Week in Review

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Week In Review, June 1, 2012

Post Date:06/01/2012

June 1, 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.

Twice Weekly Watering Now Allowed Under Eased Water Restrictions
Richardson residents and businesses are able to irrigate twice per week beginning today as the City moves to less restrictive Stage 2 water conservation measures.

Days that residents and businesses are allowed to use sprinklers or irrigations systems are based upon the last digit of the property’s address. All use of sprinklers or irrigation systems is prohibited from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or during any periods of any precipitation (rain, snow, sleet, etc.).

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

The use of soaker hoses and drip irrigation is allowed at any time any day of the week for up to two hours per day.

Click the link below for the full press release on the Stage 2 conservation measures:
http://www.cor.net/index.aspx?recordid=249&page=149

Dan Johnson Begins Tenure as City Manager
Today was Dan Johnson’s first day as Richardson's City Manager, following Bill Keffler’s retirement Thursday after a 35-year career with the City.

Johnson was previously Deputy City Manager and has been on the City’s leadership team since 1996. Before his move to Richardson, Johnson served in various management positions at the City of Carrollton, including three years as City Manager and eight years as Deputy City Manager.

Johnson is widely regarded as a leader in the city management field. He is past president of the Urban Management Assistants of North Texas, a past Director At-Large of the Texas City Management Association (TCMA) and is the 2010-12 Chairman of the TCMA Ethics Committee. As Deputy City Manager, Johnson played a central role in the City’s financial management and economic development initiatives.

City Manager Dan Johnson

Bill Keffler Ends 35 Years of Service; Ballpark Named in his Honor
City Manager Bill Keffler left the City's top office yesterday when he bade a fond farewell to the City of Richardson at a baseball-themed party attended by hundreds of City employees and community and corporate well-wishers.
At the event, incoming City Manager Dan Johnson presented Keffler with a Fossil retirement watch, a tradition that Keffler started, and his 35 year service pin. A number of speakers lauded Keffler for his leadership, sincerity, commitment to excellence and courage.

One of the highlights of the afternoon was the announcement by Mayor Bob Townsend that the ballfields at Breckenridge Park will be named “Keffler Ballpark” in honor of Keffler's many years of dedicated service. Mayor Bob Townsend also presented Keffler with a proclamation that termed Keffler “a mentor, a motivator and a manager extraordinaire.” University of Texas at Dallas President David Daniel also announced the establishment of the “Bill Keffler Scholarship Fund” at the University of Texas at Dallas to be given to a student with direct ties to the City of Richardson, and Mayor Todd Meier of the Town of Addison presented a proclamation calling May 31, “Bill Keffler Appreciation Day.” Keffler also received a lifetime achievement award from the Texas City Management Association.

keffler at podium

keffler gate

New Water Rates Go Into Effect Today
A water and sewer rate increase that will ensure financial stability while also keeping residential utility bills below the average of those in comparison cities goes into effect today. It is the first rate increase in Richardson in more than three years.

Since rates last increased, the wholesale water cost to the City has increased 38 percent, and sewer treatment cost has increased 10 percent.

Rates based on consumption will increase by 9 percent, while the base charge for both water and sewer will increase $1 per month. That equates to an average monthly increase of $6.50 per month for the average residential customer.

Flags at Half Staff Today and Tomorrow
Gov. Rick Perry ordered flags be flown at half staff in memory of State Rep. Ken Legler of Pasadena. Flags throughout Texas should be at half-staff today and tomorrow, June 1 and 2, and lowered again on the date of interment once it is set by the family.

City Pools Open Saturday with “Splash Day” Event
The summer swimming season will officially kick off with “Splash Day” at all City pools. From 1-8 p.m. Saturday, admission to the pools will be free.

Admission is normally $2 for residents and $4 for non-residents. Season passes are available for $30 for residents and $40 for non-residents.

City pools are Canyon Creek, 600 Aspenwood Dr.; Cottonwood Pool, 1321 W. Belt Line Rd.; Glenville Pool, 500 S. Glenville Dr.; and Terrace Pool, 300 N. Lois Lane. The Arapaho Pool is closed this summer for construction.
Swim

Click the link below for information about City aquatics programs:
http://cor.net/index.aspx?page=32

June Richardson Today has Been Mailed
The June edition of Richardson Today began arriving in mailboxes this week. The latest edition focuses on the Eisemann Center’s 10th anniversary and the Eisemann Center Presents 2012-2013 season. Other top stories include easing water restrictions to Stage 2, plans for the Metroplex’s first Alamo Drafthouse Cinema at Heights Shopping Center and preparations for the 2012 Japan-America Grassroots Summit.

Richardson Today is mailed to every residence in the City and is also available at the Heights and Huffhines recreation centers, the Senior Center, City Hall and at the Richardson Public Library. A Richardson Today interactive edition is also accessible through the City’s homepage located at www.cor.net. Ask your local mail carrier if you live in the City and do not receive your copy of Richardson Today.

Click the link below to read the latest edition of Richardson Today, as well as archived editions:
http://cor.net/index.aspx?page=148

Summer Reading Club Kicks Off Saturday with Secret Agent Magic Show
The Richardson Public Library will start the 2012 Summer Reading Club with The Secret Agent Magic Show!, a free event sponsored by the Friends of the Richardson Public Library.

The magic show, noon-1 p.m. Saturday, will include audience participation, magic tricks and spy gadgets.

The summer reading club’s theme this year is “Get A Clue at the Library” and will reward children for the reading they do over the summer. Readers can collect stickers and raffle entries for prizes that will be given away during the Back to School program Aug. 4. Participants can register from Saturday through Aug. 4 in the Children’s Department at the Library and obtain an official log for their reading.

Click the link below for information about the Summer Reading Club:
http://www.cor.net/index.aspx?page=1576

Student Rides Richardson Fire Engine to Last Day of School
Jess Harben Elementary student Alex Santoni rode to his last day of school on Thursday in style – on a Richardson Fire Department fire engine.

The prize was through the “Harben Hero” program, which promotes acts of kindness between students, and is part of the school’s character education and anti-bullying initiative.

The event kicks off the new “Read To Ride” program, which was developed by the Fire Department and is part of RISD’s initiative to promote independent reading. Richardson Firefighter/Paramedic Billy Whitson worked with Jess Harben Principal Nicole Farrar-Myers, Librarian Doug Valentine and Counselor Nancy Weisell to create the program.

Students who meet reading goals over the summer and throughout the year will have an opportunity to ride to school on a Richardson Fire truck or ride with their family and the Fire Chief in the annual Richardson Christmas Parade.

The program will also be expanded to other elementary schools at the start of the next school year.
Read to Ride
Alex Santoni arrives at school on a Quint Fire Engine

DART Schedules Community Meeting on Proposed New Transit Fares
A community meeting on proposed Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) fare changes is scheduled for Tuesday, June 5, at 6:30 p.m. at the Richardson Civic Center.

Periodic fare increases are included as a key component of DART's long range Financial Plan and will help financially support the continued expansion and maintenance of the existing transit system.

DART's Board of Directors is considering a fare change that, if adopted by the Board, would take effect in December with the opening of the Blue Line Extension to Rowlett and Phase 2 of the Orange Line from Las Colinas to Belt Line Station. The Board will hold a public hearing June 26, with a final vote planned for late August.

Click the link below for more information about the proposed DART fare changes:
http://cor.net/index.aspx?recordid=255&page=149

City Reaches Out to Community Through Social Media
As social media becomes more important communications tools in today’s world, the City of Richardson is continuing to increase its use of channels such as Facebook and Twitter.

Most recently, the Cottonwood Art Festival and Wildflower! Richardson’s Art and Music Festival featured live coverage of the events on Facebook and Twitter. And Richardson Today provides regular updates on City events, meetings and other Richardson news on both Facebook and Twitter.

Other City departments with Facebook and Twitter accounts are:
Richardson Police Department
Office of Emergency Management
Richardson Economic Development Partnership
Charles W. Eisemann Center
Richardson Animal Shelter
Richardson Corporate Challenge

Click the link below to connect with all of the City’s social media outlets:
http://cor.net/index.aspx?page=99

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.

Samee--Pet of the Week