July 3, 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

“Richardson’s Family 4th” is Tomorrow 
The City of Richardson is hosting its annual Family 4th Celebration on Friday, July 4, at Breckinridge Park, 3555 Brand Rd., beginning at 6 p.m. Anyone wishing to attend the free event is invited to bring picnics, blankets and/or lawn chairs and enjoy an evening that includes activities for children, live music, concessions/food trucks and a spectacular fireworks show.   

Plan for Weather 
There’s a 20 percent chance of rain forecast for tomorrow prior to the fireworks display. Those planning to attend may wish to prepare for soggy site conditions.   

It is recommended to sign up for event weather alerts to appear on your mobile device by following the steps below:  

(You will receive texts related to weather impacts and other event information)  

Note: Following NWS safety guidelines, the site will be evacuated if lightning is detected within 10 miles of the event site.  

Parking 

Due to limited parking at Breckinridge Park, free round-trip shuttle service will be offered from designated off-site parking locations at 3001 & 3101 President George Bush Turnpike in Richardson.   

Note: Shuttle buses have limited seating with no undercarriage storage. Riders are encouraged to minimize items.    

Schedule  

6 p.m. Concessions and Kids’ Activities Open (includes bounce houses and more) 

8:15 p.m. Richardson Community Band Patriotic Salute Concert 

9:30 p.m. Fireworks Begin    

Event website: www.cor.net/Family4th  

Miss Richardson Crowned as Miss Texas 
Miss Richardson Sadie Schiermeyer was named the new Miss Texas and Miss Colleyville Teen Emma Fossum became Miss Texas’ Teen last weekend at the Eisemann Center.  

Schiermeyer is the first second-generation contestant to win the Miss Texas title (her mother was Miss Texas 1994) and she’s also the first Miss Richardson to take home the Texas crown in the 88 years that the competition has existed.   

Schiermeyer competed on a platform entitled, “Healthier Texas: How Are You, Really?” and is passionate about improving Texans’ health through education, open conversations and accessible resources.   

Photo Courtesy of BluDoor Studios

As Miss Texas, she will represent Texas in the Miss America Scholarship Competition in September in Orlando, Fla. 
 
The Miss Texas competition has been held at the Eisemann Center since 2014, attracting hundreds of spectators from across the state each year to Richardson to witness preliminary competitions as well as the finals.  

www.misstexas.org   

4th of July Municipal Facilities Schedule   

For more information, visit www.cor.net/HolidaySchedule. 

Reminder: Personal Fireworks Not Allowed Within City Limits 
Richardson firefighters are reminding residents to stay safe this holiday weekend and to be aware of the City ordinance prohibiting the sale, storage, or use of fireworks within City limits.  

This ordinance is in place to protect public safety. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), fireworks cause more than 30,000 fires and over 10,000 emergency room visits each year across the country.  

NFPA ways to celebrate safely:  www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/home-fire-safety/fireworks  

Trees Removed at Memorial Park 
Last week, Richardson Parks and Recreation crews removed several dead and dying trees at Memorial Park following safety concerns raised by nearby residents. Multiple reports were received regarding the condition of the trees, with particular concern about the potential for falling limbs or trees during severe weather. 

Certified Parks and Recreation staff with expertise in tree health assessed the area and confirmed that the trees posed a heightened risk of structural failure, creating a public safety hazard. The trees were removed and the site has been cleared in preparation for new tree plantings this fall—when seasonal conditions are more favorable for successful replanting.  

Residents who notice potentially hazardous trees or other safety concerns in local parks are encouraged to contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 972-744-4300 or e-mail AskParksandRecreation@cor.gov. 

Watch Progress of Library Renovation, City Hall Construction via New EarthCams 
Progress of City Hall construction and Library renovation project are now available to view by streaming video. Cameras installed on the Municipal Campus transmit images every 15 minutes, 24/7, and include time progression video to see the progress of the projects.  

Richardson EarthCam #1 (New City Hall construction): www.cor.net/NewCityHall  

Richardson EarthCam #2 (Library renovation): www.cor.net/LibraryRenovation  

No City Council Meeting Next Monday 
Due to summer break and the Independence Day holiday, there will be no City Council meeting Monday, July 7. The Council will next meet Monday, July 14 beginning at 6 p.m.  

City Council calendar: www.cor.net/CityCouncil  

City Manager Names New Director of Finance 
City Manager Don Magner announced this week the appointment of Todd Gastorf as the City’s incoming Director of Finance, effective July 14. Gastorf will succeed Anita Cothran, who is retiring after more than 38 years of service in municipal government, serving her last two with the City of Richardson.   

Gastorf has been with the City of Richardson for 16 years, and has been instrumental in the work that has led to the City’s “Triple A” bond rating from Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s credit rating agencies for the past 14 years. Gastorf has also led the City’s efforts to achieve the highest level of transparency under the Texas Comptroller’s Transparency Stars Program.  

As director, Gastorf will oversee the City’s Finance Department, which is responsible for financial reporting, accounting, procurement, investment, debt management, municipal court, tax compliance, utility billing, franchise and internal audit.  

Press Releases: www.cor.net/News  

Richardson Recognized with Purchasing Award for 28th Consecutive Year 
The City of Richardson has earned the 2025 Annual Achievement of Excellence in Procurement® (AEP) award from the National Procurement Institute. This is the 28th consecutive year that Richardson has received the award.  

The AEP Award is earned by organizations that demonstrate excellence through innovation, professionalism, productivity, e-procurement, leadership, and contributions that further advance the public procurement profession. The AEP program encourages continued organizational improvement to earn the award.  

AEP website: www.npi-aep.org  

Altrusa “Outstanding Women” Awards Nominations Open 
Altrusa International of Richardson, Inc. is accepting nominations for its 2025 “Outstanding Women of Today…Builders of Tomorrow” Awards. The deadline to submit nominations is Friday, Aug. 1.     

The award honors women who are currently employed full time, work or live in the Dallas Metroplex, and who have made outstanding contributions in their chosen careers. Winners are celebrated each year at a luncheon in the fall, which benefits the Altrusa International of Richardson Foundation, Inc.; this year’s luncheon is scheduled for Oct. 24.  

Nomination form:  www.altrusarichardson.com/2025-Awards-Luncheon  

2025 Traffic Signal Box Art Contest Artwork Installed 
Installation of the five winning designs from the City’s fourth annual Traffic Signal Box Art Contest is now complete. The winners were announced and recognized at a City Council meeting last month, and their art was featured in the June edition of Richardson Today. The theme for this year’s contest was “Butterflies.”   

Winners and the intersection location of the artwork (wrapped on traffic signal boxes) are as follows:   

Website: www.cor.net/BoxArtContest    

Lane Closures Expected at Waterview Intersection Near UT Dallas 
Various right and left lanes at the intersection of Waterview Parkway and Frank Johnson Drive may be closed to traffic alternately from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. for sidewalk and traffic signal work. The work is expected to wrap up by early September. 

Lane Closure Expected on Belt Line East of Plano Road 
The right lane of westbound East Belt Line Road between University Village Drive and Plano Road 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 September.  

Small Business Community Happy Hour & Networking Next Wednesday in The IQ^® 
Soccer Spectrum, 1251 Digital Dr.
Admission: $5 Richardson Chamber members, $15 nonmembers (register here)
Wednesday, July 9
5-7 p.m.  

Enjoy happy hour beverages and light bites at this bimonthly networking event sponsored by the Richardson Chamber of Commerce. 

At the Eisemann Center:

• “7 Bridges: The Ultimate Eagles Experience” This Saturday 

  Hill Performance Hall
  Tickets: $55-$90 (tickets)
  Saturday, July 5
  7:30 p.m.  

  This stunningly accurate tribute to the music of the Eagles uses no backing tracks or harmonizers to faithfully re-create the experience of an Eagles concert from the band’s most prolific period. Each show features one brilliant hit after another with some Joe Walsh surprises sprinkled into the mix, the perfect blend of songs to capture all levels of Eagles devotees. Presented by Tribute Masters. 

AgriLife Extension Offers Routine Soil Testing at Low Cost 
Thanks to the soil testing laboratory operated by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, it’s easy and not very expensive to get a professional soil test in Texas. Simply fill out an online form and mail your sample(s) to the lab (located in College Station). Cost is $12 per sample for Routine Analysis, a basic test for basic fertilizer recommendations. Several add-on tests are available, which increases the price per sample to $19-$89. (Shipping cost is extra.)  

According to the Dallas County Master Gardener Association, a division of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, the Routine Analysis is the one most homeowners should use. It will tell you how much nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, magnesium and sulfur your soil contains, and it will advise on any required supplementation. In addition, it will list the sodium content (related to salinity), pH (acidity or alkalinity), and the soil conductivity (also related to salinity).  

More information/submission form: Click here 

Clean Air Ideas for Summer Road Trips 
Hitting the road this weekend for the holiday? Here are some tips from the North Central Texas Council of Governments’ Air North Texas division that help lesson the impact our travels can have on air quality: 

More information: Click here  

Driver/Loader, SWS Recycling ($43,136 - $60,013 Salary)
The Public Services Department is looking for individuals who can drive and operate residential refuse and or recycling collection equipment. Work in a small crew to collect, load, transport, and dispose of refuse, garbage, recycling, and brush.  Applicable Texas Commercial Learner’s Permit is required within 1 month of hire. Texas Commercial Driver’s License, Class B, is required within 6 months of hire. 

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. 

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 Powder, a gentle soul with a heart full of love. She's a sweet, friendly 5-year-old Staffordshire dog who can't resist a good treat. Her playful nature is infectious and she's always ready to make new human friends. However, she would need to meet and greet with any potential canine siblings to ensure a harmonious relationship. Powder's gentle demeanor makes her a wonderful companion for anyone seeking a loyal friend. Her love for treats can be a great tool for further training and bonding. The love and companionship that Powder can offer are unparalleled. She deserves a forever home where she can share her sweetness and joy every day. 

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

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