Title
Consider Minutes of Regular City Council Meeting of December 19, 2023.
Body
City of Killeen
City Council Meeting
Killeen City Hall
December 19, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.
Presiding: Mayor Debbie Nash-King
Attending: Mayor Protem Nina Cobb (arrived at 5:01 p.m.), Councilmembers Michael Boyd, Jessica Gonzalez, Jose Segarra, Joseph Solomon, and Ramon Alvarez
Absent: Riakos Adams
Also attending were City Manager Kent Cagle, Assistant City Manager Lauren Wilson, Deputy City Attorney Asha Pender, Deputy City Secretary Beatrice Canseco, and Sergeant-at-Arms Marquez
Don Smith gave the invocation. Councilmember Segarra led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Agenda
Motion was made by Councilmember Boyd to approve the agenda, with the exception of PR-23-027, and for that item to be revisited in January 2024. Motion was seconded by Mayor Protem Cobb. The motion carried unanimously (6-0).
Presentations
PR-23-028 Presentation - Bell County Child Safety Check
Bell County Tax Assessor-Collector, Shay Luedeke, presented a check to the City of Killeen in the amount of $172,866.15 collected by the County on vehicle registrations to be used for programs designed to enhance child safety, health, or nutrition, including child abuse prevention and intervention and drug and alcohol abuse prevention; or for programs designed to enhance public safety and security.
Bell County Commissioners Louie Minor, Precinct 4 and Bobby Whitson, Precinct 2 presented a check to the City of Killeen in the amount of $96,540.75 collected by the County on hotel/motel tax to be used for initiatives promoting tourism and the convention and hotel industry.
Citizen Comments on Agenda Items
Michael Fornino spoke regarding RS-23-210.
Mellisa Brown spoke regarding RS-23-210 and PR-23-028.
David Bass spoke regarding RS-23-210.
Consent Agenda
MN-23-029 Consider Minutes of Regular City Council Meeting of November 28, 2023.
RS-23-202 Consider a memorandum/resolution approving the investment reports for the quarter ended September 30, 2023.
RS-23-203 Consider a memorandum/resolution awarding Bid #24 07, Non-Exclusive Rental Car Concessions for the Rental Car Lease Agreements at the Killeen Regional Airport.
RS-23-204 Consider a memorandum/resolution authorizing the purchase of library books from Ingram Library Services through the TXSMARTBUY cooperative purchasing program for FY 2023 2024 in an amount not to exceed $90,000.
RS-23-205 Consider a memorandum/resolution accepting the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Crisis Assistance Program grant through the Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division.
RS-23-206 Consider a memorandum/resolution ratifying expenditures related to the emergency remediation for the sewer main break at Lift Station No. 20 in the amount of $72,799.
RS-23-207 Consider a memorandum/resolution ratifying an emergency remediation service and testing for paint cleanup, disposal, and testing in Little Nolan Creek by C G Environmental in the amount of $155,306.29.
RS-23-208 Consider a memorandum/resolution declaring a vacancy on the Arts Commission and appointing a new member to fill the vacancy.
RS-23-209 Consider a memorandum/resolution granting an Operating Authority to Ambiance Limousine and Transportation, LLC.
Motion was made by Councilmember Alvarez to approve the Consent Agenda, as presented. Motion was seconded by Councilmember Boyd. The motion carried unanimously (6-0).
Resolutions
RS-23-210 Consider a memorandum/resolution to authorize an interlocal agreement with the General Land Office and Veterans Land Board for the City of Killeen to assume responsibility for Cemetery Management and Operation Services for the Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, Texas
Staff Comments: Kent Cagle, City Manager
This item was presented to City Council during their December 12, 2023 Workshop meeting. Mr. Cagle was available to provide additional information and to answer questions. Dr. John Kelley, Director of the Texas Veterans Land Board Veterans Cemeteries Program, and Retired Command Sergeant Major Doug Galt, On-Site Representative at Killeen Veterans Cemetery, were also available to provide additional information and to answer questions.
Motion was made by Councilmember Boyd to approve RS-23-210. Motion was seconded by Mayor Protem Cobb. The motion carried unanimously (6-0).
Public Hearings
PH-23-062 HOLD a public hearing and consider an ordinance submitted by Carolyn Brown, on behalf of 501 503 Powell, LLC (Case #Z23 26) to rezone Lots 2 and 4, and part of Lots 1 and 3, Block 36 out of the Killeen Original Town from “B 5” (Business District) to “B C 1” (General Business and Alcohol District).
The City Secretary read the caption of the ordinance:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY OF KILLEEN ZONING ORDINANCE BY CHANGING THE ZONING OF APPROXIMATELY 1.09 ACRES, BEING LOTS 2 AND 4, AND PART OF LOTS 1 AND 3, BLOCK 36 OUT OF KILLEEN ORIGINAL TOWN FROM “B-5” (BUSINESS DISTRICT) TO “B-C-1” (GENERAL BUSINESS AND ALCOHOL DISTRICT); PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF CONFLICTING PROVISIONS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Staff Comments: Edwin Revell, Executive Director of Development Services
This item was presented to City Council during their December 12, 2023 Workshop meeting. Mr. Revell was available to provide additional information and to answer questions.
Mayor Nash-King opened the public hearing.
Mellisa Brown spoke in favor of the ordinance.
Ronnie Russell spoke in favor of the ordinance.
With no one else appearing, the public hearing was closed.
Motion was made by Mayor Protem Cobb to approve PH-23-062. Motion was seconded by Councilmember Boyd. The motion carried unanimously (6-0).
Citizen Comments on Non-Agenda Items (Residents)
Ebony Jackson spoke regarding the Killeen Housing Authority.
Mellisa Brown spoke regarding the Moss Rose Center, the Killeen Housing Authority, the Request to Speak Form at City Council meetings, and Council decorum.
Sean Price spoke regarding potential supremacy and terrorist organizations in the City and City Council decorum.
Michael Fornino spoke regarding a video publication by Killeen Daily Herald featuring the Mayor, downtown revitalization, Council business travel, open record requests, and leadership of the Mayor.
At 6:02 p.m., Councilmember Boyd called a point of order regarding the public addressing City Council with civility when making a comment. Deputy City Attorney, Asha Pender referenced decorum.
Shirley Del Conte spoke regarding the November 28, 2023 City Council meeting.
Bill Paquette spoke regarding the 2023 Christmas Parade, and thanked Fire Chief James Kubinski, Emergency Response and Regulatory Coordinator Joe Stuart, and Police Officer Jose-Daniel Rosado for their assistance with parking accommodations.
Don Smith spoke regarding homelessness and abatement of nuisances.
Adjournment
With no further business, upon motion being made by Councilmember Alvarez, seconded by Councilmember Gonzalez, and unanimously approved, the meeting was adjourned at 6:17 p.m.