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Week in Review, Feb. 16, 2024
Feb. 16, 2024
This 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 municipal events. If you would like to sign up to receive this in a weekly e-mail click here.
Throughout the year, the City Council or City Plan Commission will hold meetings on topics of significant interest to local neighborhoods or the community in general. Links to view all City Council or City Plan Commission meeting documents that may have topics of interest to you can be found here:
City Council | City Plan Commission
Wildflower! Headliners Announced; Resident and GA 1-Day Tickets on Sale
The musical lineup for the City of Richardson’s Wildflower! Arts & Music Festival, scheduled for May 17-19 at Galatyn Park Urban Center, was announced earlier today at the same time that resident discounted tickets and general admission single day tickets went on sale.
Headliners include:
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Nile Rodgers & CHIC
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Randy Rogers Band
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Awolnation
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GROUPLOVE
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KC & The Sunshine Band
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Saint Motel
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The Struts
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Sister Sledge
Tickets are available online with single-day general admission tickets priced at $25 (Friday and Saturday) and $10 (Sunday) through March 17, after which the price will increase. Resident tickets are available for $15 online through May 17 and $18 in-person through May 15 at the Gymnastics Center, 300 E. Arapaho Rd.; Heights Recreation Center, 711 W. Arapaho Rd.; Huffhines Recreation Center, 200 N. Plano Rd.; and the Senior Center, 820 W. Arapaho Rd., with proof of Richardson residency. Children 12 and under will receive free admission with a paid adult all weekend.
As additional artists are added to the lineup, updates will be announced on the festival’s website and social media channels.
Website: www.wildflowerfestival.com
City Council Passes Ordinance Increasing Homestead Exemption
The City Council approved an ordinance Monday that increases the property tax exemption for disabled and senior citizens from $130,000 to $145,000 beginning in FY 2025. The new exemption amount equates to a $813 average reduction in taxes compared to the $729 average reduction for the current exemption.
Under the City’s Financial Policies, the City Council regularly reviews the property tax exemption for citizens who are disabled or age 65 and older, with a goal to maintain a tax benefit of approximately 30 percent of the average home value. The current average senior home value is $436,966, and the existing $130,000 exemption would not meet the 30 percent goal if values increase as expected in 2024-25.
Lunar New Year Celebration Held
Rain didn’t keep the crowds away from Richardson’s Lunar New Year Festival last Sunday, held in the CORE District at DFW Chinatown. Attendees celebrated the Year of the Dragon, enjoying the festival’s many food vendors, pop-up shops and live performances, including dragon and lion dances capping off the day’s events.
This was the third year for the City of Richardson to co-host the festival with the Dallas Chinese Community Center and DFW Chinatown.
Video: Link
Library Recognized for Excellence
The Richardson Public Library has received the 2023 Achievement of Library Excellence Award from the Texas Municipal Library Directors Association, an affiliate of the Texas Municipal League. This is the 19th year the Library has received the recognition.
To successfully receive the Achievement of Library Excellence Award, a library must meet the following expectations:
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Exhibit excellence by providing services to underserved and special populations
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Enhance services
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Market in innovative ways
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Promote cultural, topical and educational programming
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Provide literacy support
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Provide summer reading clubs
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Pursue collaborative efforts
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Support workforce development
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Provide for digital inclusion
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Comprehensively train staff
Of the 545 public libraries in Texas, only 84 received this award in 2023.
Early Voting for the March 5 Joint Primary Begins Tuesday
Early voting for the March 5 Democratic and Republican Primary Elections will be held Feb. 20-March 1. Registered Dallas County voters who are Richardson residents may vote early at any designated Dallas County early voting location. Collin County voters who are Richardson residents may vote early at any designated Collin County early voting location. First Baptist Church, 1001 N. Central Expressway, is the only early voting location in Richardson that is designated to serve both Dallas County and Collin County voters. Additionally, the Islamic Association of North Texas, 840 Abrams Rd., is an early voting location for Dallas County residents.
Note that Richardson Temporary City Hall will not be a polling location during Early Voting or on Election Day.
Early voting locations/hours:
Reminder: City Services, Buildings Open President’s Day
Monday, Feb. 19 is President’s Day, and as it is a federal holiday, most banks, many schools and federal entities such as the US Postal Service will be closed that day. It is, however, “business as usual” for many municipalities, including the City of Richardson. All City services will maintain normal operating schedules and City facilities will be open during regular business hours.
NCTCOG Seeks Public Feedback on Transportation Projects
The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) is opening an online input opportunity beginning today to give residents the chance to provide feedback on transportation plans and projects. North Texans can review and comment on information about Transit Strategic Partnerships, a Safe Routes to School update and proposed modifications to funded projects. Information will be posted online at www.publicinput.com/nctcogFeb24 through March 12.
Spring Valley Road to Narrow Temporarily for Fiber Optic Work
Spring Valley Road between Centennial Boulevard and Greenville Avenue may be narrowed to traffic from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. as fiber optic work takes place. The work is expected to be complete by late February.
Free Zumba Class Tomorrow at Heights Recreation Center
Heights Recreation Center, 711 W. Arapaho Rd.
Cost: Free; no registration required
Saturday, Feb. 17
1 p.m.
Come take advantage of a free zumba class in conjunction with the It's Time Texas (ITT) Community Challenge. Zumba is a type of aerobic dance exercise that features movements inspired by various styles of Latin American dance.
The ITT Community Challenge is an annual eight-week statewide health competition that ends this year on March 3. To participate in the Challenge, download the “ITT Community Challenge” smartphone app and select Richardson to add to our community points!
You do not need to be in the Challenge to take part in this class.
Website: www.ittcommunitychallenge.org
RISD Used Book Fair Continues through Monday
616 S. Sherman St.
Cost to attend: Free; books are priced at $25/bag
Daily through Feb. 19
Today (Friday)-Saturday 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday Noon-6 p.m.; Monday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
RISD Council of PTAs hosts its annual book sale that funds scholarships for RISD seniors and teachers. Find hundreds of used books, DVDs, LPs and more.
Website: www.risdpta.org
Love Song Sing-along with the Richardson Community Chorale Tomorrow
City Council Chamber, Richardson City Hall, 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd. Suite 525
Admission: Free
Saturday, Feb. 17
1-2 p.m.
All ages are invited to sing along with classic love songs performed by the Richardson Community Chorale in this Library-sponsored program. Registration is not required. Park near the City Hall entrance.
Black History Month Event: “Party for Langston—Open Mic” Tomorrow
Storytime Room
Admission: FreE
Saturday, Feb. 17
4-5 p.m.
Children and teens ages 6-18 years old are invited to celebrate famed African American poet Langston Hughes! Share the works of Black poets inspired by Hughes or read your own poetry* in honor of Black History Month.
*Original poems must be approved by the Librarian
At the Eisemann Center:
- “Voices Unveiled” Saturday Evening
Bank of America Theatre
Tickets: $35-$75 (tickets)
Saturday, Feb. 17
8 p.m.
A three-part original musical composition by Ehsan Matoori, featuring Iranian vocalists Maliheh Moradi and Mina Deris. Inspired by Iranian traditional music and folk music (specifically from the south of Iran) and incorporating fusion elements, this bilingual project (Arabic and Farsi) narrates the tragic stories of two women refugees who ultimately lost their lives.
- Branford Marsalis with the PSO Saturday Evening
Hill Performance Hall
Tickets: $31-$103 (tickets)
Saturday, Feb. 17
8 p.m.
The Plano Symphony Orchestra is joined by Grammy Award-winning saxophonist and composer Branford Marsalis for an evening of music by Glazunov, Stauss, Respighi, John Williams and Scott Joplin.
Local Theater:
- Sketch Comedy at The Core Theatre Feb. 16-18
518 W. Arapaho Rd.
Tickets: $20 online and at the door (tickets)
Feb. 16-18
Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 3 p.m.
Join The Folding Chairs Comedy Troupe as they emerge from their YouTube Sketch Comedy cyberspace and into the real world to hurl jokes right into your face. As they like to say, they are here to provide “sketch comedy that makes you chortle, guffaw, and snort.” PG-13 content rating.
Performances run two hours with intermission and some audience participation. Complimentary food and drinks available with donations accepted.
Chamber Music International Concert Saturday
St. Barnabas Presbyterian Church, 1220 W. Belt Line Rd.
Tickets: $15-$45 (tickets)
Saturday, Feb. 17
7:30 p.m.
Join Chamber Music International on a romantic journey through Germany, Hungary and Bohemia, with tunes by Brahms, von Dohnanyi and Dvořák performed by noted artists including Joyce Yang, piano; Nai-Yuan Hu, violin; Susan Dubois, viola; Ko Iwasaki, cello; and Kimberly Luevano, clarinet.
Clean Rain Gutters to Prevent Home Damage, Pests
Cleaning gutters is a good way to prepare for potential icy weather and also a good overall spring cleaning task. Keeping gutters free of fallen leaves has many advantages, including:
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Enables proper water flow, which deters ice buildup in gutters and keeps water from overflowing onto your home’s foundation and exterior. Ice dams that form in gutters can result in excessive weight and the potential for the gutters to break away from the home.
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Protects your roof, as leaves can trap moisture, which can deteriorate nearby roofing material and adjacent exterior
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Prevents gutters from becoming a pest habitat, as clogged gutters provide a welcome space for pests like mosquitoes, ants, wasps and rodents
Once leaves are collected from gutters, dispose of leaves in compostable bags or trash bags, or break them down into your landscape with a mulching lawnmower. Avoid washing them into the street and down storm drains, as they can reduce storm drain efficiency and, as they decompose, cause harm to fish and other aquatic organisms.
Website: Stormwater | Richardson, TX (cor.net)
Website: Make Mulch, Not Trash | Richardson, TX (cor.net)
Great Backyard Bird Count This Weekend
The 27th annual Great Backyard Bird Count, organized by the National Audubon Society, Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Birds Canada, takes place today (Friday, Feb. 16) through Monday, Feb. 19. Participants are asked to count birds in their backyard or anywhere they’d like for as little as 15 minutes (or as long as they wish) on one or more days of the event and report their sightings online at www.birdcount.org. Anyone can take part, from beginning bird watchers to experts.
The free, worldwide event helps researchers learn more about how birds are doing and how to protect them and the environment we share with them.
More information: About the Great Backyard Bird Count | Audubon
Animal Services Kennel Attendant ($39,288 - $47,352 Salary)
Animal Services is looking for an individual who can provide care for the Shelter animals including feeding, watering, exercising, grooming and cleaning cages of all types.
Assistant Director of Engineering ($159,000 Salary)
The Engineering/Capital Projects Department is seeking a well-qualified engineer or architect with a strong background in building construction to help lead a department of talented engineers, inspectors and administrative staff.
Day Camp Director ($12.25/hr - $17.34/hr)
The Parks and Recreation Department is looking for individuals with experience working with children. CPR and First-Aid Certification required or must obtain during job orientation.
Pet of the Week
Meet Cream, a delightful senior dog whose spirit defies her age. She's a bundle of joy, always ready to play and explore. Her charming personality is a testament to her resilience and zest for life. Cream's ideal home is one filled with love, patience, and understanding of her senior needs. If you're looking for a loyal friend, a playful companion, and a sweet soul to brighten your days, Cream is the perfect fit.
For information about animals available for adoption, visit the Animal Shelter’s web page here.
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