By George Slaughter
The Katy Square renovation project continued Monday night with the Katy City Council Monday awarded a $94,080 bid to Cherry Demolition of Houston for demolishing the downtown Katy square water plant.
The plant demolition is part of a larger project to renovate the Katy Square across the street from Katy City Hall. The renovation project, approved by the council in April, will include creation of a visitor center, public restroom, and open space.
The iconic water tower standing on the square will remain, but only for decorative and historical purposes. It will not longer be used for city water purposes as it is now, and will be surrounded by a small, fenced-in public area that will feature photos and plaques of Katy’s history.
Total project cost for the demolition is $184,080. The money will come from the Convention and Tourism Bureau hotel occupancy tax grant funds.
Council members also held an executive session to discuss how to fill the Ward A council seat left vacant with the resignation of Gary Jones. Jones resigned August 31 for what he described as “very personal family matters.”
The council has 20 days, starting last Tuesday when the council accepted Jones’s resignation, to appoint someone to the seat.
The Ward A resident would serve the remainder of the term, which expires in May 2019.
In other action, the council:
- Issued a proclamation recognizing September 17-23 as Constitution Week for the Star of Destiny Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.
- Held a public hearing on the proposed tax rate. The second public hearing will be held at 3 p.m. Friday at City Hall. The meeting to adopt the tax rate has been set for the next September 24 council meeting.
- Approved the minutes for the July 9, July 23, and August 13 council meetings.
- Approved a street closure request from First United Methodist Church Katy, 5601 E. 5th St. Fourth Street between Avenue A and Avenue B will be closed from 5-9 p.m. October 28 for a church-sponsored family event.
- Approved the Katy Triathlon at Cane Island scheduled for September 22-23. The Katy Rotary Club sponsors the triathlon.
- Approved the fourth annual Graeme’s Run. The run is set for February 9, 2019.
- Approved the Reign over Cancer Walk and 5K benefiting GEST Foundation. The walk is set for February 16, 2019.
- Approved water, sanitary sewer, paving and drainage improvements for the Young Ranch and Cane Island subdivisions.
- Approved the moving of uncollectible water, sewer, and garbage accounts from October 1, 2015 through September 30, 2016 to a bad debt historical account.
- Authorized Mayor Chuck Brawner to sign a subscription agreement with Acid Remap for EMS protocol and client data mobile application services.
- Authorized Brawner to sign an agreement with Costello Engineering & Surveying for engineering design services for the initial phase of drainage and paving reconstruction improvements for the Riceland Terrace subdivision except for Fortuna Drive, which is to be addressed in a future project.
- Authorized Brawner to accept a sanitary sewer easement with CenterPoint Energy for approximately six acres in Harris County.