Aug. 1, 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

Featured Artist Named for Fall Cottonwood Art Festival 
This morning, international painter David del Solar was announced as the Featured Artist for Richardson’s Cottonwood Art Festival, to be held Oct. 4-5.   

Del Solar’s work features vibrant color palettes with simple scenes or objects and symbolic text. His new painting, “Defiant Teddy Bear,” which depicts a cholla cactus standing fearlessly in the middle of a trail, recently received the Award of Merit from the National Oil & Acrylic Painters’ Society at the Associate Members Exhibition in June.  

Images of del Solar’s work will be showcased on the Cottonwood Art Festival’s promotional materials and official merchandise, which includes T-shirts, hats, posters and other souvenirs available for purchase at the festival.   

Since 1969, the semiannual, juried Cottonwood Art Festival has taken place in Cottonwood Park. The 2025 fall festival will offer the museum-quality work of more than 200 artists from around the world, and include live musical performances, numerous food and beverage options and children’s art stations.   

Website: www.cottonwoodartfestival.com  

Council Goals Workshop Available for Viewing 
On-demand video of the City Council’s Goals Workshop held last Saturday, July 26 is available to view online. The goals workshop is held biennially and is a time for the newly elected City Council to create its Goals, Strategies and Tactics that will guide all business conducted by the City over the next two years.   

Goals Workshop video: www.cor.net/goals   

“Deep Dive” Budget Presentations Continue for 2025-26 Budget Planning 
“Deep Dive” presentations continued at Monday’s City Council meeting in preparation for the Council’s August Budget Workshop. These annual overviews given by City department leadership provide the Council with detailed information about current programs, infrastructure and maintenance tasks, along with trends, proposed projects/initiatives and budget requests.    

Monday’s presentations included a look at 2025-26 Water/Wastewater maintenance strategies and the Fire Department’s Strategic Master Plan.  

The FY 2025-26 Budget Workshop is scheduled for Aug. 4-5, where more budget presentations will take place; see article below for more information. 

Water/Wastewater presentation: Click here 

Fire Department presentation: Click here 

Two-Day Budget Workshop Begins Monday 
The City’s annual two-day Budget Workshop will be held Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 4-5, in the City Council Chamber at City Hall, 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd., Ste. 525. During the workshop, staff will give presentations on needs, proposed projects and projected costs for FY 2025-26 for the City Council to review.  

The workshop begins at 6 p.m. each day and is open to the public. It can also be seen live on the City website at www.cor.net/citv. On-demand video will be available on the City’s website after the budget workshop has finished.  

The City Council will hold two public hearings prior to the adoption of the budget. The 2025-26 budget goes into effect Oct. 1.  

Website: www.cor.net/budget  

Charter Amendment Review Concludes 
The Richardson City Council wrapped up its review of proposed City Charter amendments at Monday’s City Council meeting with a brief discussion on wording for an amendment within Article 18. With that, the City attorney has finalized wording for all 48 proposed charter amendments, and the City Council plans to vote on an ordinance at its Aug. 11 meeting to call a charter amendment election for Nov. 4.  

Proposed amendments to Richardson’s City Charter were originally presented by the Charter Review Commission for Council consideration June 2, and the Council has been reviewing the amendments at City Council meetings throughout the summer.  

Richardson’s Charter requires that the City Council appoint a commission at least once every 10 years to review the Charter and recommend any changes it deems necessary.   

Monday’s discussion: Click here  

Council Receives Update On 2024 “Boil Water Notice” Incident 
Public Services staff provided an update to the City Council at Monday’s City Council meeting regarding actions taken in response to the water system pressure loss that occurred on Nov. 6, 2024, that resulted in a Boil Water Notice being issued. The Council received a comprehensive report on the incident in December from Public Services; Monday’s update was a follow-up to the recommendations/steps listed in the report that were needed to prevent this type of incident from happening again.  

Multiple changes were made this year and new strategies implemented, including:  

Monday’s presentation: click here 

Arts & Culture Master Plan Adopted 
At Monday’s City Council meeting, the City Council passed a resolution adopting Richardson’s Arts & Culture Master Plan, an update to the Cultural Arts Master Plan adopted in 2013. The Plan serves as a long-term guide for the growth and development of arts and cultural initiatives in Richardson; the recent update was created out of a year-long process guided by consultants and the Cultural Arts Commission that involved research, community engagement, analysis, and visioning.  

Formally titled, “Home is Where the HeART is! 2025–2035 Arts & Culture Master Plan,” it includes five strategic objectives, each supported by short-, mid- and long-term goals. The five objectives are:   

View: Arts & Culture Master Plan

Animal Shelter Waives Adoption Fees This Month 
For the entire month of August, the Richardson Animal Shelter is again participating in the annual “Clear the Shelters” event. Now in its 11th year, this nationwide campaign that began in North Texas helps connect pets with families by offering waived or reduced adoption fees. During Clear the Shelters, the Richardson Animal Shelter will waive adoption fees (which range from $15-$35 depending on age and type of animal).  

Note that new owners will still be required to have pets spayed/neutered and vaccinated for rabies if it has not been done so already. A valid Texas driver’s license or ID is required and new owners must be age 18 or older.  

Those who are not ready to adopt are encouraged to consider fostering an animal by providing a safe and calm place until they find their forever home.  

The Richardson Animal Shelter is located at 551 N. Plano Rd., adjacent to the main Shelter facility while construction is taking place.   

www.cor.net/AnimalShelter  

www.CleartheShelters.com  

Survey Opens Today for City’s ADA Transition Plan 
The City of Richardson is seeking public input as it develops an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan to identify and address barriers that limit access to public facilities, programs and transportation infrastructure. Residents are invited to share their experiences and provide feedback—a survey (see link below) will be available Aug. 1-Sept. 30 and an in-person community meeting will be held Aug. 26 (details below).   

The ADA requires public entities to have a documented plan outlining how they will bring buildings, programs and infrastructure into compliance with federal accessibility standards. The plan includes a review of existing conditions, identification of physical and programmatic barriers and a proposed timeline for making improvements.   

Survey Link: Click here  

Public Meeting Details: 
Tuesday, Aug. 26
City Council Chamber, 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd., Ste. 525
6-8 p.m. 

Sales Tax Holiday for Clothes, School Supplies Begins Next Friday 
The annual back-to-school Tax Free Holiday begins Friday, Aug. 8, and runs through Sunday, Aug. 10. The event exempts most clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks (priced under $100) from sales and use taxes. The holiday applies to items purchased from a Texas store or from an online or catalog seller doing business in Texas. Some exclusions apply.  

Website: www.TexasTaxHoliday.org   

City Manager Names New Development Services Director 
Richardson City Manager Don Magner has announced the appointment of Tina Firgens, AICP, as Richardson’s new Director of Development Services. Firgens will officially begin her new role on Aug. 11. She brings with her more than three decades of municipal planning and development experience across several North Texas communities.  

Firgens currently serves as the Deputy Director of Development Services and Planning Director for the City of Denton. Throughout her 30-year career, she has worked in leadership roles in Denton, Farmers Branch and Plano, and previously with Richardson as a Planning Projects Manager from 2013-18.  

As Director of Development Services, Firgens will oversee initiatives related to land use development, revitalization, and implementation of the City’s recently adopted comprehensive plan, guiding the department’s two divisions: Development and Engineering, and Planning. While each division has distinct responsibilities, they work collaboratively to support zoning, development and long-term planning across the community.  

Full press release: Click here 

US 75 HOV Tech Lane Construction Begins Monday 
TxDOT will begin construction on the next phase of the US 75 Tech Lanes Project Monday, Aug. 4, with work expected to continue through summer 2026.   

Crews will start by restriping the southbound HOV lane between the President George Bush Turnpike (PGBT) and I-635, completing about 1,500 to 1,800 feet of markings each night through rolling closures. Once the southbound work is finished, anticipated around Aug. 25, crews will begin restriping the northbound HOV lane between I-635 and PGBT. Once striping begins on the northbound HOV lane, the northbound HOV lane will be closed for the duration of the project (approximately 11 months) to provide space for construction activity. The southbound HOV lane will remain open during the construction period.  

The initial striping work will take place overnight from 9 p.m.-6 a.m. to limit daytime traffic disruptions. Once the striping work is completed, the work zone will be active during both daytime and overnight hours.  

When complete, the project will convert existing HOV lanes into technology lanes that remain toll free and open to carpools, motorcycles and low-emission vehicles during rush hours, and available to all drivers at other times. 

Lane Closures, Traffic Delays Expected on Northbound Coit Road 
In various phases, the right, left and center lanes of northbound Coit Road between Haymeadow Drive and Roundrock Road may be closed to traffic alternately as concrete rehabilitation/replacement takes place. Turn lanes may be closed as needed. There will be two lane closures from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; after 3:30 p.m. there will be at least two lanes open to through traffic until the next morning at 9:30 a.m. Note that one lane could remain closed overnight. The City is advising to seek an alternate route if possible.  

The work is expected to be complete by late October.   

www.cor.net/Projects

Parks and Recreation Hosts Open House Tomorrow 
Huffhines Recreation Center, 200 N. Plano Rd.
Admission: Free
Saturday, Aug. 2
1-4 p.m. come-and-go  

Come and learn about all that the City of Richardson’s Parks & Recreation Department has to offer—programs, activities, special events, sports, classes and more! This event includes door prizes; be sure to sign up! 

National Night Out Block Party Registration Kickoff Next Tuesday 
The Richardson Police Department will kick off registration/preparations for National Night Out (NNO) next Tuesday, Aug. 5 at 8 a.m., via an online video. Neighborhood leaders can find out all the details and enter a drawing to win one of several prizes including four Nextbase dash cameras, as well as “specialty visits” and decorations for your party. NNO is an annual crime prevention and community-building event scheduled in Texas this year on Oct. 7.  

This is Richardson’s 36th year to participate in National Night Out, last year winning first place in the nation for number of participants and events, among cities of similar size.  

Registration ends Sept. 23.  

Website/video/registration (available beginning at 8 a.m. Aug. 5): Click here 

More information: Community Relations Unit, 972-744-4955 

Library Closed Next Friday for In-Service Day 
The Richardson Public Library will be closed Friday, Aug. 8 for staff development. It will reopen the following day on its regular schedule. Digital services such as Libby and Hoopla will remain open on Aug. 8.   

For a complete listing of operating hours, click here.  

Meet the “Tales for Tails” Dogs Tomorrow Afternoon 
City Council Chamber, 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd. Ste. 525
Admission: Free
Saturday, Aug. 2
2-3 p.m.   

Dog lovers of all ages are invited to meet the friendly Heart of Texas Therapy pups from the Library’s “Tales for Tails” program! Learn about their journey to becoming therapy dogs, then enjoy cuddles, wags and fun photo ops.  

“Art for All! All for Art!” Tomorrow Afternoon 
Youth Services Storytime Room
Admission: Free
Saturday, Aug. 2
3-5 p.m.   

Enjoy a smorgasbord of craft supplies and be as art smart as you like. It’s your opportunity to make whatever springs to your imagination! For all ages. 

Family Improv Night at The Core Theatre Tomorrow 
518 W. Arapaho Rd., Ste. 115
Tickets: $5-$10 (ticket link: click here)
Saturday, Aug. 2
7:30 p.m.   

Bring the kids for a night of family fun with The Core Theatre’s Family Improv troupe.   

www.thecoretheatre.org  

Richardson Community Band’s Summer Concerts Move Indoors Sunday 
First United Methodist Church Richardson, 503 N. Central Expwy.
Admission: Free
Sunday, Aug. 3
7 p.m.  

The RCBeboppers, a jazz band comprised of members of the Richardson Community Band, will play oldies and newbies, with Catherine Nodurft as guest vocal soloist. Enjoy this “Jazz Time” concert indoors in air-conditioned comfort!  

www.richardsoncommunityband.org  

Beat the Heat with Evening Hours at Richardson Parks 
In light of recent high temperatures, Richardson Parks and Recreation staff want to remind the public that all of the City’s parks are open in the evenings until 10:30 p.m., with several offering lighted amenities such as the following:  

*For the tennis courts, players turn on the lights; they turn off automatically at 10:30 p.m.  

Additionally, the Heights and Huffhines Recreation Centers and Senior Center are great places to get out of the heat, work out and learn new things. And don’t forget, the City pools still operating for the summer (Canyon Creek, Terrace and Heights Family Aquatic Center) are open until 8 p.m. on weekends, with Canyon Creek and Heights also open until 8 p.m. on select nights Monday-Friday.  

More information: www.cor.net/parks www.cor.net/pools  

Heatstroke in Hot Cars: Preventing It
Did you know that Texas has more child deaths due to heatstroke in a car than any other state?  On a 90-degree day, the inside temperature of a car can increase to 109 degrees in 10 minutes and to 124 degrees in 30 minutes. Add to that the fact that kids’ bodies heat up 3-5 times faster than adult bodies, and the heat effects are increased.    

The Texas Department of Health and Human Services and the Texas Heatstroke Task Force offer the following prevention steps that everyone should know:  

More information: Click here and 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 to 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 Llyla, a 6-year-old pitbull with a heart as big as her smile. Known for her sweet, friendly and gentle nature, Llyla is a favorite among the shelter staff. She has a special knack for being perfect with small kids, making her an ideal family pet. Llyla's calm demeanor and loving personality make her the perfect companion for any home looking for a gentle soul to add to their family. Consider giving Llyla the loving home she deserves, where she can share her boundless love and joy. 

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

City Council Links