City Connections - April Edition

Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program

This April Texans can receive rebates on qualifying appliances, including but not limited to refrigerators, dishwashers and water heaters, purchased between April 16 and April 25. Visit the State Comptroller’s SECO web site at www.secostimulus.org/rebate for details. 

Water Use Conservation / Drought Contingency Plan

PHASE ONE – SEASONAL CONSERVATION

Effective each year beginning May 1 and ending September 30.

1. No outside watering between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Hand watering of shrubbery allowed at any hour.
2. Variances to this regulation may be granted by permit only, available at the Municipal Complex (inspections/permits counter).
3. Users of private well water or Lake water for irrigation are required to post a sign indicating so in a conspicuous location.
4. Hand washing of vehicles shall be permitted providing there is no wasteful runoff.
5. Wasteful runoff, by any means, shall be prohibited.

Private Sewer Lateral Back-Ups & Tree Roots

Sanitary sewer systems are constructed as a network of manholes and pipes that flow from each building that generates sewage that flows to a wastewater treatment plant.  Private lateral services are pipes from the building to the sewer main.  Tree roots are a common cause of many house back-ups.  A chemical root controller can be purchased at your local hardware supply and used annually, in some cases, to help prevent a blockage caused by roots.  Follow all instructions to gain the maximum benefit from a root controlling product.

The City’s Sanitary Sewer System

The City of Highland Village is mandated by the TCEQ to provide & maintain a sanitary sewer system free of blockages.  In order to achieve this, the City Utility crews perform Inflow & Infiltration studies, line repairs & line replacement projects and sanitary sewer line maintenance throughout the year by flushing the sewer main lines with equipment designed for that purpose.  Line flushing allows the utility crews to scour the City owned sewer mains & leave them free of grease, settled solids and grit.  It also allows the crews to visually inspect and locate issues that may require their immediate attention or further review (ie: televised inspection, excavation for repairs or additional treatment with various sewer products).  If you have questions regarding the City’s sanitary sewer system, do not hesitate to call us.    

Stormwater Pollution - Pre-Emergent Organic Herbicides

Late winter and spring will bring a new growing season requiring lawn maintenance and proper application of fertilizers and herbicides.  Improper application of lawn care chemicals can result in the pollution of stormwater, which flows untreated through storm drains into the nearest water body.  High levels of herbicides in a water body can kill the aquatic plants and animals, and make the water unsafe for humans.  Reduce stormwater pollution by using organic alternatives.  For example, pre-emergent organic herbicides prevent seeds from establishing roots; seeds cannot grow without roots.  By using pre-emergent organic herbicides, you prevent weeds from growing and prevent toxic chemicals found in traditional herbicides from entering storm drains.  The time to apply pre-emergent organic herbicides is in February and March.

Help prevent stormwater pollution by:

• Following the manufacturer’s directions when using any lawn care products.
• Avoid applying lawn care products on windy days.
• Avoid applying lawn care products 24 hours before a heavy rain.
• Purchasing organic herbicides, and other organic products from your local nursery and hardware stores.

Election Day – May 08, 2010

The General Election scheduled for May 08, 2010 is uncontested and the election will be cancelled in accordance with the Texas Election Code.  The Council, on February 23, 2010, ordered an election to be held on May 08, 2010 for the purpose of electing Council members to Place 1 (Mayor), 2, 4 and 6.  The filing deadlines for placement on the ballot and declaration of write-in candidacy have passed and the city secretary received one application for each place.  Pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Texas Election Code, the city secretary shall prepare written notification that each candidate is unopposed for the election. Upon receipt of notification, the Council is authorized to declare each unopposed candidate elected to office and cancel the General Election.  The following candidates are unopposed, and upon approval of resolution to cancel the election, will be declared elected to specified offices.  The candidates will begin their official duties on May 11, 2010.

Scott McDearmont, Place 1 (Mayor)
Bill Irwin, Place 2
Louis Robichaux, Place 4
John McGee, Place 6

The election for Lewisville Independent School District (LISD) Board of Trustees will be conducted on May 08, 2010.  The Highland Village Municipal Complex will be a polling location for the LISD election.  The hours of the polling location on Election Day will be 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Early Voting by personal appearance will be conducted April 26, 2010 – May 04, 2010.  The hours for early voting are as follows:

April 26, 2010 – April 30, 2010 - 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
May 04 – May 05, 2010 - 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

In addition to the Highland Village Municipal Complex, residents will also be able to vote at a number of polling locations during the early voting period.  Please refer to Denton County’s website (http://elections.dentoncounty.com) for additional location sites.  The Lewisville Independent School District ballot will include the following races and candidates. 

School Trustee PlaceThree (3)
Mike McDaniel
Tommy Kim
Jeff Knapp

School Trustee PlaceFour (4)
Kathy Duke
Ryan Collinsworth
Julie Foughty

School Trustee Place Five (5)
Fred Placke
Brenda Latham
Patrick Michael Kelly

Highland Village residents, if eligible, may vote early by mail.  A registered voter may be eligible if they meet at least one of the following criteria: (a) out of the county; (b) disability; (c) voter is 65 years of age or older on Election Day; and (d) confinement in jail.  Applications for ballot by mail shall be mailed to:

Frank Phillips, Early Voting Clerk
P.O. Box 1720
Denton, TX 76202

For additional information regarding the May 08, 2010 election, please call 940.349.3200 or visit Denton County’s website (http://elections.dentoncounty.com). 

Save a Life – Learn CPR

The Highland Village Fire Department conducts monthly CPR courses. This training covers Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for Adults, Infants and Children and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) training.
Upcoming Class Dates:  Thursday, May 13, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. and Wednesday, June 9, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
CPR Costs: $25 for residents, $45 for non-residents. A form of ID is required for address verification. Class size is limited; please contact Highland Village Fire Department at 972-317-0890 to sign-up.

“Pet Peeves”

We all love our pets and want them to happy and healthy.  One way to do just that is to put them on a leash.  Your dog may be very well trained and responds immediately to commands and that is wonderful, however in Highland Village there is a leash law.  Section 14-82 of the City’s code covers pets being on a leash.  It even goes so far as to include reducing the length of the leash to four feet when you come in proximity of another person whether on foot or non-motorized vehicle. Any time your dog is out of its fenced yard, please have him or her on a leash.  It’s safer for the dog, you and your community.  Thank you! For questions, contact Highland Village Animal Care at 972-317-2671.

Spring Clean-up

When:    Saturday, May 1, 2010
Time:     9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Due to limited capacity, may close early!
Where:   Copperas Branch Park

The Spring Clean-up Collection Event is an opportunity for Highland Village residents to dispose of the following – and at no cost to you!

• Hazardous Waste
• Tree & Lawn Clippings
• Paper to be Shredded
• Electronics & Batteries (All Types)
• Miscellaneous “stuff” you don’t want anymore - but someone else might.

Please bring this notice or your driver’s license showing a Highland Village address to be admitted to the collection site. Contractors will not be admitted. For more information call: (972) 317-7430

Highland Village Days Red, White & Blue Festival
Saturday, June 5, 2010

Morning Events at Unity Park

7:00 a.m.                     Kid K/5K Run – Sponsored by Marcus High School Cross Country & Track
8:00 a.m.                     Run Begins
9:00 a.m.                     Family Fish Out
11:30 a.m.                   Arbor Day Proclamation - We’ll be giving out 100 Texas Redbud trees

Evening Events at Copperas Branch Park

5:00 p.m.                     Gates Open
6:30 p.m.                     Brandon Rhyder
8:15 p.m.                     Johnny Cooper
Grand Finale                Fireworks Extravaganza

For more information call: (972) 317-7430

Severe Weather

I hear the sirens!  Now what?

Living in North Texas, you have all heard the sound of what has been commonly called “Tornado Sirens” at some point.  The decision to activate these sirens is part of a comprehensive planning model designed by the Emergency Operations Section of the Highland Village Police Department.  In order to help you better understand these sirens and what YOU can do to be prepared, we have developed the following Emergency Preparedness message.

What do the sirens mean?

The correct name for these sirens is “Outdoor Warning Siren System”.  The sirens are intended for exactly that – to warn citizens participating in “outdoor activities” of pending severe weather conditions.  It is important to understand that these sirens are not intended to be heard within the confines of a structure. Once the warning sounds, citizens are encouraged to:

• Immediately seek shelter!
• Tune into national/local news service (television or radio)
• Prepare for possible emergency.

NOTE: If time allows, prior to siren activation you will receive a Connect-CTY phone message alerting you of pending severe weather conditions.

Safety Preparations

• Immediately seek shelter, tune into local news service (television or radio) and prepare for the possibility of an emergency.
• Do not try to outrun a tornado in your car; instead, leave it immediately for safe shelter
• If caught outside or in a vehicle, lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands.
• Be aware of flying debris.  Flying debris from “severe weather” or tornadoes causes most fatalities and injuries.
• Do not drive through flooded areas!

In Your Home

• Retrieve your “Family Emergency Response Kit” (see below).
• Seek shelter in the innermost part of your home, such as a hallway.  Stay away from windows.
• Bring your pets with you (don’t forget additional food and water supplies for them).
• Bring a telephone (cell phone) and radio with you.
• Continue to monitor your local weather for further instructions and information.

What is Connect-CTY®?

Highland Village uses the Connect‑CTY® notification service to send residents and businesses important information about our community, such as severe weather alerts, road closures, utility problems, or even notification of a community wide event. With the Connect‑CTY® service, we can reach you by phone or e-mail within minutes. Participation is 100% free and completely voluntary. If you have not received calls from the City or would like to add a cell phone or e-mail address, visit the web site at www.highlandvillage.org and click on the E-Services banner at the bottom then select Connect‑CTY® to sign up.