[CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:02]
I NOW DECLARE THAT THE PLAINTIFF CITY COUNCIL IS RECONVENED INTO OPEN SESSION THAT ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE PRESENT.
WE'LL BEGIN TONIGHT'S REGULAR MEETING WITH OUR INVOCATION AND OUR PLEDGES LED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BOB CARE.
WOULD YOU PLEASE RISE? DEAR LORD, WE THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS DAY.
WE THANK YOU FOR THIS COMMUNITY.
WE ASK THAT YOU BLESS THIS COMMUNITY AND, UH, KEEP THEM SAFE.
WE ASK THAT YOU, UH, TAKE CARE OF OUR FIRST RESPONDERS, KEEP THEM SAFE, AND THANK YOU FOR, FOR THEIR WORK AND KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY SAFE.
TONIGHT WE ASK THAT YOU HELP ALL OF THIS COUNCIL MAKE DECISIONS ON BEHALF OF ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY.
WE PRAY THAT WE MAKE THESE DECISIONS, UH, UH, FOR THE BETTERMENT OF OUR COMMUNITY.
AND THANK YOU SO MUCH, UH, FOR ALL THAT YOU DO, FOR ALL OF US.
IT'S IN YOUR NAME, WE PRAY, AMEN 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 HONOR, HONOR, TEXAS FLAG, I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE TEXAS ONE STATE UNDER GOD.
[Proclamation: July is National Parks and Recreation Month.]
ONE PROCLAMATION TO PRESENT.UH, JULY IS NATIONAL PARKS AND RECREATION MONTH, WHERE WE RECOGNIZE PAST AND PRESENT LEADERS AND STAFF FOR THEIR WORK TO ENSURE WE HAVE A TOP RANKED PARK SYSTEM.
SO I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE RON SMITH, PARKS AND REC DIRECTOR, HANNAH RUSHING, INTERIM ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF PARKS, GREG GION, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF RECREATION, CHRIS GKE, BUSINESS MANAGER, KATIE DUNHAM, PARK PLANNING MANAGER, AND PATRICIA JOHNSON PARK AND RECREATION PLANNING BOARD CHAIR.
SO IT'S MY HONOR TO PRESENT THIS PROCLAMATION AND WHEREAS SINCE 1985, JULY HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED AS NATIONAL PARKS AND RECREATION MONTH WITH THE US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PASSING AN OFFICIAL RESOLUTION IN 2009 AND RECOGNITION OF THE VITAL ROLE PARKS AND RECREATION PLAY IN BUILDING STRONG, HEALTHY AND VIBRANT COMMUNITIES.
WHEREAS THE CITY OF PLANO IS PROUD THAT PLANO PARKS AND RECREATION WAS RANKED NUMBER ONE IN THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS AND 13TH IN THE UNITED STATES IN THE 2026 TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND PARK SCORE INDEX REFLECTING THE CITY'S CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO PROVIDING EXCEPTIONAL PARKS, TRAILS, OPEN SPACES, AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS ALIKE.
WHEREAS PARKS AND RECREATION ENHANCES THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL PLANO RESIDENTS BY PROMOTING PHYSICAL HEALTH, MENTAL WELLNESS, ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP, ECONOMIC VITALITY, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND ACCESS TO SAFE AND WELCOMING PUBLIC SPACES.
PLANOS EXTENSIVE PARK SERVICES BRINGS NEIGHBORS TOGETHER, FOSTERS CIVIC PRIDE, ENCOURAGES HEALTHY LIFESTYLES, AND STRENGTHENS THE SENSE OF COMMUNITY THAT HAS HELPED MAKE PLANO THE CITY OF EXCELLENCE.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOHN MUNZ, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF PLANO, TEXAS DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF JULY, 2026 AS PARKS AND RECREATION MONTH IN PLANO.
AND I DO ENCOURAGE ALL CITIZENS TO JOIN ME AND THE PLANO CITY COUNCIL IN COMMENDING THE PARKS RECREATION DEPARTMENT FOR CREATING AND MAINTAINING THE HIGHEST RANKING SYSTEM AND REC AND IN THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS WHERE OUR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS ALIKE ENJOY ALL THE CITY OF EXCELLENCE HAS TO OFFER.
JUST, JUST WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO OUR CITY COUNCIL AND OF COURSE THE RESIDENTS OF PLANO WHO BENEFIT FROM THESE ASSETS THAT WE HAVE.
AND TO THE MANY PARKS AND RECREATION EMPLOYEES THAT MAINTAIN THESE ASSETS EVERY DAY.
[00:05:04]
HERE YOU WANNA TAKE A PICTURE REAL QUICK? COME HERE, COME ON.WHAT'S HAPPENING? NEED TO BREAK IT UP.
[CONSENT AGENDA]
LET'S MOVE ON TO THE 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 OF THE CITY MANAGER AND CITIZEN.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER WILL ESTABLISH TIME LIMITS BASED UPON THE NUMBER OF SPEAKER REQUESTS.
WE ACCEPT THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED WITH THE EXCEPTIONS OF ITEMS G, M AND WI SECOND THE MOTION.
I HAVE A MOTION TO SECOND TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA WITH THE EXCEPTION OF G, M AND W.
[(g) To approve the purchase of the Oak Point Recreation Center - Athletic Reprogram Requirements in the estimated amount of $49,098 from Clayton Contracting, Inc., $76,051 from Ponder Company, Inc., $40,724 from CFG Contracting, $3,157 from D & A Building Services, and $10,859 from Sports Imports in the total estimated amount of $179,889 through existing contracts; and authorizing the City Manager to execute all necessary documents. (BuyBoard Contract Nos. 737-24 and 765-25)]
ITEM G, ITEM G TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF THE OAK POINT RECREATION CENTER ATHLETIC REPROGRAM REQUIREMENTS IN THE ESTIMATED AMOUNT OF $49,098 FROM CLAYTON CONTRACTING, INCORPORATED $76,051 FROM PONDER COMPANY INCORPORATED, $40,724 FROM CFG CONTRACTING, $3,157 FROM DNA BUILDING SERVICES AND $10,859 FROM SPORTS IMPORTS IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $179,889 THROUGH EXISTING CONTRACTS AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS.CALEB THORNHILL HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.
IF WE DO AFTERWARDS, WE DO HAVE ONE SPEAKER, BILL LYLE.
UH, THIS, UH, MY COMMENTS TONIGHT REALLY HAVE MORE TO DO WITH THE SPACE THAT THESE PICKLEBALL PORTS ARE GOING INTO.
THIS HAS LONG BEEN THE SPACE USED BY THE ABAS GYMNASTICS, UH, PROGRAM, UH, THAT WAS IN PLANO FOR 50 SOME ODD YEARS.
NOT IN THIS EXACT LOCATION, BUT THIS IS WHERE IT'S BEEN FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.
I'M NOT HERE TO ARGUE FOR OR AGAINST PICKLEBALL.
REASONABLE PEOPLE CAN DISAGREE ABOUT THE BEST USE OF THE FACILITY.
I'M HERE JUST ASKING FOR TRANSPARENCY LAST FALL.
I'M SURE Y'ALL WILL REMEMBER THAT, UH, THERE WAS, UH, THE ABAS PROGRAM GOT CANCELED WITH VERY SHORT NOTICE AND THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF AN UPROAR, AND THEN IT GOT REINSTATED, AND NOW WE HEAR IT'S, IT'S REALLY ALL ABOUT PICKLEBALL.
WHY, WHY, WHAT WAS THE RUSH IF DECLINING ENROLLMENT, STAFFING CHALLENGES AND FINANCIAL CONCERNS HAD BEEN DEVELOPING FOR YEARS? WHY WEREN'T FAMILIES INFORMED EARLIER? UH, WHY WASN'T THE PUBLIC DISCUSSION, UH, BEFORE ANNOUNCING THE END OF THE PROGRAM THAT HAD S THAT HAD SERVED PLAINTIFF RESIDENTS FOR HALF A CENTURY IF PICKLEBALL COURTS OR OTHER FUTURE USES OF THE FACILITY WERE ALREADY BEING DISCUSSED? WHEN DID THOSE DISCUSSIONS BEGIN, AND WHY WASN'T THE INFORMATION SHARED WITH THE PUBLIC AT THAT TIME? WHY WEREN'T THE EMPLOYEES THAT WERE RUNNING ABAS OFFERED THE SAME DEAL THAT THEY GUY COURSE GETS? JUST, JUST THIS ABOUT THE PURCHASE OF, OF THIS, THIS PROPERTY.
UH, I MEAN IT'S WHAT'S REPLACING ABAS? NO.
NO, THIS IS ABOUT THE PURCHASE OF, OF THIS, THE, THE, THE PUBLIC FACILITY THAT YOU'RE GONNA ARGUE WITH ME IS WHERE THIS IS GOING.
IT'S ABOUT THE PURCHASE AND YOU HAVE TO STAY ON, STAY ON TOPIC.
WELL, A LOT OF MY COMMENTS HAVE HAD TO DO WITH PICKLEBALL COURTS.
THAT'S WHAT THEY STARTED OUT WITH.
I GUESS THE, THE POINT TO SUMMARIZE THAT IS JUST THAT WE COULD HAVE DONE BETTER WITH THE COMMUNICATION HERE.
[00:10:01]
RON SMITH, PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR, UH, THE COUNCIL WAS PROVIDED A MEMORANDUM ABOUT THIS ISSUE.WE DID, UH, ANNOUNCE TO, TO THE PARTICIPANTS OF ABAS SEVERAL MONTHS AGO THAT WE WERE GOING TO SUNSET THIS PROGRAM.
WE RECEIVED SOME FEEDBACK FROM PARTICIPANTS AND FROM COUNCIL.
SO WE PROVIDED A LONGER OFF RAMP.
WE'VE COMMUNICATED WITH ALL THE PARTICIPANTS OF THE PROGRAM.
THEY'VE, IF THEY WERE INTERESTED, THEY FOUND A NEW HOME FOR THEIR GYMNASTIC NEEDS.
AND WE FEEL THAT WE DID COMMUNICATE WELL WITH ALL THE PARTICIPANTS, WITH OUR COACHES, AND GIVING EVERYONE AMPLE TIME TO FIND A NEW HOME, IF THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE INTERESTED IN DOING.
WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO RENOVATING THIS SPACE THAT DID HOUSE THE GYMNASTICS TO MEET THE INTENSE NEED OF INDOOR COURT SPACES, INCLUDING PICKLEBALL, TABLE TENNIS, BADMINTON, AND THOSE TYPES OF SPORTS.
ANY QUESTIONS FOR STAFF? RON? IS, IS THERE, IS THERE ANY CONTROVERSY THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT? I MEAN, IT, UM, IT SOUNDS LIKE WE'RE, WE'RE DOING, WE'RE WE'RE PURCHASING THIS PORTION OF THE PROGRAM IN ORDER TO MEET A NEW DEMAND.
IS THAT, IS THAT WHAT I'M UNDERSTANDING? WHAT WE'RE DOING IS WE'RE RENOVATING ONE OF THE AREAS AT THE EXISTING OAK POINT RECREATION CENTER.
IT USED TO HOUSE THE GYMNASTIC AOB BATS PROGRAM.
THE ENROLLMENT THERE DECLINED OVER YEARS.
WE SUNSET THAT PROGRAM, NOW WE'RE GOING TO USE THIS MONEY, THIS 179,000 TO RENOVATE THAT SPACE TO ALLOW FOR UP TO THREE PICKLEBALL COURTS, SEVERAL, UH, BADMINTON, THREE BADMINTON COURTS, DEPENDING ON HOW WE WANNA PROGRAM IT.
FREEING UP SPACE TO MEET THE GROWING DEMAND FOR THOSE INDOOR SPORTS.
I SEEM TO REMEMBER A, A I THINK IT WAS A YEAR, A COUPLE YEARS BACK, THERE WAS SOME TYPE OF DISCUSSION WITH REGARD TO THE, UM, GYMNASTIC TEAM.
SO WERE THEY, UM, FINALLY RELOCATED OR WAS THERE SOME SORT OF SOLUTION TO THEIR ISSUES? YEAH, WE JUST INFORMED THE PATRONS THAT THAT PROGRAM WAS NO LONGER GOING TO BE OFFERED BY PARKS AND RECREATION, AND THOSE THAT WANTED TO FIND A NEW GYMNASIUM HAVE ALREADY DONE SO.
SO BASICALLY RUNNING THAT PROGRAM WAS NOT BENEFICIAL FOR THE USE OF SPACE, IS THAT THAT'S RIGHT.
UH, I, I MOVE TO APPROVE YOUR HONOR.
UH, JUDGE, UH, MAYOR, JUDGE, WHATEVER.
SO I HAVE A MOTION, A SECOND TO APPROVE ITEM G, PLEASE VOTE.
[(m)
To approve an expenditure for Architectural Services for the Pecan Hollow Golf Maintenance Building Renovations in the amount of $125,000 from PGAL, Inc. for the Engineering - Facilities Division; and authorizing the City Manager to execute all necessary documents.
]ITEM M TO APPROVE AN EXPENDITURE FOR ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES FOR PECAN HOLLOW GULF MAINTENANCE BUILDING RENOVATIONS IN THE AMOUNT OF 125,000 FROM PGAL INCORPORATED FOR THE ENGINEERING FACILITIES DIVISION AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS.AGAIN, CALEB THORNHILL, DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE.
ALRIGHT, CALEB, UH, WHO OWNS THE BUILDING ON THE GOLF COURSE? CITY OF PLANO.
SO THE CITY OF PLANO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING AND MAKE SURE IT, IT'S WORKABLE AND STILL USABLE, CORRECT? THAT'S CORRECT.
MIKE COMMENTS ON THIS TOPIC REALLY HAVE TO DO WITH THE FUNDING SOURCE.
Y'ALL WILL RECALL AT TWO MEETINGS AGO, UH, RON SMITH MADE THESE COMMENTS.
AND THIS IS THE, THE TRANSCRIPT FROM THE MEETING.
HE SAID, ZERO OF THE CITY'S GENERAL FUND OR TAXPAYER DOLLARS GO TO MAINTAIN PECAN HOLLOW.
SO THE BEAUTIFUL COURSE THAT PEOPLE PLAY IS MAINTAINED A HUNDRED PERCENT AT THE COST OF THE GOLFERS THEMSELVES.
NO TAXPAYER THAT IS DISINTERESTED IN GOLF PAYS ANYTHING TO MAINTAIN PECAN HOLLOW.
THE OPERATION IS RUN BY THE VENDOR.
HE BEARS ALL OVERHEAD, HE BEARS ALL RISK, AND HE RECEIVES 90% OF THE REVENUE FOR THOSE OPERATIONS.
AND THE CITY GETS 5%, I THINK HE MEANT 95 THERE.
THAT OPERATION CUT WAS JUST OVER A HUNDRED THOUSAND.
SO 100% OF THE MAINTENANCE OF THAT BEAUTIFUL COURSE PAID BY THE GOLFERS, ZERO TAX DOLLARS FROM THE RESIDENTS THAT DON'T PLAY GOLF.
SO TONIGHT, WHAT'S BEFORE YOU IS A RENOVATION OF
[00:15:01]
THE MAINTENANCE FACILITY THAT MAINTAINS THE EQUIPMENT, THAT MAINTAINS THE GOLF COURSE.AND THE FUNDING SOURCE ON THIS IS LISTED AS THE CAPITAL MAINTENANCE FUND.
AND SO MY QUESTION IS, DOES THE GOLF FUND, THE ENTERPRISE FUND THAT RON TOLD US ABOUT TWO MEETINGS AGO, DOES THAT GO INTO THE CAPITAL MAINTENANCE FUND OR IS THIS ACTUALLY TAX DOLLARS THAT GOES TO SUPPORT THE FACILITY THAT SUPPORTS THE MAINTENANCE ON THE GOLF COURSE? THANK YOU.
RON SMITH, PARKS AND RECREATION, THE GOLF FUND THAT IS COLLECTED WHEN GOLFERS PAY THE GREEN FEE PAYS FOR ALL OF THE EMPLOYEES THAT MAINTAIN THE COURSE, THEIR SALARIES, THEIR BENEFITS, AND IT PAYS FOR ALL THE EQUIPMENT, THE FUEL, AND EVERYTHING THAT THEY USE TO MAINTAIN THE COURSE.
THE BUILDING ITSELF THAT HOUSES THAT EQUIPMENT IS CITY OWNED.
IT'S A CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT, IT'S A CAPITAL PROJECT.
SO THE RENOVATION OF THAT WOULD LIKELY AND RIGHTFULLY COME OUT OF A CAPITAL FUNDING, UH, IN THIS CASE, THE CAPITAL MAINTENANCE FUND.
ANY QUESTIONS FOR RON? SO, SO, SO FOR CLARIFICATION, THE GOLF FUND PAYS FOR THE SUPERINTENDENTS OF THE COURSE ITSELF.
MAINTENANCE, MOWING, IRRIGATION WATER, ALL THE FERTILIZER, ALL THAT.
BUT THE BUILDING ITSELF, THE CLUBHOUSE, THE UPSTAIRS DINING AREA, THE MAINTENANCE FACILITY, THOSE ARE OWNED BY THE CITY.
SO ANY REPAIRS OR MAINTENANCE WOULD BE FROM THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT.
THEY FALL UNDER THE FACILITIES DIVISION OF THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT, JUST LIKE ANY OTHER CITY FACILITY DOES.
BUT YOU ARE CORRECT THAT THE, THE COST TO MAINTAIN THE COURSE PAID FOR EXCLUSIVELY BY THE GOLF FUND.
I DO HAVE AN ADDITIONAL QUESTION.
SO IT SAYS 1 25 FOR ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES, BUT DOES THIS INCLUDE THE ENTIRE PROJECT OR IS IT JUST THE DESIGNING OR RE THIS IS JUST THE DESIGN OF THE RENOVATION.
DO WE HAVE AN ESTIMATED AMOUNT OF THE OVERALL PROJECT? UH, CALEB, WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION? FACILITIES, IT'S USUALLY A 10 TO 20%.
I WOULD SAY THAT'S PROBABLY A FAIR ESTIMATE.
SO THEN IF WE APPROVE THIS TODAY, ARE YOU GONNA COME FORWARD NEXT TIME TO ASK FOR FUNDS FOR THE ENTIRE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT IN THE FUTURE? CORRECT.
WHY WOULDN'T WE DO IT TOGETHER? WHAT'S THAT? WHY WOULDN'T WE DO IT TOGETHER? BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE DESIGN COMPLETE, SO WE DON'T KNOW.
WE WON'T HAVE TO BID OUT THE CONSTRUCTION.
UH, COUNCIL MEMBER CARE AND MARIA TWO WAS THE SECOND TO APPROVE ITEM M, PLEASE VOTE.
MOTION PASSES EIGHT TO ZERO ITEM W,
[(w) To act in response to a petition for recognition, received on May 26, 2026, on behalf of the Plano Police Association, FOP Lodge 777, to be the sole and exclusive bargaining agent for Plano Police Department police officers, in accordance with the provisions of the meet and confer statute as set forth in Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 142 and granting recognition of the Association as requested in the petition and determining that the City of Plano may and shall meet and confer with said Association without conducting an election by the voters; and providing an effective date.]
ITEM W TO ACT IN RESPONSE TO A PETITION FOR RECOGNITION RECEIVED ON MAY 26TH, 2026 ON BEHALF OF THE PLAINTIFF POLICE ASSOCIATION FOP LODGE 7 77, TO BE THE SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE BARGAINING AGENT FOR THE PLANO POLICE DEPARTMENT POLICE OFFICERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE MEET AND CONFER STATUTE AS SET FORTH IN TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE CHAPTER 1 42, AND GRANTING RECOGNITION OF THE ASSOCIATION AS A RE REQUEST AS REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.AND DETERMINING THAT THE CITY OF PLANO MAY AND SHALL MEET AND CONFER WITH SAID ASSOCIATION WITHOUT CONDUCTING AN ELECTION BY THE VOTERS AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
THANK, I BELIEVE WE HAVE A SPEAKER FOR THIS TOO.
MR. LYLE, SECTION TWO DASH 1 0 9 OF THE PLANO CODE OF ORDINANCES ESTABLISHES A CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION RECUSAL REQUIREMENT FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
UNDER THAT ORDINANCE, A COUNCIL MEMBER WHO HAS RECEIVED CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS EXCEEDING $1,000 FROM A PERSON OR ENTITY WITH SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS INTEREST IN A MATTER BEFORE THE COUNCIL MAY BE SUBJECT TO RECUSAL.
THE ORDINANCE DEFINES CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION BROADLY.
IT INCLUDES NOT ONLY MONETARY DONATIONS, BUT ALSO LOANS OFFSETS TO EXPENDITURES AND IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS.
DURING RECENT ELECTION CYCLES, THE PLANO POLICE ASSOCIATION APPEARS TO HAVE EXPENDED FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF ABOUT $19,000 TO PRODUCE AND DISTRIBUTE CAMPAIGN MATERIALS SUPPORTING CERTAIN CANDIDATES IN AMOUNTS EXCEEDING $1,000
[00:20:01]
THRESHOLD.THOSE EXPENDITURES WERE MADE FOR THE DIRECT POLITICAL BENEFIT OF THE ENDORSED CANDIDATES.
WHEN THOSE CANDIDATES THEN PROMOTED, PUBLICIZED, AND RELIED ON THOSE ENDORSEMENTS THROUGH WEBSITES, SIGNAGE, FACEBOOK POST, AND OTHER CAMPAIGN COMMUNICATIONS, THEY ACCEPTED AND BENEFITED FROM THAT SUPPORT.
IT SHALL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTOR AND NOT THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBER TO IDENTIFY THEIR SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS INTEREST IMPACTED BY THIS SECTION.
THAT LANGUAGE PLACES THE DISCLOSURE BURDEN SQUARELY ON THE CONTRIBUTOR IN THIS CASE.
THAT MEANS THAT THE PPA HAD THE RESPONSIBILITY TO IDENTIFY ANY SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS INTEREST IMPLICATED BY THIS MATTER.
THE QUESTION THEN IS STRAIGHTFORWARD.
SHOULD AN ORGANIZATION REPRESENTING LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS BE EXPECTED TO FOLLOW THE LAW? THE RULE OF LAW CANNOT BE SELECTIVE, APPLIED ONLY WHEN CONVENIENT OR IT SERVES A PREFERRED OUTCOME.
IF THIS MEASURE DOES NOT PASS TODAY, THE ISSUE PROCEEDS TO THE VOTERS.
THAT IS NOT A FAILURE OF PROCESS.
SUBMITTING THIS MATTER TO THE ELECTORATE, ELECTORATE WOULD PRESERVE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE AND RECOGNIZE AN IMPORTANT FACT.
SUPPORT FOR THIS REQUEST IS NOT UNANIMOUS WITHIN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ITSELF.
APPROXIMATELY 28% OF PLANO POLICE OFFICERS HAVE CHOSEN NOT TO SIGN THIS REQUEST.
SENDING THE MATTER TO THE VOTERS PRESENTS THE COUNCIL FROM CHOOSING A SINGLE ASSOCIATION REQUESTING THEIR EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO SPEAK FOR ALL.
IT IS ALSO MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE FINANCIAL BURDEN OF SUCH AN ELECTION WOULD FALL TO THE PPA IF THE PPA CHOOSES NOT TO BEAR.
THAT COST, THAT DECISION DOES NOT PREVENT THE CITY FROM CONTINUING TO NEGOTIATE WITH THE PPA IN GOOD FAITH, NOR DOES IT PREVENT THE CITY FROM ENGAGING WITH THE OTHER 28% OF OFFICERS WHO CHOOSE NOT TO BE RECE REPRESENTED BY THE PPA.
THE COUNCIL SHOULD NOT BE PLACED IN THE POSITION OF REWARDING POLITICAL SUPPORT OVERLOOKING POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OR BYPASSING THE VOTERS SIMPLY BECAUSE AN INTERESTED PARTY WOULD PREFER A MORE CONVENIENT OUTCOME.
THE CLEANER COURSE, THE LEGALLY SOUND COURSE, AND THE COURSE MOST CONSISTENT WITH PUBLIC TRUST IS TO LET THE VOTERS DECIDE.
IN ADDITION, I WOULD JUST REMIND MARIA, YOU WERE NEVER SUPPORTED BY THE PPA VIDAL.
HAYDEN PAGET WAS SUPPORTED IN LIEU OF YOU.
AND I THINK THAT WAS BECAUSE OF HAYDEN PAGET'S POLITICAL CONSULTANT.
AND SO, YOU KNOW, AT THE VERY LEAST, I WOULD JUST WRAP UP GOING BACK TO THE, THE, THE POINT WHERE IT'S THE POLITICAL ORGANIZATION'S RESPONSIBILITY TO TELL Y'ALL, HEY, YOU'VE GOTTA RECUSE YOURSELF.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE EITHER GET RID OF THAT LAW OR FOLLOW IT.
IS THERE MOTIONS? I DON'T KNOW, MAYOR AND COUNCIL, IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, WE'RE HAPPY TO PROVIDE, LEMME TRY TO UNDERSTAND.
LET, LET ME TRY TO UNDERSTAND WHAT MR. LYLE IS SAYING VERSUS WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO TODAY.
SO BASICALLY WE ARE ASKING, I MEAN THE, THE PLANO POLICE ASSOCIATIONS ASKING TO SPEAK TO CITY COUNCIL REGARDING CERTAIN ISSUES.
IS THAT RIGHT? IT IS ACTUALLY SPEAKING TO MANAGEMENT.
NOT REALLY TO CITY COUNCIL REGARDING, UM, ANY ISSUES THAT'S IN FRONT OF CITY COUNCIL.
SO RIGHT NOW WE DON'T KNOW QUITE WHAT THE POINT OF POLICE ASSOCIATION IS GOING TO BE ASKING FOR.
SO IT'S VERY PRELIMINARY RIGHT NOW.
SO THIS WOULD, THIS WOULD RECOGNIZE THEM AS THE NEGOTIATING AGENT AND ALLOW THE, THE CITY MANAGEMENT TO MEET WITH THE, UH, ASSOCIATION REPRESENTING THOSE OFFICERS TO ACTUALLY ENGAGE IN DISCUSSIONS AND POTENTIALLY NEGOTIATIONS TO SEE WHAT THE ISSUES ARE.
UM, BUT AT THIS POINT, THE, THERE'S NOTHING TO BRING FORWARD TO COUNSEL OTHER THAN RECOGNITION THAT THEY ARE A NEGOTIATING AGENT FOR OFFICERS.
THEY, THEY, THEY'RE ASKING TO TALK TO SOMEBODY IN THE CITY.
RIGHT NOW WE, WE UNDERSTAND THERE ARE ISSUES.
WE JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT ISSUES WE'RE, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
AND SINCE COUNCIL ARE NOT REALLY TALKING TO THE PLANO ASSOCIATION, WE NEED SOMEBODY WHO'S REPRESENTING THE CITY TO DO SO.
IS THAT A GOOD SUMMARY? THAT WOULD BE ME AND A, A GROUP OF MANAGEMENT HERE AS WELL AS SOME CONSULTING ATTORNEYS.
SO THIS CURRENTLY, THIS ON THE AGENDA, BASICALLY ONLY GIVE A CONSENT TO ALLOW CITY MANAGER AND AND TEAM TO TALK TO THEM.
NOT TO MAKE ANY DECISIONS ABOUT ANYTHING, BUT JUST TO TALK TO SEE WHETHER OR NOT THIS NEEDS TO GO TO A, A DIFFERENT, YOU KNOW, A DIFFERENT AVENUE OR IT NEEDS TO COME BACK TO COUNCIL OR IT NEEDS TO GO TO, UM, YOU KNOW, OTHER, OTHER CONSULTANT OR, OR POTENTIALLY WHATEVER IS IS THAT MY UNDERSTANDING AND ANY RESULT WILL HAVE TO COME BACK TO THE CITY COUNCIL.
SO AT THIS POINT, THIS IS VERY, VERY, VERY PRELIMINARY.
WITH THAT IN MIND, I MOVE TO APPROVE.
[00:25:02]
ALRIGHT.UH, I'D ALSO LIKE TO BRING UP A POINT HERE IN THAT, UM, WE'RE RIGHT AT THE VERY BEGINNING STAGES OF THE BUDGETS FOR THIS SEASON.
AND PART OF THAT BUDGET CYCLE IS ADDRESSING PUBLIC SAFETY.
AND IT'S EVERY, I CAN ATTEST FOR EVERYONE ON THIS BOARD, PUBLIC SAFETY IS THE MOST IMPORTANT CRITICAL ITEM THAT WE ARE FACED WITH AS COUNCIL MEMBERS.
AND WE'RE LOOKING AT THE SAFEGUARD OF ALL OUR CITIZENS.
SO THIS BEING A PRELIMINARY DISCUSSION BETWEEN THE PLANO POLICE ASSOCIATION AND OUR MANAGEMENT TEAM TO FIND OUT IF THERE MAY BE ANY COST IMPACTS THAT MAY COME OUT OF THAT IS REAL CRITICAL.
I THINK WE, WE, WE DON'T KNOW THAT, RIGHT? I MEAN, AT THIS POINT, DON'T POINT THAT WE DON'T KNOW IF IT'S MONEY, WE DON'T KNOW IF IT'S REGARDING, YOU KNOW, POTENTIAL PUBLIC SAFETY OR WHATEVER.
BUT IF IT HAS ANY TYPE OF MONETARY IMPACT, WE NEED TO KNOW THAT BEFORE WE STEP INTO THE SYSTEM.
AND THAT'S WHAT I WAS GETTING AT.
SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, I'LL SECOND THE MOTION.
SO I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE ITEM W, PLEASE VOTE.
[(1)
Public Hearing and consideration of an Ordinance to approve the terms and conditions of an Interlocal Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding by and between the City of Plano, the City of McKinney, the City of Frisco, and the Collin County Sheriff’s Office for the disbursement of the 2025 Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant funds; authorizing its execution by the City Manager or his authorized designee; and providing an effective date.
]UH, ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION.
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 ENSURE 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.
ITEM NUMBER ONE, PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT AND MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF PLANO, THE CITY OF MCKINNEY, THE CITY OF FRISCO, AND THE COLLIN COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT FOR THE DISBURSEMENT OF THE 2025 EDWARD BYRNE JUSTICE ASSISTANT GRANT FUNDS AUTHORIZING ITS EXECUTION BY THE CITY MANAGER OR HIS DESIGNEE AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
GOOD EVENING, UH, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
THE, UH, BYRNE, UH, JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT, OR JAG GRANT, AS WE CALL IT.
IT'S WHAT'S CALLED A FORMULA GRANT.
THEY USE OUR, UH, CRIME RATE DATA, OUR POPULATION TO COME UP WITH THIS GRANT AMOUNT.
THE AMOUNT IS ROUGHLY $64,000.
UH, OUR SHARE, PLANO SHARE OF THAT IS 24.
WE HAVE TO SPLIT THAT, UH, GRANT AMOUNT WITH OTHER CITIES IN OUR COUNTY WITH, UH, ALLEN FRISCO AND MCKINNEY.
UH, AS I SAID, OUR SHERIFF'S ABOUT TO, AND ALSO, UH, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE GETS THE SHERIFF OF THAT TOO.
UH, THE REASON I'M BRIEFING YOU ON THIS IS BECAUSE IT'S REQUIRED TO HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE, UH, ON ACCEPTING THIS GRANT AND WHAT PROJECT WE'RE GONNA USE IT FOR.
THE PROJECT THAT WE'RE GONNA USE OUR PORTION OF THE GRANT FOR IS TO, UH, WE WE'RE GOING TO SWAP OUT OUR SIDEARMS. WE'VE BEEN CARRYING THOSE FOR ABOUT 10 YEARS NOW.
UH, AND, AND GUNS, WE COULD, WE, WE COULD GO PAST THE 10 YEAR MARK.
OUR ISSUE IS THOUGH, IS WE'RE MOVING TO A POINT TO WHERE FIREARMS ARE CHANGING.
THE NEW STANDARD IS GOING TO BE BECOME HAVING AN OPTIC, A COLORED OPTIC, A RED OR A GREEN DOT OPTIC ON THAT.
SOME OF OUR OFFICERS CARRY THAT ON THEIR OWN THAT THEY PURCHASE, BUT WE NEED TO MOVE TOWARDS, UH, PURCHASING THOSE WEAPONS FOR OUR OFFICERS IF THEY WANT THAT.
UH, THAT'S GONNA BE A LOT MORE THAN WHAT WE GET OUTTA THIS 24,000.
SO WE'RE GONNA BUY ABOUT 20 OF THOSE GUNS FOR OUR NEW RECRUITS COMING IN.
IT'LL HAVE THE, THE OPTIC, UH, WILL COME WITH IT.
SO IT'S GONNA BE A GOOD VALUE FOR US BUYING AND INSTEAD OF BUYING THEM SEPARATELY.
BUT BEFORE WE GO FIVE AND PURCHASE FOUR OR 500 OF THOSE, WE'RE GONNA PURCHASE ABOUT 20.
MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE INTEGRATED, THAT THEY'RE WORKING.
WE DON'T HAVE ANY TRAINING ISSUES.
UH, AND THEN LATER THIS YEAR, EARLY NEXT YEAR, UH, CALENDAR YEAR, WE WILL, UH, COMPLETE THAT PURCHASE OF ABOUT FOUR OR 500 OTHER GUNS.
SO THAT'S THE GRANT, UH, THAT'S WHY I'M BRIEFING YOU ON IT, AND THAT'S WHAT WE PLAN ON DOING WITH THE MONEY.
ANY QUESTIONS FOR CHIEF? OKAY.
DO YOU HAVE ANY SPEAKERS? THERE ARE NO SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM.
CONFINE THE COMMENTS TO THE COUNCIL.
MAY I SECOND, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT AS WELL.
I THINK THIS IS ONE OF THE WONDERFUL THINGS ABOUT NORTH TEXAS IS THAT WE CAN SHARE AND WORK TOGETHER WITH OTHER COMMUNITIES TO MAKE SURE WE'RE JUST BETTER AND STRONGER HERE.
SO I THINK THIS IS REALLY A, A GOOD THING TO MOVE FORWARD ON.
ALRIGHT, SO WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE.
UM, ITEM NUMBER ONE, PLEASE VOTE.
[00:30:01]
MOTION PASSES EIGHT TO ZERO.[COMMENTS OF PUBLIC INTEREST]
COMMENTS OF PUBLIC INTEREST.THIS PORTION OF THE MEETING IS TO ALLOW TO THREE MINUTES PER SPEAKER WITH 30 TOTAL MINUTES OF AN 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 THE FUTURE AGENDA.
AND WE DO HAVE SEVERAL SPEAKERS THIS EVENING.
YEAH, WE, WE, UH, WE HAVE OVER 30 MINUTES OF, OF SPEAKERS.
SO, UH, IF, IF WE LEFT IT AT THREE MINUTES PER SPEAKER.
SO I'M GONNA BRING IT DOWN TO TWO MINUTES PER SPEAKER AND WE CAN START WITH THE FIRST ONE.
THE FIRST SPEAKER IS NCBW DALLAS CHAPTER.
GOOD EVENING, UM, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL CONSTITUENTS.
KATRINA PULLUM AND I AM THE PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL COALITION OF 100 BLACK WOMEN OF THE DALLAS METROPOLITAN CHAPTER.
AND SO, JUST FOR A MINUTE OR SO, I WANNA SHINE A LIGHT ON, UM, MATERNAL HEALTH, BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH.
UM, WHEN A MOTHER SUFFERS POOR HEALTH OUTCOMES, THE IMPACT EXTENDS BEYOND INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES ARE AFFECTED, CHILDREN ARE IMPACTED IN OUR COMMUNITIES, LOSE VITAL CONTRIBUTORS AND LEADERS.
AND SO BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH IS SIMPLY NOT A HEALTHCARE ISSUE, BUT IT IS A COMMUNITY ISSUE.
IT IS AN ECONOMIC ISSUE AND A QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUE.
AND SO TO ADVANCE THIS WORK, WE WOULD LIKE TO ENCOURAGE THE PLANO CITY COUNCIL TO ISSUE AN ANNUAL PROCLAMATION, RECOGNIZING BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH WEEK APRIL 11TH THROUGH APRIL 17TH OF EACH YEAR.
WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO PARTNER WITH US SO WE CAN INCREASE THE COMMUNITY AWARENESS OF MATERNAL AND INFANT HEALTH ISSUES.
AND OUR THIRD REQUEST IS WE WOULD LIKE TO ESTABLISH OR FOR YOU TO CONSIDER ESTABLISHING A PLANO BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH TASK FORCE OR ADVISORY COMMITTEE COMPOSED OF HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS, PUBLIC HEALTH LEADERS, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, FAITH LEADERS AND RESIDENTS TO IDENTIFY LOCAL BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH PRIORITIES AND RECOMMEND COMMUNITY-BASED SOLUTIONS AND STRENGTHEN COLLABORATIONS SECONDS ACROSS THE SECTORS.
AND SO WHAT WE'RE ASKING IS THAT WE WOULD LOVE TO, UM, FOLLOW UP WITH EACH CITY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE HERE TO TALK ABOUT HOW WE CAN COLLABORATE AND WORK TOGETHER IN THE COMMUNITY.
AND WE APPRECIATE, UH, ALL THAT YOU DO AND YOUR ADVOCACY FOR, FOR, FOR THIS.
AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU IN THE FUTURE.
THE NEXT SPEAKER IS KYLE MCGEE AND HE WILL BE FOLLOWED BY SHIRLEY LAWSON.
I'M A MEMBER OF DSA NORTH TEXAS AND REVOLUTIONARY FRONT DFW.
IT'S BEEN ALMOST TWO MONTHS SINCE I LAST SPOKE TO THIS COUNCIL ABOUT PLANOS DATA CENTER DILEMMA.
I WOULD'VE TOUCHED BASE WITH YOU ALL SOONER, BUT YOU LIMITED OUR ABILITY TO DELIVER COMMENTS OF PUBLIC INTEREST RECENTLY.
SO WHAT WAS I SUPPOSED TO DO ON THAT EVENING? I WAS THE SOLE ATTENDEE CONCERNED ABOUT THIS TOPIC TONIGHT.
AND SO WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU IGNORE PROBLEM COUNCIL MEMBERS? IT DOESN'T GO AWAY.
IN FACT, THE STATEWIDE BACKLASH AGAINST DATA CENTER DEVELOPMENT HAS GROWN SO COLOSSAL THAT GREG ABBOTT, A MAN SO CORRUPT THAT HIS FIRST WORD AS A CHILD WAS BRIBE.
EVEN GREG ABBOTT IS CAMPAIGNING ON A PROMISE TO REPEAL THE TAX INCENTIVES THAT SPARKED THIS BIG TECH TAKEOVER IN THE FIRST PLACE.
NOBODY SHOULD BELIEVE HIM, OF COURSE, BUT HE CAN TELL WHERE THE POLITICAL WINDS ARE BLOWING AND THEY RIGHTFULLY TERRIFY HIM.
CONSIDER THIS QUESTION COUNCIL MEMBERS.
DO YOU REALLY WANT GREG ABBOTT OF ALL CREATURES TO LEAVE YOU GUYS IN THE DUST? IF NOT, THEN YOU HAVE A COUPLE OF OPTIONS.
FIRST, YOU CAN START THE PROCESS OF EXPLORING A DATA CENTER MORATORIUM.
SECOND, YOU CAN ADD A SPECIAL ZONING CATEGORY FOR DATA CENTERS TO THE UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE.
THE CITY'S BEEN WORKING ON DR. THOMAS.
WHEN YOU FILLED OUT BALLOT PDS, CANDIDATE CORRECTION, SORRY, CONNECTION SURVEY LAST YEAR.
YOU LISTED ZONING REFORM AS SOMETHING YOU'RE PASSIONATE ABOUT.
THIS WOULD BE AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY TO FLEX THAT MUSCLE AND SHOW YOUR COLLEAGUES HOW IT'S DONE.
TO CONCLUDE, I'D LIKE TO OUTLINE THE TRUE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE FIGHT AGAINST DATA CENTERS.
THIS BATTLE IS A MICROCOSM OF THE FUNDAMENTAL
[00:35:01]
DIVIDE IN OUR COUNTRY, THE STRUGGLE BETWEEN THE OWNING CLASS AND THE WORKING CLASS.WHO GETS TO CONTROL THE FUTURE? THE PEOPLE.
20 SECONDS OR THE PROFITEERS? I KNOW WHICH SIDE I'M ON.
COUNCIL MEMBERS, WHICH SIDE ARE YOU ON? SHIRLEY LAWSON.
SHIRLEY WILL BE FOLLOWED BY CONNOR BOYKIN AND SANJAY.
HELLO? HI EVERYBODY, MY NAME IS SHIRLEY LAWSON.
UM, I'M HERE WITH MY FRIEND KYLE AND MY FRIENDS FROM DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS OF AMERICA.
MY ONLY GOAL HERE TONIGHT IS TO LET YOU KNOW THAT, UM, ACTUALLY IS TO PUT YOU ALL ON NOTICE.
I'VE NOTICED THAT AT LEAST FOUR OF YOU WILL BE UP FOR REELECTION NEXT YEAR IN, UH, 2027.
DO WHATEVER I FEEL LIKE PERSON.
AND IF OUR NEEDS AREN'T MET AND THIS, UH, THE ITEM AGENDAS THAT HE HAS SUGGESTED, DON'T GET ON HERE.
THAT'S WHAT I'M GONNA SPEND ALL MY TIME DOING.
I CAN VOTE HERE UNFORTUNATELY BECAUSE I'M NOT ACTUALLY FROM PLANO, WHICH WOULDN'T BE A CONCERN IF YOU GUYS BUILT A DOME OVER PLANO THAT WOULD CONTAIN ALL THE POLLUTION AND THE ADDITIONAL HEAT THAT IS GONNA COME FROM THESE AI DATA CENTER MONSTROSITIES.
I CAN RECRUIT PEOPLE, I CAN CALL PEOPLE, I CAN BLOCK WALK FOR THESE PEOPLE AND I'VE ALREADY GOT TWO OF THEM IN MIND.
SO WITH THAT IN MIND, THAT'S ALL I HAVE.
I'M A MEMBER OF REVOLUTIONARY FRONT DFW AND DSA NORTH TEXAS.
AS A PLAN OF RESIDENT, IT'S APPALLING TO SEE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS BEING SPENT ON PROJECTS WE DON'T NEED, DON'T WANT AND DIDN'T ASK FOR.
WHILE CONCERNS ABOUT PUBLIC SERVICES AND INFRASTRUCTURE ARE QUIETLY IGNORED, WE'LL START WITH AI DATA CENTERS.
OF COURSE, CORAL REEF MIGHT SOUND FAMILIAR.
IT'S AN AI CLOUD COMPUTING BEHEMOTH THAT JOINED THE NASDAQ 100 EARLIER TODAY.
AND PLANO CITY COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED HUGE TAX REBATES FOR CORE REEF'S DATA CENTER RIGHT OFF COURT ROAD, BUT THEY'RE NOT ALONE.
ON THE 23RD OF FEBRUARY, UH, THE COUNCIL'S UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE LARGEST INCENTIVES PACKAGE IN PLANOS HISTORY FOR AT AND T INCLUDING A $20 MILLION GRANT AND TAX BREAKS TOTALLING OUT TO POTENTIALLY A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS.
DON'T YOU THINK THAT THOSE TAX DOLLARS COULD BE BETTER SPENT ADDRESSING THE COMMUNITY'S NEEDS DIRECTLY? BECAUSE I CAN ASSURE YOU THERE ARE NEIGHBORHOODS IN THIS CITY THAT HAVE BEEN NEGLECTED.
IT'S A HISTORICALLY AFRICAN AMERICAN NEIGHBORHOOD OF DEEP CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE TO PLANO.
I HAVE HAD THE PLEASURE OF MEETING A LOT OF DOUGLAS' RESIDENTS OVER THE PAST YEAR, AND I'VE HAD THE CHANCE TO HEAR SOME OF THEIR THOUGHTS ABOUT WHAT COULD IMPROVE THEIR COMMUNITY.
FOR STARTERS, THE RECREATIONAL CENTER AT SUMMER VACATION AND THE REC CENTER IS ONLY OPEN TWO HOURS A DAY FROM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, FOUR HOURS ON SATURDAY, AND IT ISN'T OPEN AT ALL ON SUNDAYS.
OTHER COMETS POINTED OUT ISSUES WITH THE WATER FOUNTAINS AND PARK LIGHTS AT STIMSON AND DRAKE PARK, A DEAD STREET LIGHT THAT WE SAW ON 13TH STREET CARS SPEEDING DOWN EYE AVENUE AS THEY PASS THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
AND THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE COMMENTS THAT WE HEARD, BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS IT DOES NOT TAKE A MASSIVE TAX BREAK TO SOLVE THESE PROBLEMS. 20 SECONDS.
ASK THE PEOPLE OF PLANO WHAT THEY NEED AND WANT INSTEAD OF DECIDING FOR THEM.
BECAUSE DOUGLAS IS JUST ONE OF THESE NEIGHBORHOODS.
THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME CONCERNS.
I ASSURE YOU WE NEED MORE PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT IN DECISION MAKING.
UPLIFTING COMMUNITIES LIKE DOUGLAS IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN GIVING TAX REBATES TO MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR CORPORATIONS.
THE PEOPLE'S NEEDS MUST COME FIRST.
PUT OUR TAX DOLLARS BACK INTO COMMUNITIES LIKE DOUGLAS AND NOT INTO, INTO BUILDING MORE DATA CENTERS.
SANJAY S FOLLOWED BY NATHAN TAN.
SO MY NAME'S SANJAY AND I'M HERE TO ARGUE IN FAVOR OF A MORATORIUM ON DATA CENTERS.
AND BEFORE YOU SAY ANYTHING ABOUT ME, I'M ACTUALLY, I'M NOT AGAINST AI OR INNOVATION, I'M ACTUALLY AN AI ENGINEER MYSELF.
AND IT'S PRECISELY BECAUSE I'M AN ENGINEER.
I WANTED TO GIVE YOU ALL A QUICK TECHNICAL LESSON.
IF YOU WERE TO DOWNLOAD LLAMA, IT'S AN OPEN SOURCE AI MODEL ON YOUR COMPUTERS AND RUN IT, YOU CAN ACTUALLY DISCONNECT THE INTERNET THERE.
WHAT HAPPENS IS YOU CAN JUST SAY HI, LIKE YOU SAY HI TO CHAT GPT.
YOUR COMPUTER IS GOING TO HEAT UP AND IT'S NOT GONNA WORK.
'CAUSE THAT'S HOW MUCH MEMORY AND POWER AI REQUIRES.
SO EVEN A SIMPLE MODEL, A BARE BONES MODEL LLAMA, YOU RUN IT ON YOUR COMPUTER
[00:40:01]
AND IT'S GOING TO BURN.COMPUTERS ARE GONNA GET HOT, IT'S GONNA GET FROZEN.
NOW LET'S, LET'S APPLY THAT TO SCALE.
THESE CORPORATIONS ARE GONNA RELEASE THESE MODELS OUT TO THE PUBLIC.
AND PEOPLE ARE GONNA USE, LIKE, THEY'RE GONNA CREATE RANDOM VIDEOS.
THEY'RE GONNA CREATE AI FRUIT VIDEOS OR SOMETHING.
AND IMAGINE IF YOUR LOCAL COMPUTER BURNS OR YOU KNOW, HEATS UP BECAUSE OF A SIMPLE HIGH PROMPT.
IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN WHEN THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE USING THAT DATA CENTER AT SCALE.
WELL, IT'S GOING TO RELEASE A LOT OF HEAT.
AND TO COOL THAT DOWN, YOU NEED AN EXCESS AMOUNT OF WATER, A RIDICULOUS AMOUNT OF WATER.
AND YOU ALSO NEED A RIDICULOUS AMOUNT OF ELECTRICITY TO DO THESE COMPUTATIONS FOR THAT AI MODEL TO WORK.
AND SO WHAT HAPPENS IS, WE'VE SEEN IN COUNTIES, IN GEORGIA AND COUNTIES IN ARIZONA, THE WATER PRESSURE IN THE AREA ACTUALLY DECREASES TO THE POINT YOU TURN ON THE SHOWER AND IT ACTUALLY COMES OUT PRETTY SLOW.
THEIR ELECTRICITY BILLS HAVE GONE UP, THEIR WATER BILLS HAVE GONE UP.
AND DO YOU REALLY WANT THAT FOR THE 300,000 RESIDENTS OF PLANO HERE? SO AGAIN, LIKE I'M SAYING, I'M NOT AGAINST INNOVATION.
IN FACT, IF YOU WERE TO IMPOSE RESTRICTIONS ON DATA CENTERS HERE, PUT A MORATORIUM, IT WOULD ACTUALLY INCENTIVIZE SOME OF THESE COMPANIES TO FIND ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF ELECTRICITY AND WATER REQUIRED.
RIGHT NOW THEY'RE JUST USING ALL THE LAND THEY CAN.
BUT IF YOU PUT A MOR TERM ON DATA CENTERS, YOU WON'T BE STIFLING INNOVATION.
YOU'LL ACTUALLY BE SUPPORTING IT.
'CAUSE YOU'LL BE ENCOURAGING THEM TO FIND NEW WAYS TO SAVE WATER AND ELECTRICITY ON PEOPLE.
GOOD EVENING MAYORS AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
I'M 17 AND A RISING HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR AT ST.
I FOUNDED THE SHARED SKIES INITIATIVE, A YOUTH-LED NONPROFIT.
AFTER A 7-YEAR-OLD I TUTOR LOOKED AT THE HAZY SKY AND ASKED ME WHY IT LOOKED THE WAY IT DID, AND HE COULD FEEL THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG, BUT HE HAD NO WAY TO MEASURE IT.
AND SO I LEARNED HOW, AND I'VE SPENT THE LAST YEAR STUDYING THE EXACT POLLUTANTS THAT MAKE AIR DANGEROUS TO BREATHE.
AND THAT IS WHY I'M WORRIED ABOUT WHAT IS COMING TO PLANO.
DATA CENTERS RUN ON ENORMOUS AROUND THE CLOCK ELECTRICITY.
AND TO GUARANTEE THAT POWER, THEY INSTALL DIESEL BACKUP GENERATORS THAT ARE TESTED 50 TO 150 HOURS EVERY YEAR.
AND A GROWING NUMBER NOW BUILD GAS TURBINES ONSITE TO RUN FULL-TIME, BOTH RELEASE FINE PARTICULATE MATTER AND NITROGEN OXIDES THE POLLUTION THAT TRIGGERS ASTHMA ATTACKS AND SENDS KIDS TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM NATIONWIDE.
RESEARCHERS ALREADY TIE THIS INDUSTRY TO ABOUT 1300 PREMATURE DEATHS, HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF ASTHMA CASES AND CLOSE TO $20 BILLION IN HEALTH COSTS EVERY YEAR.
AND NOW IT IS LANDING IN OUR BACKYARD.
TEXAS LEADS THIS ENTIRE COUNTRY WITH 142 DATA CENTERS UNDER CONSTRUCTION RIGHT NOW.
AND A NATIONAL REVIEW FOUND THAT NEARLY HALF OF THESE FACILITIES ARE BUILT IN NEIGHBORHOODS THAT ALREADY CARRY ABOVE AVERAGE POLLUTION DISPROPORTIONATELY COMMUNITIES OF COLOR AND LOWER INCOME FAMILIES WHO CAN LEAST AFFORD THAT BURDEN.
I'M 17, I CAN'T VOTE YET, BUT I WILL BE BREATHING PLANOS AIR LONG AFTER TONIGHT.
AND SO WILL EVERY KID IN THE CITY.
I'M ASKING YOU TO PASS A MORATORIUM ON NEW DATA CENTERS AND TAKE THE TIME TO LOOK AT, HONESTLY, AT THE AIR, THE WATER, IN THE BILLS, AND INVEST IN THE PEOPLE OF PLANO FIRST.
THE NEXT SPEAKER IS AUGUST, MCFARLAND AUGUST.
THEN WE WILL MOVE ON TO PEGA MOHI.
UM, FIRST OFF, SEAN THOMAS, YOU GOT SO MANY PEOPLE COMING OUT TO VOTE FOR YOU.
I'M SO EXCITED THAT YOU, YOU WON YOUR ELECTION, SO CONGRATULATIONS.
UM, I AM HERE TODAY TO ASK FOR MORATORIUM ON DATA CENTERS.
UM, I WANTED TO SHARE A COUPLE STATISTICS FOR YOU GUYS.
UM, THERE HAVE BEEN OVER 4,000 DATA CENTERS IN OPERATION IN VIRGINIA, TEXAS, AND CALIFORNIA.
JUST THOSE STATES, THERE ARE 3000 MORE PLANNED.
THE, THIS TRIPLES THE AMOUNT OF WATER THAT'S GONNA BE USED FROM 4.4% TO 12% IN THE NATION.
AND I CAN PROVIDE ALL THE STATISTICS AS WELL.
UM, SOMEONE ALREADY MENTIONED THAT WHENEVER YOU USE AI, YOU NEED TO HAVE A SH A TON OF WATER JUST TO COOL IT OFF, WE ALREADY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH WATER AND, UM, OUR COSTS RIGHT NOW FOR ELECTRICITY HAVE ALREADY SKYROCKETED.
I AM ASKING YOU GUYS TO PUT PEOPLE OVER PROFIT OVER WHATEVER YOU ARE GETTING OUT OF THESE BIG BUSINESSES AND ALSO REMEMBER THAT, UH, YOU GUYS STILL BREATHE THE SAME AIR, YOU'RE GONNA DRINK THE SAME WATER.
[00:45:01]
AND WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF, UM, WE RUN OUT OF, OR IF THE POWER GOES OUT AGAIN LIKE IT DID A FEW YEARS AGO? I KNOW FOR ME MY POWER WAS OUT FOR FIVE DAYS AND I HAVE A SPECIAL NEEDS DAUGHTER.SO THAT WAS A VERY BIG CHALLENGE.
AND, UM, WHAT WOULD WE DO THEN? JUST, I, I REALLY WOULD, UM, ENCOURAGE Y'ALL TO THINK ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES BECAUSE IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW MUCH MONEY YOU HAVE, THIS WILL IMPACT EVERY SINGLE PERSON HERE.
AND, UM, YEAH, I'M SORRY, THIS IS, I I REALLY JUST WANT YOU GUYS TO REALLY STOP AND PUT PEOPLE, FIRST PEOPLE.
THE NEXT SPEAKER IS SHAM RE SHAM.
UM, I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING AN INTENSE, UH, COMPLEX BATTLE, UH, REGARDING THE UNAUTHORIZED USE OF MY PERSONAL COGNITIVE DATA.
IT'S BEEN OVER A YEAR AND I'VE CONSISTENTLY SHOWN UP HERE TO, UM, VOICE MY CONCERNS.
I'VE REVIEWED SOLUTIONS AND I CONTINUE COMING STANDING BEFORE YOU EVERY MONTH ASKING THE COUNCIL TO USE ITS COLLECTIVE VOICE TO PUSH AND BRIDGE THE GAP TO THE FEDERAL LEVEL BECAUSE I NEED, UH, SENATOR TED CRUZ AND OUR CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES TO TAKE ACTION THAT THEY ALREADY KNOW IS REQUIRED.
MY FOCUS HAS BEEN ON TO ADDRESS A LEGISLATION THAT SURROUNDS THIS AS BECAUSE THERE IS NO PRECEDENT OF THE INTEGRATION OF BIOTECHNOLOGY WITH ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, UM, IT PROFESSIONALS HAVE CONFIRMED AND VERIFIED THESE FACTS.
UM, AND IF I WERE A BED IN PERSON, I WOULDN'T BET AGAINST THEM.
UH, I SPENT 30 YEARS IN THAT PROFESSION AND THEY THEMSELVES ARE CONCERNED.
UH, DUE TO THE LACK OF CLEAR LEGAL DIRECTION.
I AM IN AN EXTREMELY VULNERABLE POSITION, UH, WITH PEOPLE BELIEVING THAT THEY HAVE ACTUAL RIGHTS TO MY VERY PERSON.
UM, THERE ARE TIMES WHEN WE NEED TO SPEAK, SPEAK UP, AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
AND I BELIEVE THIS IS ONE OF THOSE TIMES IT'S NOT TIME TO SIT BACK BECAUSE AGAIN, IT'S GONNA AFFECT NOT ONLY ME IN A COUPLE WEEKS OR A WEEK OR SO, WE WILL CELEBRATE THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
WE JUST CELEBRATED JUNETEENTH.
UM, AND WE'RE VENTURING INTO A DANGEROUS ERA IF WE AS A COUNTRY LOSE THE RIGHTS TO CLAIM OURSELVES AND OUR MINDS AS OUR OWN.
SO TONIGHT, LET ME APPEAL TO YOU IN A WAY THAT YOU CAN RELATE TO, UM, I AM EMBARKING ON A BUSINESS VENTURE, UM, THAT INVOLVES, UM, MANY PEOPLE THAT MAKE UP THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO LAUNCH THIS BUSINESS.
WHAT ABOUT THE PRIVACY OF OUR CONTRACTS? WHAT ABOUT, UM, US ESTABLISHING, UM, UH, NDAS? THAT'S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FROM THE POSITION THAT I'M IN, SO I JUST WANTED TO BRING THAT TO YOUR CONSIDERATION.
MY NAME IS SHARAM AND I'M A RESIDENT OF FRISCO POSTAL CODE 7 5 0 3 5.
I'M HERE TODAY TO STATE THAT NONE OF US WANT AA DATA CENTERS FOR A COUPLE OF REASONS.
FIRST, OUR UTILITY BILLS WOULD INCREASE.
SECOND, EVEN WITH EQUIPMENT TO REDUCE NOISE AND VIBRATIONS FROM THESE DATA CENTERS, THEY STILL CAUSE NOISE PROOF WINDOWS TO VIBRATE AND STILL MAKE ENORMOUS AMOUNTS OF NOISE POLLUTION, AS WE'VE SEEN IN LOUDOUN COUNTY, VIRGINIA.
LASTLY, APPROVAL FOR A DINNER CENTERS ARE VERY LOW.
63% OF REPUBLICANS ARE AGAINST AI DATA CENTERS.
INDEPENDENTS ARE 74% AGAINST AI DATA CENTERS AND DEMOCRATS ARE 75% AGAINST AI DATA CENTERS SHOWING THAT THIS IS BECOMING LESS AND LESS OF A BIPARTISAN, UH, OF A BIPARTISAN ISSUE.
MEANWHILE, ONLY 27% OF AMERICANS FAVOR AI DATA CENTERS WITH ONLY 7% OF THOSE BEING STRONGLY IN FAVOR.
THAT'S A LOW AMOUNT OF PEOPLE.
AND THE SAME MIGHT HAPPEN WITH YOUR APPROVAL RATINGS IF YOU CONTINUE TO SUPPORT AND ALLOW AA DATA CENTERS TO BE BUILT HERE.
SO FOR THE GOOD OF YOURSELF AND YOUR RESIDENTS, PLEASE OPPOSE THESE.
AND BY THE WAY, MY SOURCE FOR THIS INFORMATION IS GALLUP.
[00:50:01]
UH, GOOD EVENING EVERYONE.UM, THANKS FOR LETTING ME SPEAK.
UH, THAT WAS A CRAZY STORM WE HAD LAST WEEK.
UH, USUALLY STORMS DON'T WAKE ME UP, BUT THAT ONE DID.
I LIVE A STONES THROW AWAY FROM GEORGE BUSH TOLLWAY AND I WAS WONDERING IF MY POWER WOULD GO OUT WITH THE INTENSITY OF THE STORM.
BUT IN THE FUTURE, THIS COULD BE A DIFFERENT STORY FOR ME AND MY PLANO NEIGHBORS RIGHT ACROSS THE TOLLWAY, HOW DATA CENTERS, THEY PUT A STRAIN ON OUR ALREADY WEAK ENERGY GRID.
THEY'RE APPEARING EVERYWHERE, ESPECIALLY HERE IN PLANO.
THE EVERYDAY PLANO RESIDENT IS SUBSIDIZING THE CREATION OF THE DATA CENTERS THAT ARE BEING BUILT AROUND THIS CITY, HOW WATER AND ELECTRICITY BILLS HAVE GONE UP.
STATISTICALLY, THEY GO UP MUCH MORE WHEN DATA CENTERS GO UP IN THE AREA, ESPECIALLY IN HOT CLIMATES, UH, WHICH I'M SURE WE ALL KNOW.
WE'LL CONTINUE TO SEE THESE PRICES INCREASE DUE TO THE DATA CENTERS THAT ARE SPREADING LIKE A DISEASE ACROSS OUR COMMUNITY.
THEY'RE ALSO SUBSIDIZING THESE DATA CENTERS WITH TAX DOLLARS THAT THIS VERY COUNCIL MINUS SHUN, UM, WERE WHINING ABOUT SPENDING ON DART AND THEY'RE USING THAT TAX MONEY TO LEARN THESE BILLIONAIRE COMPANIES TO, UM, CONSTRUCT THESE DATA CENTERS.
PLANO RESIDENTS ARE LITERALLY PAYING FOR THESE DATA CENTERS.
AND HOW MANY JOBS? A COUPLE OF ENGINEERS AND SOME SECURITY.
PLEASE START A DATA CENTER MORATORIUM, PLEASE.
THE PEOPLE COULD REALLY USE A BREAK TO STOP AND EVALUATE WHAT'S GOING ON AND HOW THIS IS IMPACTING THE COMMUNITY.
AND IF Y'ALL PASS A MORATORIUM, HECK, I'LL EVEN POP A CHAMPAGNE BOTTLE WITH Y'ALL, KIND OF LIKE Y'ALL DID WITH THE DATA CENTER PEOPLE.
UH, GOOD EVENING MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'M HERE TONIGHT ASKING TO ADOPT A TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON NEW DATA CENTERS APPROVALS WHILE THE CITY STUDIES THE LONG-TERM IMPACT AND DEVELOPMENT AND DEVELOP CLEAR POLICIES WITH PUBLIC INPUT.
THIS ISN'T ABOUT BEING AGAINST TECHNOLOGY.
PLANO HAS ALWAYS BEEN A LEADER IN INNOVATION.
IT'S ABOUT MAKING SURE GROWTH HAPPENS RESPONSIBLY, RESPONSIBLY AND WITH COMMUNITY INPUT AT THE TABLE.
MANY RESIDENTS WERE SURPRISED TO LEARN AT A NEW DATA CENTER THAT WAS APPROVED WITHOUT MEANINGFUL PUBLIC DISCUSSION.
WHETHER SOMEONE SUPPORTS OR OPPOSES THE PROCESS, WE SHOULD ALL AGREE THAT DEVELOPMENTS WITH SIGNIFICANT COMMUNITY IMPACT DESERVES TRANSPARENCY AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACROSS THE COUNTY OR ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
CITIES AND COUNTIES ARE SLOWLY ARE SLOWING DOWN THE AND TO STUDY PROJECTS BEFORE THE APPROVAL.
EVEN HERE IN TEXAS, COMMUNITIES SUCH AS ARLINGTON HAVE ADOPTED TEMPORARY MORATORIUMS TO EVALUATE IMPACT OF INFRASTRUCTURE, WATER, ELECTRIC, ELECTRICITY, AND NEIGHBORHOODS.
OTHER LOCAL GOVERNMENTS HAVE REQUIRED ADDITIONAL REVIEW AND PUBLIC NOTIFICATION RATHER THAN ALLOWING PROJECTS TO MOVE FORWARD WITHOUT CLEAR STANDARDS.
THEIR CONCERNS ARE REAL MODERN AI DATA CENTERS CONSUME ENORMOUS AMOUNTS OF ELECTRICITY, PLACING ADDITIONAL DEMAND ON OUR ELECTRIC GOOD.
THEY CAN ALSO GENERATE CONSTANT MECHANICAL NOISE FROM, UH, FROM THE COOLING EQUIPMENT REQUIRING SIGNIFICANT, UH, UTILITY INFRASTRUCTURE AND OTHER PROVIDE RELATIVELY FEW PERMANENT, OH, I'M SORRY, EQUIPMENT REQUIRING SIGNIFICANT UTILITY INFRASTRUCTURE AND OFTEN PROVIDE RELATIVELY FEW PERMANENT JOBS ONCE CONSTRUCTION IS COMPLETE.
AS AI CONTINUES TO EXPAND, THESE FACILITIES ARE BECOMING DRAMATICALLY LARGER THAN THE DAI SENATORS DAI CENTERS OF THAT WE WERE PREVIOUSLY FAMILIAR WITH.
PLAIN CITY IS KNOWN FOR EXCEPTIONAL NEIGHBORHOODS, PARKS AND SCHOOLS BEFORE APPROVING ADDITIONAL PROJECTS AND SCALES.
WE JUST WOULD ASK THAT YOU HAVE SOME BASIC QUESTIONS.
WHAT ARE THE IMPACTS OF NEARBY NEIGHBORHOODS? HOW WILL THEY AFFECT THE ELECTRIC INFRASTRUCTURE? WHAT STANDARDS SHOULD EXIST FOR NOISE, SETBACKS, LANDSCAPING AND PUBLIC, UH, NOTIFICATION? AND HOW DO THESE PROJECTS FIT INTO PLANOS LONG-TERM VISION? LET'S MAKE SURE PLANO REMAINS A CITY THAT VALUES BOTH ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND THE PEOPLE WHO CALL AT HOME.
I RESPECTFULLY ASK THAT YOU, UH, BEGIN THE PROCESS OF, UH, CREATING AOR MORATORIUM ON DATA CENTERS.
THIS IS, UH, PART THREE OF MY STORY ABOUT BEING REMOVED FROM THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION.
UH, AT THE END OF LAST MEETING, YOU ALL OR THE END OF THE LAST OF PART TWO, YOU GOT A COPY OF THIS EMAIL.
I'M JUST GONNA HIGHLIGHT SOMETHING HERE.
BILL SPENT A CONSIDERABLE TIME PUTTING TOGETHER SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF DETAILED INFORMATION I'VE COMMITTED.
THIS IS MARK SPEAKING TO LOOKING INTO THE ISSUES FURTHER AND GETTING BACK WITH BILL AS WELL AS SETTING UP A MEETING WITH STAFF.
THE NEXT MEETING WAS JUST LESS THAN A MONTH LATER.
BUT BEFORE WE GO THERE, LET ME TRY TO HIGHLIGHT, IT'S KIND OF THE, SOME OF THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS.
THIS RIGHT HERE WAS A LETTER THAT I GOT IN MY MAILBOX WHEN
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I WAS DONE HAVING THAT SECOND MEETING WITH MARK.THIS IS A WARRANT, UH, A NOTICE FROM THE PLANO POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT THERE WAS A WARRANT OUT FOR MY ARREST.
WHY? BECAUSE THERE WAS A SITE PLAN VIOLATION.
OKAY, $626 BOND WAS DUE AT THAT TIME.
SO Y'ALL SHOULD TAKE THIS SERIOUS.
THE CITY OF PLANO DOES, AT LEAST WHEN IT HAS TO DO WITH MY VIOLATIONS.
SO WE WENT FROM MARK'S EMAIL THAT HE WROTE TO COUNSEL WHERE HE TALKS ABOUT THE SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF DETAILED INFORMATION THAT HE'S GONNA LOOK INTO.
AND THIS THE EMAIL THAT YOU HAVE, THE LAST PIECE OF PAPER YOU HAVE IN YOUR PACKET TONIGHT.
IF WE LOOK AT THE LAST SENTENCE, I INTENDED TO HAVE A HIGHER LEVEL OUTCOME FOCUSED DISCUSSION ON ENFORCEMENT AND RELATIONSHIPS AS I BELIEVE THAT THAT IS THE MAIN ISSUE.
NOTICE HE DIDN'T WANT TO DEAL WITH ANY OF THE DETAILS ANYMORE, THE DETAILS THAT HE TOLD COUNSEL HE WAS GONNA LOOK INTO.
HE ALSO SAYS IN THAT EMAIL, HE SAYS THAT, UH, HE OWES ME AND STAFF AN APOLOGY.
THE SECOND MEETING WAS REALLY, UM, UNPRODUCTIVE, IS THE WAY THAT I WOULD DESCRIBE IT.
AND WITH ONLY TWO MINUTES, IT'S REALLY HARD TO GO THROUGH ALL THIS, BUT, UH, I'LL GET BACK TO PART THREE.
UH, NEXT TIME WE HAVE PUBLIC COMMENTS.
SO REGARDING THE SPEAKERS AND, UH, SPECIFICALLY TO DA DATA CENTERS, WE, WE WOULD THE CITY UNDERSTAND THE CONCERNS REGARDING THE GROWTH, THE DATA CENTERS.
AS PROJECTS ARE PROPOSED, THE CITY CAREFULLY REVIEWS THEM FOR COMPLIANCE WITH OUR STANDARDS.
SO IN TEXAS, ELECTRIC GENERATION TRANSMISSION RELIABILITY ARE REGULATED AT THE STATE LEVEL THROUGH THE PUC AND THE ERCOT.
TEXAS LEGISLATURE IS ALSO REVIEWING THE IMPACTS OF DATA CENTERS AND IS EXPECTED TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES AT THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
WHILE PLANO DOES HAVE DATA CENTERS, THE CITY IS UNLIKELY TO ATTRACT LARGER FUTURE PROJECTS BECAUSE OF THE SIGNIFICANT LAND REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT.
SO RESIDENTS WITH CONCERNS ABOUT BROADER IMPACTS OF DATA CENTERS ON TEXAS'S RESOURCES SHOULD REACH OUT TO THEIR STATE REPRESENTATIVES OR THE PUC COMMISSION DIRECTLY.
BY THE WAY, THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES MEETS TOMORROW MORNING TO DISCUSS INTERIM CHANGES SPECIFIC TO DATA CENTERS.
THAT BEING SAID, THERE ARE NO, THERE'S NO FURTHER BUSINESS.