CITY City Council weighs stricter rules on animal sourcing at pet stores
PGA, LEADERSHIP CHANGE, WORKER RETENTION AMONG NEWPRIORITIES FOR FRISCO CITY COUNCIL
Frisco City Council members Feb. 11 debuted 10 top priorities for the year to conclude their annual winter work session. Council members for two days heard updates from several city departments. Discussion ranged from transportation projects, future parks and more as the city prepares for years ahead without City Manager George Purefoy, who is retiring.
New priorities on the annual goal list included promoting Frisco as the “Modern Home of Golf” to coincide with the upcoming PGA of America headquarters. Preparation for Purefoy’s retirement June 30 and the recruitment of employees for all city departments were also top of
BY MATT PAYNE
a hotspot for businesses that source animals from so-called “puppy mills.” Hu man said what was proposed in HB 1818 would be “the minimum” for her, and that a grandfather clause should be included to allow local businesses “to do the right thing and still run their business.” “My belief is that it’s time tomove forward on this,” Hu man said. “We could be setting the pace on what we think is the right thing to do. It may be hard. It may be di cult ... but I just think it’s time.” Mayor Je Cheney asked Police Chief David Shilson how the city would enforce HB 1818 if it were passed. Shilson described a possibly di cult process of verifying the origin of ani- mals for sale, such as if a store claimed to source an animal from a faraway rescue facility. “It would be a resource-intensive enforcement,” Shilson said. Cheney said he expects HB 1818 to pass in the next legislative session in 2023. However, he noted that busi- nesses such as Petland on Preston Road should be present before any action by the city is taken. The mayor recommended that the city reach out to Petland to potentially host the business in a future work session. “I don’t think any conversation or decision should be made without at least giving the business owner an opportunity to respond to questions and criticisms and feedback,” Cheney said. “No decisions need to be made on this today.”
Frisco City Council members recently weighed whether to work toward stricter rules for pet stores in the city and discussed the manner in which they might do so. Several approaches to potentially limiting how pet stores source animals for sale were reviewed Feb. 10 during the city’s annual winter work session. The group also looked at proposed state legislation and ordinances from other cities. Frisco allows the retail sale of pets and does not regulate animal sourcing, according to city sta . House Bill 1818, which was intro- duced by state Rep. Jared Patterson, R Frisco, in the 87th regular session last year, was the rst approach considered by council members. The bill would have prohibited retail pet stores in Texas from selling dogs and cats not sourced from animal con- trol agencies, an animal shelter or an animal rescue organization, according to a presentation from city sta . HB 1818 passed in both the House and Senate but was never signed by Gov. Greg Abbott, according to the Texas Legislature website. Other options reviewed included a draft ordinance fromDallas, which would prohibit pet stores from selling dogs and cats altogether if passed. An ordinance adopted by The Colony in January 2020 was also reviewed. It pro- hibits pet stores in all zoning districts. Frisco City Council Member Shona Hu man ledmuch of the discussion in favor of a new ordinance. Hu man said she feared Friscomight become
mind for council members. Below are the 10 priorities in unranked order. 1 City Council will continue planning amenities for the future 1,000-plus-acre Grand Park. 2 The upcoming performing arts center at Hall Park is a partnership among the city, Frisco ISD and Hall Group. 3 The city is working to devise a reinvestment strategy of aging facilities and infrastructure. 4 Frisco has joined several North Texas organizations in an e ort to host World Cup 2026 matches in Arlington. 5 The Frisco Parks and Recreation Department is aiming to improve trail connectivity throughout the city. 6 Tourism recovery from e ects of the COVID-19 pandemic remains a top city goal. 7 Plans to transform The Rail District in downtown Frisco into an entertainment hub will begin this year. 8 City leaders want to brand Frisco as “the modern home of golf” with the new PGA of America headquarters. 9 City Manager George Purefoy will retire on June 30, and council members want to select a strong replacement. 10 Attraction and retention of city employees will be a top priority this year for Frisco.
SOURCE: CITY OF FRISCO COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
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