Welcome to the June 2016 edition of Richardson Coalition 3 Minute News.

Outstanding Financial Rating Reaffirmed….once again!  

Moody’s and Standard and Poor’s have reaffirmed Richardson’s “Triple A” status. The City has held AAA status from Standard and Poor’s for nine years and seven years from Moody.  Only six cites in the state hold top ratings from both Moody’s and S&P.  As a result of these ratings the City can obtain very good interest rates on outstanding debts.

Wildflower! Success

The Richardson Coalition congratulates the city staff, volunteers and city council on another very successful Wildflower! weekend festival.  62,000 visitors were recorded, making this one of the most successful Wildflower! Festival weekends in the past 24 years. Great music. Great community spirit. One of the best in the DFW metroplex.  Well done!

Senior and Disabled Property Tax Exemption Raised

The City Council approved an ordinance in March that increases the property tax exemption for disabled and senior citizens from $60,000 to $70,000.  This exemption was reflected in the recent Dallas County Appraisal District mailing to citizens.

Municipal Judge Transition

Chrissi Gumbert was sworn in as the new Presiding Municipal Judge on April 25th.  Raymond Noah was sworn in as an Assistant Municipal Judge.  William Geyer will continue as an Assistant Municipal Judge.

The Richardson Coalition extends our thank Judge Ray Noah for his service as Presiding Municipal Judge as well as Mayor and City Councilman, DART Board service, etc, etc, etc.  Judge Noah, we thank you!

Main Street Planning Update  

City Development Services staff, based on feedback from an online survey and three public meetings held earlier this year, finalized the boundaries of the Main Street/Central Expressway rezoning Phase III.  Additional property/business owner meetings and a community-wide meeting are planned for July to review the direction of the drafts.  Public hearings will be held in the fall, and final City Council code consideration and adoption is targeted for October/November 2016. To learn more click here.

Fire Department Update

The Richardson Fire Department has placed a new advanced life support ambulance in service at Fire Station 3 to meet the increasing demand for Emergency Medical Services (EMS).  Nine additional firefighters were also added to the staff.

Richardson’s Fire Department has earned the Lifeline EMS Silver Award for Response to Cardiac Emergencies:  The City of Richardson Fire Department has received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® EMS Silver Award. This is the first time for Richardson’s Fire Department to be given this award. The award recognizes the Fire Department’s success and commitment in implementing specific quality improvement measures for the treatment and transporting of patients who suffer a severe heart attack known as a STEMI (ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction).

Trash Bash Successful   

This year’s Trash Bash event, held in conjunction with Keep Texas Beautiful, was a great success.  More than 850 people attended the day’s events at the Civic Center and around 1,600 vehicles lined up at First United Methodist Church Richardson for document shredding and electronics recycling.

Cultural Arts Commission Update

Members from the City’s Cultural Arts Commission (CAC) gave the City Council an update on their activities.  The CAC website  was launched in 2014 and is used by 31 different arts organizations and has logged 12,968 users.  The Cultural Arts Commission awarded a total of $335,000 in grants to 27 different arts organizations for 2015-16.

Atmos Tree Planting

Atmos Energy planted 19 trees in Lookout Park as part of a “fueling cleaner and greener communities” initiative that kicked off last year.  They also ordered a bench for the park, which will be placed along the trail that runs around the park’s perimeter.

Roof Repair Permits Required

To date, the City has issued more than 350 permits for roof replacement/repair since late March.  Richardson requires all contractors to be registered with the City and to post work permits in a prominent area near the work site.  Click here for more information

Richland College Technology Center Opened

Richland College recently celebrated the grand opening of its new Technology, Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing (TEAM) Center, located in Wichita Hall on the Richland Campus.

European Style Open Air Market Permit Approved

The City Council unanimously approved the amending of the comprehensive zoning ordinance to grant a special permit with conditions for a temporary European style open air market at the southeast corner of Coit and Belt Line roads. The market will be open on Sundays year round and will be similar to the one at Campbell and Nantucket.

Richardson Reads One Book Announced  

Spare Parts: Four Undocumented Teenagers, One Ugly Robot, and the Battle for the American Dream by Joshua Davis is the Richardson Reads One Book (RROB) pick for 2016.  This book was named a best new book by both Amazon and the BBC.  Davis will appear at a free community lecture Sept. 20 at Richardson High School.

5K and 1-mile Fun Run Planned

Registration is open for the City’s “Off the Beaten Path” 5K and 1-mile Fun Run.  The runs will take place June 11 from 8-10:30 a.m. at Breckinridge Park, 3400 Park Vista Rd.  The route will feature both street and trail running with beautiful views of the park.  The 1-mile Fun Run will take place on the park’s ring road prior to the 5K.  Walkers and strollers are welcome.  Cost is $30 for the 5K (until June 9) and $15 for the Fun Run. Click here for more information about the Fun Run.