City of Richardson, TX
03/08/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/08/2024 16:11
Week in Review, March 8, 2024
March 8, 2024
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
Cottonwood Art Festival Featured Artist Announced
Ceramicist Gregory Story has been selected as the featured artist for Richardson's 55th Cottonwood Art Festival, to be held May 4-5. Known for his colorful "wall ball" sculptures (including his signature smiley face series), Story plans to bring his "Ridiculous" clay collection to the festival including whimsical tissue box covers and vases. Story's vast array of work also includes colorful tiles and platters, with many prepared ready to hang.
Story has been exhibiting at the Cottonwood Art Festival for 17 years. This year, images of his work will be showcased on the festival's promotional materials and official merchandise including T-shirts, tank tops, posters and more.
Since 1969, the semi-annual, juried Cottonwood Art Festival has taken place in Cottonwood Park. The 2024 spring festival will offer the museum-quality work of more than 190 artists from around the world, and include live musical performances, numerous food and beverage options and children's art stations.
Website: www.cottonwoodartfestival.com
Wildflower! Festival Seeking Volunteers
Volunteers ages 18+ are needed for the upcoming Wildflower! Arts & Music Festival May 17-19. Duties may include greeting guests, ticket scanning, handing out programs and manning information booths. Volunteers work four-hour shifts and receive a free, official Wildflower! Volunteer T-shirt, a parking pass, a ticket to enter the festival to volunteer plus a second ticket for a friend.
Celestica Expands Richardson Footprint; Creates New Jobs
The City of Richardson announced an economic redevelopment agreement this week that will assist in transforming a portion of the manufacturing operation of local company Celestica. Celestica, a leader in design, manufacturing, hardware platform and supply chain solutions, is expanding its operations in Richardson to produce groundbreaking, state-of-the-art equipment based on artificial intelligence (AI) learning systems for its U.S.-based customers.
Specifically, the expansion involves the redevelopment of 30,000 square feet of office space into high-tech manufacturing space, creating new manufacturing, supply chain and engineering employment opportunities (approximately 155 additional jobs) within the Richardson community.
The City is committed to supporting such initiatives that drive economic growth and technological advancement and the agreement builds on Richardson's role in the DFW market as a key location for research and development in this growing sector of cutting-edge technology.
Police Department Gives Annual Review
Richardson Police Chief Gary Tittle gave his department's 2023 End of Year Review at Monday's City Council work session. The review gave a comprehensive look at the department both inside and out, including a look at new initiatives that enhance staff wellness; equipment upgrades and crime lab accomplishments, community engagement activities, and Richardson crime statistics.
Highlights:
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Overall violent crime decreased by more than 10 percent in 2023 from 2022 and total property crimes decreased by almost 17 percent. Of note, theft of vehicle parts was down by more than 58 percent due in part to a combination of things including a task force operation, state legislation and a City ordinance passed in October 2022 to combat catalytic converter thefts.
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Since last fall, 911 dispatch positions have been completely filled and available sworn police officer positions have been filled by 50 percent.
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The Crisis Intervention Team, a partnership with Methodist Richardson Medical Center that assists police on service calls involving mental health issues, made 96 home visits in 2023 and provided 213 resources to individuals.
Monday's presentation: Click here
City Council Considers Tree Protection Requirements for Possible Ordinance
The City Council reviewed the City's current tree protection requirements at Monday's work session and considered additional requirements for protecting existing trees on commercial property, that would emphasize preservation of existing trees without discouraging economic development.
After researching regulations in 13 comparator cities, staff have developed several proposed protection and mitigation steps that:
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define protected and unprotected trees based on species and size;
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outline mitigation steps necessary if trees are removed;
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define minimum planting requirements in line with the City's current landscape policy; and
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set fees in lieu of mitigation/replacement.
After receiving City Council feedback, staff will finalize the ordinance for future adoption. The City is striving to be certified as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation, and Parks and Recreation is partnering with One Earth One Chance to plant 10 trees on Arbor Day, April 26.
Monday's presentation: Click here
Daylight Saving Time Begins Sunday
Daylight Saving Time officially begins at 2 a.m. Sunday, March 10, so don't forget to "spring forward" and set your clocks ahead an hour.
Additionally, the Fire Department encourages residents 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 RISD and PISD Spring Break, there will be no City Council work session or meeting March 11 and March 18. The City Council will next meet Monday, March 25 at 6 p.m.
Website: www.cor.net/CityCouncil
HOV Lane Project Begins; Weeknight Closures Expected Through Fall
Weather permitting, drivers can expect closures of the northbound and southbound US 75 HOV lanes between the Bush Turnpike and SH 121/Sam Rayburn Tollway/Spur 399 on weeknights through fall 2024 as part of a Texas Department of Transportation corridor improvement project. Motorists are advised to plan ahead for possible delays in the area.
The project is designed to improve the mobility and use of US 75 HOV lanes in Collin and Dallas counties. Once completed, these new Technology Lanes will be available for HOVs, low-emission vehicles and motorcycles during peak hours in peak directions. Other safety improvements will also be made in the corridor, and overall completion is expected in late 2026.
Lane Closure Expected on Arapaho near Jupiter Road
The right lane of eastbound Arapaho Road between Westminster Drive and Jupiter Road may be closed to traffic from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. The work is expected to complete by mid-March.
Spring Break Tennis Camp Begins Next Week; Registration Still Open
Huffhines Tennis Center
Cost: $200 (register here)
Monday, March 11-Friday, March 15
9 a.m.-1 p.m.
All levels of tennis players ages 5-16 are welcome at the City's Spring Break Tennis Camp. Learn tennis skills, make friends and have fun! In case of inclement weather, camp will be held inside Huffhines Rec Center.
IQ Brew Next Thursday
IQHQ, 1302 E. Collins Blvd.
Admission: Free (Click here to RSVP)
Thursday, March 14
9-10 a.m. with coffee beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Come learn about advancements in rehabilitation robotics innovations from University of North Texas Biomedical Associate Professor Amir Jafari. Discover how Dr. Jafari's initiatives, including edited books and international workshops, have shaped the landscape of soft robotics in rehabilitation.
"Dungeons & Dragons in the Library" Tomorrow: Haunted Hostelry
Library Millwood Creek Room
Cost: Free (registration required; e-mail Stephen Davis to register)
Saturday, March 9
1-5 p.m.
Adults and teens ages 13 and up are invited to become an adventurer helping to remove pesky poltergeists from a decrepit inn.
Tales for Tails Sunday
Library YS Storytime Room
Admission: Free ticket required; ticket distribution starts at 2:30 p.m. at the Library on event day
Sunday, March 10
3-4 p.m.
Children in grades K-4 work on their reading skills while meeting some friendly therapy dogs. Kids attend independently for 10-minute sessions with a dog. All ages are welcome to meet the dogs at 4 p.m.
At the Eisemann Center:
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"Jackie" Dramatic Play This Weekend
Bank of America Theatre
Tickets: $38-$64 (tickets)
March 9-10
Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sunday at 2 p.m.
In actor/playwright Tom Dugan's play, "Jackie," actress Kait Haire portrays former First Lady Jackie Kennedy in a powerful and revealing narrative that begins on June 5, 1968, when she receives word of her brother-in-law Robert Kennedy's assassination. Set in her 5th Avenue New York City apartment and based on historical research, the play takes the audience on a journey with a distressed Jackie who's wondering how she could possibly live through another great loss. She contemplates a course of action that would greatly surprise most Americans.
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"Sammy: Celebrate the Legacy" Saturday Night
Hill Performance Hall
Tickets: $55-$90 (tickets)
Saturday, March 9
7:30 p.m.
In this tribute show, David Hayes expertly embodies the look, skills, mannerisms and voice of the late Sammy Davis, Jr., bringing to life all the songs made famous by Davis including "Once in a Lifetime," "Candy Man," "Old Black Magic" and more.
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"One Night in Memphis" Sunday Afternoon
Hill Performance Hall
Tickets: $45-$60 (tickets)
Sunday, March 10
3 p.m.
Created and directed by John Mueller, this critically acclaimed tribute to legendary Sun Records recording artists Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley stars former cast members of the Broadway smash, "Million Dollar Quartet."
Local Theater:
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Repertory Company Theatre Opens "Titanic the Musical" Next Friday Night
770 N. Coit Rd. #2405
Tickets: $20 youth, $40 adults (tickets)
March 15-24
Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m.
Multi Tony Award-winning, "Titanic the Musical," as performed by RCT's ensemble cast, is a musical recount of the events of the maiden voyage of the proclaimed unsinkable ship, the Titanic. The story follows a selection of guests from the first three classes and a handful of crew members as they recount their hopes, dreams and come to grips with their ultimate mortality.
Time for a Sprinkler Check-up
Parks and Recreation Department crews will soon be out to de-winterize the City's sprinkler systems, and homeowners should consider doing the same with their own systems. The best time to check is in late March before bermudagrass starts to green-usually when the low temperature is 60 degrees or higher for several nights in a row.
Ways to conserve water and keep water cost down:
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Make sure that all sprinkler heads are operating properly and positioned to not over-spray sidewalks, driveways and streets
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Adjust sprinkler heads so that they spray large droplets of water instead of a fog or fine mist, which evaporates quickly and may drift away with the wind
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Check for leaks
To know when to water, sign up for Water My Yard, a free service that sends weekly e-mails with customized watering advice based on your ZIP code and weather conditions.
Website: www.watermyyard.org
BABIC Service Available for Large Items, Yard Trimmings (Within Size Limits)
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. The City encourages you to "Think Big" when it comes to BABIC pickup requests; for example, please 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.
To make a BABIC request, 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
Driver/Loader, SWS Recycling ($41,880 - $57,156 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 one month of hire. Texas Commercial Driver's License, Class B, is required within six months of hire.
Environmental Outreach Manager ($53,628 - $81,264 Salary)
The Public Services Department is looking for an individual to develop, plan, implement and coordinate communication strategies and development programs in support of the environmental programs for the Public Services Department. Bachelor's degree required.
Day Camp Counselor ($10.25/hr - $14.28/hr)
Parks and Recreation is looking for individuals with experience working with children. Must be at least 16 years of age with CPR and First-Aid Certification required or obtained during job orientation.
Pet of the Week
We all know Dunkin, the mellow and sweet dog who has been with us for a while now. He enjoys quiet moments and is always respectful of space. His gentle nature makes him an ideal companion for those seeking a peaceful friend. Despite his shyness, Dunkin has a lot of love to give. He may need a little time to warm up, but once he does, his loyalty is unwavering. Dunkin is looking for a forever home where he can share his calm demeanor and love.
For information about animals available for adoption, visit the Animal Shelter's web page here.
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To read previous Week in Reviews,
visit www.cor.net/WIR.