special meeting adjourned after the vote.