Feb 09, 2026 City Council

[CALL TO ORDER]

[00:00:06]

I NOW DECLARE THAT THE PLANO CITY COUNCIL IS RECONVENED IN OPEN SESSION, THAT ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE PRESENT, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF COUNCIL MEMBER STEVE LAVINE.

WE WILL BEGIN TONIGHT'S REGULAR MEETING WITH THE INVOCATION LED BY NEXTGEN PASTOR JORDAN DAVIS FROM FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH PLANO, AND THE PLEDGE, LED BY BOY SCOUT TROOP 285. WOULD YOU PLEASE RISE? THANK YOU, MAYOR, FOR THAT INTRODUCTION. THANK YOU, CITY COUNCIL, FOR THE INVITATION TO LEAD OUR PRAYER TONIGHT.

LET'S GO TO THE LORD IN PRAYER. LORD OF HEAVEN AND EARTH, WE CALL ON YOUR DIVINE WISDOM AND PEACE TO UNIFY THIS BODY OF LEADERS AS THEY SEEK THE WELFARE, WELFARE OF THIS CITY AND THE WELL-BEING OF ITS CITIZENS.

I PRAY YOU GUIDE THEM IN THEIR DECISIONS. HELP THEM TO STEWARD OUR RESOURCES FOR A BRIGHTER AND BETTER FUTURE.

MAY YOU LEAD THEM AND BLESS THEM AS THEY COMMIT TO THIS WORK AND BEAR THE FRUIT OF THEIR LABOR.

THANK YOU FOR APPOINTING THEM AT THIS TIME TO LEAD OUR CITY.

MAY THEIR WORK HONOR YOU, AND MAY THE CITY OF PLANO CONTINUE TO PROSPER THROUGH THEIR LEADERSHIP.

I PRAY ALL OF THIS IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST.

AMEN. AMEN.

ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT. PLEASE PUT YOUR RIGHT HAND OVER YOUR HEART.

AND PLEASE JOIN ME IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS.

ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

PLEASE JOIN ME IN THE TEXAS PLEDGE. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE, TEXAS.

ONE STATE UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE. THANK YOU. BE SEATED.

YES. OKAY, HERE IT IS. THESE ARE ONE OF MY [INAUDIBLE] TO PUT ON THE BACKPACKS OR WHATEVER YOU GOT.

ALL RIGHT, GUYS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. YEAH. THANK YOU GUYS.

THANK YOU SIR. WAIT A SECOND. NOW YOU GOT TO TAKE A PICTURE.

LOOK AT YOU GUYS. COME ON, EVERYBODY GET ONE.

ALL RIGHT, WE'RE GOING TO FACE BACK UP. UP THAT WAY.

ALL RIGHT, SO EVERYBODY KIND OF FALL IN.

YOU'RE GOOD. ALL RIGHT. ONE.

MORE. ONE. THANK YOU GUYS. THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

WE APPRECIATE IT. YEAH. THANK YOU. THANKS, GENTLEMEN.

APPRECIATE IT. THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT. THANK YOU.

YOU BET. THANK YOU. THANKS. OKAY, GOOD.

ONE MORE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU SIR. THANK YOU SO MUCH. REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

OKAY, SO IT'S MY HONOR TO PRESENT A PROCLAMATION FEBRUARY AS BLACK HISTORY MONTH, HONORING THE RICH CULTURE

[Proclamation:  Black History Month is February 2026.]

SO I'D LIKE TO CALL UP MY GOOD FRIENDS DOLLY THOMAS, TONY THOMAS, ARIEL THOMAS, JAMES THOMAS.

[LAUGHS]. I KNOW, BUT THIS IS THE THREE BEST.

THAT'S I KNOW THAT. I'M SORRY. I SHOULD I SHOULD COME UP TO YOU, I APOLOGIZE. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER SHAUN THOMAS, EVERYBODY [APPLAUSE] THIS IS OUR NEW COUNCIL MEMBER.

[00:05:10]

[INAUDIBLE] THOMAS. YOU. SEE YOU. THANK YOU. HOW ARE YOU? I'M GOOD, I'M GOOD. WELL, THIS IS. THIS IS. YEAH.

WE ARE ALL FULL. THIS IS MY HONOR TO TO PRESENT THE PROCLAMATION AND HOPEFULLY THERE'S A PLACE FOR IT IN THE AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2026. WHEREAS BLACK HISTORY MONTH HAS BEEN AN ANNUAL UNITED STATES CELEBRATION SINCE THE BICENTENNIAL OF 1976, WITH THE PURPOSE TO PROMOTE THE MANY CULTURAL, ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY BLACK MEN AND WOMEN ACROSS THE NATION. AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF PLANO ALSO TAKES PRIDE IN THE MEMBERS OF OUR BLACK COMMUNITY AND HONORS ORGANIZATIONS, FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS OF AFRICAN AMERICAN DESCENT, AND APPRECIATION OF THEIR INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THIS CITY.

AND WHEREAS BLACK HISTORY HAS A RICH CULTURAL HERITAGE IN PLANO, BEGINNING IN THE 1860S, WHEN ANDY DRAKE BECAME THE FIRST BLACK MAN TO SETTLE IN PLANO AFTER RECEIVING HIS FREEDOM, TOGETHER WITH MOSE STIMPSON, DRAKE FOUNDED A COMMUNITY NAMED AFTER ABOLITIONIST FREDERICK DOUGLASS. SINCE THAT TIME, THE AREA ALONG US 75 AND SOUTH OF 15TH STREET HAS BEEN KNOWN AS THE PLANO DOUGLASS COMMUNITY. WE ARE PROUD THAT DESCENDANTS OF THE DRAKE STIMPSON FAMILIES STILL RESIDE IN THIS SPECIAL NEIGHBORHOOD.

WHEREAS PLANO'S BLACK HISTORY HELPED SHAPE THE WAY PLANO DEVELOPED AS A CITY, ONE THAT REGARDS DIVERSITY, INCLUSION AND BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS AS FOUNDATIONAL ELEMENTS OF OUR COMMUNITY.

UNDERSTANDING OUR PAST ENABLES US TO BE BETTER, APPRECIATE SOCIAL JUSTICE JUSTICE EVENTS THAT HAVE IMPACTED OUR COMMUNITY, WHILE ALSO HELPING US GAIN BETTER INSIGHTS AND COMPASSION TOWARD ONE ANOTHER AS WE STRIVE TO SUSTAIN OUR VIBRANT, RICH, DIVERSE, AND INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY. NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOHN MUNS, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF PLANO, TEXAS, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM FEBRUARY 2026 SHOULD BE CELEBRATED AS BLACK HISTORY MONTH IN APPRECIATION OF THE MANY ACHIEVEMENTS OF PLANO'S AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY IN THE CITY OF EXCELLENCE.

CONGRATULATIONS. [APPLAUSE] YES. THANK YOU. OKAY.

THANK YOU. IT IS SO GOOD TO SEE YOU. TO SEE YOU.

THANK YOU. WELL, LET'S TAKE A PICTURE. LET'S JUST PUT IT UP HERE.

THANK YOU. DO YOU WANT TO SAY SOMETHING? I'M JUST SAYING.

AND I KNOW THIS. THIS CITY OF EXCELLENCE FOR DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH, THE VERY FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN CITY COUNCIL WOMAN IN PLANO. AND WE ARE JUST OVER THE MOON [APPLAUSE].

OVER THE MOON. THANK YOU ALL. THANK YOU ALL FOR PLANO.

YES.

OKAY. ALL RIGHT. GOOD. OKAY. COMMENTS OF PUBLIC INTEREST.

[COMMENTS OF PUBLIC INTEREST]

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.

AND WE DO HAVE SOME SPEAKERS THIS EVENING. THE FIRST ONE IS AMBER CHAFFIN.

HI, MY NAME IS AMBER CHAFFIN. I'M THE DIRECTOR OF KEEP DART IN PLANO.

I HAD THINGS TYPED OUT AND NOW I CAN'T FIND THEM.

SO I'M GOING TO GO OFF OF WHAT I CAN REMEMBER.

SO THE ORGANIZATION KEEP DART IN PLANO HAS BEEN COMMITTED TO RIDING THE TRAINS, BUSSES AND ALSO TAKING GO LINK TO SEE JUST HOW DART IS IMPACTING OUR CITY.

[00:10:10]

ONE OF THE STORIES THAT I WANT TO TELL YOU TODAY IS OF A SINGLE MOM WHO CHOSE TO LIVE IN PLANO SO THAT HER SON COULD ATTEND PLANO ISD BECAUSE SHE CHOSE TO LIVE IN PLANO. SHE COULD NOT AFFORD A VEHICLE.

THEREFORE, TO GET TO AND FROM WORK, SHE RIDES THE DART BUSSES.

THERE ARE SERIOUS CONCERNS THAT SHE MAY HAVE TO MOVE AND TAKE HER KIDS OUT OF THE CITY OF PLANO OUT OF PLANO ISD DUE TO IF PLANO WERE TO LOSE DART SERVICES. SOME OTHER FOLKS THAT I HAVE BEEN TALKING TO RECENTLY HAD TO GIVE GIVE A TRY TO DARTS GO LINK SERVICE, WHICH IS A WHICH IS THE DART MICRO TRANSIT THAT IS CURRENTLY OFFERED.

DUE TO THE BUS 254 NO LONGER SERVICING THE CITY.

WITH THIS, THIS GENTLEMAN WAS ACTUALLY LATE TO WORK ON HIS FIRST DAY BECAUSE MICRO TRANSIT WAS NOT ABLE TO GET TO HIM IN TIME.

AND HE HAD USUALLY BEEN SO FAMILIAR WITH DISTRICT BUS ROUTE SCHEDULE.

SO I JUST WANTED TO SHARE THESE EXAMPLES OF HOW DART HAS WORKED IN OUR CITY AND IS WORKING FOR QUITE A FEW RESIDENTS.

I AGAIN ASK THAT THE CITY I AGAIN ASK THAT THE, THE FOLKS BEFORE ME RIDE DART TO TALK TO THE RESIDENTS WHO ARE GOING TO BE DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY THIS CHANGE. I ALSO ASK THAT YOU ATTEND THE DECEMBER 18TH.

DECEMBER. I'M IN A DIFFERENT MONTH, FEBRUARY 18TH DART PUBLIC HEARING, WHERE THERE WILL BE NUMEROUS PLANO RESIDENTS WHO WILL BE LISTENING TO WHAT CHANGES WOULD HAVE TO BE MADE TO DART IN THE FUTURE IF THE CITY CHOOSES TO CONTINUE ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH DART, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT THERE BE A COMMITTEE AND THAT THE CITY SHOW COLLABORATION BY HOSTING MEETINGS WITH DART SO THAT THE CITIZENS FEEL THAT THEY ARE NOT ONLY HEARD BY DART, BUT ALSO HEARD BY THE CITY COUNCIL.

THANK YOU SO MUCH AND HAVE A GREAT DAY [APPLAUSE]. MARY WITHERSPOON.

MY NAME IS MARY WITHERSPOON AND I LIVE IN THE CITY OF DALLAS, BUT I COME TO PLANO ONE FOR RESTAURANTS, TWO TO TO PAINT AND SIP WINE WHILE I PAINT. I HAVE LOVELY PICTURES WHEN I SIP WINE BUT I MAINLY COME FOR MEDICAL REASONS BECAUSE OF THE LARGE MEDICAL COMMUNITY IN THE CITY OF PLANO.

ABOUT 20 YEARS AGO, I ASKED SOMEBODY, YOU KNOW, WHO WOULD BE A REALLY GOOD INTERNIST FOR ME TO SEE BECAUSE I DO HAVE A LOT OF COMPLICATED ISSUES. AND I WAS RECOMMENDED THIS WONDERFUL, AMAZING DOCTOR IN PLANO BECAUSE I HAVE COMPLICATED ISSUES, OF COURSE. NOW, I'VE HAD REFERRALS TO TWO SPECIALISTS IN PLANO.

SO FOR SEVERAL DECADES I'VE HAD THIS RELATIONSHIP WITH MY MEDICAL NEEDS, AND I COME TO PLANO ON A FREQUENT BASIS.

IN THE LAST THREE YEARS, I HAVE LEARNED MORE ABOUT YOUR HOSPITALS THAN I WOULD CARE TO KNOW BECAUSE I'VE HAD TO BE REFERRED TO TWO SURGEONS.

BUT 12 YEARS AGO, WHEN I LOST MY VISION AND I WAS NO LONGER ABLE TO DRIVE.

I STILL HAD ACCESS TO ALL THE PLANO MEDICAL REPRESENTATIVES THAT WORK WITH ME, BECAUSE I HAVE PARATRANSIT AND I HAVE TRANSIT THROUGH DART. IF THIS VOTE GOES THROUGH TO REMOVE PLANO FROM DART, I LOSE DECADES OF MEDICAL HISTORY AND RELATIONSHIPS, AND THAT IS A BIG CONCERN TO ME. I CAN'T BE A UNIQUE PERSON.

I CAN TELL YOU THAT OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE PHYSICAL DISABILITIES OR VISUAL DISABILITIES THAT WE CAN'T DRIVE.

I REPRESENT SO MANY OF THEM THAT IT'S A CHALLENGE TO GET HERE AT NIGHT WHEN YOU HAVE A DISABILITY.

SO I SPEAK FOR JUST A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO COULD NOT MAKE IT HERE TONIGHT.

I WAS 20 WHEN DART WAS VOTED ON. SO JUST THE METROPLEX HAS ALWAYS BEEN A SERVICE PROVIDER TO ME, NO MATTER WHAT CITY OR THERE HAVE BEEN NO BARRIERS TO WHERE I GO.

WHEN CITIES WITHDRAW FROM A REGIONAL TRANSIT SYSTEM, BARRIERS ARE CREATED ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE OF US WHO CANNOT DRIVE OR SHOULD NOT DRIVE.

YOU DON'T WANT ME DRIVING ON THE ROAD [LAUGHS] AT ALL.

BUT IT BECAME A BIG NECESSITY FOR ME 12 YEARS AGO WHEN I DID HAVE THAT VISION LOSS.

AND BECAUSE OF THAT TIME, I HAVE BEEN WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO RELY ON DART, AND IT HURTS AND SCARES THEM TO THINK THAT THE CITIES WILL

[00:15:09]

AND A SHOUT OUT TO THE EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY WHO GAVE ME DIFFERENT ACCOMMODATIONS BECAUSE OF MY VISION TO HELP ME GET HERE TODAY AND TO BE SUCCESSFULLY SEATED IN THIS ROOM.

I APPRECIATE THEM. THANK YOU [APPLAUSE]. CRYSTAL CURREY.

CRYSTAL CURREY.

GOOD EVENING EVERYONE. HOW ARE YOU? MY NAME IS CRYSTAL CURREY.

I'VE BEEN TALKING TO CITY COUNCIL SINCE PROBABLY ABOUT MID THIRD QUARTER 2025.

BUT I AM HERE AGAIN TONIGHT, AND I WONDERED IF ANY OF YOU HAVE BEEN WATCHING THE NEWS OF WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH SAVANNAH GUTHRIE AND HER MOTHER.

IF ANY OF YOU HAVE, THEN YOU'VE SEEN WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

FRONT. I MEAN, FRONT, FRONT ROW. BECAUSE OF WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH HER, SHE'S BEEN SENDING OUT PICTURES OF HER MOTHER.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS I THINK THAT'S HAPPENING WITH THAT STORY IS THEY'RE AFRAID OF WHAT THEY CALL DEEP FAKES.

AND DEEP FAKES ARE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU HAVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TECHNOLOGY AND YOU HAVE AN EMERGENCY CRISIS LIKE THIS BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT SURE IF SHE'S ACTUALLY ALIVE.

I HAVEN'T FOLLOWED THE STORY TODAY, SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S OCCURRED TODAY, BUT FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND AS OF YESTERDAY THEY AREN'T SURE IF IF THE PICTURES OF HER WELL-BEING ARE ARE FAKE OR NOT BECAUSE OF THE POWERFUL TOOLS OF AI.

AND I SAID ALL OF THAT TO SAY TO GET YOUR ATTENTION, HOPEFULLY.

BUT TO ALSO SAY THAT THE REASON WHY I'M STANDING IN FRONT OF YOU AND THE REASON WHY I COME IS BECAUSE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IS NOT JUST A TOOL.

IT IS BECOME A PART OF SOCIETY. AND IF YOU ASK A LOT OF PEOPLE, OF COURSE IT'S A HELPFUL TOOL.

I USE IT. BUT IT'S ALSO VERY DANGEROUS. MY STORY IS NOT A STORY.

IT IS A REAL INSTANCE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND HOW IT CAN AFFECT THE LIVES OF EVERYDAY CITIZENS.

WHAT I'M ONLY ASKING YOU TO DO AS A CITY COUNCIL IS TO HELP ME FURTHER PROGRESS THAT THAT REQUEST TO THE SENATE.

I'VE ALREADY CONTACTED SENATOR TED CRUZ. I'VE CONTACTED REPRESENTATIVE CONGRESSWOMAN CROCKETT.

THEY ARE ALL AWARE OF WHAT'S GOING ON WITH ME.

I'VE SENT MY OVERVIEW OF WHAT'S HAPPENED TO ME.

ALL OF THIS STUFF IS VERIFIABLE AND REAL. SO I'M JUST ASKING THE COMMUNITY HERE TO BE AWARE OF WHAT IS HAPPENING AND TO HELP ME GET TO THAT LEGISLATION.

IT IS I AM TRYING TO IMPACT THE LEGISLATION BY ADDING AMENDMENTS AND GOING THROUGH THAT PROCESS WITH THEM.

BUT THEY WON'T GET TO HEAR MY VOICE AND HEAR WHAT'S HAPPENED TO ME IF I DON'T GET YOU GUYS TO HELP.

SO THAT IS WHY I'M HERE. THAT IS WHY I KEEP SHOWING UP AND THAT IS WHY I'M APPEALING.

SO I HOPE THAT HELPS EXPLAIN THINGS AND I HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A GREAT NIGHT [APPLAUSE].

THE NEXT SPEAKER IS ALEX STEIN.

WILL AT LEAST BE FUNNY TONIGHT. YOU'RE ON A ROLL.

HELLO. HONORABLE MAYOR OF CITY COUNCIL. GOOD EVENING.

MY CURRENT SITUATION IS VERY, VERY BAD. I AM BEING BULLIED BY THE MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD BECAUSE I LIKE TO DRINK AND EAT SPECIAL STUFF. THAT IN YOUR CULTURE IS NOT VERY RESPECTED.

BUT IN MY CULTURE, IT HAS LOTS OF HEALING PROPERTIES.

I WANT TO SAY I LOVE DONALD TRUMP FOR APPOINTING KASH PATEL AS FBI DIRECTOR.

HE HAS BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY MUSIC SENSATION AS HIS FUTURE BRIDE.

AND I HOPE ONE DAY TO HAVE AN AUTHENTIC INDIAN MARRIAGE AND GO TO THEIR CEREMONY.

BUT I'M NOT HERE FOR THAT. I'M ALL THE WAY FROM THE HOLY LAND OF INDIA, VERY, VERY FAR AWAY.

[00:20:01]

BUT COW IS NOT NO ORDINARY ANIMAL. NO, NO, NO COW IS DIVINE, MOTHER.

HER MILK IS AMRIT NECTAR FROM HEAVEN. HER URINE GOMUTRA IS PUREST MEDICINE STRAIGHT FROM THE GODS.

HER DUNG GOBAR IS HOLY GOLD. BLESSING FOR HEALTH AND AND PROSPERITY.

BUT IN THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY OF PLANO, MY HOA IS BEHAVING LIKE TOTAL NARCS.

LIKE BIG OLD DEMONS. AND NOW, EVEN WORSE, THE MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD ALSO BULLYING ME NONSTOP.

THEY COME INTO MY HOUSE KNOCKING ON MY DOOR, SHOUTING AT ME.

OH, STOP DRINKING COFFEE, STOP! STOP EATING COW POOP.

THEY SING MY COW LAKSHMI IS HARAM. MY HOLY PRACTICES IS DIRTY.

THEY THINK IT'S TOUCHING ME. FILED COMPLAINTS SAYING THEY WILL CALL THE POLICE ON ME OR MORE HOA WILL FIND ME AND MAKE MY LIFE HELL.

I'M ASKING YOU, PLEASE. MAYOR, CITY OF PLANO.

IS THIS NOT THE LAND OF FREE? IS THIS NOT THE LAND OF FREEDOM OF RELIGION? TALA OLIVEIRA MADE A VIDEO TRYING TO COME AFTER MY CULTURE.

I LIKE TO COW DUNG. I LIKE IT FOR THE HEALTH BENEFITS.

I KNOW THAT YOU ARE NOT USED TO IT, YOU BIG TEXANS, YOU EAT STEAK AND THAT'S DISGUSTING AND I HOPE THAT YOU WILL BURN AND BURN FOREVER FOR YOUR CRIMES AGAINST THIS SWEET COW. SO I ASK YOU, CAN HOA COME INTO MY HOUSE AND TELL ME NOT TO EAT COW DUNG? 20S. I DON'T UNDERSTAND, PLEASE, MAYOR, I BEG YOU, LET ME EAT THE COW DUNG.

IT HAS HEALING PROPERTIES AND I LOVE YOU. KASH PATEL, HE'S PROTECTING THE EPSTEIN VICTIMS. BUT YOU KNOW. SO WHAT? AT LEAST WE GOT AN INDIAN IN THERE, RIGHT? THANK YOU. HAVE A GOOD EVENING AND GOODBYE.

THE NEXT SPEAKER IS MICAH NISHA SHAKE. AND I BELIEVE SHE'S ON ZOOM.

SHE IS. OKAY. SORRY. MICAH, IF YOU CAN HEAR ME.

PLEASE ACCEPT THE PROMOTION TO PANELIST.

OKAY. IT KEEPS DECLINING. WE'LL GO ON TO COREY RINIKER.

WE ASKED HIM TO START THE CLOCK OVER. GO AHEAD.

OKAY. GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. CONGRATULATIONS TO NEW COUNCILWOMAN THOMAS.

I'M HERE TO VOICE MY CONCERNS ABOUT THE CONTENT AND MESSAGING ON THE CITY'S TRANSIT WEBSITE.

THE CITY IS ENTITLED TO SHARE FACTUAL INFORMATION RELATED TO BALLOT MEASURES.

I'M CONCERNED ABOUT TWO RELATED ISSUES WITH THE INFORMATION PRESENTED.

FIRST IS MY CONCERN THAT MISLEADING STATEMENTS AND GRAPHICS ARE PRESENTED ON THE WEBSITE.

FOR EXAMPLE, THE SERVICE AREA MAP PRESENTED. WE HAVE A SERVICE AREA MAP PRESENTED. IS LABELED WITH FALSE AND SUBJECTIVE STATEMENTS.

THE MAP CHARACTERIZES GOLINK ZONES AS THE ONLY AREAS OF PLANO THAT DART SERVES.

IT IS INCORRECT TO TREAT GOLINK ZONES AS THE DEFINITIVE MEASURE OF SERVICE PROVISION.

GRAY AREAS OF THE MAP INCLUDE BOTH BUS AND TRAIN SERVICES.

IT IS FALSE TO SAY THAT THESE AREAS ARE UNSERVED BY DART.

FURTHER, THE MAP EDITORIALIZES BY ADDING THE CHARACTERIZATION THAT GOLINK ZONES THEMSELVES ARE AREAS OF LIMITED SERVICE.

SECOND, I'M CONCERNED THAT THE CITY HAS STRAYED FROM MERELY PRESENTING INFORMATION AND INTO ADVOCACY.

THIS AD IS RUNNING IN THE CURRENT ISSUE OF COMMUNITY IMPACT.

[00:25:01]

THE AD ASKS RHETORICALLY IF DART SERVICE IN PLANO IS A FAIR RETURN FOR WHAT PLANO PAYS.

IT DIRECTS READERS TO TRANSIT TRUTH'S WEB PAGE.

THE TEC SAYS COMMUNICATIONS MUST BE VIEWED IN THEIR ENTIRETY.

WHEN THIS QUESTION IS READ IN THE CONTEXT OF THE STORY TOLD IN THE CITY'S WEBSITE, IT APPEARS LIKELY THE READER IS BEING GUIDED TO A PARTICULAR ANSWER, PER THE TEC, NO MATTER HOW MUCH FACTUAL INFORMATION IS PROVIDED, ANY AMOUNT OF ADVOCACY IS IMPERMISSIBLE.

AS A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC, I FIND THE TONE, TENOR AND CONTENT OF THIS MESSAGE DEEPLY TROUBLING, AND I'D ENCOURAGE COUNCIL TO ASK SERIOUS QUESTIONS OF LEGAL STAFF ABOUT THIS, AND ANY RATIONALE SHOULD BE PUBLICLY AND OPENLY CONVEYED TO THE PUBLIC, AS IT'S A MATTER OF ETHICS AND OF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE CITIZENRY.

THANK YOU. OKAY.

CONSENT AGENDA. OH, SORRY. GO AHEAD, MAYOR PRO TEM.

MAYBE. HOLD ON. LET ME GET YOU THERE. OKAY, SO CHINESE LUNAR NEW YEAR.

HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR FOR 2026. THIS YEAR IS GOING TO BE FEBRUARY 17TH, 2026.

AND EVERY YEAR I DO A LITTLE STATEMENT ABOUT THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.

AND THIS YEAR I'M GOING TO DO SIMILAR TO THE 2026 IS THE YEAR OF THE HORSE.

THIS YEAR IT IS THE FIRE HORSE. SO WE ROTATE THROUGH ELEMENTS, AND THIS YEAR HAPPENS TO BE THE FIRE ELEMENT.

FOR MANY YEARS DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, I'VE TOLD STORIES ABOUT THE MONSTER THAT IS NAMED YEAR.

HOWEVER HOW IT COMES TO FRIGHTEN OUR SMALL CHILDREN AND TAKE OUR ELDERS.

THIS YEAR, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT HOW THE YEAR OF THE HORSE WILL BRING US TOGETHER TO FACE AND OVERCOME OBSTACLES.

THE FIRE HORSE IS KNOWN FOR ITS INTENSE ENERGY, COURAGE AND PASSIONATE SPIRIT.

THIS YEAR IS SAID SET TO EMBODY BOLDNESS AND RELENTLESS DRIVE TO MOVE FORWARD, OFTEN INSPIRING THOSE AROUND IT TO EMBRACE CHANGE AND ADVENTURE. PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT FIREHORSE BRINGS BOTH EXCITEMENT AND UNPREDICTABILITY TO THE NEW YEAR, ENCOURAGING ALL TO FACE CHALLENGES WITH CONFIDENCE AND TO PURSUE THEIR GOALS WITH DETERMINATION.

SO THE LEGEND HAS IT THAT EACH NEW YEAR, IT WAS CUSTOMARY FOR ONE ANIMAL TO LEAD THE GRAND PROCESSION, SYMBOLIZING THE QUALITIES OF THE VILLAGERS HOPE TO EMBRACE IN THE MONTHS TO COME.

SO THE WISE ELDER CRANE CALLED FORTH THE GENTLE HORSE ONE YEAR AND SAID, YOU NOBLE HORSE, YOU ARE KNOWN FOR YOUR STRENGTH, ENERGY, AND UNWAVERING SPIRIT.

WILL YOU LEAD US INTO THE NEW YEAR? THE HORSE BOWED ITS HIS HEAD IN HUMILITY AND SAID, I WILL, BUT LET US REMEMBER THAT SPEED ALONE CANNOT BRING US HAPPINESS.

I WILL CARRY YOU ON MY BACK, AND TOGETHER WE WILL RUN WITH KINDNESS, GUIDING OUR HOOVES AND COURAGE LIFTING OUR HEARTS.

SO ON THE NEW YEAR'S DAY, UNDER A SKY BRIGHT WITH LANTERNS, THE HORSES LED THE CELEBRATION WITH THE VILLAGERS ON THEIR BACKS.

THEY RACED ACROSS FIELDS, SHARE LAUGHTERS AND FEASTED ON DUMPLINGS AND RICE CAKES.

BUT WHEN A SUDDEN STORM THREATENED THE FESTIVITIES, THE HORSE DID NOT FLEE.

INSTEAD, IT STOOD FIRM AND SHELTERED THE SMALLEST CHILDREN BENEATH ITS MAIN, INSPIRING ALL TO HELP ONE ANOTHER UNTIL THE SUNSHINE RETURNED. FROM THAT DAY, THE HORSE IS KNOWN AS AN ANIMAL THAT IS KNOWN NOT ONLY FOR ITS SWIFTNESS, BUT ALSO FOR ITS UNITY, GENEROSITY, AND RESILIENCE IN STORIES AND CELEBRATIONS.

THE FIRE HORSE IS OFTEN DEPICTED AS A LEADER WHO NOT ONLY CHARGES AHEAD BUT ALSO LIFTS OTHERS UP, REMINDING EVERYONE THAT TRUE PROGRESS IS MADE TOGETHER IN A.

ITS VERY NATURE SYMBOLIZES WARMTH AND ENTHUSIASM, FILLING THE FESTIVITIES WITH VIBRANT COLORS, LIVELY DANCES AND JOYFUL GATHERING. THE FIRE HORSE'S PRESENCE DURING LUNAR NEW YEAR IS A REMINDER TO BALANCE STRENGTH WITH COMPASSION, AND TO CHANNEL PASSION INTO POSITIVE ACTIONS FOR THE COMMUNITY.

[00:30:05]

WE UNDERSTAND THAT OUR STRENGTH COMES FROM INCLUSIVITY, GENEROSITY, AND COMMUNITY, JUST LIKE THE STATE OF CITY ADDRESS DELIVERED BY MAYOR MUNS, PLANO REMAINS RELEVANT BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THAT STRENGTH SHINES BRIGHTEST WHEN SHARED, AND THE GREATEST JOURNEY ARE THOSE TRAVELED TOGETHER.

SO THIS YEAR, THE YEAR OF THE FIRE HORSE, WE WILL FACE THE MONSTER YEAR TOGETHER BY CELEBRATING STRENGTH IN UNITY, GROWTH IN GENEROSITY AND LOVE IN BUILDING OUR COMMUNITY THAT HAS TRULY BRING GOOD FORTUNE TO ALL OUR NEIGHBORS.

BY PROTECTING THOSE TOO WEAK TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AND GIVING TO THOSE WHO NEED TO.

JUST A HELPING HAND. TOGETHER, WE CAN BEAT THE MONSTER YEAR AND FOLLOW THE LEAD OF THE HORSE.

HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR! [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU MAYOR PRO TEM VERY MUCH.

OKAY. MOVING ON TO CONSENT AGENDA. CONSENT AGENDA.

[CONSENT AGENDA]

ITEMS MAY BE REMOVED FROM THIS AGENDA FOR INDIVIDUAL DISCUSSION BY A COUNCIL MEMBER, THE CITY MANAGER, OR ANY CITIZEN. THE PRESIDING OFFICER WILL ESTABLISH TIME LIMITS BASED UPON THE NUMBER OF SPEAKER REQUESTS.

MR. MAYOR, I MOVE WE ACCEPT THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED.

MAYOR, I'LL SECOND THE MOTION. THANK YOU. I HAVE A MOTION A SECOND TO ACCEPT AND APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.

PLEASE VOTE.

MOTION PASSES 7 TO 0. THANK YOU. NEXT ITEM.

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.

THE PRESIDING OFFICER WILL ESTABLISH TIME LIMITS BASED UPON THE NUMBER OF SPEAKER REQUESTS, LENGTH OF THE AGENDA AND TO INSURE MEETING EFFICIENCY, AND MAY INCLUDE A CUMULATIVE TIME LIMIT.

SPEAKERS WILL BE CALLED IN THE ORDER THE REQUESTS ARE RECEIVED UNTIL THE CUMULATIVE TIME IS EXHAUSTED.

[(1)  

To approve the purchase of Alternative Transit Services for an initial term of six (6) months with three (3) one-year automatic renewals in an initial term expenditure of $3,952,247 and an annual estimated amount of $8,000,000 for subsequent renewals from Via Transportation, Inc. through an existing contract; and authorizing the City Manager to execute all necessary documents. (791 Cooperative Contract No. 791202505008)

[(2)  

Discussion and direction re: Name and logo for the alternative transit program.

THROUGH AN EXISTING CONTRACT, AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS.

NECESSARY DOCUMENTS. MAYOR AND COUNCIL. AS I BRIEFED YOU AS PART OF THE DART OVERVIEW AND UPDATE, THE CITY HAS BEEN ACTIVE IN DISCUSSIONS WITH OUR TRANSIT PROVIDER, DART OVER THE LAST REALLY 6 OR 7 MONTHS.

AND REALLY OVER THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS TALKS HAVE BECOME MUCH MORE FOCUSED AROUND A POTENTIAL OFFER THAT WE HAVE HEARD FROM THE CHAIR OF THE DART BOARD.

THERE ARE SEVERAL ACTIONS THAT WOULD NEED TO HAPPEN OVER THE NEXT TWO WEEKS FOR THAT OFFER TO REALLY MATERIALIZE.

BUT THOSE ARE VERY MEANINGFUL ACTIONS THAT WOULD BE TAKEN.

SO AT THIS POINT, STAFF WOULD RECOMMEND TABLING THIS ITEM IN THE NEXT ITEM UNTIL THE 23RD MEETING TO ALLOW MORE TIME TO SEE IF THOSE ACTIONS ACTUALLY COME TO FRUITION.

SO THE COUNCIL WILL HAVE A MORE INFORMED POSITION BASED UPON WHAT WE ARE SEEING CURRENTLY WITH DART.

SO THAT IS THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION AT THIS POINT.

THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. WITH WHAT'S COME TO LIGHT WITH MR. MANAGER ISRAELSON DISCUSSIONS WITH REGARDS, WITH REGARDS TO NEGOTIATIONS AND THE PATH FORWARD AS LAID OUT IN OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH DART,

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I SECOND. CAN WE DO THAT TOGETHER? DO WE NEED TO DO EACH ONE SEPARATE? DID YOU SAY MARCH 23RD? FEBRUARY 20TH. FEBRUARY 23RD.

SO I SECOND THE REVISED. SO I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO TABLE ITEM ONE AND TWO TO THE FEBRUARY 23RD MEETING. PLEASE VOTE.

MOTION PASSES 7 TO 0. I KNOW MANY OF YOU HAD PLANS TO SPEAK, BUT THESE MEETINGS THAT ARE FORTHCOMING ARE ESSENTIAL TO WHETHER OR NOT SOMETHING DIFFERENT MAY HAPPEN.

SO WE'LL SEE ON THE 23RD, WITHOUT FURTHER WITH NO MORE FURTHER BUSINESS.

WE'RE ADJOURNED.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.