Feb, 7, 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

City’s Lunar New Year Celebration Takes Place Tomorrow 
Celebrate the Year of the Snake and Richardson’s rich cultural diversity at the City’s Lunar New Year festival, taking place this Saturday, Feb. 8, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. in The CORE District’s Chinatown neighborhood, 400 N. Greenville Ave.  

Co-presented by the Dallas Chinese Community Center, the event features a full slate of free activities, from live music and a Chinese yo-yo demonstration to lots of dance performances, including the popular Dragon and Lion Dancers.  

Admission is free, and food and drink will be available for purchase at the many DFW Chinatown restaurants as well as at food trucks and outdoor booths.   

Free parking is available off site, with free shuttle service provided from the DART Arapaho Center Station, 200 Woodall Dr.   

Website/full schedule of events: Lunar New Year 2025 | The CORE District  
The CORE District social media: Facebook; Instagram  

Wildflower! Lineup To Be Announced Tuesday; Single Day and Resident Tickets Go On Sale Same Day 
Mark your calendars, music fans—headlining acts for the 2025 Wildflower! Arts & Music Festival are scheduled to be announced Tuesday, Feb. 11, and sales of resident tickets and discounted single day tickets are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. that day. (Three-day tickets went on sale Jan. 1.)   

The annual three-day festival will be held May 16-18 and will feature local, regional and national acts on multiple performance areas/stages. Wildflower! also includes the Al Johnson Performing Singer Songwriter Contest, art guitar auction, the family-friendly WF! Kids area, food vendors throughout the festival grounds, a craft beer garden and strolling entertainers.   

Website: www.wildflowerfestival.com  
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wildflowerfestival  
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wamfest/  

Healthier Texas Community Fitness Challenge: Free Classes This Weekend:  “Mediterranean Diet” Cooking Tomorrow, Drum Cardio Sunday 
There’s still time to register for the Healthier Texas Community Fitness Challenge and earn points and prizes for yourself and points for your community through doing activities such as working out, logging water intake and eating healthy meals.  

The City of Richardson is offering free classes every weekend through March 2 to help you meet your fitness goals; here are this weekend’s offerings: 

The 2025 Challenge runs through March 9 and participation is free; actions/points are logged on the free HT Community Challenge app. Participation in Healthier Texas Community Challenge not required to take either class.   

Healthier Texas Community Challenge website: Click here 

Open House Held In Preparation for Main Street Phase 2 Construction 
City staff hosted an Open House this week at Police Headquarters to inform residents and business owners about the Main Street Phase 2 Road Improvements scheduled to start Feb. 17. The improvements include pavement and utility work and will take place along Main Street between Greenville Avenue and Abrams Road.  

Several infrastructure and public art improvements in the Main Street area were completed during 2019-2021 as an outcome of the City’s Comprehensive Plan and the community’s vision of improving the Belt Line/Main Street area for mobility, aesthetics and functionality; Phase 2 is expected to be complete this fall, weather permitting.  

Website: www.cor.net/mainstreet  

City Council Updated on DART Initiatives; Considers Future DART Resolution 
DART staff and board members, including DART Board Chair and former Richardson Mayor Gary Slagel, provided a presentation at Monday’s City Council meeting that focused on current DART initiatives, including proposed changes to DART Board governance and a brief update on projects in the Richardson area. DART plans to improve its board governance by allowing cities with less than one full board member (such as Richardson) to collaboratively select their board member and determine their own approach to managing their representative.   

Richardson has long been a strong supporter of DART, and the City Council voiced support Monday for approving a resolution at a future City Council meeting supporting the full funding of the DART system and urging local, regional and state governments to prioritize continued investment in public transit, particularly DART, to ensure its long-term viability and success. This resolution would be presented to state lawmakers during the current Texas legislative session. Lawmakers may consider legislation this year that could limit/reduce the amount of sales tax that DART member cities contribute to DART. 

Monday’s presentation: View here 

Community Inclusion and Engagement Commission Presents Strategic Plan 
Members of the City’s new Community Inclusion and Engagement Commission (CIEC), along with City and consulting staff, presented the CIEC’s Strategic Plan at Monday’s joint City Council/CIEC work session.   

Crafted over the past several months with guidance from the City Council and Ramsee Consulting Group, the plan includes a mission, vision, role, goals and strategies that will help the nine-member Commission move forward with its work.  

The CIEC “provides diverse perspectives and meaningful input to the City Council on initiatives that promote inclusivity, strengthen community connections and enhance stakeholder engagement, while also fulfilling additional duties as directed to ensure every voice in our diverse community is valued and heard.”   

Goal strategies identified in the draft plan include:  

Council presentation: Click here 

65+/Disabled Resident Property Tax Exemption Increase Reviewed for Budget Season 
Budget planning season for FY 2025-26 has kicked off, as City staff briefed the City Council at its Monday meeting on a proposed increase in the property tax exemption for residents who are age 65 and over or disabled. The recommendation is to raise the City’s current exemption from $145,000 to $160,000, in keeping with the City’s ongoing goal of maintaining a tax benefit of 30 percent of the average senior’s home value.   

The $160,000 exemption is estimated to be 31.75 percent of the average market value of a senior or disabled individual’s home, a savings of about $867. Staff is projecting a 5 percent increase in home value growth for FY 2025-26 and a 1 percent increase in the number of homes eligible for the exemption.  

A vote on the increased exemption is scheduled to take place at the Feb. 24 City Council meeting.  

Monday’s presentation: Click here 

Tax Help Available at City Facilities 
Free assistance in preparing and filing your taxes is now available through April 15 at Heights and Huffhines Recreation Centers courtesy of the AARP Foundation Tax Aide program.   

The by-appointment service provides assistance to anyone, free of charge, with a focus on taxpayers who are over age 50 and have low to moderate income. You do not need to be an AARP member to use the service. Volunteers are IRS-certified every year, so they understand the latest changes and additions to the tax code.  

In addition, the Richardson Public Library offers free copies of Form 1040 and Form 1040-SR, plus instructions, available for pickup during regular business hours (in the wooden bookcase on display right as you enter the Library).    

AARP Free Tax Assistance By Appointment: 

More information/appointment links: Tax Forms and Information | Richardson, TX 

Website: AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Service 

City Council Candidate Filing Deadline is Next Friday 
The deadline to file an application to run for a Richardson City Council seat is Friday, Feb. 14, by 5 p.m. The City of Richardson City Council election is held every two years; this year’s election will be held May 3.  

Election packets for prospective candidates for Mayor and Places 1 through 6 may be requested via e-mail from the City Secretary at aimee.nemer@cor.gov. They can also be picked up in person during regular business hours at Richardson City Hall, 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd., Suite 525.    

New candidates are encouraged to schedule an appointment with the City Secretary to review the packet and election procedures. You may schedule by e-mail or by calling 972-744-4290.     

Website: www.cor.net/election   

PGBT Frontage Road Lane Closure Expected near CityLine 
The left lane of the eastbound Bush Turnpike frontage road between US 75 and Routh East Drive may be closed to traffic from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. as grading and pouring work takes place for sidewalk construction. The work is expected by be finished by late February. 

Right Lane of Campbell Road West of Plano Road to Experience Temporary Closure 
The right lane of westbound Campbell Road between Campbell Creek Boulevard and Glenville Drive may be 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 early May.  

Website: www.cor.net/Projects

“Coffee with a Cop” Next Wednesday at Cinnaholic 
100 S. Central Expwy. #15
Cost: Free
Wednesday, Feb. 12
10-11 a.m.  

You’re invited to enjoy complimentary coffee while chatting with Richardson Police officers at this longtime CORE District business that specializes in gourmet cinnamon rolls. Stop by, say hello and discuss any concerns or questions you may have.  

Event contact: RPD Community Relations Unit, 972-744-4955 

Next IQ Brew is Thursday 
The IQ^®HQ, 1302 E. Collins Blvd. 
Admission: Free (RSVP requested here as space is limited) 
Thursday, Feb.13
8:30-10 a.m. (Opening remarks begin at 9 a.m.)   

In this presentation originally scheduled for Jan. 9 (postponed due to inclement weather), Dr. David Lary will speak about “Sensing in Service of Society” and will delve into his insights on remote sensing from robotic aerial vehicles and machine learning. Dr. Lary is an atmospheric scientist and Professor of Physics at UT Dallas at the Hanson Center for Space Science.   

Dr. David Lary's Lab: 
MINTS| Multi-Scale Integrated Intelligent Interactive Sensing 

Learn About File Backup Tomorrow Morning 
Millwood Creek Room
Admission: Free (registration and current RPL card in good standing required; call 972-744-4355 to register)
Saturday, Feb. 8
10:30 a.m.-noon  

Discover options for safekeeping your files, and how to protect your data in each situation. For adults.  

Hearty Arty Valentine Party Tomorrow Afternoon 
2360 Campbell Creek Blvd., Ste. 525 (City Council Chamber), and Ste. 500 (Library Youth Services Area)
Admission: Free
Saturday, Feb. 8
2-3:30 p.m. (Storytime at 2 p.m.; puppet show at 2:15 p.m.)  

All ages are invited to have a heart-happy Valentine afternoon with a storytime and puppet show, along with fun crafts, games, and activities! Storytime and puppet show will be located in City Council Chamber, enter through City Hall. Crafts and activities will be in the Library’s Youth Services Area afterwards. 

At the Eisemann Center:

• Chamberlain Ballet with Plano Civic Chorus Saturday Night 
  Hill Performance Hall 

  Tickets: $22-$45 (tickets) 
  Saturday, Feb. 8 
  7 p.m. 

  The Chamberlain Ballet and Plano Civic Chorus present, “They Dance! They Sing!”, a unique collaborative event featuring guest performers including the Berkner High School A Cappella Choir and players from the Richardson Symphony Orchestra. A celebration of dancing and singing, the concert will feature the work, “Fern Hill,” with music by John Corigliano and poetry by Dylan Thomas, and will include all four ensembles in a stunning multi-disciplinary performance. 

• Ballet Folklórico de Mexico de Amalia Hernández Monday Night 
  Hill Performance Hall
  Tickets: $60-$70 (tickets)
  Monday, Feb. 10
  7:30 p.m.  

  Founded in 1952 by dancer and choreographer Amalia Hernández, Ballet Folklórico brings together the music, dance and costume of Mexican folklore from pre-Colombian civilizations through the modern era. With its permanent home at the Palacio de Bellas Artes, one of Mexico City’s most historic venues, the company has developed choreography for 40 ballets, composed of 60 folk dancers and musicians who have performed extensively across Mexico and abroad. 

At UT Dallas:

• Asian Lunar New Year Art Festival Tomorrow Night
  Edith O’Donnell Arts & Technology Building (ATC 1.102)
  Admission: Free (reserve a free ticket here)
  Saturday, Feb. 8
  7-9 p.m.
  
  The Center for Asian Studies at UTD, Texas Cultural Exchange Center (TCEC) and Dallas Huayun Orchestra jointly present a multicultural arts festival showcasing ethnic instrumental performances, graceful ballet and Bollywood dance. The public is invited to join in for an evening celebrating Eastern and Western cultures and the 2025 Lunar New Year!
  
  
• Bestselling Author Sarah Hepola to Speak Wednesday Evening
  McDermott Suite (MC 4.404, same building as McDermott Library)
  Admission: Free (Registration/free ticket link: click here)
  Wednesday, Feb. 12
  5:30-7 p.m.
  
  Journalist and author Sarah Hepola discusses three of her major projects from the past decade—her bestselling memoir, “Blackout;” her podcast “America’s Girls” (about the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders), and the memoir she’s currently writing, “Unattached,” to explore conflicts that have come to define modern female experience. Topics will include binge drinking, dating and marriage, and beauty and weight obsession. 

“The Murder of Roger Ackroyd” Opens Tonight at RTC 
Richardson Theatre Centre, 518 W. Arapaho Rd., Ste. 113
Tickets: $22-$24 (Ticket link: Click here)
Feb. 7-March 2
Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.   

In this dramatic adaptation of Agatha Christie’s 1926 novel, the tiny village of King’s Abbot is rocked by scandal when Roger Ackroyd, the wealthiest man in town, is found dead shortly after the apparent suicide of his fiancée.   

Website: www.richardsontheatrecentre.net  

Family Improv at The Core Theatre: “Loving Improv” Tomorrow Night 
518 W. Arapaho, Ste. 115
Tickets: $5-$10 (Ticket link: Click here)
Saturday, Feb. 8
7:30-8:30 p.m.  

Join the Core Theatre’s Family Improv troupe for good, clean family comedy, improv style! This month, it’s all about LOVE.  

Website: www.thecoretheatre.org 

One More Week to Prune Oak Trees 
The Dallas County Master Gardener Association (DCMGA), part of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, states in its latest Garden Task List that oak trees need to be pruned before Feb. 15 to minimize the chance of oak wilt infestation. If you must prune them after Feb. 15 and before June 30, always “paint” the cut end with tree wound paint, being very careful not to paint over the collar of the cut.    

Here are a few more to-dos from the DCMGA’s February Task List:  

Tree Planting Guide 

Website: February Garden Tasks - Dallas County Master Gardeners Association 

Eco-friendly Ways to Celebrate Valentine's Day 
The North Central Texas Council of Government’s Air North Texas division is reminding the public to love our air and our environment while we show love for each other as we plan for Valentine’s Day celebrations/gifts—Air North Texas’ Clean Air Corner blog has posted several ways to do this. Among the suggestions are:    

Note that Valentine’s cards and wrapping paper that feature glitter and/or embossed foil are not recyclable in most municipal recycling programs, including Richardson’s.   

Website: Air North Texas - Love Your Air 

Crew Chief ($56,138 - $78,387 Salary) 
The Public Services Department is looking for an individual with experience in construction and/or maintenance of water distribution and waste collection systems. A Texas Commercial Driver’s License, Class A is required. 

Detention Officer ($43,520 to $67,770 Salary) 
The Police Department is looking for individuals who can perform all duties necessary for the successful operation of the Detention Division. Valid Texas Driver's License, Class C or above, required.   

Day Camp Counselor ($13.00/hr - $14.25/hr) 
The Parks and Recreation Department is looking for individuals with experience working with children. Must be at least 16 years of age with CPR and First-Aid Certification required or obtained during job orientation. 

www.cor.net/jobs

Pet of the Week
Check out Chase, a 7-month-old mix dog overflowing with sweetness, friendliness and a dash of goofiness. His playful antics will have you laughing in no time. Chase is an expert at making friends, his social skills with other dogs are unparalleled. His heart is as big as his spirit, always ready to share love and joy with those around him. His unwavering loyalty and affectionate nature make him the perfect family member. He’s ready to fill your home with love, laughter, and positive vibes. 

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

City Council Links