History was made at the January 26 meeting of Katy’ city council, as Dana Massey was appointed as interim fire chief of the Katy Fire Department in a unanimous vote. Massey is the first female fire chief in the city’s history. She will assume the chief role beginning at noon February 2 until a replacement is named, according to agenda documents.

Massey, who has served as Assistant Fire Chief of EMS/Training at Katy Fire Department for over 20 years, started as a firefighter and worked her way up to her current position. She was named the Employee of the Year in 2021, according to the city’s website. Massey replaces Chief Kenneth Parker, who is retiring. Parker has been with the department since 2014 and became chief in 2020, when he replaced Rusty Wilson, who left to lead the Mesquite Fire Department.

Council also approved the purchase of a 1.304-acre tract of land near Texas Heritage Marketplace at the corner of Pederson Road and Texas Heritage Parkway at a cost or $227,248.00 for a new Katy Police Department and Katy Fire Department substation. ”The substation will reduce fire/EMS response time to the western city limits (Young Ranch) and IH10 west, and provide more space for Katy Police,” said Mayor Pro Tem Chris Harris in a subsequent post on Facebook. “Construction will start as the development progresses, [and we] would expect one year to start construction.”

A major drainage improvement project was also approved unanimously, awarding a $4,959,061.25 contract to AAA Asphalt Paving for the improvements to the West Katy area. Councilmember Janet Corte posted on Facebook on January 26 that the project start date is approximately March 9 and it should be completed by Christmas. Digging could be on the side or down the middle of the streets so there will probably be times where there are flagmen out directing traffic, Corte said in the post. The majority of the work will start at south end of the neighborhood and does include work in the area east of Bartlett (Dollins and Shetland), she said

“I have lived in this neighborhood for 47 years and this is the first big project I can remember,” Corte said.

Council also approved a proposal for engineering design and construction phase services for an asphalt overlay project along East Fourth Street and Airline Drive, the Heritage Drive storm pipe relining phase one project, sanitary sewer rehabilitation project on Franz Road, a water line replacement project on East Third and striping improvement projects.

Eight public speakers spoke during public comments. Hadi (Andrew) Nurcayha, developer of The Dryer, asked for the city’s help in getting permits for his project (see related story on page one). Angela King, community engagement coordinator for Harris County Precinct 4, addressed improvements to the

county-owned Mary Jo Peckham Park at 5597 Gardenia in Katy. A local Scoutmaster outlined a proposal for a donation of a Ten Commandments monument to the city in celebration of America’s 250th birthday.

The next meeting of city council will be on February 9 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 901 Avenue C in Katy.