Welcome to Plano City News , your weekly update
on what's happening in the City of Plano.
More Businesses Open, Testing Sites Continue
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: May 19, 2020

On May 18, Governor Greg Abbott announced Phase 2 openings, surge teams and increased testing. Find timelines, guidance and checklists for businesses and customers on the Open Texas Strike Force website . He emphasized the importance of:
  • Social distancing 
  • Washing your hands 
  • Wearing masks if you can 
  • Protecting those 65 years and older – stay at home if possible 

In the next 10 days, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) will take over all COVID-19 labs and new cases. Collin County will continue to report what they receive until the DSHS system and definitions are in place.

Get the New Details on Rent and Utility Assistance
To help prevent homelessness, the City of Plano is offering limited rent and utility assistance. Due to the COVID-19 emergency, the City's Homelessness Prevention Program has been temporarily expanded to assist with hotel payments for qualified applicants. The program offers three kinds of assistance: 

  • Interim COVID-19 Hotel Assistance – At Risk of Homelessness Temporary assistance for people living in a hotel in Plano who lack the resources and support to avoid becoming homeless.  

  • Interim COVID-19 Hotel Assistance – People Experiencing Homelessness  Temporary assistance for people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in Plano who 1) are referred by Plano Police Department, 2) test positive for COVID-19, or 3) have a documented recommendation from a medical professional to quarantine/isolate.  

  • Rent and Mortgage Assistance – At Risk of Homelessness  Temporary assistance for Plano residents with a lease agreement or mortgage who have received a late notice or notice to vacate. 



Drive-Thru Testing Clinic May 20 and May 21 
State and local authorities have scheduled free drive-through COVID-19 testing clinics in McKinney on May 20 and in Plano on May 21. This is a joint effort between Texas Military Department, North Central Texas Trauma Regional Advisory Council, Texas Department of Emergency Management, Collin County, Collin College and the City of Plano. 

All tests are by appointment only. Register by phone at least 24 hours before the test dates (512-883-2400) or register online now . Each test date is limited to 100 people. Officials will call those tested with the results. The testing is part of a state-run program. Plans are to return to other Collin County communities on a rotating basis every two weeks.  



Uninsured Collin County Residents Get Free COVID-19 Testing & Physical Evaluations
The Collin Cares recovery plan provides funding for several items, including COVID-19 testing.

For the insured and underinsured, the U.S. Congress has waived deductibles for COVID-19 testing. Contact your insurance provider for more information.  


Find service change updates and fun online programs on the City’s Facebook
and Twitter pages, as well as on plano.gov .
Prepare for a Different Summer with Plano Parks & Recreation
As we begin to reopen, specific protocols will be in place for staff and patrons to enhance safety. 

On June 1, these Plano Parks & Recreation facilities reopen to members only with limited services and reduced hours :
  • Plano Aquatic Center
  • Carpenter Park Recreation Center and indoor pool
  • Liberty Recreation Center
  • Oak Point Recreation Center and indoor pool
  • Tom Muehlenbeck Recreation Center and indoor pool

The amenities are restricted to: 
  • Walking/Running track 
  • Fitness area (no free weights) 
  • Lap swimming only (hours may vary from recreation center hours)

As of now, our City of Plano outdoor pools and splash pads, including Jack Carter Pool, remain closed until further notice. Learn why on the Parks & Recreation COVID-19 FAQs page .

Our recreation centers will look quite different when reopening. Clear shields are on the check-in counters. Cash and checks will not be accepted, only credit cards. Staff will wear face masks. Floor decals indicate where to stand if there is a wait. Locker rooms will not be accessible until authorized by the Governor. Not all fitness equipment is available. Only one swimmer is allowed in each lane. We continue to monitor the pandemic and when it is deemed safe to do so, we will move to the next phase of operations, allowing access to additional amenities. 

Sam Johnson Recreation Center for Adults 50+ will not reopen until confirmation of no widespread community transmission of COVID-19 from state and local public health officials.  

Please practice social distancing while enjoying Plano’s dog parks. On Thursday, May 21, the Bob Woodruff, Jack Carter and Windhaven Meadows Dog Parks reopen.

The Carpenter Park Skate Park reopens Thursday, May 21. We encourage residents to practice social distancing guidelines.

June classes and camps have been cancelled, except for those at High Point Park Tennis Center and new online classes. Classes at High Point Park Tennis Center have been modified to keep enrollment within social distancing guidelines set by the state.

Summer registration is open and the session begins July 6. These classes and clinics are subject to cancellation, depending on state guidelines. Some classes will offer online options. If you have any questions about summer classes, email us or call the recreation center where the class is being held. You may have to leave a message for a callback. Centers taking questions are Carpenter 972-208-8087, Liberty 972-769-4234, Oak Point 972-941-7540 and Tom Muehlenbeck 972-769-4404.

Due to the challenge of ensuring all children adhere to the physical distancing requirements, the following summer day camps are cancelled.  
  • Camp Connections
  • Camp Cimarron
  • Teen Outreach and Adventure Camp
  • Sports and Adventure Camp
  • Counselor in Training Camp
  • Junior Golf Camp 

Some specialized camps at the recreation centers may be held in July and August with modifications to manage social distancing guidelines. Look for availability and register online. Plano Independent School District, in accordance with UIL, will determine if the youth sports clinics can be held. 

All recreation classes, programs, camps, trips and events cancelled due to COVID-19 are being refunded or placed as a credit on your account. If you have a question about a specific class, please email parksinfo@plano.gov . 

A date for adult sports league registration has not been determined. League participants will receive an update as soon details are available

If you are not ready to return to the recreation facilities, please call or email Plano Parks & Recreation and a pro-rated credit can be placed on your recreation account for later. Monthly auto-renewal memberships can be adjusted to not renew again. All memberships reactivate on June 1, so be sure to contact Plano Parks & Recreation if you do not wish to start back yet. 

Visit the Parks & Recreation COVID-19 FAQs page for questions not addressed above.
Fight the Bite This Summer
As you step outside for fresh air or some tasty grilling, remember to guard yourself against mosquitoes. Plano's Environmental Health and Sustainability (EHS) team started taking measures in April to protect you from these unwelcome pests. 

Help fight the bite this summer by following the 3 D's: 
DRESS – Mosquitoes are less attracted to light-colored clothing. Long sleeves and pants help keep you from getting bit. For extra protection, spray clothing with mosquito repellent. 

DEFEND – Apply insect repellent before you go outdoors. Look for products containing DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved ingredient. Natural alternatives include orange spray, eucalyptus and citronella. Always follow label instructions when applying repellent. 

DRAIN – Limit the number of places where mosquitoes live and breed around your home by draining standing water. Common places where water collects include trash carts, old tires, flower pots, rain gutters and bird baths. Be sure to refresh and replenish your pet's water bowl daily. Pool owners are encouraged to maintain and run pool equipment 8 hours a day to properly prevent mosquitoes from breeding. 
Happenings

Last week the Plano Police Department honored the members of Texas law enforcement who lost their lives in the line of duty.


Organizers have cancelled Sunset at Memorial Park this year. The names of men and women who served our military and gave all are available online if you'd like to remember them this Memorial Day. You can also visit the Veterans Memorial with their engraved names at Memorial Park .

Due to the Memorial Day holiday, trash and recycling collections slide to the next day, starting Monday, May 25.


Tuesday, May 26
7 p.m. regular session 
videoconference 
 
Preliminary Open Meeting immediately follows the 5 p.m. executive session. Review the agenda (available Wednesday night) on the city council agenda webpage . 
 
Comment on an item one of these ways:

  • Register to speak online by 5 p.m. on the meeting day and attend the meeting through the link provided in your confirmation email. The registration link is on the agenda for that specific meeting.

  
Make hummingbirds at home in your backyard. Renee Jordan tells you how to create hummingbird food during the Wednesday Walk video. If you have an elderly family member in an assisted living facility, ask the facility if you can place a bird feeder outside their window. This will help the time pass more quickly when visitors aren't allowed; and it will remind them you are thinking of them too.

Visit the Plano Parks & Recreation Facebook for the next Wednesday Walk episode.
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