Richardson City Council/Community Inclusion & Engagement Commission Joint Work Session February 3rd, 2025

CIEC STRATEGIC PLAN

Tonight’s meeting begins with a joint session with Council and one of the newest commissions, the Community Inclusion & Engagement Commission (CIEC). All councilmembers are present as well as City Manager (CM) Don Magner and City Secretary Aimee Nemer. Seven of the nine CIEC commissioners are present. Commissioner Hanumanna and Commissioner McClure appear to be absent. The purpose of this joint session is to present the commission’s strategic plan.

Communications Director Greg Sowell begins the presentation. This commission was created in Nov. 2023. Their first meeting was held in Sep. 2024. Rick Robinson of Ramsee Consulting has guided the commission in forming their mission, vision, role, goals, and strategies. Consultant Robinson continues the presentation. He begins with the CIEC Draft Mission Statement. The proposed CIEC Mission Statement is:

“The Mission of the CIEC is to create a more inclusive and engaged community by providing strategic advocacy and thoughtful recommendations focused on enhancing stakeholder engagement, amplifying underrepresented voices, and fostering a stronger sense of connection, belonging, and trust in City programs, projects, and services, ensuring everyone feels valued and included.”

The proposed CIEC Vision Statement is:

“Our Vision is for Richardson to be recognized by all stakeholders as a place where everyone feels welcomed, included, valued, and empowered to participate – creating opportunities for all to thrive as members of the community.”

The proposed CIEC Role is:

“As an active advisory board, the CIEC provides diverse perspectives and meaningful input to the City Council on initiatives that promote inclusivity, strengthen community connections, and enhance stakeholder engagement, while also fulfilling additional duties as directed to ensure every voice in our diverse community is valued and heard.”

Four proposed goals are also presented. The Stakeholder Experience Goal is: “Our goal is for Richardson to be a community where all stakeholders feel welcomed, connected, and empowered to engage in meaningful ways.” Associated strategies under this goal are: Improve communications messaging and channels, Foster an increased sense of community, and Build knowledge and trust in city services.

The Cultural/Societal Impact Goal is: “Our goal is for Richardson to celebrate our diversity and promote trust, connection, collaboration, and cross-cultural understanding.” The associated strategy under this goal is: Identify and/or create opportunities for sharing, engaging, and connecting.

The Economic Impact Goal is: “Our goal is for Richardson to maintain and enhance our reputation as an engaged and inclusive community that attracts businesses, residents, and visitors who contribute to a thriving local economy.” The associated strategy under this goal is: Improve communications messaging and channels (marketing).

The Internal Capacity/Organizational Development Goal is: “Our goal is to ensure the success of the commission by enhancing member skills, establishing commission standard processes, and fostering collaboration with City departments and other partners.” The associated strategy under this goal is: Establish Commission SOPs and success metrics.

The CIEC provides their feedback first. Commissioner Akhtar expresses how well the commission has worked together so far despite being from different backgrounds. Commissioner Syed looks forward to improving engagement with city services like the library. Vice-Chair Schascheck compliments the consultant’s approach in letting the commissioners take charge of setting their mission and goals instead of providing the same template that other commissions use. Chair Varma appreciates the commissioners bringing their authentic selves to the commission and their time commitment to serving in this way.

Now, Council gives their feedback. Councilman Hutchenrider emphasizes how glad he is to have this commission officially established. He encourages commissioners to provide their honest input and explore new ideas to engage the community. Mayor Pro Tem Shamsul supports the different ideas that the commission will bring to the table to increase innovation. Councilman Barrios compliments the commission’s dedication. Councilman Corcoran asks the commissioners to share their favorite set of data they were provided.

Vice-Chair Schascheck states that demographic data on students, renters, and seniors stood out to her. Chair Varma states that data on the differences between East and West Richardson stood out to her. Commissioner Oatis-Newsome and Commissioner Syed state that statistics on library users stood out to them. Mayor Dubey looks forward to getting more members of the community involved as a result of this commission’s work. Joint meeting adjourned.

COUNCIL MEETING OPENING

Council now reconvenes into their regular meeting.

Councilman Dorian leads a prayer and the pledges.

Four speakers are present for the visitors forum. The first speaker represents Richardson Area Democrats (RAD). About 30 RAD members are also present in the audience. She expresses concern about the new presidential administration’s plans to deport 20 million immigrants. She wants those in Richardson to have reassurance that Richardson will continue to be a safe place for them. She shares her own childhood experience of having a family member deported and expresses the emotional impact that had on her family. She asks for clarification on local policies and procedures. She asks that immigrants in Richardson be treated with dignity and provided resources.

The second speaker asks that the city advocate for humane treatment and ensure that no one’s rights are violated. She asks the city to connect with community members to understand their needs. She also asks that the city regularly communicate any information about known immigration enforcement actions as well as hosting information sessions to share resources in multiple languages.

The third speaker speaks on ZF 24-24, the Valencia Villas zoning request. She is a resident of the Highland Terrace Neighborhood. She has concerns about the density of townhomes proposed in this request. She also has concerns about traffic. She is also concerned that these might turn into rental houses. She prefers landscape screening over masonry screening.

The fourth speaker speaks about Richardson’s history. He first expresses gratitude for the establishment of the CIEC. He shares that the 100^th anniversary of the city's incorporation is coming up later this year. He asks that the city erect a marker commemorating the vote for incorporation on June 22^nd, 1925 at 100 E. Main St. where the 112-10 vote to incorporate took place. He asks that the city also consider a celebration event.

City Manager Don Magner responds to emphasize that everyone will be treated with dignity and compassion. The safety and security of residents is a high priority for the city. RPD will not enforce immigration laws. They will continue to enforce state and local laws. Richardson firmly believes in the fundamental rights, security, and dignity of every individual.

DART UPDATE

Now, a presentation from DART representatives updating the status of legislative efforts. DART Board Chair Gary Slagel presents. Boardmember Mark Enoch is also present as well as Chief of Staff Kay Shelton. Chair Slagel shares that legislation is being considered by the state to reduce DART’s funding. A study on how DART uses public funds was completed last year. Before this study was completed, six cities still passed resolutions seeking to reduce their funding of DART by 25%.

In DART’s meetings with cities, it became apparent that some cities seek a change in the way representation on the DART Board is allocated among cities. Cities that don’t currently have a dedicated boardmember representing them want that dedicated representation. Cities are also concerned about the City of Dallas having a majority control of the board. In the view of other cities, Dallas could decide and implement something even if 12 other cities oppose it. Dallas currently has eight boardmembers representing them. One of those also represents Cockrell Hill. The remaining seven board positions combined represent Garland, Carrollton, Irving, Plano, Glenn Heights, Rowlett, Farmers Branch, Richardson, Addison, University Park, and Highland Park.

In response to this feedback, DART has concluded that certain governance changes are appropriate. Board representation will continue to be based on population. Population calculations are done for DART every five years. Either this year or in 2030, it is projected that the suburbs will end up having a higher combined population than the City of Dallas. Boardmembers currently represent more than one suburb city.

The proposed options to ensure that all cities receive adequate representation include cities deciding who they will group with regarding representation. Within those groupings, cities can collaborate to select their representative. Cities may consider rotating representation with term timing. I.e. One city gets a representative choice for one year, then their partnered city gets a representative for another year. This will be up to the cities. Larger suburb cities that are allocated more than one boardmember are also being encouraged to give their second seat to another city. In other words, cities will collaborate to share representation. DART will also now require a supermajority vote of the Board for adding service.

DART also found that a desire to increase certain services exists. Specifically, they will collaborate with cities to increase services that provide workforce transportation to and from places of employment. This will look different from city to city. Expansion of DART’s GoLink service is also desired. This is a micro-transit service similar to Uber or Lyft that provides transportation on request from and to a requested location. DART will also seek to increase ridership at multi-family and corporate centers through outreach and education.

Chief Shelton now highlights DART efforts in Richardson. She first highlights the Silver Line aesthetic arch over U.S. 75 and the increased cost associated with the redesign of this arch. Grant funding is being sought to cover part of this increased expense. DART is also planning to utilize its right-of-way for trail and open space improvements. Economic development initiatives are also being explored through the establishment of a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone. Improvements to DART bus shelters and certain routes are also planned.

Boardmember Enoch now asks the city to affirm their support for DART’s current funding level by passing a resolution. DART is seeking this type of resolution from all member cities. DART will take these resolutions to the state legislature to advocate for no reduction in DART funding.

Councilman Corcoran asks if the requested resolution adds something different than the city’s existing legislative agenda to support DART. Boardmember Enoch explains his past experience advocating to the legislature. He states that a resolution in hand is more effective than the legislative agenda. City Manager Don Magner clarifies that the city’s legislative agenda doesn’t specifically mention maintaining current funding levels for DART.

Councilman Hutchenrider supports passing the requested resolution. He also asks DART to advocate for TxDOT to study and implement improvements to the southbound US-75 ramps from PGBT. The DART representatives and staff agree to conduct this advocacy. Mayor Pro Tem Shamsul also supports passing a resolution. DART needs support and cooperation to achieve the vision of meeting the region’s transit needs. Councilman Barrios also supports the requested resolution. He also supports expanding GoLink services. He encourages DART to keep pursuing safety and security improvements. Councilman Dorian also supports passing the requested resolution. CM Magner states that he will bring a proposed resolution for consideration in an upcoming meeting.

65+/DISABLED PERSON’S PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION

Next is the annual review of the 65+/Disable Persons property tax exemption. Asst Finance Director Todd Gastorf presents. The current exemption is $145K. The city’s goal is to maintain an exemption that equals approx. 30% of a qualifying individual’s home value. Roughly one-third of Richardson residential accounts qualify for this exemption. Assuming a 5% value increase and a 1% increase in accounts, it is projected that an exemption of $155K would equal 30.75% of the average qualifying person’s home. $160K would be roughly 31.75%. Staff recommends adopting a $160K exemption. This would equal an $867 tax benefit for the average qualifying person. Council supports the recommendation.

CONT’D PUBLIC HEARING – VALENCIA VILLAS & CLOSING

The next item is a continuation of the public hearing on ZF 24-24, the Valencia Villas townhome development rezoning request. This request has been continued twice by the CPC and once by Council so far. And guess what? (You’ll never guess.) It’s getting continued again! CM Magner states that discussions are still ongoing between the developer and the neighborhood, but they need more time. Council unanimously continues the hearing until Feb. 17^th.

The consent agenda is unanimously approved. It includes two bid awards: a $100K annual requirements contract to Kaitlin Kent Enterprises for street leveling services and $268K to Elevated Facility Services for Eisemann Center Elevator upgrades. It also includes a change order to increase the Main Street reconstruction project awarded to Rebcon by $275K. This adds the reconstruction of the parking lot by the Lockwood retail area to the project scope to provide additional public parking.

Council discusses a Richardson Symphony Orchestra performance, the State of the City address, Lunar New Year, and the Richardson Adult Literacy Center Murder Mystery show in April. Council then convenes into executive session to deliberate regarding economic development negotiations for a commercial development in the U.S. 75/Main St. area. The footage ends here.