[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6071592,"mediaKeyId","3037523-ffd24d7be7897fd31bf1f03f7ca950d3","parentId",3037523,"title","Council tables interlocal trail agreement after residents and council raise alignment, safety concerns","audioSeconds",497,"startMs",2223000,"endMs",2720000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3037523-ffd24d7be7897fd31bf1f03f7ca950d3&start=2223&end=2720","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3037523-ffd24d7be7897fd31bf1f03f7ca950d3/thumbnail_2223000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6071592/Texas/Council-tables-interlocal-trail-agreement-after-residents-and-council-raise-alignment-safety-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6071592-c1cb8ac37768ea4084c433daa9ed2558/orig.mp4?Expires=1771028148&Signature=S1JdFR-U0UeQSjF4fJZy6EyHoD435KoU67jUmZk3EDILIaz6LKelDNw1RcEt2c75K~nr-L9gpMS7hnoctMMVuF5yJ-N-iwaCSN2pxFCGJEDk9VTC5u3E6ZnKkPkNYi4PThrczpXKx7bM8vx25QyqoezGfcfuu0jsaiG-PjWF~~Ypc5Y770Abfppj17KJLAse3fql-b6gKegEAcOhelUu29u0A5L-0XKKME0o~R1~PmlOI4if-I-5IMQfHS9pfyCXcY3lawj86naOinKnwqn25ycgDfPwD3knMB7SKQRPVOEyLIuBkcLyxbHxCjgaeDomXmOyz--0lUtRDs7eW0MjwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Katy","date","2025-04-14T00:00:00Z","article","The council on April 14 tabled an interlocal agreement relating to the Falls of Green Meadows trail segment (and directed tabling of two related items) after council members said they had not been shown a design change that moves the trail crossing at Franz Road and places the multi-use trail nearer the street instead of residents’ backyards.

Council Member Gina Hicks said she had not seen the change before the meeting and was surprised by a revision on page 65 of the project map that realigns the trail. Council members who live in the area said the revised alignment would place the trail and a proposed 12-foot cross section closer to the back fences of multiple residences and require a push-button pedestrian signal at the new crossing point.

Staff said the change was made after conversations with the MUD board members and that the MUD and residents along the corridor strongly requested the relocation away from backyards to the street. A staff member explained that the relocation would provide more sight distance and include a push-button signal to help pedestrians cross Franz Road. \"It's a little bit longer of a trail ... but the safety of it, I think, is a little bit better,\" a staff member said.

Council members requested more time to review the updated trail layout and said they wanted the plan shown to all affected homeowner associations. One council member noted that the trail width had grown from an originally planned 9 feet to a 12-foot cross section, which made the corridor tighter near a bridge and guardrail and brought the trail closer to private fences.

After discussion, a motion to table the Falls of Green Meadows item and the two companion interlocal items was moved and seconded; council approved the motion on a voice vote and asked staff to return with the trail layout and additional communications to the MUD and HOAs before taking the items up again.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Katy City Council Apr 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The City of Katy on April 14 tabled an interlocal trail agreement with Harris Waller County MUD No. 2 (Falls of Green Meadows) after council members said a late design change shifted the trail alignment closer to Franz Road and adjacent private property.","taxTitle","Katy, Harris County, Texas","taxId",69507,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6071597,"Council approves detention-pond change order after engineering review; pipe diameter reduced from 48 to 36 inches",293,1977000,2270000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3037523-ffd24d7be7897fd31bf1f03f7ca950d3&start=1977&end=2270","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3037523-ffd24d7be7897fd31bf1f03f7ca950d3/thumbnail_1977000.jpg","/articles/6071597/Texas/Council-approves-detention-pond-change-order-after-engineering-review-pipe-diameter-reduced-from-48-to-36-inches","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6071597-60f84653846f55e2bc2ca2db6b721e76/orig.mp4?Expires=1771028148&Signature=bfJ8qZUQwi7uXM~t~MTuRacqrpMmvDB0f8YUBKQQHJOW-tpgP1eATOR8Yk2F2pvBZEDYZOUIzaFDg7QyEL3jz4prJ5M3B1lb7lrCI8e921ol9UGP71tVWEhghDieX2bJPthQSTZOSalUChSlRZxTSbGoG6zS~B9dkCqFVjyqDnSaTz5M3UpI8zPRq2mA179EeflGAHadG6QURzFrEJpsvs7aceYFbqko11nMtkHKsjqixTrJY4ix53oQMnYI7HB2Y8Xx~S-GClhkP30IbftcAfPvl2UzwEG7usLq5YJtcNwAq5Dk9TNhhXgRKrpmQc~n3zZrDfaA3sqMAtWIezuE8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Katy on April 14 approved change order No. 1 for the Pitts Road and Morton Road Detention Pond Improvements Project that reduces the contract price by $5,470 and reduces the diameter of a discharge pipe from 48 inches to 36 inches.

City staff told council the design engineer, Costello, and the Berkshire Katy Drainage District (BKDD) reviewed the design and concluded the 36-inch pipe would have no adverse impact downstream or upstream and would make the pond operate more efficiently. \"That pipe size was part of the permit process that Costello went through with BKDD to optimize that pond operation and to prove no impact downstream or upstream,\" a staff member said. The staff member added the change reduced the contract price.

Council members pressed staff on whether the smaller pipe would be sufficient and whether BKDD preferred holding water longer. Staff answered that the expanded detention pond effectively doubles the size of the existing pond and would hold more water for a longer time, and that the 36-inch pipe size was chosen to help prevent faster downstream flows. \"That would raise water surfaces either downstream or upstream. That's how they arrived at the 36 inches in consultation with BKTD,\" the staff member said.

The original contract amount was $1,620,933.70; after the $5,470 reduction the total contract amount is $1,615,463.70. The project was awarded previously under Resolution Number 1673 and the change order was approved by voice vote. Council discussion noted the change was intended to improve pond function and avoid increasing flows to downstream neighborhoods such as Pine Forest and Cane Island.

Staff said the project also involved coordination with the BKDD and that the revised design would result in net positive storage and hold water longer than the previous configuration. The transcript records that council members voiced concern about drainage impacts before ultimately approving the change order.","Council approved a change order for the Pitts Road and Morton Road detention pond improvements that reduced a discharge pipe from 48 inches to 36 inches after engineers and the Berkshire Katy Drainage District concluded the smaller pipe would not cause downstream impacts and would improve pond operation.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6071600,"Council approves several contracts, a no-cost change order and job-classification updates",1080,1710000,2790000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3037523-ffd24d7be7897fd31bf1f03f7ca950d3&start=1710&end=2790","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3037523-ffd24d7be7897fd31bf1f03f7ca950d3/thumbnail_1710000.jpg","/articles/6071600/Texas/Council-approves-several-contracts-a-no-cost-change-order-and-job-classification-updates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6071600-aa22d2fec089f22e1ad7bef4d6e9bc85/orig.mp4?Expires=1771028148&Signature=hckcOY0miGPe3IXlUlAye8jAutnmaT6OjKBzShFOPIKzS1ah5CBHfx~hAlTRAc5v4hsK3p5NuAbBux9M4p517wrJs0GVbfNrCmnsSwaGmMQ9JNJjWZ0PsKIswOqOoy7oGXyC5xVlNN7mYeqqpIW-Xle7KLW7z~JyeZXcmHrCg7MGEAJQ-v-IJIIi7RlneCLCotcUQbTKk-CMQ9tBtf1OyAcqaVmqNX~UvQyInAlzlozFXB0~CLTxOW5YYT7GkwpeNkF3AHgWCG4L9BNEPsxVcOP6OYLl7A6OfAFV-0OXmEjf5OWcPArbI4AjA6xu7F4MBWpdwUNRxRFwgnvpPIwL8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Katy City Council on April 14 approved several procurement and personnel items in routine business.

Striping improvements: The council awarded a contract to Stripes and Stops Company, LLC of Houston for the fiscal year 2025 striping improvements project. The bid amount was $99,702 and the total project cost was listed as $139,742, which includes a 20% contingency and engineering and construction phase services previously approved. The bids were received March 18, 2025. The motion passed on a voice vote after being moved and seconded.

Lilac lift station rehabilitation: The council awarded a contract to CFG Industries LLC of Pinehurst, Texas for the Lilac Lift Station Rehabilitation project. The bid was $479,827.50 and the total project cost was $548,939.50; bids were received March 18, 2025. The motion passed on a voice vote.

Danover area water and sewer change in methodology: The council authorized a no-cost construction change order number 1 with King Solution Services LLC for the Danover area water and sanitary sewer improvement project to change the scope from televising and cleaning an existing pipe to pipe bursting while onsite. The project was part of a General Land Office (GLO) contract number 2406510E167; the original bid award was recorded under resolution 1389-01. The motion passed on a voice vote.

Pitts Road and Morton Road detention pond adjustment: The council approved change order number 1 with North Houston Tandem Inc. for the Pitts Road and Morton Road Detention Pond Improvements Project that decreased the contract by $5,470 (original contract $1,620,933.70; new total $1,615,463.70). The item included discussion about drainage design and downstream impacts prior to approval.

Employee classification and compensation ordinance: The council approved an ordinance amending the employee classification and compensation plan by adding job descriptions for senior systems engineer and systems engineer, and by amending salary-grade ranges and step schedule to reflect those changes. Council members described the change as a recruitment and retention measure for the IT department. The ordinance passed on a voice vote.

Each of these items was approved by the council during the April 14 regular session; the transcript shows voice votes recorded as \"Aye\" with motions carrying.","At the April 14 meeting the council approved a striping improvements contract, a lift station rehabilitation contract, a construction change order to change methodology on a water/sewer project, and an ordinance creating systems-engineer job classifications; one construction change order lowering a contract price was also approved.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6071605,"Katy council approves Hometown Heroes banner program on George Bush Drive; city to hang banners, no logos allowed",305,1402000,1707000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3037523-ffd24d7be7897fd31bf1f03f7ca950d3&start=1402&end=1707","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3037523-ffd24d7be7897fd31bf1f03f7ca950d3/thumbnail_1402000.jpg","/articles/6071605/Texas/Katy-council-approves-Hometown-Heroes-banner-program-on-George-Bush-Drive-city-to-hang-banners-no-logos-allowed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6071605-f4c314134f5e0fa902aa36833d5700a9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771028148&Signature=TQLj4VSbdLO58zIdfaEUEgURIQccYDd5RDsuKB3RQkn-ek2OghZuzQ-AHYggcW9V23xnm06BvBcxOgZKLwbG6GWpwXjLtZ-S-xUk3TvoCFHEbyZjY04eHiJ5V821EeomzTfYKGIuMR0RbhIGTqK-aAdbw5Z-uXgyh7ewRRsu1jvTdGNKwUgkqLuO-1rerbFZYVn0aM8rodjmMgbrsg3hDOdY2P~ZfQYZM6lcdsvOjiY0v065Imj3VyIasNzXDq-t4fLvLv~qIRPPbFh-OioG0MqdEeR9LAj75oIVlmZXdq0k3tDZ~gwG-T6F6jaDPeb9NbL22fkINkWzUJEx8x2zPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Katy on April 14 approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to accept a proposal with the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce for a Hometown Heroes banner program on George Bush Drive.

The program covers the stretch between Avenue D and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Hall at 6202 George Bush Drive, according to material presented to council. The council motion to approve was made by Mayor Pro Tem Chris Harris and seconded by Council Member Dan Smith; the motion carried on a voice vote.

City staff confirmed the light poles on that stretch are city-owned. “They are city poles,” a staff member said when council asked who owns the poles. The parks department will be responsible for hanging the banners and managing safety and liability related to installation.

Council members sought assurances that banners would not include commercial logos. Council Member Gina Hicks said she had seen program examples that appeared to include advertising. City staff said there will be “no logo or no sponsorship available on that banner” and that privately funded donations could cover the cost for families who could not afford a banner. Staff added sponsors could be recognized at a small ceremony, but “in no way will there be logos or anything added to the plain templates or banners.”

The program will accept applications and verify applicants are families of current Katy residents; the city will work with the VFW on nominations that reflect the Katy area. Staff said the intended display duration is longer than the existing rotation on those poles, with a goal of keeping banners up for about six months to a year depending on program popularity.

Council raised operational details—who will install and the expected turnover rate—and staff answered that the parks department would hang banners and that the city will open applications and set firm rotation schedules once demand is known.

The resolution assigns the mayor authority to finalize the agreement with the chamber; council did not record any additional conditions in the meeting minutes.","Council approved a resolution with the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce to install Hometown Heroes banners on city-owned poles along George Bush Drive; parks department will install and maintain banners, and the program will accept applications verified to be city residents.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6071610,"Resident alleges council member blocked her on Facebook, criticizes handling of proposed charter amendments",179,260000,439000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3037523-ffd24d7be7897fd31bf1f03f7ca950d3&start=260&end=439","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3037523-ffd24d7be7897fd31bf1f03f7ca950d3/thumbnail_260000.jpg","/articles/6071610/Texas/Resident-alleges-council-member-blocked-her-on-Facebook-criticizes-handling-of-proposed-charter-amendments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6071610-f243021552af1fca0694b79a69c07dad/orig.mp4?Expires=1771028148&Signature=FrXy5bKwxKB~gaUuDWHiHbERSmPMQLbHcZ8de34pMnte8nDQjHzHbR2kJ6tfm~dThj5n4JjiYfXzm3eGs0w6gZkV2miOxaG2TtNNoiiPyqGFpADBX4YhslDuuufksrl4WajepclghQNRguIwQL5f-2bPpeUYXKC-jwhfG-SlwDH1X8TP0POcrPKFMvhzdqkP2h3Kb03ekQ8fCqNR5x7yU2xRkWd4Y3buqqolRqo7w6ySNbbxEYhUWI8gRajWg5h5xw81~eI~36ndyBwz4XMQyZpe40Fys3Viooj6xr1l7rKQMobUGcueQYa2jXu58maDa~H7JBT6HnZlFjj3L8MpqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Casey Hines, a Katy resident, told the City of Katy Council during the public-comment period on April 14 that a council member blocked her from a Facebook group she said functions as a public forum and that the council mishandled proposed charter amendments.

Hines said she lives at 2320 Buckskin Lane and described herself as “utterly disappointed” in how the proposed charter amendments were advanced. “Your blatant disregard for the city review committee to push through these self serving amendments is the most undermining thing I have witnessed,” she said.

Hines said she had posted to a Facebook group called the City of Katy Residence Forum to discuss city matters. “This page is repeatedly used for official city business,” she said, arguing that its use for agendas and voting feedback makes it a public forum. “One council member has violated my First Amendment rights,” Hines said, adding she did not use “anything that was obscene, no profanity or abusive language.”

Hines also said she was blocked from the group after posting information opposing the amendments. “That council is viewpoint discrimination. This council member recently sat up here saying that communication needs to be better but then blocked me from his group for doing just that,” she said. Hines said the council member’s actions were “completely unprofessional, disrespectful, and a blatant abuse of power.”

Later in the public-comment period, Michael Payne, who identified himself as a Katy resident at 5823 Green Meadows Lane, criticized Mayor Dusty Thiele for declining to participate in a public debate and asked the mayor to explain why he would not debate with voters.

The council did not respond to either speaker during the public-comment portion; the mayor opened the meeting by reminding speakers that council cannot respond during public comment. The transcript does not record any follow-up staff report, formal investigation, or motion in response to Hines’s allegation.

The comments came at the start of an evening that otherwise included proclamations and multiple routine contract approvals and change orders.","During public comment at the April 14 Katy City Council meeting, resident Casey Hines accused a council member of viewpoint discrimination and criticized the council’s handling of proposed charter amendments and use of a Facebook group for city business.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council tables interlocal trail agreement after residents and council raise alignment, safety concerns

Council approves detention-pond change order after engineering review; pipe diameter reduced from 48 to 36 inches

Council approves several contracts, a no-cost change order and job-classification updates

Katy council approves Hometown Heroes banner program on George Bush Drive; city to hang banners, no logos allowed

Resident alleges council member blocked her on Facebook, criticizes handling of proposed charter amendments