It was business as usual for the Katy City Council, despite a category one hurricane moving through the area earlier in the day on Monday, July 8. A quorum was present, although Councilmember Dan Smith was absent.

Council held three public hearings for requested zoning changes:

· Approved a request by DNJ Houston Investment Partners I LTD, ET AL for inclusion of 5.803 acres in the City of Katy’s extraterritorial jurisdiction. The property at 27735 Katy Freeway is the site of Vanguard Truck Centers which opened the 38,000 square foot full-service Volvo and Mack Trucks location on April 2, 2018.

· Denied a request for a zoning change from “R-1” single family to “C-1” commercial for a 2.63 acre property located in the Firethorne/Spring Green area. Four area residents spoke against the change during public comments, stating that the property is completely surrounded by homes and that the commercial site would worsen traffic and endanger children at nearby school bus stops. The site was said to be planned for use as an ABA therapy center.

· Denied a request for vacating a portion of right-of-way at the intersection of T Street and Sanford Street. Councilmember Janet Corte, who said that she drove the area prior to the meeting, said that the city should maintain control of the property since it is used for drainage for the neighborhood. Councilmember Rory Robertson said that he saw no advantage to the city in giving up the property.

In other actions, council:

· Heard a presentation of the annual comprehensive financial report by City Auditor Lupe Garcia of Whitely Penn, LLP, Houston, covering the city’s fiscal year 2023. The report showed that the city leaders were “good stewards of taxpayer dollars,” Garcia said.

· Authorized the mayor to sign a retail buyers order in an amount up to $55,000.00 for purchase of a 2024 Chevrolet Silverado truck and uplift kit from Parkway Chevrolet, Inc. The vehicle, designated for use by the Katy Fire Department, is funded by dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act grant funds.

The next meeting of city council will be July 22 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 901 Avenue C, Katy.