April 6, 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.

Stage 3 Water Restrictions Eased
This week, the City implemented less restrictive Stage 3 water conservation measures that include provisions for once-per-week outdoor watering as well as an expanded list of available water uses.

The new watering schedule for homes and businesses is:
- Saturdays (Addresses ending in 0,2,4,6,8 (Even))
- Sundays (Addresses with a last digit of 1,3,5,7,9 (Odd))

The use of automated sprinklers is prohibited from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The change follows new guidelines adopted during a special meeting held last week by the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD), which is Richardson’s water supplier.

Lake Texoma, which represents 28 percent of the total water supply for NTMWD, remains unavailable as a source of water for NTMWD because of the presence of zebra mussels. The NTMWD is actively working on options to allow pumping from the lake to resume, but anticipates water from Lake Texoma will be unavailable until at least the summer of 2013.

Click the link below to watch Monday’s presentation to the City Council:
http://richardsontx.swagit.com/e/04022012-630/#7
Click the link below for more information about the updated conservation measures:
http://cor.net/index.aspx?page=1057


Sherrill Park Course No. 1 is again Ranked First by DMN
In its annual Texas Golf issue, the Dallas Morning News has again ranked Sherrill Park Golf Course No. 1 as the top course in Texas available for the public to play for $44 or less. The newspaper also rated Course No. 2 as the 10th in the state, the second year in a row both Sherrill Park courses were ranked in the Top 10 economy courses.

A panel of 88 golf professionals, golf writers and golf executives from across the state ranked courses in seven categories: versatility, shotmaking, design, beauty, maintenance, enjoyment and afterthoughts.

Trash Bash is Tomorrow
Richardson’s annual Trash Bash will take place Saturday. In addition to the city-wide cleanup of trash and recyclables, the event will also include document shredding, electronics recycling and plastic grocery bag recycling.

Groups involved in the Trash Bash will pick up trash and recyclables from 9 a.m.-noon.

During the Trash Bash, the Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association will offer document shredding and electronics recycling at City Hall. The recycling service is free, but donations are welcome.

Additionally, a recycling container will be provided by Walmart for plastic grocery bags for the "A Bag's Life" program, which encourages reuse of plastic grocery bags.

Click the link below for information about the Trash Bash and recycling event:
http://cor.net/index.aspx?page=680


Huffhines Recreation Center Renewable Energy Project
New technology at Huffhines Recreation Center is making possible a 10 percent savings in energy costs and providing an educational opportunity to visitors.

A grant from the U.S. Department of Energy through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program allowed for several conservation initiatives at the City, including the new renewable energy installations at Huffhines Recreation Center.

The installation includes a solar photovoltaic system, a solar hot water heating system, a small wind energy system, two electrical vehicle charging stations and an interactive display for education about LEED. The improvements helped increase the recreation center’s certification to LEED Silver. Educational programming utilizing data from the new technologies will be developed for citizens as well as school districts.

A ribbon cutting is scheduled for 5 p.m. April 22.

Click the link below to view the City Council discussion:
http://richardsontx.swagit.com/e/04022012-630/#4

Presentation of a Proclamation Designating April 2012 as Richardson’s Month of Volunteerism
The City Council on Monday formally kicked off Richardson’s Month of Volunteerism, issuing proclamations in support of volunteers and honoring two organizations that have made significant contributions to the community.

Throughout April, events sponsored by the City as well as those led by civic organizations will be highlighted to raise awareness about Richardson volunteers and the important contributions they make to the City.

The organizations recognized Monday were the Exchange Club of Richardson and the Footwashers Ministries, both of which have completed several projects in the community.

Members of the Richardson City Council are pictured with representatives of the Exchange Club of Richardson and Footwashers Ministries, service organizations in the City of Richardson. The recognition was part of the Council's proclamation of April as a month of volunteerism in Richardson.

Click the links below to watch the City proclamation:
http://richardsontx.swagit.com/e/04022012-630/#3
http://richardsontx.swagit.com/e/04022012-630/#5

Richardson’s City Secretary Announces Retirement
Richardson’s City Secretary, Pam Schmidt, has announced she is retiring from the City of Richardson at the end of this month; her last day will be April 30, 2012.

Schmidt was appointed to the position of City Secretary in June 2003. Prior to her service with Richardson, she worked as City Secretary for the cities of Carrollton, Duncanville, and Balch Springs. Her retirement at the end of the month will end a 26 year career in public service.


City Expands Outreach to Board and Commission Applicants
As the City Council seeks to grow the number of people who contribute to their community through service on City boards and commissions, outreach to potential volunteers is expanding.

The City’s website, www.cor.net, includes a listing of volunteer opportunities with several City departments, as well as an online board and commission application.

The City will also expand communication about volunteer opportunities available through neighborhood association newsletters and hosting a board and commission meet and greet reception.

Click the link below to watch Monday’s City Council discussion.
http://richardsontx.swagit.com/e/04022012-630/#6
Click the link below for information about volunteer opportunities with the City:
http://cor.net/index.aspx?page=865


Congressman Pete Sessions Presents Ceremonial Grant Check To Richardson
Congressman Pete Sessions joined Richardson City Council members and Fire Department personnel at Station 2 in Richardson to present a ceremonial check for $340,000. The money comes from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Homeland Security.

The grant money will be used to purchase an emergency driving simulator to train firefighters who operate fire and medical units. The new equipment will simulate a variety of hazardous road conditions for fire and ambulance apparatus, allowing first responders to be better prepared when they encounter similar conditions.

The grant is part of an important component of the larger, coordinated effort to strengthen the nation’s overall level of preparedness and its ability to respond to fire and related hazards.



Celebrating the grant to the Richardson Fire Department are, from left to right, Mayor Bob Townsend; Fire Chief Alan Palomba; Council Member Mark Solomon; Firefighter/Paramedic Brian Hix; Council Member Scott Dunn; Firefighter/Paramedic Tim Black; Assistant Fire Chief Ed Hotz; Fire Captain Steve Richardson; Council Member Amir Omar; Mayor Pro Tem Laura Maczka; Driver/Engineer Shawn Byers; Congressman Pete Sessions; Firefighter/Paramedic Robert Fatherree; Council Member Kendal Hartley


Realtors Workshop
Thursday morning the City hosted 200 real estate professionals at its 2012 Realtors Workshop. It was the fifth year the City has held the workshop, which is geared toward educating Realtors about City services and programs to help them promote the community and sell homes.

Representatives from 22 different organizations and City departments provided resources to expand Realtors’ knowledge about economic development, education opportunities, residential reinvestment programs, the parks and trails system, and other projects and services in the community. This was the third year the City partnered with the MetroTex Association of Realtors on the event.



RISD Retains Top Bond Rating in Texas
Rating agencies Moody's and Standard & Poor's have again granted RISD the highest stand-alone bond ratings given to any school district in Texas. The AAA rating from Moody's and the AA+ rating from S&P are shared by just three other districts in the state: Highland Park ISD, Houston ISD and Austin ISD.

RISD's bond rating was reaffirmed last month. The district's high ratings are a result of conservative financial management philosophy and practices, combined with ongoing community support of bond programs.


Genpact Ribbon Cutting
City Council members on Wednesday welcomed the latest addition to Richardson’s business community with a ribbon cutting at Genpact. The company currently has 50 employees in Richardson, with plans to expand to 150-200 within 18 months.

Genpact provides business process and technology management services to companies and selected Richardson because of its proximity to Genpact clients in the region and the strong business climate in North Texas.

Celebrating the opening of Genpact are, from left, City Council Members Scott Dunn, Mark Solomon, Amir Omar, Mayor Bob Townsend, Genpact Senior Vice President Scott McConnell, Mayor Pro Tem Laura Maczka and Council Member Kendal Hartley.

Methodist Richardson to Host Community Garage Sale
Methodist Richardson Medical Center is hosting a community garage sale to raise funds for the March of Dimes.

Members of the community may drop off sale items Monday through Friday at Methodist Richardson Medical Plaza 1, located at 403 W. Campbell Rd. Drop-off times are 6-8 a.m., noon-2 p.m. Staff from Methodist Richardson will pick up large items from people’s homes Wednesday through Friday. To schedule a pick-up, call 972-498-4731.

The sale will take place 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, April 14, at the former Methodist Richardson Cancer Center, located at 1977 N. Collins Blvd.

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.

--Nutmeg, 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

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