By George Slaughter The Katy Boardwalk Project development team has added two new partners as the project continues to evolve. One new partner, the Colliers Retail Team, will manage the project’s tenant leasing activities. The other, Method Architecture, will re-imagine the mixed use and retail site plan. The goal is to better maximize the appeal of the nature-inspired lake to showcase the region’s native trees, flora and wildlife. The Colliers team of Wade Greene, Kimberly […]
City of Katy
Katy Honors Softball Teams on Water Tower
By George Slaughter The Katy High School football state titles have long been recognized on the city’s iconic water tower that sits across from City Hall. On Wednesday, the Katy softball program got its due, as the city recognized the Lady Tigers’ two state titles on the tower. Katy’s most recent softball state title came in 2019, when the Lady Tigers defeated Klein Collins. The Lady Tigers finished that season with a 37-2 record. Katy […]
City Sets Hearing to Adopt Proposed Tax Rate
By George Slaughter The Katy City Council Monday set a Sept. 27 public hearing to consider and adopt a proposed tax rate for its forthcoming 2021-22 city budget. The proposed tax rate is $0.447168 per $100 property evaluation, which reflects no change from last year’s rate. If adopted by the council, it would mark the second time in the past five years that the city has kept property taxes the same and not reduced the […]
Council Receives Animal Control Update
By George Slaughter Six of eight recommendations given to the city to improve its animal control shelter and practices have been implemented, Police Chief Noe Diaz said at a Katy City Council meeting Monday. A citizens animal control advisory committee, appointed earlier this year in response to concerns expressed about the shelter and its practices, made the recommendations. The shelter falls under the authority of the Katy Police Department. The six implemented recommendations include: Reinstatement […]
New Katy Assistant City Administrator Has Local Ties
By George Slaughter Mayde Creek High School is not within the Katy city limits, but one of its alumni has a new role at Katy City Hall. On July 12, the city council appointed Anas Garfaoui as assistant city administrator. In this role, Garfaoui said his goal is to “take direction from the council and enact its vision for the city.” Garfaoui joined the city as a part-time administrative assistant following his 2012 graduation from […]
Council Authorizes $4.35 Million in Tax Bonds by Fort Bend-Waller Counties Municipal Utility District No. 3
By George Slaughter The Katy City Council Wednesday authorized $4.35 million in tax bonds by the Fort Bend-Waller Counties Municipal Utility District No. 3. The council also authorized Mayor Bill Hastings to sign an assurance of compliance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, along with the U.S. Department of the Treasury Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund Terms and Conditions. The council took these actions in a short, special meeting Wednesday because it would not […]
Katy News Q&A: Katy City Parks and Recreation Director Kevin Browne
By George Slaughter Kevin Browne, the city’s parks and recreation director, began his new job Monday. He comes from Missouri City, where he had been recreation superintendent and, before that, recreation manager. Previously, Browne worked with the City of Bellaire as a recreation specialist and supervisor. He earned his bachelor’s degree in recreation, park and tourism sciences at Texas A&M University. He earned his master’s degree kinesiology-sports management at Sam Houston State University. 1. How […]
2021 List of Appointees to Katy City Boards and Commissions
By George Slaughter The Katy City Council Monday night approved the following appointments to various city boards and commissions: Building and Standards Commission Ricky Burch, Chairman Jim Lipka Vincent C. Morille, Jr. Bob O’Malley Steve Schilder Matt Lawson, Alternate Troy “Monty” McGuire, Jr., Alternate Paul Redmon, Alternate James A. “Alan” Williams, Alternate City Planning and Zoning Commission Eric Paulsen, Chairman Paul Redmon, Vice Chairman William H. “Dusty” Thiele, Secretary Sam Pearson, Asstistant Secretary Jason Ward […]
City Approves Creation of New Planned Development District Near Clay Road, Katy-Hockley Cut Off
By George Slaughter The Katy City Council Monday approved the creation of a new, mixed-use planned development district to be located south of Clay Road and west of the Katy-Hockley Cut Off road. The Katy Court subdivision will be approximately 110 acres. The tract immediately south of Clay Road will be zoned to restricted commercial. The remaining property is to be zoned single-family residential, with an open space recreation area to be zoned as residential. […]
Planning for 2021 Katy Rice Festival Underway
By George Slaughter Organizers of the annual Katy Rice Festival are preparing for an in-person festival this year, a welcome return following last year’s online event. “We’re definitely looking for sponsors,” Gary Moore, who takes over as festival director this year, said. “We’re filling up the vendor booths. It’s an ongoing process.” Last year’s festival went online because of the pandemic. The festival, set for October 8-10, brings tens of thousands of people to downtown […]