Week in Review, Feb. 13, 2026

Feb. 13, 2026

This is the latest edition of Week In Review - a series of weekly messages from the Mayor and City Council to help Richardson residents and businesses keep up to date on municipal events. If you would like to sign up to receive this in a weekly e-mail click here.

Throughout the year, the City Council or City Plan Commission will hold meetings on topics of significant interest to local neighborhoods or the community in general. Links to view all City Council or City Plan Commission meeting documents that may have topics of interest to you can be found here:

City Council | City Plan Commission

Bond and Charter Elections Called by Richardson City Council for May 2
The Richardson City Council voted Monday night to call two elections to be held Saturday, May 2, 2026, placing City Charter amendments and a proposed bond program before voters. The elections were called during the Council's Feb. 9 regular meeting and reflect separate but parallel processes focused on City governance and long-term infrastructure investment.

About the Bond Election
Voters will consider five propositions totaling $223.4 million to fund infrastructure, public safety and parks and recreation projects across the city, with no anticipated increase to the property tax rate. Development of the bond program followed months of public briefings, community feedback and two public hearings.

About the Charter Election
The 2026 Charter Amendment Election includes 50 proposed amendments for voters to consider (each separately), including technical adjustments as well as new provisions related to governance and transparency. The City's charter is amended every 10 years; the amendments were compiled by a citizen Charter Review Commission with input from the community, City staff and City Council.

Read Full Press Release: Read Press Release

Community groups interested in learning more about the Charter or Bond Election may request a presentation from the City's Speakers Bureau by e-mailing [email protected]. Requests should include the date, time, group name, location and any additional details to help prepare for the event.

31st Annual Community Revitalization Awards Recognize Seven Local Properties
Seven projects completed in 2025 (five residential properties, one mixed-use development and one non-residential property) were recognized by the City Council Monday night as part of the 31st annual Community Revitalization Awards program. The program allows the City to thank property owners who have made a significant, positive impact on their property and the surrounding area. The selection committee for the 2025 awards included representatives from the City Council, City Plan Commission and Richardson Chamber of Commerce.

Website: https://www.cor.net/CRA

Photographs of each winning property can also be viewed in the upcoming March edition of Richardson Today.

Monday's presentation: Click here

City's Lunar New Year Festival is Sunday
Celebrate the Year of the Horse and Richardson's rich cultural diversity at the City's annual Lunar New Year festival, taking place Sunday, Feb. 15, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. in The CORE District's Chinatown neighborhood, 400 N. Greenville Ave.

Co-presented by the Dallas Chinese Community Center, the event features a full slate of free activities, from live music and a Chinese yo-yo demonstration to lots of dance performances, including the popular Dragon and Lion Dancers.

Admission is free, and food and drink will be available for purchase at many DFW Chinatown restaurants as well as at food trucks and outdoor booths.

Free parking is available off site, with free shuttle service provided from the DART Arapaho Center Station, 200 Woodall Dr.

Website: Lunar New Year 2026 | The CORE District
The CORE District social media: Facebook; Instagram

Wildflower! Festival 2026 Lineup Announced
The full lineup of music acts for the City's 34th annual Wildflower! Arts & Music Festival was announced earlier this week, continuing the tradition of blending nationally recognized artists with emerging talent across multiple genres. The event is scheduled to take place May 15-17 at Galatyn Park Urban Center and will feature six stages of live entertainment, along with interactive art experiences, family-friendly programming, and signature competitions that celebrate creativity and community.

The line-up includes the following performers; click the link below for the complete list:

Friday, May 15

Saturday, May 16

Sunday, May 17

Resident discounted tickets and general admission single day tickets went on sale this week online; three-day and VIP passes are also on sale. Prices will increase at the gate.

Website: https://www.wildflowerfestival.com

Early Voting for March 3 Primary Election Begins Tuesday
Early voting for the March 3 Democratic and Republican Primary Elections will be held Feb. 17-27. Registered Dallas County voters who are Richardson residents may vote early at any designated Dallas County early voting location. Collin County voters who are Richardson residents may vote early at any designated Collin County early voting location.

Note there are two early voting locations in Richardson for Dallas County voters (the Islamic Association of North Texas, 840 Abrams Rd.; and Ministerios Charisma, 740 Melrose Dr.) and no early voting locations in Richardson for Collin County voters. Richardson City Hall will not be a polling location during Early Voting or on Election Day.

Early Information: https://www.cor.net/elections

City Facilities Offer Help for Tax Day with Forms, In-Person Help
The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) is once again providing free, in-person tax preparation help through April 15 at Richardson's recreation centers to those who qualify, with a special focus on taxpayers who are over 50 and have low to moderate income. The Tax-Aide volunteers are trained and IRS-certified every year.

In addition, a limited supply of some 2025 tax forms is available free to the public at the Richardson Public Library during regular business hours.

Appointments for the in-person Tax-Aide assistance are required; see links below to make a reservation and learn about what to bring to the appointment.

AARP Tax-Aide Details:
Huffhines Recreation Center
200 N Plano Rd.
Appointments: Mondays 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Sign up here or call 469-609-0903

Heights Recreation Center
711 W. Arapaho Rd.
Appointments: Tuesdays and Wednesdays 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Sign up here or call 469-609-0903

Reminder: City Services, Facilities Open President's Day
Monday, Feb. 16 is President's Day, and as it is a federal holiday, most banks, many schools and federal entities such as the US Postal Service will be closed that day. However, the City of Richardson will maintain normal operating schedules for all city services and City facilities will be open during regular business hours.

Lane Closures Expected on Spring Valley Road near Greenville Avenue
Beginning Monday, Feb. 16, utility work will result in the closure of the right and center lanes of westbound Spring Valley Road between Greenville Avenue and Lingco Drive from 8:30 p.m.-5:30 a.m. each night, with the closures extending to include the left lane at the intersection of Lingco and Spring Valley. To accommodate through traffic, drivers will be able to use the left turn lane to continue westbound on Spring Valley. The work is expected to wrap up the morning of Wednesday, Feb. 18.

Please note that while the construction is taking place, Lingco Drive will be converted to one-way traffic, and motorists will not be able to access Lingco - and the Spring Valley DART Station - from Spring Valley Road. To get to the station, drivers will need to take Sherman Street to get to Lingco.

Fiber Optic Work to Cause Lane Closures in The CORE District's Downtown Neighborhood
The right lanes of northbound and southbound Greenville Avenue between Main Street and North Texas Street may be closed to traffic in various locations and in eight different phases, one phase at a time, from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. as fiber optic work takes place. The same project may also cause North Texas Street to become one lane with flaggers for the alternate movement of traffic, and a narrowing of Terrace Drive between Greenville Avenue and La Salle Drive, during the same hours. The work is expected to be completed by late April.

Richardson Projects: https://www.cor.net/projects.

Parks and Recreation Offers Free Zumba Class Thursday
Heights Recreation Center, 711 W. Arapaho Rd.
Admission: Free, no registration needed
Feb. 19
6:30 p.m.

Enjoy a free Zumba class by Francesca, offered in conjunction with the Healthier Texas Community Challenge, a free fitness and health challenge taking place through March 29. Earn points for yourself and your community while getting fit; register and learn more through the link below. Participation in the Healthier Texas Community Challenge is not required to enjoy the free class.

Website: Healthier Texas Community Challenge

Free Shade Gardening Seminar Next Saturday
The IQ^®HQ, 1302 E. Collins Blvd.
Admission: Free; registration required (sign-up link)
Saturday, Feb. 21
10-11:30 a.m.

Dr. Kevin Dillard, certified arborist and Director of Landscape Management at Southern Methodist University, teaches you how to have a beautiful landscape in the shade, including how to analyze your site and choose the best plants for different types of light conditions, such as flowering plants, ground covers and grass. Sponsored by the City of Richardson.

Learn How to Back Up Computer Files Tomorrow
Millwood Creek Room
Admission: Free (Registration and a current RPL card in good standing required; call 972-744-4355 to register.)
Saturday, Feb. 14
10:30 a.m.-noon

Discover your options for safekeeping your files, and how to protect your data in each situation. For adults.

Adulting 101 Teen Program: "Credit Cards & Loans" Tomorrow
YS Storytime Room
Admission: Free
Saturday, Feb. 14
3-4 p.m.

Credit cards, loans, and interest rates can be confusing! Our special guests from the Texans Credit Union will break it all down so you can take charge of your financial future. For teens only, ages 13-18.

For a full list of library events, visit https://www.cor.net/calendar.

https://www.cor.net/Library

At the Eisemann Center:

At UT Dallas:

Chamber Music International gets "Jazzy, Bluesy & Playful" Tomorrow Night
St. Barnabas Presbyterian Church, 1220 W. Belt Line Rd.
Tickets: $40-$45 (tickets)
Saturday, Feb. 14
7:30 p.m.

Outstanding artists perform fascinating works by Stravinsky, Elgar, Leonard Bernstein, Amy Beach, Jean Singelee and Marc Eychenne. Featured artists include Chloé Kiffer, violin; Jean Kiffer, saxophone; and Alexander Moutouzkine, piano.

https://www.chambermusicinternational.org

RCC Performs Free Valentine's Day Concert
First Presbyterian Church, 271 Walton St.
Admission: Free
Saturday, Feb. 14
3 p.m.

The men and women of the Richardson Community Chorale will celebrate Valentine's Day by sharing some of their favorite songs of love.

https://www.rcchorale.org

Global Bird Count is this Weekend
The 29th annual Great Backyard Bird Count, organized by the National Audubon Society, Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Birds Canada, takes place today (Friday, Feb. 13) through Monday, Feb. 16. Participants are asked to count all birds they see or hear in their backyard or anywhere they'd like for as little as 15 minutes (or as long as they wish) on one or more days of the event and report their sightings online at www.birdcount.org. Free bird ID apps are available to help with bird identification so that anyone can take part, from beginning bird watchers to experts. (Consider doing your count along one of Richardson's many trails or at a City park; click here for a complete list.)

The free, worldwide event helps researchers learn more about how birds are doing and how to protect them and the environment we share with them.

More information: How to Participate - Great Backyard Bird Count

Recycling 101: Aerosol Cans
If you're a participant in Richardson's recycling program, you may have wondered, "If steel and aluminum cans are acceptable, does that include aerosol cans?" The answer is no, aerosol cans are not acceptable material for Richardson's curbside recycling program, because of fire danger they create if the can is full or partially full-a danger to staff as well as trucks and equipment.

In addition, aerosol cans include plastic nozzle parts, and our regional recycler does not have the equipment for the separation needed (as is the case with many municipal recycling programs), rendering the cans unrecyclable.

The best choice for disposal of empty aerosol cans (containing non-hazardous products) is in the trash; full or partially full cans should be discharged into a cardboard box or paper bag before placing them in the trash bag. Aerosol cans containing hazardous household products (such as paint and pesticides) can be taken to the Dallas County Home Chemical Collection Center (at no charge for Richardson residents), 11234 Plano Rd.; click here for hours and more information.

Engineering Program Manager ($125,803-$171,994 Salary)
The Engineering-Capital Projects Department is looking for an individual who can perform plan, manage, coordinate, direct, and supervise programs of the Engineering - Capital Projects Department, including projects for: streets and drainage, water and sewer, floodplain management, public buildings, neighborhood and park enhancements, and construction management. Assist in the development of long- and short-term strategic plans to meet the organizational and development needs of the department. Manage various department operations processes and procedures to include analytical and development work related to data processing, records management, planning and research, right-of-way management, utility management, and land rights acquisition. Manage and evaluate subordinates. Act as project engineer on public works design and construction contracts. Perform other related work as required.

Maintenance Helper II - Construction ($43,680-$52,952 Salary)
The Public Services Department is looking for an individual who can perform routine maintenance on vehicles, tools, and equipment used in installation, maintenance, and repair of water distribution, wastewater collection, street, drainage, and alley systems, including cleaning vehicles and equipment. Drive trucks and vehicles to various job sites to assist in repairs and maintenance. Serve on standby crew for after-hours emergency work, as needed. Read, understand, and follow written and oral job instructions. Write reports by hand. Use good judgment to work safely and use equipment properly. Keep storage areas clean, orderly, and in safe operating condition. Hear clearly when working around equipment, or in street and/or alley traffic, using proper safety precautions. Lift and/or carry up to 100 pounds; pull, push, and/or drag up to 150 pounds of installation and repair equipment or materials.

Fleet Porter PT ($21.07/hr to $29.58/hr)
The Fleet Department is currently looking for an individual who can perform general automotive maintenance and assists Fleet Technicians with general repairs and welding on City vehicles/equipment. Must be capable of following instructions as required and communicating with vendors, staff and other personnel. Driving is a prerequisite and must be able to drive vehicles to various locations within the DFW Metroplex in a safe manner. Must also deliver and accept vehicles and equipment at various locations and pay attention to details as related to transporting vehicle/equipment to and from the Service Center. Performs other related work as required.

https://www.cor.net/Jobs

Pet of the Week
Meet Honey Biscuit, a 3-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback with a heart as sweet as her name suggests. Known for her friendly demeanor, she brings joy to everyone at the shelter with her gentle nature. Honey Biscuit loves being around people and is always eager to share her affection. She's the perfect companion for anyone looking for a loyal and loving friend.

For information about animals available for adoption, visit the Animal Shelter's web page here.

City Council Links

Council Members
Meeting Agendas and Documents
Videos

To read previous Week in Reviews,

visit https://www.cor.net/WIR.