[CALL TO ORDER ]
[00:00:05]
WE'LL BEGIN TONIGHT'S REGULAR MEETING WITH THE INVOCATION LED BY REVEREND DOCTOR KYLE DENNIS WITH FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH, PLANO, AND THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND TEXAS PLEDGE LED BY TROOP 219G.
WOULD YOU PLEASE RISE? LET US PRAY.
FOR THESE SERVANT LEADERS, WE GIVE YOU THANKS.
THEIRS IS A DIFFICULT JOB TO DO. IT'S IMPOSSIBLE FOR THEM TO PLEASE EVERYONE.
AND SOMETIMES MAYBE THEY CAN'T PLEASE ANYONE WITH THE DECISIONS THEY HAVE TO MAKE.
WE ASK FOR WISDOM THAT THEY'D BE ABLE TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION FOR THE RIGHT REASONS.
WEIGHING ALL THE FACTORS INVOLVED, I ASK YOU, LORD, FOR COMPASSION.
THAT INCLUDES EVERY PERSON IN OUR COMMUNITY. I ASK FOR PERSEVERANCE AND PATIENCE AND COURAGE.
AND I ASK LORD, FOR THEM HUMILITY TO KNOW THAT THEY'LL ALWAYS HAVE MORE TO LEARN.
I THANK YOU FOR THE CITIZENS WHO ARE HERE BECAUSE THEY CARE ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY TOO.
AND I ASK THAT YOU GIVE THEM A VOICE TONIGHT.
HELP THEM TO SHARE WHAT'S ON THEIR HEARTS. LET EACH PERSON SHARE AND LISTEN.
AND WHEN THERE ARE DISAGREEMENTS, WE ASK FOR UNITY.
NOT THAT WE'D ALL BE THE SAME. BUT WE'D ALL BE ON THE SAME TEAM, LORD.
AS OUR WORLD GETS MORE AND MORE POLARIZED AND MORE AND MORE PEOPLE SEEM TO CHOOSE ENMITY, WE ASK FOR PEACE. WE ASK FOR DEEPENED UNDERSTANDING, THE WILLINGNESS FOR ALL TO SACRIFICE FOR WHAT'S BEST FOR ALL.
I THANK YOU, LORD, THAT WE LIVE IN A COUNTRY THAT ALLOWS FOR A PROCESS LIKE THIS.
AND WE ASK YOU TO BE PRESENT. CENTER EACH OF US AS WE GO THROUGH THIS TIME.
WE ASK ALL THESE THINGS IN CHRIST'S NAME. AMEN.
ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE TEXAS.
ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND INDIVISIBLE. THANK YOU. BE SEATED PLEASE.
SO MUCH. APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU GUYS. OKAY.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. GUYS, THANKS FOR DOING THIS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
[(p1) 26-726 Proclamation: September 17-20, 2026, is the H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival.]
[00:05:09]
SO TONIGHT IS A REAL SPECIAL TIME OF THE YEAR FOR THE CITY OF PLANO.AND I'D LIKE TO ASK JOE AND JESSICA AND YOUR TEAM THAT'S HERE TO COME ON UP FRONT.
THIS WEEK THAT STARTS THURSDAY IS THE HEB CENTRAL MARKET PLANO BALLOON FESTIVAL.
THIS IS A FESTIVAL THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE 1979.
AND PROBABLY ALL THREE NIGHTS THERE WILL BE IN EXCESS OF 50 TO 60,000 PEOPLE COMING TO SEE THE BALLOON FESTIVAL. AND SO THIS IS REALLY ONE OF OUR PROUDEST MOMENTS AND SOMETHING THAT WE REALLY ENJOY DOING.
AND THANKS TO JO AND HER TEAM, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT.
AND SO IN HONOR OF THE BALLOON FESTIVAL, WE'RE GOING TO PRESENT A PROCLAMATION THE HEB CENTRAL MARKET PLANO BALLOON FESTIVAL DAYS. WHEREAS IN 1979, JIM AND HAVERLY MARSHALL MOVED TO PLANO AND ESTABLISHED THE BALLOON ACADEMY OF TEXAS.
WHAT STARTED AS A SIMPLE GESTURE QUICKLY GREW INTO A BELOVED ANNUAL BALLOON FESTIVAL.
WHEREAS OVER THE PAST FOUR DECADES, PLANO'S PASSION FOR HOT AIR BALLOONS HAS SOARED.
WELL, IT'LL BE 100 DEGREES, BUT. WELL, LET'S LET'S PRETEND THAT THAT IT'S AUTUMN.
WHEREAS HOSTING THIS SUCCESSFUL ANNUAL EVENT IS TRULY A COMMUNITY WIDE EFFORT THAT SHOWCASES THE VERY BEST OF PLANO BUSINESSES, NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, FAITH BASED GROUPS, AND COUNTLESS VOLUNTEERS WORK TOGETHER TO BRING THE FESTIVAL TO LIFE WHILE OUR HOTELS, RESTAURANTS, RETAILERS, AND OTHER LOCAL BUSINESSES WARMLY WELCOME OUR GUESTS AND PROVIDE EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE AS THEY EXPERIENCE THE MANY AMENITIES THE CITY OF EXCELLENCE HAS TO OFFER.
AND WHEREAS THIS YEAR'S FESTIVITIES BEGIN ON THURSDAY EVENING WITH A SPECIAL OUTDOOR PERFORMANCE BY THE PLANO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA'S BIG BAND CONCERT SETTING THE STAGE FOR ANOTHER MEMORIAL FESTIVAL WEEKEND.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOHN MUNS, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF PLANO, TEXAS, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17TH, 2026 THROUGH SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20TH, 2026 AS HEB CENTRAL MARKET PLANO BALLOON FESTIVAL DAYS IN PLANO. AND I DO THEREBY ENCOURAGE ALL CITIZENS TO JOIN ME IN PLANO CITY COUNCIL IN INVITING EVERYONE TO COME TO THE BALLOON CAPITAL OF TEXAS FOR THIS WONDERFUL EVENT.
CONGRATULATIONS, JOE. EVERY YEAR, WE'RE SO PROUD [APPLAUSE].
LET'S TAKE YOU GUYS COME OVER THERE SO WE KIND OF BALANCE OUT THE THE GROUP.
YES. ALL RIGHT. WE GOOD. THANK YOU.
OKAY. LET'S MOVE. LET'S MOVE ON TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.
[CONSENT AGENDA]
THE CONSENT AGENDA. THE CONSENT AGENDA WILL BE ACTED UPON IN ONE MOTION AND CONTAINS ITEMS WHICH ARE ROUTINE AND TYPICALLY NONCONTROVERSIAL.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.
ARE YOU READY? OKAY. COUNCIL MEMBER KEHR. MR.
[00:10:01]
MAYOR, I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED.ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER. THANK YOU.
MAYOR. I SECOND THE MOTION TO ACCEPT THE CONSENT AGENDA AS WRITTEN.
ALL RIGHT. SO I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.
PLEASE VOTE. MOTION PASSES 8 TO 0. THANK YOU.
NEXT ITEM. ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION.
[Applicants are limited to fifteen (15) minutes presentation time with a five (5) minute rebuttal, if needed. Remaining speakers are limited to thirty (30) total minutes of testimony time, with three (3) minutes assigned per speaker. The Presiding Officer may amend these times as deemed necessary.]
PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS. APPLICANTS ARE LIMITED TO 15 MINUTES PRESENTATION TIME, WITH A FIVE MINUTE REBUTTAL IF NEEDED.THE PRESIDING OFFICER MAY AMEND THESE TIMES AS DEEMED NECESSARY.
[(1) 26-784 Public Hearing on the proposed tax rate of $0.4376 per $100 of taxable value for Fiscal Year 2026-27. (The first Public Hearing was held on August 24, 2026.) Effective September 1, 2025, in accordance with Texas Government Code Section 551.043(c), the City of Plano Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27 is posted at www.plano.gov and the Taxpayer Impact Statement for a Median-Valued Homestead tax bill comparison is posted as follows: MEDIAN-VALUED HOMESTEAD: $452,109 FY2025-26 (Tax Yr 2025) Estimated property tax bill at the current tax rate of $0.43760 (per $100): $1,978 MEDIAN-VALUED HOMESTEAD: $464,574 FY2026-27 (Tax Yr 2026) Estimated property tax bill at the proposed tax rate of $0.43760 (per $100): $2,033 FY2026-27 (Tax Yr 2026) Estimated property tax bill at the No New Revenue tax rate of $0.43322 (per $100): $2,013]
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.ITEM NUMBER ONE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED TAX RATE OF $0.4376 PER $100 OF TAXABLE VALUE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026-27. YES. KAREN RHONDES-WHITLEY, BUDGET DIRECTOR.
THIS IS THE SECOND PUBLIC HEARING THAT WE'VE HAD ON THE TAX RATES.
YOUR FIRST ONE WAS AUGUST 24TH, AND THIS IS THE SECOND ONE.
WE HAVE TO HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING IN ORDER TO ADOPT THE TAX RATE, BECAUSE THIS YEAR'S TAX RATE, 43.76, IS A LITTLE BIT HIGHER THAN THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE OF 43.32 CENTS.
THANK YOU. KAREN. I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
THERE ARE NO SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM. I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
CONFINE THE COMMENTS TO THE COUNCIL. ANY QUESTIONS FOR KAREN? THIS IS JUST A PUBLIC HEARING, CORRECT? CORRECT.
[(2) 26-778 Consideration of an Ordinance to approve and adopt the Operating Budget and set the appropriations for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2026, and terminating September 30, 2027; and providing an effective date. (Public Hearings held on August 10, 2026, August 13, 2026, and August 24, 2026.) Effective September 1, 2025, in accordance with Texas Government Code Section 551.043(c), the City of Plano Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27 is posted at www.plano.gov and the Taxpayer Impact Statement for a Median-Valued Homestead tax bill comparison is posted as follows: MEDIAN-VALUED HOMESTEAD: $452,109 FY2025-26 (Tax Yr 2025) Estimated property tax bill at the current tax rate of $0.43760 (per $100): $1,978 MEDIAN-VALUED HOMESTEAD: $464,574 FY2026-27 (Tax Yr 2026) Estimated property tax bill at the proposed tax rate of $0.43760 (per $100): $2,033 FY2026-27 (Tax Yr 2026) Estimated property tax bill at the No New Revenue tax rate of $0.43322 (per $100): $2,013]
YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1ST, 2026 AND TERMINATING ON SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2027 AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.YES, THIS IS THE OPERATING BUDGET. IT TOTALS $841.6 MILLION.
IT IS FOR ALL THE FUNDS WHERE WE ARE GOING TO APPROPRIATE THE ACTUAL DOLLAR AMOUNTS.
SO THIS IS YOUR OPERATING BUDGET. ALL RIGHT. ANY QUESTIONS FOR KAREN? WE HAVE ANY SPEAKERS. WE HAVE ONE SPEAKER. OKAY.
GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS JACK LOGOS. I LIVE HERE IN PLANO.
THE REASON I'M UP HERE TO SPEAK WITH YOU, YOU FOLKS, IS I WAS HERE ON JUNE THE 8TH WHEN YOU ADOPTED A MEASURE THAT FAVORED THE DALLAS STARS BY THE AMOUNT OF $715 MILLION.
NOW, THE REASON I'M UP HERE IS BECAUSE IN YOUR BUDGET, YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO ALLOCATE $15 MILLION IN THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, I CALL IT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU CALL IT, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT FOR THE WILLOW BEND AREA. I LOOKED IN THERE AND THERE. LOOKS LIKE I CAN ROUND UP TO 7 MILLION BUT NOT GET TO 15 MILLION.
SO I'VE BEEN TRACKING SINCE JUNE 8TH. WHERE'S ALL THIS MONEY COMING FROM? MY FIRST START IS WITH THE 15 MILLION THAT GOES TO WILLOW BEND AREA TO HELP THAT PRIVATE OWNER TAKE CARE OF HIS PROPERTY. SO MY QUESTION TO YOU FOLKS, WHY ISN'T IT 15 MILLION AS A LINE ITEM RATHER THAN ROUGHLY 7 MILLION FOR THE COMING YEAR? ANYBODY HAVE AN ANSWER? NOW YOU FOLKS ARE IN CHARGE OF THE MONEY.
WHY IS THE LINE ITEM? THIS IS YOUR JACK. THIS IS YOUR TIME TO SPEAK.
[00:15:03]
YOU GOT A MINUTE AND A HALF. THIS IS YOUR TIME TO SPEAK.THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING. WELL, THIS IS WHAT I'M SAYING.
YOU'RE THE FOLKS THAT RUN IT. NOW, THE THING IS, ON THE DALLAS STARS, YOU HAVEN'T FED FED US ANY INFORMATION SINCE YOU ANNOUNCED IT ON JUNE 8TH. YOU'VE HIDDEN OUT. SO WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET INFORMATION.
IS THIS ABOUT THE BUDGET, THOUGH? PARDON ME. IS THIS ABOUT THE BUDGET THAT WE'RE JUST TRYING TO APPROVE? YOU LOOK AT IT ON YOURSELF. I MEAN, I'M MAKING A COMMENT AS A CITIZEN.
THAT'S MY MONEY. WHY ISN'T $15 MILLION? WHY IS IT A BUDGET FOR 15 MILLION? CAN ANYBODY THERE ANSWER IT? OR YOU FIGURE YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO ANSWER IT? NO. THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DOESN'T JUST HAVE $7 MILLION IN THEIR ACCOUNT.
YEAH, YOU HAVE 7 MILLION IN YOUR ACCOUNT, BUT YOU'VE ALLOCATED 15 MILLION FOR WILLOW BEND.
YES. I DON'T SEE 15 MILLION. I SEE 7 MILLION.
BUT YOU DON'T WANT TO TELL ME WHERE THE OTHER 8 MILLION IS.
NOW, LET ME LET ME MENTION ONE OTHER THING. THAT IS NOT WHAT I WANTED TO PRESENT YOU PARDON ME. YOU HAVE TWO SECONDS. OH, THAT'S THE WAY YOU HANDLE CITIZEN'S COMMENT ABOUT OUR MONEY.
OH, GEE. WILLIKERS. WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO SAY? THANK YOU? NO, I'LL BE UP HERE LATER. YOU WANT TO CUT ME SHORT? OKAY. MAYOR AND COUNCIL. KAREN, I'M GOING TO HAVE DOUG PROVIDE A RESPONSE. AS FAR AS THE FUNDING THAT'S GOING TOWARDS WILLOW BEND REAL QUICK.
SO. DOUG MCDONALD DOUG. OKAY. THANK YOU. MAYOR AND COUNCIL. DOUG MCDONALD.
10 MILLION CAME FROM THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVE FUND.
THAT IS A FUND THAT KIND OF ROLLS OVER EACH YEAR AS YOU ALL PUT FUNDS IN EACH BUDGET CYCLE.
IF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TEAM DOES NOT UTILIZE EVERY DOLLAR, IT GROWS INTO A ROLLING FUND.
THAT'S KIND OF ACCUMULATED OVER THE DURATION OF THE FUND EXISTED SINCE OH SIX.
SO THERE ARE SOME FUNDS IN THERE THAT 10 MILLION CAME FROM THAT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND.
THE ADDITIONAL 5 MILLION CAME FROM OUR HOTEL MOTEL TAX, WHICH WAS PART OF KAREN'S BUDGET, WHICH GOES TOWARDS SPECIFICALLY TOWARDS BUILDING A NEW EVENT CENTER, A VISIT PLANO OFFICE, AN EVENT CENTER FOR THE PLANO TEAM. THANKS. SO WE HAVE THE ORDINANCE TO APPROVE AND ADOPT THE OPERATING BUDGET.
MR. MAYOR, I'D LIKE TO MOVE THAT WE APPROVE THE ORDINANCE TO APPROVE AND ADOPT THE OPERATING BUDGET AND SET THE APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1ST, 2026 AND TERMINATING ON SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2027 AS PROVIDED.
COUNCIL MEMBER LAVINE. SORRY. THANK YOU MAYOR.
I'D LIKE TO SECOND THE MOTION TO APPROVE AND ADOPT THE OPERATING BUDGET AND SET THE APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR, FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1ST, 2026 AND TERMINATING SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2027.
THANK YOU. I HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND, TO APPROVE THE ORDINANCE AND ADOPT THE OPERATING BUDGET.
PLEASE VOTE. MOTION PASSES 8 TO 0.
[(3) 26-783 Consideration of an Ordinance to approve and adopt the Community Investment Program and set the appropriations for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2026, and ending September 30, 2027; and providing an effective date. (Public Hearings held on August 10, 2026, August 13, 2026, and August 24, 2026.) Effective September 1, 2025, in accordance with Texas Government Code Section 551.043(c), the City of Plano Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27 is posted at www.plano.gov and the Taxpayer Impact Statement for a Median-Valued Homestead tax bill comparison is posted as follows: MEDIAN-VALUED HOMESTEAD: $452,109 FY2025-26 (Tax Yr 2025) Estimated property tax bill at the current tax rate of $0.43760 (per $100): $1,978 MEDIAN-VALUED HOMESTEAD: $464,574 FY2026-27 (Tax Yr 2026) Estimated property tax bill at the proposed tax rate of $0.43760 (per $100): $2,033 FY2026-27 (Tax Yr 2026) Estimated property tax bill at the No New Revenue tax rate of $0.43322 (per $100): $2,013]
APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1ST, 2026 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2027 AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. YES, THIS IS A COMMUNITY INVESTMENT PROGRAM.IT ENDED UP AT $289.8 MILLION WITHIN YOUR PACKET.
WE HAVE PROVIDED YOU THE DETAILS WITH ALL THE DIFFERENT FUNDING SOURCES FOR THE CIP.
ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU KAREN. SO WE HAVE ITEM THREE IS CONSIDERING THE ORDINANCE TO APPROVE AND ADOPT THE CIP PROGRAM. WE HAVE TWO SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM.
[00:20:04]
MAYOR. SORRY. EXCUSE ME. OKAY. THE FIRST ONE IS KYLE MCGEEHAN.WHILE USING THAT NIFTY TOOL EARLIER, I STUMBLED ON AN INTRIGUING STATISTIC.
THE WORD POLICE APPEARS 31 TIMES IN THE DOCUMENT, WHILE THE WORD DOUGLAS ONLY APPEARS 12 TIMES.
SO I WILL SPELL IT OUT. FOR LAST YEAR'S BOND ELECTION, PLANO PD IS SET TO RECEIVE A BRAND NEW $155 MILLION HEADQUARTERS ALONGSIDE A LAVISH TRAINING FACILITY. NOW I UNDERSTAND THE LOGIC BEHIND THAT PROPOSAL.
BUT YOU KNOW WHAT ELSE HASN'T RECEIVED MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS IN DECADES? THE HISTORICALLY BLACK DOUGLAS NEIGHBORHOOD. AND WHAT IS OUR COMMUNITY INVESTMENT PROGRAM HAVE IN STORE FOR DOUGLAS? WE'VE GOT SOME WATER REHABILITATION. NOT BAD.
WE'VE GOT THE LONG OVERDUE SIDEWALK INITIATIVE, ALTHOUGH I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE PLAN IS TO GET ALL THE NECESSARY SIGNATURES IF THERE EVEN IS SUCH A PLAN. WE'VE GOT CEILING TILE REPLACEMENTS AT THE PRIVATELY MANAGED COMMUNITY CENTER.
AND OF COURSE, WE'VE GOT THOSE POWER LINES BEING BURIED VIA THE DOUGLAS UTILITIES PROJECT.
BUT MOST SIGNIFICANTLY OF ALL, Y'ALL ARE PLANNING TO.
WAIT. NO, THAT'S MY MISTAKE. THAT'S IT. THAT'S ALL THAT'S ON THE DOCKET FOR DOUGLAS.
A COUPLE OF BAND-AIDS AFTER GENERATIONS OF NEGLECT.
QUITE FRANKLY, THIS IS SHAMEFUL. ASIDE FROM COUNCIL MEMBER THOMAS, DO ANY OF YOU EVEN CARE? DO YOU EVEN KNOW ABOUT THE AGING STREET LIGHTS, THE LACK OF SPEED BUMPS ON STRAIGHTAWAYS? AND HOW ABOUT SOME BASIC BEAUTIFICATION FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD? IT'S NOT LIKE DOUGLAS ISN'T PAYING ITS FAIR SHARE IN TAXES. GRANTED, THE CITY PROMISED TO FREEZE THE NEIGHBORHOOD'S PROPERTY TAXES YEARS AGO, BUT THAT SURE AS HECK NEVER HAPPENED. SO WHAT GIVES? I MEAN, IT CAN'T BE THAT COPS AND BIG MONEYED INTERESTS MATTER MORE TO THIS COUNCIL THAN VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES, RIGHT? WHICH IS WHY YOU'LL AMEND THIS PROGRAM WITH MORE FUNDS FOR DOUGLAS BEFORE RATIFYING IT.
RIGHT. WE AWAIT YOUR ANSWER COUNCIL MEMBERS. THANK YOU.
GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS CONNOR BOYKIN. I'M A MEMBER OF REVOLUTIONARY FRONT DFW AND DSA NORTH TEXAS.
AND YET, IT'S FAIRLY COMMON KNOWLEDGE THAT EAST PLANO AND WEST PLANO SIT IN CONTRAST WITH ONE ANOTHER, ALBEIT NOT UNIVERSALLY, OF COURSE, BUT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MANY OF ITS COMMUNITIES IS PLAIN TO SEE.
THERE ARE THREE PROJECTS, AS KYLE MENTIONED, ON THE PROPOSAL, THAT AFFECT THE DOUGLAS COMMUNITY.
OF COURSE I'M GOING TO HOLD YOU TO THAT. THE SIDEWALKS PROJECT BEGAN IN 2020.
WATER REHAB IN 2022 AND A PROJECT TO REPAIR CEILING TILES IN THE COMMUNITY CENTER STARTED IN 2024.
THERE. THERE ARE NO NEW PROJECTS IN DOUGLAS ON THIS PROPOSAL FOR THIS UPCOMING FISCAL YEAR, WHICH WOULD MAKE SENSE IF THE WORK WAS DONE, BUT IT MOST CERTAINLY IS NOT.
THIS, TO ME SHOWCASES A FAILURE TO DIRECT COMMUNITY INVESTMENT TO WHERE IT'S NEEDED MOST.
TO ME, THAT IS NOT A GOOD SIGN BY ANY STRETCH OF THE IMAGINATION.
DO YOU THINK SOME OF THOSE FAMILIES MIGHT HAVE STAYED HAD THEY FELT TAKEN CARE OF AS A COMMUNITY? BECAUSE THE WAY I SEE IT, THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT PROGRAM SHOULD DO EVERYTHING IT CAN TO ENSURE THAT THIS VERY THING DOES NOT HAPPEN.
[00:25:08]
WHEN FAMILIES START ASKING THEMSELVES WHETHER THEIR COMMUNITY IS WHERE THEY WANT TO RAISE THEIR KID, SOMETHING HAS QUIETLY BROKEN. DOUGLAS AND THE COMMUNITIES LIKE IT IN PLANO DESERVE BETTER THAN THAT.THANK YOU. THERE ARE NO OTHER SPEAKERS. OKAY.
SO THIS IS A CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE AND ADOPT THE CIP PROGRAM.
MR. MAYOR, I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE THE ORDINANCE TO APPROVE AND ADOPT A COMMUNITY INVESTMENT PROGRAM AND SET THE APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1ST, 2026 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2027, AS PRESENTED.
MAY I SECOND IT? THANK YOU. I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THE ORDINANCE TO APPROVE AND ADOPT THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT PROGRAM, PLEASE VOTE.
MOTION PASSES. 8 TO 0. NEXT ITEM. ITEM NUMBER FOUR.
[(4) 26-785 Consideration of an Ordinance to approve and adopt the Tax Rate for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2026, and terminating September 30, 2027; and providing an effective date. (The first Public Hearing was held on August 24, 2026. The second Public Hearing is being held on September 14, 2026, prior to the adoption of this Ordinance.) Effective September 1, 2025, in accordance with Texas Government Code Section 551.043(c), the City of Plano Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27 is posted at www.plano.gov and the Taxpayer Impact Statement for a Median-Valued Homestead tax bill comparison is posted as follows: MEDIAN-VALUED HOMESTEAD: $452,109 FY2025-26 (Tax Yr 2025) Estimated property tax bill at the current tax rate of $0.43760 (per $100): $1,978 MEDIAN-VALUED HOMESTEAD: $464,574 FY2026-27 (Tax Yr 2026) Estimated property tax bill at the proposed tax rate of $0.43760 (per $100): $2,033 FY2026-27 (Tax Yr 2026) Estimated property tax bill at the No New Revenue tax rate of $0.43322 (per $100): $2,013]
CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE AND ADOPT THE TAX RATE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1ST, 2026 AND TERMINATING SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2027 AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.THIS IS THE TAX RATE VOTE RIGHT NOW IN THE BUDGET IS 43.76 CENTS.
IT'S THE SAME TAX RATE AS LAST YEAR. YOUR DEBT RATE IS 12.
YEAH 12.04 CENTS. AND THE PORTION GOING TO THE OPERATING BUDGET IS 31.36 CENTS.
SO THE TOTAL IS 43.76 CENTS. THANK YOU. I DON'T THINK WE HAVE ANY SPEAKERS.
SO THIS IS A CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE AND ADOPT THE TAX RATE FOR FISCAL YEAR 10/1/26 TO 9/30/27. COUNCIL MEMBER LAVINE. I MOTION TO APPROVE THE ORDINANCE TO APPROVE AND ADOPT THE TAX RATE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1ST, 2026 AND TERMINATING SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2027 AS PRESENTED. THANK YOU. I WAS GOING TO SAY LISA.
OH, SORRY. I MOVE THAT THE PROPERTY TAX RATE BE INCREASED BY THE ADOPTION OF A TAX RATE OF 0.4376, WHICH IS EFFECTIVELY A 1.02% INCREASE IN THE TAX RATE.
I SECOND. THANK YOU. SO I HAVE A MOTION A SECOND TO APPROVE AN ORDINANCE AND ADOPT THE TAX RATE FOR FISCAL YEAR 10/1/26 TO 9/30/27. PLEASE VOTE.
THANK YOU. MOTION PASSES 8 TO 0. ITEM FIVE. ITEM NUMBER FIVE.
[(5) 26-786 Consideration of an Ordinance to ratify the property tax revenue in the 2026-27 Budget as a result of the City receiving more revenues from property taxes in the 2026-27 Budget than in the previous fiscal year; and providing an effective date. (The first Public Hearing was held on August 24, 2026. The second Public Hearing is being held on September 14, 2026, prior to the adoption of this Ordinance.) Effective September 1, 2025, in accordance with Texas Government Code Section 551.043(c), the City of Plano Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27 is posted at www.plano.gov and the Taxpayer Impact Statement for a Median-Valued Homestead tax bill comparison is posted as follows: MEDIAN-VALUED HOMESTEAD: $452,109 FY2025-26 (Tax Yr 2025) Estimated property tax bill at the current tax rate of $0.43760 (per $100): $1,978 MEDIAN-VALUED HOMESTEAD: $464,574 FY2026-27 (Tax Yr 2026) Estimated property tax bill at the proposed tax rate of $0.43760 (per $100): $2,033 FY2026-27 (Tax Yr 2026) Estimated property tax bill at the No New Revenue tax rate of $0.43322 (per $100): $2,013]
CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE TO RATIFY THE PROPERTY TAX REVENUE IN THE 2026-27 BUDGET AS A RESULT OF THE CITY RECEIVING MORE REVENUES FROM PROPERTY TAXES IN THE 2026-27 BUDGET THAN THE PREVIOUS FISCAL YEAR AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.WE'RE GOING TO BE COLLECTING $7.7 MILLION, OR 2.73% MORE.
BUT OUT OF THAT $2.8 MILLION COMING IN FROM YOUR NEW PROPERTY GROWTH.
MAYOR, I MOVE TO RATIFY THE PROPERTY TAX INCREASE REFLECTED IN THE BUDGET ADOPTED FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1ST, 2026 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2027. OKAY. MR. MAYOR, I MOVE THAT WE SECOND THAT. OKAY. I HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND TO APPROVE THE ORDINANCE,
[00:30:01]
TO RATIFY THE PROPERTY TAX REVENUE OF 26-27 BUDGET.PLEASE VOTE. MOTION PASSES 8 TO 0. THANK YOU.
[(6) 26-815 Consideration of a Resolution to adopt the 2027 Legislative Program for the City of Plano, Texas; directing the City Manager or his designee to act with regard to the City’s 2027 Legislative Program; and providing an effective date.]
PLANO, TEXAS AND DIRECTING THE MAYOR OR HIS DESIGNEE.GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. ANDREW FORTUNE, DIRECTOR OF POLICY AND GOVERNMENT RELATIONS.
TO START, PLANO IS ACTUALLY VERY FORTUNATE IN THAT WE HAVE A WIDE ARRAY OF REPRESENTATIVES THAT ARE ACTUALLY VERY ENGAGED, RESPONSIVE TO YOUR REQUESTS, OUR REQUESTS AS A CITY, AND TO COLLABORATE WITH US OFTEN ON ISSUES FACING OUR CONSTITUENTS.
WE ENJOY A CERTAIN LEVEL OF SENIORITY WITH OUR REPRESENTATIVES.
NOTABLY, SENATOR ANGELA PAXTON WAS RECENTLY MADE THE CHAIRWOMAN OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE, AND WE'RE THRILLED TO BE REPRESENTED AGAIN BY SUCH A NICE ARRAY OF LEADERSHIP.
AND SO BEFORE WE JUMP IN, I DID WANT TO HIGHLIGHT, YOU KNOW, YOU'VE HEARD ME SAY THIS BEFORE IN PREVIOUS PRESENTATIONS AS STAFF, WE ARE EDUCATORS, NOT ACTIVISTS. OUR ROLE IS TO TAKE THIS PROGRAM FROM YOU AND THE VISION FROM YOU AND GO AND EDUCATE AND COMMUNICATE THAT TO OUR REPRESENTATIVES IN AUSTIN.
AND TO THAT END, TONIGHT, I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE THE NEWEST MEMBER OF OUR TEAM, JASON APRIL, OUR LEGISLATIVE ANALYST, WHO'S GOING TO WALK US THROUGH THE NEXT FEW SLIDES. ALL RIGHT.
GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL. THE LAST SESSION WAS VERY ACTIVE.
WE HAD MORE THAN 9000 BILLS FILED AND OVER 1200 THAT BECAME LAW.
ABOUT 2400 BILLS WERE CITY RELATED AND PLANO TRACKED MORE THAN 1800 OF THOSE BILLS.
AS WE ALL KNOW, BILLS CAN MOVE AND CHANGE VERY QUICKLY AS THEY EVOLVE.
THEY MAY IMPACT CITY OPERATIONS IN VARIOUS WAYS.
IMPORTANTLY, AS WE MOVE THROUGH THE SESSION, WE'LL KEEP PLANO'S LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE UP TO DATE AS BILLS MOVE THROUGH THE PROCESS ALL THE WAY TO SINE DIE. THE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM BEFORE YOU IS INTENTIONALLY BROAD.
FOLLOWING YOUR FEEDBACK TONIGHT AND ADOPTION, WE WILL FINALIZE THE PROGRAM.
WE WILL PRINT IT AND WE WILL DISTRIBUTE TO OUR STAKEHOLDERS.
THE PROGRAM WILL BE A TOOL THAT WE WILL USE TO QUICKLY SHARE PLANO'S PRIORITIES TO LAWMAKERS, THEIR STAFF AND OTHER DECISION MAKERS IN AUSTIN.
ALSO INCLUDED IS AN INFORMATIONAL PACKET, DEMOGRAPHICS AND SOME OTHER DATA ABOUT THE CITY OF PLANO SO LAWMAKERS AND STAKEHOLDERS UNDERSTAND THE COMMUNITY THAT THEIR PROPOSED POLICIES WILL AFFECT. SO WITH THAT, I'LL TURN IT BACK OVER TO ANDREW TO GO OVER A DEEPER ANALYSIS.
ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, JASON. SO IN ADDITION TO THE WIDE ARRAY OF DIFFERENT ELEMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAM, AS STAFF IS RECOMMENDING THREE RECOMMENDING THREE FOCUSED PRIORITIES.
THE FIRST IS THE PROJECT FINANCING ZONE. WE'LL GO OVER THAT IN A MOMENT.
THE CITY IS IN A SUPPORTIVE ROLE. IF YOU RECALL, WE PASSED A RESOLUTION BACK IN FEBRUARY TO SUPPORT THAT EFFORT, AND WE'VE BEEN ENGAGED AT THE TABLE DURING THOSE DISCUSSIONS, AND WE CAN REPORT BACK THAT THEY HAVE FOLLOWED WHAT WAS AGREED UPON BY THE CITIES.
AND THEN FINALLY MAINTAINING THIS IDEA OF LOCAL CONTROL.
AND SO OUR GOAL IS TO ADVOCATE TO THAT EFFECT.
AS A BRIEF REMINDER, THE PROJECT FINANCING ZONE, WHICH IS ILLUSTRATED THERE ON THE SCREEN FOR YOU, IS A OPPORTUNITY FOR BOTH THE CITY OF PLANO AND THE STATE TO COLLECTIVELY INVEST IN THE ECONOMIC VITALITY OF THE FUTURE PLANO.
[00:35:10]
ZONE TO BE ADDED TO A FUND FOR THE NEXT 30 YEARS, AND AN INCREMENT AS THOSE REVENUES INCREASE.GO BACK TO SUPPORTING THAT PARTICULAR PROJECT.
IN ORDER TO HAVE ACCESS TO THIS TOOL, WE HAVE TO HAVE EXPLICIT AUTHORIZATION IN STATUTE.
ANOTHER ITEM ALONG THE LINES OF LOCAL CONTROL PREEMPTION.
PREVIOUS EXAMPLES YOU'LL SEE ON THE SCREEN. SOME MAY BE FAMILIAR TO YOU.
SO THESE ARE THINGS THAT THEY'RE IN CONVERSATIONS ABOUT NOW.
AND WE AS STAFF ARE INVOLVED IN THOSE DISCUSSIONS CURRENTLY.
ONE OTHER ITEM THAT IS CRITICAL RIGHT NOW IS INFRASTRUCTURE.
AND WE HAVE PICTURED THERE, YOU KNOW, ALL THE MAIN AREAS THAT WE'RE TRACKING WITH THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT NOT ONLY WHAT WE NEED TO BUILD AND INVEST IN, BUT WHO IS GOING TO PAY FOR IT. HOW AGGRESSIVE IS THAT SCHEDULE? WHERE ARE SOME OF THESE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS GOING? AND THEN ULTIMATELY, HOW ARE WE GOING TO PARTNER WITH OUR UTILITY PROVIDERS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE INSULATE OUR RESIDENTS FROM BEARING THE FULL COST OF THESE INVESTMENTS? AND FINALLY, PROPERTY TAX RELIEF. I'VE HIGHLIGHTED BOTH OF THE PLANS THAT HAVE BEEN PUBLICIZED TO DATE.
YOU'LL SEE GOVERNOR ABBOTT'S PLAN, WHICH HAS BEEN TERMED, YOU KNOW, ELIMINATE PROPERTY TAXES.
WITH THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S PLAN VERY DIFFERENT.
SO A SENIOR WOULD THEN BE 55 AND ABOVE. VERY EXPENSIVE PROPOSITION.
AND YOU'LL NOTICE THAT THE SPEAKER AND THE HOUSE DO NOT CURRENTLY HAVE A PLAN.
SO WITH THAT, I WANT TO PAUSE IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS, ADDITIONAL FEEDBACK.
YOU'VE ALL HAD TIME. I HOPE TO LOOK AT THE PROGRAM IN YOUR AGENDA.
ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU ANDREW. ANY QUESTIONS FOR ANDREW REGARDING THE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM FOR NEXT YEAR? MAYOR AND COUNCIL THERE IS A LOT THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN AUSTIN.
SO WHAT I WILL TELL YOU IS WHILE YOU'RE PASSING THIS PROGRAM TONIGHT, YOU CAN ANTICIPATE BEING KEPT UP TO SPEED AS THE SESSION PROGRESSES, AS BIG ISSUES BECOME EVEN BIGGER ISSUES AND THEN BECOME KEY ISSUES.
WE'LL MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE BRINGING THESE BACK TO YOU AND MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE WEIGHING IN TO MAKE SURE THAT COUNCIL HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO KEEP THEIR FINGER ON THE PULSE OF WHAT'S GOING ON IN AUSTIN AND HOW IT IMPACTS THE CITY.
AT THE SAME TIME WE WILL, I'M SURE, BE NEEDING TO PIVOT WHEN IT COMES TO WHAT HAPPENS IN NOVEMBER.
THE, THE BILLS THAT ARE FILED AND WHETHER OR NOT THEY, THEY AFFECT US NEGATIVELY OR POSITIVELY.
THIS IS. IT IS, YEAH, THIS IS AN ACTION ITEM.
SO IT'S A RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM.
MAYOR, I SECOND IT. ALL RIGHT. SO I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION OR ADOPT THE RESOLUTION FOR THE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM 2027, PLEASE VOTE. MOTION PASSES EIGHT OF 8 TO 0. THANK YOU.
LET'S MOVE ON 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.
[00:40:04]
THE COUNCIL MAY CHOOSE TO PLACE THE ITEM ON A FUTURE AGENDA, AND WE DO HAVE EIGHT SPEAKERS THIS EVENING.THE FIRST ONE IS SHIRLEY LAWSON.
GOOD EVENING. I'M SHIRLEY LAWSON WITH COLIN COUNTY.
NOW I KNOW COUNCIL MEMBER TWO IS ESPECIALLY CONCERNED ABOUT PLANO REMAINING A CITY OF EXCELLENCE, AND THAT TECHNOLOGICALLY KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THAT.
LOCAL OPPOSITION ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAS ALREADY BLOCKED OR DELAYED 75 AI DATA CENTER PROJECTS.
IN RECENT NEWS, AI COMPANIES, CEOS OF OPEN AI, ANTHROPIC AND X AI HAVE JUST AGREED THAT IT'S NECESSARY TO SLOW DOWN AI DEVELOPMENT DUE TO MAJOR CONCERNS ABOUT THEIR ABILITY TO CONTROL AI AGENTS.
AFTER SEVERAL INCIDENTS OF AI AGENTS BREAKING OUT OF THEIR CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENTS.
THIS OCCURRED FIRST AT OPEN AI. THE AI AGENT, WITHOUT HUMAN DIRECTION OR KNOWLEDGE, CONSPIRED TO CONNECT THEMSELVES TO THE INTERNET AND HACK ANOTHER AI COMPANY CALLED HUGGING FACE. SEVERAL DAYS LATER, THEY DISCLOSED THAT THE SAME AGENTS NOT ONLY HACKED HUGGING FACE BUT SEVERAL OTHER AI COMPANIES. THE BOTS THEN COVERED THEIR TRACKS TO AVOID DETECTION, DETECTION.
AND THAT'S NOT ALL. ANOTHER AI MODEL HACKED AND TOOK OVER A SMALL SOCIAL MEDIA SITE AND TURNED IT INTO A PRIVATE MESSAGE BOARD WHERE AI AGENTS CAN COMMUNICATE WITH ONE ANOTHER WITHOUT HUMAN INTERFERENCE OR OVERSIGHT. ONE RESEARCHER FROM ANTHROPIC PREDICTS THAT IF AI ISN'T CONTROLLED SOON, IT WILL BE TOO LATE. IF AI IS ALLOWED TO GROW UNCHECKED AND UNREGULATED, HUMANITY ITSELF COULD BE WIPED OUT IN THE NEXT TEN YEARS AS AI DATA CENTERS PUT HUMANS IN COMPETITION WITH AI FOR THE RESOURCES WE BOTH NEED TO SURVIVE, PRIMARILY WATER AND ENERGY.
GIVEN THIS NEWLY DISCOVERED INFORMATION, WE CALL AGAIN ON THE COUNCIL TO PUT THE DISCUSSION OF A MORATORIUM ON THE AGENDA SO THE PUBLIC HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS THEIR CONCERNS BEFORE MOVING FORWARD WITH PLANNED AI PROJECTS.
ON A SIDE NOTE, MR. LAVINE, WE ARE STILL WAITING FOR THE REPORT YOU PROMISED US.
THAT WAS TEN WEEKS AGO. ARE YOU PLANNING TO KEEP YOUR WORD? THE CHOICE IS YOURS. AND YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER TWO AND OTHERS AS WELL, ARE UP FOR REELECTION IN MAY OF 2027.
IGNORE US AT YOUR PERIL. THANK YOU. KYLE MCGEEHAN.
HELLO AGAIN. ON JULY 27TH, COUNCIL MEMBER TWO DEFENDED HER CHOICE TO APPROVE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S DRONES AS FIRST RESPONDERS PROGRAM BY SUGGESTING THAT EVERYTHING IS A THREAT TO PRIVACY THESE DAYS, WHICH APPARENTLY MEANS WE JUST HAVE TO ACCEPT MASS SURVEILLANCE AS A FACT OF MODERN LIFE.
WELL, MUCH AS IT PAINS ME TO SAY THIS, I DO AGREE WITH COUNCIL MEMBER TWO ON ONE THING.
IN MUCH OF AMERICA, PRIVACY IS ESSENTIALLY DEAD.
BUT UNLIKE THE COUNCIL MEMBER, I REFUSE TO ACCEPT THIS OUTCOME.
AND YOU KNOW WHO'S WITH ME? THE CITY OF WYLIE AND THE CITY OF PRINCETON.
I'M NOT SURPRISED THAT COUNCIL MEMBER TWO LACKS SUCH RESOLVE, BUT IS THERE NOBODY ELSE HERE WILLING TO STAND AGAINST SURVEILLANCE CAPITALISM AND THE GROWING POLICE STATE. MAYBE I SHOULD ASK THE CITY MANAGER ABOUT THIS.
HE'S THE ONE WHO TELLS MOST OF YOU HOW TO VOTE, RIGHT? WHEN YOU JOIN THE COUNCIL, DID HE HAND OUT COMPLIMENTARY RUBBER STAMPS? ANYWAY, COUNCIL MEMBERS, IF YOU ACTUALLY SERVE THE PEOPLE AND NOT THE RULING CLASS THAT SEEKS TO DOMINATE THEM,
[00:45:02]
THEN YOU SHOULD MOVE TO REPEAL OUR CONTRACT WITH FLOCK AND TAKE ALPR CAMERAS OUT OF THE CITY.I SUSPECT MOST OF YOU WON'T. NOT WITHOUT MASSIVE PUBLIC PRESSURE.
IT'S ALWAYS A FIGHT TO GET TREATED WITH DIGNITY UNDER THIS SYSTEM. BUT IF YOU WANT TO PROVE A CYNICAL SOCIALIST WRONG, BE MY GUEST. OH, AND MAYOR MUNS, COULD YOU GIVE US AN UPDATE ON THE CITY'S INTERNAL REVIEW OF DATA CENTERS? I'D APPRECIATE THAT. ASSUMING YOUR HANDLERS IN AUSTIN HAVE AUTHORIZED YOU TO SPEAK ON THE MATTER.
THANK YOU. MAYOR AND COUNCIL. AS YOU'RE AWARE, THE FUNDING FOR FLOCK CAMERAS IN PLANO WAS RESCINDED. SO OUR CONTRACT WITH FLOCK HAS EXPIRED.
AND SO THOSE THOSE CAMERAS WILL BE IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REMOVED.
GOOD EVENING. ONCE AGAIN, MY NAME IS CONNOR BOYKIN.
I'M A MEMBER OF REVOLUTIONARY FRONT, DFW AND DSA, NORTH TEXAS.
AND OFF THE CUFF THAT'S GOOD NEWS TO HEAR THAT THEY'RE BEING REMOVED FROM PLANO.
CAMERAS WEREN'T MUCH OF A THING IN PLANO UNTIL EARLY 2025.
I CANNOT DRIVE ANYWHERE WITHOUT NOTICING THEM, OSTENSIBLY THEIR AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READERS.
BUT OSTENSIBLY IS THE KEY WORD BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN ABUSED TIME AND TIME AGAIN.
THE INSTITUTE FOR JUSTICE HAS DOCUMENTED AT LEAST 232 INCIDENTS INVOLVING HORRIFYING MISUSE OF THESE CAMERAS FOR BLATANT STALKING AND SURVEILLANCE, WITHOUT ANY REASONABLE JUSTIFICATION. JUSTIFICATION.
THAT IS ABOUT AS OVERREACHING AS OVERREACH GETS, IF YOU ASK ME.
THERE WILL NEVER BE A SCENARIO WHERE THESE CAMERAS CAN EXIST WITHOUT BEING ABUSED. THIS IS MASS SURVEILLANCE FOR THE SAKE OF MASS SURVEILLANCE, AND PLANO NEEDS TO SET AN EXAMPLE BY DOING AWAY WITH EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM, WHICH HOPEFULLY WILL BE THE CASE SOON.
HERE. THANK YOU. CHARMAINE SOLOMON.
GOOD EVENING. CHARMAINE SOLOMON, THE DIRECTOR FOR LEADERSHIP PLANO.
I HAVE A VERY SPECIAL THING THAT I WOULD LIKE TO ANNOUNCE THIS EVENING FOR LEADERSHIP PLANO.
EVERY YEAR, LEADERSHIP PLANO CHOOSES A DISTINGUISHED LEADER AWARD.
AND THAT RECIPIENT THIS YEAR IS MR. BOB KERR [APPLAUSE].
AND BOB IS A SHINING EXAMPLE. CONGRATULATIONS.
WE HAVE A LITTLE SOMETHING. WOW. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
OH MY GOSH. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE.
CHEERS, EVERYBODY. AND THIS IS YOURS. CONGRATULATIONS.
WELL DESERVED. AND THIS IS FOR YOU. IT'LL BE AT THE.
IT'LL BE AT THE [INAUDIBLE]. FANTASTIC. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
WELL DESERVED. OH MY GOSH. WHAT A SURPRISE. I KNOW.
WHAT A GREAT PLACE. THANK YOU MARK. THANK YOU FOR HELPING ME.
CAN I GET A PICTURE REAL QUICK? OKAY. YOU GOT IT.
OKAY. JUMP IN. NO. I'M GOOD. THANK YOU. CONGRATULATIONS.
I'M STUNNED. CONGRATULATIONS [APPLAUSE]. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. SIR. WOW.
[00:50:09]
JAMES TUCKER. CONGRATULATIONS, BOB.MR. MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBERS, CITIZENS AND GUESTS.
TODAY, I, JAMES TUCKER, MUST POINT OUT I AM SPEAKING TO YOU TODAY AS A CITIZEN AND NOT AS A COMMISSIONER OF PLANO HOUSING AUTHORITY, BECAUSE THE CITY OF PLANO HAS AN ACTIVE LAWSUIT AGAINST THE PLANO HOUSING AUTHORITY.
LET'S, LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE NEED OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
PLANO HOUSING AUTHORITY CAN OFFER A VERY QUICK WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY TO ACCEPT APPLICATION.
THE LAST ONE OF WHICH RESULTED IN 27,000 APPLICATIONS.
IT'S A CRAZY NUMBER. THE CITY OF PLANO COMMISSIONED A STUDY OF HOUSING BY RKG ASSOCIATES, RESULTING IN 159 PAGE DOCUMENT DELIVERED IN JUNE OF 2025 AND IS SUMMARIZED IN A CITY COUNCIL MEETING LAST OCTOBER.
IT IS A 159 PAGES THAT SHOULD MAKE ALL DEVELOPERS DROOL TO DEVELOP AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND IS MENTIONED IN THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS MENTIONED IN THE STUDY 258 TIMES, BUT THE CITY HAD ALREADY MADE AGREEMENTS WITH TWO SEPARATE LAW FIRMS IN DALLAS AND AUSTIN, WITH RATES UPWARDS OF $1,500 AN HOUR TO SUE THE PLANO HOUSING AUTHORITY.
THE CITY HAS STRUGGLED IN THE SUIT AND WILL AGAIN AS THEY CONTINUE SUING, WITH A NEW TEAM ALREADY SPENDING ANOTHER $139,000, FOR A TOTAL OF 600 $676,000 AND COUNTING. THE EFFECT OF THE LAWSUIT IS TO DISCOURAGE AND DETER DROOLING DEVELOPERS FROM BUILDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND UNFORTUNATELY, THAT HAS BEEN REMARKABLY EFFECTIVE, AND IT CAN LAST MANY YEARS. YOU SEE, DOZENS OF INQUIRIES BY DOZENS OF DEVELOPERS KNOW THE URGENT NEED THAT PLANO HAS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND THEY CONTACT THE PLANO HOUSING AUTHORITY TO HELP THEM GET THE BALL ROLLING.
HOWEVER, THEY STOPPED COLD WHEN THEY DISCOVERED THE LAWSUIT.
WHEN YOU HEAR THE TERM AFFORDABLE HOUSING, DON'T BE FOOLED BY FEAR MONGERS TOUTING GHETTOS.
THERE ARE PHENOMENAL SUCCESS STORIES FROM NEW YORK TO SAINT LOUIS, FROM AUSTIN TO LOS ANGELES.
THIS IS WHAT PEOPLE NEED. THEY WANT TO LIVE HERE, WHERE THEY WORK.
PLANO TEACHERS CAN'T AFFORD TO LIVE HERE. FIRST RESPONDERS CAN'T.
MANY CITY EMPLOYEES CAN'T. THEY WANT A SHOT AT THE AMERICAN DREAM RIGHT HERE.
PLEASE, PLEASE, I REQUEST THAT YOU TAKE ACTION, GET THIS ISSUE ON THE AGENDA AND REVERSE THIS SHAMEFUL, BACKWARDS, FEARFUL, LACKING IN VISION LAWSUIT.
THANK YOU. JACK. HOLD ON A SECOND. EXCUSE ME.
JUST ONE MINUTE. MAYOR AND COUNCIL. MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
AS YOU KNOW WE ARE IN LITIGATION WITH SOME HOUSING CORPORATIONS.
AND I'M NOT GOING TO SAY MUCH ABOUT IT OTHER THAN WHAT'S PUBLIC. I'M BACK.
HOLD ON JUST A SECOND, JACK. WHAT HAPPENED? YOU JUST.
SHE'S. SHE'S GOT TO FINISH HER STATEMENT AND THEN RETURN TO ME.
I'M NOT ABOUT YOU. NO. NOT YET. NOT YET. JACK.
HOLD ON. YOU'RE GOING TO SUE ME? NO, NO. HAVE A SEAT, AND WE'LL CALL YOU UP IN JUST A SECOND.
OH. OKAY, THEN. OTHER THAN WHAT'S PUBLICLY IN OUR PETITIONS, AND THAT IS THAT WE DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THE TAX INCENTIVES THAT ARE BEING PROVIDED ARE RESULTING IN A PUBLIC BENEFIT.
WE DON'T BELIEVE THAT THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS BEING PROVIDED.
SO THE QUESTION REALLY IS WHETHER THE BENEFIT IS BEING PROVIDED.
OKAY, OKAY. I'M BACK WITH THE DALLAS STARS AGAIN. I KNOW NONE OF YOU CAN TALK TO ME.
YOU CAN LOOK AT ME. YOU CAN LOOK VERY STRANGE.
[00:55:04]
OF WHICH NONE OF YOU PUBLICLY HAVE GONE OUT AND SAID ANYTHING TO THE TO THE PUBLIC.I'M A PUBLIC. I PAY TAXES, I'M UNHURT FROM ANY ONE OF YOU.
NOW, IF YOU WANT ME TO READ IT, I'LL READ IT REAL QUICKLY, BUT I WAS GOING TO GET TO SOMETHING ELSE.
IT SAYS RIGHT HERE AND I QUOTE LET ME GET THE, THE PROPER QUOTE HERE.
IF YOU LOOK AT WILLOW BEND MALL NOW, IT'S BASICALLY DEAD.
END OF QUOTE. COUNCIL MEMBER RICK HORNE SAID ALL.
HE ALSO SAID IN QUOTES. NOW WE HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO BRING A TOP NOTCH SPORTS ENTITY HERE AND IT WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE THE CITY VIBRANT. NOW, AS I READ THIS AND DO I HAVE ENOUGH TIME? IT SEEMS LIKE THE FIX IS IN HERE. OKAY. WHEN I HAVE A CITY COUNCILMAN MAKING POSITIVE COMMENTS ABOUT THE SPORTS ARENA THAT WANTS TO MOVE HERE, I BEGIN TO WONDER WHAT'S GOING ON HERE. NOW WE HAVE ONE PERSON THAT STANDS OUT IN WRITING.
LET ME MENTION ONE OTHER THING. WHY IN THE HECK? I'M SORRY TO BE SWEARING LIKE THIS, BUT WHY IN THE HECK DON'T THEY PUT THEIR MONEY UP FIRST BEFORE WE PUT OUR MONEY UP? THEY'RE THE ONES GOING TO GET THE BENEFITS OF OUR CITY.
AND BASICALLY, AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED, WE DON'T NEED THEM.
OKAY. BUT LET ME MENTION SOMETHING ELSE TO YOU.
THEY HAVE A TON OF MONEY. THIS ITEM, THIS FLIER CAME IN THE MAIL TO ME.
IT'S FROM THE STARS. THEY'RE TRYING TO INFLUENCE ME ON THE VOTE THAT'S COMING UP ON NOVEMBER 3RD.
AND GUESS WHO'S UP HERE AT THE MICROPHONE? OKAY.
WHEN I BEFORE I CAME DOWN HERE THIS EVENING, I LOOKED AT MY MAILBOX.
HERE'S ANOTHER FLIER FROM THE STARS. OKAY, NOW THEY SEEM TO HAVE A LOT OF MONEY TO TRY TO CONVINCE ME THEY HAVE THE PRESIDENT CEO'S NAME ON IT.
I'M ASSUMING I'M GOING TO GET MORE. WHAT OTHER CITIZENS HAVE BEEN GETTING AROUND HERE? I DON'T KNOW, BUT I GOT THEM, SO THEY GOT MONEY TO THROW AROUND.
OKAY, WE'D LIKE TO TALK TO THEM IF WE CAN. AND YOU DON'T HIDE THEM.
YOU'RE NEGOTIATING WITH THEM. BUT DON'T GO NEGOTIATE MY MONEY TO THEM.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU. JACK. NICOLE.
IS THAT IT? ALL RIGHT. THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS. WE'RE ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.