By George Slaughter
Katy Fire Chief Kenneth Parker poses with his family after his appointment. Pictured are, from left, his stepdaughter Kayla Santos, his wife Angela, and daughters Kenzie and Kaleigh (Katy Fire Department photo)
The Katy City Council Monday appointed Kenneth Parker as permanent fire chief. Parker had served as interim fire chief since last October, when former chief Russell “Rusty” Wilson took a similar position with the Mesquite Fire Department.
“I’m excited,” Parker said in an interview. “I have been here in Katy and seen the growth. I feel very blessed to be given the opportunity to be chief for this city.”
Parker said his priority is for the fire department to keep up with Katy’s growth. He said there might be some tweaks to department policies, but overall, the goal was to maintain the level of service to the citizens of Katy.
City Council Meetings Now on City Website
Monday’s meeting was the first one to be broadcast on the city’s website, cityofkaty.com/live. Mayor Bill Hastings and the council members were together in the council chamber at City Hall for the first time since the outbreak of the pandemic last year.
Council meetings are not yet open to the public due to continuing coronavirus restrictions. Those wishing to watch the proceedings can do so through the website. Those wishing to speak during the public comments portion of the meetings can do so by calling 1-877-391-0239 and entering the meeting ID number, 871-8144-6784, when prompted.
When the outbreak happened last year, the council meetings were moved to Zoom, with council members calling in from their homes or offices. Citizens wishing to watch and participate called in to do so. Previous meetings held on Zoom are available through the city’s YouTube page.
Animal Control Update
Ward B Council Member Rory Robertson called for a $7,700 budget amendment for a pilot program to spay, neuter, vaccinate, and return stray animals in Katy.
Robertson said he understood the community was divided on the animal control issue, and that he wanted to see “realistic, inexpensive strategies that can save our animals.”
The animal control update was only a discussion item at Monday’s meeting. Ward B Council Member Jenifer Jordan Stockdick said she and Robertson were open to feedback on their ideas.
“We wanted to bring this before you to have an open discussion,” Stockdick said.
Their plan calls for bring volunteers on board, and getting them trained, in 30-60 days. After that, they’d like to see the city partner with animal rescue shelters and 501(c)3 organizations, working toward a goal of vaccinating animals upon intake. Eventually, they’d like to see spay and neuter operations being scheduled for rescued animals, and then making the animals available for adoption.
“We’re looking at a way to save animals and do it at a very low cost to the city,” Stockdick said.
Robertson said nobody expected the changes, if adopted, to happen immediately.
“We know it takes time,” Robertson said.
Other Actions Taken
In other action Monday, the council:
- Issued a proclamation recognizing April 11-17 as Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.
- Issued a proclamation recognizing April 2021 as Sexual Assault Awareness and Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Month in April 28 as Denim Day. According to the proclamation, Denim Day is an international symbol of the anti-victim-blaming movement.
- Passed an ordinance to restrict registered sex offenders from living within 2,500 feet of places that children gather, such as bus stops, HOA amenities, parks, and schools. Council Member-at-Large and Mayor Pro Tem Chris Harris said the ordinance was “public safety legislation that will provide enforcement and an additional tool for our law enforcement agencies.”
- Heard a SAFEbulit presentation on Permit Department assessment.
- Approved a $120,000 Convention and Tourism Bureau hotel occupancy tax grant for the 2021 Wild West Brewfest, set for November 11-13.
- Approved a second six-month extension of the final plat for Cane Island detention pond O.
- Accepted drainage facilities, paving, sanitary sewer, and water improvements for West Firethorn Road. phase 2.
- Approved a release of land at the intersection of Spring Green Boulevard and Crossover Road from City of Houston extraterritorial jurisdiction to the City of Katy.
- Issued $1,085,000 in unlimited tax road bonds by Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District #163.
- Authorized a five-year lease agreement with Konica Minolta for copier equipment at the Katy Municipal Court.
- Authorized agreements with DSS Security for intrusion alarm systems at the Katy Visitor Center, 5718 2nd St., for $3,798, and at the Katy Civic Center, 910 Avenue C, for $5,567.