It was another historic milestone for the City of Katy at the June 22 meeting of city council, as Dana Massey was appointed and sworn in as the city’s first female fire chief.

Massey has served the department for over 28 years, Mayor Dusty Thiele said. She was appointed as interim fire chief on January 26, after former chief Kenneth Parker retired. Following the swearing in by Municipal Court Judge Jeffrey Brasher, Massey and the members of the Katy Fire Department participated in a “walk out” ceremony outside City Hall as city officials and attendees looked on. The ceremony signifies Massey’s assumption of the command role.

Council also approved updates to existing animal control ordinances, removing the annual animal licensing requirement and requiring microchipping of dogs and cats within the city limits. City of Katy residents may get their pets microchipped at no charge, Animal Services Supervisor Kaitlin Loewen said. The ordinance changes also update fees for animal adoption. Loewen gave an update on the department’s improvements in reuniting pets with their owners, getting animals adopted, placing of animals in foster care, and transferring animals to local rescue groups. The number of days that animals spend in the city’s shelter has also been reduced, Loewen said.

A tourism grant of $150,000 to Wildhorse Sports Management was also approved, in order to support a Lone Star Series women’s basketball tournament planned for December 4-6, 2026, at the Merrell Center, 6301 S. Stadium Lane in Katy. The funds granted by the Convention and Tourism Bureau are to be used for tourism-related advertising and promotion of the City of Katy and vicinity, according to agenda documents. Tom Burnett, a spokesperson for the promoter, said that the college-level basketball series will host TCU versus The University of Texas. The Merrell Center can seat about 5,600 for such an event, Burnett said. Other activities surrounding the event are still being planned, he said, but could potentially include a fan fest (weather permitting), a youth basketball clinic, and a three-point shootout contest with Katy ISD involvement, subject to compliance with UIL rules. Wildhorse Sports Management plans to bring similar tournaments to Katy in future years, Burnett said.

In other action, council approved funds for emergency repairs to Woods Road and Igloo Road. A number of appointments were made to city boards, including Planning and Zoning, Zoning Board of Adjustment, and the Katy Development Authority, among others.

The next meeting of city council will be held at 6:30 p.m. on July 13 at City Hall, 901 Avenue C, Katy.