Richardson's parks staff will brief the City Council on Monday about two cheaper ways to keep up city landscaping: letting goats browse vegetation, and setting aside park areas that are mowed less often or not at all so crews have less ground to cut.
The briefing is one of five items on the council's Nov. 2 work session, which starts at 6 p.m. in the multipurpose room (CH 157) at Richardson City Hall, 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd. The agenda was posted Tuesday.
Landscaping ideas
The Parks and Recreation Department maintains trees, turf, ornamental beds and natural areas on city property. According to the staff summary, parks staff have done preliminary research on both ideas, which have been suggested recently, and each has benefits and drawbacks but could fit into the city's broader maintenance plan. No vote is listed.
Staff will also review the Matching Fund Beautification Program, which since 1972 has paired the city with HOAs, neighborhood groups and other civic organizations on plantings in medians, parks, neighborhood entrances and other public spaces. The department expects to manage more than $80,000 in neighborhood projects this fiscal year.
The city has received an application for a project on private property, with the cost to be shared with a homeowners association. Staff call that a possible new chapter for the program that would require a careful approach, and will discuss changes to its scope.
Internship study
City Manager Don Magner is asking the council whether to hire a consultant, for $12,500, to spend 30 days studying what it would take to set up and sustain a Mayor's Summer Internship Program in Richardson. Richardson ISD ended the earlier program because of budget constraints, the agenda memo says. Staff want a decision on whether to proceed.