Plano City Council Meeting Summary - June 22, 2026

On June 22, 2026, the Plano City Council convened in open session with all members present, recessed into executive session for legal, economic development, and personnel matters, then reconvened. The council approved personnel appointments and reappointments, received departmental overviews, reviewed Community Relations Commission grant recommendations and a proposed Douglas community infrastructure amendment, and agreed to schedule a future discussion on electric vehicles on streets and trails. The preliminary portion closed with a recess until 7:00 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• No councilmember requested removal of any consent or regular agenda item during the preliminary portion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• The transcript indicates that a speaker was registered for consent agenda items G, M, and W, but it does not include the substance of that speaker's remarks.

Discussion Items

Personnel Appointments and Reappointments (Following Executive Session)

• The council recessed into executive session in Training Room A under Texas Government Code Sections 551.071 (legal advice and litigation), 551.087 (economic development), and 551.074 (personnel matters).
• Board of Adjustment: reappointments and regular-position changes approved 8-0.
• Building Standards Commission: Lawrence Chan reappointed; three regular positions and one alternate left open; motion passed.
• Heritage Commission: three reappointments made, leaving zero vacancies; motion passed 8-0.
• Planning and Zoning Commission: appointments postponed to the July 27 meeting.
• Personnel reappointments approved 8-0 for the Animal Shelter Advisory Committee, Civil Service Commission (Penny Robe reappointed as chair), Community Relations Commission, Cultural Arts Commission, Library Advisory Board, Parks and Recreation Planning Board, Plano Housing Authority, Retirement Security Plan Committee, Senior Advisory Board, and Tax Increment Financing Reinvestment Zone Number Four. Several motions noted vacancies remaining on the respective boards.

Department Overview: Communications and Community Engagement

• Shauna Haley, Director of Communications and Community Outreach, presented on her 15-person team, which supports 28 city departments and divisions.
• Services include management of Plano.gov, 43 social media channels across eight platforms, 16 newsletters, TV production, photography, public meeting broadcasts, and outreach programs.
• The team has been named best in-house team by the Public Relations Society of America Dallas chapter; a photo series documenting Plano Animal Services and Plano Fire Rescue rescuing a kitten from a 25-foot construction shaft won a state award.
• Capital Projects Communication Initiative: a Plano.gov/construction web section, monthly digital newsletter, quarterly digital report, and quarterly print report. Positive construction sentiment rose from 41% in the first six months of 2025 to 73% in the same period in 2026. The June newsletter had an 81% open rate, with more than 5,000 people opening it; more than 700 people opened the last quarterly report.
• Plano Rides outreach includes in-person sessions at community centers, senior living facilities, and recreation centers; almost 2,500 people have installed the app since May 4.
• Citizens Government Academy runs twice yearly with 40 residents per session; applications for the fall class open July 7. A digital Government University is also available.
• Attendance at the relaunched community leadership meeting increased 67%, with 30 to 40 groups regularly participating.
• In response to a councilmember question, Haley said the city shares best practices with other cities through the Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers, where she serves as president.

Department Overview: Media Relations

• Amanda McNew, Director of Media Relations, presented her goals of maintaining public trust, strengthening news media relationships, and communicating effectively daily and during crises.
• Tools include a weekly newscast, the Inside Plano podcast, video production, news releases, and story pitches.
• She cited that 86% get news digitally and 38% get news through Facebook, with 20% of that from TikTok or Instagram; the DFW area is the fourth-largest media market in the country.
• The media relations office answered 450 news inquiries last year (excluding police) and about 300 halfway through this year, and has issued 37 news releases so far this year.
• After a tanker crash, public works, environmental health, police, fire, and communications produced one unified news release that included a police traffic report, which McNew described as unique.
• Crisis communication work includes a written plan, cross-training with police and fire PIOs for the first time in Plano history, two exercises at the Emergency Operations Center, and McNew chairs the North Texas PIO group of about 150 PIOs.
• McNew also emphasized victim-centered messaging and will train at the Female Survivors of Violence Conference in Plano and the International Association of Chiefs of Police conference in October.

Community Relations Commission Grant Recommendations and Douglas Community Amendment

• Curtis Howard, Assistant City Manager and Director of Neighborhood Services, presented the 2026-27 grant process and recommendations.
• Plano receives HUD CDBG funding of a little over $1.6 million this year (more than last year), HOME funding of just under $600,000, and a Buffington social service grant. CDBG allocations: 20% administrative, 15% social services, and 65% eligible services. HOME allocations: 75% housing projects, 15% CHDO organizations, and 10% administrative.
• Grants target households at or below 80% of Area Median Income, about $96,900 for a family of four in Plano. The Buffington grant is based on $2 per capita and dates to 1998.
• The process includes an application period from January through early March, April grant hearings by the Community Relations Commission, recommendations presented in June, and final council action scheduled for July 27. Buffington grant decisions come through the August budget process.
• The CRC's recommended allocations for Buffington, CDBG, and HOME were presented; individual amounts are not detailed in the transcript.
• A proposed substantial amendment would use CDBG-eligible funds for a Douglas community pilot project, coordinated with sidewalk and water line work, to remove or bury overhead Frontier and Spectrum cable lines on three streets. The estimated cost is just shy of $50,000, and an engineering study has been completed.
• Next steps: public hearing and final approval July 27, budget work session in August, HUD action plan due August 14, and budget approval in September.
• In Q&A, Mayor Pro Tem asked about burying electrical lines while trenches are open; Howard said the cost would be substantial and he would provide the engineering study specifics. Councilmember Thomas stressed that community engagement is important and asked about educating the Douglas community; Howard said the Best Neighborhoods team had already started outreach the previous weekend and would continue. A councilmember asked about funding for newer nonprofits; Howard noted the council increased the Buffington allocation from $2.00 to $2.25 per capita, that this additional amount is not yet allocated, and that budget/grant workshop direction will be sought.

Future Agenda Item: Electric Vehicles

• A councilmember requested a future discussion on electric bikes, electric motorcycles, go-karts, golf carts, and similar electric vehicles driven on public streets by youth under the legal age, as well as fast scooters and non-human-powered devices on park trails. The councilmember also asked that communications and public relations be included because many residents may not be aware of the issue.
• A related councilmember comment asked to include park trails. The mayor supported the item, noted an ordinance banning motorized vehicles on trails already exists, and said the discussion could include enforcement. Council agreed to bring the item back after the summer break.

Key Outcomes

• All motions on which a tally was stated passed 8-0; Planning and Zoning Commission appointments were postponed to July 27.
• Grant recommendations and the Douglas amendment were received for information; final council action is scheduled for July 27, with the HUD action plan due August 14 and budget approval in September.
• A future agenda item on electric vehicles and motorized devices was added for discussion after the break.
• The council recessed until 7:00 p.m.