Two municipal utility district bond measures totaling nearly $9 million, the acceptance of Federal Emergency Management Agency grant assistance, a $3.6 million contract to build a second fire station and the purchase of new fire equipment were approved at Monday’s Katy City Council meeting. Here are the details:
- The council approved two bonds for Harris-Waller Counties MUD No. 3, located on the west side of the city, north of Highway Boulevard. The first bond for $3,290,000 will support road improvements, while the second will fund day to day operations, city attorney Arthur Pertile III said.
2. The council accepted the first of multiple grant payments from FEMA to reimburse the city for emergency operations associated with Tropical Storm Harvey. City finance director, Becky Wilkins, said the payment is just a percentage of what the city expects. The funding will help cover the cost of rescues and other actions by first responders during the emergency. An exact amount of the grant is unknown.
3. A contract for $3,650,828 to build Fire Station 2 for the Katy Fire Department was approved. Bass Construction Company out of Rosenberg, Texas, was awarded the contract to build the station, which was designed by Slattery Tackett Architects, LLC. Fire Chief Russell Wilson expects the station to open in late 2018, he said.
4. The purchase of a portable skid unit to improve KFD’s ability to respond to small outdoor fires was approved for $22,343. The skid unit will consist of a portable water tank that can be mounted to the department’s new high water vehicle, which will diversify the vehicle’s use. The vehicle itself cost about $5,000. Wilson said that buying the rig will save the city money because a skid truck can cost $80,000 or more.
