City Council / Homeowner and Neighborhood Association Presidents’ Meeting

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Minutes

 

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

 

Presentations

• US-75 PLANO PARKWAY PROJECT
  • Presentation by Dave Carter, Assistant Director of Development Services – Traffic and Transportation
    • This spring, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is expected to begin a ramp improvement project on US 75  between the President George Bush Turnpike (PGBT) and Park Boulevard
    • The main components of the project will be:
      • Widening of the direct connector lanes from PGBT onto northbound US 75 and from southbound US 75 onto PGBT
      • Adjusting the location of various on and off ramps on US 75
      • Widening the railroad bridge and Plano Parkway bridge
      • Adding a lane to the northbound exit to Park Boulevard
    • Construction will commence in March/April pending all agreements are finalized and be completed by the end of 2018
    • During the duration of construction, part of the HOV lane on US 75 will be used as a main lane since traffic will be shifted to the middle, southbound from McDermott Drive to PGBT and northbound between Galatyn Parkway and Park Boulevard
    • Various lanes and ramps will be closed at different times throughout the project
    • City staff will coordinate with TxDOT on public announcements of construction impacts as the project proceeds
  • This presentation was given to the City Council on January 4, 2016 and is available online at cor.net

 

• LEADERSHIP RICHARDSON
  • Presentation by Kim Quirk, Executive Director
    • Leadership Richardson is a unique opportunity for participants to enhance their personal and organizational leadership as they relate to community trusteeship.
    • The program explores all aspects of the community, including arts and culture, business and economic development, local government, health care, public education, public safety and social services.
    • During a nine-month period, September through May, Leadership Richardson participants meet in all-day sessions, one Friday a month.
      • There is also a half-day orientation at the beginning and a half-day closing at the end of the program year.
      • Class sessions are a mixture of information, problem solving and interactive studies.
    • Applications for next year’s class will be available in May
    • For questions or to exhibit interest, please contact Kim Quirk at kim@richardsonchamber.com or 972-792-2809 or visit leadershiprichardson.com

 

 

Current Events

• HEALTHIEST HOUSING MARKETS RANKING
  • Richardson has made the list of Top 10 Healthiest Housing Markets in Texas, compiled by SmartAsset, an online data company
    • Second year in a row
    • Richardson ranked sixth
  • Every city in the top 10 is located in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex
  • SmartAsset measured market health by:
  • average number of years residents spend in homes
  •  home values
  • ease of sale and the costs associated with home ownership
  • According to the study, Richardson homeowners have lived in their houses for an average of 12.7 years, the longest amount of any of the top 10 cities

 

• EXPRESS BUILDING PERMITTING PROCESS
  • Monday February 22^nd the City Council reviewed details of the express building permitting program, which is:
    • Designed to streamline plan review process for small businesses and projects and meet the City Council’s adopted strategic goal to enhance customer service
    • Provides a guaranteed plan review time of three business days from date of submittal
    • Began March 1
  • Eligible projects include:
  • Tenant finish-outs and interior remodel projects of 5,000 square feet or less for business/professional offices and retail occupancies where hazardous materials are not stored, used or dispensed
  • Exterior remodels that do not increase the square footage of the building or increase the height, requiring development or zoning review (examples include façade enhancements, reroofs, roof repairs, etc.)
  • Any other project specifically authorized by the Building Official

 

• TEXAS FOOD ESTABLISHMENT RULES
  • Monday, February 22 the City Council reviewed updates to the Texas Food Establishment Rules
  • Food service is evolving into new settings as food and preparation operations are more contemporary and sophisticated
  • 758 permitted food handling operations within the city
  • Approximately 1,500 inspections conducted in fiscal year 2014-2015
  • Updates to the city’s food establishment rules include:
    • Replacing the current Texas Food Establishment Rules after the Texas Department of State Health Services adopted revised Rules  October 2015
    • City inspection form will be revised from 27 items to 47 items
    • Increased documentation of food handling processes will also be required
    • Adding  Certified Food Protection Manager and Certified Food Handler requirements and 33 new definitions
  • Changes will standardize city code to be consistent with other regulatory agencies in the state and Metroplex and formalize accepted standards currently used in food preparation

 

• HEART FOR THE ARTS AWARD RECIPIENTS
  • Richardson Arts Alliance honored three recipients at the annual “Heart for the Arts” Gala February 13^th at the Eisemann Center
    • The Richardson Arts Alliance is a consortium of local arts organizations and arts supporters that provides promotional support and networking for members and coordinates members in assisting the City with many community events
  • Award recipients were Gary Grahnquist, Dr. Abby Kratz and Suzanne Etman
  • Grahnquist was recognized as the “Patron for the Arts”
  • Given to outstanding community leaders who have devoted time and resources to further the arts in the greater Richardson area
  • Active board member of the Contemporary Chorale, Tuzer Ballet and Richardson Symphony Orchestra over the past 20 years
  • For her dedication and leadership in supporting all of the arts in Richardson
  • Served as Cultural Arts Commission Chair from 2009-2014 and led the efforts for the City to develop a Cultural Arts Master Plan
  • For her creation of opportunities for children to experience the arts, such as the ArtStop children’s area at Cottonwood Art Festival, the Wildflower! Budding Talent Singing Competition and Student Art Contest and coordinating Huffhines Art Trails for more than 15 years
  • Kratz, Associate Provost and Director of the Office of Institutional Scholarship Administration at UT Dallas, was recognized with the “Lifetime Achievement Award”
  • Etman, Community Events Manager for the City, received the “Ambassador for the Arts Award”

 

• REDP UPDATE
  • Richardson Chamber of Commerce staff gave the annual report on the Richardson Economic Development Partnership (REDP) at the Monday February 8^th City Council work session
  • Updated the Council on the City’s business development climate and outlined strategy and plans for 2016
  • In 2015 Richardson experienced:
    • 27 expansions/relocations
    • 6,315 new or retained jobs
    • New commercial occupancy of more than 1.3 million square feet,
  • 2016 Plans for REDP include:
  • Continuing to purse office tenants for square footage available for lease
  • Creating a Richardson-specific “How To” guide for small business
  • Partnering with the Collin County/Dallas County Small Business Development Centers to help market their services
  • Support the City’s efforts to find private sector developers, capital and tenants for identified districts at Main Street/Central Expressway and West Spring Valley
  • Establish a Redevelopment Task Force for the East Arapaho/Collins District made up of property owners and employers, with engagement from City staff and others to identify collaborative strategies that enhance the vitality of the “old heart of the Telecom Corridor® area”
  • Continue its work in evaluating non-restaurant retail opportunities, international business recruitment
  • Promote the Telecom Corridor® area brand
  •  “No. 1 Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Strategy among American Cities of the Future with populations less than 250,000” given by FDI Magazine
  • “Top 50 US City for Young Professionals” by Niche Media
  • 2015 Accolades included:

 

• FIRST QUARTER FINANCIAL REPORT
  • 2015-16 First Quarter Financial Report was given to the City Council on  February 8^th
    • The First Quarter Report represents activity from October 2015 through December 2015
  • City is on track with its 2015-16 Budget
  • All five funds are performing as expected
  • Five funds are: General, Water and Sewer, Solid Waste Services, Golf and Hotel/Motel Tax
  • Most fund expenditures at 24-28 percent of their allotted budgets and revenues at 25-29 percent of projected total revenues for the fiscal year

 

• SENIOR TAX EXEMPTION UPDATE
  • Yesterday the City Council reviewed the city’s financial policy regarding the property tax exemption for Over 65 and Disabled Persons
    • The policy states the city has a goal to maintain a tax benefit of approximately 30% of the average home value
  • Currently 7,700 accounts that receive the exemption, which is 27.3% of total residential accounts
  • Exemption has been $60,000 since tax year 2014 (2014-15 fiscal year)
  • Staff recommended increasing the exemption to $70,000 due to expected property value increases
  • Increase in exemption must be approved before July 1, 2016 in order to be effective for the 2016-17 fiscal year
  • If approved by April 1, appraisal districts could incorporate higher amount on notices mailed to residents in May
  • City Council will vote on March 28^th

 

• PHILANTHROPIC STRATEGIES
  • Yesterday the City Council reviewed tactics for accomplishing their strategy to increase private participation and contributions, which include:
    • Analyzing the historical profile of donors and their contributions
    • Recommending a framework for a citywide strategy regarding cultivating philanthropic opportunities and sponsorships of city services and events
  • From 2010 to 2015 the city has received $4,501,055 in sponsorships, donations, or corporate grants
  • Staff recommended a citywide strategy that includes an internal team as well as the use of consultative services and community ambassadors to assist with certain projects
  • The City Manager’s Office will review request and serve as a centralized resource in this regard
  • Examples of future opportunities for philanthropy or sponsorship include, but are not limited to:
  • Bush Central Barkway amenities
  • City Hall public art piece(s)
  • Central Trail amenities
  • Library technology initiative
  • Main Street area plaza, portals and amenities
  • Nature center at Breckinridge Park
  • Public art piece(s)
  • Spring Creek Nature Area

 

• SPRING CREEK NATURE AREA  UPDATE
  • The Dallas Business Journal announced today that Richardson’s Spring Creek Nature Area land purchase is a finalist for the “Best Real Estate Deals of 2015” in the Neighborhood Impact category
  • Property acquired in January 2015
  • Master Plan completed in October 2015
    • The preliminary cost estimate to complete all phases of the Master Plan was $12.8 million
  • City staff has engaged fund development consultants to assist in the preparation for seeking  philanthropic funding
  • Goals for the property include expansion of hike and bike trails, preservation of the historic Jacob Routh family cemeteries, and restoration of the property’s ecosystem by removing non-native species

 

• STATE RECREATION FACILITY DESIGN AWARD FOR BUSH CENTRAL BARKWAY
  • March 3^rd the Bush Central Barkway was recognized with the 2016 Texas Recreation and Park Society (TRAPS) Park Design Excellence Award
    • The park was honored regionally in November
  • Parks and Recreation staff accepted the award  at the TRAPS Annual Institute and Expo in Galveston
  • Award recognizes the dog park for:
  • Overall outstanding design elements and functionality
  • Collective cooperation and coordination among the City of Richardson, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and Oncor Electric
  • Each year, TRAPS honors individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the field of parks and recreation
  • The purpose of the Park Design Excellence Award is to recognize one recreational facility project that displays a high degree of professional design quality and recreation usage

 

• NEW PARKS NAMES
  • Two new park names were approved Monday, February 22^nd  by the City Council:
    • Collins Park, located near the intersection of East Collins Road and Alma Road, east of US 75
    • CityLine Park, just east of the CityLine/Bush Turnpike DART Station and north of Renner Road along Routh Creek Parkway
  • Both parks will be under construction through August
  • When finished, Richardson will have 35 parks

 

 

• MCKAMY SPRINGS HISTORICAL MARKER
  • McKamy Spring Park has become the latest location in the Richardson area to have a State of Texas Historical Marker
    •  Located atop McKamy Springs inside the park amidst the Brick Row development
  • McKamy Springs was once a popular watering hole for Native Americans and early Texas settlers.
  • Parks and Recreation and Library staff worked for more than a year to receive the recognition from the Texas Historical Commission
  • Lengthy application process involved research, historical documentation and approval by the Dallas County Historical Society and state officials
  • More than 16,000 State Historical Markers in Texas; in all 254 counties
  • First Presbyterian Church of Richardson
  • City Hall
  • First Baptist Church of Richardson
  • Blewett Cemetery
  • First United Methodist Church of Richardson
  • Wheeler School (the “old red schoolhouse,” current RISD administration building)
  • Hill-Robberson House (also known as “Miss Belle’s Place”)
  • Texas Instruments at 13500 North Central Expressway, commemorating the demonstration of the first working integrated circuit
  • McKamy Spring Park joins eight locations in the Richardson area with a marker:

 

• RISD BOND PUBLIC FORUMS
  • The Richardson Independent School District (RISD) has asked us to pass along the schedule for their upcoming Bond Update meetings for all the RISD feeder patterns:
    • March 28th – Public Forum for PHS Feeder – 6:30pm at Prestonwood Elementary (cafeteria)
    • April 6th – Public Forum for RHS Feeder – 6:30pm at Richardson HS (Black Box)
    • April 13th – Public Forum for LHHS Feeder – 6:30pm at Lake Highlands HS (library)
    • April 21st – Public Forum for BHS Feeder – 6:30pm at Yale Elementary (cafeteria)
  • Top RISD administration officials will be on site to update the public on the 2016 Bond and answering questions

 

• BLUE BAG LETTERS
  • Residents should receive a letter in the mail this month from Mayor Paul Voelker that can be taken to one of several City facilities to be redeemed for two rolls of 26 blue recycling bags (52 total)
  • Blue Bag Program allows homeowners to combine all recyclable material into one bag and place it out for weekly pickup service
  • City recycles all plastics #1-7 (with the exception of Styrofoam), and also collects aluminum, tin, steel, empty aerosol cans, newspapers, mixed paper, plastic grocery bags, paper grocery bags, magazines, catalogs, corrugated cardboard, paperboard/chipboard, phone books, junk mail, glass containers (clear and all color glass) and pots and pans.

 

• SPRING 2016 NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP
  • April 19, 2016
  • Grand Hall of Richardson City Hall / Civic Center
  • 5:30 Exhibitors Row and Dinner / Networking with breakout sessions to follow:
    • Effectively Communicating with Your Association
      • Colby Walton, Executive Vice President for Cooksey Communications will provide information that will assist in communicating with neighbors effectively and the best mediums for neighborhood communication
    • Neighborhood Associations and Disaster Response
    • Mistie Gardner, Emergency Management Coordinator will cover how neighborhood associations can best assist the community should we face any kind of disaster as well as an overview of Richardson’s involvement in responding to the December 2015 tornado

Closing Comments

Mayor Voelker thanked everyone for attending and adjourned the meeting.