Jan. 10, 2025

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

Saturday is Makeup Collection Day for Missed Thursday and Friday Recycling Routes 
Recycling collection that was canceled on Thursday and Friday due to icy road conditions will be collected on Saturday, Jan. 11. Residents on the Thursday or Friday recycling collection routes should have their items out for collection by 7 a.m. Saturday. There will be no makeup days for trash or Brush and Bulky Item Collection (BABIC). 

During severe winter weather events, collection of solid waste may be delayed or suspended when road and alley surface conditions are unsafe for vehicles to navigate or create a risk of injury to personnel during the collection process. 

For up-to-date information on solid waste collection, visit www.cor.net/ServiceDelays. 

Recreation Facilities to Delay Opening Tomorrow to 10 a.m. 
The following recreation facilities will delay opening Saturday until 10 a.m. due to hazardous road conditions from continuing severe winter weather expected tonight and tomorrow morning:   

The Pro Shop at Sherrill Park Golf Course will open Saturday, but it is not yet known when play will resume. Golfers with questions should call the Pro Shop at 972-234-1416.  

All City facilities will resume normal operating hours beginning Sunday, Jan. 12. 

Winter Weather Cleanup 
Street Maintenance crews from the Public Services Department have been working around-the-clock to spread a mixture of sand and ice-melt on high priority areas—bridges, major roads, intersections and hospital driveways. That work will continue until no longer needed to help increases vehicle traction at intersections, over bridges, and at other critical areas.  

Street sweeper crews will begin operations to collect all sand spread throughout a storm event as soon as possible at the conclusion of severe weather impacts. It usually takes several weeks to complete cleanup operations. 

Warming Centers to Close Saturday at 10 a.m.
The lobby space of Richardson’s Police Department Administration Building, as well as Richardson Fire Department Stations 3 and 6, are available as warming centers for those needing shelter from winter weather. With the winter weather event coming to an end, the centers will close at 10 a.m. Saturday.  

Warming centers are intended to provide temporary shelter and are not equipped with beds or other long-term amenities. Service animals are allowed, but not pets.  

Each location has receptables to allow people to charge phones, laptops and other electronic devices. 

The addresses are as follows: 

Sherrill Park Closed Due to Winter Weather, Contact Pro Shop for Opening Information
Snow and sub-freezing temperatures have caused the temporary closure of Sherrill Park Golf Course. The Pro Shop will be open tomorrow, Jan. 11, but a date for the reopening of the course for play has not been set. Players should contact the Pro Shop beginning tomorrow for more information. 

Construction Firm Recommended for New City Hall/Municipal Campus Improvement Project 
City staff informed the City Council at Monday’s work session that Kansas-based firm McCownGordon has been recommended to construct Richardson’s New City Hall, with groundbreaking expected in February. The firm was chosen for recommendation by competitive sealed proposal method, with five bids received. McCownGordon was the top-ranked bid, providing both the lowest price and scoring highest in the qualitative assessment.  

After providing feedback, the City Council will vote on approving the contract for McCownGordon at the Jan. 13 Council meeting. After a groundbreaking ceremony in February, construction is expected to begin in late February-early March of this year.  

Monday’s presentation/more information: Click here 

Solid Waste Master Plan Update Given to City Council; Short-term/Long-term Recommendations Detailed 
City consultants gave an update at Monday’s City Council work session on the Solid Waste Master Plan (SWMP) draft, which has been under development since October 2023. Once finalized, the SWMP will guide the future of the City’s solid waste services for the next 20 years.   

Monday’s presentation gave a more detailed look at some of the draft’s short-term and long-term recommendations presented to the Council in November 2024, including cost impacts and an implementation timeline. The recommendations involve phased improvements to trash and recycling collection in areas including staffing, scheduling, equipment/vehicles, collection methods and educational outreach. Recommendations regarding multifamily recycling, commercial recycling, construction/demolition debris collection and the City’s Recycling Drop-off Location were also detailed. 

After receiving City Council input, City staff and consultants plan to present a final SWMP report to the Council later this month. 

Monday’s presentation/more information: Click here  

Preparations Underway for State of the City Address Jan. 29 
Mayor Bob Dubey and staff from the Communications Department have been busy with rehearsals for the State of the City Address, which takes place Wednesday, Jan. 29 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Eisemann Center. This free annual event is an opportunity to learn about the City’s accomplishments over the past year and gain insight on future goals.   

The address will also be available to watch live online at www.cor.net/StateoftheCity  

Applications Available Beginning Monday for Citizen Fire Academy
Enrollment opens Monday, Jan. 13 for the next Citizen Fire Academy (CFA) class, which begins March 26 and graduates May 28. The academy is held once a year and is a free, 10-week program open to persons ages 21 and older who live or work in Richardson. Class participants meet Wednesday nights from 6-9 p.m., with dinner provided between 6-7 p.m.   

The intent of the CFA is not to train people to become firefighters, but to provide participants with an inside view of the Richardson Fire Department and its operations so that they can use their knowledge to create a safer home and work environment and educate others. The program includes live demonstrations, classroom learning and hands-on experiences. Meetings take place at the Fire Training Center, 1621 E. Lookout Dr.   

Note that class size is limited, and applications will close as space is filled.   

Contact: 972-744-5750  
Website/application: Click here 

Scholarships Available from RCB, Altrusa 
Local organizations Altrusa International of Richardson and the Richardson Community Band are offering scholarships for graduating high school seniors, with deadlines approaching within the next five weeks.   

Details: 

RCB’s George W. Jones, Jr. Memorial Scholarship 

Altrusa Richardson Foundation Scholarship 

Two Intersections Along Custer Parkway Set for Temporary Lane Closures 
Various lanes at the intersection of Custer Parkway and Canyon Creek Drive and at the intersection of Custer Parkway and Lookout Drive may be closed alternately and at all times through late March as waterline installation and street improvements take place. Work at the Canyon Creek Drive intersection will take place first (Phase 1) with the Lookout intersection following in Phase 2. Note: Half of the affected intersection may be closed at a time. 

Temporary Lane Closures Expected on Arapaho Road East of Plano Road 
Various lanes of eastbound and westbound Arapaho Road between Plano Road and Yale Boulevard may be closed to traffic alternately from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. as water and sewer work takes place. The work is expected to be complete by late February. 

Website: www.cor.net/Projects

Healthier Texas Challenge Begins Monday; Sign Up Now 
There’s just a few more days left to early register for the 2025 Healthier Texas Community Fitness Challenge, a free, eight-week fitness challenge that takes place Jan. 13-March 9. The City of Richardson is participating and invites the community to join in. Formerly called the It’s Time Texas Community Fitness Challenge, the statewide competition encourages individuals and organizations to earn points and win prizes for completing healthy individual actions such as working out, logging water intake and eating healthy meals. Actions/points are logged on a free app; register before Monday, Jan. 13, to start off with 250 extra points. People who sign up on behalf of their city or school district also earn points for that organization with every healthy action they submit.     

Several free, City-sponsored group fitness classes are planned to take place during the Challenge including yoga, drum cardio, and healthy cooking, and a walk/run event is scheduled for Jan. 25 at Huffhines Park.   

To register for the Challenge, click here, then download the free Community Challenge app to log activities and earn further points.      

Website: www.txcommunitychallenge.org     

“Cobbler with a Cop” Tuesday Afternoon 
The Peach Cobbler Factory, 720 E. Campbell Rd., #420 
Cost: Free (cobbler samples given out on a first-come, first-served basis)
Tuesday, Jan. 14
2-3 p.m.  

What could be better than coffee with a cop? How about peach cobbler with a cop! Join the Richardson Police Department for a casual chat with an RPD officer.  

“All Aboard the International Space Station” Tomorrow
City Council Chamber, 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd. Ste. 525
Admission: Free (registration preferred—see below for registration information)
Saturday, Jan. 11
2-4 p.m.  

How fascinating is it to live aboard the International Space Station? Children ages 3-8 are invited to learn about the history of the ISS, the labs and experiments conducted on board, how food is prepared and see some amazing images captured from the space station as it hovers about the Earth. Presented by NASA Solar System Ambassador Michelle Wilde 

A hands-on activity with limited space will follow the presentation and registered attendees are guaranteed a spot. Call 972-744-4358 or visit the Youth Services Help Desk to register. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. 

“Hanging Letter Art with Mixed Media Decoupage” Next Saturday 
Library’s Millwood Creek Room
Cost: Free (Registration is required. Call 972-744-4376 to sign up.)
Saturday, Jan. 18
10:30 a.m.-Noon  

Have fun decorating a ceramic capital letter with paper, vintage ephemera, beads, fabric scraps and more, then hang it with ribbon or beaded wire. For adults and teens. 

Note: Individual letter availability will vary; choice of letter is on a first-come, first-served basis. 

At the Eisemann Center:

• “Pink Martini” Tonight
  Hill Performance Hall
  Tickets: $57-$77 (tickets)
  Friday, Jan. 10
  8 p.m.
  
  Step into the vibrant world of Pink Martini, where music transcends borders and cultures, and diversity is celebrated like never before. Born out of a desire to bring more soulful and inclusive melodies to the political scene, Thomas Lauderdale founded Pink Martini in 1994, a “little orchestra” with big dreams. Their eclectic mix of classical, jazz and pop quickly became a sensation, captivating audiences worldwide.
  
  
• “Carpenters Legacy” Tribute Show Tomorrow Night
  Hill Performance Hall
  Tickets: $55-$90 (tickets)
  Saturday, Jan. 11
  7:30 p.m.
  
  Direct from Las Vegas, Carpenters Legacy is the definitive show celebrating the music and legacy of Karen and Richard Carpenter. Starring Sally Olson and Ned Mills, the show is a re-creation of the Carpenters’ live performances featuring hits including “We’ve Only Just Begun,” “Yesterday Once More” and “Superstar,” as well as Karen’s drum solo, Richard's classical piano feature, comedy antics and much more.  

At UT Dallas:

• “Musica Nova: Fauré & Beethoven” Online Beginning Tonight 
  Online (viewing link: click here)
  Cost to view: Free
  Begins Friday, Jan. 10
  7:30 p.m.  

In case you missed it, view the Dec. 7, 2024, live performance of “Musica Nova: Fauré & Beethoven” on the Bass School YouTube channel. Students from the University’s Advanced Orchestra and Chamber Music Ensemble perform with UT Dallas faculty and other professional musicians under the direction of composer-conductor Robert Xavier Rodríguez. 

The performance will remain online for future viewings. 

2024 City Photo Contest Winners and Judge's Exhibits Begin Monday
Huffhines Recreation Center 
200 N. Plano Rd. 
Admission: Free 
Jan. 13-30
Open during Huffhines Recreation Center normal hours (listed here)  

The Best of Show and Best of Division Winner’s Exhibit from the City’s 2024 Photo Contest, as well as the 2024 Photo Contest Judge’s Exhibit, will be on display. The Best of Show and Best of Division Exhibit features the work of Kaye Hargis, David Steger and Ava Dunn, while the Judge’s Exhibit features the photographs of Rebecca Deragon, Hector Reyes and Robin Thompson. 

Plants and Freeze Damage: Wait and See
As landscapes start to thaw out this weekend, plants may look dead or battered from the recent weather conditions. Texas gardening expert and author Neil Sperry states on his website to not “rush to judgment” and that in many cases, you won’t know the extent of winter freeze injury until plants try to leaf out in the spring. Even if leaves are browned, “don’t assume immediately that the plant will not produce new leaves from the old stem tissues.” 
 
For more information and plant-specific advice after a freeze; click here. Several books by Sperry are available at the Richardson Public Library. 

Burst Pipes Can Come with Warmer Temperatures; What to Do 
With freezing temperatures expected to take a pause at the end of the weekend, pipes with frozen water inside that have expanded this past week might crack or burst when temperatures rise and the water gets flowing again.  

The burst might not happen immediately when the weather warms up. The ice needs time to thaw, and the pressure builds gradually until the pipe can't take it anymore.   

If you experience frozen pipes, shut off the main water supply to your home. If you can’t turn it off, call the City of Richardson’s 24-hour Response Line at 972-744-4111.  

How to shut off water video  
Website: www.cor.net/WinterWeather  

Combination Inspector – Residential Building ($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. 

Customer Service Rep – Billing ($41,600 - $57,634 Salary) 
Water Customer Service is looking for an individual who can maintain customer billing records, respond to utility billing inquiries and 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
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.

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