Killeen City Council Regular Meeting - October 20, 2026

The Killeen City Council met on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 5:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. All council members were present except Council Member Beverly Ann Williams. The meeting included presentations, work session discussion, citizen comments, consent agenda, resolutions, a public hearing, discussion items, and executive session. Key topics included the Zephyr Road reconstruction design, animal shelter renovation, a new North Killeen Overlay District, electric vehicle chargers, cemetery expansion, and homelessness services.

Presentations

• American Planning Association Texas Award: Katie Williams, Central Section Director of APA Texas, presented a gold award to the City of Killeen for implementation of the comprehensive plan Killeen 2040, specifically for downtown revitalization. Downtown occupancy increased from approximately 20% to over 84%, with more than 104 businesses opening in the area, and 84% of the plan's downtown action items started or completed.
• Salvation Army Appreciation Plaque: Bill Conlin, Salvation Army Board Chair, presented a plaque thanking the city for providing the event center for the Angel Tree program for three years. Approximately 890 children have been signed up for the current year's distribution.

Work Session (Items 14-16)

• RS-26-173 (Assistance to Firefighters Grant): Chief Fox presented a grant award for FY25 totaling $259,773.36, with $236,157 in federal funding and a city match of $23,615.76. The grant funds occupational health and cancer screenings for fire personnel. Staff recommended approval.
• RS-26-174 (Zephyr Road Reconstruction Design): Mrs. Hager presented a $2,051,906.90 professional services agreement with Garver, LLC for a 1.9-mile reconstruction, including potential three-lane road, sidewalks, bike accommodations, and intersection improvements. Design estimated at two years, construction in multiple phases over at least four years. Councilmembers discussed lane width, bike lanes, street trees, and public input.
• RS-26-175 (Animal Shelter Renovation Design): Mrs. Hager presented a $191,500 agreement with Michael W. Marrs Architects, Inc. for design of the Killeen Animal Shelter renovation at 3518 East Rancier. The building was purchased for $1.77 million and closed in April 2026 due to mold. Proposed design includes 34 kennels, floor drains, separate dog/cat areas, surgical space. Councilmembers debated whether to proceed without an appraisal, comparing cost to building new ($3 million+).

Citizen Comments on Agenda Items

• Dr. Sue Nasi Croft: Urged council to use a temporary emergency declaration or winter zoning overlay to bypass regulatory gridlock on homelessness shelter, stating $220,000 is idle and the strict conditional use permit on 1002 Medical Drive makes the project unfeasible.
• JT Hahn (Armor of God Outreach): Requested a seat at the table for comprehensive homeless planning. Described costs of the medical drive CUP (masonry wall: $25,000-$30,000; grease trap: $4,000-$6,000) and asked for a variance on the wall. Noted the city has invested over $2 million in homeless services over 10 years.
• Anka Nego: Questioned spending on animal shelter at 3518 Rancier, stating total cost could be $3.4 million, and suggested building new at Commerce Street. Noted safety concerns with volunteers taking dogs to park across a major road.
• Michael Fornino: Criticized delays on road projects, asked for clarification on a joint meeting vote, and argued council priorities are misplaced - more love for animals than homeless.
• Ebony Jackson (Bell County Indigen Health Care Program): Discussed homelessness as a public health issue, describing costs to hospitals, emergency services, and jail medical operations. Requested collaboration for a shelter and daytime resource center.
• Heather McMillan: Requested expanding Zoom access to planning and zoning and special meetings, noting citizens were unable to speak at the October 5th joint meeting regarding data centers.

Consent Agenda

• Items 3-13 were approved with a single motion, except item 5 was pulled for separate discussion. Item 5 (RS-26-164) was later approved 5-0 after presentation and discussion.

Resolutions (Regular Session)

• RS-26-173 (AFG Grant): Approved 5-0.
• RS-26-174 (Zephyr Road Design): Approved 5-0.
• RS-26-175 (Animal Shelter Design): Council voted 3-2 to table the item until an appraisal of the building is completed. Councilmember Brown motioned to table; Mayor Pro Tim seconded. Councilmembers Kendrick and Bass opposed tabling.

Public Hearing

• PH-26-037 (North Killeen Overlay District): The ordinance establishes an overlay district over approximately 1,842.179 acres bounded by North Fort Hood Street, Fort Hood, W.S. Young Drive, and Hallmark Avenue/Trimmier Road/Terrace Drive. It allows tiny homes (≤400 sq ft), tiny homes on wheels, and accessory dwelling units (ADUs) by right, and prohibits new after-hours nightclubs, BYOB establishments, private gambling, and outside secondhand goods sales. Nine existing businesses become legal nonconforming. Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval 6-0 with conditions. Staff noted 3,662 notices mailed; no written responses received. Approved 5-1, with Councilmember Brown dissenting, citing infrastructure concerns and inequity across the city.

Discussion Items

• DS-26-090 (Electric Vehicle Chargers): Staff reported the city applied for a federal grant in 2024 (not awarded) and explored partnerships. The civic center was identified as a potential site. 31 existing charging units exist in the city. A level 3 charger cost estimate was $184,000 plus installation. Revenue projected at $16,000 annually starting after three years. Council voted 5-0 to halt procurement and bring the item back in three months for further discussion of alternatives (including private partnerships).
• DS-26-091 (City Cemetery Expansion): The city has no available burial plots since 2022. Expansion of 17.93 acres east could yield ~5,546 plots at an estimated cost of $6.9 million. Annual operating cost: $147,449. Councilmember Brown motioned for staff to bring back, in six months, expert trend data, a columbarium cost estimate (up to $140,000 for 100 niches), and phased cemetery expansion planning. Approved 5-0.
• DS-26-094 (Homelessness Services Plan - Armor of God Outreach): Staff updated that Armor of God (AOG) withdrew from the Medical Drive project on October13 due to inability to meet CUP conditions (masonry wall costs, etc.) and timeline. AOG representative JT Hahn stated they remain interested but need a partner. Council discussed the $200,000 earmarked for homeless services. Councilmember Brown motioned to continue holding the $200,000 for homeless services without specifying AOG. Approved 5-0.
• DS-26-095 (December Meeting Dates): Council approved moving the second December meeting from December15 to December8 (meetings on December1 and December8) to allow staff holiday time. Approved 5-0.

Councilmember Requests for Future Agenda Items

• RQ-26-007 (Notification Protocol): Mayor Pro Tim requested establishing a standard for notifying council of city activities. Council voted 5-0 to bring the item to the second meeting in November for discussion.

Executive Session

• DS-26-093 (Potential land purchase of KISD property for affordable housing) was held in closed session at approximately10:17 PM, citing real estate negotiations. No action recorded.

Citizen Comments on Non-Agenda Items

• Jamie Carroll requested consistent Zoom access for all boards and commissions, noting only three boards are live-streamed. Council voted 5-0 to bring the item back for future discussion on consistency.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: Consent agenda (with item5 pulled and then approved5-0); AFG grant (5-0); Zephyr Road design (5-0); North Killeen Overlay District (5-1, Brown opposed); December meeting dates (5-0); holding homeless funds (5-0); and bringing notification protocol to November meeting (5-0).
• Tabled: Animal shelter renovation design (3-2 to table for appraisal).
• Halted (with future review): EV charger procurement (5-0, bring back in3 months).- Directive: Cemetery expansion study with columbarium and trend data in6 months (5-0).- No action/moved to future: Homeless services partnership (funds held; no specific organization).