March 21, 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 Transparency Recognized with Trailblazer Award 
The Office of the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts this week recognized Richardson as a recipient of the inaugural Transparency Trailblazer Award, a special honor for local governments across Texas that consistently achieve top recognition in the Comptroller’s Transparency Stars program. The Transparency Stars program recognizes local governments for going above and beyond in their transparency efforts across a variety of areas, including traditional finances, contracts and procurement, economic development, public pensions, debt obligations, and open government and compliance.  

From left, Mayor Pro Tem Arefin Shamsul, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar, Mayor Bob Dubey, City Manager Don Magner

Richardson’s commitment to transparency dates back to 2007, when the City Council began posting meeting agenda documents online; the City’s formal Transparency Page was launched in 2010. This online web page exceeded the requirements of the State’s Leadership Circle program and earned the highest level of recognition possible each year thereafter. Since the State’s Transparency Stars program began in 2016, the City has consistently maintained 5-star recognition, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to openness and accountability.  

Read Full Release: https://www.cor.net/Home/Components/News/News/8059/73  
Website: www.cor.net/transparency  

Fix-a-Leak Week Continues; Free Leak Detection Kits Available through Sunday
This week, Richardson has been celebrating Fix a Leak Week, an EPA WaterSense program, to bring attention to water waste in the home and encourage residents to check for leaks and drips. Through Sunday, March 23, free toilet leak detection tablet packs are being distributed at several city facilities during normal business hours (while supplies last).  

Did you know that a toilet leak can waste more than 200 gallons of water a day and is one of the largest water wasters in a home? Although you can usually hear a running toilet, some toilet leaks are silent.  

More information: www.epa.gov/watersense/fix-leak-week 

Gardens Sought for RWCTX Garden Tour—Deadline Extended to March 31 
The Richardson Woman’s Club (RWC) Annual Garden Tour is seeking local gardens for the tour, which this year is co-sponsored by the City of Richardson and set to take place Saturday, May 3 from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., with coffee and pastries available at the RWC Clubhouse at 8:30 a.m., gardening seminars beginning at 9 a.m. and the garden tour starting at 10 a.m.  

Do you have a garden you would like to show off? If so, please fill out an interest form here.  

More information: www.rwctx.org  

Annual RPD Summer Safety Camp Registration Now Open 
Registration opened this week for the Richardson Police Department’s annual Summer Safety Camp, open to children who have completed kindergarten and have not yet started 4th grade. Eight weekly camp sessions will be held from 8:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Monday-Friday at Dartmouth Elementary School, 417 Dartmouth Ln. (children may attend only one session).  

Campers will learn about: 

Sessions begin June 2 and end the week of July 28. Cost is $20 per child, per week (includes camp T-shirt). Register here or through the website below. Note: Children of Richardson residents who have not attended Safety Camp in the past will be given first priority during registration.   

Website: www.richardsonpolice.net/i-want-to/sign-up-for/summer-safety-camp 

Email: summersafetycamp@cor.gov  

Contact: 972-744-4949 

Youth Citizen Police Academy Begins June 16 
Applications are now being accepted for the Richardson Youth Citizen Police Academy, an annual, one-week program to be held June 16-20 that provides youth ages 13-17 firsthand information about how the Richardson Police Department (RPD) functions, law enforcement’s role in the criminal justice system, and promotes understanding between youth and police.  

Topics include hands-on instruction in the following areas: 

This year there will be two sessions per day: 8:30 a.m.-noon and 1-4:30 p.m. Class size is limited to 25 students per session. The Academy will be held at Richardson Police Headquarters, 200 N. Greenville Ave.   

To submit online, access the application here. School resource officers also have applications.  

Website: www.cor.net/RYCPA 

Contact: 972-744-4955  

Eastbound Arapaho East of US 75 to Experience Lane Closures due to Sidewalk Repair 
The right lane of eastbound Arapaho Road between US 75 and Plano Road may be closed to traffic in segments from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. as sidewalk repair takes place on the south side of Arapaho. The work should be complete by mid-April. 

Lane Closure Expected at Shiloh/Breckinridge Intersection 
The right lane of southbound Shiloh Road extended 400 feet north and south of Breckinridge Boulevard 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 mid-June. 

www.cor.net/projects

“Cone with a Cop” March 24 
Bruster’s Ice Cream, 710 W. Renner Rd., Suite 202
Admission: Free (ice cream treats available for purchase)
Monday, March 24
3-4:30 p.m.  

Join the Richardson Police Department for a sweet treat—cool off and chat with local officers.  

More information: View event listing or call 972-744-4955.

Tip-a-Cop at Fish City Grill Tuesday 
Fish City Grill, 1415 E. Renner Rd., Suite 260
Tuesday, March 25
11 a.m.-8 p.m.  

Richardson Police Officers are holding a fundraiser for Special Olympics Texas at Fish City Grill. Fifteen percent of all sales will go to Special Olympics Texas, and officers will also be selling Special Olympics hats and T-shirts. Special Olympics Texas is a year-round movement that provides sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. To make a donation, click here.  

Save the Date (and your stuff): Trash Bash is Next Weekend! 
The City’s annual Trash Bash takes place Saturday, March 29 and will continue the tradition of collecting several household items, drive-thru style, to keep usable items out of our landfills and waterways and help residents with “spring cleaning.” 

The following items will be collected outside First United Methodist Church Richardson, 503 N. Central Expwy., from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.: 

Free compost or mulch (one bag per car) and a “Richardson Replants” tree giveaway will also be onsite while supplies last—one free tree will be given to Richardson residents (one per household).  

The following items will be collected outside The Heights Church, 201 W. Renner Rd., from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: 

Only documents containing private information to help protect against identity theft should be brought to be shredded. General paper products such as newspapers or magazines are not included in this shredding process. This is a free event, but residents should bring no more than five banker-type boxes of paper. Anyone with more than five boxes will be asked for a minimum donation of $5 per extra box.   

The electronics recycling and document shredding event is sponsored by the Richardson Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association.  

More information: www.cor.net/trashbash 

“Protect Yourself Online” Tomorrow Morning 
Millwood Creek Room
Admission: Free (registration required; call 972-744-4355 to register)
Saturday, March 22
10:30 a.m.-Noon  

Learn how to establish good online habits and avoid security pitfalls. Open to adults with an RPL card in good standing.  

“Nite! Nite! Bedtime Stories” Monday Night
Youth Services Storytime Room
Admission: Free; no registration required
Monday, March 24
7-7:30 p.m.  

Children ages 3-7 will wind down with songs, books, flannels and other bedtime activities. Wear your favorite comfy pajamas and bring a stuffed animal along! Note: Children must be accompanied by an adult. 

At the Eisemann Center:

• Contemporary Ballet Dallas’ Youth Companies Tomorrow Afternoon
  Bank of America Theatre
  Tickets: $37 (Tickets)
  Saturday, March 22
  4 p.m.
  
  Contemporary Ballet Dallas’ Youth Performing Companies present a variety of works choreographed by CBD staff.
  
  
• “Trailblazing Women of Country” Tribute to Patsy, Loretta and Dolly Sunday
  Hill Performance Hall
  Tickets: $30-$50 (Tickets)
  Sunday, March 23
  2 p.m.
  
  Step back in time and witness the groundbreaking legacy of Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton as they revolutionized country music and paved the way for generations to come. Join us for an unforgettable afternoon concert where their chart-topping hits and record-breaking sales come to life onstage through the talents of soloists Rissi Palmer and Nashville-based singer Kristina Train.
  
  
• Mandy Gonzalez Next Friday 
  Bank of America Theatre
  Tickets: $35-$55 (Tickets)
  Friday March 28
  8 p.m.
  
  Mandy Gonzalez is an accomplished film, TV and stage actor and author. She possesses one of the most powerful and versatile contemporary voices of our time and has starred on Broadway in the megahit “Hamilton” as Angelica Schuyler. Mandy also originated the role of Nina Rosario in the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, “In The Heights,” for which she received a Drama Desk Award, and starred as Elphaba in the Broadway production of “Wicked,” blowing the roof off of New York’s Gershwin Theatre each night as she belted out the signature song, “Defying Gravity.”
  
  Join Mandy for an evening of music from throughout her career on one of her nights off from starring as Norma Desmond in “Sunset Blvd.” on Broadway. Arrive at 7 p.m. for the full cabaret experience! 

At UT Dallas:

• “Gamescapes: Site, Sight, Situation” Public Lecture/Reception Thursday 
  Jonsson Performance Hall
  Admission: Free (Event Listing)
  Thursday, March 27 
  6 p.m. reception in Jonsson Performance Hall Mezzanine; 7 p.m. lecture
  
  W.J.T. Mitchell, Distinguished Professor of English, Art History and Cinema Studies at the University of Chicago, explores the historical genealogy of game “sites” and “sights,” the role of spectacle and spatial structures, and the notion of “situation,” He looks at what has been called “gamescapes”— and raises the questions of whether there are good reasons to escape or rescue us from certain games, whether games are escapist and whether we could stop playing some very toxic real-world games (war, caste, racism, poverty, de-regulated capital and media), and the contemporary “gamification” of human realities.

“Once Upon a Mattress” Immersive Experience Opens Tonight at RCT
Repertory Company Theatre, 770 N. Coit Rd.
Tickets: $20 youth, $36 adult (Tickets)
March 21-30
Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m.  

RCT’s REP Company brings a fresh take on this beloved musical comedy that features catchy tunes, vibrant costumes and lovable characters. The show tells the story of Princess Winnifred, a spunky and independent young woman who must pass the ultimate test to win the heart of the prince—and a happily-ever-after, of course! Immersive activities include a “Quest for the Crown” Lobby Scavenger Hunt, “Knight’s Gambit” Prize Wheel and a Royal Slumber Photo Op.  

WIN Comedy Night at Network Thursday Night 
Network’s Community Room, 1500 International Pkwy. Ste. 300
Tickets: $40 (Tickets)
Thursday, March 27
6-8 p.m.  

Join Women in Network for an unforgettable evening of laughter and fun, including a hilarious show featuring Kelli Vrla, proudly boasting her title of G.P.E.—Greek Pastry Enthusiast! Plus, you won't want to miss out on the legendary Wine Toss.  

Website: WIN Comedy Night 

Gardening Workshop 
Senior Center, 820 W. Arapaho Rd.
Cost: $5, no Senior Center membership required (to sign up, call 972-744-7800)
Saturday, March 22
10 a.m.  

Certified Arborist and SMU Director of Landscape Management Dr. Kevin L. Dillard will teach all about soils—their characteristics, needs and how to improve them.  

Coyote Sightings Normal for Spring 
March is a prime time to see an increase in coyotes in North Texas, as the animal’s mating season (which begins in January) usually ends in the early part of March and its birthing season begins in the latter part. During this time, coyotes are either howling to find their mates, claiming territory or hunting for food to feed their growing family (the males are not allowed in the family “den” while the babies are young). 

If you see a coyote, remember: 

Website: www.cor.net/coyotes 
Website: www.projectcoyote.org/resources/download-and-share/#brochures 
Website: www.humanesociety.org/resources/what-do-about-coyotes 

Richardson Animal Services: 972-744-4480 

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.   

Facilities Maintenance Specialist (48,296.04 to 71,706.96 Salary) 
Facilities Maintenance is looking for an individual who can perform skilled maintenance, repairs and installations on building facilities. Perform preventive maintenance on HVAC, electrical, electronic, plumbing, pumping, and motor control systems. Texas Driver’s License, Class C, required.   

Gymnastics Instructor PT ($17.82/hr to $26.50/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 Raven, a 5-year-old Labrador Retriever mix with a heart as big as her personality. Her sweetness is infectious, and her friendly demeanor makes her a joy to be around. Raven is a cuddle bug, always seeking the warmth of human companionship. She has a knack for making any room feel like home with her comforting presence. However, Raven would thrive best in a household where she can be the only dog, as she likes to be the center of attention. Raven is more than just a pet, she's a companion, a friend, and a source of unconditional love. 

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

City Council Links