Week in Review, June 9, 2023

June 9, 2023

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

Council Updated on Temporary City Hall, Library
At this week's City Council meeting, an update was provided on renovation work underway on a one-story facility in East Richardson that will temporarily support both City Hall and Library operations starting in late summer/early fall. The near 75,000-square-foot-facility is located at 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd. at the southwest corner of Plano Road and Greenville Avenue.

City Hall staff are expected to begin transitioning into the temporary facility in late summer. Library staff are expected to transition services and inventory in early fall in preparation for the full renovation of the Richardson Library approved in the 2021 Bond Program. The Library Renovation Project is expected to be complete in fall/winter 2025.

The City is seeking input from residents regarding the design of the new City Hall through two public meetings and a communitywide citizen survey that will be published in the coming weeks.

Public Open House Dates

• Tuesday, June 27, 2023
  6:30-8:30 p.m.
  Heights Recreation Center
  711 W. Arapaho Rd.
  
  
• Saturday, July 8, 2023
  10 a.m.-Noon
  Huffhines Recreation Center
  200 N. Plano Rd.

Community-wide Citizen Survey

• A QR code will be included in a future edition of RIchardson Today, which is mailed to all residential addresses in the community.
• Paper surveys will be available to fill out in-person at the Richardson Library, Heights and Huffhines Recreation Centers, and at the open houses.
• A PDF copy of the survey will be available to download at www.cor.net/NewCityHall and can be mailed to the city at P.O. Box 830309, Richardson, TX 75083-0309.

City staff members were displaced and dispersed throughout five municipal buildings last August due to a fire that caused the closure of City Hall located on the southwest corner of Arapaho Road and US 75. The cause of the fire was determined to be an electrical failure.

Planning is underway for construction of a new City Hall building funded by a voter-approved 2023 City Hall Bond Program. Conceptual planning for the new City Hall is underway and a timeline for its completion is being developed.

Monday's presentation: Click here

Water District Staff Update City Council
Staff from the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) gave a comprehensive update to the City Council Monday, outlining water supply, wastewater treatment, handling of solid waste, and discussing current and future projects as well as projected costs.

Of note:

• Texas' newest lake, Bois d'Arc Lake, began supplying water to the region in March, treated at the new Leonard treatment plant.
• Several NTMWD projects are underway in Richardson, including construction of a new storage tank near the Bush Turnpike/Lookout Drive intersection, improvements at pump stations, and improvements and expansions at wastewater lift stations.
• The wholesale water rate for NTMWD member cities is projected to increase from $3.39 per 1,000 gallons to $3.77 (an 11 percent increase) in 2024, due to increases in construction costs, interest rates and historic highs in water treatment chemical costs.

NTMWD was created by the Texas Legislature in 1951 and serves 13 member cities, including Richardson, a service area of 2,200 square miles.

Monday's presentation: Click here

City Budget "Deep Dives" Begin with Water Services
Engineering and Public Services staff gave "strategy overviews" at Monday's City Council work session, kicking off an annual procession of department reports that prepare the Council for its summer budget workshop, scheduled for July 24-25. These "deep dives" provide the Council with detailed information about current programs, infrastructure and maintenance tasks along with proposed work plans and budget requests.

Monday's presentations included a look at water/wastewater and the Drainage Utility Program; future reports include:

• June 19 - DART Annual Report and Transportation and Mobility
• July 10 - Facilities, Streets & Alleys and Drainage
• July 17 - Parks Maintenance, IT and Fleet

Monday's presentation: Click here
Website: www.cor.net/budget

Smoke Testing Begins June 12 in Richardson's Panhandle
Testing to look for leaks in the City's sewer system is scheduled to return next week, this time in the Rowlett Creek Basin (see map). The testing is part of an ongoing, citywide, phased examination that began in 2017 and involves the use of a smoke generator to blow nontoxic smoke into manholes. The smoke travels through the sewer pipes and finds its way out, lightly billowing from the ground when cracks in the underground piping exist. The coordinates of damaged pipes are noted by technicians and will be addressed in future projects.

Sometimes the smoke also emits through interior residential plumbing-the smoke is nontoxic and residue free, with minimal odor, and does not indicate a fire hazard. Residents are asked to run water through infrequently used pipes prior to testing.

Testing takes around an hour for each partial street block section within the testing area. If you live on a block involved in the testing, you will see a door hanger placed on your front door about 48 hours prior to the test.

The testing is expected to last through mid-July, weather permitting.

Website: www.cor.net/smoketest

"Envision Richardson" Discussed at IQ Brew
City staff presented information this week at the monthly "IQ Brew" gathering regarding the updating of Richardson's Comprehensive Plan. Called "Envision Richardson," the planning process will build on tasks completed since the City's current comprehensive plan was adopted in 2009. A comprehensive plan states a community's desired vision for the future and is used to guide development decisions and public investment.

Community feedback is crucial to the plan's development. In addition to group speaking engagements, City staff and the project consultants are hosting two open house events this summer on June 27 and July 8, with online input opportunities available starting the week of June 19.

Public Open House Dates

• Tuesday, June 27, 2023
  6:30-8:30 p.m.
  Heights Recreation Center
  711 W. Arapaho Rd.
  
  
• Saturday, July 8, 2023
  10 a.m.-Noon
  Huffhines Recreation Center
  200 N. Plano Rd.

Details: www.envisionrichardson.com
IQ Brew information: Richardson Innovation Quarter (Richardson, TX) | Meetup

RMSIP Interns Begin Work
Students chosen for internships in the 2023 Richardson Mayor's Summer Internship Program (RMSIP) began their work assignments this week, with 59 high school students working at 46 different businesses - from corporate offices and nonprofit organizations to jobs at government agencies. This is the sixth year for the program, which enables incoming high school seniors to receive job readiness training and eight weeks of paid summer employment while gaining invaluable real-world experience, and exposure to careers in which they've expressed an interest.

The program runs through Aug. 4 and is presented by the City of Richardson, Richardson ISD and the Richardson Chamber of Commerce.

Website: www.richardsonmayorsinternships.org

DART Silver Line Work to Close Parts of Synergy Park Boulevard Today, Tomorrow
Today (Friday, June 9) until 8 p.m., southbound Synergy Park Boulevard between Renner Road and Point North Parkway is closed due to railroad bridge work taking place connected to the DART Silver Line Project. During this time, southbound Synergy Park Boulevard will be detoured to southbound Waterview Parkway and then to eastbound Synergy Park Boulevard, and also detoured to southbound Custer Parkway, westbound Lookout Drive and then to northbound Floyd Road.

On Saturday June 10, Phase 2 begins with a full closure of northbound Synergy Park Boulevard in the same area from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Northbound Synergy Park will be detoured to southbound Floyd Road, eastbound Lookout Drive, and then to northbound Custer Parkway.

Lane Closure Expected on Arapaho Between Glenville, International
The right lane of eastbound Arapaho Road at 1130 E. Arapaho Rd. between International Parkway and Glenville Dr may be closed to traffic from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. for road work. The work is expected to be complete by late June.

Richardson History Photograph Display Now Open at Eisemann Center
Forrest and Virginia Green Mezzanine Gallery in the Eisemann Center, 2351 Performance Dr.
Admission: Free
Through June 26
M-Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and during all public performances

See what the Como Motel looked like in the 1960s as well as other places (and faces) from Richardson's 150 years of history, in this display of more than 60 photographs from the Richardson Public Library's Local History Collection.

Richardson 150th Ice Cream Flavor Winner Announced
Local ice cream shop Tongue In Cheek announced this week that after two weeks of community taste testing and voting, "Lockwood Chocolate Bourbon Crack" has been chosen as the "Richardson flavor" of ice cream to celebrate Richardson's 150th anniversary. The winning flavor has a chocolate ice cream base swirled with Lockwood Bourbon, caramel, Lockwood Chocolate Crème Liqueur, house-made fudge and Tongue In Cheek's caramel "crack" pieces.

"Lockwood Chocolate Bourbon Crack" received 53 percent of the votes, a close win over "Richardson Wildflower," a mix of lavender and lemon vanilla ice creams swirled together with homemade honeycomb crunch pieces.

From now until the City's 150th anniversary celebration on June 24, "Lockwood Chocolate Bourbon Crack" will be available for sale at Tongue In Cheek, 526 W. Arapaho Rd., and will then be sold, along with "Richardson Wildflower," at the anniversary celebration from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Website: richardson150th.com

"City of Richardson History Play" Opens June 16 at The Core Theatre
518 W. Arapaho Rd. Ste. 115
Tickets: Adults $25, Seniors $20, Students $15 (Ticket link)
June 16-July 16

Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 3 p.m.

This original play, written and directed by The Core Theatre's Artistic Director/Founder James Hansen Prince, explores the people and relationships that helped to grow this city from a railway line and post office to one of the fastest growing and thriving cities in Texas.

Website: www.thecoretheatre.org

CityLine Night Market Tonight
CityLine Plaza, 1150 State St.
Admission: Free, including free parking
Friday, June 9
6-10 p.m.

Enjoy more than 45 booths at the Boho Market, featuring handmade and vintage goods from local makers and vendors, plus live music. Pet-friendly.

Website: www.citylinedfw.com

The CORE District and RSO Pop-Up Event Thursday Evening
Main Street Plaza, 105 S. Interurban St.
Admission: Free
Thursday, June 15
7:30-9 p.m.

The CORE District is teaming up with the Richardson Symphony Orchestra for a pop-up event called "Summer Symphony (& Sun) Sets." This event is free to the public and is picnic style. Please bring a blanket, chair and food and enjoy the evening concert.

Free parking will be available at 201 S. Texas St.

Website: richardsonsymphony.org/events

Intro to Fly Fishing Workshop June 17
Senior Center, 820 W. Arapaho Rd.
Cost: $25 (Space is limited; call 972-744-7800 to register.)
Saturday, June 17
9 a.m.

A two-hour introduction event by Fly Fishers International Certified Fly Casting Instructor Jose M. Colon. The event will begin indoors at the Senior Center with a 30-minute presentation explaining what fly fishing is and sharing examples of where and how it is done. Following the presentation, you will drive to a local park where fly casting instruction will be given on the grass for one hour.

No experience is necessary. All equipment will be provided. Senior Center membership is not required.

SaulPaul in Concert Tomorrow Afternoon
Youth Services Area
Admission: Free
Saturday, June 10
2-3 p.m.

Grammy Award-nominated guitarist SaulPaul shares his music and message as he inspires kids to be and do their best. For all ages.

Lunchtime Lecture June 13: Tesla
Basement Program Room
Admission: Free
Tuesday, June 13
11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m.

Richard Cudlipp discusses the life and work of the great inventor Nikola Tesla, developer of the modern AC electricity supply system.

For adults. Attendees are welcome to bring their own lunch to enjoy during the presentation.

At The Eisemann Center:

• "Liverpool Legends" Beatles Experience June 17
  Hill Performance Hall
  Tickets: $35-$65 (Tickets)
  Saturday, June 17
  8 p.m.
  
  Four talented musicians/actors handpicked by Louise Harrison, the sister of the late George Harrison, perform songs spanning the entire career of the Beatles, with precise attention to every musical detail, along with costume changes, vintage instruments and special effects.

Richardson Community Band Outdoor Concert This Sunday
Huffhines Park Pavilion, 300 N. Plano Rd., behind Fire Station 4
Admission: Free, with free adjacent parking
Sunday, June 11
7 p.m.

The Richardson Community Band presents, "It's Good to Be Queen," traditional music of pomp and majesty along with the music of pop queens/princes, Broadway treasures, and "the king of television music." Blankets, chairs, picnics, strollers and dogs are welcome!

"Footloose the Musical" Opens June 16 at Repertory Company Theatre
770 N. Coit Rd. #2405
Tickets: $32 Adults, $18 Youth (ages 8-18) (Tickets)
June 16-25
7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays

The explosive Broadway musical is set to the rockin' rhythm of the film's Oscar and Grammy-nominated Top 40 score and augmented with dynamic new Tony-nominated songs. Performed by RCT's REP Company actors.

City's Water Quality Score Released
Richardson has received a "Superior" rating of our water system by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). This rating is part of the City's recently released 2023 Water Quality Report, a.k.a. the Consumer Confidence Report, and reflects the hard work and efforts of our Water Utilities employees to protect the community's health by delivering and maintaining safe and reliable drinking water. The Water Utilities Department is a municipal water distribution and wastewater collection utility owned by the City of Richardson-wholesale treated water is purchased from the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD), which has surface water rights from Lake Lavon, Lake Chapman, Lake Texoma and Lake Tawakoni as well as the new Bois d'Arc Lake, which is owned by NTMWD (see further information about NTMWD in News above).

Full report: www.cor.net/CCR

Be in the Know About Poison Hemlock
Though poison hemlock was once considered a weed to watch for if you lived in the southern half of Texas, North Texans now need to be more aware, as sightings in the Dallas area were recently reported on social media and in local news reports. According to Texas AgriLife Extension, all parts of the plant are extremely poisonous to both people and pets and can cause a fatal reaction, not only from ingestion but from skin contact or inhaling the plant's fumes.

Identifying characteristics include:

• White flowers (in spring and early summer) that are arranged in umbrella-shaped clusters
• Stout, light green flower stalks that may be purple-streaked/splotched; may grow to 10 feet high
• Leaves are mostly triangular and lacy; both leaves and stems are hairless

If pulling by hand, safe removal requires wearing gloves and protective clothing. If mowing an area with the plants, it must be done in early summer before the plant has set seeds. Any pulled plants as well as seed heads should be disposed of in the garbage. Never burn the plant, as this releases its toxins in the air.

More information: Plants of Texas Rangelands » Poison Hemlock (tamu.edu)

www.cor.net/EPI

Project Engineer ($83,172 - $120,072 Salary)
The Engineering and Capital Projects Department are looking for an individual who can manage the design and construction of a wide variety of public works and municipal projects and prepare and review engineering construction documents and cost estimates for public works projects. Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering required from a university with an engineering program accredited by the Accrediting Board for Engineering and Technology.

Public Safety Officer ($40,620 - $60,384 Salary)
The Police Department is looking for an individual who can perform nonemergency public contact functions within the Richardson Police Department. High School diploma required; GED acceptable if augmented with 60 college credit hours. Texas Driver's License without restriction (except "A") required. Must be a US citizen. Must be 18 years of age.

Recreation Customer Services Representative ($17.82/hr to $22/hr)
The Parks and Recreation Department has multiple openings at its recreation centers for individuals who enjoy working with people and to help assist in supervising recreation center instructors, programs and activities.

www.cor.net/jobs

Pet of the Week

Meet our adorable pair of bonded cats, and Pet(s) of the Week, Mufasa and Wolf! Mufasa is a beautiful Gray Tabby cat. He is neutered and is 7 years old. He is a bit shy at first but is very affectionate when he warms up! Wolf is a beautiful 11 month-old Buff tabby, medium hair cat, who is super sweet and affectionate, just like his brother. He is also neutered and up-to-date on his vaccines!

These two are a perfect pair and are always snuggled up together. They both came from the same home and are very attached to eachother so we encourage the adoption of both together. They are ready to find their forever home with a loving family that will give them all the attention and cuddles they deserve. Come meet Mufasa and Wolf today!

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

City Council Links

Council Members
Meeting Agendas and Documents
Videos

To read previous Week in Reviews,

visit www.cor.net/WIR.

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