Near-Term Action Items before the Mayorial Election

Richardson Texas City Council Near-Term Action Items
A. Communication

• Evaluate providing handouts and background material for City Council Meetings online prior to or at the time a presentation is made.
• Evaluate use of social media to communicate important information regarding community updates, events and activities.

B. Community Vitality and Neighborhood Integrity

• Evaluate the home improvement incentive program and options to provide an incentive for investments lower than $20,000.
• Evaluate funding strategies, timing and implementation planning for the following:

• Parks
• Streets and Alleys
• Sidewalks

• Evaluate programs to address neighborhood decline issues to stabilize the overall health of the neighborhood.
• Review and evaluate the rental registration program and develop fee alternatives and strategies to increase compliance.
• Evaluate developing a first-time homebuyer program to encourage ownership and residential reinvestment.
• Evaluate the establishment of a community wide day of caring where Richardson organizations and individuals come together to serve those in need.
• Develop outreach efforts with neighborhood associations to solicit residents to become involved with Boards and Commissions and other City/Community volunteer opportunities.
• Evaluate creating a co-op for neighborhood associations to provide improved economies for items such as insurance and maintenance services.
• Complete an analysis of the condition of screening walls in the City and develop a rating system to assist with future Capital Improvement efforts.
• Evaluate the implementation of “town hall” meetings specific to the various departments within the City.

C. Economic Development

• Evaluate strategies to fund redevelopment efforts in the community.
• Evaluate the development of an incentive program for retail reinvestment.
• Review and identify ways to leverage and/or expand STAR Tech.
• Evaluate developing a cluster attraction economic development program
• Evaluate options for creating an international committee.

D. Education

• Consider establishing an education round table with a wide-variety of institutions within Richardson.

E. Environmental Management

• Expand recycling to commercial businesses and multi-family communities.
• Evaluate the creation of an award program, similar to the community revitalization awards, for environmental reinvestment in both residential and commercial properties.
• Create and maintain an ongoing list that would identify and promote residential and corporate incentives for environmental and ecological projects.
• Evaluate increased communication strategies to inform property owners about their responsibility to maintain alleys, creeks, parkways and medians.
• Review and evaluate energy efficiency studies and plans for future implementation strategies.
• Evaluate implementing a program that would allow residents to recycle grass clippings and other lawn care waste.

F. Fiscal Responsibility

• Evaluate the city’s procurement process and review options for providing reasonable preferences to Richardson based businesses on a scheduled basis.
• Evaluate a multi-city recreation facility in BreckenridgePark.
• Evaluate vendor contract provisions using appropriate risk management techniques.
• Evaluate strategies to expand paperless process initiatives.
• Evaluate strategies for improving city billing systems to achieve efficiencies. Develop a bond evaluation appraisal which reviews future projects, communication strategies, implementation processes and timing.

G. Governance

• Evaluate video broadcasting boards and commission meetings similar to the City Council Meetings.
• Create a City Council legislative sub-committee.
• Evaluate technology enhancements in the City Council Chambers for communication media outreach.
• Evaluate the Work Session and City Council Meeting formats to improve efficiencies.
• Utilize work sessions to discuss items of broad community interest specific to the following:

• Golf
• EisemannCenter
• TIF Zone
• Zero Based Budgeting
• Election v. Selection of Mayor – Review in time for May 2012 ballot consideration
• City Charter review

• Develop a schedule in which each Commission has an opportunity to meet with the City Council in a Council Work Session.

H. Health Care Facilities and Community Wellness

• Encourage and promote athletic and fitness events within the city.
• Develop and promote health and fitness initiatives for the Richardson community.

I. Land Use and Development

• Evaluate enhancing the check cashing ordinance by reviewing the ordinance adopted by the City of Dallas.
• Evaluate creating an ordinance pertaining to the placement of Hookah lounges.
• Evaluate strategies tore-purpose underutilized retail areas.
• Evaluate the creation of a development plan for the 400 block ofWest Arapaho.
• Initiate the new study area in the Downtown/Main Street area followed by the U.S. 75 corridor.
• Implement the West Spring Valley reinvestment plan and consider public-private partnerships for redevelopment.
• Evaluate appropriate opportunities for public-private partnerships for future development, city services/amenities and parks.
• Evaluate the development of a dog park.
• Evaluate the development of a skate park.
• Evaluate property use options south of future GymnasticsCenter.
• Periodically review the current Comprehensive Land Use Plan including the Master Thoroughfare Plan.
• Identify gaps of sidewalk continuity and evaluate possible improvement plan.

J. Marketing

• Evaluate the promotion and marketing of local events within the community that are not city related or sponsored.
• Evaluate developing a branding and marketing plan.
• Evaluate the creation of a Young Professionals Focus Group.

K. Public Services

• Evaluate City Hall/Civic Center facility and operation improvements to enhance the customer/resident experience.
• Evaluate enhancing art grant funding to include leveraging the EisemannCenter.

L. Transportation and Mobility

• Evaluate the expansion of the City’s bike lane system and enhancing pavement markings and signage.
• Advocate for Richardson access points for the HOY lanes on Central Expressway.
• Advocate for acceleration of development of Cotton Belt rail line.