Recap of City Issues 11-12-10

With Thursday being Veterans Day, I felt that was the most appropriate day to recognize our employees that have worked together to complete the City of Highland Village Veterans Memorial. Six months ago, Council approved the construction of our Memorial with the allocation of $25,000 for this project.  This was a new challenge for our guys, with the reflection of our Veterans Monument directly adjacent, which allowed for the comparison of that workmanship, which cost us $150,000.  We are working on a community celebration for the Memorial and will be releasing the details in the near future.  But, for the meantime, please stop by and reflect at both of our Veterans Monument & Memorial and marvel at the care and quality that our City Employees provided on this project. The guys did an outstanding job in honoring this new community amenity. 

Work continues on the Highland Village Road project. The Contractor has formed the large southern wingwall for the two ten foot box culverts and begun work on the northern wingwall. Design of the next phase has been completed and work on the southern retaining wall will begin after the wingwalls are completed. Completion is still projected for April 2011.

TXDOT FM 2499 section 4 project 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 is installing the 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.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

The 8th annual HVBA Salute Our Veterans lunch was held on November 9th at Celebrations.  There was a total of 287 in attendance including 107 veterans.  Mayor Scott McDearmont began the program by introducing Chaplain Jack Milligan who gave the invocation, followed by Marcus High School AFJROTC presenting the colors and the Vocal Magic group singing the National Anthem.  Mayor McDearmont recognized the family members of Denton County Fallen Soldiers and expressed his appreciation of all veterans who have served in the armed forces.  He introduce Congressman Michael Burgess and turned the program over to Congressman Burgess to present five Congressional Veteran Commendations to deserving veterans within the 26th Congressional District.  Laurie Mullens recognized the Fallen Soldier Memorial of Denton County display and began passing the microphone to each veteran so they could introduce themselves and provide a brief story along with their rank and branch of service.  The program was closed with Vocal Magic singing "God Bless America."

PUBLIC SAFETY (POLICE AND FIRE)

Police:

This week, the police department responded to 134 calls for service, made 158 traffic contacts, made 4 arrests, responded to 2 traffic accidents and performed 451 community policing activities.

Corporal Clint Webb just completed his MS in Criminal Justice (3.89 GPA).

The Police Department held their annual intermediate weapons training on Tuesday and Thursday.

One hundred and thirty students participated in the LETS program at CME. Corporal David Harney and Corporal April Roppolo conducted the classes. Again Officer Patty was a big hit. Guest speakers were Officer Alicia Bautista, Corporal Patrick Finley, Corporal Clint Webb, Corporal Jered Cameron and the Owner of Blue Line, Bill Towe. 

The Police Department presented a $4200 check to the Texas Police Chiefs Association Officer Survivor's Fund. The Highland Village Police and Auxiliary Bike Team held a multi-race bike competition to raise the funds for the organization. Participants included the Ft. Worth Police Department, Tarrant County Community College, the Highland Village Fire Department and Police Department as well as our residents and local businesses.

Fire:

Calls for Service: Week of Nov 5 - 11

• Medical Emergencies -  8
• Residential Fire Alarms - 1
• Motor Vehicle Accidents  - 1
• Fire Calls - 2
• Public Service Calls - 1
• Commercial Fire Alarms - 1
• Structure Fire - 1
• Commercial Plan Review - 3
• Commercial Inspections - 1

STREET / UTILITY DIVISIONS PROJECTS

Scott Kriston reports that the MSC GC has his subcontractors working on minor punch list items.  A final walk through was performed on the landscape & irrigation.  A punch list was created to give to the GC.  Dallas Security has completed the install of the access security on the site.  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. and discussed the status of all open Public Works projects.

A safety meeting was held this week for Public Works and Parks & Rec field staff in the new training room at 948A Highland Village Road.  Topic was cold weather protection.  A video was shown followed by discussion.

The Highland Village Road water line replacement project sections 1 & 2.  A final walk through was performed this week, the contractor is working on the punch list.  This project consisted of replacing approximately 5000 feet of water line along Highland Village Road from Brazos Boulevard to Lake Vista. 

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:

• Finished painting the inside of the Utilities storage bays and floors and have started moving equipment into bays.
• Responded to four resident concerns.
• Excavated and repaired a service line leak on Highland Lake Drive.
• Flushed 6840 linear feet of sewer line for the sewer line maintenance program.
• Raised one manhole up to grade.
• Dressed, put down sod and poured concrete to finish clean up at sites that were dug up for infrastructure 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:

• Redefined the drainage easement to flow in the  3000 block of Shore View.
• Flushed the driveway culverts on Horseshoe Dr. to restore proper flow.
• Remove concrete slab and graded area for Parks Dept's new restroom facilities at in the 2500 block of Briarhill Blvd.
• Cleaned the bar ditches, culverts and creek crossing in the 100 block of Highland Lake.

Street Crews:

• Sealed the pattern concrete walkway at the veteran's memorial.
• Made asphalt repairs on Brookdale Dr. as a follow up of the new drainage pipe installation.
• Made asphalt repairs on Baird Cir. After the Utilities Div. Installed a new service line.
• Made concrete pavement repairs 2405 Pinehurst Cir. From a Utilities Div. excavation & main line repair.
• Cleaned, backfilled & leveled out area and seed the area with rye grass seed at the Spring Oaks Dr. Turn Around Project.

PARKS DEPARTMENT

Park staff is currently installing Christmas Lights at the Municipal Center as well as the Service Center and DuVall Center at 948 Highland Village Road.

Staff at Unity Park has completed demolition of the restroom at Kids Kastle parking lot area and are preparing the sub grade for installation of the new restroom that will be delivered soon.  Park staff was aided with this project by the Streets, Drainage and Utilities Departments.

Staff trimmed trees and shrubs on the Brazos Boulevard median.

The Trail Crew installed safety mirrors at various corners and turns on the City Trail this week.

Tony Palesano with help of other staff and Utility personnel installed cable to the antenna tower at 948 Service Center this week for the Calsense irrigation system.

Tommy White, Wes Nienhuser and Tony Palesano met with Scott Kriston and contractors for the final walkthrough at the 948 Service Center on Thursday.

The fall soccer season has ended and staff will soon start over seeding seasonal rye grass to soccer game and practice fields at Unity Park.

Linda Cornelius and Fince' Espinoza met with BW2 Engineers to discuss the Highland Village Road Phase II project; this will be a 5' sidewalk from the City Municipal Complex to The Robert and Lee DuVall Center and from Lion's Club Park to Lakeland Drive.  The project is currently in the design phase and will build the sidewalk in 2011.

Recreation

Fince' Espinoza and Andra Boxberger met with representative from The Shops of Highland Village to discuss this year's "Our Village Glows".

Fince' Espinoza and Andra Boxberger met with representative from the Highland Village Parks Foundation to discuss this year's "Resolution Run".

Linda Cornelius, Fince' Espinoza and Andra Boxberger attend the TRAPS Region 2 and 3 Annual Conference on Friday in Garland.

Stop by and welcome our new employee - Sarah Alexander!

Seniors

The Highland Village Senior All-Stars held an Open House last Saturday afternoon with about 100 area seniors attending.

Monday, Tuesday and Thursday was Senior Game Day and Pickleball

Friday is Movie Day - Avatar and Popcorn!

Saturday's trip is the Cross Timbers Artist Tour

Saturday Night is Dinner and Game Night at The Robert and Lee DuVall Center.

HUMAN RESOURCES / STAFF TRAINING

Human Resources:

• Jana Onstead, Martha Butz and Jane Ponder held orientation for our newest employees on Wednesday.  Gary Matthews in Utilities and Sarah Alexander in Recreation started on November 1st.  We are glad to have both of them join our staff.

Fire:

• On Thursday, Chief Tatum attended the Denco Area 9-1-1 board meeting held in Lewisville.