Novemb
2025
NEWSLETTER
Greetings,District2Family!
As we step into November, I’m reminded of how quickly this year has flown by and how muchwe’veaccomplishedtogether Thisisa season of reflection and gratitude a time to pause and appreciate the progress, partnerships, and people who make our communitysospecial
From neighborhood cleanups to park improvements and new business openings, we’re seeing transformation all around District 2. These changes don’t happen overnight — they come from your voices, your involvement, and your continued belief that our city can growinawaythathonorseveryresident
Novemberalsogivesusachancetolookahead to prepare for the winter months, stay informed about city updates, and continue showing kindness and unity in our neighborhoods. Whether it’s checking on a neighbor, supporting a local business, or attending a city meeting, your participation keepsTemplestrong.
serveasyourcouncilmember.Together,weare buildingacitythatreflectstheheart,history,and hopeofeverypersonwhocallsTemplehome.
As we enter this season of thanksgiving, I want topersonallysaythankyouforallowingmeto
Withgratitude, ZoeGrant, CityCouncilMember,District2
CONTACT& STAYINFORMED
As your District 2 City Council Member, I’m committedtobeingaccessibletoyou.
While Council Members do not maintain a dedicated office, I am available to meet with you Monday through Friday between 8:00 am and6:00pm
Meetingscanbeheldatalocationthatbestfits your concern whether that’s in your neighborhood, at City Hall, or another public spacethatcanbereserved.
I value our time together and strive to respond promptlytocalls,emails,andmeetingrequests during the week Weekends are reserved for personal time, but I will always do my best to addressurgentmatters
Your input and concerns matter to me, and I’m here to listen, collaborate, and work for the bettermentofDistrict2.
Emailsarealwaysappreciated: zgrant@templetx.gov
CityMonthlyNewsletter CityNews
Councilinfo
DestinationMarketing/DowntownTemple/Tourism
TemplePublicLibrary
Parks&RecPrograms
Railroad&HeritageMuseum
SammonsCommunityCenter
TempleEconomicIndicatorReport
WilsonRecreationCenter
SummitRecreationCenter
SpecialEvents
Talkdirectlywithanagent(Monday–Friday,8AM–5 PM):
ForAT&T,Verizon,orT-Mobilewirelesscustomers,simply dial311fromanywhereinsideTemplecitylimits.Call 254-298-5000fromanyphone,anywhere
Textusat254-298-5000fromanyphoneforassistance fromourCustomerCareteam!
KUDOS!WAYTOSUPPORT
ThankYou,District2—NationalNightOut2025WasaSuccess!
Waytogo,District2!Thankyouforcomingoutandshowingsuchstrong supportforyourneighborhoodsduringNationalNightOut.Thisannual event is all about building connections, strengthening community spirit, and showing unity between residentsandlocallawenforcement andyoudidjustthat!
This year, I made it a point not to spread myself too thin and focused on visiting three amazing gatherings I had an absolute blast joining the foam party fun at St Mary’s, enjoying the game truck excitementatCorinthBaptistChurch,andrelaxingtosomegreatlivemusicatFergusonPark. The laughter, smiles, and conversations reminded me why I’m so proud to serve as your District 2 Council Member. When our community comes together like this neighbors, families, churches, and friends itremindsusthatTemple’sstrengthisbuiltonconnectionandcare.
Thank you again to everyone who participated across all of Temple, hosted, and volunteered to make NationalNightOutasuccess YoutrulymakeDistrict2shine!
ZoeGrant CityCouncil,District2
GoodNewsfromCityManagerBrynnMyers!
At the end of October, we started and ended the day with all 18 residential and sideload trucks fully in service great news for our community! Thank you for your patience as the City’s investments and resources have finally cometofruition
We’re also excited to share that a highly qualified new mechanic has joined ourfleetteam,helpinguskeepourequipmentintopshapeandourservices runningsmoothly
DoIhave topay?
Howbigofapile didyousaywe couldhave?
Didyou receive thison your door? Callinto schedule apickup.
AROUNDTOWN
NON-PROFITGRANTS
TheCityofTemple’sHousing& CommunityDevelopmentDepartmentis announcingtheupcomingfunding opportunitythroughtheTemple CommunityPartnershipProgram.
Applicationswillopenforboththe CommunityEnhancementGrantandthe HeritageandArtsGrantfromOctober27 throughNovember27,2025.
TheCommunityEnhancementGrant providesatotalof$40,000infundingto supportprogramsfocusedon employment,housingstability,childcare, foodsecurity,transportation,andsimilar initiatives.Thefundingwillbedistributed amonguptoeightgranteesin$5,000 increments.Eligibleexpensesmay includemarketing,outreach, administrativecosts,andequipment purchasesdirectlyrelatedtothe proposedproject.
TheHeritageandArtsGrantwillprovide upto$200,000infundingtosupport programsorservicesthatpromotethe arts,tourism,andTemple’srichheritage. Eligibleprogramsmayincludevisualand performingarts,museumexhibits,or tourism-relatedactivities.Marketing, programsupport,andoperationalcosts directlytiedtotheprojectmayalsobe consideredeligibleexpenses.
Thedeadlinetosubmitapplicationsfor bothgrantsisThursday,November27at 5p.m.Formoreinformationorquestions, pleasecontactNancyGloverat254298-5997ornglover@templetx.gov.
CONGRATULATIONS
TheCityofTemplehasappointedDeputyChief AllenTestonasInterimChiefofPolice!
Withnearlythreedecadesinlawenforcement including26yearsservingTemple Chief TestonhasledineveryareafromPatroland CommunityPolicingtoInvestigationsand Administration Risingthroughtheranksfrom patrolofficertoDeputyChief,hebringsboth experienceandhearttothisnewrole.
ChiefTestonsharedthathe’shonoredtoserve andgratefulforthetrustplacedinhimbyCity ManagerBrynnMyers.Hisleadershipcontinues toreflectthecorevaluesofIntegrity,Honor,and Dedicationthatdefineourcity.
“AsInterimChiefofPolice,Iwantthe communitytoknowthatthewomenandmen oftheTemplePoliceDepartmentare committedtoworkingcloselywithyouto prevent,reduce,andsolvecrime Weare focusedonbuildingtrustwiththoseweserve, ensuringthatTempleremainsaplaceyoulove tocallhome”ICTeston
"DowntownTemplecontinuestogrowasadestinationforcommunity connectionandcelebration We’reexcitedtobringanewholidaytraditionthat invitesfamiliesandvisitorstoexperiencethemagicoftheseasonrightherein theheartofourTemple,Texas" CityManagerBrynnMyers
NOVEMBER-DECEMBEREVENTS
Annual Laying of Wreaths Ceremony at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery
Annual Laying of Wreaths –Rain or Shine
Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery • 11463 State Hwy 195, Killeen, TX 76542
2025 Speakers: GEN Paul Funk and LTG Kevin Admiral
Saturday, November 29, 2025
Recommended Arrival: 9:00 AM Ceremony: 10:00 AM followed immediately by wreath laying
Find out more: wwwWreathsForVets org
RINK ONTHERAILS
The City of Temple is excited to announce a brandnew holiday experience coming to downtown Temple Rink on the Rails, Central Texas’s largest outdoor ice rink, is made entirely of real ice The rink will open on Friday, December 12, 2025, and run through Sunday, January 4, 2026, at the MLK Festival Grounds (301 S. 4th St.).
Rails on the Rink hours of operation: Rink on the Rails’ operating hours follow the Temple Independent School District (TISD) calendar, with adjusted schedules for school days and holiday breaks.
• Regular hours: Monday–Thursday, 11 a m –8:30 pm ; Friday–Saturday, 11 a m –10:30 pm ; Sunday, 11 a m –8:30 pm
• Student Holiday Hours: Monday–Thursday, 3–8:30 pm ; Friday–Saturday, 11 a m –10:30 pm ; Sunday, 11 a.m.–8:30 p.m.
Rails on the Rink pricing:
• Admission: $12 per person
• Skate aids: $5 each
This one-of-a-kind attraction will transform downtown Temple into a festive winter wonderland Visitors can lace up their skates and glide, spin, and laugh their way into a new holiday tradition
POWEROFCOMMUNITY
NeighborhoodCoalitions
WhatisaNeighborhoodCoalition?
ANeighborhoodCoalitionisnotaHomeowner’s Association.Itisnotanexclusivecluboragovernmentruninitiative.Itisagrassrootseffort neighborsjoining forcestocreatelong-termsolutionsthatmakeour communitieshealthier,safer,andmorevibrant.
Everyneighborhoodisunique,withitsownneedsand challenges,andtheroleofaNeighborhoodCoalitionis tohelpaddressthoseneedsbasedonwhatresidents prioritize
Thegoalissimple:tobringpeopletogether,establish prideinourcommunities,andbuildrealchangethat lasts.Whetherit’sadvocatingforbetterstreetlighting, organizingcommunitycleanups,addressingcrime concerns,orcreatingmoreopportunitiesforyouth,the coalitionisaplatformforresidentstouniteandtake action.
Butit'salsoabouthavingfun,backintheday,neighbors knewandtalkedtoeachother,theyknewthekids,they sharedrecipes,borrowedsugar,andwedrankfromthe waterhose Soit'saboutgettingbacktothebasicsof neighborlyloveandblockparties
Didyouknowwehaveapartytrailer?Ithasavarietyof games,awatercooler,foldingtablesandchairsa10x10 canopy. Youcanfindoutmoreaboutthatfromour HousingResourceCenter,KirbyFiebig, NeighborhoodRevitalization@templetx.gov 254-298-5999
Someoftheideasthathavecomeoutofthecoalition meetingsarefoodtrucknights,yardsofthemonth, musicalgatheringsinparks,egghuntsarecomingup andnationalnightsout.Ibelievelastyearwasoneof thelargestparticipationsinvariousneighborhoods.
PowerofCommunity: StrengtheningOur NeighborhoodsTogether! ContactBelindaGarcia,ourCity’s NeighborhoodNavigator. at2542985808 bgarcia@templetx.gov
ROWANTEMPLE
ANewSustainableDataCenterforOur Community
RowanDigitalInfrastructureishonoredto collaboratewiththeCityofTempleandlocal partnersonaprojectthatbalanceseconomic opportunitywithenvironmentalresponsibility Together,we’rebuildingafoundationfor sustainablegrowththatbenefitsthe communitytodayandstrengthensitfor decadestocome.
AMinimum$700MillionInvestmentin Temple
Ourprojectrepresentsamajorinvestmentin CentralTexas,whereRowaniscommittinga minimumof$700milliontodevelopanextgenerationdatacentercampusinTemple. Ourprojectwillgeneratemorethan600highqualitylocaljobs,supportingbothdirect employmentandopportunitiesacross construction,operations,andlocalsuppliers Beyondtheimmediateeconomicbenefits,our projectisdesignedtocatalyzelong-term growthandstrengthenTemple’spositionasa hubfordigitalinfrastructureandinnovation.
NoMajorNewEnergyInfrastructure Necessary
Ourapproachtoenergyisrootedin sustainabilityandreliability.Ourproject's energyusehasalreadybeenfullyallocated throughclosecoordinationwithlocalutilities andexistinginfrastructure,ensuring predictabilityforallstakeholders.Thecampus willalsoprioritizeaccesstorenewableand low-carbonpowersources
SustainableWaterStrategy
WaterstewardshipiscentraltoRowan’s environmentalcommitment Thedata
center’sclosed-loopcoolingsystem dramaticallyreducesconsumptionby reusingwaterratherthandrawing continuouslyfrommunicipalsupplies.This approachprotectslocalresourcesandaligns withTemple’slong-termwaterconservation priorities.Additionally,Rowanisexploring waysinwhichwecanbewaterpositive, meaningthatwewillsupportprojectsthat returnmorewatertotheaquiferthanweuse forthefacility.
SupportingtheCommunitythrough Philanthropy
Rowanbelievesthatbeingagoodneighbor meansinvestinginthecommunitybeyond ouroperations InTemple,we’reproudto supportCultivateAcademy,anorganization thatconnectsyouthtohands-onagricultural educationandsustainabilitypractices.This partnershipreflectsourbroadercommitment tocommunityenrichment,workforce development,andempoweringthenext generation.Thisisjustthebeginning;andwe alwayswelcomeideasforcommunity-driven initiativesthatwecansupport.
StayConnectedwithOurTeam
Ifyouhavequestionsaboutourproject, pleasefeelfreetovisit wwwrowantemplecomorreachouttoTim Alborg,directorofgovernmentand communityaffairs,attalborg@rowandigital
WHAT’SIMPROVED BUILDINGEQUITY
Growth,NotGentrification—BuildingEquityWhereItBelongs
There’s a lot of talk these days about gentrification but what’s happening in East Temple isn’t about pushing people out. For decades, we’ve seen families gradually moveawayfromtheEastSide,whilethosewhoremainareoftentheoneswithdeep familyroots,strongcommunityties,ortheabilitytomaintaintheirhomes.
Ourgoalistobringequityandopportunitybacktothisarea nottoreplaceit,buttorestore it.We’refocusingonimprovementsthatshouldhavebeenhereallalong:safestreets,quality housing,parks,andaccesstoresourcesthateveryneighborhooddeserves.
We know affordability m artners are connecting residents to grant prog existing homes, build new ones, or support n osing the history and heartthatmakethisco
This isn’t about change hat includes. Together, we’re ensuring East T ss, pride, and lasting communitystrength 14 StreetKnobCreekSewer, th justaboutcomplete. Designof14 Streetinthe th works.
NEWANDRENOVATEDHOUSESSPRINGINGUP
AcrossDistrict2,growthandrevitalizationareinfullswing.Infilllotsarebeingdevelopedwith newhousing,breathingfreshlifeintoestablishedneighborhoods.Alongtheeastern363Loop, newdevelopmentsaretakingshape,signalingcontinuedinvestmentinthearea’sfuture.In addition,severalremodelsandfuturesubdivisionshavebeenpermitted,reflectingastrong momentumtowardbalancedprogressandcommunityrenewalthroughoutthedistrict.
CITYCOUNCIL101:
UNDERSTANDINGCOMMONAGENDATERMS
CityCouncilmeetingsincludeseveraltypes ofagendaitems,andunderstandingthem helpsresidentsstayinformedandengaged
AConsentAgendagroupsroutineitems— suchasfundingapprovals,contracts,or maintenanceupdates—intoonevotefor efficiency,unlesssomeonerequests discussion.
WhenanitemisPostponed,itwillreturnata futuremeeting,oftentoallowmoretimefor revieworcommunityfeedback.
IfanitemisTabled,it’spausedindefinitely andwillonlyreturnforconsiderationif reintroduced.
WhenacouncilmemberAbstains,they choosenottovote,typicallyduetoaconflict ofinterestorneedforadditionalinformation
APublicHearinggivesresidentsthechance tosharetheirthoughtsbeforeCouncilvotes onmajorissues,suchaszoning,budgets,or ordinances.
Finally,Resolutionsareformalexpressionsof theCouncil’spositionorintent.Theycan recognizeindividualsororganizations, declareawarenessmonths,orauthorize policyactionsthatguidecitypriorities. Understandingthesetermsempowersyouto followandparticipatemoreconfidentlyin howyourcitymakesdecisionsthataffect yourneighborhoodandcommunity.
WhatDoes“AuthorizePolicyActions” Mean?
WhentheCityCouncilauthorizespolicy actions,itmeanstheyaregivingformal approvalforcitystafftomoveforwardwith specificplans,programs,orprioritiesthat
alignwiththecity’sgoals
Forexample,Councilmighta fundingforneighborhoodrevitalization, approveanewpublicsafetyinitiative,or adoptguidelinesforparkimprovements. Theseactionssetthedirectionforhowthe city’sresourcesandeffortsarefocused guidingwhatgetsdone,when,andhow.
Inshort,authorizingpolicyactionsturns ideasandprioritiesintoactionstepsthat movethecityforward.
HowDoNewDevelopmentsAffect Taxpayers?
Newdevelopments suchashousing,retail centers,orindustrialprojects canhave bothcostsandbenefitsfortaxpayers Whennewdevelopmenthappens,itcan expandthecity’staxbase,bringinginmore propertyandsalestaxrevenue.This additionalincomehelpsfundpublicservices likepolice,fire,roads,andparks potentially easingthefinancialburdenonexisting taxpayers.
However,newdevelopmentscanalsocreate upfrontcosts forexample,extendingwater andsewerlines,roads,orother infrastructure.Citiesworkhardtobalance thesecoststhrough,developeragreements, andcarefulplanningtoensuregrowthpays foritselfovertime
Inshort,smartgrowthbenefitseveryone bycreatingjobs,strengthening neighborhoods,andsupportingathriving, well-maintainedcommunitywithout overburdeningcurrenttaxpayers.
You’reInvited:CityCouncilMeetings
TheTempleCityCouncilmeetsonthefirstandthird Thursday of each month at 5:00 p.m. at City Hall. Each meeting is preceded by a City Council Workshop
I would love to see you there! Please attend, participate,andcomeuptomeetme letmeknow you’re from District 2. Your presence matters, and yourvoiceiswelcome.
YourOpportunitytoSpeak
Didyouknowthatatthebeginningofeachmeeting, youcanspeakforuptothreeminutesonanytopic?
Simply sign up before the meeting starts You can alsoshareinputoraskquestionsaboutitemsonthe regular agenda your feedback helps guide the decisionswemake.
