Killeen Updates

Daily Lane Closures on US 190

Hilary Shine — Wed, 29 May 2013 00:25:08 -0500

The inside eastbound lane of US 190, from 400 feet west of the Killeen-Harker Heights city limits to FM 2410 (Knight’s Way), is closed from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays through July 14.

Eastbound traffic is reduced to one lane during these hours through July 14. The lane will be opened overnight and on weekends and holidays.

This closure is necessary for construction activities in the median related to the US 190/Rosewood Drive Project.

The project will raise US 190 over its intersection with Rosewood Drive, widen US 190 to six lanes from just east of Stan Schlueter Loop to just west of FM 2410, extend Rosewood Drive from FM 2410 to Fawn Drive and widen FM 2410 to five lanes from Stan Schlueter Loop to Roy Reynolds Drive.

The project is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2015.

The City of Killeen urges motorists to be cautious in construction zones along US 190. We apologize for any inconvenience as we improve these roadways.

Free Movie in the Park Friday

Hilary Shine — Mon, 27 May 2013 21:19:02 -0500

Killeen’s 2013 Hot Summer Nights concert series and Movies in the Park film series continues Friday with a free outdoor screening of Hunger Games at dusk at the Killeen Amphitheater, 2201 E. Veterans Memorial Boulevard.

The remaining schedule is as follows:

June 21          Hunger Games, movie rated PG-13
June 28          Vocal Trash, family-friendly stomp style stage show
July 12           Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, movie rated PG
July 19           The Dark Knight Rises, movie rated PG-13
July 26           Wreck It Ralph, movie rated PG

All movies and concerts are free. Movies start at dusk, and concerts start at 8 p.m.

Patrons should bring a blanket or lawn chair. Concessions will be available for purchase, or you may bring your own. No alcoholic beverages or glass containers are permitted.

For more information call Parks and Recreation at 501-6390 or log onto www.killeentexas.gov/parks.

City Pools Open for Summer

Hilary Shine — Wed, 15 May 2013 01:44:00 -0500

The Family Aquatics Center, Long Branch Pool and Pershing Park Pool open for the summer season.

Operating hours and rates are as follows:

Family Aquatics Center at Lions Club Park
1800 East Stan Schlueter Loop

Hours:
Monday - Friday 11 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Sunday 1 – 6:30 p.m.
Daily Admission:
Children age 3 and younger Free
Youth ages 4 to 16 $5
Adults ages 17 to 54 $7
Seniors age 55 and older $5

Long Branch Pool Pershing Park Pool
1101 Branch Drive 1125 Bonnie Drive

Hours:
Tuesday – Sunday                    Friday - Sunday
11 a.m. to 6 p.m.                       11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Daily Admission:
Children age 3 and younger Free
Children ages 4 to 16 $2
Adults ages 17 to 54 $3
Seniors age 55 and older   $2

Season passes are also available. Facilities may be rented for private and special events. For more information call Parks and Recreation at 501-8889 or log onto www.killeentexas.gov/swim.

SH 195/SH 201 Interchange Opens

Hilary Shine — Tue, 14 May 2013 01:12:23 -0500

The intersection of State Highway 201 at State Highway 195 is now open to east-west traffic. The north and south main lanes of State Highway 195 opened last week.

The State Highway 201/Stagecoach Road intersection features new traffic signals which are currently in flashing mode. The lights flash yellow for north and south approaches and flash red for east and west approaches. Normal signal intervals will begin Monday.

Construction activities are ongoing along these roadways, so motorists are asked to be cautious when using the intersection.

Project construction began in October 2011. State Highway 195 has been raised over its intersection with State Highway 201 and Stagecoach Road. State Highway 201 has also been widened to four lanes from State Highway 195 to Killeen-Fort Hood Regional Airport.

The Texas Transportation Commission awarded the $18.2 million project to Killeen as part of TxDOT’s Pass-Through Financing Program. The program helps accelerate improvements in mobility and safety on state highways by allowing local communities to fund upfront costs for construction projects. The state then reimburses the project cost to the community over time by paying a fee for each vehicle that drives on the new roadway.

Killeen Named Playful City USA 5th Consecutive Year

Hilary Shine — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 18:26:34 -0500

For the fifth consecutive year, Killeen earned recognition from national non-profit KaBOOM! as a 2013 Playful City USA community for its efforts to give children the childhood they deserve by providing ample opportunities for play.

Today’s generation of children play less than any previous generation despite the vast benefits of play. The Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics reports that play is essential to the social, emotional, cognitive and physical well-being of children.

Sponsored by the Humana Foundation, Playful City USA is a national program from KaBOOM! that celebrates and promotes local policies that increase play opportunities for children and is a key platform in combating the lack of play among children.

KaBOOM!, the national non-profit organization dedicated to giving kids the childhood they deserve by bringing play to those who need it most, created Playful City USA in 2007 to help local governments address the lack of play and it is through mayors, city council members, parks and recreation departments, school districts and community leaders that the program succeeds in benefitting children.

“Kids need to play actively, every day, at home, in school and in their communities, yet play is disappearing,” said Darell Hammond, Founder and CEO of KaBOOM! and author of The New York Times Best Seller KaBOOM!: A Movement to Save Play. “Children spend nearly eight hours a day in front of a screen; almost half of all poor students are deprived of recess; and to make matters worse, only one in five children live within walking distance of a park. Playful City USA communities like Killeen are creating innovative programs and initiatives and deserve recognition because of their efforts to give kids the childhood they deserve and best prepare them for their future.”

Hailing from 43 states, the 217 Playful City USA honorees range in size from seven-time honorees such as San Francisco and Spartanburg, S.C., to first-time recipient Ellsworth, Kan. (population: 3,100). These Playful City USA communities are making a commitment to play and physical activity by developing unique local action plans to increase the quantity and quality of play in their community.

In the seventh year of the annual program, 16 Playful City USA communities received recognition for the seventh consecutive year, while 23 earned honors for the sixth time, 25 for the fifth time, 29 for the fourth time, 41 for the third time, 46 for the second time. KaBOOM! recognized 37 communities with their first Playful City USA designation.

Each of the 2013 Playful City USA communities demonstrated creative commitments to addressing the lack of play among children. Playful City USA celebrates and highlights these unique initiatives developed by communities across the country. A primary goal of Playful City USA is to encourage cities and towns to share ideas, concepts and programs in an effort to increase play opportunities for children.

JSL Spray Park Now Open

Danielle Durbin — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 20:38:00 -0500

The Junior Service League of Killeen Spray Park at Long Branch Park opened for the season March 9. Daily hours are 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. through October 1.

Located at 1101 Branch Drive, the spray park is a water playground including spouts and spray features. It offers residents a fun, free way to enjoy water recreation.

US 190 Speed Limits Lowered

Hilary Shine — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 21:16:00 -0500

Maximum speeds have been lowered on sections of US 190, its access roads, and FM 2410. New speed limit signs have been posted.

Speed reductions coincide with two major road projects that have begun. The first is the widening of US 190 to six lanes from the Fort Hood Main Gate to W.S. Young Drive. The second is the US 190-Rosewood Drive-FM 2410 project that will raise US 190 over Rosewood Drive, which will connect through to FM 2410. The project will also widen FM 2410 to include a continuous center turn lane from Stan Schlueter Loop to the Harker Heights city limit.

Killeen City Council adopted an ordinance lowering speeds at a March 12 meeting to improve the safety of drivers and workers for the duration of US 190 construction projects.

New speeds are as follows:

55 mph      US 190, from Fort Hood Main Gate to W.S. Young Drive
                  US 190, from Stan Schlueter Loop to Harker Heights city limit
40 mph      US 190 access roads, from Fort Hood Main Gate to W.S. Young Drive
                  US 190 access roads, from Stan Schlueter Loop to Harker Heights city limit
45 mph      FM 2410, from Scott & White Drive to Harker Heights city limit

City Bond Rating Increase will Yield Financial Savings

Danielle Durbin — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 21:38:38 -0500

The city of Killeen received upgraded and affirmed bond ratings from Fitch Ratings today. The junior liens rating increased to AA from a previous AA- rating. The senior lien rating was affirmed at AA.

Standard & Poor’s Rating Services affirmed Killeen’s AA rating earlier this week.

The ratings apply to current financing of water and sewer fund debt and the upcoming issuance of $29.9 million and refunding of $8.3 million for water and sewer system improvements.

Dan Wegmiller of Specialized Public Finance Inc. explains, “A bond rating impacts the interest rate at which the city borrows money, like a credit score for an individual.” He says the new ratings from both agencies reflect a stable outlook and the strength of the city’s utility, economy, finances and management.

The increased rating allows the city to borrow money at a lower interest rate thus saving taxpayers more than $300,000 dollars over the terms of these bonds.

The city issues bonds for major capital improvement projects to finance costs over time. This allows immediate funding to accomplish projects that have long-term benefits to residents.

Fitch cited the city’s strong financial management of the water and sewer fund and low debt ratio in its determination of ratings.

Downtown Killeen to be listed in National Register of Historic Places

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 22:04:50 -0500

The Texas Historical Commission’s State Board of Review approved a nomination for Downtown Killeen to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Killeen’s historic downtown is the area from 4th Street to 8th Street and Avenue B to Avenue D, which has a high concentration of significant turn of the century and mid-century buildings. The area was nominated based on its historical significance to architecture, the community, and the military.

The State Board of Review is a citizen committee of experts in the field of historic preservation in Texas. The body met January 19 and voted to approve Killeen’s nomination to the National Register. Following some final revisions, the nomination will be sent to the National Park Service for official listing in the Federal Register.

The National Register was designed to recognize and preserve historic places that contribute to the country’s heritage. A listing in the National Register helps promote tourism through prestigious recognition. The listing also makes certain properties eligible to receive federal tax credits for rehabilitation of historic buildings contributing to economic development.

Killeen received its Certified Local Government (CLG) designation in 2010. Through this program, the city applied for a grant for professional services to prepare the National Register nomination and was awarded $7,131 in 2011.

Killeen has taken a number of steps in its downtown revitalization efforts to preserve its historic resources including adopting a Heritage Preservation Ordinance, establishing a Heritage Preservation Board, completing the 2008 Historic Resources Survey, designating a historic overlay district, and developing a four-part video series about Killeen’s history.

For more information on local historic preservation and downtown revitalization efforts, visit www.killeentexas.gov/downtown or contact Heritage Preservation Officer Jill Ferenc at 501-6591 or jferenc@killeentexas.gov.

City Council Meetings available online

Sat, 19 May 2012 01:15:02 -0500

City council meetings can now be viewed online.

Archives of the May 31 and June 5 workshops are now available. The June 12 workshop and meeting will be streamed live beginning at 5 p.m. Tuesday.

The new online service is in addition to broadcasting city council meetings on the government access channel, Time Warner Cable Channel 10, which the city has done for more than 15 years.

“We recognize that people don’t want to be tethered to a broadcast schedule,” said Hilary Shine, director of public information. “Making meetings available online allows people to access them 24 hours a day from any device with an Internet connection.”

To navigate from the city homepage, users will click the tab labeled City Council Meetings which leads to a page containing meeting agendas, minutes, and presentation files. On that page, there is a link titled Televised Meetings that leads to meetings streamed live while in progress and archived meetings for play back.

“We think people will be pleased with the function of this system,” said Shine. “The streaming and archives are very high quality and load quickly. We’ve also added meeting agendas to the video player for easy reference.”

Housing Renewal Program assists qualified applicants with home repairs

Sun, 14 Oct 2012 21:15:58 -0500

The City of Killeen Housing Renewal Program assists elderly, disabled, and low to moderate income residents by providing minor home repairs and handicap modifications for qualified applicants.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Block Grant Program, the program helps preserve the city’s affordable housing by partnering with local businesses, suppliers, and contractors to provide needed repairs or rehabilitation to single-family residential homes. Projects may include improvements to heating, air conditioning, plumbing, and electrical systems, carpentry, insulation, flooring, walls, roofing, and more.

To participate in the Housing Renewal Program, residents must submit an application including documentation of income, assets, and five years’ ownership and occupancy. Households are assisted in the order in which applications are received.

For more information or to obtain an application, visit the Community Development offices at 802 2nd Street, Building E or call (254) 501-7844.

City not affiliated with business selling water systems

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 00:51:00 -0500

The City of Killeen has received several questions from residents who have recently received unsolicited visits from a business called Classic Water Solutions, LLC.

The City of Killeen is not affiliated with Classic Water Solutions, LLC in any way.

This business is selling water services such as water softeners and sprinkler systems. The City of Killeen is not offering or promoting these products.

Anyone with questions or concerns regarding their water service should not hesitate to call Utility Collections at (254) 501-7800.

City not affiliated with business selling coverage

Sat, 23 Jun 2012 01:47:08 -0500

The City of Killeen is not affiliated with HomeServe in any way.

The City of Killeen has received several questions from residents who have recently received unsolicited letters from a business called HomeServe.

Similar letters have been circulated by companies called Home Service and American Water Resources, Inc. The City of Killeen has no affiliation with these companies either.

These businesses are selling water service line coverage. The City of Killeen is not offering or promoting this product.

Anyone with questions or concerns regarding their water service should not hesitate to call Utility Collections at 501-7800.

Killeen to receive increased fire suppression rating

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 15:26:55 -0500

The City of Killeen will receive an upgraded fire suppression rating, and Killeen property owners may soon be able to lower their insurance rates.

Killeen’s Fire Suppression Rating by the Insurance Services Office (ISO) will be raised to a 2 effective June 1. Just .7 percent of communities in the United States have achieved this rating. The city was previously rated a 4.

Property owners could see a 10 to 15 percent reduction in their hazard insurance premiums. Insurance agents will be able to access the new rating to recalculate rates beginning March 15. Owners must contact their insurance providers to inquire about potential savings.

ISO considers a city’s water distribution capabilities, fire department equipment, manpower, and facilities in issuing a rating. Following a number of improvements including two new fire stations, the city requested this recent evaluation by ISO.

More information is available from the Texas Department of Insurance website, www.tdi.texas.gov.

Call 811 before you dig

Fri, 25 May 2012 01:16:32 -0500

Before you dig a hole in your yard, call 811.

This free, 24-hour a day nationwide number gives you the ability to contact all utility service providers at one, easy to remember number.

When you call 811, all relevant utility companies are contacted within 48 hours and notified of your intent to dig. The utility company will dispatch someone to locate and mark underground utilities such as pipes, cables, electrical conduits, or communication lines in the area of proposed work. Having the utility providers mark the lines enables you to be sure where the lines are and avoid damaging them.

Utility companies will mark the approximate location of underground utilities with paint, flags, or survey stakes using a standard color code system that can be reviewed at Texas811.org. Utility customers should be aware that there may also be other unmarked lines below ground that are not owned by any utility company, such as a private irrigation line, a water meter connection, or a wastewater service tap.

Your call to 811 means that all appropriate “one call” centers will be notified, including services such as the Lone Star Notification Center and Texas 811, formerly known as DIG TESS. These call centers notify utility service providers that serve a specific address.

If you dig and damage a utility line, immediately call the appropriate utility company.

If you encounter a water, wastewater, or storm drain line, contact the City of Killeen’s automated contact number at (254) 501-6500.

Please remember – know what’s below; call 811 before you dig.

Morrison named Killeen City Manager

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 00:34:03 -0500

Killeen City Council unanimously appointed Glenn Morrison city manager at a meeting June 26.

Morrison had been serving as interim city manager since March 2011.

“It is a true honor to be given the opportunity to serve as city manager,” says Morrison. “I am so proud of our city, and I look forward to working with the mayor, city council, and city staff to provide the very best services to the citizens of Killeen.”

Morrison began his career with the City of Killeen in 1988 and has served as assistant city manager, community services director, director of parks and recreation, and recreation superintendent.

Morrison is a lifelong Killeenite. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University. He is a member of the Killeen ISD Education Foundation, the Rotary Club of Killeen, and the Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce and serves on the Association of the United States Army Board of Governors.

Killeen releases annual water quality report

Fri, 08 Jun 2012 22:15:55 -0500

The City of Killeen has released its 2011 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report. Killeen meets or exceeds all federal EPA drinking water requirements.

Please find attached the detailed report which was distributed in June water bills. The report is available on the city’s web site (download the report), or in hard copy at City Hall, Killeen libraries, the Killeen Community Center, and the Lions Club Park Family Recreation Center.