Terrell agrees to help property owners pursue environmental assessment near former Nike site

The Terrell City Council approved a resolution (No. 2278) authorizing staff to coordinate with property owners and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality on voluntary assessment and remediation programs for parcels at and near the former Nike missile base.

Council members said they had heard public concerns about historical use of solvents, battery acids, hydraulic fluids and other materials at the site and reiterated the city’s interest in supporting independent testing. Brent (staff) explained the city’s role is sponsorship and facilitation for property owners seeking evaluation under TCEQ programs; he said TCEQ would manage assessment and any required remediation and that a city sponsorship is commonly required for program eligibility.

Residents during the Terra Nova hearing had urged third‑party testing and cautioned that relying exclusively on developer‑funded testing could leave questions unanswered. The council’s action does not itself fund remediation or impose cleanup obligations on the city but provides a mechanism for private landowners to obtain state‑administered assessment and potential remediation support.

What’s next: Staff will assist with application paperwork and coordinate property owners with Railroad Commission/TCEQ program staff as requested; any remediation actions would be under state program rules and would follow TCEQ’s technical findings and remedial pathways.