March 29, 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

Richardson Recognized as One of the “Best Cities” for Many Metrics by Niche 
Richardson ranked 12th on Niche.com’s list of Best Cities to Live in America. Richardson received an A+ overall ranking and received grades of A- or higher in the categories of Public Schools, Good for Families, Nightlife, Diversity, Health and Fitness, and Commute. Richardson is no stranger to Niche.com’s lists, also currently ranking 12th in Best Cities to Raise a Family in America and 14th on Best Cities to Retire in America.

Website: https://www.niche.com/places-to-live/search/best-cities/    

Lawn Watering Switches to Summer Conservation Plan April 1 
Starting Monday, Richardson enters the summer water conservation plan to help reduce the amount of water lost to evaporation. The plan reduces the times for outdoor irrigation to evening, night and early morning hours on a limited number of days each week. Watering via drip irrigation, soaker hose or hand-held hose with a shutoff nozzle may be done any day at any time.     

Website: www.cor.net/waterconservation   
Contact: 972-744-4220    

City Facility Schedule for Easter Holiday 
The following City facilities will be closed Sunday, March 31, due to the Easter holiday. The facilities will reopen Monday, April 1.  

There will be no impacts to trash and recycling pickup or Brush and Bulky Item Collection (BABIC). For more information, visit www.cor.net/holidayschedule. 

West Shore Drive Reconstruction Public Meeting Held
An open house was held Wednesday night at the Heights Recreation Center to provide information about the upcoming West Shore Drive Reconstruction Project. About two dozen people attended, where they were able to talk to City engineers and ask questions about the project, which is expected to begin next month and take about a year to complete, weather permitting.   

The project, funded by the 2021 Bond Program, will reconstruct West Shore Drive from Arapaho Road to Lakeview Drive, and Newberry Drive from West Shore to Brookhurst Drive. Localized storm drain improvements will take place on West Shore, while the section of West Shore from Lakeview south to the end of the street/beginning of the circle drive will be resurfaced with new asphalt.   

For a complete list of projects, visit www.cor.net/projects. 

City Council Discusses Annual Comprehensive Financial Report 
A presentation given by independent auditors during Monday’s City Council meeting showed the City’s 2022-23 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) received a “clean” unmodified audit opinion. Auditors indicated that the report was prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and accurately reflected the underlying financial records of the City. This annual audit process ensures that the financial statements of the City may be relied upon by the City Council, residents of Richardson and third-party investors.    

The ACFR is available to view online at www.cor.net/ACFR. A printed copy for viewing is available at the Library and City Secretary’s Office. 

Cottonwood Art Festival Announces Emerging Artists 
Ten RISD high school artists have been selected for the Cottonwood Art Festival’s 2024 Emerging Artists program. The program is an innovative and resourceful tool that mentors students in the art world. Students are encouraged to express themselves artistically and learn the process of exhibiting.    

The 2024 Emerging Artists are as follows:  

Berkner High School 
Ricardo Flores 

J. J. Pearce High School
Kate Dawson 
Luisa Lara 
Olivia Ober 
Elia Villasenor 
 
Lake Highlands High School 
Sophia Hufstedler 
Max Young 
 
Richardson High School 
Rachel Cadena 
Erin Glasscock 
Ayianna Wooten 

Sponsored by Neighborhood Credit Union, the artists’ work will be on display at the Eisemann Center from April 1-30 and will be exhibited at the spring Cottonwood Art Festival, where art lovers have the opportunity to purchase the works. One student artist will receive the program’s People’s Choice Award (vote online here).   

The Cottonwood Art Festival will take place May 6-7 at Cottonwood Park, 1321 W. Belt Line Rd.    

Website: http://www.cottonwoodartfestival.com/ 

Richardson Today in Mailboxes Next Weekend 
The April 2024 print edition of Richardson Today is expected to hit mailboxes next weekend. It includes information on volunteering in Richardson, as well as Trash Bash, the Cottonwood Art Festival and the Wildflower! Art & Music Festival. 

Richardson Today is mailed to every residence in the city. Ask your local mail carrier if you do not receive your copy and you live within the boundaries of Richardson.    

Keep up with Richardson Today stories as they happen, including video, at www.RichardsonToday.com. A digital version of the print edition of Richardson Today may also be accessed there.    

Concrete Work on Arapaho Near Mimosa
The right lane of eastbound Arapaho Road between Cardinal Lane and Mimosa Drive may be closed to traffic from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. so crews can repair a retaining wall. Work is expected to be complete in early April. 

Lane Closures on Westbound Arapaho at Bowser 
In two phases, the left turn lane, left through lane and center lane of westbound Arapaho Road between International Parkway and Bowser Road may be closed to traffic alternately from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. for infrastructure repairs by Atmos Energy. Phase 2 will include a double lane closure of the center and left lanes. 

www.cor.net/projects

Eggstravaganza March 30 
Breckinridge Park Pavilions, Entrance C
$10 (resident), $12 (nonresident), Registration required for each child, adults are free
Saturday, March 30
10 a.m.-1 p.m. 

Hop into spring with the Richardson Parks and Recreation Department’s Easter Eggstravaganza 2024. Activities will include an egg hunt, library storytime, photos with the Easter Bunny, arts and crafts and yard games.   

Website: www.cor.net/ParksOnline

CityLine Concert Series Begins Next Week 
CityLine Plaza, 1160 State St. 
Admission: Free (parking is also free)
Fridays and Saturdays, April 5-June 1 
6-9 p.m.   

Enjoy live music on the one-acre plaza including pop, rock, blues, country, Latin, soul and folk—tables and chairs are provided, and lawn chairs, blankets, picnics and dogs are welcome. For a complete schedule of performers, visit the CityLine website.   

Website: www.citylinedfw.com

Seasonal Success: Designing and Creating Your Ideal Yard 
Richardson City Hall, City Council Chamber, 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd. Suite 525
Admission: Free
Saturday, March 30
10:30 a.m.-noon  

Join the Richardson Public Library to hear from North Texas Master Naturalists Sean and Chrissy Cortez-Mathis as they discuss design elements when looking at our landscapes, how to create spaces that people can enjoy both inside and outside the home and the wonderful plants and creatures you discover when you bring native plants into your yard. Free seeds will be available while supplies lasts. This event is for adults and teens.   

Fine Motor Monday 
Storytime Room, Richardson Public Library  
Admission: Free, ticket required  
Monday, April 1 
3:30-4:30 p.m.   

For ages 3-5. Have fun participating in fine motor activities to prepare for preschool and kindergarten. Visit several stations around the room with your grownup! Children must be accompanied by an adult. Free ticket required. Pick up tickets at the Youth Services Help Desk starting at 2:45 p.m. Monday, April 1. 

At the Eisemann Center:

•  Contemporary West Dance Theatre 
  Hill Performance Hall
  Tickets: $42-$52 (tickets)
  Saturday, March 30
  8 p.m.
  
  Contemporary West Dance Theatre has a dance methodology that integrates classical and modern paradigms with an athleticism that gives audiences a more profound dance experience. Its dancers are passionate, relatable and highly skilled and have been bringing virtuoso performances to the stage that have excited and inspired audiences around the world for over a decade. 

At UT Dallas:

• 2024 National Championship of College Chess
  Naveen Jindal School of Management (JSOM), 1.606
  Free admission
  Saturday and Sunday, March 30-31
  10 a.m.
  
  This 24th annual tournament features UT Dallas, the University of Missouri, Webster University and the UT Rio Grande Valley. 

Surface Finisher ($43,056 - $59,712 Salary) 
The Public Services Department is looking for an individual with experience in pavement and structural construction. A Texas Commercial Driver’s License, Class A, will be required.   

Traffic Engineering & Operations Manager (DOQ Salary) 
The Transportation & Mobility Department is looking for an individual to function as the manager of the Service Center Field Operations Section of Transportation and Mobility Department. Bachelor of Science in Engineering required from a university with an accredited engineering program by the Accrediting Board for Engineering and Technology. 

Lifeguard ($14.00/hr - $15.00/hr) 
This position is for summer 2024. Must be at least 15 years of age with current certification in Lifeguard Training (YMCA or American Red Cross, CPR and First Aid.) 

www.cor.net/jobs

Pet of the Week
Meet Willa, a charming feline resident of our Shelter who is currently in foster. Willa's sweetness is her defining trait, she's the epitome of a cuddly companion. She's always ready for a cozy lap to curl up on or a gentle hand to stroke her. Adopting Willa means gaining a loyal friend who will fill your home with love and warmth.  

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

City Council Links