Ian Clowes

The City Council meeting began with a moment of silence and commemoration for the 22nd anniversary of September 11, 2001. Key agenda items included the presentation of a proclamation affirming the week of September 17th - 23rd as Constitution Week. The Mayor announced an upcoming Public Hearing and Meeting to Adopt the Proposed 2023-2024 Budget and 2023 Proposed Tax Rate scheduled for September 25, 2023. The Council approved Resolution No. 1499 authorizing the issuance of Unlimited Tax Road Bonds for the Young Ranch project, and Resolution No. 1500 authorizing the Mayor to sign the Auditors' Engagement Letter for Fiscal Year Ending 09-30-2023 with Whitley Penn, LLP. Resolution No. 1501 was approved to authorize an LED Street Light Installation Agreement with CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC, clarifying that CenterPoint would replace standard lights at no cost, while decorative lights might be the City's responsibility. The body also approved Resolution No. 1502 for the purchase of fleet vehicles and equipment up to $2,483,095.00 using FY2023 Surplus funds. Furthermore, Ordinance No. 3104, amending the Employee Classification and Compensation Plan by adding a Senior Staff Accountant position, and Ordinance No. 3105, adopting Budget Amendment No. 12 for Fiscal Year 2022-2023, were approved. Finally, Ordinance No. 3106 approving the City of Katy's Investment Policy effective October 2023 was adopted. Council and Mayor reports included updates on community events such as Katy Safety Fest, the Rice Festival, National Night Out, Katy Market Day, and recognition of female police officers.

The meeting included the reading and presentation of a Proclamation recognizing August 22, 2022, as "Frank Lombard Day." A public hearing was held regarding the amendment of the City's Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance to add Outdoor Lighting Standards, which was subsequently approved via Ordinance No. 3054, with discussion noting the standards apply only to non-residential properties. The Council observed and recorded the 2022 Tax Rate Certification. The Consent Agenda approved the minutes from the 07-11-2022 Regular Meeting and the Official City of Katy, Texas Logo, along with resolutions authorizing the Mayor to sign change orders for Fortuna Drainage Improvements and Interlocal/Utility Agreements with Katy Development Authority and the State of Texas for Highway Improvements to FM 1463. Further resolutions authorized the Mayor to sign contracts for Holiday Lighting and Decor with Bright Lights of Houston, an agreement for Emergency Electrical and Pump Repair and Maintenance Services with Neil Technical Services, Corp (NTS), and two Service Agreements with Motorola Solutions for Fire Station Alerting Systems updates. Finally, a resolution was approved to enter into an agreement with Byron J. Hebert to continue serving as City Administrator for a term spanning October 1, 2022, to September 30, 2025.

The Regular Session of the City Council scheduled for Monday, March 11, 2024, at Katy City Hall was cancelled due to a lack of quorum. The cancellation of this meeting was officially ordered by the Mayor and City Council on February 12, 2024.

The regular City Council meeting involved the presentation of proclamations recognizing Teacher Appreciation Week, National Police Week, and Older Americans Month. A public hearing was held and subsequently granted for the annexation of approximately 23.341 acres of land petitioned by Home Depot U.S.A., Inc. (Kingsland Extension Project), followed by the approval of Ordinance No. 3087 for this annexation. The council approved membership dues for the Texas Municipal League and a street closure for the KTX Games. Several resolutions were passed, including authorizing the replacement of batting cages at Katy City Park and new equipment installation at the Off-Leash Dog Park, tree relocation to Leyendecker Landing Park, an Interlocal Agreement with Fort Bend County for road maintenance, a Master Agreement for Structural Engineering Services with Dudley Engineering LLC, a Service Agreement renewal for MS4Web Software Licenses with CIB Systems, LTD., and contract extensions for primary and secondary emergency debris removal/disposal services. Furthermore, the Mayor was authorized to ratify an Independent Contractor Professional Services Agreement with Christine Brookshire for finance and accounting services. An ordinance (No. 3088) was approved to amend the Employee Classification and Compensation Plan, creating a new Assistant Fleet Superintendent role and modifying other positions. Finally, Ordinance No. 3089 adopting Budget Amendment No. 7 for Fiscal Year 2022-2023 was approved.

The City Planning and Zoning Commission held a regular session where the Consent Agenda was approved, which included the minutes of the previous regular meeting and several plat items: Preliminary Plat of ESQ, Final Plat of Katy West Business Park Reserve J-2, and Professional Plaza at FM 1463. In administrative reports, the City Planner informed the Commission that City Council had approved Special Use Permits for Konnect Church Global and Redeemed Christian Church of God, followed by an overview of the year's completed projects. Commission members noted that applications for City Boards are available on the City of Katy website.