By RJ Morales | TX3DNews
McKINNEY, Texas — The McKinney City Council spent Tuesday afternoon, August 26, making decisions that will shape how dozens of city boards and commissions operate over the next year. With more than 150 residents applying to serve, the special meeting was one of the most community-focused of the year — and it sparked plenty of debate inside council chambers.
“This is my favorite meeting,” said City Attorney Mark Hauser as the process began. “We have a lot of information and we have a lot of boards. And the good news is, the process we use now is much more streamlined from the past.”
Council considered applications for everything from economic development and parks to animal services and historic preservation. City Secretary Empress Drane explained that applicants were scored based on how many council members listed them as a preference after interviews. “Any candidates receiving at least four points… were preferenced with priority,” Drane said, though she reminded the council they still had discretion.
Term Limits vs. Experience
The first flashpoint came when council took up appointments to the McKinney Economic Development Corporation. The question was whether to keep longtime board member Brian Lockmiller, who has already served seven years — past the city’s standard six-year limit.
“I think these boards need to be refreshed,” Councilmember Patrick Cloutier said. “Why are we breaking our own rules, going even yet another year on this, and why not start getting some new blood in these boards?”
Others disagreed, pointing to big development projects already underway. “If I’m looking at this board and I’m thinking about the types of meetings that are held with these corporations that come and visit McKinney and are looking to make this their home, I don’t know a better representative than Brian,” Councilmember Michael Jones said.
In the end, the council voted 5–2 to reappoint Lockmiller for one more year.
A Familiar Face on Community Development
Former Mayor George Fuller will return to city service as a member of the McKinney Community Development Corporation. “With adding Mr. Fuller… he’s the mayor — once a mayor, always a mayor — it would add another dynamic to this board,” Jones said before the vote.
The council approved Fuller to a two-year term, while Angela Richardson Woods will serve one more year and Marcus Lloyd will continue as alternate. That vote also split 5–2.
Preservation, Animals, and Passion Projects
The City Council also made changes to the Historic Preservation Advisory Board, where new state certification encourages appointing architects, historians, and other specialists. “We now have new criteria for the membership… 60% from architecture, history, architectural history, planning, prehistoric and historic archeology, folklore, cultural anthropology, curation, conservation and landscape architecture,” City Attorney Mark Hauser said.
The council moved Marsha Prior Robertson and Kimberly Wolfe up from alternates, appointed Lisa Hammett to a one-year term, and named Brian Wyatt and Betty Petkovsek as alternates. That motion passed 7–0.
For the Animal Services Facility Advisory Committee, Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Angela Feltus called for a shift in how the board is filled. “This sometimes gets to be the board that we place people on that we don’t have enough room for somewhere else, and they don’t have a real passion for animal services,” she said. “Because of that, we see a reflection of their commitment in the attendance.”
Feltus pushed for shelter volunteers to be appointed instead. “Particularly Sarah and Jeannie have been working in the shelter… and I really feel that it’s time for us to consider a shift to people who are really focused in that area.”
The council agreed, voting unanimously to appoint Sarah, Jeannie Kelly, and Ashley Babcock alongside incumbent Cheryl Wilmoth.
Broader Message: Show Up and Stay Involved
While the specifics of who got appointed may fade, several themes ran through the meeting: attendance, accountability, and the importance of making room for new voices while still valuing experience.
“We can always convince ourselves that we’re okay with the same, but that comes at the sacrifice of the next generation that’s trying to replace us,” Councilmember Justin Beller said.
Mayor Bill Cox made a point to thank those who showed up and applied, even if they weren’t chosen. “We had over 150 candidates apply. We don’t have that many spots,” Cox said. “If you for some reason are not selected, please stay involved. Please find a place, come back next year. It is truly important that we have everyone involved that we can.”
For continued coverage of McKinney City Council and other community issues, visit our Local News page.