May 10, 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

“Eisemann Center Presents” 2024-25 Season Announced   
Shows scheduled for the 2024-25 “Eisemann Center Presents” season were announced this week, with tickets on sale and the first performance scheduled for Sept. 21. The season continues the Eisemann Center’s focus on providing diverse and eclectic shows and performances, and includes:  

Tickets for members went on sale yesterday; public ticket sales begin next Friday, May 17.  

Complete list/schedule of shows: Eisemann-Center-Presents
 

Aquatics Master Plan Survey Opens 
An online survey seeking input on the City's aquatic facilities opened this week and will be available through July 5. The survey is part of an Aquatics Master Plan currently being developed as part of a Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan - that will provide long-term strategies for aquatic services and facilities for the community. A final draft is expected to be presented to the City Council in October.

Part of the process also includes in-person meetings, the first of which was held this week, and two more are scheduled for June. Interviews with specific stakeholder groups such as swim teams and existing facility users are also planned.

Survey: Click here 

Website: Click here 

 

Deadlines Near to Purchase Wildflower! Resident Tickets
Discounted single-day passes are available until next Friday at 5 p.m. for next weekend's annual Wildflower! Arts and Music Festival. However, if you don't by them online, then in-person purchases must be done before next week Wednesday.

Tickets can be purchased online for $15 each with proof of residency (current Richardson water bill, utility bill, phone bill or a valid driver’s license with a Richardson address), through Friday, May 17 at 5 p.m. 

Discounted resident tickets may also be purchased in-person through Wednesday, May 15 at a price of $18 each at the following locations during regular business hours: 

Each household may purchase up to six discounted one-day general admission tickets, and each ticket is good for admittance to your day of choice at the event. 

The Wildflower! Arts & Music Festival takes place at Galatyn Park Urban Center next weekend, May 17-19, with live performances on five stages plus kids’ activities, an art guitar auction, talent competitions, numerous food vendors, and more.

Website: www.wildflowerfestival.com 

Online ticket purchase link: Click here 

 

Council Appoints Members for New Commissions Focused on Engagement and Mobility 
Members of the City’s two newest citizen advisory groups were appointed and sworn in at Monday’s City Council meeting. The Community Inclusion and Engagement Commission and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee were created late last year to fulfil two tactics of the City Council’s 2023-25 Goals.  

Newly appointed members of each commission are:  

Community Inclusion & Engagement Commission

• Varma Rashmi, Chair
• Raul Hinojosa, Vice Chair
• Audrey Oatis-Newsome
• Kristen Ceaser
• Kristen Schascheck
• Siraj Akhtar
• Grace McClure
• Jessica Rivera-Lucas
• Hisham Syed  

Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee

• Bill Chance, Chair
• Brenda Hard-Wilson, Vice Chair
• Diane Litke
• Matthew Martin
• Richard Wezensky  

At Monday’s meeting, the Council also voted to appoint and reappoint several members of the City Plan Commission, Library Board, Zoning Board of Adjustment/Building and Standards Commission, and the Eisemann Center Foundation Board, with some members present to be sworn in.  

Monday’s presentation: Click here 

 

State, Federal Housing Grants Reviewed by City Council 
At Monday’s City Council meeting, City staff provided a look at trends affecting housing affordability in North Texas and gave an overview of various approaches to address housing issues. The briefing was in line with a 2023-25 City Council Goal tactic to “explore opportunities for federal and state housing grants” and served as a kick-off for potential next steps, including for the City to conduct a Housing Needs Assessment to better understand Richardson’s housing challenges and opportunities.   

The City Council is considering including such an assessment in the FY25 budget development process. If approved, the assessment would take approximately six months to complete.  

Monday’s presentation: Click here 

 

Black History Month, MLK, Jr. Essay and Art Contest Winners Announced   |
The winners in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Essay Contest and Black History Month Art Contest were recognized at Monday’s City Council meeting. Seven artists/authors were awarded $200 and their essays and art pieces will be published in the June edition of Richardson Today.  

The winners in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Essay Contest are:

• 4th–6th Grade             Hafsa Sayeed
• 7th–9th Grade             Arjun Vijapurapu
• 10th–12th Grade         Anusree Anilkumar 

The winners in the Black History Month Art Contest are:

• 1st–3rd Grade             Viraj Kalra
• 4th–6th Grade             Amal Raj Anilkumar 
• 7th–9th Grade             Darian Twitty
• 10th–12th Grade         Enqi Wang  

The contests were open to students who live in the City of Richardson or attend a school in Richardson. The Richardson City Council sponsored the contests in cooperation with Richardson ISD, Plano ISD, the Richardson Cultural Arts Commission and UT Dallas, to promote, embrace, and celebrate community diversity and inclusion.  

Website: Click here 

Winning essays and art: www.cor.net/ArtandEssayContest 

 

DART Silver Line Trains Begin Test Runs on TRE Route 
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) has announced that its Silver Line trains are running on local tracks for the first time, as test runs began earlier this week utilizing the Trinity Railway Express (TRE) tracks between Dallas and Fort Worth. The Silver Line trains will run the full TRE route from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. each Sunday for the next few weeks. This will only be a test run; no passengers will be allowed to board the Silver Line trains at any of the TRE stations. 

DART is more than 60 percent complete with the Silver Line project overall and will begin to fully test the trains in segments on the Silver Line tracks later this summer, starting first with the segment that runs between the Shiloh Road Station in Plano and CityLine/Bush Station in Richardson and continuing to other segments through early 2025, with full end-to-end testing expected in summer 2025.   

DART Silver Line is scheduled to begin passenger service in late 2025 to early 2026. 

Website: www.DART.org/silverline 

 

Letter Carrier Food Drive is Tomorrow 
The annual “Stamp Out Hunger” Food Drive hosted by the National Association of Letter Carriers will be held tomorrow, Saturday, May 11. Everyone is asked to leave a donation of non-perishable food in a bag near your mailbox and your letter carrier will do the rest, getting the food to partner organizations such as the North Texas Food Bank and Network of Community Ministries, helping to combat hunger in our communities.  

Letter carriers across the country have been collecting food on the second Saturday in May since 1993, an event that has grown into the nation’s largest one-day food drive.  

Website: Click here 

 

UT Dallas Commencements Kick Off Today; Increased Traffic in Campus Area Expected 
The University of Texas at Dallas’ spring commencement ceremonies are underway, with a doctoral hooding ceremony taking place earlier today and other ceremonies scheduled across campus next Monday-Wednesday. Tonight (Friday, May 10), an all-University Commencement will take place at 7:30 p.m. outdoors (weather permitting) at the University Roundabout, with a “cosmic lightshow” planned for after the close of the ceremony.  

Drivers on roads near the UT Dallas campus should expect an increased volume of traffic on commencement days, including tonight, and mornings and afternoons next Monday, May 13-Wednesday, May 15.  

Website: University Commencement (utdallas.edu) 

West CityLine Drive Closed Temporarily due to Silver Line Work 
West CityLine Drive will be closed through Monday, May 13 as crews continue construction on the DART Silver Line Regional Rail Project. Work will take place 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday and Monday, and 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday. Message boards will be on display with information on the closure.  

Website: www.dart.org/silverline  

 

www.cor.net/projects

 

City Hosts Bicycle Rodeo Tomorrow 
Huffhines Park (in parking lot next to playground, near intersection of Syracuse Drive and North Saint John’s Drive)
Admission: Free
Saturday, May 11
10 a.m.-Noon 

Kids can get ready for safe summer biking at this fun event sponsored by the City and BikeDFW. City staff and Richardson Police will be on hand to discuss recent and upcoming improvements for bicycle safety throughout the City including recently installed bike lanes and trails.  

Activities include: 

Children are required to bring a parent, a bike and a helmet to participate in the activities. Pre-register at the link below; registration will also be available on-site. The first 50 guests will receive a free snow cone from Kona Ice.   

Pre-registration: Click here 

 

Two More Days to Register for Richardson Woman’s Club Golf Tourney May 17 
Sherrill Park Golf Course
Individual Player: $150 (cost includes swag bag, lunch, dinner and all activities)
Friday, May 17
11 a.m.-6 p.m. (Shotgun start at 1 p.m.) 

This annual golf tournament raises funds for local scholarships and grants for community nonprofits, and includes a silent auction, lunch, putting contest, a steak dinner and awards/prizes. Registration ends Sunday, May 12.  

More information/registration: Click here 

 

RROB Event: Matt Tolentino Performs Songs of Yesterday this Sunday 
City Council Chamber, City Hall, 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd., Ste. 525
Admission: Free
Sunday, May 12
2-3 p.m.  

At this all-ages event sponsored by the Library, Matt Tolentino will perform ragtime, traditional jazz and early swing songs that pay homage to 1920s New York, where part of the 2024 Richardson Reads One Book selection, “Symphony of Secrets,” is set. Note: Park and enter at the City Hall entrance near Plano and Greenville roads.   

Nite! Nite! Bedtime Stories Monday 
YS Storytime Room
Admission: Free (registration not required)
Monday, May 13
7-7:30 p.m.  

Children ages 3-7 wind down with songs, books, flannels and other bedtime activities. Wear your favorite comfy pajamas and bring a stuffed animal along. 

 

 

At the Eisemann Center:

• Contemporary Chorale Concerts Tomorrow 
  Bank of America Theatre
  Tickets: $20-$30 (tickets)
  Saturday, May 11
  2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
  
  Under the direction of Melanie Moore, local adult choir The Contemporary Chorale presents a concert entitled, “Stage and Screen.”
  
  
• Lone Star Wind Orchestra’s Youth Winds Concert Sunday
  Hill Performance Hall
  Tickets: $12-$42 (tickets)
  Sunday, May 12
  3 p.m.
  
  The Lone Star Wind Orchestra’s Youth Winds presents a concert entitled, “Postcards & Snapshots,” inspired by the group’s upcoming journey to New York City to perform at Carnegie Hall. 
  
  More information: Postcards & Snapshots | Lone Star Wind Orchestra (lswo.com) 

 

“Metamorphoses” Tonight, Tomorrow Night at RHS 
RHS Courtyard, 1250 W. Belt Line Rd. (enter through the Fine Arts door on west side of school)
Admission: Free; suggested donation of $5 to RHS Offstage
May 10-11
7:30 p.m.  

Mary Zimmerman’s Tony-award winning “Metamorphoses” brings Ovid’s tales to stunning visual life, performed by the Technical Theatre Magnet Freshmen and Sophomores. Set in and around a large pool of water onstage, “Metamorphoses” mixes the ancient and the contemporary to tell classic but approachable cautionary tales of inevitable change.   

 

“How to Train Your Dragon, Jr. The Musical” at PHS Opens Tonight 
JJ Pearce High School Theatre, 1600 N. Coit Rd.
Admission: $5 children/students, $15 adults (Click here for tickets)
May 10-11
Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. 

Come see two “firsts”—the first theater production in the brand-new Pearce Theatre and the pilot production of “How to Train Your Dragon Jr., The Musical.” RISD students in grades 5-12 are taking part in the show, which is perfect for all ages. 

 

“Lost in Yonkers” Opens Next Friday
518 W. Arapaho Rd., Ste. 113
Tickets: $22-$24 (tickets)
May 17-June 2
Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m., Sunday matinee 2 p.m. 

The Richardson Theatre Centre presents this Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning drama/comedy written by Neil Simon that centers around two brothers, Arty and Jay, who live with their grandmother and their mentally challenged Aunt Bella, while their father travels and works as a salesman, desperately trying to pay off a loan shark, and their mother has died of cancer. Over the course of the play, the young boys learn lessons about love, responsibility, and the importance of family that will carry them into adulthood. 

 

May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month 
May is National Lyme Disease Awareness Month, an illness spread by tick bites that can be easily treated with antibiotics, but if left untreated (and the painless bites often go unnoticed), it can affect the skin, joints, nervous system, heart and eyes. It is currently the most common vector-borne disease in the U.S.  

Ticks are most likely to be in woods, tall brush/grass, under leaves and low-growing vegetation, near stone walls or wood piles, shady areas, around bird feeders and outside pet areas. Products containing DEET can reduce risk of bites in high-risk areas.  

Websites: www.cdc.gov/lyme, www.lymediseaseassociation.org, www.txlymealliance.org  

 

Summer Landscape Prep: Keep Fertilizer, Pool Water out of Streets, Walkways 
As temperatures heat up and “outdoor living” areas and landscapes get prepared for summer, the Health Department wants to remind homeowners/renters to keep our water system’s health in mind when prepping pools and greenery.  

Specifically:  

Website: Stormwater | Richardson, TX (cor.net)  

 

www.cor.net/EPI

 

 

Facilities Maintenance Specialist – Bldg Systems // Senior Maintenance Technician -(DOQ Salary) 
Facilities is looking for an individual who can perform skilled maintenance, repairs and installations on building facilities and perform preventive maintenance on HVAC, electrical, electronic, plumbing, pumping and motor control systems. Texas Driver’s License, Class C, required. 

Financial Analyst - Fleet Services ($55,104 - $83,496 Salary) 
The Finance Department is looking for an individual to provide support to Fleet and Finance staff by entering and processing financial transactions including accounts payable, payroll and fleet work orders. Perform research tasks and prepare analyses and other reports. Valid Texas Class C Drivers License required. 

Lifeguard ($14.00/hr - $15.00/hr) 
This position is for summer 2024. Must be at least 15 years of age with current certification in Lifeguard Training (YMCA or American Red Cross, CPR and First Aid.)  

 

www.cor.net/jobs

Pet of the Week
Meet Dutch, a friendly and independent 3-year-old boxer mix who’s always up for a playful romp. Dutch is a social butterfly, both with humans and his fellow canines. He’s always eager to make new friends and loves being the life of the party. Despite his playful nature, Dutch also appreciates his alone time, showing a well-rounded personality. He’s a dog who can adapt to various lifestyles, making him a great companion for any family.  

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

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To read previous Week in Reviews,

visit www.cor.net/WIR.