Richardson City Council Work Session April 7th, 2025
OPENING
All councilmembers are present as well as City Manager (CM) Don Magner and City Secretary Aimee Nemer.
One speaker is present for the visitors forum, Randy Norwood. He calls Council’s attention to an apparent issue along Campbell Rd. as it crosses under U.S. 75. He states that someone is always running across the street in the evening without using the light. He cautions that vehicles have nearly struck pedestrians, which is dangerous. He asks Council to address this situation before someone is killed.
THE COUNSELING PLACE
The first discussion item on tonight’s agenda is a presentation on The Counseling Place. CM Magner introduces Counseling Place CEO Deborah Dobbs to present. The Counseling Place is a partner of the city, as the city provides funding to them, and in return, they provide services in collaboration with RPD. CEO Dobbs provides a history of the organization’s work in victim assistance and youth services. CEO Dobbs shares that they have nine full-time staff and five part-time staff. They are able to offer at least 10 different therapy modalities. CEO Dobbs shares that, since last year’s presentation, their services have greatly outpaced projections. They have served 973 clients, conducted nearly 2,500 therapy sessions, held over 330 classes, and provided over 7,100 total services during the last year.
They have also begun offering new services, including expanding a youth mental health education curriculum called Project Positive. They are able to offer this in both English and Spanish. CEO Dobbs shares some of the personal stories of youth and domestic violence survivors who have benefitted from their services. Other new services include partnering with the North Texas Food Bank for nutrition assistance and food pantry vouchers. Funding challenges for the next year include providing meals for Project Positive students, providing emergency assistance to domestic violence victims, and expanding the organization’s capacity to provide services for their growing client base. A special event called the Mindful Mile will take place in Huffhines Park on Saturday, April 26th. Check-in will begin at 8 am.
Councilman Hutchenrider encourages the public to attend the Mindful Mile event to benefit The Counseling Place. Councilwoman Justice asks about fundraising efforts. CEO Dobbs answers that fundraising for mental health support continues to be a challenge. This cause is a hard sell in the fundraising circles. She encourages Council to talk about this issue in the community. Their clients have many vital needs, and The Counseling Place needs support to continue serving the community.
Councilman Barrios asks how clients access their services. CEO Dobbs answers that they get many referrals from RPD, the municipal court, the school systems, other nonprofits, and other law enforcement agencies. She shares that they have also seen a drop of roughly 8% in grant funding for their victim support services.
STATE LEGISLATIVE SESSION UPDATE
The next discussion item is an update on the current state legislative session. Police Chief Gary Tittle presents. Chief Tittle’s presentation includes 25 bills by my count. Only three of those bills are supported by the city. The rest, the city is either opposed to or monitoring for their potential effects. Since this is too many to include in this report, I ask you to review these bills beginning on page 14 of the presentation here: https://www.cor.net/home/showpublisheddocument/43155/638796377865498605
Chief Tittle’s remarks begin around 50 minutes into the meeting footage here: https://richardsontx.new.swagit.com/videos/339298
Councilman Corcoran asks about the bill relating to amending sales tax calculations to be destination-based instead of source-based. COO Pfeil shares that it is difficult to estimate exactly what the impact of this bill would have. The city could lose revenue for some business transactions and gain on others. The bill relating to personal property tax exemption would have an impact of roughly a $2M loss for the city.
One bill that the city apparently opposes that I would certainly be in favor of is SB1160. This bill would increase the notice requirements for municipal zoning regulations from 200 ft. to 1,500 ft. (More public notice is always a good thing in my opinion, but I understand that cost is the consideration here. If 1,500 ft. is too much, maybe 500 ft. would be more reasonable?)
Chief Tittle also shares a concern about the federal government potentially removing the tax-exempt status of municipal bonds. This could make it more difficult for the city to fund projects if this happens. The city will follow up with our U.S. Senators and Representatives. The final day of the state legislative session is June 2nd.
Councilman Corcoran asks about a bill related to allowing property owners to hire third-party property inspectors if a regulatory authority doesn’t inspect within a designated timeframe. He wants to know why we are only monitoring this rather than opposing it. CM Magner answers that, if this becomes a bill that would affect the city’s services, the city would then oppose the bill. Currently, it doesn’t seem like it would.
RICHARDSON LIBRARY UPDATE
The next discussion item is recognition of National Library Week and an update on the past year’s library accomplishments and future plans. Library Director Jennifer Davidson presents. This year, National Library Week is recognized from April 6th – 12th. This year’s theme is ‘Drawn to the Library’. The library will highlight its graphic novel collection and other outreach efforts and staff departments. Director Davidson shares that, for the 20th consecutive year, the Richardson Library has been awarded the Achievement of Excellence Award from the Texas Municipal Library Association. Director Davidson also reminds the community that the library has added a seed library for residents to pick up free packets of vegetable, fruit, and herb plant seeds.
Director Davidson also shares updates on the Library renovation project. A fire suppression system has been installed. Many elements are currently being constructed. The Storytime Room will feature a community paint-by-number opportunity for the mural in that room. Asst. Library Director Vrena Patrick now presents this year’s Richardson Reads One Book selection. This year’s book is Wild Chocolate: Across the Americas in Search of Cacao’s Soul by Rowan Jacobsen. Rowan will hold a lecture on Sep. 16th at 7:30 at First United Methodist Church Richardson. A luncheon is scheduled for the following day, Sep. 17th at 11 am at UTD. JJ Pearce HS students will also have the chance to join the author for a writing workshop.
Asst. Director Patrick also shares that the library will start a new ‘Pages of Perspective’ book club beginning June 5th at 6:30 pm. She also shares that the library has updated its e-newsletter to be more comprehensive and modern. This allows metrics to be better tracked and for patrons to sign up for events. Summer programs include board games available for checkout, a summer reading club, a Colors of Nature presentation on June 7th, arts and culture programs, and a new monthly creative community circle beginning June 14th. The library will also continue to highlight science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) programs and activities.
The new R.O.V.E.R. library van has been a hit at community events. Look for this van at future events for fun ways to engage. The library is planning to have a maker space once renovations are completed. This will feature a 3D printer, a laser cutter/engraver, a dye sublimation photo printer, podcasting equipment, sewing machine sergers, and knitting looms. A local history room will also be a feature in the newly renovated library. A new teaching kitchen will host nutrition and cooking classes.
Councilman Barrios asks what the new square footage of the library will be. Staff answers that it should be roughly 84,000 sq. ft. Councilwoman Justice asks when the expected completion date will be. Staff answers that the expected completion date is still the first quarter of 2026.
CAPITAL PROJECTS UPDATE
The final discussion item of the evening is an update on current capital projects. CM Magner states that the city has never had more capital projects underway than we do now. (And don’t we know it, fellow Canyon Creek neighbors…) Engineering Director Nick Kohel presents. Director Kohel states that 110 projects are part of the current capital improvements program totaling over $480M.
Director Kohel first highlights the Custer Pkwy project. Waterline installation between Campbell and Lookout is nearing completion. Installation between Lookout and Renner should begin later this month. Sewer replacement will begin between Canyon Creek and Lookout later this month as well. Total project completion is still estimated to be at the end of 2026. Director Kohel acknowledges that several other projects have occurred in the same area. (Again, don’t we know it, neighbors…) The Canyon Brook, Canyon Valley, and Forest Grove projects are all still progressing with Forest Grove being the first one completed. The remaining work is expected to be completed towards the end of this year.
Glenville Dr. has experienced delays due to utilities being encountered in multiple locations. Director Kohel shares that every franchise utility in the city uses this corridor, and they have apparently not kept accurate enough records to identify where the lines are and who they belong to. This project is still estimated to be completed towards the end of the year.
West Shore Dr. and Newberry Dr. are now in the paving stage. This should also be completed by the end of the year. The Richland Park project for drainage improvements is currently wrapping up the design phase and will see bids for construction in a couple of months. Construction is expected to begin in July and be completed next April. Director Kohel shares that this project originally was just going to include street reconstruction. A resident notified the city of the extent of drainage issues. Thanks to that resident’s input, drainage improvements will now be included in this project. (Way to go, resident!)
Director Kohel also shares 15 traffic signal improvement projects that are a part of the 2021 bond program. Most of these are in construction or have been completed. Five remain in the planning or design phases. Director Kohel also reminds Council of the four facility construction projects currently underway: a new city hall, Fire Station #5, library renovations, and animal shelter renovations. The animal shelter project is wrapping up interior and exterior finishes. A waterline will need to be relocated to make way for the new entry ramp. Once this is relocated, final paving and landscaping will be done. This is estimated to be completed by the end of this year.
Fire Station #5 is also completing interior finishes. Exterior and roof work is ongoing as well as paving. The building should be ready for occupancy later this month while exterior work continues. Library renovations are undergoing framing and ductwork. Structural steel installation should start later this month. As mentioned earlier, this is expected to be completed early next year. The new city hall is undergoing utility work. Paving and foundation work will happen next. This is estimated to be completed around early 2027.
Director Kohel now highlights the seven sidewalk projects that are part of the 2021 bond program. All but one section have been completed or are currently under construction. Two out of the three drainage projects are also currently under construction. The Huffhines Creek/Chestnut Creek project gabion and turf reinforcing should begin this summer and be completed at the end of this year. The Belt Line/Hunt Branch culvert project also experienced difficulties with franchise utilities. This box culvert project should be completed by the end of this year.
Eleven parks projects are also part of the 2021 bond program. Nine of these have been completed. Director Kohel also highlights five projects with funding from DART. Three of these are under construction and two are in the design phase. These include reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads, safety improvements, and an intersection improvement. The Sherrill Park Golf Course project only has a fence replacement left to complete. This should be wrapped up by the end of June.
The second phase Main Street project is undergoing underground utility installation. Electric lines will also be buried here. Paving will be next and should be completed by the end of the year. The 825 Pressure Zone improvement project has completed the ground storage tank portion. Pump station work is ongoing. Waterline construction along Renner is also ongoing as well as landscape restoration. Work on the Point North Park pavilion is also ongoing. (I guess we’re back to calling it a park?) New playground equipment should be delivered in May. Full project completion will happen in the first half of 2026.
Director Kohel also shares that the situation with tariffs will likely affect the cost and schedule of construction projects. Director Kohel then highlights the various communications strategies the city utilizes to keep residents up to date on projects’ status. Residents can view the projects tracker at cor.net/projects . The city has also created magnets with a QR code that links to this project tracker.
Mayor Pro Tem Shamsul asks for further details on the scope of the second phase Main Street project. Director Kohel answers that it will be similar to how things look on the west side of Greenville. Instead of a median, this side will have a continuous left-turn lane which will result in five lanes of pavement instead of four lanes with a median.
Councilman Barrios asks how coordination with franchise utilities takes place. Director Kohel answers that they notify all of the known franchise companies. They also call 811 to mark where utilities are located. Those marks then get notated by the project surveyor. They also coordinate a monthly meeting with utility companies on the project status. They then use the information provided by utility companies to confirm what is actually in the ground. Despite all of this, many times utility companies do not have accurate data on the location of their lines. Since the city relies on utility companies’ data, inaccurate data can cause delays in construction projects. CM Magner adds that there is unfortunately no consequence to the utility company when this happens.
Councilman Hutchenrider asks about the buyout status of the library and city hall projects. Buyout refers to the procurement of subcontractors for the various tasks that will need to be completed as part of a construction process. The library project has roughly 25% left in this buyout process. The city hall project has a small percentage of buyout currently procured. Domestic steel will be sourced so that tariffs don’t impact the progress of construction. Councilman Hutchenrider then asks Director Kohel if Council should have done anything differently to avoid issues that have been experienced. Director Kohel appears confused and nervously asks Councilman Hutchenrider to clarify his question. After clarifying the question, Director Kohel answers that they could have helped to manage expectations for delivery of projects. Council can help inform the public that there are issues that are outside of the control of the city that will impact construction projects. CM Magner adds that the city has to be careful about new contractors who may end up underperforming as well. This lack of consequences for utility companies and the required procurement process leading to potentially subpar contractors is a statewide issue.
Director Kohel now demonstrates the project tracker website. This website provides an interactive map that allows for filtering by funding source, status, and project type. Each project has information on the scope, current status, project manager, estimated completion date, and cost/funding. Councilman Barrios asks how often this is updated. Director Kohel answers that this interacts with the project management system and gets updated weekly on Friday afternoons.
CLOSING
Council discusses the UTD Alumni Awards Gala, the Adult Literacy Center’s Murder Mystery Fundraiser, an Eisemann Center performance, a North Texas Disability Chamber event, a Chamber of Commerce meeting, the RFD Annual Awards Banquet, the city’s AAA bond rating, and the meeting adjourns.
Mayor Dubey then states that they will convene a special called meeting in the Spring Creek Room. The agenda for that meeting states that Council will discuss appointments to the Community Inclusion and Engagement Commission, Parks and Rec Commission, and Sign Control Board.