July 2019 – Three Minute News
Mosquito Control
The City has restarted its mosquito control program. They are alerting the citizens of the dangers of mosquitoes as well as conducting a prudent spraying program to kill adult mosquitoes and treating standing and stagnant water. The city has 352 mosquito traps located in that many parts of the city. So far this year there have 12 positive tests in the samples. Spraying in those areas has completed. The city is asking citizens to put approved repellents on the skin, avoid being out at dusk and dawn, and drain all standing water.
2019-2021 Mayor Pro Tem Selected
Janet DePuy, Place 3 council member, was selected as the new Mayor Pro Tem of the Richardson City Council. Council members choose the Mayor Pro Tem from among the elected council members.
All City Council seats carry two-year terms, and are up for election during May of every odd year. Term limits for membership on the City Council are limited to 6 terms, or 12 consecutive years.
The City Council holds meetings on the second and fourth Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Citizens are welcome to attend Council meetings and may speak during the visitor’s section. Council meetings are broadcast live and available for view on-demand. For more information on our City Council, visit https://www.cor.net/government/city-council
Parks Update – Spring Creek natural area portals on Renner at Routh Creek and Plano Roads have been installed. Site work including sidewalk connections and landscaping will be completed in early fall. Trails at park now span more than three miles, with 10-foot-wide, concrete multi-use pathways that connect to the Central Trail and nearby Foxboro Park.
Collin County Grant
The city will apply for a Collin County Parks and Open Space Grant as part of the $10 million bond proposition approved by Collin County voters in 2018. The city will submit two Breckinridge Trail Additions to be considered for funding. Previous grants through this program have been the Spring Creek Nature Area Perimeter Trail, University Trail Phase II, and Spring Creek Trails.
DART Platform Update at Galatyn
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) has begun platform extension work at Galatyn Park Station to accommodate more passenger cars on DART trains. Work is expected to continue at Galatyn Park for the next four months. Rail service will not be disrupted but riders need to be aware of the active construction zone at that station and to be extra careful in and around the area.
City Budget Process Begins
The City Council is currently preparing the budget for Fiscal Year 2020, which begins October 1st. On July 15 and 16 the City Council will take an in-depth look at the budget during their annual Budget Workshops. The workshops are open to the public. On August 5th the City Council will discuss the tax rate, set public hearings on the tax rate and the budget. In August the City Manager will present the budget to the City Council. Two public hearings will be scheduled later in August and on September 9 the City Council will vote on the approval of the budget for fiscal year 2019-2020. For more information: https://www.cor.net/departments/2019-2020-budget/-fsiteid-1
Richardson Cares Academy Enrollment Now Open
Application process is open for the second annual Citizens Academy and Resource Education Series (CARES). Free, seven-week class series is offered to adults ages 18 and up. Classes will meet September 5 through October 17 on Thursdays from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Participants will meet City staff, learn about the day-to-day operations of Richardson’s government and discover ways to contribute. The program is interactive and includes tours and on-site demonstrations. For more information and an application, visit www.cor.net/RichardsonCARES or contact the City Secretary. Deadline to apply is July 31.
Arapaho Bike Lanes Completed
Bike lanes near the Arapaho Center DART station have been completed. New bike lanes were painted along the stretch of Grove Road that becomes Alma Road, from Woodall Drive to Greenville Avenue. There are now 22 miles of dedicated bike lanes within the city limits.
