Recap of City Issues 11-5-10

FM 2499 is still an active construction zone. The outer driving lane is closed to traffic; delays and detouring during working hours are to be expected. The posted speed limit is 40 miles per hour and will be enforced.  No parking is allowed in the construction zone.  The contractor started to install the required electrical for the new signal at the intersection of FM 2499 and Highland Shores Boulevard / Castlewood Boulevard.  A four-way stop has been installed until the construction of the traffic signal is completed.  The contractor is mowing the r.o.w. as required by their contract as weather permits.  The contractor is redefining the offsite drainage areas where easements were obtained during the design process.  The contractor is constructing the Northwood / FM 2499 intersection, weather permitting.

The County funded project to repair and elevate Highland Village Road in the vicinity of the boat docks is proceeding on schedule. The two 10 foot by 10 foot box culverts have been placed and wingwalls will be formed-up and concrete poured next week. The next major phase will be building the southern side retaining wall for approximately 800 feet. The project is scheduled to be complete by April 2011.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

On Saturday, October 30, we held a ribbon cutting with Denton County Commissioner Bobbie Mitchell (Precinct 3) to commemorate the opening of FM 2499 through Highland Village. I would like to first thank past and present Councils for your resiliency and your fortitude in dealing with the biggest project that we will ever be faced with in the City Highland Village. I would also say thank you for your support of myself and City staff in dealing with all the different complex issues that faced us over the past eleven years. The celebration on Saturday included our former Mayor Kay Stephens who was the chairperson of the FM 2499 Task Force. Our local businesses participated in the event by including a coupon in a gift bag that was given to all in attendance. Corner Bakery, Jamba Juice, Ya-Ya House and Wal-Mart all donated items for the festivities. The road opened around 2:00 that afternoon bringing residents from the north to our businesses in Highland Village. Finally, after years of planning, many public hearings, negotiations with TxDOT the long-awaited and planned for road is now open.

PUBLIC SAFETY (POLICE AND FIRE)

Fire:

Calls for Service: Week of Oct 29 - Nov 3

• Medical Emergencies -  13
• Residential Fire Alarms - 2
• Public Education  - 2
• Fire Calls - 2
• Public Service Calls - 2
• Commercial Fire Alarms - 1
• Structure Fire - 1
• Car Seat Installation - 1
• Commercial Plan Review - 2
• Commercial Inspections - 2

Captain Vince Jones, along with Firefighter Paramedics Amber Ramirez, Richard Caudle, Scott Taylor and Adam Parkhurst passed out candy, coloring books and stickers at the Fall Festival held at Unity Park this past Saturday.

On Monday, the Fire Department assisted the Flower Mound Safe Team with a Fire Prevention Clown Program as part of the October National Fire Prevention Month.  Students and teachers at McAuliffe Elementary enjoyed the program which provided Safety Tips on the importance of Fire Prevention and Education.

Fire Department paramedics were on-site for the Cross Country meet held at Copperas Branch Park on Saturday. 

Police:

This week, the police department responded to 154 calls for service, made 132 traffic contacts, made 12 arrests, responded to no traffic accidents and performed 377 community policing activities.

Officer Patty assisted Corporal Roppolo and Corporal Harney with Red Ribbon Week.

The Police Department assisted with the grand opening for FM 2499 this week.

Corporal Roppolo conducted a small event at Kroger where she passed out approximately 100 police "goodie" bags and she was also able to pass out a few gun locks and even some Auxiliary applications.

Senior Animal Care Officer Michelle Burke assisted at the "Haunts and Hounds" event held at the Shops. The event included a dog costume contest, trick or treating for the kids, and a live band.

The Police Department conducted a deployment for the recent Halloween holiday. Many little gifts in the form of glow necklaces and "slap" bracelets were distributed by the officers to the little trick or treaters.

STREET / UTILITY DIVISIONS PROJECTS

Utilities:

Scott Kriston reports that the MSC GC has his subcontractors working on minor punch list items.  Dallas Security has installed the access security on the site and working out the programming bugs.  Access control is active on the entire site.

The Oak St. GSR site improvements project GC is constructing the pump house and chemical facilities.    

Scott Kriston met with BW2 Engineering , Inc. & discussed the status of all open Public Works projects.

Scott Kriston held a preconstruction meeting this week for the Church of LDS.  The owner plans on opening the doors to the church Oct. 2011.

The Highland Village Road water line replacement project sections 1 & 2.  RKM Utility Services, Inc. has installed all of the new water line and is replacing the temporary asphalt in Highland Village Road.  This project consists of replacing approximately 5000 feet of water line along Highland Village Rd. from Brazos Blvd. to Lake Vista.  You should expect minor traffic delays in the area for the duration of the project. 

Chinn Chapel Road phase 1 reconstruction contractor is on schedule.  This project is a Town of Copper Canyon project funded through Denton County bonds.  It consists of drainage improvements and road reconstruction on Chinn Chapel from approximately 100 feet north of FM 407 to Orchid Hill Lane.  The contract has 500 calendar days to final completion.  There will be traffic detours throughout the duration of the project; you should expect traffic delays in the area.

Utility Crews:

• Completed painting the inside of the Utilities storage bays.
• Responded to three after hour call outs and one resident concern.
• Made utility infrastructure locates.
• Performed meter rereads, water turn on/turn offs, and leak checks.
• Performed maintenance on well lots, lift stations, fire hydrants and the water distribution and wastewater collection system.

Drainage Crews:

• Retrieved a citizens personal item from a curb inlet in the 4000 block of Harlington Drive
• Improved the drainage in the 100 block of Brookdale by installing a larger diameter pipe. 
• Met with resident on a lot to lot drainage problem in the 3000 block of Clear Lake
• Met with a resident on a lot to lot drainage problem in the 2000 block of Timber Crest.
• Cleaned various creek crossings after the recent rain event to prevent flooding.
• Met with a resident in the 3000 block of Mayfair Lane regarding a drainage easement grading issue.
• Relocated stock materials from Double Tree Ranch to Southwood well lot.

Streets:

The Street Division has been painting on the storage area at 948 Highland Village Road.

The Street Division is back filling and cleaning the turn around on Spring Oaks Drive.

The Street crew is making asphalt repairs on Baird Circle due to a new utility service.

HUMAN RESOURCES / STAFF TRAINING

Human Resources:

• Martha Butz attended a Dallas SHRM staffing event on "Behavioral Interviewing" on Wednesday.  Martha also attended the Boards and Commissions Appreciation Dinner on Thursday evening.
• Vanesa Childers attended the monthly administrative planning meeting on Wednesday afternoon.

Fire:

• Assistant Chief Collier attended the monthly FIANT meeting held in Grapevine on Wednesday.
• The Fire Department attended Tarrant County College (TCC) training in the EOC on Thursday and Friday of this week.  The training covered Extrication Techniques for Hybrid Vehicles.

CITY SECRETARY

On Thursday evening, Council recognized board, commission and committee volunteers for their service to the community.  The appreciation dinner was held at The Robert & Lee DuVall Center and entertainment was provided by Al Nelson.  The Council and staff are thankful for the service of our many volunteers.