March 15, 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

Recycling “Blue Bag” Letters Mailed
Richardson’s annual Blue Bag letter has been mailed to all residents, offering the opportunity to redeem it for two rolls of blue recycling bags (52 bags total). These letters are distributed annually during the spring season and hope to inspire the community to actively participate in recycling. The City Council is dedicated to championing recycling and encourages everyone to utilize the free bags to contribute to our shared community goal to increase recycling participation.

Through the Blue Bag Program, residents can conveniently combine all their recyclable materials into a single bag, which can then be placed out for weekly pickup service.

Residents may redeem their letter for two rolls of blue bags at the following locations:

• City Hall, 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd., Suite 525
• City Hall Annex, 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd., Suite 550
• Heights Recreation Center, 711 W. Arapaho Rd.
• Huffhines Recreation Center, 200 N. Plano Rd.
• Library, 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd., Suite 500
• Service Center, 1260 Columbia Dr.

Website: www.cor.net/recycling

Free Leak Detection Kits Available Beginning Monday
Richardson is celebrating Fix-a-Leak Week next week, March 18-24, an EPA WaterSense program that encourages people to check for leaks and drips inside the home in order to conserve water and save money. In Richardson, free toilet leak detection tablet packs will be distributed at several city facilities, as toilets can be one of the largest water wasters in a home (did you know that a toilet leak can waste more than 200 gallons of water a day?). Although you can usually hear a running toilet, some toilet leaks are silent.

Pick up leak detection packs during normal business hours through March 24 at the following facilities, while supplies last (note that the packs do not require any special tools, just follow the instructions with the tablets in order to detect a leak):

• Richardson Service Center, 1260 Columbia Dr.
• Heights Recreation Center, 711 W. Arapaho Rd.
• Huffhines Recreation Center, 200 N. Plano Rd.
• Senior Center, 820 W. Arapaho Rd.

Website: Fix a Leak Week | US EPA

Price Increase Begins Monday for Wildflower! Tickets
Ticket prices for general admission, one-day, non-Richardson resident tickets to the upcoming Wildflower! Arts & Music Festival will increase in price by $5 starting Monday, March 18, along with a price increase for nonresident 3-day passes (passes will increase by $15). The price increases are part of a planned, four-tiered pricing strategy for this year’s festival that encourages festival goers to buy tickets early.

Tier 3 pricing (effective 3/18) will be as follows:

• Friday and Saturday General Admission One-Day Tickets $30
• Sunday General Admission One-Day Ticket $15
• 3-Day General Admission Pass $65

Resident one-day, general admission ticket prices will remain at $15 online and $18 in-person (available at select Richardson locations). Children ages 12 and under will be admitted any day of the festival for free.

The 2024 Wildflower! Arts & Music Festival takes place May 17-19 at Galatyn Park Urban Center.

Website: www.wildflowerfestival.com

Groundbreakings Held for Animal Shelter, Fire Station 5
The City Council held ceremonial groundbreakings this week for the renovations to the Animal Shelter and Fire Station 5. The projects are currently underway and are part of the voter-approved 2021 Bond Program.

Renovations to the Animal Shelter include a new front entry and renovated staff space, while Fire Station 5 is set to receive a new fitness room, Firefighting gear storage and expanded living quarters.

Website: 2021 Bond Program

DART Silver Line Construction to Close Outside Lanes on Custer near Railroad Tracks
The right lane of northbound Custer Parkway between Renner Road and Greenside Drive at the railroad tracks, plus the right lane of southbound Custer Parkway between the Bush Turnpike and the railroad tracks, may be closed to traffic from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. as a fence is installed along both sides of Custer related to the DART Silver Line project. The fence work is expected to be complete by early April. 

Lane Closure Expected on Coit Road North of Campbell
The right lane of southbound Coit Road between Lake Park Way and Campbell Road may be closed to traffic from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. as concrete replacement/rehabilitation work takes place. The work is expected by wrap up by early April.  

www.cor.net/projects

Register Now for City’s March 30 “Eggstravaganza”
Breckinridge Park Pavilions, Breckinridge Park Complex C
Cost per child: $10 resident, $12 nonresident (adults are free); Registration required here.
Saturday, March 30
10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Hop into spring with the Richardson Parks and Recreation Department’s Easter Eggstravaganza. Activities will include an egg hunt, library storytime, photos with the Easter Bunny, arts and crafts, and yard games.  

Teen Program: “Let’s Play Mario Kart” Tomorrow
COR Council Chamber, 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd., Ste. 525
Admission: Free; no registration required
Saturday, March 16
3-4:30 p.m.

Teens ages 13-18 are invited to gather for a casual gaming “rally” and race along with Mario and friends.

Learn Microsoft Word Friday Morning
Millwood Creek Room, 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd., Ste. 500
Cost: Free; registration required plus a valid RPL card.
Call 972-744-4355 to register. Class is for adults.
Friday, March 22
3-5 p.m.

Learn how to use Microsoft’s celebrated word processing program. Learn about:

• How to navigate Word’s resources and tools
• How to create and format text
• How to edit margins, headers and footers
• How to add and adjust pictures  

www.cor.net/library

At the Eisemann Center:

• “Hank & My Honky Tonk Heroes” Tonight, Tomorrow Night
  Bank of America Theatre
  Tickets: $30-$40 (ticket information)
  Friday, March 15 and Saturday, March 16
  8 p.m.
  
  Jason Petty performs in this tribute show honoring the late Hank Williams, Sr., giving audiences a personal look at Williams growing up and how he became famous. Featuring a four-piece band, just like how Williams performed, the show is full of Williams’ hits plus a selection of songs from his influences and those who were influenced by him.
  
  
• Free Concert: Richardson Community Band Sunday Afternoon
  Hill Performance Hall
  Admission: Free (more information)
  Sunday, March 17
  3 p.m.
  
  In a concert entitled, “March Madness,” the Richardson Community Band will play well known marches such as “March Militaire Francaise” and “Melody Shop,” and feature Tom Fletcher on euphonium. Some St. Pat’s music will be included as well.
  
  
• “Cenicienta: A Bilingual Cinderella Story” Sunday Afternoon
  Bank of America Theatre
  Tickets: $17-$27 (ticket information)
  (Family 4-pack available for $60 with promo code FAMILIA4)
  Sunday, March 17
  2 p.m.
  
  This captivating, bilingual, one-woman performance is a modern spin on the beloved fairy tale of “Cinderella” and tackles cultural heritage, family, and the power of language. Accompanied by puppets, Madison Palomo plays 18 characters including 10-year-old Belinda, a budding poet who loves to tell stories. When she’s stuck in the basement preparing for a party upstairs that her stepmother and stepsisters will host, she’ll have to get creative. 

 UT DALLAS

“Unite and Be Free” Lecture Thursday Evening Looks at Dallas’ Civil Rights History
Jonsson Performance Hall
Admission: Free
Thursday, March 21
6:30 p.m.

Dr. Katherine Bynum, Assistant Professor of History at Arizona State University, gives a lecture focusing on Dallas history after 1973, specifically the multiracial coalition that sought accountability and reform. Dr. Bynum will discuss her forthcoming book which analyzes the civil rights movement and its accomplishments over the past 50 years through interviews with local leaders.

More information: Unite and Be Free 

Local Theater:

• “Things My Mother Taught Me” Opens Next Friday at RTC
  518 W. Arapaho Rd., Ste. 113
  Tickets: $22-$24 (ticket information)
  March 22-April 7 (no show on Easter Sunday)
  Thursdays 7:30 p.m.; Fridays-Saturdays 8 p.m.; Sunday matinees 2 p.m.
  (special matinee on Saturday, March 30 at 2 p.m.)
  
  In this 2013 comedy by up-and-coming stage and television writer Katherine DiSavino, Olivia and Gabe are moving into their first apartment together. Their moving day doesn’t go exactly as planned, though, and things become slightly more complicated when all of their parents show up to help.
  
  
• Chamber Music International Concert Tomorrow Night
  St. Barnabas Presbyterian Church, 1220 W. Belt Line Rd.
  Tickets: $15-$45 with a family package for $115; click here for tickets
  Saturday, March 16
  7:30 p.m.
  
  Concert 4 of CMI’s 2023-24 season features the world renowned Sitkovetsky Trio (Alexander Sitkovetsky, violin; Isang Enders, cello; and Qian Wu, piano) with music by Ravel, Mendelssohn, and Perkin.  

Facilities Maintenance Specialist – Bldg Systems // Senior Maintenance Technician -(DOQ Salary)
The Facilities Maintenance Department is looking for an individual who can perform skilled maintenance, repairs, and installations on building facilities. Perform preventive maintenance on HVAC, electrical, electronic, plumbing, pumping, and motor control systems. Texas Driver’s License, Class C, required.

Financial Analyst - Fleet Services ($55,104 - $83,496 Salary)
The Finance Department is looking for an individual to provide support to Fleet and Finance staff by entering and processing financial transactions including accounts payable, payroll and fleet work orders. Perform research tasks and prepare analyses and other reports. Valid Texas Class C Drivers License required.

Day Camp Director ($12.25/hr - $17.34/hr)
The Parks department is looking for individuals with experience working with children. CPR and First-Aid Certification required or must obtain during job orientation.

www.cor.net/jobs

Pet of the Week
Meet Jessie, an 11-year-old  American Bulldog with a heart full of love and a spirit brimming with playfulness. She may have a few years under her collar, but don't let that fool you - Jessie is as lively as they come. Her sweetness is contagious, her friendliness is unparalleled, and her goofiness is sure to bring a smile to your face. Jessie enjoys a good game of fetch, followed by some quiet time for cuddles. She's the perfect companion for those looking for a friend to share both the active and peaceful moments of life.

For information about animals available for adoption, visit the Animal Shelter’s web page here.

City Council Links