Recap of City Issues 10-22-10

The Texas Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration, in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, has prepared a Draft Environmental  Assessment for the  IH-35E expansion and will hold a public hearing to discuss the proposed IH-35E mainline improvements and construction of High Occupancy Vehicle /Managed lanes with concurrent flow from President George Bush Turnpike in Dallas County to Farm-Top-Market 2181 (Swisher Road) in Denton County, Texas.  The proposed project passes through the City of Carrolton in Dallas County, and the Cities of Lewisville, Highland Village, Lake Dallas, Corinth, and the Town of Hickory Creek in Denton County.

The Public Hearing will be held on:

Thursday, November 18, 2010

6:00 p.m. - Open House

7:00 p.m. - Public Hearing

Lewisville High School

1098 West Main Street, Lewisville, TX  75067

All interested persons are invited to attend this Public Hearing.  For additional information please contact Robert Hall, TxDOT Dallas District, via phone at 214-320-6157, fax 214-320-4470, or e-mail :Robert.Hall@txdot.gov.  A copy of the Draft Environment Assessment  for Interstate Highway 35E from President George Bush Turnpike to FM 2181 is available for viewing in the Office of the City Secretary, 1000 Highland Village Road, Highland Village, Texas.

Scott Kriston reports that TXDOT states the FM 2499 section 4 project is ahead of its 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; 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. TX DOT will open the entire FM2499 Section 4 project October 30, 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 / FM2499 intersection, weather permitting. 

PUBLIC SAFETY (POLICE AND FIRE)

Fire:

Calls for Service: Week of Oct 15-21

• Medical Emergencies -  9
• Commercial Fire Alarms - 1
• Mutual Aid / Medic  - 2
• Fire Calls - 4
• Public Service Calls - 3
• Motor Vehicle Accident - 1
• Commercial Plan Review - 2
• Commercial Inspections - 2
• Station Tour - 3
• CPR Attendees - 14

Highland Village Firefighters wore PINK this week in honor of Breast Cancer awareness.

Local Girl Scout Troops and several Cub Scout Troops toured the Fire Station this week for Fire Prevention month.  They asked questions regarding fire safety and fire prevention as part of completing their merit badge requirements.  

Driver Operator Jared Middleton conducted CPR and First Aid training for 14 Girl Scout Troop Leaders on Wednesday.

Police:

Jessie O'Brien and Cindy Sanchez (Denton Co SO, formerly with HVPD) assisted the Denco Area 911 District by going to a live interview at the radio station to provide tips to Spanish speaking citizens about dialing 911.

The Target in Flower Mound donated several items of food for the Animal Shelter this week. Thanks Target!

Corporal April Roppolo gave a tour to a couple from New York and they were very impressed with all of the High Tech equipment we have.  April even brought them to see the new Town Homes on FM 407 they were shocked to hear how low the price was and how beautiful the city looked. They are thinking of retiring to Highland Village.

Corporal David Harney and Corporal April Roppolo fingerprinted 13 Boy Scouts. Cpl Harney explained to them the importance of fingerprints and how prints help catch bad guys.

Ten Boys Scouts brought their bikes to the Police Store Front for a Bike Safety Lecture and inspection that was completed by Corporal Clint Webb and Auxiliary Schultz.

Corporal April Roppolo had the DEA helicopter come to CME and the kids and teachers really loved it. Officer Timothy Henderson and Officer Alicia Bautista assisted in the landing and take off.

STREET / UTILITY DIVISIONS PROJECTS

Streets:

The Street Division set the veteran memorial stones at City Hall and will be preparing for a sidewalk for the area next week.

The Street Division made some asphalt street repairs at Savanna Drive and at Moran Drive.

The Street Division have been preparing the storage area by sealing the walls for painting.

Scott Kriston reports that the MSC project is wrapping up; the 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.

The Highland Village Road water line replacement project sections 1 & 2.  RKM Utility Services, Inc. has installed all of the new water line and made 17 of the 20 tie-ins.  The contractor has mobilized a finish crew and is replacing the temporary asphalt in Highland Village Rd.  This project consists of replacing approximately 5000 feet of water line along Highland Village Rd. from Brazos Blvd. to Lake Vista.  The contractor will be onsite through October.  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 approx. 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:

• Painted the inside of the Utility storage bays.
• Responded to three after hour call outs and one resident concern.
• TV inspected one sewer line to check for problems.
• Unstopped one sewer line blockage.
• Made three 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:

• Removed rip rap rock from Highland Village Rd. for Saber Devl. Corp. for 10' Box culvert placement.
• Cleared the drainage easement from trees and debris to restore proper flow in the 200 block of Stone Canyon.
• Located gas, water, and sewer lines in the 100 block of Brookdale to install a new section of storm line.
• Cleared trees and debris from the drainage easement in the 3000 block of Castlewood to restore proper flow.
• Met with an resident regarding running water in front yard drainage flume in the 400 block of Moran Dr.
• Met with a resident regarding standing water in the 900 block of Hillside Ct.
• Relocated our erosion control materials from DT Ranch to Southwood materials storage site.

PARKS DEPARTMENT

Park Staff attended the Regional Texas Recreations and Parks Society Rodeo in Farmers Branch this week.  Frank Furche and Bibiano Bautista placed first in Region II in the Truck and Trailer backing event.   Bill Aycock placed fourth in Back Pack Blower event. Staff competed in various other events and represented the City well.  

Wes Nienhuser is in the process of building cabinets for installation in the DuVall Center for the Recreation Assistants station.

Staff has been involved in making repairs to Kids Kastle this week.

Bill Aycock and other Staff have been busy planting new ground cover at City Hall

Recreation staff conducted interviews on Wednesday for the Recreation Assistant position.  We have narrowed down the list of candidates and hope to offer the job by early next week.

Recreation staff met with representatives from Police  and Fire to discuss six upcoming special events.

Recreation staff has been preparing plans for our Fall Festival scheduled for October 31st at Kid's Kastle.

Senior All Stars

The Highland Village Senior All Stars met on Monday (22 attendees) and Thursday (31 attendees) for game day. 

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

On Wednesday, 44 Highland Village Senior All Stars went on the Choctaw Casino trip.

HUMAN RESOURCES / STAFF TRAINING

Today marks the final day of employment for Ron Knox, Street Supervisor, who is retiring after 12 years of dedicated service.  Ron finished out his career by setting the stones for the Veterans Memorial.  We wish Ron the best of luck - he will be missed!

Fire:

• Assistant Chief Collier attended Texas Fire Marshal Conference and the Texas Commission on Fire Protection meeting held in Austin this week.

Human Resources:

• As part of the City's Wellness Initiative to heighten awareness and encourage adopting a healthier lifestyle each month we select a department and serve smoothies to the employees.  So far we have provided police, fire, utilities, streets and drainage departments with a special treat and recipes.  The remaining departments will be selected in the upcoming months.
• An employee picnic was held at Pilot Knoll Park on Wednesday.  Thanks to all the committee members who work so hard to make this happen.  They are Melanie Lewis, Gary Cowley, Rudy Lopez, Barbara Osborne, Terry Golden, Nancy Sharp, Sheri Morrison, Andrea King, Diane Callahan, Jannie Baughman and Nick Hall.
• An employee meeting was held on October 19, 2010.  Brandi Chambliss, Public Relations Committee Chair for Southern Denton County Neighbor to Neighbor, presented information about their non-profit organization and the local agencies they support in Denton County.  Scott Kriston was recognized for his leadership in coordinating the construction of the new facilities at 948 Highland Village Road.  Also, at the meeting Ron Knox was recognized for his 12 years of service at the City.  Ron was instrumental in helping start our safety program.  We will miss him but wish him the best with his retirement.