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Residents use public comment to criticize and praise departing Council Member Dan Smith
Summary
During public comment at the Dec. 15 special session, three residents offered contrasting views of Council Member Dan Smith: Michael Payne criticized Smith's record and quoted past remarks; Shawn Dolan praised Smith and sought clarity on the city administrator kiosk and public records; Justin Graham praised Smith's constituent service.
Three residents used the public-comment period at the Dec. 15 Katy City Council special session to offer sharply different appraisals of Council Member Dan Smith as the council prepared to call a special election to fill his Ward A seat.
Michael Payne of 5823 Green Meadows Lane criticized Smith's record and conduct, asserting that Smith was "a very divisive politician" and citing Smith's initial 2021 election total of "446 votes" as context. Payne quoted what he said were prior Smith remarks about animal control — "I am very comfortable if my pet escaped the yard and was picked up by KD Animal Control that he would be treated humanely" — and alleged Smith once said, "God forbid Dusty gets hit by a bus," a comment Payne presented as evidence of poor judgment. Payne said the community is "ready for change" and urged recruitment of future candidates.
By contrast, Shawn Dolan of 6303 Alicia Way praised Smith's reputation in the community as a "good father and a good husband" and thanked Mayor Pro Tem Chris Harris for engaging with residents. Dolan said he is "not here tonight to relitigate anything" but asked for clarity about the city's public-facing process to "meet with city administrator," noting he used a lobby kiosk twice and was told the administrator was unavailable; Dolan said he requested records to confirm availability but had not yet received clarification and asked that the process be explained.
Justin Graham of Windy Thicket, identifying himself as a Ward A constituent, also praised Smith's constituent service and repeated Smith's constituent-focused question, "What can I do for you? How can I help you?" Graham said he believed Smith acted in the ward's best interest.
The council did not respond during public comment. The transcript contains these statements from residents and does not record any council rebuttal or administrative clarification during this meeting.
