Aug. 23, 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

City, UT Dallas Help Bring 5G Testing and Evaluation Facility to The IQ^® 
A new research and development lab has been established at Richardson’s IQ^®HQ facility at 1302 E. Collins Blvd., to pursue research, testing, evaluation and development of the next generation of 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) products and services.   

Called The OpenLab, it is affiliated with a nationwide consortium led by AT&T and Verizon and includes UT Dallas’ Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science, as well as major network operators like India-based Reliance Jio and Japanese telecommunications company NTT DOCOMO, and vendors such as Keysight, Ericsson, Samsung, Fujitsu and CommScope.  

OpenLab’s location within The IQ^®HQ offers exposure to a vibrant ecosystem of researchers, enterprise partners and entrepreneurs and aligns with the City Council’s vision for The IQ^®HQ in facilitating collaboration, innovation and experimentation. 

5G offers data rates about 100 times that of 4G components and is primarily used for enhanced mobile broadband.   

More information: Click here 

2024-25 Budget Presented to City Council 
City Manager Don Magner has filed the City’s proposed budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year, which includes a tax rate not seen since 2006.  

The complete operating budget, presented at Monday’s City Council work session, totals $406,078,754, an increase of $7,074,458, or 1.8 percent, over this year’s budget. It lowers the current property tax rate by almost 1.9 cents to $.054218. The Senior Tax Exemption would also be increased to $145,000.  

Two public hearings will be available for community input prior to adoption of the proposed budget, with hearings set in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd. Ste. 525, beginning at 6 p.m. on the following dates:  

The Council will vote on the budget Sept. 16. If adopted, it would take effect Oct. 1, 2024.  

More information: www.cor.net/budget  

City, Chamber Collaborate with RISD’s Professional Internship Program 
This week, RISD’s Professional Internship Program (PIP) kicked off the 2024-25 school year with a student breakfast at the Richardson Woman’s Club and a new partnership with the City of Richardson and the Richardson Chamber of Commerce.  

For more than 30 years, PIP has provided an opportunity for seniors to explore a career field of their choice for one semester through internships provided by local business partners and gain valuable hands-on work experience. The City’s annual summer internship program has been combined with the PIP, which is expected to increase overall participation and lower costs.  

Applications open in the spring semester of a student’s junior year.  

More information: Click here  

City Manager Names New Director of Economic Development 
City Manager Don Magner has announced the appointment of Chris Shacklett as Richardson’s Director of Economic Development. Shacklett has served as the Interim Director of Economic Development since February 2024.   

Shacklett previously served as Assistant Director of Development Services-Planning, a position he assumed in August 2022 after having served in the position in an interim role for the previous year. He has been with the City of Richardson for more than 17 years, having been hired as an Engineering Technician in the Development Services Department. He also served as a Planner, Senior Planner and Development Review Manager before being named Assistant Director. Prior to coming to Richardson, he worked in the commercial real estate industry for four years providing GIS, marketing, demographics, and research support for The Weitzman Group.   

More information: Click here 

DART Begins Round 2 of Silver Line Segment Testing Sunday 
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) will begin a second run of vehicle testing on the Silver Line Regional Rail alignment beginning Sunday, Aug. 25. The testing on Silver Line tracks will occur between Waterview Parkway in Richardson and the Shiloh Road Station in Plano, taking place between 9 a.m.-6 p.m. throughout the week.  

Expect to see both Silver Line vehicles and CPKC freight rail trains running on the tracks during testing. Engineers and rail crew will be testing the timing and duration of gates, lights and warning signals at each crossing to ensure safe transitions for both freight and commuter rail that will share operations in the corridor once the Silver Line is in revenue service. Flaggers will be present at each of the rail crossings where required by Federal Railroad Administration guidelines, to help drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians navigate traffic safely and accurately.  

Note that Quiet Zones, which allow trains to use their horns only when there is a potential hazard on or near the tracks, will not be in effect during testing.   

More information: www.dart.org/silverline  

DART Orange Line Marks 10 Years of Service to DFW Airport 
This week, DART celebrated 10 years of providing rail service to DFW Airport via the Orange Line, which also serves Plano, Richardson, Dallas and Irving.  

DART serves an average of 15,500 riders daily on the Orange Line and 8,400 per weekend; there are currently over 60 Orange Line trips scheduled from the Pearl/Arts District Station to DFW Airport during the week and 48 on the weekend.  

More information: www.dart.org  

Richardson Fire, Police Volunteer Featured on Fox4 News 
Debbie Conard, a longtime volunteer for both the Richardson Fire Department (RFD) and Richardson Police Department (RPD), was featured on Fox4News this past Monday as part of the “Here’s to You” segment at 5:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.   

Conard is on call 24/7 as part of the Fire 1 Rehab Team which supports firefighters during large fires or extended fire department call-outs. In addition, she represents the Fire Department at city events, is an active member of the Citizens Fire Academy Alumni Association, and leads the RFD photography team, responding to structure fires where she captures moments of firefighters saving property and life. The images serve as a work history for the RFD and decorate the walls at headquarters and fire stations throughout the city. The RPD has also benefitted from Conard’s volunteer work for over 18 years, as she is active with the Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association (CPAAA).  

Conard and fellow CPAAA member Sandy Lauder, a dedicated participant in RPD’s Volunteers in Police Service, will be honored next Thursday evening by local nonprofit Richardson Real Heroes at the Eisemann Center (see below under Arts and Culture for more information).   

Watch for Lauder to be featured on Fox4 News sometime in early September.  

Website: Richardson Real Heroes 

Trail Work Near PGBT/Alma Intersection to Affect Eastbound Frontage Road 
The right lane of the eastbound President George Bush Turnpike frontage road as it approaches Alma Road may be closed to traffic at all times as a portion of the nearby multi-use trail is demolished and the inlet to the trail is relocated/reconstructed. The work is taking place in conjunction with the DART Silver Line. The work is expected to be complete by mid-September. (Note: There will still be a right turn lane onto southbound Alma Road during the construction.) 

Fiber Optic Work to Close Lanes Near Shiloh/Renner Intersection 
The right turn lane of westbound Renner Road onto northbound Shiloh Road, and the right turn lane of southbound Shiloh Road onto westbound Renner Road, may be partially closed 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 December. 

www.cor.net/Projects

“PM Pints” Thursday 
The IQ^®HQ, 1302 E. Collins Blvd.
Admission: Free
Thursday, Aug. 29
5-7 p.m.  

This free, quarterly, evening event series is designed to foster networking while providing insights and advice from local small business owners and subject matter experts. Thursday’s event will feature a discussion with Amanda Schnetzer, co-founder and CEO of FirstThen, a mission and market-driven digital health company that seeks to transform the treatment landscape for pediatric ADHD. FirstThen is the recipient of a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research award from the National Science Foundation and the inaugural recipient of the City of Richardson’s Research Award Match Program.   

The discussion will be moderated by the City’s Director of Economic Development Chris Shacklett. Beverages and hors d’oeuvres will be provided; attendees are encouraged to register in advance.   

Website/registration: Click here  

Registration Open for 2024 Gobble Hobble 
Galatyn Park Urban Center, 2351 Performance Dr.
Cost: $25-$40 1-Mile Fun Run and $35-$55 for the 5K, plus registration fees. (Note: cost depends on sign-up date; prices increase each month)
Saturday, Nov. 23
7 a.m.-10:30 a.m. (Fun Run starts at 8 a.m.; 5K begins at 8:30 a.m.)  

Support the Richardson Boys & Girls Club and celebrate the 19th year of the Gobble Hobble. The course is flat and features beautiful views of Spring Creek Nature Preserve.  

Website: www.gobblehobble.com 

Registration link: Click here 

“Toni Simmons: Stories Alive!” Tomorrow 
City Council Chamber, 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd. Ste. 525
Admission: Free
Saturday, Aug. 24
2-3 p.m.  

Join Toni Simmons at this Library-sponsored event as she uses songs, rhythms, movements and audience participation to bring multicultural folktales to life. For all ages.  

www.cor.net/Library

At the Eisemann Center:

• Richardson Real Heroes “Annie Awards” Ceremony Thursday 
  Bank of America Theatre
  Admission: Free, but must reserve complimentary ticket online (tickets)
  Thursday, Aug. 29
  7 p.m.
  
  Local nonprofit Richardson Real Heroes hosts its annual awards ceremony honoring local volunteers for outstanding service to the community. This year’s honorees are Debbie Conard and Sandy Lauder. Special guest speaker is Bob Phillips, longtime television host and executive producer of “Texas Country Reporter.” A dessert reception with live music will be held at the conclusion.
  
  
• Texas Gospel Music Festival Begins Next Friday 
  Hill Performance Hall
  Tickets: $30-$38 (tickets)
  Aug. 30-Sept. 1
  Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sunday at 5 p.m.
  
  The Texas Gospel Music Festival is returning once again to the Eisemann Center for three days packed with music from some of the leading artists in Southern Gospel Music. The talent lineup includes fan favorites like Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, Mark Lowry, The Martins, Sandi Patty, Booth Brothers, Triumphant, Karen Peck & New River, Poet Voices, Legacy Five, Joseph Habedank, The Inspirationals of Texas, and The Sound.  

At UT Dallas:

• Two Exhibits Open with Free Reception Tonight at SP/N Gallery 
  SP/N Gallery, 3020 Stewart Rd.
  Admission: Free
  Friday, Aug. 23
  6:30-8:30 p.m. (regular gallery hours are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Thursdays and Fridays 1-6 p.m.)
  
  Take in two exhibits opening tonight curated by Diane Durant, PhD:
  • “Pink,” an exhibit that includes sculpture, painting, works on paper and photography and invites viewers to rethink their interpretations of this “sometimes playful, sometimes powerful, hue,” and
  • “Phytograms,” a collection of student work from Dr. Durant’s Experimental Darkroom classes, part of a new SP/N series called “Gallery Shorts.”  

“Pink” runs through Sept. 28 and “Phytograms” runs through Sept. 7 

More information: Click here  

“12 Angry Jurors” Opens Tonight at The Core Theatre 
518 W. Arapaho Rd. Ste. 115
Tickets: $15-$20 (Click here) 
Aug. 23-Sept. 8
Fridays and Saturdays 8 p.m.; Sundays at 3 p.m. 
(Special Pay-What-You-Can Night Monday, Sept. 2 at 8 p.m.)  

Adapted from the original Emmy Award-winning television movie of the same name, this American courtroom drama explores the deliberations of a jury in a homicide trial, as they decide the fate of a teenager accused of murdering his abusive father.  

Revamped Smartscape™ Website Teaches Environmentally Friendly Landscaping 
The North Central Texas Council of Governments’ Texas SmartScape™ program, which helps to promote water conservation and water pollution prevention through the use of native plants in landscaping, recently unveiled its revamped website. The site features landscape design how-tos and an inspiration gallery of Texas SmartScape™ yards, as well a plant database, care and maintenance information, and a map of locations for SmartScape™ demonstration gardens in North Texas.  

In addition, it’s a great place to find information about how to attract pollinators such as butterflies and hummingbirds to your yard, and how to provide critical habitat components for other wildlife.   

Website: www.txsmartscape.com   

Mosquito Spraying Continues; Remember the “4 Ds” of Protection 
With 11 cases of Human West Nile Disease reported in Dallas County since late July (as of Aug. 22) and one death, it’s no surprise that most cities within Dallas County, including Richardson, have had mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). The City of Richardson conducts ground spraying in neighborhood zones with positive traps; this week City crews have been spraying in six areas, two nights in each area, from 9 p.m.-4 a.m.   

Though no human cases of the disease have been reported in Richardson, Richardson residents shouldn’t let down their guard when it comes to protection from mosquito bites. It’s important to practice the Four D’s of Protection:  

The City of Richardson tests mosquitoes weekly, April-October, and works in conjunction with other cities and health agencies in the Metroplex to mitigate the spread of vector-borne illnesses. 

Website: www.cor.net/mosquito   

www.cor.net/EPI

Construction Inspector II/ Construction Inspector III (DOQ Salary) 
The Engineering-Capital Projects Department is looking for an individual who can inspect construction or reconstruction of public works, developer and public utility projects. Manage and coordinate with contractors on methods, sequence and public safety during construction.   

Customer Service Rep – Billing ($39,288 - $55,956 Salary) 
Water Customer Service is looking for an individual who can maintain customer billing records, respond to utility billing inquiries, assist in billing preparation, assist in answering accounts receivable billing questions, provide switchboard backup, and work in the cashier position as assigned.   

Custodian – Part Time ($18.89/hr to $21.72/hr) 
Custodial Services is looking for an individual to clean facilities and perform event setups and breakdowns. Texas Drivers License, Class C required. 

www.cor.net/jobs

Pet of the Week
Fanny is a lovable 4-year-old Staffordshire mix dog with a heart as big as her adorable face. This sweet girl is overflowing with love and affection, always ready to shower her human friends with kisses and tail wags. Her vibrant energy and playful nature make her a joy to be around, and she is sure to bring lots of laughter and happiness into your home. 

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

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