Recap of City Issues 12-3-10

Results from Black Friday are in.  I was able to talk to a major retail store manager and overall for Friday, they saw a 6% increase over last year, sold out of their entire Black Friday merchandise stock and, for the entire weekend, their customer count was up by 10%.  Friday sales alone totaled $723,000.  It has also been reported that overall foot traffic at one of our centers is estimated being up approximately 15%.

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.

PUBLIC SAFETY (POLICE AND FIRE)

Police:

This week, the police department responded to 128 calls for service, made 141 traffic contacts, made 5 arrests, responded to 1 traffic accident and performed 444 community policing activities.

Corporal April Roppolo received a special thank you from Briarhill Middle School for assisting in collecting toys for needy children for Christmas.

Corporal April Roppolo attended a check presentation this week. Exxon Mobil presented the Children's Advocacy Center with a large donation check.

Senior Animal Care Officer Michelle Burke recently received an update letter from one of our adopting families. She wrote, "I adopted Woody (now named G.Q.) last June.  Just wanted to let you know he is quite a character.  He has taken over the house, purrs all the time and just wants to sit in my lap when he isn't getting into everything. However, I think he was younger than a year old when I got him.  He keeps getting bigger.  Perhaps that's because he likes his groceries. Anyway, thank you for letting me have him." It's always nice when we hear back about our animals and their new-found homes.

Officer Delana Jones represented the Police Department at Walgreens this week. She handed out educational materials for our "Lock, Take, & Hide" program and several other programs that the Police Department currently promotes.

Steve Jones (one of the Police Department Police Auxiliary) has been assigned as our second part-time Public Safety Officer.

The Police Department just wanted to share with everyone the toys that where collected on Tuesday at Wal-Mart. Officer Delana Jones set up a table in front of the store and collected all the toys in the photo (over 100 toys). Thank you Officer Jones for collecting toys!

Fire:

Calls for Service: Week of Nov 26 - Dec 2

• Medical Emergencies -  9
• Residential Fire Alarms - 2
• Motor Vehicle Accidents  - 1
• Fire Calls - 1
• Public Service Calls - 8
• Mutual Aid Structure Fire - 1
• Commercial Fire Alarms - 1
• Commercial Plan Review - 4
• Commercial Inspections - 4

Staff Training:

On Wednesday, Assistant Chief Collier attended a FIANT (Fire Instructors) meeting held in Grapevine.

Chief Tatum and Assistant Chief Collier attended the Denton County Fire Chief's Meeting held on Thursday.

Assistant Chief Collier attended the Denton County Emergency Management Meeting on Wednesday.

Public Relations:

Lewisville Fire Department's Dive Team provided mutual aid to Highland Village Fire Department with a lake rescue. 

Firefighters enjoyed giving Santa a ride to the Highland Village Women's Club's Village Glows tree lighting ceremony this week at the Shops of Highland Village.  The event drew a record crowd and toy boxes overflowed with gifts which will be provided to those in need. 

Chief Tatum, Fire Personnel and Dispatch conducted city-wide siren testing on Wednesday.

STREET / UTILITY DIVISIONS PROJECTS

Scott Kriston reports that the MSC GC has his subcontractors working on minor punch list items.  Access control & video surveillance are active on the entire site.

The City's water system was inspected this week by the TCEQ.  They performed a full inspection on records retention, distribution water analysis and a site visit to all 5 water plants for a visual inspection of each site.  The City received no violations and complies with all TCEQ mandates.

The Oak St. GSR site improvements project GC is constructing the pump house and chemical facilities.  Contractor is requesting a final walk through.  

The 24" / 27" manhole restoration project phase 1.  This project consists of rehabilitating 50 manholes on the City's trunk main along the lake to restore integrity of the manholes and stop the I&I.  The contractor has 6 months to complete the project.

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.  A final walk through was performed, the contractor has completed the punch list.  This project consisted of replacing approximately 5000 feet of water line along Highland Village Road from Brazos Boulevard to Lake Vista.  Staff is working on closing the project out.

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 through April 2011.

Utility Crews:

• Excavated and raised one manhole at the intersection of 2499 and Northwood.
• Replaced two property line cleanouts that were found as part of the phase three smoke test.
• Repaired one water service line leak on Sellmeyer.
• prepared for a TCEQ inspection on Tuesday.
• Continue to make upgrades, changes and repairs to the new 948 MSC.
• TV inspected five sewer lines to check for problems.
• 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:

• Poured a concrete footer for the security gate at Southwood Material bins.
• Located lines on Lake Vista for bar ditch maintenance.

Streets Crews:

• Installed metal post with white reflectors, 25 mph sign and a left intersection side street.  A metal guardrail is schedule to be installed in the area on Highland Village Road at Canyon Creek Drive.
• Made repairs to the curb with Flexcrete at Canterbury Drive and Buckingham Lane. This is a new product that repairs the damaged concrete and is used in making concrete street repairs with less closure time, equipment, personnel and set up time.
• Made a concrete street repair on Highland Shores Boulevard at Lakeside Drive due to water damage & base failure. 
• Installed Video Surveillance signage at the new 948 Highland Village Road MSC.

PARKS DEPARTMENT

Parks staff has been performing routing maintenance at our parks and municipal complexes.

On Monday, parks staff activated the Christmas lights on the municipal complex, public works building and The Robert and Lee DuVall Center.

The 11th annual Our Village Glows was held Tuesday, November 30 at the Shop at Highland Village presented by the Highland Village Women's Club, The City of Highland Village and the Shops at Highland Village. We hope that everyone enjoyed the local school choirs, Santa, hot chocolate, and the tree lighting.

Highland Village Senior All Stars

Monday November 29 Game Day: 28 attendees

Tuesday November 30 Game Day: 20 attendees

Thursday December 2: Game Day, Meals on Wheels Lunch & Bingo: 36 attendees

HUMAN RESOURCES / STAFF TRAINING

Police:

• Sheri Morrison was appointed as the new "Support Services Lieutenant."  Lieutenant Morrison's 24 years in the policing profession, and over 17 years with the Highland Village Police Department, have prepared her well for the new challenges and responsibilities associated with the recent reorganization of Field Operations and Support Services Divisions.  We congratulate her on the appointment and look forward to working with her in the new capacity.