Recap of City Issues 6-25-10

We are happy to share that Highland Village has ranked as the #2 best place to live in the D Magazine top suburbs edition. The Magazine says our residents "must feel like they're on a constant vacation...with a laid-back lake vibe." Our trail system, shopping and dining opportunities, low crime rate, rolling hills and exemplary schools all played a part in our #2 ranking. D Magazine applauds our commitment to safety, noting that our crime rate score is just as good at the #1 suburb, Parker, and we're four times bigger. The July edition of the magazine is available on line and will be in the stores soon. Thanks to all of you who've played a part in the development of our city and the achievement of this ranking. Onward to #1!

Scott Kriston reports that the TXDOT FM 2499 section 4 project contractor is finishing the concrete coping wall near the Poindexter bridge as weather permits.  The contractor is mowing the r.o.w. as weather permits.  The contractor is preparing to redefine some offsite drainage areas where easements were obtained during the design process.  The contractor is constructing the Northwood / FM 2499 intersection, they anticipate approximately 4 weeks to build, weather permitting.  Most of the work is taking place on the Corinth side of the project now.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Sue Thompson reports the summer Highland Village Business Association, HVBA, coffee with the Mayor was held Friday, June 25th in the City Council Chambers.  Mayor Scott McDearmont welcomed approximately 35 attendees from the business community to his first business coffee.  Staff provided updates on various projects and upcoming HVBA events.  Mayor McDearmont welcomed comments and questions from those in attendance, who introduced themselves and their business.  Please note a change in scheduling, future HVBA coffees will be held on the first Thursday of the months of March, June and October.  The next coffee is scheduled for Thursday, October 7, 2010.

PUBLIC SAFETY (POLICE AND FIRE)

Fire:

Calls for Service the week of June 18-24:

• Medical Emergencies - 13
• Commercial Fire Alarm - 1
• Public Service - 5
• Mutual Aid - 1
• Odor Investigations - 3
• Motor Vehicle Accidents - 2
• Helicopter Standby - 1
• Fill In - 1

Other Activities:

• Commercial Business Inspections - 2
• Station Tour - 1

Captain Travis Nokes, FF/Paramedics Mel Harper and Rhett Rimmer conducted a Fire Station Tour for KIDS KAMP participants on Tuesday afternoon.

FF/Paramedics Amber Wade and Scott Taylor conducted a station tour for a church group on Wednesday afternoon.

FF/Paramedic Mel Harper and FF/Paramedic Robert Dukes worked a special event that was held on Sunday at Pilot Knoll Park.  The event was held by the North Texas Trade Association (NTTA) for their businesses and partners.

Police:

Last week, the police department responded to 148 calls for service, made 156 traffic contacts, made 5 arrests, responded to 6 traffic accidents and performed 472 community policing activities.

The Animal Care Unit (after receiving donations from Target and Wal-Mart) was able to donate several items to Operation Kindness who has helped our shelter in the past. 

The Highland Village Police Department has been selected as one of the twenty-five semi-finalists for the 2010 Webber Seavey Award for Quality in Law Enforcement. The second panel of judges is now in the process of evaluating the top 25 projects to determine the ten finalists. The top 10 projects will be announced no later than July 30, 2010.

The Animal Care Unit found a new forever home for our boxer, "Stewie."

Senior Animal Care Officer Michelle Burke was also able to find homes for a chocolate lab named "Candy" and a Siamese kitty named "Sabine."

The Highland Village Elementary School fourth grade "Safety Patrol" were presented with HVPD Merit certificates by Mayor McDearmont and guest speakers were Lieutenant Karl Schlichter, Corporal April Roppolo, Corporal Clint Webb, and Officer Alan Oldaker.

The Police Department command staff attended a budget meeting with Mayor Scott McDearmont, City Manager Mike Leavitt, and Finance Director Ken Heerman to discuss the upcoming budget plans.

Corporal Jered Cameron and Officer Alan Oldaker attended a Boat Operations Course sponsored by the Corps of Engineers that was held in Belton, Texas.

The Police Department recently deployed at the annual Red White and Blue Festival held at Copperas Branch Park. During the deployment, nineteen police officers and ten auxiliary participated in traffic direction and general security for the event.

STREET / UTILITY DIVISIONS PROJECTS

Utilities:

Scott Kriston reports that the MSC project mason is working on the stone work for the PWB & REC buildings & fence. The window contractor is installing the store front windows on the PWB building.  The ceiling grid is being installed inside the REC building.  The millwork contractor is installing the cabinets in the REC building.  The dry wall & painting contractors are working inside the PWB building.  The electrical & duct work installation is nearing completion in the PWB.  The roofing contractor is finishing the PWB roof this week.  The east side of the perimeter concrete flume was poured next week. 

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

The Oak Street GSR site improvements project painting contractor began sand blasting the tank this week. 

Scott Kriston held a preconstruction meeting with RKM Utility Services, Inc. this week to discuss the Highland Village Road water line replacement project sections 1 & 2.   The contractor plans on moving dirt starting July 6th.  This project consists of replacing approximately 5000 feet of water line along Highland Village Road from Brazos Boulevard to Lake Vista.  The contractor will be onsite for 4 months.  You should expect minor traffic delays in the area for the duration of the project.

Scott Kriston met with the BWSC regarding the water connection to their customers along FM 407.  BWSC will design the 2-inch connection for City review.

Utility Crews:

• Located two areas of utility infrastructure.
• Responded to three after hour call outs and three resident concerns.
• Flushed 14,735 linear feet of wastewater lines.
• Cleared one sewer line backup.
• Installed four fire hydrant markers.
• Raised one sanitary manhole up to grade that was buried by contractors.
• Prepared the Lake Vista well to be put back into service from the upgrade.
• 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:

• Finished cleaning the creek crossing on Whittier Street
• Constructed a grate inlet box at Lake Vista well lot to eliminate surface drainage flows.
• Clean the drainage culvert in the 300 block of Lake Vista for proper flow.
• Cleaned weeds and debris from material bins in the 5000 block of FM 2499.

PARKS DEPARTMENT

Park staff has completed installation of new City Logo signs at Victoria Park, Turpin Park, Sunset Point , Unity Park, Kids Kastle, well lots at 407, Village Parkway, Murray Park and Lower Sellmeyer Park .

Tony Palesano has been repairing a water line at Brazos athletic field and assisting the Utility Department with irrigation system locates at that site also.

Soccer season has ended until fall so staff will start practice and game field renovations and repairs next week.

Parks staff held Red, White and Blue debriefing meetings with our band, hospitality and staff tent committees in preparation for next year's event.

Parks staff have prepared the Unity Park baseball fields for a HVABSA tournament this weekend.

Parks Department received their Toro Workman utility vehicle that will be used for fertilizer / herbicide applications and special event support.

This is the second week of Kids Kamp at Briarhill Middle School. The field trips this week included Police Department, Fire Station, Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area, and Old Town Swimming Pool.

Senior All Stars

The Highland Village Senior All Stars met on Monday (18 attendees) and Thursday (25 attendees) for game day. 

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

On Wednesday, 10 Highland Village Senior All Stars went to the Bishop Arts District in Dallas.

HUMAN RESOURCES / STAFF TRAINING

Human Resources:

• On Tuesday Martha Butz and Jana Onstead met with the Employee Benefit Committee to gather ideas and discuss wellness programming.
• Jana Onstead attended a workplace safety webinar on Wednesday.  The content focused on strategies to improve workplace safety.
• Vanesa Childers and Jana Onstead attended a Sage Abra webcast for the newest release of the HR software.
• Martha Butz, Jana Onstead and Vanesa Childers attended a webinar on maximizing wellness and program incentives.
• Martha Butz attended budget planning meetings on Wednesday.

 Fire:

• Captain Vince Jones attended a National Fire Academy class on Wildland/Urban Interface for the Structural Company Officer on June 22nd and June 23rd.