Dec. 27, 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 Facilities Schedule for the New Year's Holiday    
For the New Year’s holiday, City facilities will operate according to the following holiday schedule:  

Note: There will be no impacts to trash, recycling or BABIC collection due to the New Year’s holiday.  

Rec Centers Offering 25 Percent Discount on Memberships Throughout January  
Richardson recreation centers are ringing in 2025 with 25 percent off all annual recreation memberships purchased during the month of January. Beginning Jan. 1, annual individual adult memberships for Richardson residents will be $70 and family memberships will be $150. The 25 percent savings in January will save $17.50 and $37.50 respectively. 

Membership comes with access to both recreation centers, which include cardio fitness areas, weight rooms, full-sized gyms including regulation-sized basketball courts, game rooms, free Wi-Fi, saunas, and locker rooms. 

Additionally, Senior Center only memberships are available with fees starting at $25 for residents and $50 for nonresidents per year. It includes a fitness room, billiards, and game area. 

Memberships are available for purchase inside each facility and online. 

Purchase Membership Online: www.cor.net/parksonline 

Christmas Tree Drop-Off Open Through Feb. 7  
Turn your Christmas tree into mulch and compost through the City’s Tree Cycling program. Trees may be dropped off daily through Feb. 7 at the Municipal Service Center, 1260 Columbia Dr., or set out at the curb and picked up as part of the City’s Brush and Bulky Item Collection (BABIC).  

Tree cycling guidelines:  

Trees are taken to Texas Pure, where they are turned into mulch and compost that is available for purchase to residents at a discounted price. Texas Pure Products can be ordered in person or over the phone at: 

Custer Road Facility 
9901 Custer Road (entrance on Ridgeview Drive) 
Plano, TX 75025 
972-769-4150 
Open Monday-Saturday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. 

Regional Composting Facility 
3820 Sam Rayburn Highway (Hwy 121) 
Melissa, TX 75454 
972-769-4150 
Open Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. 

Website: www.cor.net/treecycling  
Website: www.cor.net/mulch  
Contact: 972-744-4111 for BABIC pick-up; be sure to request that the tree be collected for composting 

DART New Year Schedule 
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) has announced its schedule for Tuesday-Wednesday, Dec. 31-Jan. 1. Free transportation will be offered the night of New Year's Eve on DART buses, light rail, Paratransit Services and the Trinity Railway Express (TRE) between EBJ Union Station and CentrePort/DFW Airport Station for everyone from 6 p.m. until the end of service. 

DART Schedule Changes for Dec. 31-Jan. 1:   

Website: www.dart.org   

RPD Launches Program to Aid Missing People with Cognitive Disabilities 
The Richardson Police Department has a new program aimed at assisting individuals with cognitive disabilities who may struggle to communicate in emergency situations. The “Take Me Home” program is designed to streamline the process of reuniting these individuals with their families or caretakers when they are found by officers.  

Families or caregivers can enroll their loved ones in the program by completing an online form, which requires submitting key information like the person’s height, weight, identifying features and a recent photo. All data is stored securely and is accessible only by public safety personnel, ensuring privacy and protection. If a participant who is enrolled in the program is located, officers can quickly retrieve the information, helping to speed up the reunification process.  

To register and learn more, visit www.richardsonpolice.net/takemehome or contact the Richardson Police Community Relations Unit at 972-744-4955. 

No City Council Meeting Monday  
Due to the upcoming holiday, there will be no City Council work session or meeting Dec. 30. The Council will next meet at 6 p.m. Jan. 6.    

Website: www.cor.net/citycouncil    

Richardson Today in Mailboxes Next Week  
The January 2025 print edition of Richardson Today has been sent to the printer and is expected to hit mailboxes next week, packed with information about the Library’s new outreach van, the Healthier Texas Community Challenge and the annual MLK, Jr. and Black History Month art and essay contests. The issue also includes pages dedicated to economic development and infrastructure updates.  

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.   

Bike Lanes Closed on Collins Boulevard 
The bike lanes on eastbound and westbound Collins Boulevard between Alma Road and International Parkway may be closed and Firman Drive at Collins may be narrowed to traffic from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. as fiber optic installation takes place. Work is expected to wrap up in early March. 

Lane Closure on Glenville Drive at Greenville Avenue 
The right lane of southbound Glenville Drive at Greenville Avenue may be closed to traffic from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. for pavement work. The project is expected to wrap up in mid-January. 

Website: www.cor.net/Projects

Hanukkah Menorah Lighting at CityLine 
CityLine Plaza, 1150 State St.  
Admission: Free 
Sunday, Dec. 29 
5-7 p.m. 

Celebrate Hanukkah as Chabad of Richardson lights a giant Menorah at CityLine Plaza. There will be donuts, music, crafts and gelt for everyone.   

Website: Hanukkah Menorah Lighting Ceremony - CityLine DFW   

Winter Break Tennis Camp 
Huffhines Tennis Center, 1601 Syracuse Dr.  
(If there is bad weather, camp will be held in the Huffhines Recreation Center’s gym) 
Admission: $160 (four days) 
Dec. 30-Jan. 3 (no camp Jan. 1) 
9 a.m.-1 p.m. 
Activity #44702 
 
Kids ages 5-16 can have fun at Huffhines Tennis Center. This camp is for all levels. Participants will learn new tennis skills, meet new friends and have a pizza party.  

Website: Activity search | City of Richardson Parks and Recreation - Online Services 

Saturday Morning Kids 
City Council Chamber, Richardson City Hall, 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd., Suite 525
Admission: Free
Dec. 28
10:30-11 a.m.  

Join the Richardson Public Library for a storytime program geared toward children ages 3-6 years. All children must be accompanied by at least one adult.    

Website: Saturday Morning Kids | Event Calendar | Richardson, TX 

Teen Graphic Novel Book Club 
Library Millwood Creek Room
Admission: Free
Jan. 2
7-8 p.m. 

Dive into thrilling stories, amazing artwork and fun discussions with fellow graphic novel fans. For teens only, ages 13-18. Registration required. Call 972-744-4358 or visit the Youth Services Help Desk to register 

Website: Teen Graphic Novel Book Club | Event Calendar | Richardson, TX 

At the Eisemann Center:

• Campana Sobre Campana “Christmas in Mexico”
  Hill Performance Hall
  Tickets: $25-$45 (tickets)
  Dec. 28
  8 p.m.
  
  Embrace the holiday season with Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar and Ballet Folklorico del Rio Grande as they invite you to celebrate Campana Sobre Campana: Christmas in Mexico! This enchanting show is named after the beloved Andalusian Christmas carol and brings cherished Mexican traditions to life in a magical celebration of the season. Join us as we journey through the joyous rhythms of “Bells Upon Bells” and the vibrant spectacle of Mexican dance, capturing the heartwarming story of Mary and Joseph’s journey.   
  
  
• Shen Yun: A Heavenly Gift 
  Hill Performance Hall
  Tickets: $80-$200 (tickets)
  Jan. 3-5
  Jan. 3 at 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 4 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Jan. 5 at 2 p.m.
  
  Shen Yun invites you to travel back to the magical world of ancient China. Experience a lost culture through the incredible art of classical Chinese dance, and see legends come to life. Shen Yun makes this possible by pushing the boundaries of the performing arts, with a unique blend of stunning costuming, high-tech backdrops and an orchestra like no other. Presented by Southern USA Falun Dafa Association.  

City Offers Recycling Options for Cardboard Boxes, Wrapping Paper 
Keep large gift boxes out of the trash (and out of sight of would-be thieves) through the City’s Holiday Box Recycling program through Feb. 7.  

Boxes (flattened) may be dropped off at the following locations:  

Additionally, you can recycle wrapping paper and holiday cards. (Note that foil-topped wrapping paper or cards/envelopes that feature foil are not recyclable.) 

Website: www.cor.net/boxrecycling  

Benefits of Mulching Leaves 
Many yards throughout North Texas are currently covered in leaves. While these leaves can be bagged and placed out on the curb for Brush and Bulky Item Collection (BABIC), there is another way to dispose of them that can increase the health of your yard and garden.  

Leaves can be shredded/mulched (with a mulching lawnmower or your regular lawnmower). If you have a compost pile or bin, grass and leaves can be added to help your whole garden. Mulching and composting provide nutrients needed for a healthy lawn and garden. You'll save time and money by reducing fertilizer use in your yard and not need to buy bags to dispose of the trimmings. 

If you do choose to bag your leaves, put leaves and grass into a compostable bag and leave them by the street in front of your home. (Compostable paper bags may be purchased at local home improvement stores.) Be sure to mention you have yard trimmings for compost when you schedule a BABIC pickup. Should you choose to use plastic bags for leaves and grass, place the plastic bags with the regular twice per week refuse collection. A BABIC collection is not needed because plastic bags are not recyclable and will go to the landfill.  

To schedule a BABIC pickup, call 972-744-4111 or visit www.cor.net/BABIC or use the MyRichardson App.    

911 Dispatcher ($54,223 - $75,309 Salary) 
The Police Department is looking for an individual 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.   

Combination Inspector – Plumbing ($63,567 - $86,087 Salary) 
Building Inspection is looking for an individual to inspect buildings, construction sites and construction components for compliance with Building, Electrical, Plumbing or Mechanical codes and laws by making routine field inspections throughout the construction period. Master or Journeyman Plumbing license required.   

Custodian – Part Time ($20.00/hr to $22.37/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
Polk is a sweet 3-year-old American Bulldog who has been waiting for his forever home since June, and he’s ready to steal your heart! Polk is smart, fully potty trained and gets along great with other dogs. Plus, he absolutely loves treats! If you’re looking for a loyal companion who will bring joy and snuggles to your life, come meet Polk today! 

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

City Council Links