Recap of City Issues - January 8, 2010

Scott Kriston reports that the TXDOT FM 2499 section 4 project contractor is installing the Pedestrian tunnel north of the KCS Railroad, excavating the south bound lanes at FM 2499 & Castlewood and is excavating the FM 2499 connection at FM 407.

Scott Kriston reports that the Highland Shores Paving project contractor has started clean up.  Pavement striping is anticipated to start when the freezing temperatures subside long enough to meet the materials specification.  Two-way traffic has been established from Highland Village Road through the Briarhill intersection.   

PUBLIC SAFETY (POLICE AND FIRE)

Fire:

Tarrant County College provided training on Building Construction for all fire personnel this week. The training was held at the fire station.

Assistant Chief Collier attended the monthly FIANT meeting where they discussed the upcoming changes in state law with regards to background checks and criminal history reporting. Texas Commission on Fire Protection has increased fees from $25 to $35 per person for their initial appointment to TCFP.   This is not a substantial impact on our department, but this increase will greatly affect larger departments such as the City of Dallas, etc.

A  local Boy Scout Troop toured the Fire Station Tuesday evening as part of their merit badge requirements.  The Scouts asked the firefighters questions relating to 1st aid and the role of a firefighter.

Fire Department personnel responded to 20 calls for service the week of January 1-7.

• Medical Emergencies - 12
• Fire Alarm - 1
• Public Service - 2
• Deceased Person - 1
• Odor Investigation - 2
• Motor Vehicle Accident - 2

Police:

This week, the police department responded to 137 calls for service, made 164 traffic contacts, made 9 arrests, responded to 1 traffic accident and performed 557 community policing activities.

The Police Department sent our Value Based Policing Program information to the Village of Baldwinsville Police Department in Baldwinsville, New York at their request.

The Police Department hosted three Shenandoah PD Sgts on Monday. They rode along with our patrol officers to learn first hand on how patrol officers implement our AOR Program (AOR Enhancement Requests, New Resident Letters, AOR Contacts, Crime Awareness Notices, E-Watch Sign Ups, Home Security Surveys, etc).

The Animal Care Unit received a donation of $250 to assist with medical treatment and general care of the animals taken into our shelter.  Mr. Paul Guess also adopted one of animals, giving a beautiful Golden Retriever a new forever home.

Sasche Police Department requested a copy of our policies and procedures to assist them in their completion of the Best Practices Program through the Texas Police Chiefs Association.

The Shenandoah City Manager, Police Chief, and Command Staff recently approached the Police Department about presenting training related to the implementation of the Areas of Responsibility Program and related management guidelines.  Chief O'Bara and Captain Stewart have scheduled this training for next week at Shenandoah Police Department.

The following agencies are currently being assisted with the adoption of various phases of our "Model oPolicing" as well as polices, procedures, and programs.  The agencies are:  Kerrville Police Department, Lakeway Police Department, Richland Hills Police Department, Shenandoah Police Department, and Double Oak Police Department.

Sasche Police Department adopted our "Model of Policing" in 2006, submitted and won a TML Award with our "Construction E-Watch" program.  Kudos to them .. and to us!

STREET / UTILITY DIVISIONS PROJECTS

The Street Division made temporary pot hole repairs with a material called Cold Patch. This type of repair is temporary until the area can be scheduled for a permanent repair.

The Street Division poured a concrete base for a school signal to be moved located on Brazos Boulevard at Medina Drive.

The Street Division had to sand the streets during this deep freeze on FM 407 due to an accident that happened at FM 407 and Barnett Boulevard.  Other various locations throughout City were also sanded.

Utilities:

Scott Kriston reports that the MSC contractor is moving dirt on the site, bringing it to the new grade, installed the plumbing rough for the Public Works building and has poured the concrete grade beams for the new buildings.  The framing and dry wall contractor has started inside the Parks & Rec building.  The fence contractor is anticipated to start next week, weather permitting.

Utility Crews:

• Responded to twenty after hour call outs and two resident concerns.
• Prepared all utility facilities for the freezing temperatures.
• Excavated and repaired one water main break on Dickinson where a tap saddle had corroded and broke off of the water main.
• Unstopped three sewer line backups.
• Completed a city wide pressure study of the city water lines after the Unity Park elevated storage tank had been put into service.
• Completed a city wide SCADA alarm inventory where all SCADA alarms in both water and wastewater stations were tested and repaired if not working correctly.
• TV inspected three lines to check for possible line repairs.
• 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:

• Cleaned inlet boxes throughout the City that accumulate leaves and debris due to winter weather.  
• Graded the drainage swale at Briarhill & Highland Shores to eliminate ponding & accept storm water flows.
• Graded an area by the walking trail in the 2000 block of Butterfield stage to eliminate standing water.

PARKS DEPARTMENT

The Parks Department took delivery of new 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid on 1-5-2010  - going green!

Park staff is installing a much needed sidewalk and ADA ramp at Lower Sellmeyer Park.

Park Staff removed Christmas decorations from the Municipal Complex this week.

Tony Palesano is installing Calsense irrigation control equipment.

Staff at Pilot Knoll Park is busy replacing broken water faucets at campsites due to freezing weather.

Annual pass cards for the Corps Parks are now on sale for $35.00 for the month of January.

Inland Trail crew installed new pet waste stations at Murray Park and at 2499 amenity stations.

Recreation staff has been planning our Resolution Run/Dog Walk with title sponsor Medical Center of Lewisville along with Highland Village Parks Foundation, Terra Firma Promo and Lake Cities Cross Country. Come and join us for a healthy 2010!

The Highland Village Senior All Stars met on Monday (19 attendees) and Thursday (30 attendees) for game day.  Thursday was also Meals on Wheels.

 Nine Senior All Stars met on Tuesday for open game time.

On Wednesday, 8 Highland Village Senior All Stars met at Barnes and Noble for Book Club.

HUMAN RESOURCES / STAFF TRAINING

Human Resources:

• An employee meeting was held on Wednesday afternoon.  Employees submitted holiday photos for a slide show at the meeting.
• The EAF Committee met this week to finalize plans for the Employee Holiday Party to be held January 22, 2010 at Celebrations.

Police:

• Officer Greg Arrington has been selected for assignment as a Patrol Corporal effective January 11, 2010.  This action is in accordance with General Orders 310.00, Promotion / Assignment Procedures and based upon his overall level of experience and the qualifications he displayed during the past Corporal's assessment process.  Corporal is an assignment and not a promotion.  Corporal assignments are for an indeterminate period of time based upon the needs of the department and satisfactory performance.  Personnel assigned as a Corporal will serve a six (6) month probationary period.  We congratulate Officer Arrington on his new assignment and look forward to working with him in his new capacity.
• Corporal April Roppolo and Corporal David Harney conducted LETS lessons all week at Heritage Elementary School.
• Communications Officer Jennifer Telshaw will be released from training on Monday.  She has been in training for approximately ten weeks.
• Police Officer Leticia Bustamante will be released from the Field Training Program on Monday.  She has been in training for approximately fifteen weeks.
• Corporal Onay Nunez worked his last shift this week.  He accepted a police officer position with the Bedford Police Department.  We'll miss him and we wish him all the best in his new endeavour.
• Sergeant Sheri Morrison and Detective Andrea Musick attended an EAF meeting to complete the final details for the Annual EAF Party to be held on January 22nd at Celebrations Ballroom.  Remember to RSVP to your EAF representative!

CITY MANAGER / CITY COUNCIL

On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Mayor Costa attended the 5th Annual Texas Transportation Forum in Austin, Texas, along with City Attorney Palumbo.