Richardson, TX
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Week In Review, June 10, 2016
Post Date:06/10/2016
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June 10, 2016 “State of Our Water” Given to City Council Staff from the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) provided an overview Monday of NTMWD’s water and wastewater systems, highlighting current and projected demand and outlining several proposed projects and initiatives designed to meet future demand and maintain water quality. Richardson is one of 55 cities in the NTMWD, a partnership authorized by the Texas Legislature to acquire, treat and distribute potable water, and to collect, treat and dispose of wastes. Proposed water projects designed to keep up with the increasing population of North Texas as well as booming commercial developments include the Lower Bois d’Arc Reservoir in Fannin County (construction is projected to start in 2017 depending on permitting) and a new Main Stem Pump Station located at the Trinity River, featuring a 17-mile pipeline (expected completion in 2018 depending on project partners and permitting). New projects as well as maintaining existing infrastructure and keeping up with safety regulations are causing water rates nationwide to increase, more than any other utility. Though NTMWD’s member cities’ water rates are expected to increase from the current $2.29 per 1,000 gallons to $2.53 per 1,000 gallons in fiscal year 2017, the rate still leaves costs at ¼ penny per gallon of treated water delivered, one of the lowest rates in the U.S. (Average monthly water/sewer bills for the Dallas area are $110/month; Austin residents pay around $225 per month on average and residents in Atlanta and Seattle pay an average of more than $300 per month.) NTMWD staff are hoping more consumers will help lower their water bills and lower costs for the entire district by taking advantage of Water My Yard, a free online service that notifies participants weekly of the amount of water they should be putting on their lawns to maintain lawn health, based on sprinkler design and local precipitation rates (www.watermyyard.org). Consumers often put their sprinkler system on “auto” each week, unnecessarily using water when no water may be needed. For more details on our water and sewer system, view Monday’s presentation by clicking here. Maintenance Strategies for City Streets/Services Outlined City staff updated the City Council Monday on the status of streets, screening walls, water, wastewater, bridge railings, traffic signs and markings, giving an overview of current maintenance strategies and future needs. The City Council has put an emphasis on infrastructure in its goals and has more than doubled the amount dedicated toward infrastructure from three years ago. Highlights:
Portions of Dallas North Tollway Closed This Weekend and Next Due to the expansion of the Dallas North Tollway (DNT) and demolition/rebuilding of bridges at the intersection of the DNT and Tennyson Parkway in Plano, the areas listed below will be closed the following days and times: 11 p.m. Friday, June 10 through 5 a.m. Monday, June 13 and 9 p.m. Friday, June 17 through 5 a.m. Monday, June 20 Closures
Although the remainder of the DNT will remain open during this operation, delays are expected. For more information, go to www.ntta.org. City’s Inaugural “Off the Beaten Path 5K” June 11 Wake up early and hit the trail—the City hosts its inaugural Off the Beaten Path 5K and Trail Run at Breckinridge Park tomorrow morning. Online registration has been extended until 11:59 p.m. tonight and race day registration starts at 6 a.m. Sponsored by the City’s Parks and Recreation Department, the event will help both runners and walkers get to know the trail systems of Breckinridge Park on a unique course combining road and paved trail running. A 1-mile Fun Run will take place on the park’s ring road beginning at 8 a.m. with the 5K following at 8:30 a.m. Awards begin at 9:30 a.m. Online registration fees are $30 for the 5K and $15 for the Fun Run, increasing to $35 for the 5K on race day. For more information, click here. Bird Expo at Civic Center June 11 “The bird is the word” tomorrow at the Richardson Civic Center as the Richardson Exotic Bird Mart takes place there from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Expect “everything bird” for sale including baby birds, breeding birds, cages, handcrafted toys and nutrition items. Admission is $4. For more information, go to www.birdeventsintexas.com. At the Eisemann Center:
Richardson Community Band Outdoor Concert June 12 The Richardson Community Band continues its 2016 series of free outdoor concerts Sunday with “Happy Birthday to Us” at 7 p.m. on the Civic Center plaza. Lawn chairs and picnics are welcome. Parking is free and available in the nearby Library and Civic Center lots. For a complete schedule of the band’s summer concerts, go to www.richardsoncommunityband.org. RROB Event: Perot Tech Truck/DIY Robot Challenge June 13 Teens are invited to engage with hands-on science and create a robot with a Perot Museum expert Monday, June 13. Three time slots are available: 1-2 p.m., 2-3 p.m. and 3-4 p.m. The event is free and open to ages 13-18. Registration is required—call 972-744-4358 to register or stop by the Library’s Youth Services desk during regular business hours. The event is being held in alignment with the Richardson Reads One Book (RROB) 2016 selection “Spare Parts” by Joshua Davis, the true story of four Latino teens who win a prestigious robotics competition. For more information about RROB, go to onebook.cor.net. Richardson Animal Shelter Pet of the Week This sweet, fun girl is named Becca. She is a border collie, shepherd mix that was surrendered to the Shelter just this week. She is a very high energy fun loving dog and has been fully vaccinated and already spayed. Becca has also been given a microchip. Come and visit her and take her out for a game of fetch and you will fall in love with her. For information about other animals available for adoption, visit the Animal Shelter’s web page here. |
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