Recap of City Issues 9-3-10

Scott Kriston reports that TXDOT states the FM 2499 section 4 project is ahead of it's April 2011 completion schedule.  FM 2499 is now open from Highland Shores Boulevard to Orchid Hill Lane. This section of FM 2499 is still an active construction zone. The outer driving lane is closed to traffic and 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.  A four-way stop has been installed at the intersection of FM 2499 and Highland Shores Boulevard / Castlewood Boulevard until the construction of the traffic signal is completed. TX DOT anticipates opening the entire FM 2499 Section 4 project October 2010.  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.

      COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

This week marks what many are calling the end of an era...after 22 years of service, Sue Thompson is retiring. Friday, September 3 was her last day as a full-time employee with the City of Highland Village. Sue's many accomplishments include the creation of the Highland Village Business Association, the shepherding of developers to the near build-out of the city, co-author of A History of Highland Village and so much more. Sue has often been referred to as the Queen of Highland Village and she will be sorely missed. On Thursday, September 2 a reception was held in honor of the "Queen" with more than 100 people in attendance. Legislative representatives read proclamations honoring Sue, including Robin Vaughan from Congressman Burgess' office reading a statement the Congressman will read into the record on the House Floor. Long-time friend and co-worker, Lori Wright, presented Sue with a t-shirt "retiring" Sue's employee number, #63. Sue has made an impact on the City, it's residents, businesses, legislators, and employees. Sue's Texas Hospitality, genuine smile, warm hug and dedication will be missed. Best of luck to you Sue!

PUBLIC SAFETY (POLICE AND FIRE)

Police:

This week, the police department responded to 156 calls for service, made 81 traffic contacts, made 2 arrests, responded to no traffic accidents and performed 554 community policing activities.

The Highland Village Police Department presented their Community Policing Model to the International Visitor Leadership Program. The group of international visitors are from various Latin American countries who are sponsored by the U.S. State Department. The group is studying "Community Policing in the US". The Highland Village Police Department has been asked to present due to the Department's reputation and success in this area. Police and government officials from Argentina, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela will be present. The presentation took place on Wednesday morning, September 1, 2010, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the Highland Village City Council Chambers.

The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs funds and administers the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), one of its premier professional exchange programs. The IVLP is designed to build mutual understanding between the U.S. and other countries through carefully designed visits that reflect the participants' professional interests and support U.S. foreign policy goals. Participants are established or potential foreign opinion makers in government, public policy, media, education, labor, the arts, and other key fields. Selected by American embassies abroad, International Visitors come to the United States to meet and confer with their professional counterparts and to gain an appreciation of the ethnic, cultural, political, and socio-economic diversity of the U.S. In 2009, approximately 4,400 International Visitors participated in 761 projects through the program.

The Highland Village Police Department has received the prestigious Community Policing Award by the International Association of Chief of Police. The award recognizes the meaningful change that can occur when law enforcement officials and their communities are empowered to utilize all available resources for building partnerships, solving problems, and preventing crime. The Department has also been recognized by the Texas Municipal League and the Texas Chiefs Innovations Awards. HVPD has mentored many other police agencies in their community policing and models.

The Animal Care Unit received a donation of food and supplies from the local Wal-Mart this week. Thanks Wal-Mart!  The Target in Flower Mound also donated approximately twenty bags of food for our use at the shelter. Thanks Target!

Corporal April Roppolo and her partner "Officer Patty" recently passed out over 600 information packets at Briarhill Middle School. April said that everyone loved Officer Patty, even the teachers!

Fire:

Calls for Service: Week of August 27- Sept 2

• Medical Emergencies -  10
• Residential Fire Alarms  - 2
• Commercial Fire Alarms - 2
• Smoke/Odor Investigations - 2
• Fire Inspections - 2
• Commercial Plan Review - 1

On Friday, Chief Tatum presented the commencement address for the Tarrant County College Fire Academy Graduation.  Twenty four Firefighters graduated from Academy #60, with eleven already employed by area Cities.  With an audience of over 250 family members and friends, the theme of Chief Tatum's presentation focused on Communication Skills, Motivation and Developing Relationships.

STREET / UTILITY DIVISIONS PROJECTS

Utilities:

Scott Kriston reports that the MSC project is on schedule.  A final walk through was performed by the City & the Architect, the GC has his subcontractors working on the punch list items.  Dallas Security is installing the access security on the site.  The fire alarms are monitoring the PWB & THE REC buildings.  Furniture delivery & install is completed.  Anticipated move in is scheduled for the week of September 9th.  The grand opening is currently being planned and is anticipated to be on Sept. 21st.   

The Oak St. GSR site improvements project GC poured the concrete foundation of the proposed pump house and chemical facilities, the electrician installed the under slab conduit.  The building is currently being erected.  

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

The Highland Village Road water line replacement project sections 1 & 2 update.  The City's new message board sign is deployed to warn traffic.  RKM Utility Services, Inc. has installed approximately 5,000 feet of new water line and made 8 of the 20 tie-ins.  This project consists of replacing approximately 5000 feet of water line along Highland Village Road from Brazos Blvd. 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. 

Sanitary sewer smoke testing phase 3 is complete.  This project consists of smoke testing 83,500 linear feet of VCP sewer main located in the south and east portions of the City.  The contractor is preparing the report for submital to the City with all deficiencies listed that require correction.  The smoke testing portion of the project will take approximately 3-weeks to complete. 

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 Fm407 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:

• Responded to six after hour call outs and three resident concerns.
• Raised one manhole and one water meter box up to grade.
• Installed the SCADA antennae and coax on the new tower at 948.
• Located one area of infrastructure for contractors.
• Unstopped three sewer line blockages.
• Painted 30 fire hydrants and washed 14 in preparation to be painted as weather permits.
• Excavated and repaired a water service leak on Oak Forest.
• 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 various creek crossings after the recent rain events.
• Is installing gabion baskets in the 700 block of Highland Hills to prevent further creek erosion.
• Cleared weeds and debris from the detention pond at Quail cove.
• Met with the resident in the 400 block of Moran regarding a possible drainage conversion. 
• Flushed a drainage pipe in the 2000 block of Lakeside to re-establish proper flow.

HUMAN RESOURCES / STAFF TRAINING

Human Resources:

• Human Resources held open enrollment this week with employees.  Benefit selections were made for the upcoming budget year.  The City strives to offer an affordable benefit package with a focus on wellness and promoting a healthy lifestyle.

Fire:

• On Wednesday, Assistant Chief Collier attended the monthly FIANT meeting was held in Grapevine.
• On Thursday, Assistant Chief Collier attended a Foam Demonstration class held at the DFW airport; which was conducted by Fireade.