Back in 2023, one of our earliest blogs focused on the Texas Public Information Act — the law that ensures citizens have access to records showing what their government is doing on their behalf. Transparency is not a courtesy; it is a legal obligation.

Since then, residents regularly contact us with questions about Public Information Requests (PIRs). Sometimes they’re confused by the process. Sometimes they’re overwhelmed by what they receive. And sometimes, they suspect they’re being buried in paperwork rather than given what they actually asked for.

Recently, a resident forwarded several PIR responses and expressed frustration. They felt they were being flooded with documents but not real answers. They hoped we might spot something they missed.

We did!

Among the documents was a February 8, 2025 email from Councilwoman Laura Rummell to City Manager Wes Pierson and Assistant City Manager Henry Hill, with Angelia Pelham copied:

“In light of recent PIRs that have come to our attention and publicly posted, I’d like to ask for the topic of an animal shelter be brought up in Executive Session for alignment.”

Let’s pause right there. “In light of recent PIRs…”

Not pending litigation. Not a personnel matter. Not real estate negotiations.

PIRs.

The Pushback

On February 11, 2025, Pierson responded that he was not familiar with the recent PIRs or what had been posted. He asked for clarification: Was there a legal question related to the PIRs? Or was she seeking policy direction?

He stated clearly that if it was policy direction, it would likely need to be discussed in open session.

That distinction matters.

Under the Texas Open Meetings Act (TOMA), executive session is narrowly limited. Permissible reasons include:

• Pending or contemplated litigation
• Specific personnel matters
• Certain real estate negotiations
• Security matters
• Limited economic development discussions

Avoiding public scrutiny — or reacting to public records requests — is not on that list.

Separately, the Texas Public Information Act governs what records must be released. You do not make something confidential simply by discussing it in executive session. Closed doors do not create confidentiality by magic.

Why Copy Angelia?

Rummell copied Angelia Pelham “for a second.”

A second what? A second vote? A second opinion? A second set of marching orders?

We are not alleging how anyone would vote. But when one council member seeks “alignment” on moving a controversial topic into executive session — particularly in response to public records being released — reasonable citizens are going to ask reasonable questions.

Council members are permitted to discuss city business in limited ways. But deliberating outside public view in ways that circumvent open meeting requirements is exactly what TOMA was designed to prevent.

Behind Closed Doors

Now fast forward. The February 17, 2026 agenda shows an executive session item:

“Receive legal advice regarding proposed interlocal agreement with Collin County, Texas, and other political subdivisions for the use of the Collin County Animal Shelter and related issues.”

The Animal Shelter and proposed holding facility have been one of the most discussed issues in Frisco over the last several months. Residents have raised concerns at town halls, council meetings, and special sessions. So why is such a heavily debated issue about the Collin County Animal Services ILA headed into executive session?

Legal advice can properly be discussed in closed session. But policy direction? Alignment? Messaging? Those belong on the dais — under the lights — where the public can hear it.

The Consent Agenda Shuffle

Then there’s Item #24 on the Consent Agenda: An annual contract modification for payment to Collin County in the amount of $651,774 — along with rescinding prior council approval from February 3, 2026.

For those unfamiliar, consent agenda items are typically passed in one vote with little to no discussion unless pulled by a council member. A $651,774 contract modification tied to a controversial shelter arrangement seems like the kind of item that deserves public discussion — not a quiet glide path.

Documents Attached To Item 24: Agenda Item Memorandum Click Here, FY 2026 Animal Shelter Billing Worksheet Click Here, Contract Modification Document Click Here

The Real Question

This isn’t about whether the city can receive legal advice. It can. This isn’t about whether executive session is ever appropriate. It is.

The question is motive. If executive session is being used as a shield in response to public information requests — if alignment is happening out of view of the public or because documents became public — then that is precisely what TOMA was designed to prevent.

Transparency does not end where discomfort begins.

Spotlight Moment

We have serious concerns and YOU SHOULD TOO!

A councilwoman asking to move a hot-button issue into executive session “in light of recent PIRs.”
A city discussing a controversial shelter agreement behind closed doors.
A six-figure contract modification sliding onto the consent agenda.

Maybe it’s all perfectly lawful. Maybe it’s all procedural. Maybe it’s all coincidence.

Or maybe Frisco residents are simply asking to see their government operate in the sunlight instead of the shadows.

Laura Rummell has championed this holding facility which many local animal advocates OPPOSE and calling it a Temporary Execution Hold Facility. Rummell’s email states, “the very first bullet is my concern where I believe clarity for the council is needed as that has not been the response to the community.” What response have you all been giving the community? Is this an admission they have been feeding the public one thing when in the background they are either doing something else or have no plan at all?

If everything is above board, then put it above the table. Discuss it openly. Debate it publicly. Vote on it transparently.

Because when public records trigger closed doors, citizens don’t stop asking questions. They start asking better ones like Laura Rummell, what are you hiding?

Links:

The Public Information Act Handbook can be found on the Texas Attorney General’s website and lays out the “how-to” to do open record requests. 

Disclaimer: This blog includes satire, parody, and comic relief.  It contains summarized accounts created solely for humor and commentary.  Any resemblance to real events is either coincidental or intentionally satirical.  Reader discretion — and a sense of humor — are advised.