Cottonwood Heights Code Violation Report - 1/23/2012

Please find attached the latest code enforcement activity report for your neighborhood. Should you have any questions regarding any of the incidents or should you wish to report a new incident, please contact the code enforcement officer listed at the bottom of the report or Community Services at 972-744-4180.


In addition to the report, we have also included a feature that highlights a topic that may be useful to residents in your neighborhood.


Visit Richardson Today Online to stay informed with monthly updates and city wide news. This month’s issue includes January’s calendar of events, a word from Community Services, and Senior Center and Library announcements. Richardson Today Online also features archived issues dating back to 2004. They’re a great way to reference Richardson’s recent history. 

Download the Activity Report at http://chnablog.cottonwoodhna.org/CottonwoodHeights012312.xls

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Council Make Decision to Video and Stream CPC Meetings

Richardson's "Week in Review" Newletter had an interesting article about the recording of the City Planning Commision meetings. Most residents probably do not know what the City Planning commision does or even exists. Richardson will now provide two new ways you can become more familiar with the CPC, its members, functions and how its work affects all the residents of Richardson.

Currently the City Council Meetings are available to view live or from archived streaming video. The process of video recording of the City Council meetings help promote a more open government and easier access to what is going on at city hall. Video on-demand can be found at this link: http://www.cor.net/CITV.aspx?id=10709

Here is the information from the Week In Review. The video links at the bottom are very much worth watching. So please do.

City Plan Commission Meetings to be Broadcast Live on City Website and Cable TV

1. Broadcast CPC meetings with no new equipment and add a part-time staff member
2. Broadcast CPC meetings and other high interest meetings as needed, purchase mobile broadcasting equipment and add a part-time staff member
3. Broadcast CPC and all the other boards and commissions meetings with no new equipment and add a full-time staff member
4. Broadcast CPC and all the other boards and commissions meetings, purchase new broadcasting equipment for an additional meeting room and add a full-time staff member

After a briefing from staff at Monday’s work session on the options and cost structures associated with televising additional City meetings, the City Council decided to move forward with a plan for live broadcasting of all City Plan Commission (CPC) meetings.

The staff briefing provided several options for the Council to consider, which included:

As part of its 2011-2013 Statement of Goals and Near Term Action items, the Council expressed an interest in evaluating the expansion of televised meetings for boards and commissions. The action items also included the evaluation of technology enhancements in the City Council Chambers.

Click on the link below to view the work session presentation.

The City Council decided to proceed with option 1 and plans call for the live broadcasting of CPC meetings to begin in the near future.

Part 1: http://richardsontx.swagit.com/e/01162012-13/2/

Part 2: http://richardsontx.swagit.com/e/01162012-13/3/

RPD Weekly Crime Report - 1/22/2012

Richardson Police Department has a new Property Inventory Program to assist in the recovery or replacement of personal property should it be lost as a result of theft, fire or other catastrophic event. For more information on this free program click here http://www.cor.net/PDPRevention.aspx?id=12238.

Weekly Crime Tip: Always acknowledge someone at your front door. You don’t want to give the impression to a would be burglar that your home is vacant. Never open your door to a stranger. Keep the door locked and speak through the door using phrases like “we can’t come to the door” to give the impression you are not alone.

See who/what RPD is currently looking for at http://www.cor.net/PDInvestigations.aspx?id=10547

Certain offenses that occurred in Richardson may now be reported on-line for your convenience. To find out more information about on-line reporting or to file an on-line police report, go to: http://www.cor.net/Police.aspx?id=6988

For the current crime statistics, go to http://www.cor.net/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=6028 and for historical information, go to http://www.cor.net/police.aspx?id=4580

The information below lists incidents reported in the previous 7 day period. For more history, visit http://discovery.cor.gov/crimemaps/crime.html

The following information is meant to give citizens a general overview of their area. It is not a comprehensive list. Some types of crimes (for example, those involving juvenile suspects or victims) have been omitted. For questions about your area of Richardson, please contact the Crime Prevention Office, 972-744-4955.

Sector: Cottonwood Heights-------------------
Date Reported: 1/18/2012 12:25:00 PMIRA: 0820UCR Code: 290Offense Description: 290 Destruction/damage/vand ProptyBlock: 1200 of Delmont DrService Number: 201200006735
Date Reported: 1/17/2012 8:55:00 PMIRA: 0820UCR Code: 290Offense Description: 290 Destruction/damage/vand ProptyBlock: 300 of Dublin DrService Number: 201200006453
Date Reported: 1/17/2012 7:05:52 PMIRA: 0820UCR Code: 290Offense Description: 290 Destruction/damage/vand ProptyBlock: 400 of Dublin DrService Number: 201200006432
Date Reported: 1/17/2012 6:55:04 PMIRA: 0820UCR Code: 290Offense Description: 290 Destruction/damage/vand ProptyBlock: 500 of Dublin DrService Number: 201200006431
Date Reported: 1/17/2012 6:30:31 PMIRA: 0820UCR Code: 290Offense Description: 290 Destruction/damage/vand ProptyBlock: 300 of Dublin DrService Number: 201200006425
Date Reported: 1/17/2012 5:38:39 PMIRA: 0820UCR Code: 290Offense Description: 290 Destruction/damage/vand ProptyBlock: 1200 of Danville DrService Number: 201200006411
Date Reported: 1/17/2012 5:04:44 PMIRA: 0820UCR Code: 290Offense Description: 290 Destruction/damage/vand ProptyBlock: 300 of Dublin DrService Number: 201200006398
Date Reported: 1/15/2012 2:06:04 PMIRA: 0820UCR Code: 240Offense Description: 240 Motor Vehicle TheftBlock: 1200 of Danville DrService Number: 201200005521
Date Reported: 1/13/2012 5:33:00 PMIRA: 1600UCR Code: 23FOffense Description: BURGLARY MOTOR VEHICLEBlock: 100 of Shadywood LnService Number: 201200004802

Bridge Upgrades and Pocket Park, Comments About Project Welcome

Progress is being made on the bridge updates for the CHNA area and the park for Heights. With the exception of the bridge near Dumont and Cottonwood, the upgrades will probably be completed this year. For some images of the proposed improvements from last year, see http://blog.cottonwoodhna.org/2011/12/dumont-bridge-proposed-upgrades.html. 

Here are some of the most current proposed designs being discussed.

If you have any feedback or would like to suggest any changes with the bridge upgrades, get with Barry or Andrew.

Also, it looks like the  pocket park on Weatherred will be completed this year. Look for a public meeting about that park in the near future.

Information concerning the Fund Matching Neighborhood Beautification Program is due out at the first of February. Contact Barry if you have any ideas you would like to see implemented or if you have any further suggestions.

The CHNA fall newsletter was well received at the recent president's meeting. In case you do not know, Jason is most responsible for much of the work on the newsletter.

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State of the City Address

It is almost that time of year again. Yup, time for the State of the City Address.

Click to Enlarge

Dear Presidents,

We hope you can attend this year's State of the City Address. Below and attached is an invitation. We also encourage you to share it with the membership of your associations.

Thanks,
David Morgan
Assistant City Manager
(972) 744-4202

Email Update Program for Neighborhood Integrity

Are you a nosy curious neighbor who would like to be informed about code violations in your neighborhood? If so, there is an "app" for you. Code enforcement officers spend their days searching for code violations in residential neighborhoods, and more recently, inspecting commercial properties.

Why is there a neighborhood integrity department to begin with? As we have learn from years of neglect in the Spring Valley area over the past few decades, if you don't nip a problem in the bud, the problems get much worse over time when ignored and our neighborhoods will turn to something that are very undesirable to live in.

Neighborhood integrity officers let property owners know of problems found such as over-grown grass, addressees not posted properly, and of course, my personal favorite, violations of the ugly fence ordinance, just to name a few. After spotting and notifying property owners about the problems, they (Neighborhood Integrity) compiles a spreadsheet showing the "contacts" they have made. The list of "contacts" they have made is then email to HOA/NA presidents and anyone else who would like to know.

Here is some information from the city website:


During development of the Neighborhood Vitality and Integrity Strategy, City Council expressed a strong interest in establishing a program that would provide residents with regular updates about ongoing code enforcement action in their neighborhood.
Accordingly, City Council authorized Community Services to expand its email update pilot program and offer regular email updates to any neighborhood group that met the minimal requirements.
How The Email Update Program Works 
Neighborhood groups that register for the program receive an email update every two weeks detailing code enforcement activity in their neighborhood. Neighborhood Services has experienced considerably fewer complaints from residents in participating neighborhoods. Residents in these neighborhoods work with staff to identify new issues and to exchange information pertaining to ongoing issues. The two-way communication has resulted in a better working relationship between residents and staff that has carried-over to other initiatives.
How To Establish An Email Update Program In Your Neighborhood 
If your neighborhood group is interested in receiving regular email updates about ongoing code enforcement action in your neighborhood, please follow the easy steps below to register your group:

• Send the name, address, and email address of at least 10 residents in your neighborhood that wish to receive email updates to don.magner@cor.gov.
• Name at least one of the residents on the list as your group’s contact person in case Community Services has questions or requires additional information.
• Provide the geographical boundaries of your neighborhood group.
• Allow approximately three weeks to receive your first email update.

Existing Email Update Programs 
To join the existing email update program of any of the below neighborhoods, please send your name, address, email address and neighborhood of choice to don.magner@cor.gov.


Participating Neighborhoods

Richardson and Murphy to Have Joint Council Session

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The City of Richardson and the City of Murphy

invite you to attend a public meeting for the

Multi-Agency Recreation Center

Master Plan & Feasibility Analysis Public Input

Meeting

January 26, 2012

7 p.m.

Miller Elementary School Cafeteria

5651 Coventry Drive

Richardson, TX 75082

MultiAgencyMeetingInvitation.pdf
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Arrest made by using “Find my iPhone”

Richardson Police Department on Facebook

Arrest made by using “Find my iPhone”. Two employees had their phones stolen while at work in Richardson on 01/09/12. A suspicious person visited the office building and after he left, the phones were discovered missing. Officers responded and with the employee’s help using the location software, the phone was tracked to the suspect’s vehicle at a nearby hotel. Both phones were recovered and the suspect arrested. Consider using location apps on your mobile devices if available. It could prove to a very valuable tool to catch a criminal.

The URL for the "Find My iPhone" app is http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/find-my-iphone/id376101648?mt=8

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Neighborhood Integrity Report and Photo Contest

Please find attached the latest code enforcement activity report for your neighborhood. Should you have any questions regarding any of the incidents or should you wish to report a new incident, please contact the code enforcement officer listed at the bottom of the report or Community Services at 972-744-4180.

In addition to the report, we have also included a feature that highlights a topic that may be useful to residents in your neighborhood.

Enter to win this year’s photography contest. Huffhines Recreation Center will be accepting entries from January 9-22, at 200 N. Plano Road in Richardson. Professional photographers, students and hobbyists alike are invited to participate. Participants do not have to be a Richardson resident to enter. The annual photography contest is a great way to gain exposure for your talents.

From January 9-26, 2011’s Best of Show Winner’s and Judges’ Exhibit will be on display on the 3rd floor of the Richardson Public Library located at 900 Civic Center Drive.

Winners for the 2012 Photography Contest will be announced January 31 via http://www.cor.net/.

For more information, visit http://cor.net/PhotoContest.aspx?id=8950.

(See attached file: http://chnablog.cottonwoodhna.org/CottonwoodHeights010912.xls)

Crime Information: Increase in Spare Tire Thefts

Crime Information: Increase in Spare Tire Thefts
Sent To: Neighborhood Watch and Crime Watch Patrol Groups

Over the past week the Richardson Police Department has seen an increase in the theft of spare tires out from under vehicles. These offenses appear to be occurring during the overnight/early morning hours.

1. 12/28/11 to 12/30/11, 2400 block Honeysuckle, spare tire removed from under a 2000 Toyota Tundra.
2. 12/31/11, 2000 block Glen Meadow, spare tire removed from under a 2006 Nissan Frontier.
3. 12/30/11 to 12/31/11, 2200 block of Aspen, spare tire removed from under a 2004 Toyota Tundra.
4. 12/30/11 to 1/1/12, 2100 block of Apollo, spare tire removed from under a 2006 Toyota Tacoma.
5. 12/30/11 to 1/3/12, 2300 block of Blue Cypress, spare tire removed from under a 2010 Nissan Titan.
6. 1/3/12 to 1/4/12, 900 block of Sandalwood, spare tire removed from under a 2008 Toyota Tacoma.
7. 1/4/12, 700 block of Loganwood, spare tire removed from under a 2008 Nissan Titan.

Please contact the Richardson Police Department immediately should you see or hear anything suspicious, non-emergency #972-744-4800, emergency-911.

Officer Tommy Davis
Richardson Police Department
Crime Prevention Unit
972-744-4773

Down by the Creek North of the Dumont Bridge

Here is a scene people just might miss while driving by. You have to slow and look down over the north bridge to get a good view. Gill and Prissy are the responsibly parties for this pretty scene.

Click on photo to enlarge

Prissy has roots in Richardson that go way back. She grew up in the house next door. Her favorite past time in the summer is playing with the dirt in her yard, making beautiful garden addditions. Thanks for the show, Gil and Prissy.

If anyone else in the neighborhood would like to point out and share photos of decorated homes, send it to admin@cottonwoodhna.org and we will post it here on the neighborhood blog.

Dumont West of Dover

They spent some time on this one and their efforts paid off in having a wonderful display in the front yard. Great job.

Click on image to enlarge

If anyone else in the neighborhood would like to point out and share photos of decorated homes, send it to admin@cottonwoodhna.org and we will post it here on the neighborhood blog.

Darel on Dumont

While some people are satisfied with a string of lights which outline the lines of a home, Darel went much further than that with lights in the yard and along side the driveway and sidewalk, which look great at night.

Darel now calls Richardson home after having left Dallas about 4 1/2 years ago. Great job on the decoration, Darel.

If anyone else in the neighborhood would like to point out and share photos of decorated homes, send it to admin@cottonwoodhna.org and we will post it here on the neighborhood blog.

Ed and Debi - Jesus in the Flower Bed

There are several houses on Wildwood that are decorated up very nicely for Christmas, and this is one, the home of Ed and Debi, is one of them.

Ed and Debi Condra, 1123 Wildwood Lane, moved to Richardson in 1999 from Papua New Guinea where they were Bible Translators. They have 4 children. Three of them live in the Dallas area and one in Pittsburgh. They love their friends, neighbors and the city of Richardson.

If anyone else in the neighborhood would like to point out and share photos of decorated homes, send it to admin@cottonwoodhna.org and we will post it here on the neighborhood blog.

Reminder - Planning Meeting for New Heights Neighborhood Park is Dec. 6

The City of Richardson is inviting the public to attend a public meeting to discuss future amenities for a new neighborhood park to be located in the Heights neighborhood. The future park is one of two approved by voters as part of the 2010 Bond Program.

The Richardson Heights Small Neighborhood Park public meeting will be held in the Richardson Room at the City of Richardson City Hall/Civic Center Tuesday, Dec. 6 beginning at 6 p.m. The Richardson City Hall/Civic Center is located at 411 W. Arapaho Rd.

On Oct. 28, the City closed on the purchase of four parcels of land located at 400, 402, 404 and 406 South Weatherred Drive at a cost of $782,000. A general location for the park was determined through public input meetings leading up to the 2010 bond election and in the park design process.

The 2010 Bond Program allocates $2,363,500 for the construction of new neighborhood parks in the Heights and Northrich neighborhoods. Options for a park in the Northrich neighborhood are still being explored.

Both projects were proposed in the 2010 Bond Program because the City's Parks and Recreation Master Plan indicates a need for parks in these two neighborhoods. Once the new facilities are constructed, the City will have met its goal of providing a neighborhood park within walking distance of every home in the City.

The new neighborhood park will be located between Belt Line and Spring Valley on Weatherred.