March 23, 2012
Here is the latest edition of Week In Review - a series of weekly messages from the Mayor and City Council to help Richardson residents and businesses keep up to date on events at City Hall. A list of links for stories in this edition is available at the bottom of the page.


City Maintains Top Bond Ratings from Moody’s and S&P
Two credit rating agencies informed the City this week that they have again given Richardson their highest possible bond ratings, citing strong fiscal management and a growing economy. The City has maintained a AAA rating from Standard and Poor’s for four years, and this is the third year in a row that the City has received a Aaa rating from Moody’s.

The ratings place Richardson in the top tier of cities across the country. The Moody’s rating places Richardson among the top 6.6 percent of rated cities in the nation and the top 2.1 percent of cities in Texas. Just four other cities in Texas have achieved a Aaa rating from Moody’s. The AAA rating from Standard and Poor’s places Richardson in the top 5.3 percent of rated cities in Texas.


2010 Bond Program Hits Halfway Mark
The 2010 City bond program has hit a major milestone, with $33 million in projects complete, under construction or in bidding. An additional $23 million of projects is under design. That progress is following the aggressive implementation schedule set by the City Council for the entire $66 million bond package, to have all projects initiated within three years.

Over the next several months, there will be a significant increase in construction on bond projects throughout the community. Major projects that are scheduled to begin construction during that time include the Heights Recreation Center and Family Aquatics Center, a new Gymnastics Center and several street reconstruction projects.

Projects already completed include Breckinridge and Huffhines ballfield shade structures, a canine visitation area at the Richardson Animal Shelter and four areas of neighborhood sidewalk repairs. In addition, Fire Station #4 is expected to be complete this summer.

Click the link below to view Monday night’s City Council presentation:
http://richardsontx.swagit.com/e/03192012-1484/#6


Richardson Chamber of Commerce Recognizes City Manager and Features Former White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card at Annual Meeting
More than 400 people attended this week's Richardson Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting at Richardson's Renaissance Hotel. Guests were enthralled by Andrew Card, former Chief of Staff for President George W. Bush, as he related his perspective of the days around 9-11. Afterward, the Richardson Chamber of Commerce honored Richardson’s outgoing City Manager Bill Keffler as Citizen of the Year.

Keffler was chosen for his long tenure with the City, and for his strong leadership in promoting City-wide and regional partnering efforts. He was also recognized for his commitment to fiscal responsibility and transparency, support for municipal operations innovations, willingness to undertake new initiatives in the areas of urban planning, economic development and community revitalization, and strong focus on professional leadership and mentoring.

Volunteers of the year honored include a range of members whose contributions impacted the Chamber and ultimately the Richardson business community’s success. Winners include: Stan Bradshaw of The Bradshaw Group for volunteer of the year, Executive Press for small business of the year, Dianna Gell of Clearly Creative Promotions for rookie of the year, EarlyNet as the committee of the year (tri-chairs Sandra Ward, Marilyn Castleberry and George Simons) and Bob Krombach of Preferred Office Products as ambassador of the year.

Former Mayor Gary Slagel and City Manager Bill Keffler


Cotton Belt Rail Line Update
Planning for the future Cotton Belt Rail Line is continuing, with the second phase of an Innovative Financing Initiative study set to begin as well as further design of the rail line due this spring.

DART is evaluating three options for the Cotton Belt’s connection to the Red Line, including a southern alignment that would connect the commuter rail line at the Bush Turnpike station in Richardson. The southern alignment would connect the Cotton Belt in the heart of a planned transit-oriented development surrounding the Bush Turnpike station.

A second station in Richardson is planned at the north end of the UT Dallas campus. The City and UTD collaborated on a master plan for university-owned property adjacent to the rail line. The plan includes a transit plaza at the Cotton Belt station, as well as office development along Bush Turnpike.

The Cotton Belt corridor runs from Fort Worth northeast to Plano, connecting 13 cities including Richardson, as well as the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. The commuter rail line includes 27 potential stations, including two in Richardson.

Click the link below to view a presentation to the City Council about Cotton Belt planning:
http://richardsontx.swagit.com/e/03192012-1484/#3


Yard Waste Recycling Available
Leaves, small twigs and yard clippings can be recycled into mulch and compost, saving landfill space and returning organic matter back to the earth.

By using the City’s BABIC program, you can turn your yard waste into mulch and compost that is available to Richardson residents at a discounted price. Yard waste must be put into biodegradable heavy paper bags, available at most home improvement stores and some grocery stores. Once a BABIC pickup is scheduled, place the bags onto your front parkway, the grassy area between the sidewalk and the street. Bags should be placed outside by 7 a.m. the day of your scheduled pickup, separate from any other bulky trash items being collected.

Call 972-744-4111 to schedule a BABIC pickup, or click the link below: 
https://discovery.cor.gov/Public/PS/BABIC.nsf/Search?OpenForm
Click the link below to purchase mulch and compost created from local yard waste:
http://www.texaspureproducts.com


Sinbad Performs at the Eisemann Center
Sinbad will bring his renowned standup comedy to the Eisemann Center’s Hill Performance Hall at 8 p.m. Thursday, March 29. The actor and comedian has been ranked by Comedy Central as one of the top 100 standup comedians of all time.

Tickets are $44-$62 and are available online at www.eisemanncenter.com or by calling the Eisemann Center Ticket Office at 972-744-4650. The Ticket Office is open from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday–Saturday and one hour before performances. Group discounts for 10 or more are available.

Richardson Animal Shelter Pet of the Week
Meet the Richardson Animal Shelter’s Pet of the Week on the Shelter’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/RichardsonAnimalShelter. You’ll see details about the adoptable animal and find out how you can take the pet to your own home. The Shelter Facebook page also has photos of other animals available for adoption and information about upcoming events at the Shelter.

Lula--Pet of the Week

Related Links
City Council videos: http://www.cor.net/index.aspx?page=752
City Council agenda: http://www.cor.net/index.aspx?page=1006
City Council meeting documents: http://www.cor.net/index.aspx?page=1329