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Residents urge monuments, park protections and preservation projects at council public comment
Summary
Public commenters urged the council to accept a Ten Commandments granite monument donation, protect park ducks from cruelty, install sidewalks and crosswalks at Mary Jo Peckham Park, support adaptive reuse of a historic rice dryer, and praised a donated locomotive sculpture.
Multiple residents used the Jan. 26 public-comment period to raise issues ranging from park wildlife protection to historic preservation.
Andre Barber, scoutmaster of Troop 320, proposed a granite monument commemorating the nation’s 250th birthday and religious freedom and said the troop hopes the city will accept the monument, sited in Old Town Katy; he estimated the monument cost at $8,000–$12,000 and said the troop has raised more than $7,000 so far and would provide benches and landscaping as part of the project.
Angela Shaver, a resident and realtor, described repeated incidents of children harming ducks at Mary Jo Peckham Park, said one juvenile faces pending animal-cruelty charges in Harris County, and asked the city to consider stronger protections and consequences for offenders.
Angela King, representing the Harris County Precinct 4 commissioner’s office, said safety work at Mary Jo Peckham Park — including a stop sign, a crosswalk at Gardenia and new sidewalks into the playground — is scheduled to start soon but may be delayed by weather; she offered to leave a map of the planned improvements.
Andrew Nechaya, an owner and developer, urged support for adaptive reuse of a historic rice dryer in Old Town Katy, saying international building-code application has delayed progress and asking council to consider code changes or other assistance to preserve the structure as a venue for performances, markets and community events.
Adrienne Devitz of the Katy Heritage Society thanked the city and Keep Katy Beautiful for a donation that ensures an All Aboard Katy locomotive sculpture will remain preserved with the city as caretaker.
Michael Payne asked why the city lacks a warming center after a recent ice storm and suggested using the Civic Center with a generator to shelter residents during cold snaps.
Separately, resident Sean Olin questioned whether a city administrator can legally answer procedural questions during public comment; the council’s parliamentarian explained that the council’s adopted rules of procedure limit staff responses to off‑agenda matters under the council’s interpretation of the applicable rule.
