[{"_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",6625753,"mediaKeyId","2756400-c41ae8444c1c6df47d9329ed376c09d6","parentId",2756400,"title","Council approves consent agenda, appoints members to planning commission and adopts minutes","audioSeconds",6895,"startMs",97000,"endMs",6992000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2756400-c41ae8444c1c6df47d9329ed376c09d6&start=97&end=6992","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2756400-c41ae8444c1c6df47d9329ed376c09d6/thumbnail_97000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6625753/Richardson/Dallas-County/Texas/Council-approves-consent-agenda-appoints-members-to-planning-commission-and-adopts-minutes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625753-9416f8864d27a1e2510907fb777dac99/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149162&Signature=V0dpgkfBJY32FS-7BFHcVRQ8JxWrGbmCEuGuwpU5PBL6GsKOwLL1nDAb9Zndhxvm8WY2kneesLadRagoPPoXvznXP8WMYoIUtrgBu6-Ey-32Vf1V39Wx8reQBoRBTnr5iznYpfOW-u9TC-To2WNkXJqWOOgIeBxs6AkTvU8Wdu00NlMFV5O1ugPC3pZHz~iX7CUrcDiwX8KEoCTxvIrKx9juEiWR9-qFMp7eQEeRGac9lZb02XW22FiqXbvI9LQNF2BDtVecEoagiqLNNfvPmwx7bfxVaNuH8oHQQq2lYYR0bfx1XlppKEnYEV8TrhYbWC-LiQ6tzrR-mE6nYEgi9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Richardson","date","2025-03-24T00:00:00Z","article","The Richardson City Council took several formal actions during the March 25 meeting. All actions below were recorded on the consent calendar or by voice vote and passed unanimously.

Approve minutes: A motion to approve the minutes (agenda item 3) was made and seconded; council \"passes unanimously,\" according to the record.

Appointments to City Plan Commission and related boards: Council moved to fill unexpected or unexpired terms on the City Plan Commission and related boards. The council approved appointments to fill unexpired terms ending Dec. 31, 2025:
- Jeremy Thomason — appointment to fill an unexpired term ending 12/31/2025 (motion made on the record; council approved by show of hands).
- Joe Quirk — appointment to fill an unexpired term ending 12/31/2025 (same motion as above).
- Sabrina Bonshek — appointment to fill an unexpired term ending 12/31/2025 (motion and second recorded; council approved by show of hands).

Consent agenda: Councilmember Hunter Bridal moved to approve the consent agenda, including the apparatus purchase the fire chief described earlier; Miss Justice seconded. The council voted by show of hands and \"passes unanimously.\" A motion and second were recorded on the public record.

Context: These items were handled as routine consent or appointments; the record shows unanimous approval and no amendments or recorded roll-call tallies in the minutes presented at the meeting.

Ending: No items in this portion of the agenda were tabled or failed; the council moved next to other agenda items after the votes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Richardson - City Council - Mar 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the March 25 meeting the Richardson City Council unanimously approved the consent agenda (including a fire apparatus purchase), approved meeting minutes and made several appointments to commissions; motions passed by voice/show-of-hands votes.","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},6625758,"Richardson Fire Department reports nearly 15,000 calls in 2024, expanded training and apparatus lead-time pressures",264,4606000,4870000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2756400-c41ae8444c1c6df47d9329ed376c09d6&start=4606&end=4870","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2756400-c41ae8444c1c6df47d9329ed376c09d6/thumbnail_4606000.jpg","/articles/6625758/Richardson/Dallas-County/Texas/Richardson-Fire-Department-reports-nearly-15000-calls-in-2024-expanded-training-and-apparatus-lead-time-pressures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625758-41860e5bebb26d550d0503506e5cbea3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149162&Signature=h9gwUnqZmUX4~TCUnO3NqWp4LwOV~Yii0dx8lhc09mjw~mWCjVimebaEHHJFDCbgAtrgyO3tcCV6rePVdYZ1E-SBD64m-LMXdJO2o0VTBSBeLZW0TJwBaMnroefTeobRI5Fqd~557K2qydkzGnUWIzkc5QKRPk9oaO9xt021UQ1w0jg3wzQHWLX56mF~HqesC38RQquPq7tiKd9Qdgjs5lqeVc7jooh-dDYVpThK0pDD02QssnPah75ZVxutPn3g08J4dnCmUolKsRrT99fHJ0ERsLzpl5W4oXPvnqsaJ~3qMA39g3jgPFBBdfbHf3F~AvcSHq0ZOel83tju8PRfcQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Fire Chief Curtis Puvey presented the Richardson Fire Department's annual report for calendar year 2024 to the City Council on March 25, telling council the department handled 14,982 emergency calls and recorded 24,035 apparatus responses.

Puvey described training accomplishments, equipment replacements and recognition: the department reported roughly 36,766 hours of fire-rescue training and 10,024 paramedic continuing-education hours; it replaced a rescue ambulance and an engine at Station 4 and placed a HAZMAT unit into service. Puvey noted the department received Gold Plus recognition from the American Heart Association's Mission: Lifeline program and that multiple clinical life-saves occurred during the year.

Operational tempo and usage: Puvey said the 14,982 calls translate to high vehicle utilization and that EMS calls make up the majority of responses. He presented a 10-year look-back showing EMS volume remained the dominant demand driver, and heat maps indicating response concentrations near Highway 75 and other commercial corridors.

Property value and investigations: Puvey reported the department documented $29,250,000 of property value saved in structure fires and noted the fire-prevention team completed 2,243 inspections with 353 permits. Of 442 fire investigations, the department identified four offenses and filed one case.

Facilities and apparatus: Puvey updated council on Station 5 construction, which he said remains behind schedule with a contractor dispute; he said substantial completion for the add-on was planned at month'end and overall completion by June but expressed caution. He also told council manufacturing lead times have lengthened substantially: ambulances now take about 18 to 24 months to deliver, engines 36 to 40 months, quints 48 to 50 months and ladder trucks about 50 months. Puvey said ordering earlier can save costs and that the apparatus on the consent agenda is being advanced to secure pricing.

Personnel, health and wellness: Puvey said the department's staffing levels were strong overall and reported wide recruitment interest for the most recent class (591 applications, 297 test attendees, 18 hired). He described department health initiatives (NFPA physicals, shift fitness, peer support and resiliency training) and a new program of department-wide mental-health check-ins; several members made follow-up counseling appointments after the checks. The department has a peer support team and has incorporated a mental-wellness evaluation for personnel.

Lithium-battery/electric vehicle fires and regional work: Puvey and Assistant Chief Sinner discussed growing industry concern about lithium-battery fires. Sinner said the national fire service is working on solutions and that the phenomenon is among the most difficult challenges the service has faced. Puvey described available tactical steps (specialized fire blankets, containment and, in some cases, letting batteries burn under control) and warned that cleanup and gear decontamination is costly.

Mutual-aid and UTD partnership: Puvey highlighted partnerships including UTD's University Emergency Medical Response (UEMR) student EMS unit, which he said handles a majority of campus calls independently; he said UEMR was recognized as the national collegiate EMS organization's Collegiate Organization of the Year and that the department continues to deploy personnel on state task-force missions.

Council comments and anecdote: Councilmember Barrios recounted a recent family emergency and thanked the local station staff for their response; Puvey and staff thanked volunteers and emphasized continuing focus areas: response capacity, training, health and safety and long-range apparatus planning.

Ending: Puvey said the department will continue to refine the fire master plan and present detailed budget and staffing implications during the budget process.","Fire Chief Curtis Puvey presented the department's 2024 annual report to council: training hours and life-saves were highlighted, Station 5 construction is delayed, apparatus lead times have lengthened and the department is tracking lithium-battery fire risks.",{"_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},6625763,"Network of Community Ministries reports rising demand: 29,673 individuals served, large increases in food distribution and continued emphasis on housing help",1589,2180000,3769000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2756400-c41ae8444c1c6df47d9329ed376c09d6&start=2180&end=3769","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2756400-c41ae8444c1c6df47d9329ed376c09d6/thumbnail_2180000.jpg","/articles/6625763/Richardson/Dallas-County/Texas/Network-of-Community-Ministries-reports-rising-demand-29673-individuals-served-large-increases-in-food-distribution-and-continued-emphasis-on-housing-help","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625763-38c51b341b330ecb7222f712499cbf38/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149162&Signature=eFDAfs3LDzqEYafsmUXd39NbGDc8z3aVe~bb01k9pwitT6oTeriMt~~YDUZMld73gKHTpG198JRxGt6deXI-UR-AAozFUJkxYraQV8P3drteKcDRFdwdDo~sX61Bo4Gjry3d4J8rw6~jsjg2o8yN6bvNlaYGmGs26ADr9~FTcoREZXRGAUoe3gS~igPBm59AxC193EgV4Wv-Ns1tmd8FmdAJLjdMN0DFbgKEhFGMlha~OcegeVVi-hc9NSxApc8jwIQUGOjTntcC2t8ZM9md2Rv5H~lA~6eA9xPvowtA~ICvvIUCxzgI~~qp0W62GYW2r~0oT0Nif88iqRn41XIzEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Abby Kaufman, president and CEO of Network of Community Ministries, told the Richardson City Council on March 25 that the nonprofit served 29,673 individuals (about 5,100 households) last fiscal year and reported sharp growth in food distribution, volunteer hours and some program areas even as rental-assistance funding has tightened.

Kaufman framed the organization's work around a mission of \"caring, coaching and empowering,\" and opened the briefing with a client story about a neighbor who used Network services to re-train for employment. \"Network has everything that could stabilize you back to your normal life without the struggles,\" a client quoted in Kaufman's presentation said.

Key metrics and trends: Kaufman reported a 6.5% decrease in households served year-over-year but a 14.5% increase in the total number of services delivered, reflecting deeper engagement for many households. She said the organization distributed \"over 3,600,000 pounds of food\" last fiscal year (a nearly 50% increase from the prior year) and that the mobile market delivered almost 200,000 meals last year. The clothing closet served 10,506 individuals and the organization provided about $181,000 in housing assistance that preserved housing for nearly 1,000 people in the year cited.

Kaufman said average household figures show continuing strain: she cited that many neighbors spend roughly $1,550 monthly on housing costs in the prior fiscal year and reported the organization's current-year average neighbor income as $1,006.11 with average housing cost cited at $1,780, placing many households in deficit by month-end.

Programs and capacity: Kaufman outlined four program pillars: basic needs (food and clothing), stabilization and housing supports, coaching and mental-health services, and community-building/family programs. Stabilization and mental-health services have expanded: the stabilization program served 1,964 unique neighbors; Network added its first therapist in October 2023 and a second therapist in February 2024, and in March 2024 a contract psychiatrist joined services. The clinical case manager and stabilization coach saw 355 neighbors last fiscal year. Kaufman also noted a Pat Doherty Memorial Fund that distributes continuing-education assistance (she reported almost $11,000 distributed) and described workforce-focused events and a computer bar to help job searches.

Seniors, volunteers and operations: Kaufman said SeniorsNet drew 991 seniors to its weekly program and that Network's handyman program completed 287 jobs. Volunteers remain a core resource: Kaufman reported more than 850 unique volunteers contributing about 32,527 hours last year. Network said 92 cents of every dollar goes toward mission services, and its most recent audit showed no findings.

Funding and gaps: Kaufman told council that federal rental-assistance funding that was available during the pandemic (she referred to CARES Act/ARPA-era funds) is largely no longer available and that the organization has redirected private fundraising to rental assistance. She said the organization had distributed $168,659 in client assistance year-to-date in the current fiscal year and that rental-assistance demand remains the greatest ongoing need.

Council reaction and next steps: councilmembers thanked Kaufman and board chair Marta Gomez Fry for the report and asked for clarification on trends; Kaufman said the data show deeper engagement by fewer households and that some new community pantries and providers have helped reduce single-visit demand while long-term-engaged neighbors use more services. Kaufman said Network is working on facility layout changes to improve food-market flow, is integrating appointment and inventory systems, and is preparing for a 40th anniversary campaign.

Ending: Kaufman closed by thanking city staff and partners for disaster response support during the May storms and other incidents, and by noting that Network continues to adjust services to match rising food demand and gaps in rental-assistance funding.","Leaders of Network of Community Ministries updated council on services delivered in the latest fiscal year, volunteer support, growth in food distribution and remaining rental-assistance gaps; the briefing was informational and highlighted metrics, partnerships and operational needs.",{"_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},6625767,"Richardson lays out Richardson Replants program, Main Street and Renner Road plantings and Tree City USA recognition",1074,808000,1882000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2756400-c41ae8444c1c6df47d9329ed376c09d6&start=808&end=1882","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2756400-c41ae8444c1c6df47d9329ed376c09d6/thumbnail_808000.jpg","/articles/6625767/Richardson/Dallas-County/Texas/Richardson-lays-out-Richardson-Replants-program-Main-Street-and-Renner-Road-plantings-and-Tree-City-USA-recognition","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625767-765abd296e0134b872cc8145a0999404/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149162&Signature=l8bEn-uMIERGWXc~72VkaDLposYieoMVdIJJyQO8qdbcLdHnB7djqGpZiifFBQolhSOPb1GnZC2PzjYGAA9wxTaQ6uRgmv9G3mh0PQuVoiAutISNPdhyTzhZfWD96R6IdJ5ykawABLEPKzF8SQRNILatKilWq-y~xyDteh1OunviQgeXluENppFpHnOPySpxAv2wM42gYMww7WtFXeVQDiHUC9RdLnpaik1O7EIpKHlJaXFQPaMAlVrX2wwbH8RGMBWHybISop2nwJ8LoUtiN5vfOuIp~zkM5FcmNwpAmY1ydTPsmCjVgkluv3i3lE5K6QYjH9iKYVJSfnq21NfeIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sean Rogers, a Parks and Recreation staff member, told the Richardson City Council on March 25 that the city is stepping up tree giveaways and city plantings to recover from the May 28, 2024 storms and to improve canopy across Richardson.

The update described a two-pronged Richardson Replants effort: public giveaway events and larger-caliper plantings in parks and public rights-of-way. Rogers said the city gave away about 500 five-gallon trees last fall and plans to give away another 500 this spring, with giveaway events at Trash Bash, Mimosa Park on April 12 and Terrace Park on Arbor Day. \"We're gonna do 500 trees again this spring,\" Rogers said. He also told council staff and volunteers planted 42 larger trees last fall and have ordered 59 30- to 45-gallon trees for spring park plantings, bringing the program total to about 101 city-planted trees this cycle.

Why it matters: council members framed the program as recovery from storm losses and a multi-year investment in neighborhood canopy that affects shade, stormwater and neighborhood quality of life. Rogers said the program also leverages local sponsors and volunteers; 1 Earth, 1 Chance provided partial funding and volunteer labor, and the Richardson Rotary Club provided a smaller grant and signage support.

City planting details and medians: Rogers summarized three capital projects with planting elements. For Renner Road, he said construction of a waterline removed 40 trees as part of an \"8 25 pressure zone project,\" and the city will replant a mix of ornamental and canopy trees: 36 possum haw hollies, 22 desert willow, 14 vitex on the median and 50 canopy trees (bur oak, cedar elm and bald cypress) in surrounding areas. \"We're going with ornamental trees...right tree, right place,\" Rogers said, explaining ornamental species reduce root/utility conflicts in medians.

On Main Street, Rogers said the city will again plant Mexican sycamores in median wells but will follow a targeted soil-amendment, fertilizer and irrigation plan after winter freeze and drought damage affected some median trees. He described plans to install wireless moisture sensors in downtown tree wells that report soil moisture to a base station on a light pole so staff can adjust irrigation remotely. \"Those will communicate with a base station...we can look on the Internet...see exactly what the moisture level is for each individual tree,\" Rogers said.

City Hall campus and mitigation: Rogers said the City Hall construction project required removing some trees; he told council the city had removed or will remove 92 trees and will replant 234 new trees as part of mitigation measures. He said some removed trees were in decline or storm-damaged, and the project will contribute to the city's tree mitigation fund established in the city's tree preservation ordinance passed last May.

Health and maintenance work: staff outlined additional care steps: disease diagnosis and treatment (noting past oak wilt on the campus), deep-root fertilization and an annual structural pruning program for newly planted trees. Rogers said the city has a horticultural consultant on retainer for monthly assessments.

Tree City USA recognition: Rogers announced that Richardson had been recognized as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation as of March 10, 2025, meeting four standards the program requires. \"I am over the moon,\" Rogers said, noting the recognition reflects existing policies and spending.

Council questions and responses: Councilmembers asked about threats from emerald ash borer and storm vulnerability. Rogers said the city is not planting ash trees given regional emerald ash borer detections and will keep monitoring; on storm vulnerability he said species selection, structural pruning and overall tree health reduce—but do not eliminate—storm losses. Councilmember Barrios asked whether the peach trees given away were fruiting; Rogers said the peach cultivars are intended to bear fruit, and the spring variety selected (\"Early Alberta\") requires fewer chilling hours and was chosen for this climate.

What council directed or decided: the exchange recorded was an informational presentation and Q&A; council did not take formal action on policy or budget at this meeting.

Ending: Rogers closed by restating the program scale: through giveaways and plantings the city and residents will have planted more than 1,472 trees over the last year when combining giveaways and city plantings, a figure he presented as the cumulative program impact.","Parks staff briefed the City Council on the Richardson Replants giveaway and city planting programs, plans for medians on Renner Road and Main Street, City Hall campus mitigation, moisture-sensor irrigation and the city's recent Tree City USA recognition.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves consent agenda, appoints members to planning commission and adopts minutes

Richardson Fire Department reports nearly 15,000 calls in 2024, expanded training and apparatus lead-time pressures

Network of Community Ministries reports rising demand: 29,673 individuals served, large increases in food distribution and continued emphasis on housing help

Richardson lays out Richardson Replants program, Main Street and Renner Road plantings and Tree City USA recognition