Perfect weather and a perfect outdoor setting provided the backdrop for a forum for city council candidates on April 7, hosted by The Dryer in its community space at 5339 E. Third Street in Katy. All eight hopefuls participated in the event moderated by attorney Morgan Hybner, fielding submitted by local residents in the audience with no “pre-set” questions asked.

Candidates were At Large contenders A. J. Bailey and Paul Follis; Johnston Dietz and J. R. Richardson for Ward A; and Ward B candidates Roger Lowry, Michael Meihls, Lyn Hunter Sullivan and Michael Payne.

Opening statements included Ward B candidate Sullivan’s response to social media comments made after the recent revelation that she had been arrested and convicted on a charge of domestic abuse which was downgraded to disorderly conduct. The incident took place earlier this year while Sullivan and her husband and son were visiting Wisconsin. Sullivan, who pled guilty to the lesser charge and paid a fine according to social media reports, said that she had received an outpouring of support from the community.

After opening statements, questions were rotated among candidates, with the moderator keeping responses together for each position. Katy resident Shari Boothe asked the first question of Sullivan, wanting to know if she were elected, if Sullivan would continue to moderate a social media page. Sullivan said that she would step down from the role if advised by the city, but she said that the city attorney has told her that such a step would not be required. Payne said that he had been banned from the page which Sullivan moderates, without reason. Meihls, who said that he runs a Facebook page as does his wife, said both would be stepping down as moderators if he is elected. Richardson has already stepped down from a page he previously moderated, he said.

Asked about handling water shortages in the Katy area and the increased costs associated with water, Bailey said a collaborative conversation was needed not only with city staff but also with neighboring agencies. Follis said that ground water was gone and that the city was moving to a new system involving surface water from Lake Livingston and that, although not popular, it was going to cost more money and that there probably was not a way to bring those prices down. Dietz said water availability was not the issue and that costs were not related to consumption but to how the city was taking waste and recycling it. He added that as the city continues to grow, more wastewater processing would need to be brought online and that active conversations about how to grow the infrastructure needed to be happening now. Lowry said that residents who used more water to care for their lawns should pay more. Meihls said that the first priority was to have a pipeline to Lake Houston and then to have wells in Waller County. He said that subdivisions who use more water should pay more, recommending a use-based pricing system. Richardson said that drainage from flooding could be used as recycled water, noting the passage of a recent drainage project in Ward A. Payne said one of the biggest problems that no one was addressing was climate change and global warming. Sullivan said she would like to see discounts for retired

residents’ water bills and called for the need to educate residents on native landscaping which uses less water and helps with flood mitigation, citing Cross Creek Ranch as a successful example.

Asked about the Barlett drainage and street repair project, Dietz said that the project would take a year to a year and a half, but could not answer further details since he was not familiar with the budget and the competing bids for the project. He personally preferred asphalt for the street, he said. Richardson said once the drainage was complete, he would like to look at doing concrete for the street, noting that it drains better. Follis said that he would prefer concrete if the budget permitted. Bailey said that this question was more one for the city manager than for council.

Former city employee Kayce Heinz asked if any candidate had been found guilty of a crime, and if so, has it been within the last six months. Meihls said when 17 he was found guilty of a curfew violation. Sullivan said that a couple of months ago she had been found guilty of disorderly conduct. All other candidates said that they had not been found guilty of crimes.

Asked about obtaining more flock cameras for the city, Dietz said that he did not know what they were but would consult with the city to learn more. Richardson said that flock cameras were cameras that read license plates within neighborhoods and could be linked to the police department, and that they were very important to have and that they have helped to apprehend criminals in the area. Richardson said that he had spoken with the police chief and had identified several more locations where they could be installed. Sullivan said that she could see them being useful in the I-10 corridor but that she was hesitant about the project, citing privacy concerns. Meihls said that flock cameras can be beneficial but that they “invited in Big Brother,” although he personally liked the idea and has seen them in use in his neighborhood. Lowry said that the cameras were being used successfully to catch criminals in the Katy Mills Mall area and that he would like to see them in neighborhoods if the city was able to pick up the cost. Payne said absolutely not because it is a “major violation of our privacy.” Bailey said it was first important to get more information from the Katy police before taking a position on the issue. Follis said flock cameras were already set up and was in favor of using more, saying that KPD wanted to use more. He added that with the advent of cell phone cameras decades ago “we have no expectation of privacy so flock cameras are not going to invade your privacy any more than a cell phone camera.”

Asked about plans to support the aging population in Katy, Meihls said that the city’s senior center needed additional storage and that more programs needed to be added. Lowry praised the senior center and said he would like to see them get a bigger building. Payne said senior citizens over age 65 should not have to pay property taxes on their homes. Sullivan said she also supported tax breaks for seniors as well as waiving permitting fees for seniors doing work on their aging homes. Richardson said that there were state grant programs that could be utilized to give additional resources to senior citizens. Dietz also supported grant applications but wanted to get more engaged to learn what is needed. He also said safe sidewalks were important to senior citizens who liked to walk in their neighborhoods. Bailey said that we need to talk with seniors and understand their key issues and provide additional services such as digital literacy. Follis said he liked the idea of lowering or stopping taxes for those 65 and over, and that support and interaction with senior citizens of the community were needed.

Scoutmaster for Cub Scout troop 320 Henri Barber said that his troop in Katy has raised all of the funds to donate a monument celebrating America’s 250th anniversary to the city, which he would like to see placed at city hall. Barber said that the monument includes historical quotes from the Founding Fathers as well as the Ten Commandments and asked each candidate if they would support it. All candidates said that they would – many mentioning that Barber had already contacted them by phone. Dietz’s caveat was that “this is reflective of all of Katy” and wanted to understand if this was supported by the citizens. Sullivan said that she was curious about what it looked like but said it might infringe on religious rights. Meihls also said that he supported the idea but would like to see the city attorney sign off on it. Follis said that he had done some research on the issue that there was precedent allowing the monument if historical information was included. Bailey said that he wanted to talk with constituents before providing an answer.

The last question of the evening asked if candidates were in favor of opening the civic center for public rental. Bailey said he would want to talk with constituents before providing an answer. Follis said he would support usage of the center by groups other than the city but would want to ensure the property was taken care of, requiring deposits and repayment for any repairs due to damage caused during the events. Lowry said he had no problem opening it to the public but that the facility was not that large and did not have much parking. Sullivan said she had no problem opening it to the public as long as there was liability insurance, deposits to cover damage, payments to city staff for their time and solutions to other logistical issues. Meihls said that if the center wasn’t going to be rented out, it needed to be renamed. He recommended using it for limited groups such as HOAs and Scouts. Payne said the center should be open for small events as an affordable option for residents. Richardson said the Convention and Tourism Board helped to provide funding for the building through the hotel occupancy tax and that it was built for public use, adding that it should be reserved for the City of Katy only and not the greater Katy area. He said that such usage could bring more people downtown. Dietz said renting out the facility created an opportunity here for a new revenue stream for the city.

Candidate then made their closing statements.

The city council election is May 2. Early voting by personal appearance will be available weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday, April 20 through Tuesday, April 28 and Saturday, April 25. For more information, including a list of polling places, please visit https://www.cityofkaty.com/government/city-departments/city-secretary/elections.