The Plano City Council honored Live Green in Plano for its recent awards from Keep Texas Beautiful. From left, Interim PISD Superintendent and CFO Steve Fortenberry, Larry Howe of Plano Solar Advocates, Sustainability & Environmental Education Manager Heather Merchant, Mayor Harry LaRosiliere, Environmental Health Director Rachel Patterson, and Environmental Sustainability Coordinator Yarcus Lewis. The Plano City Council honored Live Green in Plano for its 4-Star sustainability rating as well as its recent awards from Keep Texas Beautiful. From left, Interim PISD Superintendent and CFO Steve Fortenberry, Larry Howe of Plano Solar Advocates, Sustainability & Environmental Education Manager Heather Merchant, Mayor Harry LaRosiliere, Environmental Health Director Rachel Patterson, and Environmental Sustainability Coordinator Yarcus Lewis.[/caption]

The following items were discussed and/or approved at the June 22 Plano City Council meeting:

  • At a preliminary open meeting, Council members heard a presentation by Environmental Services Manager Robert Smouse and representatives from SimpleRecycling about adding clothing and home goods curbside pick up service to the city’s recycling program. The program would help increase the city's goal of achieving a 50 percent recycling rate and includes a 3-year contract for free curbside clothing and home goods recycling with collection bags. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, only 15 percent of clothing nationwide is donated or recycled in traditional methods (charity, drop off bins), while 85 percent goes in the trash. The EPA equates this to 70 pounds of discarded clothing per person per year.

  • Presentation to recognize the city’s Sustainability and Environmental Education Division’s 4 STAR community rating for sustainability performance.

  • Presentation to recognize Keep Texas Beautiful’s Volunteer of the Year Award to Plano Solar Advocates founding partner Larry Howe.

  • Presentation to recognize Keep Texas Beautiful’s awards to Live Green in Plano. The city division was awarded for their overall media campaigns and for its “Doo the Right Thing” pet waste campaign.

  • Awarded the Dallas Area Rapid Transit 15th Street signal house relocation project to Urban Construction Co. in the amount of $947,670. The project will move the signal house to Haggard Park from its current location on the opposite side of the DART light rail track at 15th Street.

  • Approved a professional services agreement between the city and TEAM Consultants Inc. in the amount of $53,703 for the Windhaven Parkway project. The consultants will provide material testing for the street improvement project using funds from the city’s 2014-15 Community Improvement Program.

  • Approved an interlocal agreement between the city of Plano, the city of McKinney and the Collin County Sheriff's Office for the disbursement of the 2015 Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant funds. The grant will provide $20,000 to Plano’s police department for the purchase of patrol rifles and rifle accessories.

  • Adopted a 2008 ordinance to expand the list of local incentives that may be offered to local businesses through the nominated Texas Enterprise Zone Program project. The list will help companies with economic development incentives through state sales taxes.

  • Approved rezoning of 31 acres at Park Vista Road and 14th Street for a 318-unit independent living facility.