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KATY EDITION
VOLUME 11, ISSUE 8 APRIL 28 MAY 25, 2023
Park Place at the Boardwalk opens in Katy LOCAL VOTER GUIDE 2023
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HISTORIC TOWN SQUARE REIMAGINED Eleven years of renovations to the city of Katy’s historic town square will conclude by the Katy Rice Festival in mid-October. As a nod to a 1907 map of the town square, the goals of this project are to attract businesses, residents and tourists to convene in the area.
in total for renovations to the historic town square $7.67M
of the revitalization project 3 phases
completion, 2 years after original estimate October
construction deadline for phase 3 7-month
Sample ballot
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HIGHER EDUCATION GUIDE 2023
SOURCE: CITY OF KATY COMMUNITY IMPACT
ASIA ARMOUR COMMUNITY IMPACT
Green space, murals mark conclusion to Katy’s town square renovations
BY ASIA ARMOUR
The Limited Edition Art & Antiques shop along Second Street. Proctor was on a committee created by the Texas Downtown Association in 2012 to discuss the project. “There was [going to be] an amphitheater where they could have music and concerts, but for whatever reason—funding, the pandemic, [Hurricane] Harvey— CONTINUED ON 34
Shrouded fencing enclosed the green space, Civic Cen- ter and Visitors Center in the middle of downtown Katy on March 23—signaling the beginning of the nal phase of renovations to the historic town square. Business owners and residents have awaited this proj- ect’s conclusion, including Betsy Proctor—who co-owns
Grant bene ts UHV, KISD school psychologist program
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HIGHER EDUCATION GUIDE
State leaders threaten diversity, inclusion e orts at local colleges
“WE CAN FOSTER DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE CAMPUS COMMUNITIES AND STUDENT BODIES WITHOUT VIOLATING STATE AND FEDERAL
Pull the newest teaser from CC Libraries Home Run Dugout brings baseball experience to Katy
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EMPLOYMENT LAWS OR CREATING PROGRAMS THAT DISCRIMINATE.”
BY ASIA ARMOUR
While the racial demographics of the stu- dents and workforce are becoming increas- ingly more diverse at Katy’s local colleges, diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at public universities are being scrutinized by state legislators. During a State of Higher Education
SHAWN LINDSEY, ASSOCIATE VICE CHANCELLOR, ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT OF MEDIA RELATIONS, UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON
CONTINUED ON 30
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KATY EDITION • APRIL 2023
Miller Outdoor Theatre has delighted generations of audiences for 100 years with the best in performing arts entertainment. And every performance free. JOIN THE SEASON-LONG CELEBRATION. Enjoy eight months of the best music, dance, theatre
and more. Plus, celebratory events throughout the year packed with fun for the whole family. With enough time to roll down the hill. milleroutdoortheatre.com/celebratemiller
MAY 12 — HAPPY BIRTHDAY MILLER! Let’s celebrate together with a larger-than-life birthday cake with slices for all served during intermission. Make memories with a photo in the 7-foot cake. And sign the giant Miller card, starting at 7 p.m. At 8 p.m. Houston Ballet presents George Balanchine’s Jewels.
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
THIS ISSUE
ABOUT US Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today. We have expanded to include hundreds of team members and have created our own software platform and printing facility. CI delivers 35+ localized editions across Texas to more than 2.5 million residential mailboxes.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS MONTH
MARKET TEAM GENERAL MANAGER Amy Martinez EDITOR Daniel Weeks REPORTER Asia Armour
FROM AMY: As we approach the end of the school year, many students will begin considering what their next step will be. In our community, we are blessed to have several higher education options. In this year’s Higher Education Guide, we’re taking a look at new programs and some of the issues affecting Katy colleges. Amy Martinez, GENERAL MANAGER
GRAPHIC DESIGNER La’Toya Smith ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Tracy Drewa METRO LEADERSHIP PUBLISHER Jason Culpepper MANAGING EDITOR Kelly Schafler COPY EDITOR Adrian Gandara SENIOR ART PRODUCTION MANAGER Kaitlin Schmidt CONTACT US 16300 Northwest Freeway Jersey Village, TX 77040 • 281-469-6181 CI CAREERS communityimpact.com/careers PRESS RELEASES ktynews@communityimpact.com ADVERTISING ktyads@communityimpact.com Learn more at communityimpact.com/advertising EMAIL NEWSLETTERS communityimpact.com/newsletter SUPPORT US Join your neighbors by giving to the CI Patron program. Funds support our journalistic mission to provide trusted, local news in your community. Learn more at communityimpact.com/cipatron
FROM KELLY: One of our front-page stories this month focuses on the redevelopment of downtown Katy. The city of Katy has invested in redeveloping the city’s downtown plaza for years, with the final plaza phase set to be completed in October. Community Impact asked city officials about future revitalization in the downtown area, its impact on business owners and how nearby development projects could also attract new visitors. Kelly Schafler, MANAGING EDITOR
"Our story is just beginning. " - JOHN GARRETT, COMMUNITY IMPACT CEO & FOUNDER, AS QUOTED BY TEXAS MONTHLY
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Check out Texas Monthly’s profile on Community Impact, featuring the story of our founders as well as a look at our business model, commitment to local journalism and future plans for CI Texas.
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KATY EDITION • APRIL 2023
IMPACTS
Businesses that have recently opened or are coming soon, relocating or expanding
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4 Owner Bill Fanning said residents have anticipated the opening of Katy Crossing Icehouse since 2016. The family-style bar opened officially Feb. 12 and is the first of its kind in the town square, Fanning said. Located at 5733 Second St., Katy, the establish- ment features live music every Friday, Saturday and Sunday and food trucks that cycle through weekly on its back lawn. Fanning said Katy Crossing is intended as an “upscale date night” spot for locals and tourists. 281-396-4294. www.katycrossingicehouse.com 5 Gordon Food Service , a grocer and food distributor serving local restaurants, food operations and the public, opened a Katy location March 14. The store is located at 649 S. Mason Road, Katy, near Kingsland Boulevard. According to a March 13 news release from the company announcing five more Houston-area stores opening in 2023, shoppers can expect a large, seasonal produce department; fresh meat available by the piece, pound or case; and grab-and-go meal solutions. The grocer also features home and business ordering, business van delivery, and store pickup. Each Gordon Food Service location will employ an average of 40 full- and part-time staff. 346-353-7204. www.gfsstore.com 6 Home Run Dugout , a sports bar, restaurant and entertainment venue of- fering indoor soft-toss baseball, opened March 30 at 1220 Grand W. Blvd., Katy. The 46,000-square-foot venue includes 12 indoor batting bays that allow players to simulate batting in any MLB stadium, according to a news release. Each bay features a large screen, five TVs and space for up to 12 people. Home Run
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NOW OPEN 1 Park Place at the Boardwalk opened at one of Katy’s newest developments April 21. The eatery is both a restaurant downstairs and an upscale, private event space with catering services upstairs. The menu features brunch items as well as cuisines from Caribbean, Southern and Latin cultures. Park Place is located at 25551 Kingsland Blvd., Ste. C100, Katy. 832-344-3507. www.parkplacekaty.com
2 Philly Flats , a food truck concept turned brick and mortar opened in Katy on April 19. Quaker Steaks is the name- sake for the food truck, but Philly Flats is the name of the new restaurant that opened at 24025 Katy Freeway, Ste. L, Katy. Its menu features the original Philadelphia cheesesteak crafted by a Pennsylvania native—owner and veteran Scott Boyer. Aside from the cheesesteak, menu items at Philly Flats also include wings, hoagies, loaded fries and burgers. 832-437-1679. www.phillyflatskaty.com
3 Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming opened in Fulshear on April 15, near the Maple Street Biscuit Company restaurant. Located at 4846 FM 1463, Ste. 300, Katy, Woof Gang offers full-service grooming as well as a wide selection of nutritious pet treats and food. The business also sells ac- cessories, toys and dog spa products. Pet owners can prebook appointments before the grand opening. The Fulshear location joins 15 others in the Greater Houston area, with the closest located along the Grand Parkway in Katy. 832-437-0600. www.woofgangbakery.com
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Lightbridge Academy
Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming
COURTESY LIGHTBRIDGE ACADEMY
COURTESY WOOF GANG BAKERY & GROOMING
Dugout’s Biergarten Baseball mini-field will offer open play for Wiffleball or kick- ball on a first-come, first-served basis. While the first Home Run Dugout opened in Round Rock in 2019, the Katy location is the first full-scale stand-alone Home Run Dugout venue. 833-384-6881. www.homerundugout.com COMING SOON 7 Kiku Ramen + Boba is expected to come to Stableside, located at the intersection of Gaston Road and Falcon Landing Boulevard in Katy, according to an April 10 news release from Houston-based commercial real estate company NewQuest Properties. The new restaurant leased 1,400 square feet of retail space in the Stableside area, according to the release. Kiku Ramen would join Freebirds World Burrito, Raising Cane’s, Whataburger and more dining spots at the shopping center. An estimated opening date, web- site and phone number for the upcoming restaurant are not yet available. 8 Mint Express Car Wash plans to open a second location on Morton Ranch Road in Katy in May. The address for the car wash and express detailing business is 23040 Morton Ranch Road, Katy. The car wash is in the final stages of construction, officials said. The business offers four wash plans and detailing services that include interior cleaning, hand waxes, leather conditioning, headlight resto- ration and wheel polishing. www.mintexpresscarwash.com 9 Lightbridge Academy , an early education and child care franchise for children from 6 weeks through kinder- garten, will touch down in Katy as its first
stop on a Texas expansion. The child care center leased a 9,282-square-foot space at the Shops at Katy Reserve, located at the crossroads of FM 1463 and Spring Green Boulevard in Katy. NewQuest Broker Associate Lara Lee LaMendola said the franchise will open its first Texas location this summer. In addition to the new Katy location, the child care facility is eyeing Cypress, The Woodlands, Atascocita and Pearland, according to a news release. www.lightbridgeacademyfranchise.com 10 Dos Tacos , a restaurant offering authentic street tacos with vegan and vegetarian options, will open in Katy in July. Owner Omar Aceves said his business model is to incorporate quality ingredients, passion, resilience and a “bit of stubbornness” to prove the Ameri- can dream is still alive. He said he has plans to expand the restaurant all over the United States. The eatery will be located in an 1,880-square-foot space at 26224 Hunter Lane, Katy. Aceves said he is still developing a website and social media presence for the new restaurant. CLOSINGS 11 The Neighborhood Market Walmart on Westheimer Parkway and Falcon Land- ing Boulevard in Katy closed March 10. According to corporate officials, the store located at 24919 Westheimer Parkway, Katy, closed due to its financial perfor- mance. The Neighborhood Market concept is one-fifth the size of Walmart Supermar- kets and is typically located in more urban areas. The Neighborhood Market Walmart at 20903 Highland Knolls Drive in Katy will remain open. www.walmart.com
Special Strong, a fitness organization for people with mental, physical and cognitive challenges, will use the Planet Fitness at Katy Ranch Crossing starting in May.
COURTESY SPECIAL STRONG
FEATURED IMPACT COMMUNITY Starting in May, Planet Fitness in Katy Ranch will partner with Special Strong —an adaptive tness organization for people with mental, physical and cognitive challenges—to accommodate trainers and clients with its equipment and facilities. The rst iteration of this partnership began in September, with the Planet Fitness club in Conroe. The Planet Fitness club at Katy Ranch Crossing, located at 24547 Katy Freeway, Katy, markets as a “Judgment Free Zone” and aims to create an environment where everyone feels accepted and respected, per the brand’s website. Special Strong is a faith-based tness platform which provides personal training, group classes, and mental health and emotional tness for its clients. According to its website, some bene ts of its services include behavior and mood improvement; increased con dence and self-esteem; 12 Kravin’ Desserts & Tapioca , a family-owned bubble tea shop, perma- nently closed in Katy on March 10. An announcement of Kravin’s exit—posted on the front doors of the store located at 21788 Katy Freeway, Unit 200, Katy—
balance and coordination; and muscular endurance and strength. According to public relations o cials for the organization, this initiative is near to the heart of Special Strong Katy franchise owners Tammy Ishee and Teri Dunn. The pair have an adopted daughter with Down syndrome and strive to give her access to healthy, routine exercises personalized to her needs. 281-394-9670 www.planet tness.com/gyms/katy-tx
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said Carbs Me Out, a keto bakery, will replace the business. Kravin’s locations in Bellaire and Richmond will remain open. www.kravinhouston.com
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KATY EDITION • APRIL 2023
TO DO LIST
May events
COMPILED BY JOVANNA AGUILAR
10 ATTEND A RIBBON CUTTING Mayekawa invites community members to attend its ribbon-cutting in celebration of its grand opening. Mayekawa is a leading manufacturer of industrial compressors. It supplies high-quality, durable and manageable compressors to industrial refrigeration/ freezing, heat pump, and oil and gas markets around the globe. 8:30- 10 a.m. Free. Mayekawa, 29875 Medline Lane, Katy. 832-975-0975. www.mayekawa.com 13 CELEBRATE A MUSEUM’S ANNIVERSARY Johnny Nelson Katy Heritage Museum Dedication is celebrating its fth-year anniversary with an event that includes a scavenger hunt. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Johnny Nelson Katy Heritage Museum, 6002 George Bush Drive, Katy. 281-574-8618. www.cityo aty.com 19 ENJOY FOOD TRUCKS WITH LIVE MUSIC Cinco Ranch Food Truck is holding a community event with food trucks, vendors and music. This spring event is open to the public. 5 p.m. Free. Lake George, 25202 Springwood Lake Drive, Katy. 832-409-1670. www.eventbrite.com/cc/cinco-ranch- food-truck-friday-events-1514249
each Tuesday and will include cartoon drawing and lunches. These drawing courses are a part of Young Rembrandts, an art program that aims to improve children’s academic skills, ne motor skills, social skills and hand-eye coordination. Young Rembrandts courses are available in Katy in Tamarron and Cinco Ranch communities. 5:30- 6:45 p.m. $80. Tamarron Clubhouse, 28707 Tamarron Parkway, Katy. www.youngrembrandts.com/swhouston 04 JOIN WALLER COUNTY’S SESQUICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION The Katy Heritage Park is celebrating Waller County’s 150th anniversary with a community event. This event will have hot dogs, chips and bounce houses for community members to enjoy. 6-8:30 p.m. Free. Katy Heritage Park, 5990 George Bush Drive, Katy. 281-391-4800. www.cityo aty.com 05 CELEBRATE CINCO DE MAYO Multiplicity Art Studio will be hosting a Cinco de Mayo party with visiting artist Ace McCasland. There will be Mexican festivities, snacks, drinks, and jewelry sold and made by McCasland. Anyone interested can RSVP. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Free. Multiplicity Art Studio, 1210 Ave. A, Katy. 832-437-6329. www.multiplicity.co
Fans can enjoy a “Star Wars” celebration at Central Green Park on May 4. FEATURED EVENT Join a ‘Star Wars’ celebration Central Green Park hosts “Night of the Nerds May the 4th be with You.” Attendees can don their best “Star Wars” out t and enjoy a lightsaber battle, comic book stands, trading cards, authors, vendor booths and a showing of “Star Wars.” The rain date is May 6. 6-9 p.m. Free. 23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd., Katy. www.centralgreenpark.com COURTESY CENTRAL GREEN PARK
ATTEND A COMMUNITY FOOD FAIR PARKWAY FELLOWSHIP
MAY 13
KCM and Parkway Fellowship will be distributing hundreds of pounds of free food and fresh produce to neighbors facing food insecurity. All community members are welcome to attend. 9:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Parkway Fellowship, 5819 10th St., Katy. 832-222-9282. www.parkwayfellowship.com
COURTESY KATY CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES
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REGISTER FOR CARTOON
DRAWING CLASSES Tamarron Clubhouse invites children ages 5-12 to register for a fun drawing experience. This class will be held
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Find more or submit Katy area events at communityimpact.com/event-calendar. Event organizers can submit local events online to be considered for the print edition. Submitting details for consideration does not guarantee publication.
512-232-5000 EdServices@austin.utexas.edu
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
TRANSPORTATION UPDATES Paving, infrastructure repairs coming to four Katy streets
COMPILED BY ASIA ARMOUR
ONGOING PROJECTS
At a March 27 City Council meeting, Katy o cials approved $48,980 for the design portion of four minor street repair projects around the city. In total, the cost estimate for the four projects is $377,867. Brookline Road repairs The city will make small pavement repairs to Brookline Road, a two-lane deteriorating concrete street, per city documents. City engineers predict replacing the project will improve two-way tra c. Morton Road asphalt repairs This project will see asphalt repairs to Morton Road west of Bu alo Bayou bridge, adding new paving before construction begins on the Morton Road widen- ing between Pitts and Katy Hockley roads in fall 2024. McAllister Road culvert repair This project will replace a pair of existing 24-inch reinforced concrete culvert pipes that cross the road east of Tubular Drive. Spring Green Boulevard at FM 1463 ARKK Engineers said Spring Green Boulevard has cracks and potholes in the northbound travel lanes near FM 1463. Repairs will replace portions of the asphalt with reinforced concrete.
2023 STREET REPAIRS
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These four minor projects approved by the city of Katy will be packaged with larger projects throughout the city 1 Brookline Road repairs Timeline: TBD-October 2023 Cost: $69,000 2 Morton Road asphalt repairs Timeline: TBD-October 2023 Cost: $103,270 3 McAllister Road culvert repair Timeline: TBD-October 2023 Cost: $55,430 4 Spring Green Boulevard at FM 1463 Timeline: TBD-October 2023 Cost: $150,167
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Grand Parkway frontage roads Fort Bend County dedicated $20 million on March 14 for a segment of a Grand Parkway frontage road, northbound from Westheimer Parkway to Cinco Ranch Boulevard. TxDOT is managing the construction of the project and ultimately will dedicate $900 million for the entire construction of frontage roads and Grand Parkway widening. Timeline: early 2025-TBD Cost: $20 million Funding source: 2017 mobility bond
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SOURCES: CITY OF KATY, ARKK ENGINEERS COMMUNITY IMPACT
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ALL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED AS OF APRIL 19. NEWS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE OR OTHER LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS? EMAIL US AT KTYNEWS COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM. median cuts and drainage inlets. To ensure safety of children entering and exiting from buses, the project includes a tra c signal at the Franz Road inter- section with painted crosswalks and a protected pedestrian signal. Timeline: October 2023- November 2023 Cost: $2.16 million Funding source: Katy Development Authority metro funds Cane Island Parkway extension This project will add two lanes along Cane Island Parkway from Franz Road to Swift Way, with associated turn lanes,
Fort Bend County seeks $450K grant to improve public transit Fort Bend County hopes to collaborate with U.S. Rep. Lizzie automatic passenger counters, Wi-Fi, passenger noti cations, and IT training and support.
Fletcher, D Houston, on a signi cant investment to upgrade the county’s public transportation system. At an April 11 meeting, commis- sioners committed a $90,000 local match to a $450,000 grant for an updated scheduling and dispatching system for Fort Bend Transit in support of the grant application. The grant would provide vehicle tracking,
According to project documents from Pamela LeBlane, public trans- portation nance and administration manager, the public transit system provides over 400,000 trips annually. The system was last updated in 2008, and “lacks e ciency, reliability and speed of current technology,” per project documents.
Fort Bend Transit’s scheduling system was last updated in 2008.
COURTESY FORT BEND TRANSIT
If the county is selected for the award, documents state the upgrades will be implemented between Janu- ary 2024 and August 2024.
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KATY EDITION • APRIL 2023
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
GOVERNMENT
RISING DEBT
Despite efforts to quell Fort Bend County’s mounting debt for retiree health care costs, the liability for other post employment benefits—or OPEB—continues to rise.
IMAGINED
Unfunded liability: The total annual contribution to fund retiree health care—paying doctor visits, emergency care and prescription costs—for all employees working toward retirement health care benefits as well as all current retirees and their spouses
$495.37M
$700M $600M $500M $400M $300M $200M $0
$207.2M
SOURCE: FORT BEND COUNTY AUDITOR/COMMUNITY IMPACT
$495M liability for retiree health care burdens Fort Bend County credit rating
BY ASIA ARMOUR
“We have to start getting aggressive with that,” Sturdivant said. Potential solutions The county has previously attempted to wrangle its financial obligation toward retiree health care, but none of these actions relieved the debt’s pressure, Meyers said. “The increase in health care costs, together with the increasing number of staff that we have to qualify for health care, have outrun our attempts to ... control the thing,” Meyers said. Sturdivant said the best way to curb the debt would be to contribute about $100 million-$200 million to the trust and let it grow in interest. But the county would need to dedicate dollars from its general fund, as the state does not authorize counties to issue bonds to fund OPEB liability. He said the Legislature was “not being very receptive” of the needed authorization. Sturdivant proposed taking every excess dollar in the budget and shift it to the trust. He said he believes there will be an excess by the end of the fiscal year in October. “We have to demonstrate to the public, to our retirees, our employees working toward retirement, our bond rating agencies [and] our under- writing team that we are not just ... waiting for this to go away,” he said.
Andy Meyers, Fort Bend County Pre- cinct 3 commissioner, has expressed concern for a looming $495 million debt, which threatens to negatively affect the county’s employees working toward retirement, taxpayers, and credit rating for bonds. The debt is from the county’s liabil- ity for its retirees’ health care benefits, known as “other post employee benefits,” or OPEB. As of March, there were 797 retirees, 322 retiree spouses, and 727 current and former employees eligible for retirement. “We have a gargantuan unfunded liability sitting out there that we are still not doing anything about,” Meyers said during a March 7 discussion on the potential for a 2023 mobility bond. County Auditor Ed Sturdivant said inaction toward the debt could impact the county’s bond rating. If the rating is downgraded because the liability isn’t addressed, Sturdivant said each downgrade could result in a 5%-10% increase in the cost of future debt, making existing debt less marketable for bondholders. ”The county will do all that is necessary to avoid this,” he said. Currently, there is $5.6 million in a trust established January 2023 for the county’s OPEB liability, but Sturdivant said this is insignificant compared to the OPEB debt.
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KATY EDITION • APRIL 2023
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
GOVERNMENT Fort Bend County considers November bond despite $286M in remaining unissued bond funds
WAITING FOR FUNDS Fort Bend County has requested $863 million in the past five voter-approved bond programs. However, $286 million remains unissued by the county.
BY ASIA ARMOUR
Issued
Authorized
Slawinski said he believes the county is upside down on its mobility projects because of inflated costs of construction and rights of way. “We are paying about 25% more in general on our right-of-way acquisition cost,” he said. “The construction cost on our projects have gone up [by] about 35%. Those numbers have actually impacted a number of our ongoing projects.” Precinct 1 Commissioner Vincent Morales said it takes three years for the design, right-of-way acqui- sition and utility relocation before the county can “put a shovel in the ground.” He said the county changed its funding approach for the 2020 bond to only fund the design, right-of-way acquisition and utility relocation of projects. “We’re going to go back into this next bond to construct those,” Morales said. “Once the voters approve, we’ll be able to immediately put those out on the street to construct.” Next steps With the 4-0 vote March 7, commissioners let engineering and parks department officials move forward to identify priority projects. The court has until Aug. 7 to decide whether to put a bond on the Nov. 7 ballot, according to the county attorney. Based on how quickly projects are being com- pleted, Sturdivant proposed the bond be priced at $600 million or less—a 175% increase from the price tag on the county’s 2020 mobility bond program. Slawinski suggested the commissioners continue the practice of identifying funding for the design in one mobility program and vying for construction dollars in future bonds. “Give us three years to design and get the right-of- way acquisition started, and in the following mobility program we could [use construction funds] to get the project built,” Slawinski said. Morales said his office has reached out to his precinct’s municipalities to discover their priorities, with Katy and Fulshear submitting one project each.
Although hundreds of millions of dollars from previous voter-approved bonds remain unspent, Fort Bend County officials have begun considering projects for a possible bond for November’s ballot. Fort Bend County Commissioners Court instructed its engineering as well as parks and recreation offices to collect a list of projects for a proposed mobility and parks bond in a 4-0 vote March 7. County Judge KP George abstained from the motion, citing concerns about unfunded projects remaining from previous voter-approved bonds in recent years. “[I am] not against the bond, and I’m not against issuing debt, ... but I don’t see any reason why we have to take an action today,” he said. Nearly $300 million in bond projects remain unfunded from the more than $860 million approved in the past five voter-approved bonds since 2000, County Engineer Stacy Slawinski said. However, commissioners cited rising construction costs and the time needed to construct projects for delays in construction. They said they believe the county should decide now which projects should take precedence if a new bond is proposed. Outstanding projects Projects from the past three bonds are still ongo- ing, and of the $218.2 million approved in 2020, none of the money had been issued toward projects as of April 12, County Auditor Ed Sturdivant said. At the March 14 council meeting, commissioners approved a $75 million advanced funding agree- ment to start 30 mobility projects from past bonds. Sturdivant said the agreement increased by another $25 million in April to account for the county’s invest- ment on the northbound segment of Grand Parkway frontage road construction—from Westheimer Parkway to Cinco Ranch Boulevard. However, he said funding for more than 80 projects from the last two bond programs remain authorized but unissued.
2000
$86M
$86M
2007
$156M
$156M
2013
$185M
$185M
2017
$218M
$150M
2020
$0
$218.2M
STALLED ON PROJECTS Even with an advanced funding agreement for ongoing projects that increased to $100 million in April, over 80 are still ongoing. County officials estimate they would need $78 million in the next bond program to complete outstanding projects.
Completed
Ongoing
2013
2017
2020
52 total
68 total
71 total
SOURCE: FORT BEND COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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KATY EDITION • APRIL 2023
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
NEWS BRIEFS
Katy adopts comprehensive plan
H GAC to approve, adopt 2045 regional transportation plan
PROJECTING HOUSTON CORRIDOR INVESTMENT H-GAC’s 2045 Regional Transportation Update projects area mobility investments.
BY ASIA ARMOUR
“THIS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN IS GOING TO BE A GUIDE FOR THE FUTURE AND PAINTS A VISION FOR HOW WE WANT KATY TO LOOK. IT’S GOING TO BE HELPFUL WHEN WE DEVELOP OUR STRATEGIC PLAN.” JANET CORTE, KATY CITY
Guidance for the development of the city of Katy over the next nearly 20 years has been decided by city o cials, residents and planning rm Kendig Keast Collaborative. The 2040 comprehensive plan, which had been ongoing since January 2022, was nalized March 27. It was propelled forward by the approval of the Parks Master Plan and periodic community workshops for feedback. According to the plan, two key actions are outlined for completion in the next two years, with nine more planned for the next ve years. Immediate action items address land use and development, and transportation. Within the rst two years, the city will complete a review of Katy’s zoning regulations to identify new standards and priorities. This could involve the future land use and character map developed during this process, which illustrated the
I-69 corridor
$12.78B
Hwy. 290 corridor
BY RENEE FARMER
$8.468B
I-10 West corridor
With population in the Houston region estimated to double by 2045, the Houston-Galveston Area Council has laid out its plans to accommodate transportation needs with its 2045 Regional Transportation Plan Update. The H GAC’s Transportation Policy Council will adopt the update—which guides mobility investments every four years—on April 28. “The RTP allows for us to bring down federal and state funds into our eight-county region,” H GAC Regional Planning Manager Anita Hollmann-Matijcio said in a March 15 news release. By 2045, the agency anticipates collecting $141 billion in revenue from federal, state and toll sources, and investing in more than 750 projects sponsored locally by 63 public entities.
$7.139B
I-45 South corridor $1.455B $1.858B Hwy. 288 corridor $1.534B I-10 East corridor $2.301B Grand Parkway $3.937B Beltway 8 I-69 North corridor $211M Loop 610 $641M Hwy. 249 corridor $487M I-45 North corridor $4.23B Downtown Houston $6.492B
FUNDING INVESTMENT PROJECTIONS THROUGH 2045
COUNCIL MEMBER
attributes of areas around Katy and suggests what kinds of businesses could be designated to these areas in the future, Council Member Janet Corte said. In the rst two years of the plan, the city will also work with the Texas Department of Transportation to pro- vide input on the Brookshire-Katy Mobility Study.
Hwy. 90 $200M
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KATY EDITION • APRIL 2023
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
EDUCATION BRIEFS
News from Katy ISD
NUMBER TO KNOW Currently, Katy ISD has about 200 teacher vacancies. The district expects 302 more by the 2023-24 school year with two elementary schools opening fall 2023. 502
Committee pitches $840M bond to meet growth needs
PLANNING FOR GROWTH Katy ISD’s Community Bond Advisory Committee reviewed enrollment projections at the district’s first bond meeting March 29.
BY ASIA ARMOUR
KATY ISD A potential bond package totaling $840.6 million was finalized at the Katy ISD Community Bond Advisory Committee meeting April 18. It includes four new schools, renovations to old campuses, a 1:1 student-to-device tech- nology plan and security upgrades. At the first meeting March 29, Kris Pool, director of plan- ning for demographic firm Population and Survey Analysts, presented data showing most of the growth is concentrated in KISD’s northwest quadrant, where many master-planned communities are being developed. “Moderate growth scenarios project a student enrollment of over 100,000 students by 2027 and nearly 10,000 more by 2032,” Pool said in a March 29 news release. Committee members also reviewed and discussed the district’s long-range facilities plan—which has served as a guiding document through the last nine bonds the Katy com- munity has passed since 1994. The plan documents every facility in the district, along with life expectancies of the building’s mechanical and plumbing systems and roofs. “Addressing these campus needs and updating systems when needed is a priority in order to maintain building
QUOTE OF NOTE
members attended the district’s first bond committee meeting March 29
140
HIGHLIGHTS KATY ISD In a complete overhaul of its elementary literacy framework, Katy ISD purchased $5.63 million in all new instructional materials from education and learning technology company Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. The district will collect all old materials by the end of the 2022- 23 school year and implement ongoing training for educators in the areas of reading development and instruction strategies. An approved list of phonics materials for kindergarten through third grade students was released by the Texas Education Agency on March 30 and will further inform the development of the district’s elementary literacy framework. “ADDRESSING THESE CAMPUS NEEDS AND UPDATING SYSTEMS WHEN NEEDED IS A PRIORITY IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN BUILDING INTEGRITY.” LISA KASSMAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR FACILITIES, PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION FOR KATY ISD Katy ISD board of trustees meets May 15 at 6301 S. Stadium Lane, Katy. Meetings are livestreamed at www.katyisd.org. MEETINGS WE COVER
students expected to be enrolled by 2032
100K+
new single-family homes within the district over the next 10 years
27,681
of the total new housing projections in that time will be single-family
60%
SOURCES: KATY ISD, POPULATION AND SURVEY ANALYSTS/COMMUNITY IMPACT
integrity,” said Lisa Kassman, executive director for facili- ties, planning and construction. The committee will present its recommendation to the board in May.
Future incentives could earn teachers $3K-$32K more per year
TIERED FUNDS
BY ASIA ARMOUR
system for its eligible teachers, Kreuz said. Eligible teachers include instructors who teach fourth through eighth grade reading and math; Algebra I and English I and II teach- ers; and life skills teachers. Special education resource instructors and in-class support teachers who teach these disciplines will also be included in the data capture. The initiative also aims to recruit and retain teachers due to a teacher shortage, Chief Human Resources Officer Brian Schuss said in an email. He said the district expects 302 vacancies next school year.
KATY ISD A subset of Katy ISD teachers could receive an extra $3,000 to $32,000 per year by the 2024-25 school year if the district’s application to join the statewide Teacher Incentive Allotment program is approved. The optional TIA program was established to secure six-figure salaries for the top 33% of teachers in the state, consultant Tammy Kreuz said at a March 27 board meeting. To receive the highest allotments in the three-tiered incentive, KISD must establish a local designation
If Katy ISD is approved for the teacher allotment system, eligible teachers would be split into three tiers through a scoring system based on student growth and teacher observation. Additional compensation per year
Recognized teachers
+$3K-$9K
Exemplary teachers
+$6K-$18K
Master teachers
+$12K-$32K
SOURCE: KATY ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
N
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17
KATY EDITION • APRIL 2023
LOCAL VOTER GUIDE GUIDE Candidates and information for local elections LOCAL VOTER GUIDE
WHERE TO VOTE
April 24 First day of early voting April 25 Last day to apply for ballot by mail (received, not postmarked) May 2 Last day of early voting DATES TO KNOW
May 6 Election day May 6 Last day to receive ballot by mail (or May 8 if carrier envelope is postmarked by 7 p.m. at location of election)
Early voting and election day polling locations in Fort Bend and Harris counties can be found on each respective county’s website.
SOURCES: CITY OF KATY, KATY ISD, LAMAR CISD, FORT BEND COUNTY, HARRIS COUNTY COMMUNITY IMPACT
SAMPLE BALLOT
VOTER TURNOUT
*Incumbent
Fort Bend County Turnout
Bruce Bradford Shawn Miller Position 4 Morgan Calhoun Erica Brettell Cicely Taylor Position 5 Mary Ellen Cuzela Shana Peterson
KATY CITY COUNCIL Ward A Cara Bonin Janet Corte* KATY ISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES Position 3 Amy Thieme
LAMAR CISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES District 4
Registered voters
May 2022
34,386
502,443
Jacci Hotzel Craig LeTulle District 5 Brian Moore Jon Welch* District 7 Suzanne Box Alex Hunt*
May 2021
17,631 Harris County May 2022
481,602
119,721 May 2021
2.5M
Only candidates in contested elections are included.
28,106
2.5M
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
2023
LOCAL VOTER GUIDE
COMPILED BY RENEE FARMER AND DANIEL WEEKS
Incumbent
Candidates were asked to keep responses under 75 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.
Katy City Council Ward A
Why are you running for Katy City Council?
If elected, what would be your top priority?
Many are feeling the growing pains associ- ated with the exponential population boom. Our current infrastructure is not performing well with the growing population. We feel it on the streets with increased tra c, lack of sidewalks and public transportation. Our tap water should be high-quality, clean drinking water. The cost of city water is rising while the quality lowers as we convert to surface water by 80%. City utilities and services must be exceptional. With the area around the city developing, public safety and tra c control are import- ant to our residents. We must continue to invest in public safety, and I fully support our rst responders. Residents want to know their homes and family are protected, and someone will be there within minutes when needed. Tra c is harder to control, and we need to [work] with surrounding ... entities, such as [Texas Department of Transportation] on mobility planning. What are some of the important issues facing Katy residents?
CARA BONIN
Occupation: Contractor Relevant experience: legislation work with state Legislature and governor; policy work with Harris County sheri , district
As a sixth-generation Katy Texan, I want to be the nonpartisan representative working for the positive changes I feel everyone deserves to have in council. My public policy directives improved through world travel, and studies of history and statesmen who believe that we the people are here to direct our government and not be subjects of it. As alderman, my priorities are to the people while protecting our rights, powers, privileges, duties and immunities. I deeply care for this town, its residents and heritage. While on council, much has been accomplished, including multiple drainage/ infrastructure projects, lowering property tax rates, fully funding public safety, and improving and adding parks. There is still more to do, and I am excited about the oppor- tunity to continue the current momentum. Going forward, I will continue focusing on these areas while preserving and protecting Katy’s small-town charm and heritage.
Expediting improvements of drainage and storage of ood water is my top priority. Residents are still living with ood damage and feel panic when we experience rainfall year-round. Old structures sink with time as the water table depletes. New developments overwhelm existing drainage paths. A more aggressive approach needs to be implement- ed in the charter and the comprehensive plan concerning restoration of existing issues and prevention of future oods. My top priority is improving drainage and repairing or replacing aging infrastructure. Residents still get nervous during heavy rains since the Tax Day Flood and Hurricane Harvey. I have worked with city sta to help identify the most a ected areas. While we have made several improvements, studies and assessments are currently underway for future projects. Once the studies are completed, the engineers and city sta will evaluate and prioritize these areas.
attorney and judges; served as Harris County Republican Precinct 639 Chair
cara4katy@gmail.com www.caraforkaty.com
JANET W. CORTE
Occupation: IT business analyst/project manager Relevant experience: 5 years service on council; project management; multi- ple volunteer roles, such as
Girl Scout leader, team mom, Boy Scout events, church youth group, school events Facebook: Janet Corte, city of Katy Council Member Ward A
www.lagunapools.com
19
KATY EDITION • APRIL 2023
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