Animal Services Coronavirus Update: March 18, 2020

To help protect our staff and visitors, Plano Animal Services will be implementing the following procedures effective immediately:

• All in-shelter volunteer and community service activity is suspended.
• Staff will be available during normal business hours, but we will be limiting operations that require public contact.
• Owners wishing to reclaim pets, citizens dropping off a stray animal,...

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Weekly Update: March 5, 2020

Our staff, including our police and fire-rescue teams, are taking appropriate precautionary measures including conducting more frequent disinfection processes at our highly trafficked facilities.

While the immediate risk of COVID-19 is believed to be low a...

4 Reasons Why the Outdoor Warning System Could be Activated

Outdoor Warning Sirens are designed to alert people who are outside to seek shelter inside. In hazardous conditions, Plano's sirens will sound for 3 minutes. During monthly tests, Plano's sirens sound for 1 minute, followed by a voice saying "test.&q...

Preparation and Sale of Homemade Foods

Have you ever wondered what you might be able to make at home and sell? The City of Plano Environmental Health Division has received several inquiries recently and would like to clarify the rules around homemade foods. The Texas Cottage Food Law does allo...

Plano Fire-Rescue response changes in light of COVID-19

Following CDC guidelines and acting with an abundance of caution, Plano Fire-Rescue personnel will begin wearing full personal protective equipment (PPE) on all incident responses...

...even those where patients do not exhibit any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 infection. This change is made to protect both the patient and the rescuer, as it has been proven that the disease can be transmitted prior to an infected person showing symptom...

Plano Fire-Rescue 2019 Annual Report

Check out the 2019 Annual Report, with information on all aspects of Plano Fire-Rescue. 

Plano Fire-Rescue's 2019-2023 Strategic Plan

Plano Fire-Rescue has just released the 2019-2023 Strategic Plan.

Any successful agency must continually track progress towards achieving its stated short-term goals and objectives.  Periodically, it is important for an organization to stop and perform a more detailed assessment of its environment, its stakehol...

Plano Fire-Rescue Welcomes New Truck 8 Into Service

Fire Station #8 welcomed a new truck into service with a Wetdown and Push-In Ceremony.

The time-honored tradition was enjoyed by Plano Fire-Rescue staff and community members on May 10.  This station, 4621 Hedgcoxe Road, primarily serves northern Plano neighborhoods.

Plano Fire Chief Sam Greif and the department are quite proud of t...

Lara Barrett

Lara Barrett

Number of years with Team Plano: 

7

Position and department: 

Senior Administrative Assistant, Plano Public Library

Describe your position:

My position is a little bit of everything! I do a lot of office work like ordering supplie...

Kelley Crimmins

Kelley Crimmins

Number of years with Team Plano: 

3

Position and department: 

Community Outreach Specialist, Parks and Recreation

Describe your position:

I am responsible for sharing information about our department with the public. Outreach f...

Katie Masucci

Katie Masucci

Number of years with Team Plano: 

4

Position and department: 

Senior Environmental Education Coordinator, Environmental Health and Sustainability

Describe your position:

I develop and implement education and outreach programs, re...

David Hightower

David Hightower

Number of years with Team Plano: 

18

Position and department: 

Senior Environmental Health Specialist, Environmental Health and Sustainability

Describe your position:

I primarily conduct food safety inspections on food establis...

Courtney Vanous

Courtney Vanous

Number of years with Team Plano: 

3

Position and department: 

Park Compliance Coordinator, Parks and Recreation

Describe your position:

I am responsible for enforcing park rules, educating park users, and helping ensure our par...

Kelly Macejewski

Kelly Macejewski

Number of years with Team Plano: 

2

Position and department: 

Marketing Specialist in Communications and Community Outreach

Describe your position:

In my position I create and post content for the main City of Plano social med...

Library Closure Update – March 24, 2020

We are currently offering the following services to Library cardholders during this health emergency.

• Library calls will be answered Monday-Friday from 9am-6pm
• You may call the Library to get help with online Library services – Monday-Friday from 9am-6pm or email the library
• Library items you have checked out will not be due at t...

Energy Efficient Improvements are Affordable and Easy!

The City of Plano’s Smart Energy Loan Program offers eligible homeowners the opportunity to make energy efficient home improvements with financing provided by BTH Bank. You could reduce your home energy bills, improve the comfort level in your h...

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

Plano joins Neighbor Cities & Collin County in Declaring Public Health Emergency

The City of Plano today declared a local state of disaster for public health emergency.

Number of Collin County cases: 38Number of Plano cases: 13 (1 deceased, with complications from an underlying health condition)See state-by-state statistics at www.Covidtracking.com

On March 16, 2020, the City of Plano declared a local state of di...

How to Speak at a City Council Meeting via Video-conference

The following steps can be followed to participate in a City Council meeting via video-conferencing:

1. Connect to the meeting video on Plano’s website at planotv.org
2. Dial the Local Telephone Number 469-606-0880 or Toll-Free Dial-in Number: 888-533-4533
3. When you hear the item called on which you would lik...

Plano City News: More City to See Digitally

Email public comments on City Council agenda items, follow the latest updates on the coronavirus, engage with the Library in a digital way, up your know-how with free webinars, and more in Plano City News.

Plano City News is distributed every Tuesday to 37,000 subscribers by the City of Plano Communications and Community Outreach department. To receive a copy directly in your inbox, please subscribe. Thank you for your readership!

Chlorine Maintenance Is Underway

March 2 through March 30 is when the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) performs the annual chlorine maintenance of our water system.

If you notice a slight change in smell or taste, try these tips:

• Fill a pitcher of water and place it in your fridge overnight. This allows the chlorine to dissipate.
• Add a slice of cucumber to a glass of water for a few hours to improve the taste.

All 13 ci...

Plano’s Counting on You!

You’ll soon receive a letter asking you to complete the 2020 Census online. It’s never been more important for you to take the Census. For every person who goes uncounted on this Census, our community loses $15,000 over the next 10 years.

Many grant dollars our city, school districts, nonprofits and community organizations receive for programs and services are based on the population count.  Census data is vital to emergency response, healthcare, police and fire services, roadways...

Gear Up for Improvements to the Preston Road and PGBT Intersection

The City of Plano is working with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to improve the intersection at Preston Road and the President George Bush Turnpike (PGBT). Construction is expected to begin this week and will continue through 2021.

The improvements include:

• widening the southbound Preston Road bridge over the KCS railroad and PGBT
• creating a southbound right-turn lane at the PGBT westbound on-ramp
• adding dual left-turn lanes for southbound traffic to the PGBT eastbound on-ramp

Please sh...

Winter Watering runs through March 31

Dial back on landscape watering and save on your water bill. Lawns and outdoor plants require much less watering as we roll into colder temperatures.

Whether you are a resident or a business, please shift to the winter watering schedule on Friday, Nov. 1. Limit sprinkler use to once-a-week. If the last digit of your address is odd (1, 3, 5, 7, 9), your water day is Tuesday. If the digit is even (0, 2, ...

Subscribe to the Inside Plano Podcast

Listen along to Inside Plano to learn about city events, programs and services. Get to know your city team along the journey. New podcast episodes are available on the first of every month.

Subscribe to get the episodes automatically through your favorite podcasting platforms: iTunes, iHeart Radio, Soundcloud, Google Play and Stitcher. Be sure to check out the show notes to make the most of each episode.

Read on...

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update for Plano Parks & Recreation

Due to COVID-19 precautions, Plano Parks and Recreation has closed our facilities including the recreation centers and swimming pools, High Point Tennis Center, reservable athletic fields, the three dog parks and skate park until April 27 at which time th...

Discover a job that satisfies with Plano Parks and Recreation

Summer is almost here, and Plano Parks and Recreation is looking for energetic men and women who enjoy teaching and making a difference in their community.

Do you or someone you know have what it takes to be a camp counselor, lifeguard or water safety instructor? If so, we have the perfect opportunity right here in Plano!

Camp counselors and coordinators are entrusted with the responsibility of enriching the ...

Ash trees being removed, replaced as Emerald Ash Borer precaution

Residents have been asking why they are seeing trees being removed or prepped for removal throughout the City.

If you’ve noticed missing trees from public areas (parks, trails, medians), it is more than likely because they were Ash trees that were in fair or poor condition. This is being done in preparation for Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), an invasive specie...

Put your best foot forward this spring

The Sam Johnson Recreation Center for Adults 50+ (401 W. 16th St.) has an impressive lineup for those looking to get fit and have fun this spring!

With its 2,800-square-foot cardio and weight room, modern and spacious classrooms, billiards room, coffee bar and more, there are many ways to explore this newly renovated center. While you’re there, have lunch at the Gazebo Café (ope...

Adapted Recreation makes fitness fun for the special needs community

Did you know Plano Parks & Recreation offers an array of classes and activities for individuals with special needs?

Carried out by certified special education teachers, certified paraprofessionals, and trained volunteers, the Adapted Recreation Division provides enriching programs for individuals from 12 months to over 60 years of age. From dancing, art, and life skill...

High Point Tennis Center Renovations

The long awaited renovations to High Point Tennis Center have begun. The center will remain open during construction.

The renovations will begin with the building of a new parking lot along Spring Creek Parkway and the construction of a new two-story pro shop. Once the new pro shop is completed, demolition of the old facility will take place and a new center court will b...

VIP 2018-2019 Annual Report

Check out this year’s annual report full of great information about how volunteers are creating impact for the City of Plano.

Read on...

VIP Connection Spring 2019

Celebrating Plano's volunteers

Dallas Morning News: Volunteering is secret to happiness

Giving back through volunteering makes Plano happy, according to the Dallas Morning News. 

A record number of people are volunteering in Plano

NBCDFW reports on VIP's record-setting success! 

VIP Celebrates Record-Setting Success

Annual Report Highlights:

•   35 years of VIP

•   Record-setting number of volunteers 

•   Volunteer awards

•   Corporate & academic partnerships

•   VIP Sup...

VIP Connection Newsletter Winter 2018

Thankful to serve

VIP Connection Newsletter Summer 2018

Committed to serve

VIP Connection - Spring 2018

This spring brought many milestones to the VIP program. Read more.

VPay Employees Volunteer at Plano Animal Shelter

Employees from Plano-based VPay spent two Fridays in March volunteering at Plano Animal Services. Volunteering as a group with Plano Animal Services provides valuable resources for our community and helps those precious pets get one step closer to home. V...

ESL Teachers Needed

Harrington Library is looking for volunteer ESL teachers. Training is free and materials are provided. For more information, contact Julie Brown, ESL Program Director at juliebrown@lift-texas.org or call 214-824-2000 ext. 3218

In Memory of Russ Kissick

We are saddened by the passing of Russ Kissick. Russ was one of three Co-Founders and ongoing Co-Director of The Plano Conservancy for Historic Preservation, Inc., the non-profit organization that has served as manager of the Interurban Railway Museum sin...

Bank of America Volunteers Become Super Sorters

Thank you to the team of 14 Bank of America employees for giving an afternoon of service to Haggard Library. Employees from India and several different states joined together to help sort donations and package items for the annual fundraising books sale. ...

United Healthcare Employees Volunteer at Parr Library

Thank you to United Healthcare employees for lending a hand at Parr Library. Staff enjoyed a morning of service by cleaning and organizing children’s books for the library. Children’s book are frequently checked out and at the end of e...

Bank of America Rolls Up Their Sleeves

On Friday, September 30 six employees from one of Plano's Bank of America locations chose the Plano Animal Shelter for their volunteer day. Employees were excited to lend a hand in the kennels, help with laundry, wash many dog bowls and spend time togethe...Read on...

Hyundai Capital Lends A Hand

On Saturday, September 24th seven employees from Plano's Hyundai Capital office spent their morning volunteering at the Animal Shelter. Creating a team building event around service to the community is a great way to build comradery and motivate staff to ...

Capgemini Serve Plano

On Friday, September 23 staff from Capgemini selected the Plano Community Garden and the Animal Shelter for their service day. Staff members rolled up their sleeves helped provide maintenance of the garden, weeding, turning compost piles, laying mulch and...Read on...

Capital One, A Dog's Best Friend

On Friday, August 19 employees from Capital One spent the day volunteering at the Plano Animal Shelter. Corporate volunteers play a vital role in helping advocate for the shelter after they spend a day in the life of shelter staff. Groups are all smiles a...Read on...

Cambria Hotel & Suites Supports Animal Shelter

On Friday, September 9th staff from Cambria Hotel & Suites Plano rolled up their sleeves and spent the day volunteering at the Plano Animal Shelter. 9 Cambria employees enjoyed a day of service helping the shelter maintain a clean facility, provide se...Read on...

Frisco Roughriders lend a hand at Animal Shelter

On Sunday, August 21 staff from the Frisco Roughriders donated a morning of service to the Plano Animal Shelter. They spent time helping with cleaning and maintenance of the facility which improves the customer experience and provides a safe environment f...Read on...

Bank of America Volunteers Plant Seedlings for Parks Department

A big thank you goes out to the 10 Bank of America volunteers who planted 100 trees in the Russell Creek greenbelt for the Plano Parks Department.

Exam Weekend:

What to Bring and What to Know the Day of the Exam

Saturday Morning: bring your ID, exam ticket and completed and notarized PHS to the exam.  Wear athletic clothing as those who pass will immediately proceed to the physical agility test. ...