[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6518851,"mediaKeyId","5385591-fedf53f1dcd290bd7b618347fa884a77","parentId",5385591,"title","Richardson council reviews 47 proposed charter amendments, consensus on several key items","audioSeconds",3802,"startMs",915000,"endMs",4717000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5385591-fedf53f1dcd290bd7b618347fa884a77&start=915&end=4717","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5385591-fedf53f1dcd290bd7b618347fa884a77/thumbnail_915000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6518851/Richardson/Dallas-County/Texas/Richardson-council-reviews-47-proposed-charter-amendments-consensus-on-several-key-items","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6518851-7326c830d1a0b95ee6b29b367f63d658/orig.mp4?Expires=1770418880&Signature=jJYvU5t3p352Tf6-GpRzHf4MBuuAF8otHLPdLrcU9TspzHN4hoTKLAxptkQvxmUH77z71HDt~xd-L-up4l9ZAei68elvRJySio8VTYCO2ww9m88jm3k-0-4zbNZjv02OiAVqS7cGA093sG0OAw9WhbtvIoXb79jRrO~HDuGAgdkzwCX24DZcOV-S~EXnNQJKUtqGnmyUZXrx8cRynLdqTsta5o~-4eldjpjUw46iW-9rrLtwFtuvwLwG5L2V8RX77RaKI1TmfcZhZsg7qD0ujpF35fjVB77a6RFnORyRakqUynI8-~JIMeJasI9XWc4mjEJcG9O~LAXUuJsHpmGfFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Richardson","date","2025-07-14T00:00:00Z","article","The Richardson City Council reviewed a draft package of roughly 47 charter propositions and asked staff and the city attorney to prepare final ballot language for consideration at a possible Aug. 11 election.

City Manager Don Magner and City Attorney Pete Smith led the briefing. Smith walked the council through the proposed propositions and legal constraints, and Magner outlined next steps and an estimated election cost of about $250,000.

The propositions include a mix of non‑substantive edits (grammatical and clarifying changes), and substantive items such as whether to change the city’s municipal election date to November under state Bill SB 1494, revisions to council compensation language, modification of petition thresholds for citizen initiatives and recalls, and a proposal to eliminate a required surety bond in favor of a citywide crime-insurance policy.

Why it matters: The charter review consolidates decade‑long housekeeping changes and several policy choices that will bind the city for the next 10 years if voters approve them. The council’s guidance will shape the final propositions that appear on the ballot and affect election timing, the petitions process, and internal controls for officials.

On election timing, Magner summarized SB 1494 and the council’s two options: adopt a charter amendment to move council elections to the November uniform election date in odd years (which would require terms to hold over until November 2027) or make the change by council resolution. Several council members said they prefer keeping Richardson’s nonpartisan May election date to avoid national and statewide partisan influence. Council Member Corcoran said, “The only justification I've seen for this ... was council members in some of the bigger cities wanting this to be more of a partisan election,” and added he favors May to keep Richardson’s nonpartisan tradition. Council Members Justice, Dorian and Mayor Pro Tem Hutchenrider echoed that view. Council Member Dan Barrios, appearing remotely, said he would support changing to the fall to boost turnout; he characterized himself as “the minority here.” No formal vote was taken; staff will prepare language consistent with the council’s direction.

On compensation, staff presented a proposal developed by the Charter Commission and staff that would revise council compensation. Magner said the Charter Commission’s work suggested a modest monthly equivalent if the council adopted an indexing approach; the formal proposition would set a per‑meeting stipend structure. The transcript shows staff presented language that reads in part as a per‑meeting stipend and scheduled phased amounts (the text presented included a per‑meeting stipend of $50 with a maximum of $7,800, rising on 01/01/2030 to $200 per meeting with a $10,400 cap). Council expressed no opposition to the way the item was written and asked staff to carry the language forward for ballot drafting.

On citizen petition thresholds for initiatives and referenda, the council reviewed comparative data from peer cities and discussed whether to keep the current 10% threshold of registered voters. Council Member Magner (Mayor) suggested lowering the percent of registered voters required for an initiative to make citizen petitions more achievable, proposing a mid‑range number between 5% and 10% (he suggested roughly 7.5%). Several members supported a compromise; after discussion the council asked staff to use 8% in the draft proposition language.

On official financial‑controls language, staff presented a memo from JoBeth Wells of Epic (the city’s insurance broker) advising that the city’s crime insurance policy covers the same risks as an individual surety bond and does so more comprehensively. Mayor Pro Tem Hutchenrider said, “I would actually say based on that letter ... I would actually say we do away with the surety bond and just require the ... crime policy,” and multiple council members agreed. Council Member Justice asked whether the charter’s language should say “shall” rather than “may” to make the requirement mandatory; council and counsel agreed to refine the draft to make the requirement to carry crime‑policy coverage clear to voters while preserving council discretion about exact coverage mechanisms.

City Attorney Smith explained the statutory constraint that ballot propositions cannot contain more than one subject and described efforts to consolidate and shorten propositions to reduce voter fatigue and cost. Smith and staff said some changes are purely grammatical, others clarify who can serve subpoenas or who may be subject to recall, and some relocate language for readability.

Next steps: Magner proposed returning a final ordinance with revised ballot language to council on July 28, allowing two weeks for review before a possible Aug. 11 decision to call the election. Staff estimated the election cost at approximately $250,000, driven largely by publication and ballot space for the high number of propositions. The council directed staff to prepare final draft propositions, to revise the surety‑bond language consistent with the conversation, and to use 8% as the initiative/referral petition threshold in the draft.

The council did not take any formal final votes on propositions during the session; staff will return with ordinance language and a formal call‑of‑election item for council action.

Looking ahead: If the council votes to change the municipal election date via charter amendment, the change must be completed by Dec. 31, 2025, under SB 1494 to move to November uniform election dates in odd years.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Richardson - City Council Work Session - Jul 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Richardson City Council reviewed a draft package of roughly 47 charter propositions covering election timing, council compensation, petition thresholds and official insurance/bonding language, and directed staff to prepare final ballot language for consideration at a possible Aug. 11 election.","taxTitle","Richardson, Dallas County, Texas","taxId",2786,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6518837,"Council approves minutes and consent agenda, 6-0; Barrios absent for votes",8178,77000,8255000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5385591-fedf53f1dcd290bd7b618347fa884a77&start=77&end=8255","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5385591-fedf53f1dcd290bd7b618347fa884a77/thumbnail_77000.jpg","/articles/6518837/Richardson/Dallas-County/Texas/Council-approves-minutes-and-consent-agenda-6-0-Barrios-absent-for-votes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6518837-9f075786cf25022a21b468e24ded05fd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770418880&Signature=njbW9XjAPYdMGMUg7dfOq8OJv1IO1Hu17TSHjr4pCJsBydR6b5FDovlOU4reMs5ibf1Bqg3kU6U6FzoW4JlXjQ9kFoZYkPgU1OQ8JujwxtSj9SAgQXkZbgTZAjyrMki0jbVQWSrQ6~4uojHMY6KXo2cIoNskYZsepUeaMe0HJe0pXQz54D9F8kEcN89QgplMz8u6rxK1m3OY1EyA2b~bYG1PyIBtZLecG9ramLAq6wgAIhks8CrexDru2Xl3~euwOumeDqDlrxpCorDkFuxtltKrz5lQMCnIdAQGzrYvT1w7JSl9VnJSxCUzC-Lc0DyKncXzt9nOhI8LQKdF6Oz7Lg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Richardson City Council unanimously approved two routine items during the meeting: minutes for the June 23, 2025 meeting and the meeting’s consent agenda.

Minutes: Mayor Pro Tem Hutchenrider moved to approve the minutes of the June 23 meeting as published; Council Member Dorian seconded. The chair called for the vote; the motion carried 6‑0. City staff recorded that Council Member Dan Barrios would be joining intermittently and was not counted on that vote.

Consent agenda: Mayor Pro Tem Hutchenrider moved to approve the consent agenda as published; Council Member Justice seconded. The motion carried 6‑0, with Barrios absent for the roll call on that item.

Votes at a glance:
- Approval of minutes (06/23/2025): Motion to approve as published; mover Mayor Pro Tem Hutchenrider; second Council Member Dorian; outcome approved; tally 6‑0 (Barrios not voting).
- Consent agenda: Motion to approve consent agenda as published; mover Mayor Pro Tem Hutchenrider; second Council Member Justice; outcome approved; tally 6‑0 (Barrios absent).

No recorded “no,” “abstain” or “recused” votes were reported in the transcript for these items.","The Richardson City Council approved minutes from the June 23 meeting and the consent agenda by 6‑0 votes. Council Member Dan Barrios was participating remotely and recorded as absent for the votes reported at the time.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6518842,"Facilities and Fleet outline FY26 maintenance needs; rising unit costs and staffing challenges cited",1029,7256000,8285000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5385591-fedf53f1dcd290bd7b618347fa884a77&start=7256&end=8285","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5385591-fedf53f1dcd290bd7b618347fa884a77/thumbnail_7256000.jpg","/articles/6518842/Richardson/Dallas-County/Texas/Facilities-and-Fleet-outline-FY26-maintenance-needs-rising-unit-costs-and-staffing-challenges-cited","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6518842-7c1c55bd46092e481f80d82ee7910bc9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770418880&Signature=N13BovQm0RzjAPgtuDlQfI-4mLW0k~82k0vGd1SLFgBNCDHrKHbn2wTtXiVqZxSIaoLt628rB6GW9iu5rZ12DW0WZs915pa~oTAGcZDBUt-9N320tS7E17MYbEKJZDVidCA4lwy1vTsw4A5N7K-R~bxqnDNzOozN8CoR~c0m5jb-tg6YW~J3cQFWDmyDqBeh-VspKsJD~imYlpajEEryNTa51AeU6mfSpqKRKsBJyCRZXTfnWBNkCQAekozkSxCdIDUx3nZvlgzS5O6MMahyJExQHOyErTMGNJvhancODoPTmLMSBommLRS4uwtQQ2kKBJxny3UgmF0Yn26hq9SMoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City’s Facilities and Fleet Services Department briefed the Richardson City Council on maintenance and capital needs for fiscal year 2026, highlighting rising fuel and utility costs, workforce recruitment challenges, and a preliminary ranked project list for facilities and fleet replacement.

Director Wayne Corum described the department’s scope — about 40 occupied facilities (roughly 1 million square feet) maintained by a 33‑person facilities team, and a 648‑vehicle fleet maintained by 20 fleet staff — and summarized operating and capital pressures.

Why it matters: Facilities and fleet upkeep affects daily government operations, public amenities and emergency services. Deferred maintenance and higher outsourcing costs can increase long‑term capital needs and impact service delivery.

Key points from the briefing:
- Labor and complexity: Corum told council the city is competing with the private sector to recruit skilled trades and technicians; the department is partnering with Collin College and expanding apprenticeship programs to address shortages. Corum said more expensive outside services are increasing operating costs when in‑house staff cannot meet demand.
- Costs and demand: The presentation showed increased service requests across several categories and higher unit costs for some maintenance trades. Utility costs for facilities (electric and gas) also rose in FY25 and contributed to budget pressure.
- Major FY25 and near‑term projects: Ongoing work includes a multi‑year generator master plan (long lead time for large units; Corum noted an 80‑week lead time for a generator), municipal court roof replacement, service center vestibule and security upgrades, and rec‑center HVAC/automation improvements. Corum said the municipal court roof is nearly complete and that service‑center vestibule upgrades now include secure visitor intake and intercom cameras.
- FY26 proposed projects: Facilities maintenance fund priorities include two roof replacements (IQ building and the detention center), a building automation system for the gymnastics center (to integrate HVAC control), and parking‑lot lighting at the Fire Training Center. Fleet capital replacement plans draft a program of about 46 vehicles at a projected $7.5 million across multiple funding sources (general fund, vehicle replacement fund, certificates of obligation, enterprise funds).

Custodial services will see increased contract costs as square footage under management grows with three capital projects coming online this fiscal year, and supply costs (cleaning chemicals) have risen. Corum said the department is implementing new fleet management software and assessing facility work‑order systems to improve efficiency.

Council questions focused on roof timelines and the benefits of building automation systems. Corcoran asked whether the IQ building roof had recently been replaced; Corum clarified the building received interior tenant work previously but the roof was due for full replacement per the facility life cycle. Council members asked whether automation systems yield utility and operational efficiencies; Corum said automation allows remote diagnostics, prevents unnecessary trips, and supports participation in demand‑response programs.

Next steps: Facilities and fleet will continue implementation of the generator plan, finalize three projects scheduled to come online this year, complete implementation of fleet management software, and return with a finalized work plan tied to the City Manager’s FY26 budget submittal.","Facilities and Fleet Services briefed the council on building and vehicle maintenance needs, citing rising utility and contractor costs, recruitments challenges for trades and technicians, and a list of proposed FY26 capital projects including roof replacements, a generator program and building automation upgrades.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6518847,"Council hears FY26 parks maintenance priorities; staff proposes a preliminary work plan",2599,4697000,7296000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5385591-fedf53f1dcd290bd7b618347fa884a77&start=4697&end=7296","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5385591-fedf53f1dcd290bd7b618347fa884a77/thumbnail_4697000.jpg","/articles/6518847/Richardson/Dallas-County/Texas/Council-hears-FY26-parks-maintenance-priorities-staff-proposes-a-preliminary-work-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6518847-139e06c32cde9d96ac74153f9ff84af0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770418880&Signature=ZYAhhTb993WnhZgK8x9ZCN8ZhAMajY2siA0rq-qbKgAog1Xe1E5yEWAHRpT5vfWHeauRj1x-536aWq2xIwJ5nDYc4A029hnB44d4OzSuqVJtgS50TN8f7Io~IyJCj3BVIogU0R80xjDxsc4sqjW4HN4dGeizX0hLUX4s23a7FWEkmhNBT2X5Lx433cv3jt2Xl4QbUvque73KPyCbvAzQ7qFVFdCfciVLuyIR~KrXASeBU6TbrMzPorR7kXLK8BxcsfJT6trroyi2sxmmL7veqt2-DELUfNB35C9rbdsKRzj4COQA3X4-usx58GPCY0kjSXjsjAefvrQeyTE2iXrg6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Richardson Parks and Recreation Department gave the City Council a detailed briefing on asset conditions and a preliminary work plan for fiscal year 2026 maintenance projects, and urged council members to prioritize items as the budget process continues.

Director of Parks and Recreation Devon Paogu and Assistant Director Sean Rogers presented results from the department’s annual capital asset assessment and a list of priority projects developed with the Park and Recreation Commission. The assessment scores assets across safety, age, structural soundness, utility and appearance and is used to identify immediate maintenance needs.

Why it matters: The parks maintenance fund supports routine and capital upkeep for 42 parks, trails and park facilities. With budget uncertainty this year, staff presented a prioritized but preliminary list so the council can match funding decisions to highest priorities during the August budget retreat.

Key highlights:
- Asset program and scope: Parks staff maintain 42 parks, roughly 510 acres of medians/right‑of‑way, 93 miles of trails, 32 playgrounds, 230 acres of sports fields, 28 restroom buildings and 13 ponds/water features. The department’s capital asset assessment uses a 5‑point scoring system to rank assets and has eight years of trend data.
- FY25 completed work: Major projects completed this year included a stone‑retaining solution at McKamy Spring Park (repair to a failing stone veneer and ramp; cost about $255,000), tennis‑court fence replacement at Yale Park ($45,000), median renovations on East Spring Valley (about $155,000) and berm/retaining wall work along Renier Linear Park to reduce trail erosion.
- FY26 preliminary priorities: Staff proposed projects including safety‑surfacing maintenance at Breckenridge Park (roll coat on safety surfacing), median landscape renovations (Waterview and Yale segments), Yale Park restroom replacement with a prefabricated restroom building, selective trail panel replacement at Campbell Ridge Park, a pavilion slab replacement at Huffines Park, irrigation adjustments where rock landscaping removed irrigated turf, and security lighting and grassing infields at Pointe North Park.

Staff emphasized that the FY26 list is preliminary; final scope will depend on the council’s decisions about transfers from the general fund to special maintenance accounts. City Manager Don Magner said departments were asked to present “preliminary work plans” to allow flexibility in balancing priorities across parks, streets and other maintenance programs. Council members requested cost estimates for projects in future briefings to help weigh tradeoffs.

Council feedback included requests to revisit restrooms and trail/bridge connections at Breckenridge Park (several members asked that restroom improvements and a future bridge to complete trail connections remain on the capital list). Mayor Pro Tem Hutchenrider noted prior commitments to address restrooms at Breckenridge and asked staff to revisit the item; staff said portions of Breckenridge sit on landfill and lack utilities, which complicates a full restroom replacement and may require a larger capital project or relocation of restrooms to served sites.

Next steps: Parks staff will refine project scopes and cost estimates and return with a final recommended work plan as part of the City Manager’s FY26 budget submission. The department also plans limited public outreach and will provide more detailed dollar estimates during the budget‑workshop process.

No formal council action was taken during the presentation.","Parks and Recreation department presented an asset assessment and a preliminary FY26 parks maintenance work plan including median renovations, restroom replacements, trail repairs and safety‑surfacing maintenance. City staff said final projects will depend on budget transfer levels.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Richardson council reviews 47 proposed charter amendments, consensus on several key items

Council approves minutes and consent agenda, 6-0; Barrios absent for votes

Facilities and Fleet outline FY26 maintenance needs; rising unit costs and staffing challenges cited

Council hears FY26 parks maintenance priorities; staff proposes a preliminary work plan