[CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:04]
>> I NOW DECLARE THAT THE PLANO CITY COUNCIL HAS RECONVENED IN OPEN SESSION, THAT ALL MEMBERS ARE PRESENT.
WE'LL BEGIN TONIGHT'S REGULAR MEETING WITH THE INVITATION LED BY MINISTER DERICK SLEDGE WITH NORTHEAST BIBLE CHURCH IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND TEXAS PLEDGE LED BY GIRL SCOUT TROOP 5916 WITH SHEPHERD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
WOULD YOU PLEASE RISE? STAND BEHIND.
>> HEAVENLY FATHER, I COME TO YOU IN THE MOST HIGH AND BLESSED NAME OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.
YOUR SON WHOM YOU GAVE TO US FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF OUR TRANSGRESSIONS.
I PRAY ON BEHALF OF ALL THESE CITY OFFICIALS WHOM YOU HAVE SEEN FIT TO INSTALL IN PUBLIC OFFICE.
GRANT THEM WISDOM TO GOVERN SAFETY AS THEY SERVE AND PROSPERITY IN THEIR RESPECTIVE ROLES THAT YOU HAVE ENTRUSTED TO THEM.
I OFFER THIS PETITION TO YOU FOR YOUR SERVANTS.
I PRAY THAT YOU WOULD GIVE THEM THE WISDOM OF KING SOLOMON, THE COURAGE OF KING DAVID, AND THE LOVE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS THEY SERVE THE CITIZENS OF THE GREAT CITY OF PLANO.
I PRAY LIKEWISE FOR THOSE WHO SERVE ALONG EACH OF THESE COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I ALSO PRAY FOR OTHER PUBLIC SERVANTS HERE IN THE CITY OF PLANO, LIKE THE POLICE CHIEF, AND THE FIRE CHIEF.
FINALLY, I PRAY FOR ALL THOSE WHO ARE IN ATTENDANCE HERE AT THIS MEETING THIS EVENING.
GRANT THEM ALL LIVES THAT ALIGN WITH THE DICTATES OF YOUR HOLY WORD IN ALL WAYS.
CAUSE THEIR ASPIRATIONS, AGENDAS, AND ACTIONS AS PUBLIC SERVANTS AND CITIZENS OF PLANO TO BRING GLORY TO YOUR GREAT AND HOLY NAME.
IN PROVERBS 14 AND VERSE 34, YOU TELL US RIGHTEOUSNESS EXALTS A NATION, BUT SIN IS A REPROACH TO ANY PEOPLE.
CAUSE YOUR SERVANTS HERE IN PLANO TO PURSUE RIGHTEOUSNESS IN ALL OF THEIR POLITICAL ENDEAVORS.
GIVE THEM MINDS AND HEARTS TO PRACTICE CIVILITY AND HOW THEY COMMUNICATE AND INTERACT WITH EACH OTHER AND THEIR CONSTITUENTS.
GRANT THAT THEIR MEETING BE PRODUCTIVE, RESPECTFUL, AND SOLUTION ORIENTED.
I OFFER THIS PRAYER TO YOU ON BEHALF OF YOUR SERVANTS IN THE BLESSED NAME OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST, AMEN.
>> I DO REMEMBER. YOU GO TO SHEPHERD?
>> THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO KNOW. WELL, THEN WHAT HAPPENS IF I RUN OUT? I'M GOOD. WOULD YOU GUYS TAKE A PICTURE WITH ME?
[00:05:29]
>> WE'RE GOING TO RETURN BACK TO COVER A COUPLE OF ITEMS IN THE PRELIMINARY OPEN MEETING.
FIRST ITEM IS ON THE PRELIMINARY AGENDA IS CONSIDERATION ACTION RESULTING FROM THE EXECUTIVE SESSION.
THE FIRST ONE IS THE ANIMAL SHELTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
THAT'S DEPUTY MAYOR PRO TEM AND COUNCIL MEMBER LEVI.
>> MY WORDING IS HERE. BUT WE HAVE TWO VACANCIES, INCLUDING A VETERINARIANS.
IF THERE'S ANY VETERINARIANS OUT THERE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SERVE ON THE ANIMAL ADVISORY, WE'D LIKE TO ANNOUNCE THAT THERE'S TWO VACANCIES.
>> ARE YOU GOING TO REAPPOINT MR. SULLIVAN?
>> I'M SO SORRY. YES. OF COURSE, WE WANT TO REAPPOINT JOHN SULLIVAN. YES.
>> YOU GO? JULIE, IS THAT A MOTION?
>> THAT IS A MOTION. I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO REAPPOINT JOHN SULLIVAN, AND THEY WILL HAVE, HOW MANY?
>> IN TWO OPENINGS WHEN WE REAPPOINT OUR COMMISSION.
I HAVE A MOTION IN A SECOND. ARE WE GOING TO DO A HAND? ALL IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR HAND.
THE NEXT ITEM IS THE PLANO IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION BOARD REAPPOINTMENTS.
WE HAVE CITY MANAGER MARK ISRAELSON AND STANDING DIRECTOR DENISE TACKY, AND THIS WILL BE TO APPOINT JACK CARR AS A APPOINTED DIRECTOR.
I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPOINT JACK CARR TO THE PLANO IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION BOARD.
THANK YOU. I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPOINT JACK CARR TO THE PLANO IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION BOARD.
ALL IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR HAND.
NEXT ITEM IS THE CONSENT AND REGULAR AGENDAS.
DOES ANY COUNCIL MEMBER LIKE TO REMOVE AN ITEM? SORRY. GO AHEAD. COUNCIL MEMBER DOWNS. GO AHEAD.
>> ITEM NUMBER L FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA.
>> MAYOR, STAFF WILL ALSO BE PULLING ITEM I OFF OF THE AGENDA TONIGHT.
>> WE'RE PULLING ITEM L AND ITEM I.
LET'S MOVE ON BACK TO THE REGULAR AGENDA TO COMMENTS OF PUBLIC INTEREST.
[COMMENTS OF PUBLIC INTEREST]
>> COMMENTS OF PUBLIC INTEREST.
THIS PORTION OF THE MEETING IS TO ALLOW UP TO THREE MINUTES PER SPEAKER WITH 30 TOTAL MINUTES ON ITEMS OF INTEREST OR CONCERN AND NOT ON ITEMS THAT ARE ON THE CURRENT AGENDA.
THE COUNCIL MAY NOT DISCUSS THESE ITEMS BUT MAY RESPOND WITH FACTUAL OR POLICY INFORMATION.
THE COUNCIL MAY CHOOSE TO PLACE THE ITEM ON A FUTURE AGENDA.
WE DO HAVE NINE SPEAKERS THIS EVENING.
THE FIRST ONE IS FARIDA QUADRI.
THE SECOND ONE IS JOHN FLORIO.
[00:10:01]
>> I'M AT THE AGE WHERE I HATE TO ADMIT THAT I NEED THESE, BUT I DO.
I WANTED TO START OFF WITH THANKING THE COUNCIL FOR THE ACTION THEY TOOK A FEW MONTHS AGO REGARDING BANNING SHORT TERM RENTALS IN SINGLE FAMILY NEIGHBORHOODS.
WHAT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT TODAY IS NOT THAT, BUT A ZONING LAW THAT WE HAVE ON THE BOOKS REGARDING BOARDING AND ROOMING HOUSES IN SINGLE FAMILY NEIGHBORHOODS.
IT'S BASICALLY TURNED OUR FORMERLY QUIET CUL-DE-SAC INTO WHAT'S BASICALLY BECOME A GLORIFIED APARTMENT COMPLEX.
TO ME, THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT IT IS. HERE'S AN AD.
THEY'RE NOT HIDING THE FACT THAT THEY ARE USING THIS PROPERTY TO RENT OUT NINE ROOMS IN VIOLATION OF THIS CODE.
SOME OF THE ISSUES WITH THESE TYPE OF ESTABLISHMENTS, AND WE'VE SEEN SOME WITH THE STRS, DRUGS AND OTHER ILLEGAL ACTIVITY, IN SOME CASES, UNFORTUNATELY, THAT'S INVOLVED SHOOTINGS OR OTHER VIOLENCE, A LOT OF COMINGS AND GOINGS AND DISTURBANCES, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT, AND I HAVE WITNESSED THAT IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
EXCESSIVE TRASH, WHICH SEEMS PETTY, HOWEVER, I HAVE FOUND TRASH FROM THAT HOUSE IN OUR TRASH BIN, AND THE REASON THIS IS A BIG DEAL IS IF THERE'S A CRIME COMMITTED, THE AUTHORITIES ARE KNOWN FOR LOOKING IN THE TRASH TO FIND EVIDENCE.
THEY WILL STOP AT NOTHING. IF THEY FIND SOMETHING LIKE THAT IN MY TRASH, I'M GOING TO HAVE SOME EXPLAINING TO DO, AND I HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT.
I'M JUST MINDING MY OWN BUSINESS.
REALLY, ONE OF THE BIG THINGS THAT GETS OVERLOOKED IS PARKING VIOLATIONS.
THE STREET LOOKS LIKE A USED CAR LOT, BLOCKING FIRE HYDRANTS, SIDEWALKS, MAILBOXES.
BUT THE BIGGER ISSUE IS EMERGENCY VEHICLES.
IF AN EMERGENCY VEHICLE NEEDS TO RESPOND TO ANY OF THE HOUSES ON OUR SIDE OF THE STREET, THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE A HARDER TIME GETTING IN THERE.
MY MOM LIVES WITH US, AND EVERY DAY, I WONDER, IS THIS A DAY I HAVE TO CALL EMERGENCY SERVICES, AND I JUST HOPE THAT THERE WAS NOT AN ISSUE WITH THEM TRYING TO REACH OUR HOUSE.
I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO THE PROPERTY STANDARDS SEVERAL TIMES ALONG WITH MY OTHER NEIGHBORS, WHICH SEVERAL OF THEM ARE HERE TODAY, AND WE HAVE NOT GOTTEN ANY ACTION AT ALL, WHICH IS ONE OF THE REASONS I'M HERE ESCALATING THIS TO THE CITY COUNCIL.
THE ANSWERS I'VE RECEIVED IS, WELL, PROPERTY RIGHTS.
WELL, WHAT ABOUT THE PROPERTY RIGHTS? IT SEEMS LIKE WE'RE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THE PROPERTY RIGHTS OF THIS OWNER, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER 15 PEOPLE WHO LIVE ON THE STREET? OUR PROPERTY VALUES ARE DIMINISHED BECAUSE OF THAT.
BASICALLY, THAT'S ONE OF THE ROLES OF GOVERNMENT AND WHY ZONING LAWS WERE CREATED IS TO MANAGE RIGHTS.
WE HAVE COMMERCIAL AND MULTIFAMILY ZONING.
PEOPLE THAT WANT TO BUY OR BUILD AN ESTABLISHMENT LIKE THIS CAN APPLY FOR A PERMIT IN A COMMERCIAL OR MULTIFAMILY ZONED [INAUDIBLE] DO THIS.
>> MR. FLORIO, I APPRECIATE THAT.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS JESSICA SAXTON.
I'M A CIVIL RIGHTS ADVOCATE AND LITIGATOR FROM WASHINGTON, DC.
I'M HERE TO PROVIDE PUBLIC NOTICE TO YOU.
THIS IS IN ACCORDANCE WITH USCS RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE, AS WELL AS RULE 17 AND RULE 20 OF THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT.
THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IS THE OVERARCHING REQUIREMENTS THAT EVERY STATE MUST FOLLOW.
I DON'T THINK ANYONE HERE WILL DISAGREE WITH THAT.
STATES CANNOT ENACT THEIR OWN ALTERNATIVE LEGISLATION AS SUBSTITUTED FOR THE GUARANTEES OF THE CONSTITUTION.
THAT WOULD MEAN THAT YOUR STATE LAWS ARE, IN FACT, MORE POWERFUL THAN THE CONSTITUTION, AND THAT IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
CLAUSE 1 OF AMENDMENT 5 STATES THAT NO PERSON SHOULD BE HELD TO ANSWER FOR A CAPITAL OR OTHERWISE INFAMOUS CRIME UNLESS ON PRESENTMENT BY INDICTMENT OR A GRAND JURY.
HOWEVER, THE STATE OF TEXAS, UNFORTUNATELY, HAS ENACTED ITS OWN ALTERNATIVE LEGISLATION THAT PERMITS PROSECUTING ATTORNEY AND POLICE OFFICERS WHO CHARGE BY WAY OF INFORMATION AS OPPOSED TO INDICTMENT.
EMOLUMENT VIOLATION IS WHEN YOU PAY A PUBLIC OFFICIAL TO COMMIT A CRIME.
THERE ARE TWO AREAS OF THE CONSTITUTION THAT ENFORCES THIS.
THE FIRST IS ARTICLE 1, SECTION 10, WHERE IT STATES THAT NO STATE SHALL CREATE ANY LAW THAT SHALL IMPAIR THE OBLIGATION OF CONTRACT, SO POLICE OFFICERS, YOUR PROSECUTORS, YOUR JUDGES, THEY'RE ALL UNDER A CONTRACT, A CONTRACT TO PERFORM BASED ON THE OATH OR AFFIRMATION THAT THEY TOOK.
THE CONTRACT PERIMETERS ARE IN FACT DEFINED WITHIN THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.
WHEN A STATE ENACTS ITS OWN LAW AND DIRECTS THEIR AGENTS TO DISOBEY THAT LAW, THAT IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
[00:15:04]
THE 14TH AMENDMENT IS THE OTHER AREA WHERE YOU FIND THE REINFORCEMENT OF THIS, AND THAT STATES THAT NO STATE SHALL CREATE OR ENFORCE ANY LAW THAT SHALL ABRIDGE THE PRIVILEGES OR IMMUNITIES OF UNITED STATES CITIZENS.PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES OF UNITED STATES CITIZENS ARE AT A MINIMUM, THOSE THAT ARE ENUMERATED IN THE BILL OF RIGHTS AND THE FIRST 10 AMENDMENTS.
THE STATE OF TEXAS, AGAIN, UNFORTUNATELY, HAS ENACTED A LAW THAT IS IN ITS INFERIOR CONSTITUTION THAT IS PERMITTING PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT WHOM YOU ALL PAY TO VIOLATE THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.
AS A RESULT, THERE'S AN INORDINATE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE IN PRISON UNCONSTITUTIONALLY AND ILLEGALLY HERE IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.
MR. TANOA DOWNING IS PREPARING TO LITIGATE THIS AT THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT ON BEHALF OF MORE THAN 700,000 PEOPLE CURRENTLY IN PRISON HERE IN AMERICA UNCONSTITUTIONALLY AND UNLAWFULLY.
I'M HERE TODAY TO NOTIFY YOU THAT IF YOU CONTINUE TO PAY PUBLIC OFFICIALS TO BREAK THE LAW, THAT CRIMINAL SANCTIONS CAN COME FROM THAT. WE DON'T WANT THAT.
WE DON'T BELIEVE THAT THAT'S THE PATH THAT ANYONE WANTS TO GO.
NONETHELESS, OFFICIALS MUST BE MADE AWARE THAT PAYING PEOPLE TO DISOBEY THE LAW IS AN EMOLUMENT VIOLATION, IT IS ILLEGAL, IT IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL, AND IT IS A CRIME.
I'M ASKING YOU HONORABLE INDIVIDUALS TODAY, PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT CLAUSE 1, AMENDMENT 5.
CONFIRM WHAT I'M SAYING TO BE TRUE AND DIRECT YOUR PUBLIC OFFICIALS TO ACT IN A LAWFUL, CONSTITUTIONAL MANNER, CONSISTENT WITH THE OBLIGATIONS THAT ARE CODIFIED IN THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.
I DO HAVE A NOTICE THAT I WOULD LIKE TO PUT ON THE RECORD. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS TANOA DOWNING.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS TANOA DOWNING.
I'M THE CIVIL RIGHTS LITIGATOR THAT MISS SAXON WAS JUST TALKING ABOUT.
I WANT TO PROVIDE JUST A LITTLE BIT OF CLARIFICATION SO THAT WE CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT IT IS THAT JUST HAPPENED.
IF THE PUBLIC OFFICIALS, YOUR LAW ENFORCEMENT, IF THEY'RE GOING OUT AND THEY'RE RELYING UPON AN INFERIOR STATE STATUTE, STATE OF TEXAS STATUTE THAT PERMITS THEM TO CHARGE BY WAY OF INFORMATION, NOT INDICTMENT, THAT IS ILLEGAL.
THAT IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL, BECAUSE THE CONSTITUTION REQUIRES THE INDICTMENT BY A GRAND JURY.
SO NOW THERE'S A CRIME CALLED DEPRIVATION OF RIGHTS UNDER COLOR LAW, TITLE 18 SUBSECTION 242.
WHAT THAT STATES IS THAT ANY PERSON WHO, UNDER THE COLOR OF ANY STATE STATUTE, ORDINANCE, CUSTOM, OR REGULATION, DEPRIVES ANY PERSON OF ANY RIGHTS SECURED BY THE CONSTITUTION, COMMITS THAT CRIME.
SO THIS IS A PER SE CRIME, WHICH MEANS THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO PROVE THAT THEY INTENDED TO BREACH THEIR OBLIGATION.
SIMPLY BY VIRTUE OF THE BREACH, ALL ELEMENTS OF CRIME HAVE BEEN MET BECAUSE THEIR WILLFULNESS AND KNOWLEDGE DERIVES FROM A PROMISE THEY MAKE.
WHEN YOU MAKE A PROMISE THAT YOU WILL FULFILL A FUTURE OUTCOME, YOU MUST FULFILL THAT.
IF YOU DON'T, THEN YOU'VE ALREADY IMPLICITLY INVITED PUNISHMENT IN THE FORM OF PERJURY, SHOULD YOU FAIL TO FULFILL THE PROMISE.
WE'RE NOT HERE TO GET ANYBODY INTO TROUBLE.
THAT'S NOT WHAT THIS IS ABOUT.
THIS ABOUT BRINGING AWARENESS TO AN ISSUE THAT REALLY NEEDS TO BE CHANGED.
BUT WHEN THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER THEN ARRESTS THE INDIVIDUAL, UNCONSTITUTIONALLY, TAKES IT TO A JUDICIAL OFFICER, AND ASKS THAT JUDGE TO HOLD THE PERSON OVER FOR THAT OFFENSE, THAT JUDGE ALSO HAS A DUTY AND RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE THAT THE POWER THAT HE EXERCISES IS CONSISTENT WITH HIS CONSTITUTIONAL OBLIGATIONS.
SO WHEN HE CHOOSES TO CONSPIRE BY IN BETWEEN THE OFFICER, NOW YOU HAVE ANOTHER CRIME.
IT'S CALLED CONSPIRACY TO DEPRIVE OF RIGHTS AS TITLE 18 SUBSECTION 241.
THESE TWO CRIMES COMPOSED RESULTS IN A JUDGMENT OR AN OUTCOME THAT IS WHOLLY AND FACTUALLY UNCONSTITUTIONAL BECAUSE IT DERIVES FROM THAT UNCONSTITUTIONAL REST.
NOW, I KNOW THAT YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO GO TO YOUR CITY ATTORNEY AFTER THIS.
YOU'RE GOING TO ASK THEM, IS THIS TRUE? IS WHAT HE'S SAYING REAL? THAT CITY ATTORNEY'S GOING TO SAY TO YOU, "WELL, NO, NOT REALLY." THEY'RE GOING TO POINT TO A CASE FROM 1884 CALLED HURTADO V CALIFORNIA FROM THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT.
BEFORE YOU GUYS CHOOSE TO RELY UPON THAT AS THE FOUNDATION, I WANT TO REMIND YOU THAT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IS THE FOUNDATION, NOT A JUDGE MADE RULING.
SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES HAS NO CONSTITUTED AUTHORITY TO BE ABLE TO ALTER AMEND OR DESTROY ANY OF THE PROVISIONS OR GUARANTEES CONSTITUTION, BECAUSE IT MUST BE DONE BY AN AUTHENTIC ACT OF PEOPLE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SPECIAL MEANING PROCEDURE OF ARTICLE 5.
ANY OTHER WAY, IT WOULD BE AN UNCONSTITUTIONAL ACT.
FURTHERMORE, JUDGES HAVE NO AUTHORITY TO BE ABLE TO LEGISLATE. WE ALL KNOW THAT.
THAT'S BECAUSE THE SEPARATION OF POWERS DEFINED WITHIN THE CONSTITUTION UNITED STATES, CLAUSE 1 ARTICLE 1, SAYS, ALL LEGISLATIVE POWER IS VESTED IN A CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES CONSISTING OF A SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
LET ME BE CLEAR. I'M NOT TRYING TO CHANGE THE LAWS.
RATHER I'M POINTING OUT WHAT THE LAWS STATE, AND THAT THE WAYS IN WHICH THEY'RE BEING ENFORCED DIRECTLY CONTRADICT WITH WHAT IS SPECIFIED.
THEREFORE, I'M NOT TRYING TO CHANGE THE LAWS.
>> RATHER I'M ASKING THAT WE UPHOLD THEM.
IF THE LAWS STATE THAT SOMETHING WILL BE DONE IN A CERTAIN WAY, WE MUST FOLLOW THAT WAY.
LAWS DO NOT CHANGE ARBITRARILY. THAT IS TYRANNY.
CONSTITUTIONALISM DEMANDS THAT THE LAWS EVOLVE ONLY THROUGH SUFFRAGE.
THEREFORE, IT'S UP TO THE PEOPLE TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT THE CONSTITUTION APPLIES TO THEM, AND NOT A JUDGE OR A STATE.
THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH. GOD BLESS.
[00:20:11]
THE NEXT SPEAKER.WE'LL MOVE ON TO THE NEXT ONE, WHO WILL BE JOINING US VIA ZOOM.
>> GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL MEMBERS AND ATTENDEES.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TONIGHT.
MY NAME IS HEATHER HARDER, AND I'M A RESIDENT OF PLANO.
I'M A GRADUATE SOCIAL WORK STUDENT WHO'S DOING MY INTERNSHIP AT PLANO ISD.
DURING MY TIME THERE THIS PAST YEAR, I NOTICED A GROWING NEED AMONG THE STUDENTS FOR SUFFICIENT NUTRITION.
WHILE PLANO IS OFTEN SEEN AS A PROSPEROUS CITY, THE REALITY IS THAT OVER 130,000 PEOPLE IN COLLIN COUNTY ARE FOOD INSECURE, INCLUDING THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES RIGHT HERE IN PLANO.
AT MEADOWS ELEMENTARY, AT SCHOOL IN PLANO ISD, STAFF HAVE SHARED THAT DURING SCHOOL BREAKS, LIKE SUMMER AND SPRING BREAK, THEY'VE GONE FROM FEEDING 10 OR 15 FAMILIES A DAY TO OVER 100 FAMILIES DAILY.
THIS HIGHLIGHTS ONE OF THE MOST URGENT GAPS IN SERVICE IN PLANO, WHICH IS CHILDREN WHO DEPEND ON SCHOOL MEALS, OFTEN GO HUNGRY DURING WEEKENDS, HOLIDAYS, AND SUMMER MONTHS.
PROGRAMS LIKE LOVEPACS DO IMPORTANT WORK TO FILL THOSE GAPS, BUT THEY SIMPLY CAN'T KEEP UP WITH THE NEED.
WE ALSO SEE GEOGRAPHIC DISPARITIES ACROSS THE CITY.
EAST PLANO AND OLDER NEIGHBORHOODS OFTEN HAVE FEWER FOOD PANTRIES, AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION REMAINS A MAJOR BARRIER FOR RESIDENTS TO ACCESS BASIC GROCERIES.
THE NORTH TEXAS FOOD BANK AND ITS PARTNERS ARE DOING ALL THEY CAN, BUT THEY NEED STRONGER SUPPORT.
I URGE THE CITY TO INCREASE FUNDING AND SUPPORT FOR THE NORTH TEXAS FOOD BANK, ESPECIALLY IN AREAS WITH THE HIGHEST NEED, CREATE OR EXPAND MOBILE FOOD PANTRIES IN UNDERSERVED NEIGHBORHOODS AND HELP RAISE AWARENESS SO FAMILIES KNOW WHERE THEY CAN TURN TO WHEN THEY NEED HELP.
LET'S ENSURE THAT NO CHILD IN PLANO GOES HUNGRY BECAUSE SCHOOL IS CLOSED, AND THAT EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD HAS ACCESS TO FRESH HEALTHY FOOD. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS ANGEL [INAUDIBLE].
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS ANGEL RIBO.
I'M A STUDENT AT PLANO WEST SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL.
I WOULD LIKE TO PREFACE THIS BY SAYING THAT I KNOW THIS IS VERY FAR FROM THE USUAL BUDGETS OR LEGAL TECHNICALITIES THAT ARE DISCUSSED HERE.
BUT IN FRONT OF ME, I SEE 11 PEOPLE, AND ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE HAVE THE POWER TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS AND HELP FIX AN ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN PLAGUING OUR COMMUNITY.
IN NOVEMBER OF 2023, PLANO ISD SCHOOL BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENT TERESA WILLIAMS OVERTURNED 98% OF THE INTERNAL REVIEWS DONE BY PISD LIBRARIANS, ENGLISH TEACHERS, AND OTHER EDUCATORS TO BAN BOOKS FROM PISC LIBRARIES.
THIS DECISION WAS A RESPONSE TO CRIES TO BAN LITERATURE WITH MATURE THEMES INITIATED BY A GROUP OF NON PLANO RESIDENTS FROM THE ORGANIZATION CITIZENS DEFENDING FREEDOM.
DESPITE HAVING ZERO REASON TO MEDDLE IN THE AFFAIRS OF A SCHOOL SYSTEM THAT THEIR CHILDREN DO NOT ATTEND, IN A CITY THAT THEY DO NOT LIVE IN, A GROUP WITH CLEAR, ARBITRARY, RELIGIOUS MOTIVATIONS, WHICH IS DEDICATED TO EDUCATING THE AMERICAN CITIZEN ON THE VALUE OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST, INFLUENCE PISD TO MAKE A DECISION THAT CONTINUES TO IMPACT STUDENTS IN PLANO TODAY.
SINCE THEN, NOVELS LIKE THE BLUEST EYE BY TONI MORRISON, A NARRATIVE ON THE TOXICITY OF SOCIAL SOCIETAL BEAUTY STANDARDS AND ANTI BLACK RACISM, HAVE BEEN TAKEN OFF OF THE SHELVES WITH NO INPUT FROM THE COMMUNITY.
WHILE I DO AGREE WITH THE EFFORT TO RESTRICT ACCESS TO PORNOGRAPHIC MATERIAL, CONSIDERING THE LEGISLATURE THAT IS ALREADY IN PLACE TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM THAT, THESE NOVELS ARE FAR FROM GRATUITOUS.
INSTEAD, ALLEGED SEXUAL THEMES HAVE BEEN UTILIZED AS A TOOL TO SYSTEMATICALLY DISPOSE OF TEXTS THAT COVER THE UNCOMFORTABLE TOPIC OF CONFRONTING THE VIOLENCE THAT HAS BEEN PERPETRATED AGAINST BLACK, INDIGENOUS, QUEER, ASIAN AND LATIN COMMUNITIES, NOT ONLY IN PLANO, BUT THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.
THE TRUTH IS THAT DISCOMFORT SHOULD NEVER BECOME A REASON TO RUN FROM THESE TRUTHS.
OUR SCHOOLS SHOULD BE SPACES WHERE STUDENTS ARE TRUSTED WITH THE COMPLEXITY OF ISSUES IN THE WORLD.
[00:25:02]
ARBITRARILY SHIELDING THEM FROM STORIES THAT CONFRONT SYSTEMIC INJUSTICE DOES NOT PROTECT THEM. IT DISARMS THEM.WHEN STUDENTS ENGAGE WITH LITERATURE THAT REFLECTS REAL WORLD PAIN, STORIES LIKE THE ONES THAT TONI MORRISON SHARES, THEY'RE ABLE TO BECOME NOT ONLY MORE INFORMED ADVOCATES, BUT ALSO PROPER CITIZENS OF THE WORLD AROUND THEM, CITIZENS THAT UNDERSTAND HOW THE WORLD WORKS, WHAT GOES INTO IT, AND WHAT WE SHOULD DO TO MAKE IT A BETTER PLACE FOR EVERYBODY.
THIS IS NOT A CAUSE FOR THE DEFENSE OF ONE SPECIFIC NOVEL, BUT AGAINST THE DECISIONS THAT WERE MADE IN NOVEMBER OF 2023 THAT WERE IGNORED.
WE SHOULD NOT LET ONE ARBITRARY DECISION MADE IN THE FACE OF PRESSURE FROM A GROUP WHO DOES NOT REPRESENT THE FEELINGS OF STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS IN OUR CITY TO CONTINUE TO ERASE TEXTS THAT ARE CENTRAL, AND EDUCATING STUDENTS TO BE BETTER PEOPLE IN THE FUTURE.
DO NOT OVERLOOK THIS ARBITRARY INCIDENT THAT LED TO THE BANNING OF OVER 50 BOOKS.
WE SHOULD TAKE THEM BACK TO THE BOARD, REVISE THIS, AND RE-EVALUATE WHETHER OR NOT THESE BOOKS SHOULD EVEN HAVE BEEN BANNED IN THE FIRST PLACE. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS RISHA [INAUDIBLE].
MY NAME IS RISHA [INAUDIBLE], AND I AM A RISING SENIOR AT PLANO WEST SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL.
I'VE LIVED IN PLANO MY ENTIRE LIFE, HAVE GONE TO PLANO SCHOOLS FOR 12 YEARS.
I'M AN AVID MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY, HOLDING LEADERSHIP ROLES IN MANY NON PROFITS, AND AS A PLANO CITIZEN, I HAVE TO SAY THAT I'M DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE PLANO SCHOOL SYSTEM.
LET ME PREFACE BY SAYING THAT READING IS A FOUNDATIONAL SKILL, CRITICAL TO LEARNING FUTURE THINGS AND EXERCISING OUR DEMOCRATIC FREEDOMS. DEMOCRACY IS NOT A STATIC INSTITUTION.
IT IS A LIVING SYSTEM THAT REQUIRES CONSTANT NOURISHMENT FROM ITS CITIZENS.
UNFORTUNATELY, PLANO ISD RECENTLY BANNED OVER 60 BOOKS BECAUSE THEY CLASHED WITH THE EVANGELICAL VALUES OF A GROUP OF NON PLANO RESIDENTS, TITLED CITIZENS DEFENDING FREEDOM.
THESE CONCESSIONS PROVED TO BE DETRIMENTAL, AS STUDENTS ACROSS PLANO ISD ARE WITNESSING THE DECONSTRUCTION AND OVERSIMPLIFICATION OF REAL WORLD ISSUES.
FROM RACE-BASED ISSUES TO DISCUSSION ABOUT GENDER EXPRESSION, THESE GROUPS HAVE SINGLE HANDEDLY DECKED THE INCLUSIVITY OF CLASSROOMS WITHIN PLANO.
WHAT COMMUNITY LEADERS CONTINUE TO OVERLOOK ARE THAT BOOKS ARE A TOOL FOR UNDERSTANDING COMPLEX ISSUES.
OVER 48% OF PLANO IS MADE UP OF MINORITIES FROM ASIAN, LATINO, AFRICAN-AMERICAN, AND OTHER BACKGROUNDS.
OVER 28% OF PLANO HOUSES FOREIGN BORN RESIDENTS.
WHEN BOOKS LIKE HOMEGOING BY YAA GYASI, ONE OF THESE 72 BOOKS BANNED WITHOUT A DEBATE BY PLANO ISD, DISAPPEAR FROM CLASSROOMS. IT INVALIDATES THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF MANY MINORITIES WHOSE IDENTITIES HAVE BEEN DEEMED TOO INAPPROPRIATE TO BE ALLOWED IN THEIR OWN CLASSROOMS. WHEN IN MY AMERICAN STUDIES CLASS, CERTAIN TOPICS WERE CENSORED BY PEOPLE WHO HAD NO WAY TO RELATE TO THE STRUGGLES OF ME AND MY PEERS, I BEGAN TO REALIZE THAT THIS ISSUE HAS COMPLEX IMPLICATIONS BEYOND THE CLASSROOM.
YOUNG PEOPLE DESERVE TO SEE THEMSELVES REFLECTED IN THEIR COMMUNITY LIBRARY.
IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT PROTECTING BOOKS, IT'S A QUESTION OF PROTECTING CULTURE AND IDENTITY, KEEPING THE RICH HISTORY OF PLANO ALIVE.
WITHOUT ADEQUATE REPRESENTATION IN THE CLASSROOM, WE LOSE CONNECTION WITH THE VERY PEOPLE WHO MAKE UP THE CITY IN WHICH THIS VERY BODY IS BUILT TO REPRESENT.
BECAUSE THE DISTRICT HAS PROVEN THAT THEY DO NOT REGARD OUR CONCERNS, WE COME TO YOU.
TODAY, WE ASK THAT YOU CONSIDER ALL OF THE IMPACTS THESE BANS HAVE, AND APPROACH LITERARY RESTRICTIONS WITH MORE CONCRETE AND WIDELY ACCEPTED PROCEDURES.
THE DISTRICT SHOULD ALLOW EDUCATIONAL PROFESSIONALS TO DETERMINE WHICH BOOK SHOULD APPEAR IN SCHOOLS AND FOR PARENTS TO LIMIT THEIR OWN CHILDREN'S INTAKE WITH THEIR OWN DISCRETION.
THE IMPACTS OF THESE BOOK BANDS ARE FAR REACHING AND NEED TO BE URGENTLY ADDRESSED.
THERE IS A SAYING THAT THOSE WHO DO NOT LEARN FROM HISTORY ARE DOOMED TO REPEAT IT.
PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF STUDENTS AND TEACHERS TO READ BOOKS THAT THEY LOVE, NOT ONLY PROTECTS OUR IDEALS OF DEMOCRACY, COMMUNITY CONNECTION AND EDUCATION, BUT IT ALSO ENSURES THAT WE EXPAND OUR VIEWPOINTS.
PLEASE PUT PRESSURE ON PLANO ISD TO REVERSE THIS BAN AND TAKE A LESS RESTRICTIVE APPROACH.
WE URGE NOT JUST THE CITY COUNCIL, BUT PARENTS, TEACHERS, AND COMMUNITY LEADERS TO RISE UP AND PROTECT THE FUTURE OF YOUR CHILDREN.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS ADVITA.
>> IS IT OKAY IF I PUT SOMETHING, FOR THE SLIDE?
>> MY NAME IS ADVITA [INAUDIBLE], AND I'M A RISING SENIOR AT PLANO WEST HIGH SCHOOL.
I'VE ATTENDED PISD SCHOOLS FOR THE PAST 12 YEARS AND HAVE LIVED IN PLANO MY ENTIRE LIFE.
[00:30:05]
THROUGHOUT THAT TIME, I'VE REMAINED ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY, SERVING AS BOY SCOUTS TROOP LEADER AND ORGANIZING VOLUNTEER EVENTS.BECAUSE OF THIS DEEP CONNECTION, I FEEL LIKE I AM DEEPLY QUALIFIED TO TALK ABOUT THE BLATANT ABUSES AND CENSORSHIP WE SEE IN PLANO SCHOOL DISTRICT.
BOOK BANS VIOLATE CRITICAL RIGHTS OUTLINED IN OUR CONSTITUTION.
SPECIFICALLY, THE FIRST AND 14TH AMENDMENTS.
THE FIRST AMENDMENT GUARANTEES THE RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH AND THE FREEDOM TO RECEIVE INFORMATION.
WHEN SCHOOL OFFICIALS REMOVE BOOKS BASED ON DISAGREEMENT WITH THEIR CONTENT, PARTICULARLY THOSE ADDRESSING RACE, GENDER IDENTITY, OR SEXUALITY, THEY ENGAGE IN VIEWPOINT DISCRIMINATION, WHICH THE SUPREME COURT HAS EXPLICITLY FORBIDDEN IN ROSENBERGER V UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 1995.
IN THE BOARD OF EDUCATION V PICO IN 1982, THE COURT AFFIRMED THAT STUDENTS HAVE A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO ACCESS IDEAS IN SCHOOL LIBRARIES, AND THAT BOOKS CANNOT BE REMOVED SIMPLY BECAUSE OFFICIALS DISLIKE THEIR MESSAGE.
BOOK BANS ALSO RAISE SERIOUS 14TH AMENDMENT CONCERNS, PARTICULARLY UNDER THE EQUAL RIGHTS PROTECTION CLAUSE WHEN THEY DISPROPORTIONATELY TARGET BOOKS ABOUT HISTORICALLY MARGINALIZED GROUPS SUCH AS LGBTQ PLUS INDIVIDUALS OR PEOPLE OF COLOR.
SUCH SELECTIVE CENSORSHIP CAN CONSTITUTE DISCRIMINATION IN VIOLENCE OF CONSTITUTIONAL GUARANTEES OF EQUAL TREATMENT UNDER THE LAW.
IN SOME BOOK BANS, NOT ONLY SUPPRESS IDEAS, BUT ALSO UNDERMINE CORE CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTIONS, THREATENING STUDENTS' RIGHTS TO THINK FREELY AND LEARN BROADLY.
MOREOVER, THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THESE BANDS WAS NOT A DEMOCRATIC OR POPULAR DECISIONS.
MY FRIENDS HAVE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT HOW THESE CITIZENS DEFENDING FREEDOM, WHOSE MEMBERS DO NOT EVEN ATTEND PLANO SCHOOLS OR LIVE IN THE AREA, BOMBARDED THE PLANO ISD SCHOOL BOARD.
THEY PERSUADED THE BOARD TO BLINDLY BAN 72 BOOKS WITHOUT ANY FORMAL REVIEW PROCESS, COMMUNITY INPUT OR EXTERNAL CONSIDERATION OF ANY SORT.
THIS IS NOT ABOUT WHETHER YOU SUPPORT CHRISTIAN VALUES OR NOT.
THIS IS ABOUT WHETHER WE ARE WILLING TO PROTECT OUR PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM FROM INTERFERENCE BY BAD FAITH POLITICAL GROUPS.
IF WE MAKE IT THIS EASY TO INFRINGE UPON OUR FIRST AND 14TH AMENDMENT RIGHTS, WE SET A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT FOR BROADER GOVERNMENT OVERREACH IN OUR DAILY LIVES.
THERE WAS A RECENT PUSH TO PASS HOUSE BILL 1375, A BILL THAT WOULD CENSOR CONTENT SOLD IN BOOKSTORES, NOT JUST FOR SCHOOLS, BUT FOR ANY CITIZEN.
THIS IS CLEARLY NOT ABOUT PROTECTING CHILDREN OR UPHOLDING VALUES.
IT IS ABOUT WHETHER THOSE IN POWER SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO CONTROL WHAT YOU CAN AND CAN'T SEE.
>> WE SHOULD RE EVALUATE THESE SWEEPING BANS WITH THE HELP OF CITY COUNCIL AND PUT MORE PRESSURE ON PLANO SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO TAKE MORE ACTION AGAINST CENSORSHIP IN THESE SCHOOLS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HEARING ME OUT TODAY.
AT LEAST I SEE ONE SPEAKER HERE.
>> GOT YOU. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE DIDN'T MISS THAT.
[CONSENT AGENDA]
THE CONSENT AGENDA WILL BE ACTED UPON IN ONE MOTION AND CONTAINS ITEMS WHICH ARE ROUTINE AND TYPICALLY NON CONTROVERSIAL.ITEMS MAY BE REMOVED FROM THIS AGENDA FOR INDIVIDUAL DISCUSSION BY A COUNCIL MEMBER, THE CITY MANAGER, ANY CITIZEN.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER WILL ESTABLISH TIME LIMITS BASED UPON THE NUMBER OF SPEAKER REQUESTS.
>> MR. MAYOR, I MOVE WE APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEMS I AND L TO BE PULLED FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION.
>> THANK YOU. I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEM L AND I WHICH HAD BEEN PULLED.
PLEASE VOTE. MOTION PASSES EIGHT TO ZERO. ITEM I?
[(i) To approve a real estate contract in the amount of $5,100,000 for the purchase of real property described as Lots 2 & 3, Block 1 Dal-Tex Mapleshade Addition from Summitt Realty Group LLC; and authorizing the City Manager to execute all necessary documents.]
>> MAYOR AND COUNCIL, WE'RE WITHDRAWING ITEM I.
THE PROPERTY ACQUISITION THAT WE HAD, THE PARTNER RESCINDED THEIR OFFER TO US, SO AT THIS POINT, WE DO NOT HAVE AN ITEM TO CONSIDER.
WE'RE JUST WITHDRAWING ITEM I.
>> THE MIC IS ON. I JUST NEED SOMEBODY TO [OVERLAPPING] MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM I.
>> I SECOND THE MOTION TO WITHDRAW ITEM I.
>> I HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND TO WITHDRAW ITEM I.
[00:35:01]
I'M HELD UP THERE, MY BAD.>> IF YOU WOULD, JUST RAISE YOUR HAND ON THAT ONE.
>> ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION PASSES 8-0.
[(l) To approve the naming of a park located northwest of the intersection of Alma Drive and Park Boulevard to Ravenglass Park.]
>> TO APPROVE THE NAMING OF A PARK LOCATED AT THE NORTHWEST INTERSECTION OF ALMA DRIVE AND PARK BOULEVARD TO RAVENGLASS PARK.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER, DOWNS. GOT YOU.
>> THANK YOU. MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL, THANK YOU FOR INDULGING ME BY ASKING THAT THIS BE REMOVED FROM THE AGENDA FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION.
HAVING SERVED ON THE PARK NAMING SUB COMMITTEE FOR THIS, I'M VERY COMMITTED TO THE NAME THAT WE PICKED.
WE DID A GREAT JOB WITH MR. SMITH HELPING US WITH THAT.
BUT I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE UNDERSTOOD THE IMPORTANCE OF ONE OF THE NAMES THAT WAS ON THAT LIST, AND THAT WAS A NAME TO HONOR THE MAYOR'S FATHER AND MOTHER FOR THEIR SERVICE TO PLANO OVER ALL OF THE DECADES.
I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE KEPT THAT IN MIND AS COUNCIL THAT IF FUTURE NAMING OPPORTUNITIES WERE TO ARISE FOR ANOTHER BUILDING OR FACILITY, THAT WE DON'T FORGET TO MAYBE CONSIDER THAT NAME IN THE FUTURE.
>> THAT WAS A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM L.
>> I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE ITEM L. PLEASE VOTE.
NEXT ITEM IS ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION.
[(1)
Public Hearing and consideration of an Ordinance as requested in Zoning Case 2025-005 to amend Article 6 (Specific Use Permits and Certificates of Occupancy) and Article 8 (Definitions) of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance of the City, Ordinance No. 2015-5-2, as heretofore amended, to provide procedures for the denial and revocation of Certificates of Occupancy by the City’s Building Official; and providing a penalty clause, a repealer clause, a savings clause, a severability clause, a publication clause, and an effective date.
]>> ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION.
PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS. APPLICANTS ARE LIMITED TO 15 MINUTES PRESENTATION TIME WITH A FIVE-MINUTE REBUTTAL IF NEEDED.
REMAINING SPEAKERS ARE LIMITED TO 30 TOTAL MINUTES OF TESTIMONY TIME WITH THREE MINUTES ASSIGNED PER SPEAKER.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER MAY AMEND THESE TIMES AS DEEMED NECESSARY.
NON-PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS. THE PRESIDING OFFICER WILL PERMIT PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS ON THE AGENDA NOT POSTED FOR A PUBLIC HEARING.
PRESIDING OFFICER WILL ESTABLISH TIME LIMITS BASED UPON THE NUMBER OF SPEAKER REQUESTS, LENGTH OF THE AGENDA, AND TO ENSURE MEETING EFFICIENCY, AND MAY INCLUDE A CUMULATIVE TIME LIMIT.
SPEAKERS WILL BE CALLED AND THE ORDER OF THE REQUESTS ARE RECEIVED UNTIL THE CUMULATIVE TIME IS EXHAUSTED.
PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE AS REQUESTED IN ZONING CASE 2025-005 TO AMEND ARTICLE 6, SPECIFIC USE PERMITS AND CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY AND ARTICLE 8, DEFINITIONS OF THE COMPREHENSIVE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY, ORDINANCE NUMBER 2015-5-2 AS HERETOFORE AMENDED TO PROVIDE PROCEDURAL PROCEDURES FOR THE DENIAL AND REVOCATION OF CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY BY THE CITY'S BUILDING OFFICIAL, PROVIDING A PENALTY CLAUSE, A REPULAR CLAUSE, A SAVINGS CLAUSE, A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, A PUBLICATION CLAUSE, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, COUNCIL, AND EXECUTIVES. I'M PRESENTING BRIEFLY.
CHRISTINA DAY, THE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING, HERE TO TALK ABOUT ZONING CASE 2025-005.
THIS IS A TEXT AMENDMENT RELATED TO CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY.
THE CITY COUNCIL DIRECTED STAFF TO MAKE SOME AMENDMENTS TO THE ZONING ORDINANCE REGARDING CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY.
THOSE CHANGES WERE DRAFTED, AND THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION CALLED A PUBLIC HEARING TO INITIATE THESE AMENDMENTS TO THE ZONING ORDINANCE.
WHAT HAPPENS TODAY WITH REGARD TO CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY, WHICH IS ALSO KNOWN AS CO REVOCATION, THAT IS ALLOWED UNDER THE BUILDING CODE.
HOWEVER, THE BUILDING CODE DICTATES STANDARDS RELATED TO THE BUILDING CODE, AS YOU MIGHT EXPECT.
IT DOES ALLOW REVOCATION FOR OTHER CODES, BUT THOSE PROCEDURES ARE NOT OUTLINED.
TO CLARIFY THE PROCESS FOR THIS AND BE COMPLIANT WITH STATE LAW, WE'RE LOOKING AT ADDING LANGUAGE TO THE CITY'S ZONING ORDINANCE THAT DETAILS HOW A CO REVOCATION PROCESS WOULD WORK RELATED TO A ZONING USE.
WITH THAT, THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES SUPPORT THIS THROUGH BOTH THE GUIDING PRINCIPLES AND THE LAND USE POLICY ACTION 1.
WE DIDN'T RECEIVE ANY PUBLIC FEEDBACK ON THIS ZONING CASE.
THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION DID RECOMMEND APPROVAL BY A VOTE OF 7-0.
THE ORDINANCE PROPOSED IS IN YOUR PACKET, AND I'M AVAILABLE FOR QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE ON THIS ITEM.
>> THANK YOU. DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR STAFF ON THIS?
[00:40:04]
I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.DO WE HAVE ANY SPEAKERS ON THIS?
>> THERE ARE NO SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM.
>> I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING, COMBINE THE COMMENTS TO THE COUNCIL.
>> MR. MAYOR, I MOVE WE APPROVE ITEM 1.
>> I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 1. PLEASE VOTE.
[(2) Public Hearing and consideration of an Ordinance to amend City of Plano Ordinance No. 2025-6-14, codified as Article II, Building Code, of Chapter 6 of the Code of Ordinances; revising the procedures for issuance and revocation of certificates of occupancy; and providing a repealer clause, a severability clause, a savings clause, a penalty clause, a publication clause, and an effective date.]
>> ITEM NUMBER 2. PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CITY OF PLANO ORDINANCE NUMBER 25-6-14, CODIFIED AS ARTICLE 2, BUILDING CODE OF CHAPTER 6 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, REVISING THE PROCEDURES FOR ISSUANCE AND REVOCATION OF CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY, PROVIDING A REPEAL CLAUSE, A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, A SAVINGS CLAUSE, A PENALTY CLAUSE, A PUBLICATION CLAUSE, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
>> GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL. MY NAME IS SELSO MATA, AND I'M BUILDING OFFICIAL.
ITEM NUMBER 2 IS THE COMPANION ITEM 2 AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 1.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS AGENDA ITEM IS TO AMEND THE BUILDING CODE TO ALIGN WITH THE ZONING ORDINANCE REGARDING PROCEDURES FOR THE DENIAL AND REVOCATION OF CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY BY THE CITY'S BUILDING OFFICIAL.
THIS WENT TO THE BUILDING STANDARDS COMMISSION AT THE PUBLIC HEARING DURING THEIR MEETING ON JULY 15TH, 2025.
IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED, AND THEY RECOMMEND THIS FOR APPROVAL TO CITY COUNCIL.
I'M HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU, SELSO. ANY QUESTIONS FOR SELSO? THANK YOU, SIR. I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
>>THERE ARE NO SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM.
>> I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND CONFINE THE COMMENTS TO THE COUNCIL.
>> MR. MAYOR, I MOVE THAT WE ACCEPT ITEM NUMBER 2.
>> THANK YOU. I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE ITEM NUMBER 2.
PLEASE VOTE. MOTION PASSES 8-0.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NEXT ITEM.
[(3)
Public Hearing and consideration of a Resolution to adopt the 2025-2026 Action Plan, including the summary of Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnerships Program activities and proposed use of funds for program year 2025-2026; and providing an effective date.
]>> ITEM NUMBER 3, PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE 2025-2026 ACTION PLAN, INCLUDING THE SUMMARY OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT AND HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS ACTIVITIES AND PROPOSED USE OF FUNDS FOR THE PROGRAM YEAR 2025-2026 AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
CURTIS HOWARD, DIRECTOR OF NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES.
WE WERE HERE TO TALK ABOUT HUD FUNDING.
I'VE TALKED TO YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THIS PROCESS BEFORE.
BUT BACK IN APRIL, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I DID, I PRESENTED TO COUNCIL OUR FIVE-YEAR CONSOLIDATED PLAN.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HUD REQUIRES IS THAT THOSE ENTITIES RECEIVING FEDERAL FUNDING THROUGH HUD THAT WE COME UP WITH A CONSOLIDATED PLAN GIVES WHAT WE WANTED TO USE THAT MONEY FOR OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
THEN EVERY YEAR, WE DO AN ACTION PLAN.
WHAT THIS IS IS THIS IS OUR ACTION PLAN.
WE'VE HAD CBG COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDING SINCE 1985, AND ALSO HOME FUNDING SINCE 2003, AND THOSE ARE THE TWO FUNDS THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT.
JUST FOR REFRESHER, CDBG FUNDING GIVES US A MORE WIDE ABILITY TO USE THAT FOR VARIOUS THINGS HERE IN THE COMMUNITY THAN HOME FUNDING DOES.
WE'VE GOT THREE BUCKETS FOR EACH ONE OF THESE FUNDS, SO 65% CAN BE USED FOR VARIOUS ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES.
INCLUDING HOUSING REHABILITATION, VARIOUS PUBLIC FACILITY CONSTRUCTION, SITE IMPROVEMENTS, INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS, THAT THING.
THEN 15% CAN BE USED FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, THAT WHAT YOU THINK THAT IT'S GOING TO BE USED FOR TO HELP PEOPLE INDIVIDUALLY THAT ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND THAT THING.
[00:45:06]
THEN 20% CAN BE USED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE PURPOSES, AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT IN JUST A MOMENT.WE'VE GOT THREE BUCKETS, 75% CAN BE USED FOR ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES, AND THIS IS GOING TO BE FOR PUTTING PEOPLE INTO HOMES.
THAT'S GOING TO BE THE CONSTRUCTION ASPECT OF THAT, 15% CAN BE USED FOR CHDOS, COMMUNITY HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS AND THEN 10% OF THAT CAN BE USED FOR THE ADMINISTRATIVE PURPOSES FOR HOME FUNDING.
JUST A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ADMINISTRATIVE PURPOSES, OF COURSE, THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE BUSINESS ASPECT OF FUND DISBURSEMENT.
HOW ARE WE GOING TO USE THOSE? THE PERSONNEL NEEDED TO USE IT, AUDITS, THAT THING.
THAT'S THE OVERALL PROCESS HERE.
AS I SAID, THIS HAS TO DO WITH OUR CONSOLIDATED PLAN.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO DO IS DO OUR ACTION PLAN, AND THAT IS WHAT WE ARE HERE TO DO TODAY.
PART OF THAT IS GOING TO BE TO DISCUSS THE RESULTS OF THE CRC, THE COMMUNITY RESOURCE COMMITTEE, WHICH WENT AHEAD AND WENT THROUGH A PROCESS.
THAT PROCESS IS THAT WE HAVE NON-PROFITS THAT APPLY TO THE CITY OF PLANO FOR THIS FUNDING.
THOSE NON-PROFITS SUBMIT AN APPLICATION THAT'S VETTED THROUGH STAFF.
APRIL IS A BIG MONTH FOR CRC WHERE TWO NIGHTS A WEEK, THEY GO THROUGH, THEY HAVE THE NON-PROFITS COME IN, GIVE A PRESENTATION AS TO WHAT THEY WANT, AND WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO USE THAT MONEY FOR, THE CRC THEN MEETS, AND THEN COMES UP WITH A DISTRIBUTION ALLOCATION OF THAT MONEY.
THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE ARE PRESENTING HERE TODAY.
THE FUNDING THAT WE GOT THIS YEAR, IF YOU LOOK, CDBG WAS ABOUT 1.6 MILLION, A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN WE GOT LAST YEAR.
HOME FUNDING WAS 558,000, AND AGAIN, WE GOT A LITTLE BIT MORE HOME FUNDING THIS YEAR AND CDBG FUNDING THIS YEAR THAN WE HAD IN PREVIOUS YEARS.
THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT CAME OUT OF ALL THAT HARD WORK THE CRC DID HAS BASICALLY TWO BUCKETS.
THERE'S GOING TO BE NON-PUBLIC SERVICE PROGRAM RECOMMENDATIONS.
AGAPE, AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT AGAPE IS DOING IS THEY'RE TAKING ONE OF THEIR OFFICES, AND THEY ARE MAKING THOSE OFFICE SUITES INTO TOWN HOMES FOR WOMEN WHO NEED SHELTER.
CATHOLIC CHARITIES, CITY OF PLANO, THEY'RE GOING TO BE PROVIDING OUR TENANT BASED RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. HOUSING CHANNEL.
THEY DO THEY BUILD HOMES THEN FOR FOLKS.
THE OWN PROGRAM IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DO IS WE DO REHABILITATION THROUGH THE CITY OF PLANO, AND THAT'S GOING TO BE FOR USUALLY LARGER PROJECTS.
WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT FOUNDATION WORK, ROOF WORK, SEWER LINES, OR CAST IRON PIPES THAT NEED TO BE REPLACED, THAT'S GOING TO BE THOSE LARGE PROJECTS, BUT WE ALSO HAVE AN EMERGENCY REPAIR PROGRAM FOR SMALLER PROJECTS.
THAT'S GOING TO BE FOR THE ELDERLY LADY WHOSE AIR CONDITIONING GOES OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF SUMMER.
WE HAVE FUNDING TO HELP THOSE RESIDENTS HERE IN PLANO.
THEN THE PUBLIC SERVICE PROGRAMS. AGAIN, THIS IS GOING TO BE MORE OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES TYPE-PROGRAM THAT WE HAVE.
CITY HOUSE IS FOR YOUNG ADULTS, 18-21 WHO NEED TRANSITIONAL HOUSING, CASE MANAGEMENT, THAT SUPPORT TO TRY AND GET THEM BACK ON THEIR FEET.
ASSISTANT CENTER OF COLLIN COUNTY TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO PEOPLE WHO ARE HOMELESS.
THE SAMARITAN INN PROVIDES SUPPORT TO FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS WHO, AGAIN, WHO ARE HOMELESS AND LOOKING FOR THAT CASE MANAGEMENT, THAT SOCIAL SERVICE ASPECT.
THEN WE HAVE A TEXAS MUSLIM WOMEN'S FOUNDATION, AND THEY ARE A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER THAT HELPS WOMEN AND CHILDREN WHO ARE TRYING TO GET AWAY FROM ABUSERS AND NEED A SAFE PLACE TO SAY, AND SO THAT PROVIDES A COMMUNITY SAFETY ASPECT.
THOSE ARE THE VARIOUS NON-PROFITS THAT THE CRC HAS RECOMMENDED THAT WE FUND, AND WHAT THE ALLOCATIONS HAS SET OUT IN THE MEMO THERE.
JUST TO LET YOU KNOW IS, THESE ORGANIZATIONS HAVE BEEN VETTED.
WHEN THEY GET THIS FUNDING FROM US, IT'S A REIMBURSEMENT PROCESS, SO THEY HAVE TO SEND IN THE RECEIPTS SO WE GET A CHANCE TO LOOK AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE DOING WHAT THEY SAY THEY ARE DOING AND THAT IT MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS OF OUR ACTION PLAN OR CONSOLIDATED PLAN.
I THINK THE LAST THING I HAVE, I THINK IN THE RESOLUTION ITSELF, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DID, WE HAVE A TYPO IN THERE.
WE HAVE TEXAS MUSLIM WOMEN'S FOUNDATION LISTED TWICE.
IT SHOULD ONLY BE LISTED ONCE.
I WOULD ASK WHEN YOU APPROVE THIS THAT YOU AMEND IT TO REFLECT THAT CHANGE.
[00:50:03]
WITH THAT, I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.>> THANK YOU, CURTIS. ANY QUESTIONS FOR CURTIS?
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. MAYOR AND COUNCIL, YOU HAVE AN AMENDED RESOLUTION IN FRONT OF YOURSELF AT THE DESK THAT IS A CLEAN VERSION OF THAT RESOLUTION.
>> THANK YOU. MR. [INAUDIBLE]?
>> ALL OF THE SERVICES THAT YOU'VE OUTLINED FROM EACH OF THESE VARIOUS DIFFERENT OFFERS ARE AVAILABLE TO ALL RESIDENTS OF THE PLANO WHO NEED THOSE SERVICES?
>> YES. THOSE THAT QUALIFY FOR THOSE SERVICES. YES, SIR.
>> NON-RESIDENTS THEY'RE NOT RESTRICTED BY RACE, RELIGION, OR ANY OTHER ASPECT.
>> THAT IS CORRECT. THEY ARE NOT.
>> I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
THE FIRST ONE IS MUHAMMED SAYID.
MUHAMMED SAYID. WE'LL MOVE TO DAVID KELLY.
>> GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO YOU.
MY NAME IS DAVID KELLY, AND I'M A BOARD MEMBER OF THE TEXAS MUSLIM WOMEN'S FOUNDATION.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR WHAT THAT ORGANIZATION DOES AND WHO IT SERVES.
TO YOUR POINT, COUNCILMEN, THE TEXAS MUSLIM WOMEN'S FOUNDATION IS A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CHARITY THAT HOUSES WOMEN OF ALL FAITHS, ALL CREEDS, ALL COLORS, ALL NATIONS, AND WE DO NOT DISCRIMINATE.
IN FACT, THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE THAT WE SERVE ARE NOT MUSLIM.
THIS IS A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CHARITY THAT PROVIDES SHELTERS ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY IN THE CITY OF PLANO.
THESE ARE EMERGENCY SHELTERS FOR WOMEN FLEEING ABUSE.
THEY ALSO PROVIDE RENTAL ASSISTANCE.
THEY ALSO PROVIDE SENIOR AND ELDERLY CARE.
THERE HAVE BEEN SOME STATEMENTS MADE ONLINE THAT ARE BIGOTED I'M HERE TO STAND UP AGAINST THOSE BIGOTED, HATEFUL STATEMENTS, AND TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO LOOK AT WHAT THE ORGANIZATION DOES AND NOT WHAT IT DOES NOT DO.
WHAT IT DOES IS SERVE WOMEN WHO ARE ESCAPING VIOLENCE.
WHAT IT DOES NOT DO IS ANYTHING ELSE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> GOOD EVENING. MAYOR MUNS AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MY NAME'S AMY BEACHAM BY THE WAY.
I'VE BEEN A PLANO RESIDENT FOR 28 YEARS AND A TRUE TEXAN 59 YEARS.
I STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY TO OPPOSE THE PROPOSED $37,000 TO THE TEXAS MUSLIM WOMEN'S FOUNDATION.
THIS IS NOT MERELY A FINANCIAL TRANSACTION.
IT'S A PROFOUND BETRAYAL OF OUR COMMUNITIES TRUST AND VALUES.
INFORMATION INDICATES THAT TEXAS MUSLIM WOMEN'S FOUNDATION HAS ALLEGED TIES TO THE HAMAS SYMPATHIZERS, ANTI-SEMITES, AND RADICAL ISLAMS. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.
WE'VE ALREADY SEEN $1.2 MILLION OF TAXPAYER MONEY FUNNELED TO GROUPS LIKE EPIC AND IAMC, ALSO DESCRIBED AS HAVING TERROR TIES.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITY IS TO PLANO NOT TO ORGANIZATIONS WITH SUCH DISTURBING AFFILIATIONS.
WE NEED ACCOUNTABILITY, NOT ONE PENNY TO EXTREMIST, NOT ONE INCH TO SHARIA SUPREMIST.
NOT ONE COMPROMISE ON TEXAS VALUES.
PROTECT OUR CITY AND PROTECT OUR FUTURE. THANK YOU.
>> HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION TO THE COMMUNITY.
AS YOU CONSIDER THE IMPORTANT ISSUES BEFORE YOU TODAY, I RESPECTFULLY URGE CAUTION AND ADHERENCE TO YOUR LEGAL DUTIES REGARDING THE ALLOCATION OF MUNICIPAL TAXPAYER FUNDS.
THIS IS A SERIOUS TEXAS CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUE, CONFIRMED BY GUIDANCE FROM ATTORNEYS,
[00:55:02]
INCLUDING TEXAS MUNICIPAL LEAGUE ETHICS DIVISION.ARE YOU AWARE THAT YOU CAN CONTACT TML AT ANY TIME? I URGE YOU TO DO SO.
NO OFFENSE TO THE ATTORNEY, OF COURSE.
PLEASE DELAY OR DECLINE ANY DECISION ON THE FUNDS IN TABLE 7 ON PAGE 376 OF THE PDF, WHICH MAKES DONATIONS OF PUBLIC FUNDS AS DESCRIBED IN THE ACTION PLAN BETWEEN PAGES 331 AND 338, AND 376 FORWARD.
IT DESCRIBES UNDER PROJECT HEADING AP35, PROJECT 91.220D OF THE PDF IN THE AGENDA.
PLEASE ADHERE TO THE TEXAS CONSTITUTION AND CASE LAW JUDICIAL PRECEDENTS AFFECTING THIS ITEM.
FIRST, THE TEXAS CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE 16, SECTION 50 STRICTLY PROHIBITS LENDING THE CREDIT OF THE STATE.
SECOND, ARTICLE 3, SECTION 52 FORBIDS THE LEGISLATURE AND BY EXTENSION CITY COUNCILS FROM AUTHORIZING THE LENDING OF CREDIT OR GRANTING PUBLIC MONEY TO INDIVIDUALS ASSOCIATIONS OR GROUPS WITHOUT CLEAR, ENFORCEABLE AT LARGE, PUBLIC USE.
THIRD, PLEASE NOTE THE PRESENTER SPEAKER BEFORE ME MENTIONED MUST BE QUALIFIED.
THAT IS NOT AN AT LARGE PUBLIC BENEFIT.
PUBLIC MONEY FROM THE TAXPAYERS COMPRISED OF ALL RACES, CREEDS, AND RELIGIONS, OR EVEN ATHEISTS, MUST SERVE AND AT LARGE PUBLIC PURPOSE.
BENEFITING THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY, LIKE A PARK.
IN ONE OF THE ITEMS IN TABLE 7, DID YOU SEE THE REPORT INDICATING THE REQUEST FOR ALMOST $37,000? THE DATA IN THE TABLE INDICATES A BENEFIT TO 32 PEOPLE.
DO THE MATH. THAT'S $1,125 PER PERSON.
IS THAT THE BEST USE OF TAXPAYER FUNDS? FOURTH, YOU ALL ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR SAFEGUARDING TAXPAYER FUNDS AT ALL COST ALL THE TIME.
THERE'S NO DISCRETION TO USE THE FUNDS AS CHARITABLE DONATIONS TO ENTITIES WITHOUT A BROAD PUBLIC PURPOSE. CASE LAW.
IN BRAZORIA COUNTY VERSUS PERRY, EDWARD ISD VERSUS MINO, AND BYRD VERSUS CITY OF DALLAS, TEXAS COURT STRUCK DOWN THE EXPENDITURES.
I DO WANT YOU TO THANK YOU FOR THAT.
YOU HAVE A CLEAR AND ENFORCEABLE PROCESS TO RETRIEVE THE FUNDS IF THE RECIPIENTS FAIL TO CARRY OUT AT LARGE SERVICES? ARE YOU AWARE THE LAW REQUIRES THE CITIES TO OVERSEE AND HAVE CONTROLS REGARDING ANY SUCH DISBURSEMENT? YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO SUPERVISE THOSE FUNDS, AND YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO GET THEM BACK IF THEY DON'T GO WHERE THEY BELONG.
ALSO YOUR DECISIONS ARE SUBJECT TO JUDICIAL REVIEW.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION.
I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU DO.
I HOPE YOU MAKE THE RIGHT ONE AND DELAY IT.
>> [APPLAUSE] THE NEXT SPEAKER IS FARRIL VERK.
>> GOOD EVENING. MAYOR MUNS, DISTINGUISHED COUNCIL MEMBERS.
THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK TODAY.
WHILE I SERVE ON THE SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD FOR THE CITY OF PLANO, I'M SPEAKING HERE TODAY IN MY PERSONAL CAPACITY.
I'VE BEEN A PROUD RESIDENT OF THE CITY OF PLANO.
MY DAUGHTER ATTENDED PLANO SCHOOLS, AND I TRY TO VOLUNTEER MY TIME TO THE CITY AS MUCH AS I CAN, BECAUSE THIS IS MY HOME.
I ALSO SERVE ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF TEXAS MUSLIM WOMEN'S FOUNDATION.
I'D LIKE TO MAKE CLEAR TODAY THAT TMWF SERVES THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.
IT IS WELL RESPECTED ACROSS THE METROPLEX FOR ITS WORK, AND IT IS COMMITTED TO SERVING PEOPLE, MOSTLY WOMEN AND CHILDREN WHO NEED HELP.
IT IS SUBJECT TO FEDERAL AND OTHER AUDITS AND HAS ALWAYS HAD A CLEAN AUDIT FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS OF ITS EXISTENCE.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK THE CITY FOR THE SUPPORT YOU GIVE US.
IT SADDENS ME TO THINK THAT A CLARION CALL FROM OUTSIDE OUR CITY THAT IS STEEPED IN MISINFORMATION CAN MOTIVATE MY FELLOW CITIZENS TO EXPRESS SOME OF THE ANGER I HAVE SEEN TODAY.
I TRULY HOPE THAT SANITY WILL PREVAIL AND THAT WE CAN COME TOGETHER TO SEE THAT THERE IS MORE IN COMMON AMONGST OUR VARIOUS COMMUNITIES, AND THAT WE CAN MAKE PLANO A MUCH BETTER PLACE IF WE COME TOGETHER RATHER THAN ALLOW MISINFORMATION TO DRIVE US APART.
[01:00:03]
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR GIVING ME THIS TIME.>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS ELIZABETH NANGLE, AND I'M A PLANO RESIDENT HERE TO SPEAK ON AGENDA ITEM 3, THE PROPOSED RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE HOME ARP ALLOCATION PLAN.
I WANT TO FOCUS SPECIFICALLY ON THE PROPOSED ALLOCATION OF PUBLIC FUNDS, $36,983 TO THE TEXAS MUSLIM WOMEN'S FOUNDATION.
WHILE I SUPPORT A BROADER GOAL OF AIDING THE VULNERABLE POPULATIONS, I STRONGLY URGE THE COUNCIL TO RECONSIDER AWARDING FEDERAL DOLLARS TO AN ORGANIZATION WITH DEEPLY DIVISIVE CULTURAL AND IDEOLOGICAL AFFILIATIONS THAT MAY NOT REPRESENT THE SHARED VALUES OF THE BROADER PLANO COMMUNITY.
MY CONCERN IS NOT THAT THIS IS A RELIGIOUS NONPROFIT.
FAITH BASED GROUPS HAVE LONG PROVIDED MEANINGFUL SUPPORT TO OUR COMMUNITY.
BUT IN THIS CASE, THERE ARE CREDIBLE CONCERNS ABOUT A LACK OF TRANSPARENCY, IDEOLOGICAL PROGRAMMING, AND A NARROW CULTURAL LENS THAT MAY NOT SERVE ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS EQUALLY.
PLANOS LIMITED ARPA FUNDS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TOWARD ORGANIZATIONS WITH A TRACK RECORD OF BROAD, INCLUSIVE, NON-SECTARIAN SERVICE DELIVERY, ESPECIALLY WHEN DEALING WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND TRANSITIONAL HOUSING.
FURTHERMORE, IN A TIME OF RISING ANTI-SEMITISM AND GROWING POLARIZATION, PUBLIC TRUST DEPENDS ON THE CITY REMAINING COMPLETELY NEUTRAL IN RELIGIOUS OR POLITICAL MATTERS.
USING FEDERAL DOLLARS TO SUPPORT ANY GROUP THAT APPEARS POLITICALLY OR RELIGIOUSLY ALIGNED, EVEN INDIRECTLY, RISKS DAMAGING THAT NEUTRALITY.
THERE ARE OTHER WELL ESTABLISHED, EFFECTIVE LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS ALREADY IN PLACE, SUCH AS TURNING POINT OR CITY HOUSE THAT SERVE ALL THE WOMEN AND FAMILIES IN CRISIS WITH TRANSPARENCY AND INCLUSIVITY.
I RESPECTFULLY URGE YOU TO STRIKE THE TEXAS MUSLIM WOMEN'S FOUNDATION FROM TONIGHT'S RESOLUTION AND ALLOCATE THOSE FUNDS TO AGENCIES WITH A MORE UNIFYING AND CLEARLY NEUTRAL FOOTPRINT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> GOOD EVENING. SORRY, I'M SHORT.
THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION SECURES EACH OF US THE INDIVIDUAL RIGHT TO EXERCISE FREEDOM OF RELIGION.
THAT IS THE FREEDOM TO PRACTICE OR NOT PRACTICE TO BELIEVE OR NOT BELIEVE HOW WE SEE FIT, AS LONG AS OUR BEHAVIORS DO NOT IMPACT OTHERS SECURED RIGHTS TO THE SAME.
HOWEVER, THE CONSTITUTION IS NOT A SUICIDE PACT.
ANY THEOLOGICAL OR PHILOSOPHICAL SYSTEM THAT LEVIES A DEATH PENALTY UPON THOSE WHO ABANDON IT, REFUSE TO ADHERE TO IT OR SPEAK OUT AGAINST IT IS INHERENTLY INCOMPATIBLE WITH EVERYTHING IT MEANS TO BE AN AMERICAN EXPLICITLY AND IMPLICITLY.
THIS DEATH PENALTY HAS BEEN UNANIMOUSLY AGREED UPON BY ALL THE FOUR SCHOOLS OF ISLAMIC JURISPRUDENCE.
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR A WOMAN WHO IS SEEKING PROTECTION AND SHELTER FROM A DOMESTICALLY VIOLENT MAN WHO JUSTIFIES HIS VIOLENCE AGAINST HIS WIFE OR DAUGHTERS AS "RELIGIOUS FREEDOM".
WHEN SHE GOES TO AN ORGANIZATION THAT IS FOUNDED AND ADHERES TO THOSE SAME PURPORTED FREEDOMS. I CAN TELL YOU WHAT IT MEANS BECAUSE ONE OF OUR ASSOCIATION'S CASES IS ONE OF THOSE WOMEN.
A WOMAN WHO HAS BEEN ABUSED IN EVERY IMAGINABLE WAY, WHOSE EX HUSBAND HAS MANIPULATED THE TEXAS COURT SYSTEM, HAS CUSTODY OF THEIR TWO TEENAGE DAUGHTERS, AND ROUTINELY ABUSES THEM AND THREATENS TO KILL THEM IF THEY LEAVE HIS SO CALLED RELIGION.
THE LAST PLACE THESE POOR WOMEN SHOULD BE SEEKING PROTECTION IS AN ORGANIZATION FOUNDED ON SAUDI ARABIAN PENAL CODE, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS FOREIGN LAW.
AN UNJUST ACT IS A BEHAVIOR THAT IS NOT JUSTIFIED, SUCH AS SPREADING LIES ABOUT YOUR NEIGHBOR, SLANDER, HAVING AN AFFAIR WITH SOMEONE ELSE'S SPOUSE, CHEATING, OR SPENDING OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY IN A WAY THAT ISN'T YOURS TO AUTHORIZE, THEFT, AND FOR ALL UNJUST ACTS, THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES.
MAYBE NOT REALIZED TODAY, BUT THERE WILL BE JUSTICE.
SPENDING TAXPAYER DOLLARS IN A WAY THAT BOTH CONTRADICTS AND UNDERMINES THE TEXAS CONSTITUTION AND THE US CONSTITUTION WOULD NOT ONLY BE UNJUST,
[01:05:05]
IT WOULD BE A VIOLATION OF YOUR OATH OF OFFICE TO UPHOLD THOSE CONTRACTS BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT A CONSTITUTION IS BETWEEN YOURSELVES AND THE PEOPLE YOU WERE ELECTED TO SERVE.I ASK THAT YOU AMEND THE RESOLUTION TO EXCLUDE THE TEXAS MUSLIM WOMEN'S FOUNDATION.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
I HOPE THAT YOU ACT TO UPHOLD YOUR OATHS.
I PRAY THAT YOU PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD, THAT YOU MAY BE ABLE TO STAND AGAINST THE SCHEMES OF THE DEVIL, FOR WE DO NOT WRESTLE AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD BUT AGAINST THE RULERS, AGAINST THE AUTHORITIES, AGAINST THE COSMIC POWERS OVER THIS PRESENT DARKNESS, AGAINST THE SPIRITUAL FORCES OF EVIL IN THE HEAVENLY PLACES.
>> [APPLAUSE] PRESTON SCHULTZ.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR MUNS AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'M HERE TO SPEAK AGAINST THE PROPOSED $37,000 GRANT TO THE TEXAS MUSLIM WOMEN'S FOUNDATION.
THIS GROUP HAS SERIOUS RED FLAGS.
ITS CEO, MONA KAFEEL, SERVED ON THE MAYOR'S ADVISORY BOARD FOR FOUR YEARS.
THAT RELATIONSHIP ALONE CREATES A CONFLICT OF INTEREST THAT WAS NEVER PUBLICLY DISCLOSED.
HOW IS THIS ETHICAL? HOW IS THIS TRANSPARENT? WORSE, THIS FOUNDATION HAS A DOCUMENTED HISTORY OF EXTREMIST AFFILIATIONS.
THEY CO-HOSTED EVENTS WITH HAMAS-ALIGNED ACTIVISTS.
THEY PLATFORMED OMAR SULEIMAN, A RADICAL CLERK WHO HAS PRAISED CONVICTED TERRORISTS AND WORKED ALONGSIDE THE MUSLIM AMERICAN SOCIETY, WHICH THE US DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE HAS CALLED THE OVERT ARM OF THE MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD IN AMERICA.
THEY ALREADY RECEIVED OVER $11 MILLION IN PUBLIC FUNDS.
HAS THE CITY OF PLANO AUDITED THAT MONEY THAT WAS SPENT? HAS ANYONE HERE REVIEWED THEIR COUNSELING PROGRAMS OR PUBLIC EVENTS TO ENSURE THEY'RE NOT PROMOTING IDEOLOGY, SHARIA-BASED NORMS, OR POLITICAL AGENDAS? WHY IS THIS CITY PROPOSING TO FUND A RELIGIOUSLY AFFILIATED GROUP WHEN IDEOLOGICALLY NEUTRAL, NON SECTARIAN WOMEN SHELTERS ALREADY EXIST IN COLLIN COUNTY? ARE ALL WOMEN TRULY BEING SERVED BY THIS ORGANIZATION? I AM ALL FOR PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN AND FIGHT FOR AT OUR TEXAS STATE CAPITAL, BUT REGARDLESS OF FAITH, OR IS THIS AN IMPLICIT PREFERENCE FOR MUSLIMS? ARE WOMEN EVER PRESSURED TO CONFORM TO RELIGIOUS PRACTICES WHILE RECEIVING AID? YOU'RE BEING ASKED TO FUND A GROUP WITH DEEP IDEOLOGICAL ENTANGLEMENTS WITHOUT DEMANDING ANY TRANSPARENCY IN RETURN.
HAVE YOU REVIEWED THEIR INTERNAL DOCUMENTS LIKE BOARD MEETING MINUTES OR SPEAKER LIST? WILL YOU REQUIRE THEM TO DISAVOW RADICAL FIGURES LIKE SULEIMAN AND SAMIRA BEDRABA? IF THIS FUNDING MOVES FORWARD, WILL THEY RESTRICT LEGAL SAFEGUARDS PROHIBITING FUNDS FROM BEING USED FOR RELIGIOUS OR POLITICAL PROGRAMMING, AND WILL THE CITY REQUIRE QUARTERLY REPORTS? PLANO DESERVES ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY, NOT QUIET GRANTS FROM GROUPS TIED TO HATE, EXTREMISM, AND RELIGIOUS INDOCTRINATION.
REJECT THIS FUNDING OR AT THE VERY LEAST, DELAY THE VOTE AND DEMAND A FULL AUDIT.
>> THE LAST SPEAKER IS LEE MORE.
>> THANK YOU. I'M HERE TODAY NOT TO OPPOSE ANY PARTICULAR FAITH OR COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION, BUT TO SPEAK ABOUT USING TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO FUND AN ORGANIZATION WITH RELIGIOUS TIES, SPECIFICALLY THE 37,000 FOR THE TEXAS MUSLIM WOMEN'S FOUNDATION.
THE RESPECTFUL AND VALUABLE WORK THAT MANY FAITH-BASED GROUPS DO IN OUR COMMUNITY IS COMMENDABLE, BUT USING PUBLIC TAXPAYER MONEY TO SUPPORT THEM CROSSES A CONSTITUTIONAL LINE THAT WE MUST NOT AND CANNOT BREACH.
THE FIRST AMENDMENT ESTABLISHMENT CLAUSE EXISTS FOR GOOD REASON.
IT PROTECTS BOTH RELIGIOUS FREEDOM AND THE RIGHTS OF ALL CITIZENS BY ENSURING GOVERNMENT REMAINS NEUTRAL IN MATTERS OF ANY FAITH.
WHEN WE USE TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO FUND RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS, REGARDLESS OF THEIR DENOMINATION OR THE SECULAR NATURE OF THEIR SERVICES, YOU FORCE EVERY CITIZEN TO FINANCIALLY SUPPORT RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS THAT MAY CONFLICT WITH THEIR OWN RELIGIOUS BELIEFS OR CONSCIENCE.
THIS ISN'T JUST ABOUT CONSTITUTIONAL THEORY.
[01:10:02]
IT'S ABOUT FAIRNESS AND CONSISTENCY.IF YOU FUND ONE RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION TODAY, YOU MUST BE PREPARED TO FUND ALL RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS THAT PROVIDE SIMILAR SERVICES TOMORROW.
THIS CREATES AN IMPOSSIBLE SITUATION WHERE GOVERNMENT BECOMES THE ORBITER OF WHICH FAITH DESERVES SUPPORT, A ROLE IT MUST NEVER PLAY.
MOREOVER, RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS OFTEN CLAIM EXEMPTIONS FROM EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS THAT SECULAR NON PROFITS MUST FOLLOW.
THIS CREATES UNEQUAL STANDARDS FOR PUBLIC FUNDING RECIPIENTS AND UNDERMINES ACCOUNTABILITY TO TAXPAYERS.
THE SOLUTION ISN'T TO ABANDON THE COMMUNITIES THESE ORGANIZATIONS SERVE.
INSTEAD, YOU SHOULD FUND SECULAR NON PROFITS THAT PROVIDE IDENTICAL SERVICES OR BETTER YET PROVIDE THESE SERVICES DIRECTLY THROUGH GOVERNMENT AGENCIES THAT ANSWER FULLY TO THE PUBLIC.
YOU CAN ALSO SUPPORT RELIGIOUS CHARITABLE WORK THROUGH TAX INCENTIVES FOR PRIVATE DONATIONS, ALLOWING CITIZENS TO CHOOSE WHICH ORGANIZATIONS TO SUPPORT WITH THEIR OWN MONEY.
OUR FOUNDING FATHERS UNDERSTOOD THE BEST WAY TO PROTECT RELIGIOUS LIBERTY IS TO KEEP GOVERNMENT OUT OF RELIGION.
LET'S HONOR THAT WISDOM TODAY BY FINDING CONSTITUTIONAL WAYS TO SERVICE OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS WITHOUT USING TAXPAYER DOLLARS.
PLEASE DELAY THIS VOTE TO ENSURE A THOUGHTFUL CONSIDERATION OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS FOR THESE RELIGIOUS CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS OR REMOVE THE TEXAS MUSLIM WOMEN'S FOUNDATION FROM THE LIST ALTOGETHER.
>> THERE ARE NO OTHER SPEAKERS.
>> I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND COMBINE THE COMMENTS TO THE COUNCIL.
CURTIS, WOULD YOU COME BACK UP HERE AND REPEAT THE PROCESS IN QUALIFYING FOR THESE FUNDS.
>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE PROCESS THAT WE GO THROUGH IS COUNCIL APPOINTS A COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION, AND THAT COMMISSION GOES THROUGH AND TAKES APPLICATIONS.
THOSE APPLICATIONS ARE VETTED THROUGH OUR DEPARTMENT.
THOSE ARE THEN PROVIDED TO THE CRC, AND THEN THEY GO THROUGH THEM.
DURING THE MONTH OF APRIL, WE SCHEDULE ALL THE NONPROFITS WHO ARE REQUESTING FUNDING THROUGH THIS PROCESS TO COME IN AND GIVE A PRESENTATION.
THEY GIVE A PRESENTATION, AND THEN ALL THAT THOSE APPLICATIONS ARE SCORED, AND THEN FUNDING IS ALLOCATED BASED UPON THAT SCORING PROCESS, THAT SCORING MODEL.
THEN COME ON THE BACK END, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DO IS WE DO NOT FUND THEM FIRST.
THEY WILL PROVIDE RECEIPTS FOR REIMBURSEMENT BASED UPON THEIR ACTIVITIES.
THAT'S THE PROCESS THAT WE ENGAGE IN.
JUST ON A SIDE NOTE, ONE OF THE THINGS, I SPENT MANY YEARS AS A PROSECUTOR INVOLVED WITH CRIMES AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN, AND TEXAS MUSLIM WOMEN'S FOUNDATION HAS ALWAYS BEEN THERE PROVIDING THOSE SERVICES TO WOMEN AND CHILDREN WHO NEED IT REGARDLESS OF RACE AND ETHNICITY.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DO NOT HAVE, WE DO NOT HAVE CAPACITY IN THE CITY OF PLANO TO DEAL WITH ALL THE VICTIMS OF FAMILY VIOLENCE.
WE DO HAVE SEVERAL ORGANIZATIONS AND WE UTILIZE THOSE, AND SOMETIMES VICTIMS GO TO OTHER CITIES BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT WE JUST DON'T HAVE CAPACITY.
CURTIS, YOU MENTIONED, I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A REVIEW PROCESS THAT WILL GO DOWN.
>> THROUGH THE CRC OR FOR REIMBURSEMENT?
>> WELL, ONCE THESE SERVICES ARE IN PLACE.
>> YOU'RE REVIEWING WHAT THEY'RE DOING.
>> WE WANT TO MAKE SURE FOR HEARD PURPOSES, THAT THOSE FUNDED AGENCIES ARE DOING WHAT THEY'RE REQUIRED TO DO.
>> YES, CURTIS, LET'S JUST GO THROUGH THIS A LITTLE BIT IN A MORE EASILY DIGESTIBLE FOR ME TYPE OF DEAL.
I REMEMBER TEXAS MUSLIM WOMEN'S FOUNDATION HAS COME UP MULTIPLE TIMES THROUGHOUT THE YEARS WHEN WE'RE DEALING WITH FUNDING WITH REGARD TO THE HUD FUNDING.
>> THAT'S CORRECT. I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG.
>> SINCE I'VE BEEN ON COUNCIL, THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN ONE OF THE AGENCIES.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS BECAUSE IN PLANO,
[01:15:02]
WE REALLY DON'T HAVE THAT MANY AGENCIES THAT DEAL WITH ABUSE, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN.>> WE DON'T HAVE THAT MANY BEDS, CORRECT.
>> I THINK HOPE STORE IS THE ONE THAT SERVES THE ENTIRE COLLIN COUNTY, BUT PLANO ITSELF DOESN'T REALLY HAVE ONE THAT'S DEDICATED TO ABUSE WOMEN AND CHILDREN.
>> THAT'S CORRECT. HOPE STORE SERVES BOTH COLLIN COUNTY AND DALLAS COUNTY BECAUSE THEY HAVE A GARLAND SHELTER.
>> THROUGHOUT THE YEARS THAT WE'VE BEEN DEALING WITH, THIS SPECIFIC AGENCIES, SIMILAR TYPE CONCERNS HAVE BEEN RAISED, AND WE VETTED THEM MULTIPLE TIMES THROUGHOUT THE YEARS, AND WE'VE LOOKED THROUGH THEM AND WE AUDITED THEM, AND WE ACTUALLY MONITOR HOW THE RECEIPTS ARE COMING THROUGH IT.
AM I CLEAR? AM I CORRECT ABOUT ALL THIS? THROUGHOUT THOSE TIME, WE HAVE NOT HAD ANY INDICATION THAT THESE FUNDS WERE USED FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE OTHER THAN TO HELP THOSE WOMEN WHO PRETTY MUCH CANNOT GO HOME.
>> THAT'S CORRECT. THE SERVICES THAT THEY OFFER, WHETHER IT'S SHELTER OF WOMEN WHO ARE SUFFERING FROM INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE OR TENANT-BASED RENTAL ASSISTANCE WE'VE USED THEM.
WE'VE USED THEM FOR THOSE PROGRAMS TO REALLY PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY, WITHIN THE CITY OF PLANO, TO WHOMEVER QUALIFIES FOR THAT ASSISTANCE.
>> THIS IS FUNDS FROM THE FEDS.
>> THIS IS CDBG GRANT FUNDING AND HOME GRANT FUNDING IS WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TONIGHT. THAT'S CORRECT.
>> THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO VET FOR THE FEDS.
THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE COULD JUST MAKE UP OUR OWN RULES AND POLICIES AND DECIDE WHO WE WANT TO GIVE MONEY TO.
>> I DON'T APPRECIATE THAT. [LAUGHTER]
>> THEY WANT THEIR OWN POLICIES AND RULES.
>> OUR HANDS ARE PRETTY TIGHT AS TO WHAT ARE ELIGIBLE AND WHAT ARE QUALIFIABLE IN ORDER TO GET THESE FUNDING.
>> THERE'S RULES IN PLACE, AND WE MAKE SURE THAT THOSE RULES ARE FOLLOWED.
>> MOST OF THESE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, THEY'RE RELIGIOUSLY-BASED, MOST OF THEM.
>> WELL, WHETHER IT'S CATHOLIC CHARITIES, WHETHER THERE'S A RELIGIOUS COMPONENT TO THEM, BUT THE SERVICES THEY PROVIDE ARE NON DENOMINATIONAL.
>> THEY PROVIDE IT TO EVERYONE.
>> THEY PROVIDE IT TO EVERYONE. THAT IS CORRECT.
>> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IS CLEARED.
WE'VE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUE WITH REGARD TO THESE SPECIFIC ONES THAT'S BEEN VETTED.
I'VE SEEN THESE NAMES MULTIPLE TIMES THROUGHOUT THE YEARS.
I DON'T REALLY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT.
WITH THAT SAID, I MOVE TO APPROVE IT.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER QUINTANILLA.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. CURTIS, REFRESH MY MEMORY, BUT SOME OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR A GRANT, DO HAVE TO HAVE HISTORICAL ESTABLISHMENT, I BELIEVE IT WAS TWO YEARS BEFORE THEY CAN APPLY FOR THE GRANT?
>> YES. THEY'VE GOT TO HAVE SOME HISTORY OF DOING WHAT THEY NEED TO DO.
>> THEN THEY DO HAVE TO BE FUNDS REINVESTED INTO PLANO AND STATE IN PLANO AND IMPACT PLANO RESIDENTS.
>> THEN THE OTHER ONE IS THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION, THEY REVIEW, THE BEAR, THEY GO THROUGH ALL THE APPLICATIONS AND THEY ALSO DO AN INTERVIEW AS WELL TO EACH ORGANIZATION. YES.
THEY BRING THEM IN, SO THEY INVITE EACH ORGANIZATION TO COME IN AND GIVE THAT PRESENTATION AS TO WHAT WHAT THE NEEDS ARE AND HOW THEY'RE GOING TO USE THAT FUNDING.
>> RIGHT. THEN BECAUSE I SERVE ON COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION, I KNOW THERE'S NO SECRET TO THAT, BUT THEN THERE'S ALSO AN ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESS.
SAY, EVEN THOUGH AN ORGANIZATION WAS GRANTED $20,000, IF THEY DON'T GO TO THE ACTUAL ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESS THROUGH THE CITY OF PLANO, TECHNICALLY, IF THEY DON'T REIMBURSE FOR 20,000, THEY DON'T GET THAT FULL 20,000 IF THEY ONLY SPENT UP TO 10,000.
>> CORRECT. IF FOR SOME REASON, THEY DON'T HAVE CAPACITY TO FULFILL THE MISSION, THE OBLIGATIONS REQUIRED BY THE GRANT, THEN THAT MONEY WOULD NOT BE ALLOCATED TO THEM.
>> THEN FOR ANY ORGANIZATION THAT WANTS TO APPLY FOR THIS GRANT IS ABLE TO APPLY, AND IT'S EASILY ACCESSIBLE FOR THEM TO APPLY TO GO TO THE PROCESS FOR SUCH FUNDING.
>> THAT GRANT PROCESS IS OPEN UP TO ALL ELIGIBLE ORGANIZATIONS IN PLANO THAT SERVE PLANO RESIDENTS.
>> WONDERFUL. ABSOLUTELY. NO OTHER QUESTIONS, BUT I'M IN AGREEMENT WITH THIS AS WELL, TOO.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? THANK YOU, CURTIS. I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE ITEM NUMBER 3.
PLEASE VOTE. MOTION PASSES 8-0.
THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] NEXT ITEM.
>> ITEM NUMBER 4, PUBLIC HEARING AND COMMENT,
[(4)
Public Hearing and Comment: Presentation of the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice. This report highlights potential impediments to fair housing choice and provides recommendations to reduce impediments over the next five-year consolidated plan period. The public will be given an opportunity to speak on the report during the public hearing.
]PRESENTATION OF THE ANALYSIS OF IMPEDIMENTS TO FAIR HOUSING CHOICE.[01:20:03]
THIS REPORT HIGHLIGHTS POTENTIAL IMPEDIMENTS TO FAIR HOUSING CHOICE AND PROVIDES RECOMMENDATIONS TO REDUCE IMPEDIMENTS OVER THE NEXT FIVE-YEAR CONSOLIDATED PLAN PERIOD.THE PUBLIC WILL BE GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON THE REPORT DURING THE PUBLIC HEARING.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
I'M THE HOUSING COMMUNITY SERVICES MANAGER.
TONIGHT, I HAVE THE PLEASURE OF BRINGING UP RKG ASSOCIATES.
THEY ARE OUR CONSULTANT THAT YOU WILL HEAR FROM TWICE TONIGHT.
THEY HAVE CONDUCTED THE ANALYSIS OF IMPEDIMENTS TO FAIR HOUSING CHOICE.
WE'LL LET THEM GO THROUGH THEIR SLIDES, AND I'LL COME BACK ON THE END.
I'M GOING TO BRING UP SUMMER PAN RIGHT NOW. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO PRESENT THIS ANALYSIS OF IMPEDIMENTS TO FAIR HOUSING CHOICE TO YOU ALL TONIGHT.
MY NAME IS SUMMER PAN, PROJECT MANAGER AND URBAN PLANNER FROM RKG ASSOCIATES, WHICH IS THE FIRM CONTRACTED BY THE CITY OF PLANO TO CONDUCT THIS STUDY.
FOR TODAY'S AGENDA, THERE ARE FIVE COMPONENTS.
WE ARE GOING TO LOOK AT THE PURPOSE OF THIS ANALYSIS, COMPONENTS OF THIS ANALYSIS, DATA SOURCES THAT WE USED, KEY DATA FINDINGS THAT WE HAVE IDENTIFIED, AND ALSO THE IMPEDIMENTS TO FAIR HOUSING CHOICE THAT WE HAVE IDENTIFIED THROUGH THIS STUDY.
FIRST OF ALL, WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS STUDY? THIS STUDY IS ENCOURAGED BY THE US DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT FOR ALL MUNICIPALITIES RECEIVING FEDERAL FUNDING TO TAKE ACTION TO AFFIRMATIVELY FURTHER FAIR HOUSING.
IN THIS CASE, THE CITY OF PLANO VOLUNTARILY CHOSE TO CONDUCT THIS STUDY.
THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1968 MANDATES THAT IT'S UNLAWFUL TO DISCRIMINATE IN THE SALE, RENTAL, FINANCING OF HOUSE, OR IN THE PROVISION OF BROKERAGE SERVICES OR FACILITIES IN CONNECTION WITH THE SALE OR RENTAL OF HOUSING, BASED ON THE FOLLOWING CRITERIAS, CATEGORIES, OR "PROTECTIVE SEX".
THE COMPONENTS FOR THIS ANALYSIS INCLUDES FIVE MAJOR CHAPTERS.
WE LOOKED AT DEMOGRAPHIC AND HOUSING CONDITIONS, RECORDS OF HOUSING DISCRIMINATION COMPLAINTS FILED IN THE CITY OF PLANO, MOSTLY TO THE US DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING URBAN DEVELOPMENT, REVIEWED PUBLIC POLICIES OF THE CITY, REVIEWED PRIVATE SECTOR PRACTICES, MOSTLY PRIVATE MORTGAGE LENDING INSTITUTIONS, AND FINALLY, IDENTIFIED THE IMPEDIMENTS TO FAIR HOUSING CHOICE IN THE CITY.
DATA SOURCES WE USE MOSTLY COME FROM PUBLICLY AVAILABLE DATA SOURCES, AND MOST OF THEM SOURCE FROM US DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AS WELL AS US CENSUS BUREAU.
HERE ARE THE KEY DATA FINDINGS FROM THIS ANALYSIS.
FIRST OF ALL, WEST AND NORTH PLANO, WHICH TEND TO HAVE HIGHER HOUSING INCOME, HAVE THE BEST FAIR HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES.
IN COMPARISON, EAST PLANO, WHICH IS TRADITIONALLY MORE AFFORDABLE, TEND TO BE HISPANIC CONCENTRATED NEIGHBORHOODS, FACES MORE FAIR HOUSING CHALLENGES.
FOR EXAMPLE, THE TREND TO BE MORE HOUSING CONDITION ISSUES, LOWER INCOMES, LOWER LABOR MARKET ENGAGEMENT AND SCHOOL PERFORMANCES.
THIRD, HOUSING DISCRIMINATION COMPLAINTS ORIGINATED IN THE CITY OF PLANO, RECEIVED BY HUD 2019-2024 SHOWED THAT THERE IS AN INCREASE IN HOUSING DISCRIMINATION COMPLAINTS IN 2024 COMPARED TO 2019, 2022 AND '23.
MOST COMPLAINTS WERE ASSOCIATED WITH ISSUES BASED ON DISABILITY, RACE, COLOR, AND NATIONAL ORIGIN.
THOSE ARE THE TOP THREE ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH FAIR HOUSING DISCRIMINATION COMPLAINTS.
NON-WHITE APPLICANTS USUALLY FACE LIMITED AND LESS SUCCESSFUL ACCESS TO HOMEOWNERSHIP, HOME IMPROVEMENT LOANS, AND REFINANCING IN THE PRIVATE MORTGAGE MARKET, ESPECIALLY THOSE IDENTIFYING AS TWO OR MORE RACES OF SOME OTHER RACE, HISPANIC, NATIVE HAWAIIAN, PACIFIC ISLANDER, AND BLACK AFRICAN AMERICANS.
BLACK AND HISPANIC POPULATION IN SOUTHEAST PLANO TEND TO FACE MORE HIGH COST LANDING, WHICH IS MORTGAGES IN A PRIVATE LANDING INSTITUTION THAT ORIGINATED THAT TEND TO HAVE HIGHER INTEREST RATES.
MEDIUM GROSS RENT AND HOME VALUE OUTPACED THE GROWTH OF MEDIUM HOUSEHOLD BETWEEN 2013, AND '23, AND THAT'S BASED ON THE DATA FROM US CENSUS BUREAU.
WHAT ARE THE IMPEDIMENTS TO FAIR HOUSING CHOICE IN PLANO THAT WE HAVE IDENTIFIED? FIRST OF ALL, CLUSTER REPUBLICA SUPPORTED HOUSING IN
[01:25:01]
MINORITY AND HISPANIC CENTRAED AREAS WITH LOWER INCOMES AND LIMITED ACCESS TO RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES, COUPLED WITH RISK OF GENTRIFICATION.LIMITED ATTAINABLE HOUSING OPTIONS THROUGHOUT THE CITY, COUPLED WITH STRICT ZONING AND COMMUNITY RESISTANCE.
RISK OF REDUCED PUBLIC TRANSIT OPTIONS AND DECLINE AND ACCESS TO FAIR HOUSING CHOICES FOR LOWEST INCOME RESIDENTS.
LIMITED DEDICATED LOCAL FUNDING, AND INSUFFICIENT LOSS OF FUNDING FOR ATTAINABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AND HOME OWNERSHIP ASSISTANCE.
LOSS OF THE FAIR HOUSING CENTER, COUPLED WITH A LACK OF FUNDING FOR FAIR HOUSING, AND FINALLY, RACIAL ETHNIC DISPARITY IN HOMEOWNERSHIP ACCESS MOSTLY IN THE PRIVATE LANDING SECTOR.
THAT CONCLUDES MY PART OF THE PRESENTATION.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
>>WE'VE GOT A FIVE YEAR PLAN THAT'S ALREADY.
I'LL START OCTOBER 1ST, AND YOU'VE JUST HEARD SUMMERS SPEAK ABOUT A LOT OF IMPEDIMENTS.
WHAT WE WANT TO DO, WHAT WE LOOKED AT, WHEN LOOKING AT THEIR REPORT IS LET'S THINK ABOUT WHAT CAN PLANO ACTUALLY DO.
WE HAVE A CERTIFIED HOUSING COUNSELOR IN STAFF.
THEY PASSED THAT CERTIFICATION, SO GOING FORWARD OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, WE WANT TO DO MORE HOUSING COUNSELING.
WHEN I SAY HOUSING COUNSELING THAT SPEAKS TO YOU ALL KNOW THAT WE HAVE FIRST TIME HOME BUYER EDUCATION THAT OCCURS THE THIRD SATURDAY OF EVERY MONTH.
BUT WE ALSO TALK TO OUR RESIDENTS ABOUT JUST RENTAL OPPORTUNITIES THAT FIT THEIR INCOME.
WE'LL CONTINUE TO DO THAT, BUT WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT WE DO IT IN MORE AND ADDITIONAL LANGUAGES.
THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFERENT LANGUAGES SPOKEN HERE IN PLANO.
WE ARE LOOKING TO FIT THAT GAP AND TO MEET IT OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
WE'LL ALSO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH OUR FAITH BASED PARTNERS AS WELL AS NON-FAITH BASED PARTNERS THAT THOSE ARE THE ONES THAT HAVE THE CONNECTIONS TO OUR COMMUNITY.
WE WANT TO GET AND MAKE SURE THERE'S EDUCATION, NOT ONLY ABOUT FAIR HOUSING AND WHAT THAT MEANS.
FOR INSTANCE, WE'VE DONE FAIR HOUSING SUMMITS BEFORE HERE IN PLANO.
WE WANT TO GO BACK TO DOING THINGS LIKE THAT AND ENGAGE OUR RESIDENTS, BUT ALSO JUST SOME THINGS THAT ARE MENTIONED IN THE REPORT, LIKE, HELPING THEM KNOW HOW TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.
WHAT WE'RE REALIZING IS THERE'S AN EDUCATION GAP GOING ON IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT WAS HIGHLIGHTED IN THAT REPORT, THAT WE FEEL LIKE A STAFF, WE COULD DEFINITELY ASSIST WITH THAT AND CONTINUE TO ENSURE THAT THE RESOURCES THAT ARE HERE ARE UTILIZED BY ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS.
YOU'VE HEARD FROM KRISTINA, YOU'VE HEARD FROM PNZ.
YOU KNOW WE'RE REVIEWING THE ZONING, AND THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT YOU'VE ALREADY HEARD ABOUT THAT, SO I'M NOT GOING TO SPEAK TO THAT.
I'M AVAILABLE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.
SPECIFIC QUESTIONS. I ALSO HAVE SUMMER WHO I'LL BRING UP. THAT'S IT.
>> MAYOR AND COUNCIL, YOU JUST GOT DONE WITH A WORK SESSION WITH PLANNING AND ZONING ON SB 840, WHICH IS GOING TO BE A GAME CHANGER IN THIS PARTICULAR AREA.
WE JUST ADVISE THAT THIS TIME NEXT YEAR, THIS MAY BE A VERY DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENT AND VERY DIFFERENT REPORT BASED UPON THE STATE PREEMPTION THAT WE HAVE IN THAT.
WE'RE WATCHING THAT CLOSELY, BUT AGAIN, THIS WAS STARTED WELL BEFORE.
WE HAD THE LEGISLATION, AND SO JUST KEEP THAT IN MIND.
>> THANK YOU, CHANT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
>> THERE ARE NO SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM.
>> I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
COMBINE THE COMMENTS TO THE COUNCIL.
>> MR. MAYOR, SOUNDS LIKE THIS IS REALLY ABOUT EDUCATING THE RESIDENTS ABOUT WHAT IS AVAILABLE, WHETHER IT'S TRANSPORTATION OR SERVICES SO THEY CAN BE EDUCATED AND TAKE THE RIGHT STEPS TO GET TO WHERE THEY NEED TO BE.
>> YOU SAID IT. THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT WE WILL BE FOCUSING ON GOING FORWARD. IT'S NEEDED.
YOU CAN NEVER OVER EDUCATE ANYONE, AND WE ARE IN THE BUSINESS OF EDUCATING AND IMPROVING ON IT.
>> IT SOUNDS LIKE THESE ARE REGULAR EDUCATION EVENTS AS WELL.
>> YES, THEY ARE. I SPOKE TO THE FIRST TIME HOME BUYER PROGRAM.
WE'VE HAD FAIR HOUSING SYMPOSIUMS. WE WILL BE HAVING THEM IN THE FUTURE.
WE WORK WITH OTHER CITIES, THE CITIES OF ALLEN FRISCO AND MCKINNEY, BECAUSE WE REALIZE THAT IT'S A REGIONAL ISSUE, TOO.
WE WORK WITH THOSE CITIES IN COLLIN COUNTY AND GET ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS INFORMED TOGETHER.
BRISCOE, DID YOU HAVE SOMETHING?
I JUST WANTED TO ADD AS WELL SOME OF THE EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL THAT IT'S TRANSLATED IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES, AND IT'S ALSO COMMUNICATED AND AVAILABLE ONLINE FOR EVERY RESIDENT.
THAT DOESN'T SPEAK ENGLISH AS WELL.
>> MR. MAYOR, I MAKE A MOTION OR I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE AGENDA.
[01:30:01]
>> THANK YOU. I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO ACCEPT THE REPORT REGARDING THE FAIR HOUSING STUDY.
I KNOW STEVE TOO WELL, BUT DIDN'T HE DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO VOTE, SO NEXT ITEM, ITEM 5.
[(5)
Discussion and feedback on the City of Plano Housing Study.
]>> ITEM 5, DISCUSSION AND FEEDBACK ON THE CITY OF PLANO HOUSING STUDY.
>> ONE OF THE THINGS BACK IN 2023, WE HIRED RKG TO CONSULT ON HOUSING ISSUES.
WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS GOING TO GET A REALLY BROAD OVERVIEW OF THE ISSUES THAT WE HAVE HERE IN PLANO WITH REGARDS TO HOUSING, AS YOU ALL ARE AWARE, OF SOME OF THE PROBLEMS WE HAVE WITH HOUSING.
WE'VE BEEN ON THIS JOURNEY FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF.
WE WERE GOING TO BRING THEM HERE, AND THEN SBA 40 HIT.
THAT CERTAINLY CHANGES THE LANDSCAPE OF HOUSING ISSUES HERE IN PLANO.
BUT AT THIS POINT, WHAT I'D LIKE TO DO IS I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE KYLE TINA, WHO IS WITH RKG.
HE IS THE ONE THAT DID THE HOUSING STUDY.
HE'S GOING TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT IT.
WE HAVE CERTAINLY BRIEFED HIM ON SB 840, AND YOU'VE CERTAINLY GOT A LOT OF INFORMATION TODAY ON THAT ALSO, SO, KYLE.
>> THANK YOU, CURTIS. GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. I AM COUNSEL LINE.
I'M THE PRESIDENT OF RKG, COLLEAGUES WITH SUMMER PAN AND JAHANGIR AKBAR, WORKED WITH ME ON THIS PROCESS.
AS YOU CAN SEE THE AGENDA HERE, WE JUST KIND OF WANT ON A SIMILAR APPROACH, TALK YOU THROUGH WHAT WE DID, WHAT WE LEARNED, AND LAY OUT THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE ANALYSIS.
HOUSING STUDY ACTUALLY WAS A GOOD COMPONENT AND PARTNER PIECE TO THE ANALYSIS OF IMPEDIMENTS THAT WE DID FOR THE CITY AS A FOLLOW UP TO IT.
I DON'T WANT TO BELABOR SOME OF THE POINTS THAT SOME ARE ALREADY TALKED TO YOU ABOUT, SO I'LL MOVE THROUGH THOSE FAIRLY QUICKLY.
THE GOAL OF THIS STUDY, AS CURTIS MENTIONED IS TO TRY AND IDENTIFY CURRENT AND PROJECTED HOUSING NEEDS IN THE FOR RENT AND FOR SALE MARKET.
TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHERE WE ARE TODAY, HOW ARE THINGS CHANGING AND HOW THOSE CHANGES COULD POSSIBLY AFFECT THE FUTURE OF THE OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS THAT ALREADY LIVE HERE, WORKERS THAT ALREADY WORK HERE, AND JOBS AND FOLKS THAT MAY WANT TO COME HERE AT SOME TIME INTO THE FUTURE.
ON THE BACK END OF IT, THEN WE PROVIDED, I WOULD LIKE TO CALL IT A MENU OF OPTIONS OF REGULATORY POLICY, FINANCIAL STRATEGIES THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO THE CITY TO CONSIDER AS THEY MOVE FORWARD TO TRY AND ADDRESS SOME OF THESE ISSUES.
I'LL CALL THEM CHALLENGES, MAYBE NOT ISSUES PER SE.
BUT IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE IN THESE FIRST COUPLE OF SLIDES IS THAT WE ARE NOT STARTING FROM A BLANK SLATE HERE.
THERE'S ALREADY EFFORTS GOING ON HERE WITHIN THE CITY OF PLANO TO TRY AND ADDRESS HOUSING NEED AT A MYRIAD OF DIFFERENT INCOME LEVELS AND DIFFERENT HOUSING TYPOLOGIES.
YOU'RE LOOKING AT MAJOR PENDING PROJECTS, AND I'M NOT GOING TO BORE YOU TO TEARS BY READING ALL OF THEM.
YOU'RE MORE THAN WELCOME TO HAVE THIS, AND IT'S DETAILED IN THE REPORT THAT WE CREATED.
BUT LOOKING AT THOSE THAT ARE YET TO BE BUILT OR PENDING APPROVAL, THERE'S ALSO A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF EXISTING COMMUNITIES HERE WITHIN THE CITY OF PLANO THAT OFFER INCOME CONTROLLED HOUSING FOR FOLKS THAT WANT TO LIVE OR CURRENTLY LIVE WITHIN THE CITY.
THE THING IS, WE ALSO KNOW WE'RE BUILDING UPON EXISTING PROGRAMS. A LOT OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WE HAVE ARE NOT NECESSARILY, WELL, YOU NEED TO START DOING THIS BECAUSE YOU'RE ALREADY DOING THINGS, BUT MAYBE HERE'S A DIFFERENT WAY TO LOOK AT THAT OR HERE'S HOW TO AUGMENT THAT AS YOU MOVE FORWARD IN YOUR JOURNEY OF HOW YOU PRIORITIZE AND DECIDE WHAT YOU WANT TO ADDRESS FROM A HOUSING PERSPECTIVE.
THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE PROGRAMS THAT ALREADY EXIST.
WE'RE AT THE GOAL LINE FOR THIS STUDY.
AS CURTIS MENTIONED, WE STARTED THIS A BIT AGO.
WE WERE VERY NEAR THE END, AND THEN WE ADDED ON A JOBS HOUSING BALANCE ANALYSIS, AND I'LL TALK ABOUT THAT IN JUST A MOMENT IN A FURTHER SLIDE, BUT WE'RE HERE TO PRESENT TO YOU THE [INAUDIBLE] NOTES VERSION.
I THINK THE REPORT IS SOMEWHERE NEAR 200 PAGES, AND I FIGURED I'D SAVE YOU ALL READING IT TO YOU DIRECTLY AND LET YOU READ IT AT YOUR OWN LEISURE.
THE PROCESS REALLY WAS FAIRLY COMPREHENSIVE.
WE LOOKED AT A MYRIAD OF DATA SOURCES.
ACTUALLY INTERVIEWED A NUMBER OF YOU.
HOPEFULLY YOU REMEMBER THOSE CONVERSATIONS THAT WE HAD AS WE WENT THROUGH THIS PROCESS, WE ENGAGED WITH HOUSING ADVOCATES, FOR PROFIT DEVELOPERS,
[01:35:02]
NON-PROFIT DEVELOPERS, COMMUNITY LEADERS, ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE ENGAGED IN DIFFERENT HOUSING ISSUES FROM HOUSING DEVELOPMENT TO SPECIAL NEEDS HOUSING.WE GATHERED A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DATA TO TRY AND UNDERSTAND WHERE THIS ALL SITS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.
I JUST WANTED TO POINT OUT, AND A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE HAVE GET HUNG UP ON THE TERM AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND I LIKE TO PRESENT TO OUR CLIENTS THAT AFFORDABILITY IS RELATIVE.
EVERYBODY IN THIS ROOM HAS A HOUSE OR APARTMENT THAT THEY CAN AFFORD AND ONE THAT THEY CANNOT.
THE TERM AFFORDABILITY IS TRULY ABOUT YOUR ABILITY TO PAY, AND YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR ME USE THE TERM COST BURDEN.
THAT IS A HUD DEFINED TERM OF SPENDING NO LESS THAN 30% OF YOUR GROSS INCOME ON HOUSING.
AND THAT HAS BEEN DETERMINED BY PEOPLE MUCH SMARTER THAN ME FOR A VERY MUCH LONGER TIME THAN I'VE BEEN DOING THIS.
THAT IS WHAT YOU DETERMINE WHERE IT IS A HEALTHY BALANCE OF ACROSS ALL THE DIFFERENT EXPENDITURES YOU HAVE IN YOUR LIFE TO BE ALLOCATED TOWARDS YOUR HOUSING NEEDS.
I JUST WANTED TO SHOW YOU SOME GRAPHIC, AND I'M JUST GOING TO POINT OUT THAT LOOKING AT 120% OF THE AREA IMMEDIATE INCOME.
HOUSEHOLD EARNING ABOUT $105,000 CAN AFFORD ABOUT $2,900 A MONTH IN RENT OR ABOUT A $305,000 HOME USING AN FHA MORTGAGE.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT POINT TO REMEMBER, ESPECIALLY AS WE START TALKING ABOUT THE HOMEOWNERSHIP NUMBERS AS WE MOVE FORWARD THROUGH THIS.
THIS GRAPHIC IS SHOWING YOU HOW RENT, WHICH IS THE BARS HAVE CHANGED WITHIN THE CITY OF PLANO OVER THE PAST SEVEN OR EIGHT YEARS, AND THE ABILITY TO PAY A NUMBER OF THE DIFFERENT OCCUPATIONS THAT ARE HERE IN THE CITY.
AS YOU CAN SEE, THERE ARE SOME THE MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD RENT IN THE CITY, THE CITY IS VERY AFFORDABLE, BUT THERE'S A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER THAT ARE NOT.
NOW WITHOUT READING IT OFF, PARTICULARLY IN YOUR SERVICE BASED SECTORS, AND EVEN MANY OF THOSE IN THE HEALTH BASED INDUSTRIES CANNOT AFFORD TO LIVE HERE WITHOUT PAYING MORE THAN 30% OF THEIR GROSS INCOME.
HOUSING IS NOT JUST THE ISSUE OF JUST FOLKS WHO ALREADY LIVE HERE, BUT FOLKS WHO WANT TO WORK HERE OR ALREADY DO WORK HERE, AS WELL.
YOU CAN SEE HERE THAT THE COST OF HOUSING HAS CHANGED AND INCREASED A LITTLE BIT DISPROPORTIONAL TO HOW INCOMES HAVE CHANGED IN A NUMBER OF THOSE.
>> OCCUPATIONS. WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT HERE IS A GRAPHIC OF THE CHANGE IN THE MEDIAN HOME OWNERSHIP PRICE.
THE ORANGY SPARS OR MAYBE THE LESS DARK COLOR ARE EXISTING HOUSES.
HOUSES THAT HAVE BEEN BUILT PRIOR 1980S, 1990S.
PLANO HAS A RICH HISTORY OF HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ACROSS THE DECADES.
THEN THE DARKER RED IS NEW CONSTRUCTION.
WHAT YOU CAN SEE HERE IS TWO THINGS.
NUMBER ONE, THE COST OF HOUSING HAS CONTINUALLY INCREASED.
IT HAS OUTPACED INCOMES IN THE REGION.
SUMMER ALREADY MENTIONED THAT, AND YOU'RE SEEING IT HAS REACHED PRICE POINTS WELL ABOVE A HALF A MILLION DOLLAR.
IF YOU REMEMBER, WHEN I POINTED BACK THE 120% OF AMI CAN AFFORD ABOUT A 300 OR $350,000 HOUSE, AND THE MEDIAN HOUSE PRICE IN THE CITY IS 500,000.
THAT'S NOT A GOOD OR BAD THING AS A STANDALONE ISSUE.
HOWEVER, IT POINTS TO THE FACT THAT FOR HOUSEHOLDS THAT ARE HERE THAT MAY WANT TO GO FROM RENTING TO OWNERSHIP OR MAY WANT TO BUY A LARGER HOME BECAUSE THEY'RE STARTING A FAMILY, OR ON A DOWNSIZE BECAUSE THEIR KIDS HAVE GONE OFF TO SCHOOL, AND THEY'RE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING ELSE TO AFFORD.
THERE IS CHALLENGES IN THE ABILITY TO TRY AND FIND THAT HERE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY FOR THOSE EXCEPT AT THE HIGHEST INCOME POINTS.
AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, WE ADDED ON A JOBS HOUSING BALANCE BECAUSE THERE WAS A LOT OF CONVERSATION GOING ON ABOUT, WHAT ABOUT ALL THE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT THAT'S OCCURRING AROUND PLANO AND NOT NECESSARILY IN PLANO.
THE BULK OF THIS STUDY WAS TO TRY AND UNDERSTAND JOBS THAT ARE BEING CREATED REGIONALLY BY MUNICIPALITY.
YOU CAN SEE HERE THE LIST OF COMMUNITIES THAT WE STUDIED, THE PROJECTION OF THE NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDS TO BE MOVING THOSE COMMUNITIES AND THE PROJECTION OF THE NUMBER OF HOUSING UNITS THAT ARE GOING TO BE DEVELOPED IN THOSE COMMUNITIES.
THE ONES WITH DOUBLE STARS UP THERE, AND LIKE I SAID, YOU DON'T NEED TO SEE IT, BUT YOU CAN SEE IT LATER, ARE THE ONLY COMMUNITIES THAT DID NOT ACTIVELY SHARE THEIR INFORMATION WITH US.
WE REACHED OUT TO EVERY ONE OF THE MUNICIPALITIES AND ASKED THEM ALL TO SHARE INFORMATION.
THE BIG TAKEAWAY HERE IS OVER THE NEXT 5-10 YEARS, THE AMOUNT OF DEMAND FOR NEW HOUSING, NOT JUST IN PLANO, BUT IN THE REGION IS GOING TO SUBSTANTIALLY OUTPACE THE DEVELOPMENT OF HOUSING HERE IN PLANO AND IN THE REGION.
THERE'S A LOT OF DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY GOING ON, AND I'M NOT HERE TO CAST JUDGMENT ON.
IT'S A GOOD OR BAD THING, BUT THE REALITY IS IS THAT AS DEMAND CONTINUES TO EXCEED SUPPLY HERE IN THE CITY, AND IN THE GREATER METROPLEX REGION, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE HOUSING PRICES CONTINUE TO ESCALATE FASTER THAN PEOPLE'S ABILITY TO PAY, PARTICULARLY MANY OF THOSE THAT WORK HERE IN THE COMMUNITY.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE KEY FINDINGS? AS I MENTIONED, THERE'S WIDESPREAD COST BURDENING, PARTICULARLY THOSE HOUSEHOLDS THAT ARE EARNING LESS THAN $75,000 A YEAR.
SEVENTY PERCENT OF RENTERS AND OVER HALF OF HOMEOWNERS IN THAT INCOME BRACKET ARE PAYING MORE THAN 30% OF THEIR GROSS INCOME.
THAT IS A CHALLENGE FROM THE ABILITY TO PAY FOR OTHER SERVICES AND NEEDS,
[01:40:04]
HEALTHCARE, FOOD, CLOTHING, AND THOSE THINGS.THERE'S A MISMATCH BETWEEN HOUSING AND WORKFORCE NEEDS.
LIKE I MENTIONED, OUR STUDY SHOWED THAT OVER 40% OF THE JOBS THAT BE CREATED IN THIS COMMUNITY PAY LESS THAN $80,000 A YEAR.
THAT ARE PROJECTED TO BE CREATED HERE.
HOWEVER, VERY LITTLE, IF ANY, HOUSING IS BEING DEVELOPED FOR THAT PRICE POINT OF INDIVIDUAL.
IT'S EVEN MORE CHALLENGING FOR LARGER HOUSEHOLDS.
AFFORDABILITY IS GENERALLY IN SMALLER STUDIOS OR ONE BEDROOM APARTMENTS OR TWO BEDROOM APARTMENTS.
HOUSEHOLDS THAT REQUIRE THREE MORE BEDROOMS, THERE'S EVEN LESS CHOICE, AND THERE'S EVEN LESS OPPORTUNITY HERE IN THE COMMUNITY.
THE AGING POPULATION IS CONSTRAINING SUPPLY.
I APOLOGIZE AFTER I LOOKED AT THIS STUDY BEFORE.
THEY'RE NOT CONSTRAINING SUPPLY PER SE, BUT FOLKS ARE AGING IN PLACE AND THEY'RE STAYING IN THE COMMUNITY.
A LOT OF TIMES THEY DON'T HAVE THAT ALTERNATIVE TO GO DOWNSIZE, IF YOU WILL, AND SO THEY'RE STAYING IN THEIR LARGER HOMES.
BUT ALSO, WHEN WE LOOKED AT YOUR POPULATION TRENDS OVER THE PAST FIVE OR SO YEARS, EVEN THOUGH THE POPULATION HAS BEEN FAIRLY STABLE HERE IN THE CITY, IT HAS BEEN STEADILY SHIFTING FROM A MORE BROAD RANGE INTO HOUSEHOLDS HEADED BY PEOPLE OF 55 AND OLDER.
YOU HAVE PEOPLE IN NEARING OR AT RETIREMENT, OFTENTIMES, PROBABLY EMPTY NESTERS THAT ARE MOVING IN AND CONSUMING THE HOUSING THAT YOU HAVE, MAKING IT CHALLENGING BOTH FOR EXISTING HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES THAT ARE LOOKING TO BUY OR MOVE UP AND HOUSEHOLDS THAT ARE COMING HERE TO TAKE JOBS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT WANT TO LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH THEY WORK.
THE MARKET IS NOT GOING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM.
SUPPLY AND DEMAND FOR ANY OF YOU WHO EVER DEVELOPED A REAL ESTATE ASSET OR BOUGHT A HOME OR RENTED AN APARTMENT KNOW THAT WHEN THE MARKET IS GOING TO BUILD TO WHERE THEY'RE ABLE TO MAKE THE GREATEST RETURNS, AND THEY'RE ABLE TO MAKE THE GREATEST RETURNS AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL OR THE HIGHEST PRICE POINTS IN THE COMMUNITY.
YOU CAN SEE THAT AND MUCH OF THE STUFF THAT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED HERE IN THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN BUILT AT THOSE HIGHEST PRICE POINT LEVELS, AS YOU SAW, FOR EXAMPLE, ON THAT OWNERSHIP PAGE OR THE DISPARITY BETWEEN HOMES THAT HAVE EXISTED HERE FOR A WHILE AND STUFF THAT HAD BEEN PUT ON THE MARKET.
THE REGIONAL HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IS NOT KEEPING PACE.
WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS ALREADY.
UNFORTUNATELY, WE CAN'T LOOK TO OUR NEIGHBORS TO SOLVE THE HOUSING ISSUES AND NEEDS.
THEY'RE STRUGGLING WITH IT THEMSELVES.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE SOME DECISIONS IF WE WANT TO TRY AND ADDRESS SOME OF THE ISSUES AND NEEDS THAT WE HAVE HERE.
THE NEED FOR STRATEGIC ADDITIONAL INTERVENTION.
AS I SAID, IF YOU LOOK AT THE REPORT, THE LAST WHOLE SECTION OF THAT DOCUMENT IS A SERIES OF STRATEGIES AND RECOMMENDATION, I JUST WOULD LIKE TO SAY, CURTIS, HB 840, A NUMBER OF THE STRATEGIES THAT WE HAD IDENTIFIED WERE IDENTIFIED IN THAT POLICY.
I KNOW YOU'VE TALKED ABOUT THAT TO DEATH, AND I DEFINITELY DON'T WANT TO DRIVE TO BEAT THAT DEAD HORSE, IF YOU WILL.
BUT THE REALITY IS THAT SOME OF THOSE THINGS ARE, FROM A REGULATORY PERSPECTIVE, HELP CREATE NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR DIFFERENT TYPOLOGIES OF HOUSING AND DIFFERENT PRICE POINTS.
WITH THAT, I WANT TO THANK YOU AND TURN IT BACK OVER TO CURTIS.
>> WITH THAT, JUST QUESTIONS FOR KYLE, I THINK.
>> THAT'S ALL RIGHT. I GOT THAT.
>> KYLE, GREAT REPORT. THANK YOU.
VERY THOROUGH. I JUST REALLY HAVE A QUESTION.
I THINK WE ALL ON THIS DIAS RECOGNIZE WHERE OUR ISSUES ARE WITH REGARDS TO HOUSING, PARTICULARLY FOR THE WORKFORCE AND THE PRICE OF HOUSING THROUGHOUT THE NORTH TEXAS REGION.
AGAIN, I LIKE YOUR REPORT AND IT WAS A THOROUGH ANALYSIS.
BUT I'M SURE YOU'VE DONE SEVERAL OF THESE REPORTS FOR MULTIPLE MUNICIPALITIES.
HOW DOES THE CITY OF PLANO COMPARED TO OTHER CITIES OF SIMILAR SIZE OR CLOSE TO OUR SIZE WITH REGARDS TO US MEETING OUR HOUSING NEEDS? FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE, WHAT SHOULD WE PRIORITIZE TO IMPROVE ON WHAT WE NEED TO PROVIDE FOR OUR CITIZENS?
>> I APPRECIATE THAT QUESTION. THANK YOU.
CITY OF PLANO IS AT OR A LITTLE BIT BELOW HALFWAY.
I THINK THE AMOUNT OF INVESTMENT FOR A CITY OF THIS SIZE IS JUST A LITTLE BIT LESS THAN AVERAGE IN OUR EXPERIENCE.
I HAVEN'T WORKED IN EVERY COMMUNITY. I WANT TO QUALIFY THAT.
I CAN'T SAY THAT FROM OUR EXPERIENCE.
THERE'S ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT, AND WE IDENTIFIED A NUMBER OF THOSE OPPORTUNITIES TO DO THAT.
I WOULD SAY PROBABLY THE BIGGEST AREA IS THE TOTAL DOLLAR AMOUNT INVESTED IN TRYING TO DO HOUSING INITIATIVES IS SOMETHING THAT YOU'RE PROBABLY AT OR JUST A LITTLE BIT BELOW AVERAGE.
BUT LIKE I SAID, IT'S NOT THAT THERE'S NOTHING GOING ON, AND THERE'S NOT INTEREST AND EFFORT, IT'S JUST A MATTER OF MAYBE GREATER COMMITMENT TO THAT IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED.
[01:45:02]
IN TERMS OF WHERE YOU SHOULD FOCUS, I THINK THERE'S NUMBER ONE IS DIVERSITY OF HOUSING OPTIONS FOR SENIORS OR FOR MORE MATURE HOUSEHOLDS, PARTICULARLY THOSE HERE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT WOULD LIKE TO DOWNSIZE, BUT DON'T HAVE OPTIONS.THAT COULD FREE UP SOME OF THE EXISTING SINGLE FAMILY HOME OWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES.
HOUSING REHABILITATION IS ANOTHER ONE.
I KNOW, ONCE AGAIN, WE'RE NOT SAYING THAT IT'S NOT HAPPENING.
THERE'S OPPORTUNITIES TO DO MORE OF IT.
IS ANOTHER AREA THAT I THINK I WOULD FOCUS ON BECAUSE A LOT OF THE "MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING| HERE OFTEN COMES WITH HOUSING CONDITION ISSUES. I WANT TO GO BUY A HOUSE.
I CAN AFFORD A CERTAIN AMOUNT, BUT THE HOUSES THAT I CAN BUY AT THAT AMOUNT MAY NEED ANOTHER FIVE FIGURE, SIX FIGURE AMOUNT OF INVESTMENT TO BRING THEM UP TO A MORE DEMAND LEVEL.
HELPING AND THEN DIVERSITY OF HOUSING TYPOLOGY, I THINK IS THE OTHER ONE IS JUST CREATING A GREATER RANGE OF HOUSING OPTIONS.
BOTH OWNERSHIP, COTTAGE STYLE HOUSING IS AN OPTION, ADDITIONAL LIKE, STACK TOWN HOMES AS AN OPTION, AND ALSO ON THE RENTAL SIDE.
I THINK THERE'S JUST AN OPTION. I SHOULDN'T SAY UNFORTUNATELY.
THE REALITY IS PLANO AND NORTH TEXAS IN AN EXTREMELY HIGH DEMAND MARKETPLACE.
YOU JUST NEED MORE BECAUSE THERE'S SO MANY PEOPLE THAT WANT TO BE HERE, NOT JUST IN PLANO, BUT IN THIS ENTIRE REGION.
WITHOUT EVERYBODY PITCHING IN AND TRYING TO ADDRESS THAT ISSUE, THE CONTINUED OUTPACING OF PRICE COMPARED TO THE ABILITY TO PAY IS GOING TO BE AN ISSUE.
I WILL SAY, AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THIS IS VERY CLEAR.
I HAVE NOT WORKED WITH ANY COMMUNITY THAT HAS BEEN ABLE TO SOLVE THEIR HOUSING ISSUES.
THE COST, THE UNMET DEMAND, NOT JUST HERE IN PLANO, BUT EVERYWHERE I WORKED, INCLUDING SOME OF THE MOST PROGRESSIVE COMMUNITIES IN THE COUNTRY, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MARYLAND, WHO PIONEERED INCLUSIONARY ZONING, FOR EXAMPLE, IN THE UNITED STATES, BACK IN THE '70S.
THE REALITY IS THAT THE SHEER DEMAND ALWAYS HAS OUTPACED THE ABILITY FOR THE COMMUNITY TO DO IT ON THEIR OWN.
THIS IS NOT A CALL FOR THE CITY.
YOU NEED TO SOLVE YOUR PROBLEMS. THIS HOW DO WE CREATE OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTNER AND LEVERAGE AND LET THE PRIVATE SECTOR BE IMPLEMENTED, AND WE CREATE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO DO THAT? I JUST WANT TO MAKE IT VERY CLEAR.
THIS IS NOT A CONDEMNATION. YOU ASKED ME A QUESTION.
I WANTED TO GIVE YOU AN HONEST ANSWER, BUT THE REALITY IS IS THAT EVERY COMMUNITY OF THIS SIZE, MUCH LARGER, MUCH SMALLER, THAT I'VE EVER WORKED WITH RUNS INTO SOME OF THESE VERY SAME ISSUES.
YOU ARE NOT UNIQUE IN THAT REGARD IN TERMS OF HAVING THIS CHALLENGE OF BEING A PLACE THAT PEOPLE WANT TO BE AND NOT HAVING ENOUGH HOUSING TO ACCOMMODATE THAT.
>> I DO THINK WE HAVE A SPEAKER.
>> OUR SPEAKER IS COREY REINIGER.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL, AND CITY MANAGER.
I PROMISE I DON'T THINK I HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY ABOUT DARK THIS EVENING.
I WANT TO COMMEND STAFF AND THE CONSULTANT TEAM FOR ALL THEIR HARD WORK ON THIS REPORT.
I ONLY BECAME AWARE OF IT THIS MORNING, SO I'VE BEEN PLOWING THROUGH IT, TRYING TO DIGEST WHAT ALL IS IN IT.
I ALSO WANT TO THROW IN THIS COMMENDATION THAT THE WORK OF PLANNING STAFF IN EVALUATING THE EFFECTS OF THE RECENT LEGISLATION.
ALL THAT MEANS. I LOOK AT THIS REPORT, AND WHAT I SEE ARE THE KEY TAKEAWAYS.
HOUSING IS UNAFFORDABLE FOR MOST PEOPLE LIVING AND LOOKING TO MOVE TO PLANO.
ONLY AFFLUENT HOUSEHOLDS CAN REALISTICALLY AFFORD TO BUY A HOUSE IN PLANO.
I THINK THAT'S A REAL PROBLEM THAT WE NEED TO BE LOOKING AT.
NEARLY 40% ARE RENTAL HOUSEHOLDS, 18% OF OWNER OCCUPIED HOUSEHOLDS ARE HOUSING COST BURDEN.
THAT'S MORE THAN 30% OF YOUR INCOME GOING TO YOUR HOUSING, LIKE HE SAID.
ALL OF THIS HOUSING COST IS A PROBLEM BECAUSE THAT'S LESS MONEY THAT PEOPLE HAVE TO SPEND IN OUR CITY AT OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES.
ANOTHER NUMBER THAT STUCK OUT TO ME IS THERE'S 208,000 JOBS IN PLANO, AND WE ALWAYS TALK ABOUT ADDING JOBS TO THE CITY AND BRINGING MORE EMPLOYERS, BRINGING CORPORATE HEADQUARTER RELOCATIONS.
180,000 PEOPLE COMMUTE INTO PLANO TO WORK HERE.
ONLY 27,000 PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN PLANO ACTUALLY WORK IN PLANO.
THAT'S IN THIS REPORT, AND IT IS A SHOCKING STATISTIC TO ME.
IT REALLY CUTS AGAINST THE ENTIRE NOTION OF LIVE WORK PLAY.
YOU CAN LIVE HERE AND OWN YOUR HOUSE, BUT ONLY IF YOU'RE AFFLUENT.
YOU CAN WORK HERE AND YOU CAN LIVE HERE IF YOU'RE A RENTER, BUT YOU'RE PROBABLY NOT GOING TO HAVE MUCH MONEY LEFT TO PLAY.
SCROLL DOWN HERE. SORRY. THE ANALYSIS, AS WAS JUST MENTIONED, OFFERS A BUNCH OF STRATEGIES ON
[01:50:02]
HOW TO ADDRESS THESE THINGS. HERE'S THE GOOD NEWS.THE STATE HAS STEPPED IN AND INTERVENED AND DONE SOME OF THE HARD WORK FOR US HERE.
WHAT I'D REALLY JUST ASKED OF YOU ALL THIS EVENING IS THAT, PROBABLY THIS BRIEFING SHOULD HAVE BEEN BEFORE THE WORK SESSION SO THAT YOU GUYS COULD BE, HAVE ALL OF THAT IN MIND BEFORE YOU TALK ABOUT THINGS THAT REALISTICALLY ARE GOING TO DRIVE UP THE COST OF HOUSING.
ALL OF THESE STANDARDS, LEAD ACCREDITATION FOR ALL NEW MULTIFAMILY PROJECTS? THAT ONLY ADDS COST.
LET'S NOT KID OURSELVES ABOUT THAT.
WHAT I'M HOPING FOR, AND JUST WANTED TO CHIME IN ON THIS IS I'M HOPING FOR SOME REAL LEADERSHIP, SOME VISIONARY LEADERSHIP.
I KNOW THAT'S WHAT I CAN EXPECT FROM YOU-ALL OF DOING WHAT'S BEST FOR THE CITY. THANK YOU.
>> THANKS. IS THERE ANY MORE QUESTIONS? CURTIS, WHAT'S OUR NEXT STEP?
>> BASICALLY, THERE'S NOTHING THAT YOU NEED TO DO.
THIS IS JUST AN INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATION.
SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT IS WE'RE GOING TO BRING TO YOU THE HOUSING TAX CREDIT APPLICATION PROCESS, PROBABLY SOMETIME IN SEPTEMBER, IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT COMES OUT OF THIS REPORT.
WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE WITH EVERYTHING THAT'S GOING ON LEGISLATIVELY TO WORK WITH PLANNING, AND THE CITY IS GOING TO DEAL WITH THOSE ISSUES AS YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT.
WE'LL CONTINUE WORKING AND SEEING WHAT WE CAN DO IN THE CITY OF PLANO TO DEAL WITH SOME OF THESE ISSUES.
>> LET ME ASK YOU A QUICK QUESTION.
THE PROPERTY AT AVENUE K AND PARK THAT WE WERE PARTNERING WITH ON THE TAX CREDIT.
>> THE APARTMENT COMPLEX THERE? OVERALL, I THINK THAT IT SEEMS TO BE WORKING PRETTY WELL.
NOT A TON OF COMPLAINTS THAT I'VE HEARD COMING FROM THAT.
JUST OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD, THAT'S IT'S GOOD.
>> THOSE ARE THE FEW PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE THAT WE GOTTEN INVOLVED IN.
I'M ALWAYS CURIOUS TO KNOW HOW THOSE ARE RESPONDING AND HOW THOSE ARE BEING ACCEPTED BY OUR COMMUNITY.
[(6) Consideration of an Ordinance to amend Article XII, Park and Recreation Fee, Chapter 16, Planning and Development, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Plano, Texas by amending Section 16-266; updating the Park and Recreation Fees collected for the acquisition and development of park land and facilities; and providing a penalty clause, a repealer clause, a severability clause, a publication clause, and an effective date.]
>> ITEM NUMBER 6, CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ARTICLE XII, PARK AND RECREATION FEE, CHAPTER 16, PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PLANO, TEXAS BY AMENDING SECTION 16-266, UPDATING THE PARK AND RECREATION FEES COLLECTED FOR THE ACQUISITION AND DEVELOPMENT OF PARK LAND AND FACILITIES, AND PROVIDING A PENALTY CLAUSE, A REPEALER CLAUSE, A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, A PUBLICATION CLAUSE, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
>> GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL AND MAYOR MUNS.
IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS, WE DID PROVIDE QUALITY INFORMATION IN OUR AGENDA ITEM.
I DO HAVE A QUICK PRESENTATION TO WALK THROUGH TO COVER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE.
THE PARK FEE BY ORDINANCE ESTABLISHED IN 1993, IS A ONE-TIME FEE THAT IS ASSESSED AT THE TIME A BUILDING PERMIT IS GRANTED BY THE CITY.
IT IS BASED ON SINGLE-FAMILY AND MULTIFAMILY HOMES.
PROVIDE SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING TO PURCHASE OR DEVELOP CERTAIN CATEGORIES OF PARK LAND.
WE'VE HEARD TONIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF QUALITY OF LIFE.
WE KNOW THAT PLANO STANDS FOR THAT AND THAT PARKS AND RECREATION IS A PART OF THAT QUALITY OF LIFE.
THE CITY IS BROKEN UP INTO 14 ZONES, AND WHEN A FEE IS COLLECTED IN ONE OF THOSE ZONES, IT MUST BE USED IN THAT ZONE FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, EITHER THE PURCHASE OF PARK LAND FOR A NEIGHBORHOOD PARK OR A LINEAR PARK, OR THE DEVELOPMENT OR IMPROVEMENT OF A NEIGHBORHOOD PARK OR A LINEAR PARK.
THAT'S IT. IT STAYS IN THE ZONE WHERE IT WAS COLLECTED FOR THOSE PARTICULAR PURPOSES TO PROVIDE A DIRECT BENEFIT TO THOSE THAT LIVE WITHIN THAT ZONE AND PAID THAT FEE.
IN 2019, IT WAS UPDATED TO THE CURRENT RATES THAT WE HAVE TODAY.
THE METHODOLOGY THAT WE USE TO DETERMINE WHAT THE PARK FEE SHOULD BE, WE REVIEW IT EVERY FIVE YEARS.
IT'S TIME FOR US TO COME TO COUNCIL WITH THAT REVIEW.
WE'VE USED THE SAME METHODOLOGY THAT WE USED IN 2019, WHICH IS BASED ON THE COST TO PURCHASE LAND, AND THE COST TO DEVELOP A PARK.
WITH THAT METHODOLOGY IN PLACE,
[01:55:02]
THE PROPOSED RATE FOR SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES WOULD GO FROM 2,065-5,691, AND FOR MULTIFAMILY, FROM 1,400-4,359.WE DID PRESENT THIS TO THE PARK BOARD.
THEY APPROVED IT UNANIMOUSLY, RECOMMENDING THAT IT COME TO CITY COUNCIL FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL.
THIS SLIDE RIGHT HERE JUST SHOWS THE COSTS AND HOW THINGS HAVE INCREASED SINCE 2019.
I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
THE QUESTION I HAVE REALLY IS ABOUT THE COST OF THAT INCREASE IN FEE.
THAT'S JUST A STRAIGHT FEE FOR A SINGLE-FAMILY HOME, REGARDLESS IF IT'S A 1,800 SQUARE FOOT HOUSE OR A 5,600 SQUARE FOOT HOUSE. IS THAT CORRECT?
PART OF THE METHODOLOGY LOOKS AT THE TOTAL POPULATION IN PLANO AND ALSO THE ESTIMATED RESIDENCY PER UNIT.
THAT'S PART OF THE CALCULATION AS WELL.
BUT YES, IT IS A ONE-TIME FEE ASSESSED PER DOMICILE.
>> I KNOW WHEN WE LOOK AT NEW DEVELOPMENT, IT'S GOING TO BE SAY, A 3,000 SQUARE FOOT LOT, WHICH IS HALF THE LOT OF A STANDARD SF-7 LOT.
DID WE CONSIDER HAVING SOME TYPE OF PRORATED FEE JUST ON LOT SIZE? IT SEEMS TO BE SOMEWHAT UNFAIR THAT IF WE'RE TRYING TO BRING IN MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, NEW DEVELOPMENT FOR THE SMALLER HOUSE, THAT WE'RE HAVING THEM PAY A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY COMPARED TO SOMEONE WHO SAY IS BUILDING AN ESTATE IN WEST PLANO.
I THINK THAT THAT'S GROSSLY UNFAIR TO THE BURDEN OF THE PERSON TRYING TO BUY THEIR FIRST HOME.
I THINK JUST A FLAT FEE IS JUST SOMEWHAT.
I SEE WHY YOU DID IT, AND IT WAS DONE IN 2019, BUT THE COST OF HOUSING NOW IS OUTRAGEOUS ANYWAY, AND THEN ADD ANOTHER 5,000 REGARDLESS OF THE SIZE ON THE HOUSE.
LIKE I SAID, IF IT'S A 4,000 SQUARE FOOT HOUSE, $5,000 IS NOTHING.
BUT IF IT'S AN 1,800 SQUARE FOOT HOUSE, THAT'S SIGNIFICANT.
DID YOU ALL CONSIDER SOME TYPE OF PRORATED FEE?
>> WELL, NO, WE DIDN'T CONSIDER A PRORATED FEE.
WE DO HAVE MEMBERS OF THE PARK PLANNING STAFF HERE THAT CAN SPEAK TO THE METHODOLOGY.
I DON'T BELIEVE THAT SQUARE FOOTAGE WAS NOT PART OF THE CALCULATION AT ALL.
>> RON, THIS IS FOR NEW HOUSES ONLY, CORRECT?
>> THAT'S CORRECT. ANYONE THAT LIVES HERE HAS ALREADY PAID THE FEE, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE ASSESSED.
THAT IT'S ONLY FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION.
DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WANT TO ADD RENEE?
>> SURE. THE WAY THE FEE IS CALCULATED IS ESTABLISHED IN THE ORDINANCE.
IN THE ORDINANCE STATES THAT THE FEE IS CALCULATED BASED ON ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION COSTS, APPRAISED LAND VALUES, AND POPULATION.
THERE'S NO PROVISION IN THE ORDINANCE TO MAKE A CHANGE FOR A FEE BASED ON THE SIZE OF A HOME.
THAT WOULD REQUIRE AN ORDINANCE CHANGE TO GO TO A NEW FEE STRUCTURE.
>> IF I COULD ALSO JUST ADD THIS THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE PARK FEE IS TO MAKE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR RESIDENTS.
THE SIZE OF THE CONSTRUCTION OR THE SQUARE FOOTAGE REALLY DOESN'T MATTER AS FAR AS IT'S BASED ON THE ESTIMATED POPULATION WITHIN THAT HOUSING DEVELOPMENT OR WITHIN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD THAT'S BEING CONSTRUCTED.
WHETHER FOUR PEOPLE LIVE IN AN 1,800 SQUARE FOOT HOUSE OR A 2,500 SQUARE FOOT HOUSE, THE IMPACT IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD AND ON THE PARK SYSTEM IS THE SAME.
>> MY THOUGHTS ARE RELATED TO WHAT YOU'RE JUST TALKING ABOUT, MR. SMITH.
HOW DID THIS CALCULATION COME ABOUT? AS WE'RE ADDING PEOPLE, WE KNOW WE NEED MORE PARK SPACE.
I'M JUST TRYING TO UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH SPACE YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, WHAT CONSTRUCTION YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, SO THAT YOU CAN ALLOCATE THAT TO THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE YOU'RE EXPECTING TO MOVE INTO.
>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION. THE MODEL THAT WE USE, A LOT OF THIS RESEARCH IS DONE A PROFESSOR WHO'S A TEXAS A&M WHO IS REALLY THE THE LEADER IN THIS TYPE OF RESEARCH WHEN IT COMES TO PARK ASSESSMENT.
WHAT WE LOOK AT IS, AGAIN, THE IMPACT AND THE COST OF CONSTRUCTING CERTAIN TYPES OF PARK,
[02:00:02]
LINEAR PARKS AND NEIGHBORHOOD PARK ONLY AND THE PURCHASE OF THAT LAND.WE'RE VERY NARROW IN HOW WE WORK THE CALCULATION.
WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IS THAT NOT ONLY THE COST OF HOUSING HAS GONE UP, BUT THE COST OF THE LAND TO PURCHASE IT AND THE COST TO CONSTRUCT, EVEN THOUGH SIMPLE BASIC AMENITIES CONTINUE TO INCREASE.
WHAT THIS PROPOSED ORDINANCE REVISION DOES IS IT TRIES TO JUST CATCH US UP TO WHERE WE SHOULD BE RIGHT NOW FROM 2019.
>> DO YOU FEEL YOU ACTUALLY WILL BE ABLE TO PURCHASE LAND?
>> WELL, THE PARK FEE, AS WE STATED IN THE AGENDA ITEM, IS TO SUPPLEMENT THE BOND FUNDS.
THAT'S THE MAJOR MECHANISM THAT WE USE TO PURCHASE AND DEVELOP PARK LAND, BUT THE PARK FEE IS A SPECIFIC SECONDARY WAY TO CAPTURE ADDITIONAL FUNDING PER UNIT WHEN IT GETS A BUILDING PERMIT.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I SEE COUNCIL MEMBER HORNE'S POINT OF VIEW AND PERSPECTIVE OF WHAT HE'S THINKING ABOUT.
ARE WE ABLE TO RUN CALCULATIONS BASED ON SQUARE FOOTAGE JUST TO TEST IT OUT AND SEE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE OR ARE WE NOT ABLE TO DO THAT?
>> WE CERTAINLY COULD IF THAT'S COUNCIL'S DIRECTION, BUT WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT WOULD NOT CHANGE HOW AN INDIVIDUAL IMPACTS THE PARK SYSTEM, WHETHER THEY LIVE IN A LARGER HOUSE OR A SMALLER HOUSE OR AN APARTMENT COMPLEX.
>> BUT OUT OF CURIOSITY, IT'S GOOD TO SEE WHAT THE DATA WOULD LOOK LIKE OR WHAT THE NUMBERS OVERALL WOULD BE VERSUS SQUARE FOOTAGE VERSUS.
>> BUT DO YOU LOOK AT THE SQUARE FOOTAGE OR THE SIZE OF THE LOT?
I DON'T KNOW WHAT ARE YOU ALL THINKING? I AT LEAST WANT TO SEE ANOTHER SET OF NUMBERS AND JUST COMPARE THE TWO.
>> WELL, THAT'S ACTUALLY BRINGS UP A QUESTION.
IF YOU'RE ALLOCATING COSTS PER HOUSEHOLD, IF YOU WILL, HOW MANY HOUSEHOLDS ARE YOU LOOKING AT THEN?
>> KATIE, YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO ADDRESS THE QUESTION WHEN IT COMES TO THE CALCULATION AS FAR AS THE AVERAGE RESIDENCE PER UNIT.
YOU'VE GOT SOME INFORMATION ON THAT?
>> IN YOUR PACKET AND IN THE MEMO, WE MENTIONED THAT THE FEE PER SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING UNIT IS FOR 2.58 FOR TWO-AND-A-HALF PEOPLE PER UNIT.
THAT'S INFORMATION THAT WE GOT FROM THE PLANNING TEAM, THAT IN OUR COMMUNITY, THE AVERAGE SINGLE-FAMILY HOME HAS ABOUT 2.5 PEOPLE.
GENERALLY, THAT IS REGARDLESS OF THE SIZE OF THE UNIT WHEN IT COMES TO SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES.
AS YOU KNOW, AS THEY WERE SPEAKING ABOUT EARLIER, AS PEOPLE AGE IN PLACE, THEY TEND TO ALSO AGE IN THE HOMES THAT THEY'RE IN.
WE HAVE LARGER HOMES THAT HAVE SMALLER FAMILIES, SMALLER HOMES THAT HAVE LARGER FAMILIES, BUT THE AVERAGE IN THE CITY IS THAT 2.5, 2.6 FOR SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES, AND 1.9 FOR MULTIFAMILY HOMES.
THAT'S WHERE IT COMES INTO THAT CALCULATION.
THAT'S WHY WE USE THOSE CALCULATIONS AS OPPOSED TO SIZE OF LOT OR SQUARE FOOTAGE OF PROPERTY.
>> HOW FAR OUT IN TIME ARE YOU LOOKING IN TERMS OF PLANNING HOW MUCH COST GOES INTO THAT? IN OTHER WORDS, HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE COMING IN?
>> THE ORDINANCE DICTATES HOW YOU CALCULATE IT.
YOU'RE LOOKING AT ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION COSTS SINCE YOUR LAST UPDATE, WHICH WAS FIVE YEARS AGO.
THEN WHEN YOU GET A LAND APPRAISAL, THAT LAND APPRAISAL IS BASED ON COSTS TODAY.
>> IF THE NUMBER OF UNITS, IF YOU WILL, THAT YOU'RE CALCULATING TO BE ABLE TO SUPPLEMENT IS A NUMBER YOU'VE COME UP WITH FROM SOMEWHERE.
>> THE NUMBER OF HOUSING UNITS THAT WE'RE PROJECTING.
>> IT'S NOT BASED OFF A PROJECTION OF HOUSING UNITS.
IT'S BASED ON A PROJECTION OF POPULATION.
>> THEN DIVIDED BY THOSE UNITS OR POPULATION.
>> THEN POPULATION OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS OR?
>> IT'S ACTUALLY BASED ON OUR POPULATION THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW.
WE NOTICED THAT THE PROJECTION THAT WE USED FIVE YEARS AGO DID NOT TRACK WITH WHERE WE ARE.
TO BE SOMEWHAT MORE CONSERVATIVE, WE JUST USE TODAY'S POPULATION.
>> THAT'S WHAT YOU ACTUALLY SAID, YOU'RE CATCHING UP TO NOW.
>> YES. BEFORE WE KEEP GOING DOWN THIS ROAD OF.
>> WELL, DR SMITH, I SEEM TO REMEMBER THAT WE WENT DOWN THIS RABBIT TRAIL A FEW TIMES WITH ANTHONY WHEN HE WAS ON COUNCIL. AM I CORRECT OR?
[02:05:01]
>> 2019 WAS WHEN IT WAS UPDATED, AND THAT WAS THE FIRST TIME IT WAS UPDATED SINCE 1993.
>> I REMEMBER SOMETHING ABOUT THE PARK FEE.
>> IT MADE A REALLY BIG JUMP, AND THERE WAS A LOT OF CONCERN THAT IT WOULD IMPACT HOMEOWNERSHIP AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
WE DID HAVE THIS CONVERSATION.
>> I SEEM TO REMEMBER IT WAS SO DEJA VU.
>> MAYOR PRO TEM, WHAT WE DID WAS WE INCORPORATED THE ENTIRE CITY, SO WE ADJUSTED THE MAP AS FAR AS WHO WE WERE COLLECTING FROM.
>> THAT'S CORRECT. I REMEMBER THAT.
>> THE FEE ITSELF DID NOT CHANGE, BUT WE ACTUALLY EXPANDED IT TO INCLUDE THE ENTIRE CITY.
>> THAT'S RIGHT. THAT'S WHEN WE UPDATED THE MAP TO COVER ALL PORTIONS OF THE CITY.
>> I SEEM TO REMEMBER THAT ORIGINALLY, IT WAS SPECIFIC AREAS WHERE THERE ARE NEW PARKS BEING DEVELOPED, AND THAT WAS THE AREAS THAT WE WERE HAVING ISSUES, BUT NOW WE'RE SPREAD THE COSTS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE CITY. IS THAT?
>> WHAT WE'VE DONE IS WE'VE MADE SURE THAT ANY HOUSING DEVELOPMENT THAT OCCURS IN THE PLANO CITY LIMIT WILL BE ASSESSED A PARK FEE.
>> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT BEFORE WE START GOING DOWN, TRYING TO CALCULATE HOW THIS IS GOING FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT, THIS IS REALLY ABOUT IMPACTING THE PARK.
>> YES. SPECIFICALLY, THE PARK SYSTEM.
WHEN NEW RESIDENTS MOVE IN AND MOVE INTO NEW UNITS, APARTMENT COMPLEX, OR A SINGLE-FAMILY HOME DEVELOPMENT, THEY HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE PARK SYSTEM AS IT EXISTS, AND THESE FUNDS HELP MITIGATE THAT IMPACT OR MAKE THE IMPROVEMENTS BY THE PROPERTY, MAKE THE PARK SYSTEM LARGER TO ACCOMMODATE.
>> THE REASON WHY IT KEEPS GOING UP IS BECAUSE EVERYTHING ELSE KEEPS GOING UP.
>> WE NEED TO MAINTAIN WHAT WE HAVE, AND WE DO HAVE A LOT OF PARKS IN THE CITY OF PLANO.
INSTEAD OF LAYING ALL THIS COSTS ON THE EXISTING HOME DEVELOPMENTS, WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO RECUPERATE SOME OF IT IS FROM THE NEW DEVELOPMENTS THAT ARE COMING IN.
SINCE THE NEW DEVELOPMENTS WHEN THEY COME IN, THEY KNOW THAT ALL THE COSTS HAVE GONE UP, AND THAT WOULD NOT SHOCK THE SYSTEM.
I REMEMBER THAT WAS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE TALKED ABOUT, IS THAT RIGHT?
>> THOSE ARE THE SAME CONVERSATIONS THAT WE HAD WITH THE PARK BOARD EARLIER THIS MONTH.
SOME OF THE EXACT SENTIMENT THAT'S BEING EXPRESSED TONIGHT.
ULTIMATELY, IT CAME DOWN TO THE COST OF ACQUIRING PROPERTY AND THE COST OF BUILDING A PARK IN THOSE SPECIFIC ZONES WHERE THE FEE IS COLLECTED, THOSE COSTS ARE GOING UP, AND IF WE ARE STRIVING TO MAINTAIN THE SAME QUALITY PARK EXPERIENCE THAT PREVIOUS RESIDENTS HAVE ENJOYED AND THE FUTURE WILL ENJOY, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE BRING TO THE COUNCIL EVERY FIVE YEARS FOR THEIR CONSIDERATION.
>> I APPRECIATE THE EXPLANATION. THANK YOU.
>> THIS IS CONSIDERING TO AMEND THIS ORDINANCE, CORRECT?
>> I THINK OUR PARK SYSTEMS ARE REALLY CRITICAL TO OUR CITY, AND I MOVE TO APPROVE THIS AMENDMENT.
>> I'D SAY I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO AMEND THE ORDINANCE IN ITEM 6.
PLEASE VOTE. MOTION PASSES 8-0.
THERE BEING MEAN NO FURTHER BUSINESS, MEETING'S ADJOURNED.
[MUSIC]
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.