Richardson City Council Work Session May 1st, 2023
OPENING & BUDGET CALENDAR
All councilmembers are present as well as City Manager Don Magner and City Secretary Aimee Nemer.
The first item is recognition of Municipal Clerks Week. The city recognizes the vital role that City Secretary Aimee Nemer and her staff play in election season. The city secretary’s office also handles all open records requests, certifies all alcohol permits, and processes all liability claims for the city. Mayor Voelker reads a proclamation in recognition of all municipal clerks.
Budget Officer Bob Clymire presents the budget calendar for FY 23-24. Departmental budget meetings will begin later this month, taking place over the next two months. Budget workshops will take place July 24th & 25th. Tax rates will be set in August, with the public hearing for the tax rate set for August 21st. Budget adoption will take place, along with a public hearing, on August 28th. Mayor Voelker exclaims, with a smile on his face, “I know Council is excited about this. I unfortunately won’t be here for that.”
SHERRILL PARK GOLF COURSE
Ronny Glanton, head professional at the Sherrill Park Golf Course, then gives a presentation on renovation projects and the Sherrill Park Golf Course 50th Anniversary. Ronny discusses numerous drainage issues that have caused delays in opening the course. Drainage issues are also increasing maintenance costs for bunkers. Construction to renovate Course #2 is expected to begin this Fall. The course is expected to reopen a year after construction begins. $9 million in COs were issued in April 2022 for this project. (JN: I don’t recall the golf fund performing well enough to recoup this much debt. I know we have a fund dedicated to debt service, but at a time when Chief Tittle doesn’t have the funds to implement a comprehensive mental health program for officers, is this really the best idea?) Restrooms are also going to be renovated, but the approximately $650k cost will come out of revenue generated in the golf fund. The golf course will celebrate their 50th anniversary on September 8th, with a pro-am tournament and evening entertainment. Merchandise with the 50th anniversary logo will be available for purchase throughout the year, and a golf ball with the logo will be placed in the time capsule for Richardson’s 150th anniversary celebration. Councilman Corcoran asks what the city’s liability is for safety around cart paths near creeks. He makes the point that golfers who have been drinking can easily veer off course and injure themselves. Ronny confirms that this very situation has taken place numerous times. The city is required to maintain a minimum $3 million liability policy for such events. Councilman Shamsul asks about Ronny’s statement that the course is in a floodplain and developments around the course have aggravated the drainage problem. Ronny answers that they are making a lake bigger so it can hold more sediment. (JN: To me, that sounds like treating the symptom and not the cause. Delaying the solution only makes the bill bigger.)
TRAFFIC SIGNAL BOX ART CONTEST
Next, Cultural Arts Coordinator Suzanne Etman provides an overview of the 2023 Traffic Signal Box Art Contest. This is a contest, started last year, that provides the opportunity for winning submissions to be applied to traffic signal boxes. Thus, turning otherwise ugly boxes into something that’s nice to look at. Last year’s theme was “Wildflowers” and focused visually on blending traffic signal boxes into the surrounding natural environment. This year’s theme is “Richardson’s 150th Anniversary”. This theme will focus on Richardson’s history and artists’ interpretations of Richardson’s significance to their lives. Suzanne states that respondents expressed confusion over how to interpret the prompt, so the city gave ideas such as city events, memories in Richardson, parks & pools, and train depots. There are five locations for this year’s contest, two on Main St. (District 1), one at Collins & N. Greenville (D2), Coit & Arapaho (D3), and Renner & Custer (D4). Due to the low number of submissions, the contest deadline is extended until May 19th and the residency requirement has been removed. Mayor Voelker asks about the durability of the vinyl wraps used to apply the artwork to the box. Suzanne states that they are supposed to last five years. The boxes from last year are holding up well and free of graffiti.
WILDFLOWER! FESTIVAL, POOLS & CLOSING
Supt. Of Community Events Dianna Lawrence then gives a presentation on this year’s Wildflower Arts & Music Festival. The festival will be held May 19th – 21st. Joan Jett and The Blackhearts as well as Little River Band will be headlining on Saturday! Richardson residents can purchase discounted tickets for $15 through May 17th at the: Huffhines Rec Center, Heights Rec Center, Senior Center, and Gymnastics Center. Otherwise, tickets are $35 online and $45 at the gate.
The final presentation of the evening is by Asst. Parks & Rec Director Yvonne Falgout on this year’s Summer Aquatics Program. Since there were staffing issues last year, the city is now offering increased pay for various positions as well as paying for lifeguard certifications. This year, remarkably, all 114 positions are filled.
Council discusses various events attended throughout the week, and the meeting adjourns with a reminder to get out and vote!