Sept. 13, 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

Tax Rate Hearing Held; Budget Hearing and Approval Scheduled for Sept. 16 
A public hearing on the proposed tax rate for the 2024-25 fiscal year was held at Monday’s City Council meeting, and a hearing on the proposed 2024-25 budget will be held at the Sept.16 City Council meeting. After the Sept.16 hearing concludes, the Council will vote on adoption of the budget and tax rate. Anyone wishing to make comments regarding the budget may attend the meeting in person or may submit comments electronically by clicking here. 
 
The budget hearing may also be viewed live on the City website at www.cor.net/CITV. On-demand replay will be available at the same link. 

To watch the Sept. 9 tax rate hearing, click here.  

Website/more information: www.cor.net/Budget 

Solid Waste Survey Ends Sunday 
Don’t miss the chance to give your opinions on the City’s solid waste collection services, including recycling, by completing the City’s Solid Waste Survey. The survey, which ends this Sunday, Sept. 15, is part of an update underway for the City’s Solid Waste Master Plan. The Plan establishes a clear vision for trash and recycling collection goals, strategies and priorities, and public involvement is essential to the Plan’s update. 

The survey is available online or in-person at select City facilities listed below during regular business hours. 

Link to survey (through Sept. 15): http://www.cor.net/SolidWasteSurvey  

Printed surveys are also available to fill out this weekend at the following locations:  

“Shape the Heart” of Richardson’s Cultural Arts Experiences via Community Survey 
The City of Richardson is seeking community feedback via a survey regarding cultural arts preferences/experiences, as part of a study underway to update the City’s Cultural Arts Master Plan. Responses will help guide the future of the City’s cultural arts offerings through grants, community events, programming and other forms of cultural arts support.  

Richardson’s Cultural Arts Master Plan began in 2013 and provides a comprehensive strategy for the City’s support for programs, projects, and services related to the arts in Richardson.  

The Cultural Arts Master Plan survey runs through Oct. 6, with respondents able to complete the survey online.  

Survey link: Shaping the Heart of Richardson | Engage with BerryDunn (mysocialpinpoint.com) 

Community Revitalization Award Nominations Due Sept. 30 
There’s still time to nominate a deserving property for a 2024 Community Revitalization Award, the City’s annual recognition of property owners who have enhanced the community by making significant improvements to their properties, including:  

Revitalization projects eligible for nomination include:  

More than 335 properties have been recognized since the program was created in 1994 by the Richardson City Council.  

Nominations are due by 11:59 p.m. Monday, Sept. 30.  

Website: Nomination Form and More Information  

Questions: AskRichardsonDevelopmentServices@cor.gov, 972-744-4240 

Fire/Police/Medical Personnel, Richardson Resident Recognized for Saving Life 
Andrew Laska, a resident of the Heights Park neighborhood in Richardson, was recognized this week at Richardson Fire Department (RFD) headquarters for helping to save a man’s life, along with the RFD/EMS personnel and 911 dispatcher who were involved in the event. The man, Christopher Pinzel of Richardson, was out on one of his daily five-mile walks in early August when he collapsed in front of Laska’s home—Laska called 911 and performed CPR on Pinzel, who was unresponsive. Laska was talked through how to perform CPR correctly by the 911 dispatcher until the Fire Department’s arrival. The paramedics quickly determined the cause of Pinzel’s cardiac arrest and corrected it bringing him back to life. 

WFAA-TV/Channel 8 aired footage of the recognition event, including interviews with several people involved.  

Video: Click here 

Richardson “Clear the Shelters” Finds Homes for More Than 80 Pets 
Animal Shelter staff announced this week that 87 pets found their forever homes during the Clear the Shelters campaign (Aug. 10-Sept. 10) and extends their gratitude to the adopters that made that possible. The annual nationwide event promotes pet adoption and raises funds for animal welfare, with NBC and Telemundo TV stations providing promotional support. Many shelters offered discounted adoptions—the Richardson Animal Shelter waived adoption fees.  

The Shelter is still in need of adopters; fostering shelter pets is also available.  

View adoptable animals: www.cor.net/AnimalShelter

DART to Implement Service Changes Beginning Monday 
Due to recent data showing Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) ridership has increased to 80 percent of pre-pandemic levels, including more frequent weekend ridership, DART will begin launching service changes Monday, Sept. 16. The updates will include bus service optimization and weekend rail schedule frequency improvements.  

Bus service optimization will happen first (click here for a list of changes); rail schedule changes will be in place beginning Sept. 28 to coincide with the opening of the State Fair of Texas. Weekend riders on all of DART’s rail lines will experience increased service frequency, with trains running every 20 minutes on Saturdays and Sundays from 6 a.m.-10 p.m.; weekend service outside of these hours will remain at a 30-minute frequency.  

Website: www.DART.org  

Area Nonprofits to Participate in North Texas Giving Day Thursday 
Several nonprofits with close ties to the City of Richardson will participate in the annual North Texas Giving Day Sept. 19. The online event is sponsored by the Communities Foundation of Texas and raises money for North Texas nonprofits. More than 3,200 area organizations are on the list, including:  

Several local art and theater groups funded in part by the City’s Cultural Arts Commission are also on the list. Since its inception in 2009, the event has raised more than $566 million to support regional nonprofits. 

Website: www.NorthTexasGivingDay.org  

Temporary Lane Closures Expected on Buckingham Road 
First the right lane and then the left lane of Buckingham Road between Sherman Street and Greenville Avenue may be closed to traffic from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. as soil borings take place. The work is expected to be completed by late October. 

Utility Work to Temporarily Close Lanes on Renner Road
The right and center lanes of eastbound Renner Road between Alma Road and Renner Parkway may be closed to traffic from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. as Atmos infrastructure investigation and repair takes place. The work is expected to be completed by mid-November. 

www.cor.net/Projects

“Adulting 101” Teen Program Saturday: Voting 
Youth Services Storytime Room
Admission: Free
Saturday, Sept. 14
3-4 p.m. 

Teens and young adults will get the lowdown on voting from the Dallas County Elections Office and find out the ins and outs of this important civic duty. Voter registration will be provided for those who qualify. Note: If you’re not old enough to vote, you can still come learn about voting. 

Cosmic Discoveries with NASA Solar System Ambassador 
City Council Chamber, 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd. Ste. 525
Admission: Free (registration required; call 972-744-4358 to register)
Saturday, Sept. 14
2-3 p.m. 

Children in grades 3-8 are invited to learn about NASA's newest and largest space telescope, the James Webb Space Telescope, from NASA Solar System Ambassador Michelle Wilde in this Library-sponsored event. Find out all about the advanced technology on board, the special process used to launch it and what makes it unique among space telescopes. See amazing pictures from across the universe! Handouts and prizes provided. 

Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. 

www.cor.net/Library

At the Eisemann Center:

• RASA by RaGa Tomorrow Evening
  Hill Performance Hall
  Tickets: $39-$108 (tickets)
  Saturday, Sept. 14
  5:30 p.m.
  
  Indian classical music duo Ranjani-Gayatri are accompanied by Vittal Gayatri on violin, K Sai Giridhar on mridangam and S Krishna on ghatam.
  
  
• Eisemann Edge Symposium Wednesday Afternoon 
  Bank of America Theatre
  Admission: Free (Must reserve free ticket online) (tickets)
  Wednesday, Sept. 18
  1-5 p.m.
  
  The Eisemann Edge Symposium is a forward-thinking initiative that amplifies the intersection of art, technology, business and the humanities by advancing interdisciplinary collaboration among scholars, students and practitioners engaged in exploring how the fields interact with and influence one another. 
  
  The afternoon includes two keynote speakers, Professors Jiabao Li (University of Texas at Austin) and Golan Levin (Carnegie Mellon University), as well as a panel discussion and audience Q&A moderated by Nils Roemer, dean of the UT Dallas Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities and Technology. The symposium is sponsored by the Eisemann Edge Endowment at the Communities Foundation of Texas; the Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities and Technology; and the City of Richardson. 
  
  Complete schedule: Click here  

At UT Dallas:

• Multimedia Art Exhibition “Path to Eternity” Opens Today
  UT Dallas’ SP/N Gallery, 2030 Stewart Rd.
  Admission: Free
  Sept. 13-28 
  Today through 7 p.m. (includes special performance at 5:30 p.m.)
  Regular hours Wednesdays-Saturdays 11 a.m.-4 p.m.,
  Thursdays-Fridays 1-6 p.m.
  
  “Path to Eternity” by Anais Anderson explores the convergence between Mormon patriarchal blessings and faith loss through a series of photographic and performative works. Part of the SP/N Shorts series.
  
  Event link: Click here

“Dylan” Opens Tonight at The Core Theatre
518 Arapaho Rd.
Tickets: $20-$25 (tickets)
Sept. 13-Oct. 5
Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.

The Classics Theatre Project presents this dramatic look at the final years of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas’ life. Written in 1964 by Sidney Michaels, the play is based on the books, “Dylan Thomas in America,” by John Malcolm Brinnin, and “Leftover Life to Kill,” by Caitlin Thomas.

Website: www.thecoretheatre.org  

Richardson Replants Tree Giveaway Next Weekend 
Public Safety Expo, Huffhines Park, 300 N. Plano Rd.
Cost: Free (one tree per household; proof of Richardson residency required)
Saturday, Sept. 21
10 a.m.-noon (or while supplies last) 

Pick up a free tree as part of the City’s “Richardson Replants” program, initiated in July by the City Council to help replace lost foliage from the May 28 severe weather event. Three tree species—Chinkapin Oak, Desert Willow and Peach—will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. More giveaways are scheduled to take place through early November and again in spring 2025.  

Fall 2024 Giveaway Schedule/Locations

• Sept. 21 Public Safety Expo, Huffhines Park, 300 N. Plano Rd., 10 a.m.-noon
• Oct. 1 National Night Out events, multiple block party locations
• Oct. 5 Tree Care with the Texas Trees Foundation - Richardson Public Library Event, 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd., Ste. 500, 1-2 p.m. 
• Oct. 19 Huffhines Harvest Fest, Huffhines Park, 300 N. Plano Rd., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Nov. 1 Texas Arbor Day, Glenville Park, 500 S. Glenville Dr., 3-7 p.m. 

Website: www.cor.net/richardsonreplants  

Regional Composting Facility to Offer Customer Appreciation Sale 
Texas Pure, the regional composting/mulching facility that partners with the City of Richardson and four other area cities, has announced a customer appreciation sale that began this week and will run through Sept. 30. All bagged and bulk products are 25 percent off this month when you purchase on-site at Texas Pure’s Custer Road Facility and Regional Composting Facility. This is an additional discount to the already discounted mulch and compost prices that Richardson residents receive.   

Location/hours information:  

CUSTER ROAD FACILITY 
9901 Custer Road (at Ridgeview) 
Plano, TX 75025 
Open Monday-Saturday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. 

REGIONAL COMPOSTING FACILITY 
3820 Sam Rayburn Highway (Hwy 121)  
Melissa, TX 75454 
Open Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. 

Note: Payment accepted by debit or credit card only. 

Website: www.TexasPureProducts.com

www.cor.net/EPI

911 Dispatcher ($52,644 - $73,116 Salary) 
The Police Department is looking for an individual to operate various telecommunications equipment, dispatch and deploy public safety units, notify other support services and provide pre-arrival emergency medical instructions. High school diploma or G.E.D. certificate required. CPR certification and Emergency Medical Dispatch certification (through IAED), TCOLE Basic Telecommunicator Proficiency Certificate and TX Telecommunicator License required, or must be obtained within one year of hire. Texas Driver’s License, Class C, required. 

Admin Secretary I ($40,872 - $65,028 Salary) 
Facilities Maintenance is looking for an individual who can prepare departmental payroll and invoices for payment. The position may also maintain supervisor’s appointment calendar, reserve meeting rooms, and make travel arrangements and room accommodations. High school diploma required, associates or bachelor’s degree is preferred. Must be certified as a notary public or be able to obtain certification within 6 months of employment.  

Gymnastics Coach PT ($17.82/hr to $35.70/hr) 
The Parks and Recreation Department is looking for individuals with who enjoy working with people in groups of various sizes and has a passion for teaching. 

www.cor.net/jobs

Pet of the Week
Meet Brooke, a 9-year-old German Shepherd. Her sweetness is as undeniable as her intelligence and her friendly nature makes her a favorite among our staff and volunteers. Brooke is not just people-oriented, she gets along splendidly with her fellow shelter resident dogs and tolerates cats. Her ability to get along with everyone, including other pets, makes her an ideal companion and a wonderful addition to any home. 

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

City Council Links