By TX3DNews Staff
The McKinney City Council met Monday, October 6, 2025, for a regular session that blended civic routine with tributes to service, safety, and community engagement.
The meeting opened at 6:01 p.m. with an invocation by Deputy Police Chief Jimmy Thomas, who prayed for “the wisdom to understand the right decisions to make … and the courage to make the right decision even when it’s not the easy one.” He urged residents and leaders to “exhibit love for our neighbors, not with regard to rich or poor, not with regard to political affiliations … but just to love.”
Proclamations: Neighborhoods and Monarchs
Mayor Bill Cox issued two proclamations — one promoting neighborhood safety, the other protecting pollinators.
The first declared October 7 as National Night Out Day, encouraging residents to build safer neighborhoods. “Knowing your neighbors and your surroundings is one of the best ways to build a safer community,” Cox read.
Officer Shannon Seabrook, Crime Awareness and Education Officer, said 26 neighborhoods had registered block parties. “We’ll make our way around the city tomorrow and visit those neighborhoods … thank them for their support as we continue to support them,” she said.
The second proclamation marked October 6 as Mayors’ Monarch Pledge Day, reaffirming McKinney’s commitment to native habitats. The mayor noted that Texas adopted the monarch as the state insect in 1995 and that the species’ population has fallen about 90 percent in two decades.
McKinney maintains pollinator gardens at the McKinney Performing Arts Center, Green Gardens of McKinney, and East McKinney Learning Garden. Residents were invited to a “Monarchs in McKinney” class at MPAC on October 9.
Public Comments: Tribute and Calls for Action
Four residents addressed the council.
Stan McWilliams of the McKinney Rotary Club urged the city to name a park after Vietnam veteran Bob Tomes, calling him “unique … authentic … as corny as the Nebraska cornfields from where he came.” Tomes, he said, “felt compelled to serve his country in Vietnam and came home with a Bronze Star. He recited the pledge and meant it. He sang the anthem with a tear in his eye.”
Kyle Simms called for city-led education on child safety and online predators. “We’ve had well over 100 sexual predators that went after our children in Texas last year, and we’ve already surpassed that this year,” he said, urging a task force or town halls “before it does come to McKinney.”
Paul Ballesteros, founder of Emmanuel Labor, spoke about compassion toward the unhoused. “Homelessness is only 0.02 percent of our population,” he said. “My Savior tells me — don’t love 99.98 percent, love 100 percent.” He added, “Before we tell somebody they can’t be here, ask them how they are. If you ask first, you’ll get a much different conversation.”
David Kelly supported naming the park after Tomes and thanked staff — Amy Kincaid, Jenny Baker, and Bruce Mead — for quickly identifying a site.
Council Actions: Bob Tomes Park and City Projects
Council unanimously approved naming the dog park at Wilson Creek Parkway and College Street as Bob Tomes Park. Mayor Pro Tem Feltz called Tomes “an integral part of McKinney’s history,” and Council Member Patrick Cloutier added, “I haven’t seen one more deserving. I know Bob would get a big kick out of it.”
Other approvals included:
• A license agreement with Rick Wells’s Seed Project Foundation (Harvest Seed Project Foundation) to improve Gray Branch Park for educational agriculture, with one variance allowing shielded lighting.
• Two eminent-domain resolutions — one for the Church, Henry & McKinney Streets infrastructure upgrade and another for a water-line easement along State Highway 5 — both passing 7-0.
• The nomination of Steve Wilson to the Collin Central Appraisal District Board, replacing outgoing member Brian Mantzey, thanked for “years of service and heavy lifting on the board.”
Community Updates and Recognitions
Council members highlighted recent events including the Asian Food Festival, Oktoberfest, a Charlie Kirk memorial, the McKinney Inclusion Council youth session, and visits to The Samaritan Inn.
Councilman Beller commended local housing advocates and educators, while Councilman Jones said he would follow up on Simms’s proposal for a child-protection seminar. Members also honored late educator June McGowan, remembered for “touching the lives of countless students” over five decades.
City Manager Paul Grimes reminded residents of the city’s month-long Halloween celebrations and McKinney National Airport Display Day on Saturday, October 25, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., featuring aircraft exhibits, food, and family activities.
“Find a spot and get involved,” Mayor Cox said as the meeting adjourned. “Volunteer or find something you enjoy to do in McKinney — and do it.”
TX3DNews disclaimer: TX3DNews covers city and county public meetings to inform residents about local decisions and community events. Council meeting transcripts are sourced from official public records.
Editor’s note: An earlier draft misidentified the honoree as Bob Thomas. The correct name approved by City Council is Bob Tomes Park, named for local businessman and veteran Bob Tomes.