March 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

Digital Orthodontic Innovator Expands Richardson IQ^® Based Presence with HQ Relocation 
The City of Richardson has entered into a partnership agreement with KLOwen Orthodontics, a digital orthodontic innovator, to relocate its headquarters within the Richardson Innovation Quarter (The IQ^®). The company will occupy a 24,850-square-foot lease space at 1703 N. Plano Rd. in the Cardinal Park development, investing nearly $2 million in tenant improvements and committing to creating more than 100 new jobs over the next five years.  

KLOwen Orthodontics is a leader in cutting-edge custom digital orthodontic solutions, which reduce the number of appointments needed and overall treatment times, enabling orthodontists to more efficiently manage their practices and reduce stress for patients. The move to Richardson enables the company to further develop its products, which are widely utilized by orthodontists across North Texas and the United States.   

The company intends to retain 46 existing jobs and create 127 new jobs over the next five years, with an average salary of $86,360. The City is providing a tenant improvement grant requiring a minimum capital investment by the company of $1.4 million and a five-year lease term, as part of the agreement.  

More information: www.RichardsonEconomicDevelopment.com  

Annual Audit Earns City High Praise 
Findings of a recent audit conducted by Crowe LLP were presented to the City Council this week, with both auditors and Council members giving high praise for the results. The City’s financial statements (known as the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report) were presented at Monday’s City Council meeting, noting that the report was “a testament to both the people and the systems of internal controls, policies and procedures that have been put in place historically.”   

Issuing a “clean” unmodified opinion, the auditors found no instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations and no material weaknesses or significant deficiencies with the internal control structure related to financial statements and grant compliance. In addition, the information was consistent with all applicable accounting standards and requirements.    

This annual audit process ensures that the financial statements of the City may be relied upon by the City Council, residents of Richardson, grantors and third-party investors.    

In addition to the clean audit, the City has been recognized with the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association. The City has received the award for more than 45 years.  

The ACFR is available to view online at www.cor.net/ACFR. A printed copy for viewing is available at the Library and City Secretary’s office. 

Police Chief Presents Annual Department Review 
Police Chief Gary Tittle gave the Richardson Police Department’s 2024 Annual Review at Monday’s City Council meeting. The review gives a comprehensive look at the department over the past year, including staffing, recruiting, community engagement activities, equipment upgrades, new programming and Richardson crime statistics and trends.   

Highlights:  

Complete presentation: Click here  

City Council Updated on Richardson Adult Literacy Center 
Richardson Adult Literacy Center (RALC) Executive Director Ann Banks updated the City Council on RALC’s activities at Monday’s City Council meeting, in preparation for the Council’s FY 25-26 budget planning process. A longtime partner with the City, the RALC provides free, daytime and evening English as a Second Language classes both online and in-person (many at the Richardson Public Library) to adults living in North Texas. It also offers conversation classes, a Citizenship Test Prep class and Career Bridge workshops.   

Though RALC’s student enrollment has increased by 79 percent since FY 2022, its large grant funding through foundations has been decreasing since the COVID pandemic, and the organization has developed a Strategic Plan to work toward moving from grant dependency to financial sustainability.   

Phase 1 of the plan has been completed and included rebranding and increased social media and communications; the City assisted with this phase by providing an economic development grant that helped RALC develop outreach materials targeted to local business leadership and hire additional staff. Phase 2 includes partnering with a local business/company to help collect data on the impacts of RALC classes on the company’s workforce.   

Monday’s presentation: Click here 

Traffic Signal Box Art Contest Now Open 
Submissions opened this week for the City’s fourth annual Traffic Signal Box Art Contest. “Butterflies” is the theme for this year’s contest, co-sponsored by the Richardson Rotary Club.  

The contest is open to individual artists of all ages. A selection committee will review submissions and select finalists. Five winners will be determined according to three main criteria—creativity, adherence to the theme and artistic merit. In addition to their artwork being showcased at select Richardson intersections, artists with winning entries will receive $200, a certificate, and have their work published in Richardson Today and other municipal communication channels.  

The Traffic Signal Box Art Contest aligns with goals outlined in the City’s Public Art Master Plan and was launched in spring 2022.  

All completed applications and artwork submissions for the 2025 contest are due by 5 p.m. Thursday, April 24.  

Website: www.cor.net/boxart

NCTCOG Executive Director Retires; 58 Years of Public Service Included Job with COR 
North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) Executive Director Mike Eastland was honored at Monday’s City Council meeting for his 58 years of public service, two which were spent with the City of Richardson. Eastland is retiring this year from NCTCOG.   

Eastland served as an Assistant City Manager for Richardson from 1974-76, during which time he helped the City purchase land to finish off our municipal campus at Arapaho Road/US 75. He was also part of the team that helped the City acquire its first computer system, called UNIVAC, which allowed Richardson to issue its first computerized utility bills.  

On hand at Monday’s meeting to reminisce and offer congratulations were former Richardson Mayor Gary Slagel and former City Managers Bill Keffler and Dan Johnson. Mayor Bob Dubey issued a proclamation in honor of Eastland expressing the City’s “deepest gratitude for his leadership, vision, and commitment.” Eastland also served the cities of Carrollton, Killeen, Waco and Wichita Falls, and was president of the Texas City Management Association and the North Texas City Management Association among other leadership positions.   

Monday’s presentation: Click here 

Daylight Saving Time Begins Sunday 
Daylight Saving Time officially begins at 2 a.m. Sunday, March 9, so don’t forget to “spring forward” and set your clocks ahead an hour.   

Additionally, the Richardson Fire Department encourages everyone to check the batteries in their smoke detectors and, if needed, replace them with longer-lasting lithium-ion batteries that should last for the life of the smoke detector and do not need to be replaced every six months. The US Fire Administration recommends that smoke detectors be replaced every 10 years.  

No City Council Meeting Next Two Mondays 
Due to the RISD and PISD Spring Breaks, there will be no City Council work session or meeting March 10 and March 17. The City Council will next meet Monday, March 24 at 6 p.m.  

www.cor.net/CityCouncil  

Postponed Lane Closures Along Main Street Expected to Begin March 10 
All lanes of eastbound Main Street between Greenville Avenue and Abrams Road may be closed to traffic and shifted onto westbound Main Street at all times beginning Monday, March 10, as work begins on Phase 2 of the Main Street Reconstruction Project. (The work was originally expected to begin Feb. 17 but was postponed.) Only one lane for each direction of traffic will be open on the westbound side. In addition, Abrams Road will be narrowed to traffic at all times during this stage, and box trucks will be prohibited on Abrams Road south of construction due to reduced lane size.   

Stage 1 is still expected to be complete in late April, with two more stages following. The entire Phase 2 of the Main Street Infrastructure Project is expected to wrap up in early fall.  

Utility Work to Detour Custer Parkway south of PGBT 
Due to work taking place for the Renner Road water project, southbound Custer Parkway between Greenside Drive and Renner Road may be closed to traffic and detoured to westbound Greenside Drive at all times. The work and corresponding lane closures will begin Monday and are expected to last three weeks.  

www.cor.net/projects  

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

Explore tech agreements at this latest installment of The IQ^® Brew, a free public series that features coffee, networking and informative presentations. Thursday’s presenter is Gary Hays, Outsourced General Counsel for Fulton Jeang, who will discuss the various legal and business considerations involved with negotiating the typical provisions of a technology agreement, and how to avoid pitfalls and foster a collaborative client relationship to drive growth. 

Spring Break Camps Still Open; Sign Up Soon 
There are still spots available in several Spring Break Camps being offered by the City’s Parks and Recreation Department! From science to arts and crafts to tennis to cooking, check out these boredom busters taking place over the next two weeks:   

Week of March 10 

Week of March 17 

Cost and hours per camp varies. 

More information/registration: www.cor.net/parksonline  

Teen Program: “Pirates! A Lock Box Escape Adventure” Tomorrow 
Youth Services Storytime Room
Admission: Free; no registration needed
Saturday, March 8 
3-4 p.m.  

Teens ages 13-18 are invited to team up to escape the pirates and chart a course to freedom! Can you solve the puzzles to open your team's locks first? Prizes will be awarded!  

“Game On: Board Games at the Library” Tomorrow
City Council Chamber, 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd., Ste. 525
Admission: Free; no registration needed
Saturday, March 8
3-5 p.m.  

Adventure to the beyond with a librarian-led game time. Lots of options will be available for solo or group play such as Settlers of Catan, Pandemic, Sagrada, and more! City Hall entrance and parking located near Plano Road/Greenville Avenue intersection. 

At the Eisemann Center:

• Free “First Friday” Reception Tonight Highlights New Art Exhibit 
  Forrest and Virginia Green Mezzanine Gallery
  Admission: Free
  Friday, March 7
  6-8 p.m.  

  Enjoy light refreshments and the paintings of artists Lana Housewright, Michelle Noah and Leslie Montena. The exhibit will be up through March 30; regular viewing hours are Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and during all public events.

• Recovery’s Got Talent: Season Seven 
  Hill Performance Hall
  Tickets: $25 (tickets)
  Friday, March 7
  7 p.m.  

  Attend the seventh annual “Recovery’s Got Talent” Show, presented by Simply Grace.   

• Symphonic Tribute to Elvis Tomorrow Afternoon starring Kraig Parker 
  Hill Performance Hall
  Tickets: $45-$60 (tickets)
  Saturday, March 8
  3 p.m.  

  Diamond Horseshoe Productions presents, “A Symphonic Tribute to Elvis - Viva Las Vegas!” starring Kraig Parker backed by his band as well as a full orchestra conducted by Dr. Bryan English. The show features songs from Elvis Presley’s residencies at the International Hotel in Las Vegas and from the movies, “Viva Las Vegas” and “That's The Way It Was.”

• DBDT: Encore! Presents “Dancing Beyond Borders” Tomorrow Night 
  Bank of America Theatre
  Tickets: $50 (tickets) 
  Saturday, March 8
  7:30 p.m.  

  DBDT: Encore!, the professional training company for Dallas Black Dance Theatre, celebrates its 25th anniversary with a stunning display of contemporary works that includes “Prototype” by Tyrone C. Walker, “High Society” by Floyd McLean, Jr. and more. 

• Lightwire Theater: “The Ugly Duckling” Sunday Afternoon 
  Bank of America Theatre
  Tickets: $20-$30 (tickets)
  Sunday, March 9
  2 p.m.  

  The beloved story of “The Ugly Duckling” plays out on stage through a cutting-edge blend of puppetry, technology and dance, featuring electroluminescent wire. With dazzling visuals, poignant choreography and the creative use of music ranging from classical to pop, this production brings this story into a new and brilliant light. 

At UT Dallas:

• Texas Guitar Competition and Festival Continues this Weekend
  The final two days of the annual Texas Guitar Competition, focused on classical guitar, take place tonight and tomorrow on the UT Dallas campus with several events that are open to the public, including a vendor fair, lecture, vendor demonstration and two concerts. Following is concert information; click here and here for more event information.
  
  Adult Competition Finals
  University Theatre
  Free and open to the public
  Friday March 7
  7 p.m.
  
  David Russell Performance, co-presented with the Allegro Guitar Society
  University Theatre
  Free and open to the Public
  Saturday, March 8
  7:30 p.m. (Come early at 7 p.m. for a pre-show concert by the Festival Youth Orchestra; stay after for the Competition’s Award Ceremony.) 

Spring Cleaning? BABIC Service Available for Large Items, Yard Trimmings 
If you’re planning to do some spring cleaning and/or tree trimming soon, don’t forget the City provides Brush and Bulky Item Collection Service (BABIC) once a week on your recycling day—simply request online, through the MyRichardson mobile app or by calling the BABIC service line to request a pickup, and place material scheduled for removal at the front of your home, between the sidewalk and curb.   

Remember to “Think Big” when it comes to BABIC pickup requests. For example, don’t call for a pickup if you’ve only got a small chair or a few tiny limbs or twigs sitting out. The service is designed for large brush piles and bulky items weighing 50 pounds or more. Anything smaller should be placed out for regular trash collection. However, keep in mind that there are size limits to your trimmings—Brush, tree trunks/limbs and other green waste must be no bigger than eight feet long and two feet in diameter.   

BABIC requests: click here or call 972-744-4111 

Make sure to note if you have compostable material to be picked up, and separate compostable material from other material.   

Website: www.cor.net/babic  

 
Free Butterfly Gardening Class Next Saturday 
City Council Chamber, 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd., Ste. 525
(City Hall entrance and parking located near Plano Road/Greenville Avenue intersection)
Admission: Free
Saturday, March 15
1-2 p.m.  

Dallas Master Gardener Janet Smith will show us how to create a butterfly garden in our gardens or outdoor spaces. She specializes in creating attractive landscapes that conserve natural resources and money, are good for the local ecology, and that attract bees, butterflies and birds. Free seeds available while supplies last. For adults and teens. 

Enter Your Garden in the Richardson Woman’s Club Annual Garden Tour 
The Richardson Woman’s Club is looking for gardens to be a part of its Annual Garden Tour. Scheduled for May 3, the annual event features 5-7 gardens throughout Richardson. If you have a garden you would like to be included, sign up at  https://feedback.cor.gov/s/Garden-Tour-Yard/tt-JRa03 by March 17. For more information on the tour, visit www.rwctx.org. 

Fleet Technician II ($47,041.80 – $66,038.96 Salary) 
Fleet Services is looking for individuals who can perform light mechanical repairs and welding on city vehicles/equipment. Texas Class A Commercial operator’s license (CDL) required. Texas Class C Driver’s license acceptable if applicant has also passed written portion of test. 

Maintenance Helper II ($41,600 - $51,660 Salary) 
The Public Services Department has multiple job opening in Streets, Utilities, Water and Construction and is looking for individuals who love working outdoors doing repair and construction to streets. Texas Drivers License, Class C, required. 

Day Camp Director ($15.00/hr - $17.50/hr) 
The Parks and Recreation Department is looking for individuals with experience working with children. CPR and First-Aid Certification required or must obtain during job orientation. 

www.cor.net/jobs

Pet of the Week
Check out Jane, an 11-month-old cattle dog mix whose personality is as vibrant as her spirit. She is the epitome of sweetness, with a friendly disposition that wins over everyone she meets. Her energetic nature makes her the perfect companion for active individuals or families. Jane has a knack for getting along splendidly with both dogs and people, making her a great addition to a home with other pets. She loves playtime but also enjoys quiet moments of companionship. Jane's infectious joy and unwavering loyalty are sure to brighten up any home. If you're looking for a furry friend who will offer unconditional love and endless fun, Jane is the perfect choice. 

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

City Council Links