It may be hot and dry – but water management was very much on the minds of the City of Katy’s city council in their October 13 meeting.

A bid for a new water well – No. 11 == was approved for $5,807,700.00, bringing the project cost to $6.3 million. The new well will add about 20 percent to the city’s water capacity, officials said.

In a unanimous vote, council members also approved a resolution awarding a $1,142,703.63 bid for the Village Green West Draining Improvements project. Mayor Pro Tem Chris Harris called the project the last phase of the post-Hurricane Harvey flood control projects.

Council members approved an agreement to meet the state obligation of surface water supply with the West Harris County Regional Water Authority (WCHRWA).

The purchase of a new fire truck for $2.0 million was also approved.

In other action, council approved:

· Bids for two parking lot improvements – one for $361,690.00 for the municipal lot at 5432 Franz and another for $651,725.00 for lots at Second Street and Avenue D.

· Adoption of IT policies regarding artificial intelligence (AI) and information security.

· Amendment of traffic ordinances in the neighborhood of the 26300 block of Prairie School Lane, to facilitate enforcement of parking restrictions near a neighborhood school.

Mayor Thiele also recognized October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and October 23 as “Purple Thursday” in the City of Katy, through a special proclamation presented to representatives from Katy Christian Ministries and Brookshire-based Her Well.

The next meeting of city council is October 27 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 901 Avenue C in Katy.