Beginning with the May 9 election period, political candidates in Frisco will be held to stricter guidelines regarding political signs after the March 17 Frisco City Council meeting. The city of Frisco and Frisco ISD entered into a Memorandum of Understanding in early March suggesting the size, timing and placement of political signs. However, because it is an MOU instead of an ordinance, the guidelines could be challenged if violated. According to agenda background information, City Attorney Richard Abernathy suggested the council create an ordinance that would enhance the enforcement of political signs and conducting electioneering on city and school district property. Although the city can't prohibit electioneering activities or posting signs near public buildings being used for polling places, the city can enact time, place and size restrictions. The restrictions are only enforceable on city-owned or city-controlled property, not private property. Abernathy told the council enforcing such restrictions on private property would most likely not hold up legally. The council voted 4-0 to enact the regulations. Mayor Maher Maso and Councilman Jeff Cheney were absent from the meeting. The regulations and exceptions include: Election signs or literature can't be left on any city-owned or city-controlled property that is used as a polling place other than from 6 p.m. on the day before early voting period begins and 24 hours after the voting period ends. There is no electioneering allowed on driveways of polling locations or in areas that fire department officials might determine to be unsafe for electioneering or will interfere with patrons or city employees who use the area for nonelection purposes. Election signs and literature can't be attached to any building, tree, shrub, pole or other improvement on city-owned or city-controlled property. Election signs can't exceed 4 square feet, including supporting polls. In addition to imposing a criminal penalty, election signs in violation may be removed and disposed of by the city. The authority to conduct electioneering on city-owned or city- controlled property is limited to the property on the premises where the voting is conducted and only for the voting period.