City Council / Homeowner and Neighborhood Association Presidents’ Meeting

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Minutes

 

Mayor Voelker called the meeting to order and asked everyone to introduce him or herself.

 

Presentations

 

• Police Chief, Jim Spivey presented the Richardson Police Department’s Annual Report, which included crime and arrest statistics and comparisons to state and national data.
• Chief Spivey also gave an overview of the following programs and events:
  • Crime Watch Patrol
  • Neighborhood Police Officers
  • Volunteers in Police Service
  • Citizen Police Alumni Association
  • Special events such as the Faith Based Conference and Public Safety Fair
  • National Night Out
  • Explorer Program
  • The second annual Youth Citizen Police Academy

 

Current Events

 

• State of the City Address Recap
  • January 27^th Mayor Voelker presented the annual State of the City Address at the Eisemann Center
  • Accomplishments recognized included:
    • Further development of CityLine;
    • Richardson’s growing reputation as a “foodie” destination and the beginning of the new Restaurant Park
    • Passage of the 2015 Bond package
    • Bike Friendly City designation
    • Opening of Northrich Park and Bush Central Barkway, the city’s first dog park.
    • $500 million Alexan mixed-use development announcement
    • Doubling of land in the Spring Creek Nature Area
    • New surgery suite at the Animal Shelter
    • New companies moving to Richardson including RealPage, Frontier Communications and GEICO
  • The address is available for viewing online at the following link: http://cor.net/index.aspx?page=1578

 

• Community Revitalization Awards Recap
  • Created in 1994, Richardson’s Community Revitalization Awards program has recognized 221 properties
  • Recognizes owners’ efforts to enhance the community by making significant investments and exterior enhancements to their properties.
  • 2015 Award Recepients:
    • Ali residence – 2219 Ridge Crest Drive
    • Forejt residence – 1231 Navaho Trail
    • Ihde residence – 1206 Cherokee Place
    • McCleary residence – 110 West Shore Drive
    • McNeeley residence – 328 Robin Way
    • Wallock residence – 2014 Flat Creek Place
    • White residence – 314 Stonebridge Drive
    • Arapaho/Newberry Office Building – 891 W. Arapaho Road
    • Canyon Creek Animal Clinic – 2717 Custer Parkway
    • TNT Dental – 500 Lockwood Drive

 

• Renaming DART Bush Turnpike Station: “CityLine / Bush” Station
  • Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s (DART) planning committee unanimously approved a request to change the name of DART’s Bush Turnpike Station to include the moniker of CityLine
  • City filed a request for the name change to help promote the area as a signature retail and employment destination in the Metroplex
  • Final step for the name change consideration is to go before DART’s board of directors, which is expected to consider the request at a March meeting

 

• Coit Road Construction Update
  • City began a three-month concrete repair project along Coit Road
  • One to two lanes of northbound and southbound Coit from Campbell Road north to the city limits will be closed intermittently through April
  • Only one lane of traffic will be closed during peak travel times during the morning and evening commute
    • During off-peak times, from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., up to two lanes of traffic may be closed
    • Access will be available to businesses along Coit throughout the project
  • Electronic road signs are in place to inform drivers of lane closures
  • Drivers are encouraged to use alternate routes while construction is taking place

 

• Mobility 2040 Plan Update
  • North Central Texas Council of Governments is the Metropolitan Planning Organization for the Dallas-Fort Worth area
  • Required to maintain a long-term transportation plan that defines a vision for the region’s multi-modal transportation system and guides future expenditures of state and federal funds during the next 20 plus years
  • Draft recommendations have been made and feedback is being taken
  • Currently  taking public input on the plan
  • Approval is scheduled by the Regional Transportation Council this spring
  • Major plan recommendations for Richardson include: bike trails, US-75 lane use improvements, Cottonbelt Rail line.

 

• Public Services Communication Tool: Richardson Projects
  • Communications Department has developed a resource to provide residents information about infrastructure related projects
  • Series of signs that direct viewers to visit an interactive webpage to learn more about the project scope and timeline
  • Signs may include only the webpage or the project name and estimated completion date depending on the location and size of the sign

 

• Dallas County Hazard Mitigation Action Plan Update
  • Collaborative plan for 21 area cities and preparations for natural disasters such as tornadoes and flooding
  • City of Richardson has had its own hazard mitigation plan in place since 2008
  • Participation enables Richardson to meet ever-changing federal requirements
  • Future action items include installation of lightning detection systems, additional or enhanced generators at critical facilities and participation in a Dallas County earthquake study
  • Planning team began in 2013
    • Team included staff from UT Dallas and the City’s Emergency Management, Fire, Building Inspection, Information Technology and Capital Projects departments
    • Received extensive public input and consulted with officials from RISD, PISD, Garland, Plano, and Collin County
  • Richardson is under the Dallas County Hazard Mitigation Action Plan because City Hall is located in Dallas County
  • Plan was approved by the State in 2014 and by FEMA and the Dallas County Commissioners Court in late 2015
  • Richardson City Council voted in favor of the plan at their February 8^th meeting

 

• Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (Audit)
  • Richardson’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) continues to pass detailed inspection by independent auditors
  • City Council received a report that shows the City’s CAFR had no instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations, no material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in internal control and that the information was consistent with all applicable accounting standards and requirements: a “clean / unmodified” opinion
  • CAFR is available for the public to view online at www.cor.net/transparency
    • A printed copy for viewing is available at the Library and City Secretary’s office
    • A printed copy is also available upon request from the Finance Department

 

• S.U.P. Regulations for Massage Establishments
  • Monday, February 8^th the City Council approved text amendment to the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance to:
    • Provide a definition for the use “massage establishment”
    • Provide consistency throughout the city

 

• Wildflower! Arts and Music Festival Save the Date
  • May 20 – 22
  • First few acts that have been booked for the 2016 Wildflower! Arts and Music Festival include Dennis DeYoung, Jimmie Vaughan, and the Toadies

 

• Cottonwood Art Festival Save the Date
  • Saturday, May 7^th from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  • Sunday, May 8^th from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • 47th year for the juried show
  • Jurors have selected over 240 artists from 800 submissions to exhibit their museum-quality work at the festival
  • Artists compete in 14 categories: 2D Mixed Media, 3D Mixed Media, Ceramics, Digital, Drawings/Pastels, Fiber, Glass, Jewelry, Leather, Metalwork, Painting, Photography, Sculpture and Wood

 

 

• Trash Bash Save the Date
  • Pre-event/supplies distribution:  Thursday, April 14, 2016 - 6:00 p.m.
  • Trash Bash event: Saturday, April 16th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
    • Book and clothing drives, cooking oil drop off, and compost will begin at 9:00 a.m. outside
    • Environmental Education fair, adoptable animals, recycling bags, and music will be held inside beginning at 9:00 a.m.
    • After party refreshments and door prizes will begin at 11:00 a.m.
  • Pre-event and event held at Richardson Civic Center complex
  • Held in conjunction with Keep Texas Beautiful
  • Open to anyone wishing to help clean up the community
  • Please register online or by calling the Health Department office

Questions & Answers

Q: Where can I sign up for Urban Naturalist programs?

A. The upcoming schedule of Urban Naturalist contains seven walks at Breckinridge Park, Prairie Creek Park Discovery Point and the Spring Creek Nature Area. The walks are $5 for adults 18 and older plus $2 for non-residents. Children must be accompanied by an adult at no additional charge. Preregister by calling Heights Recreation Center (972-744-7850) or Huffhines Recreation Center (972-744-7881) or going to www.cor.net/parksonline.

 

Q: Where can we safety dispose of extra or old paint?

A: Latex (water based) paint can be disposed of in your regular trash IF it has been thoroughly dried & hardened: Pour layers of paint into a shallow box lined with plastic, letting the layers dry in between. When all layers are dried, place box in trash. If a can is 1/3 full or less, let the paint air dry in the can. Adding absorbent material, such as kitty litter, will help speed up the drying process.

Enamel (oil based) paint must be disposed of properly. Please call the Dallas Area Household Hazardous Waste Network, 214-553-1765 or visit http://www.dallascounty.org/department/plandev/hhw_intro.php  for the location and hours of collection. 

For information on recycling, please contact the City of Richardson recycling coordinator at (972) 744-4231 or (972) 744-4404.

Q: It looks like the second lake near Renner Road is not staying full. What is going on?

A: City staff is aware there is a concern with the east lake and are working to remedy the possible drainage issue. Parks staff has prepared the area for a survey that will allow staff to better determine the extent of the repairs needed.

 

Q: Are mosquito dunks available for purchase from the city?

A: Mosquito dunks or larvicide are not available for purchase from the City of Richardson; however, they are available from Home Depot or Lowe’s. If interested in buying larvicide in bulk, please contact the Health Department at 972-744-4079.

 

Q. How can I sign up for Crime Watch Patrol?

A: Crime Watch Patrols are an extension of the Neighborhood Crime Watch Programs. When a particular geographical area becomes involved in Crime Watch, the Crime Prevention Unit can designate a Crime Watch Patrol Area. A coordinator is established and area residents are then sought for patrol members. The patrol members then attend mandatory Crime Watch Patrol Training. Anyone can apply online at the following webpage: http://cor.net/index.aspx?page=512

 

 

Closing Comments

Mayor Voelker thanked everyone for attending and adjourned the meeting.

 

Attendees