After substantial public feedback and lengthy discussion during its December 8 meeting, Katy’s city council voted unanimously to proceed with a base proposal for improvements to Katy City Park at 5850 Franz in Katy.

The proposed project consists of three parts: installation of artificial turf field at a cost of $1,084,010.00, conversion of two existing tennis courts to pickleball courts and an artificial turf field for $828,619.30 and installation of sport LED lighting in the amount of $210,000.00.

Nine of the 14 public speakers spoke in defense of the tennis courts during public comments.

Council approved the installation of the artificial turf and the sport LED lighting system but asked city staff to come back with different options to increase the number of pickleball courts at the park.

In other action, council:

*Heard a presentation on Wild West Brewfest by David Loesch. The event, scheduled at Typhoon Texas March 26-28, 2026, is organized by the Rotary Club of Katy, which applied for $120,000.00 in HOT grants for tourism-related advertising and also sought approval for street closures. The requests were approved by unanimous votes.

*Unanimously authorized the mayor to sign a three-year renewal with Everbridge Inc. for continuation of the KT Alert notification system.

*Unanimously authorized the mayor to sign a contract worth up to $1,459,370.00 for professional design services for a new wastewater treatment plan to be located at 25839 Katy Freeway, just south of another water facility and adjacent to the city’s animal control facility.

*In a unanimous vote, authorized the Katy Development Authority to use up to $4,462,612.30 in METRO funds for roadway extension and bridge construction along Nelson Way. Mayor Pro Tem Chris Harris said that the improvements would be needed in the near future when Interstate 10 is shut down for construction.

*In a 4-1 vote (with Councilmember Gina Hicks dissenting) authorized the Katy Development Authority to use up to $249,838.00 in METRO funds for construction of a traffic signal at Franz Road and Scot Ranch Road. City Engineer David Kasper said that the signal, which will help residents using the city’s new trail system to cross Franz Road safely, will remain green in both directions on Franz, unless triggered by pedestrians or by cars approaching from Scott Ranch Road.

* Unanimously approved annexation of 24.28 acres in Fort Bend County in the Katy Boardwalk Reserve.

*Via consent agenda, approved dates, street closures and hotel occupancy tax grant applications for city-hosted events in the historic town square, including seven dates for the Katy Exchange street market, Katy Rice Harvest Festival Parade and Katy Rice Harvest Festival.

The next meeting of Katy’s city council will be on January 12, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 901 Avenue C in Katy.