City Connections - June Edition

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

Highland Village Days Red, White & Blue Festival is basking in its 11th year of success as it brings together Highland Village area families, outdoor and entertainment enthusiasts to celebrate summer. The 2010 Festival is expected to be the best yet! This event is free to the public.

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

Water Use Conservation / Drought Contingency Plan

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.

Mosquito Prevention is the Best Solution

Mosquito season is here!  City staff will be monitoring mosquito updates for the Denton County area.  Here are some tips to help prevent mosquito breeding habitat. 

• Empty out standing water from idle containers.
• Flower pots
• Buckets
• Cups, dog bowls
• Clean bird baths regularly.
• Clean out leaves & standing water from French Drain systems

Stormwater / Drain Maintenance

In response to citizen and/or staff notification, storm water issues are investigated by field crews.  If the issue is determined to be a City issue, City crews will add it to their schedule and restore appropriate stormwater flow as time & weather permits.  Some storm drain systems within the City were built many years ago and may not have sufficient capacity to handle stormwater runoff.  These systems are being identified and appropriate system upgrades will be recommended for inclusion in future Capital Improvement Programs as funding is available.

Water Your Landscape Wisely

A common misconception is that you must water your lawn daily or every other day.  The truth is, daily watering will WEAKEN your lawn.  Water deeply and infrequently.  Don’t be waterless, water less, water smart.

Home-Based Business? We Want You in the Highland Village Business Directory!

For the past six years, the City of Highland Village has published the Highland Village Business Directory. The directory is delivered to every business and residence within the city, and included on our website for easy access. It is now time to publish the seventh edition of the directory. Once again, our goal is to include every business located in the City, including home-based businesses. If you wish to be included in the directory this year, please complete the form on the city web site and return to the City Manager’s office by June 14, 2010.  Our publication goal is late July of this year, for distribution in August. As in previous years, no advertising will be included and the directory will once again be published and distributed free of charge.

Become CPR Certified!  Learn to Save a Life!

The Highland Village Fire Department conducts monthly CPR for our residents and neighboring communities.  Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for Adults, Infants and Children and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) training are provided in this course.

CPR classes will be held on Wednesday, July 7, Wednesday, August 4 and Wednesday, September 8 from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

CPR costs are $25 for residents of Highland Village and $45 for non-residents. Class size is limited, please sign-up early! Please contact the Highland Village Fire Department at (972) 317-0890 to register.

Want to volunteer? We can use your expertise!

There are many volunteer opportunities for the City of Highland Village.  In September, Council appoints volunteers to the various Boards, Commissions and Committees to serve two-year terms. By serving as a volunteer on one of the City’s Boards, Commissions or Committees, you will contribute to the growth and development of Highland Village. As a volunteer your expertise and recommendations will be utilized by City Council and City Staff to shape the future of Highland Village. You will also benefit from learning how the City operates and forms policy. In order to be considered you must fill out a volunteer application. For more information on how you can serve your city or to fill out a volunteer application, look at Volunteer Opportunities under the Quick Links menu at www.highlandvillage.org or call the City Secretary at 972-899-5132.
Please return your completed application by July 30.

HOA's - Do We Have Your Contact Info?

The City Secretary's Office maintains a database of homeowner associations  and their officers and board members .  We would like to make sure we have the current information for your homeowner association. The contact information is shared with businesses, potential residents and real estate companies.  Please call Diane Callahan at 972.899.5132 or e-mail dcallahan@highlandvillage.org to update your contact information.

Going on Vacation?  You Fill Out the Form, We'll Pick It Up!

Residents of Highland Village have access to the free Vacation Watch service offered by the Highland Village Police Department.  When you are away you can request your home be placed on "Vacation Watch."  When listed, patrol officers will periodically stop and check your home.  Officers may walk around and check your property for any signs of forced entry, damage or suspicious activity. 

• Call Police Dispatch at 972-317-6551 and request a Patrol Officer stop by and pick up your completed Vacation Watch form.  The officer while there can give you some helpful tips on securing your property and do a brief security survey.  You can download the VW form on our website by clicking on Vacation Watch under Police Department.
• Call Police Dispatch at 972-317-6551 and the dispatcher will complete the VW request for you.
• Fax your completed VW form to Police Dispatch at 972-899-5088, or drop it off at the PD anytime. 

Will Your Pet Get Home Safely?

We all want to ensure that lost animals have the best possible chance of returning home...these days, one of the best ways to do that is by implanting a grain-sized microchip that will provide a record of identification for life. Microchips are a quick and reliable way of making sure lost pets have the best possible chance of returning home.  Animals often lose or get away without a collar or tag, so a microchip offering permanent identification can be a lifesaver.

Animal Registration Information

All animals within the city limits must be registered. Pet Registration Now Available Online! Visit the online registration website at http://petdata.com/cs/hvg/mail.htm.

Pet Registration By Mail

• Complete the Registration Form. (located on the city web site)
• Include the registration fee (per pet) and this payment must be in check or money order form.
• Include a copy of your current rabies vaccination.
• Include your return address and your tags will be mailed to your residence.

Any animal found at large within the city limits is subject to impoundment. Dogs must be contained inside a structure, within a fenced area or on a leash. Cats trespassing upon or damaging the property of others may be contained by the property owner and will also be impounded. Fees are charged for redemption and citations may be issued for repeat offenders.

Kids Kamp

Highland Village Parks and Recreation Department has planned a summer for your children they will never forget. Join us in the mornings for organized games and activities and then stick around in the afternoon for field trips you won’t find offered by any other kamp out there! Field trips are taken 4 out of 5 days a week weather permitting. Each participant will receive two free T-shirts and additional T-shirts can be purchased for ten dollars each.  Our kamps are scheduled weekly so you can customize your summer activities. Please see our tentative field trip schedule at www.highlandvillage.org

Kamp starts June 14 and ends August 13
Morning Kamp 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. $65 per week
Afternoon Kamp 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. $95 per week
All Day 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. $160 per week
Age: 6-12 years of age
Location: Briarhill Middle School
Please call the Parks and Recreation Department at 972-317-7430 for more information.

Senior All-Stars

Choctaw Casino
Wednesday, June 16
Register by the Monday before the trip. 
$5 per person to ride the bus.
Bus leaves Municipal Complex at 9:00 a.m.

Bishop Arts District
Wednesday, June 23
$5 per person to ride the bus.
Bus leaves Copperas Branch Park at 9:30 a.m.

Dallas Aquarium
Wednesday, June 30
$21 per person for ticket and to ride the bus.
Bus leaves Municipal Complex at 9:00 a.m.

For more information, please call the Parks and Recreation Department at 972-317-7430.