Recap of City Issues 12-17-10

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 133 calls for service, made 165 traffic contacts, made 5 arrests, responded to 3 traffic accidents and performed 342 community policing activities.

On Wednesday, Corporal David Harney and Corporal April Roppolo went to all of the schools and picked up the rest of the peanut butter. They also went to Cloud Nine, 948, Walgreens and Excite and picked up all of the toys collected. The Salvation Army needs toys for 100 families and the Police Department helped by collecting toys and peanut butter.

The Police Department dropped off over 500 canned goods, 400 jars of peanut butter, and some miscellaneous dry goods at the Lewisville Salvation Army.

In the City Manager Report this week, the Highland Village Police Department was recognized for their "Webber Seavey" International Award for Quality in Law Enforcement. The department was recognized as a semi-finalist by the International Association of Chiefs of Police for the Police Involving Parents (PIP) Community Policing Program.

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 Oak St. GSR site improvements project.  A final walk through was performed this week on the project.  The contractor is working on a small punch list.  

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.  The contractor started washing down manholes this week.

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:

• Located two areas of buried utility infrastructure.
• Dressed areas with sod where excavations took place over the past several weeks.
• Assembled one of the 3 mezzanines in the 948 MSC EQU Bldg. 
• 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.
• Pushed dirt into the pond at the Doubletree Ranch. 

Drainage Crews:

• Assisted in the Clean up at the Southwood materials storage site by hauling off spoils.

Street Crews:

• Installed guardrail at the end of Spring Oaks Dr. per the project plans.
• Made concrete street repairs on Hillside Dr. and Highland Shores Blvd.
• Assisted in the Clean up at the Southwood materials storage site by hauling off spoils and stock piled asphalt millings.

PARKS DEPARTMENT

Park staff at Pilot Knoll Park have been cleaning debris and mulching leaves from camp sites.   Wes Nienhuser and the crew at Pilot Knoll Park have been constructing new horse shoe pits at the day use area.   Tommy White and Wes Nienhuser have been meeting with masonry contractors regarding repairs and upgrades to the gate house and Big Oak pavilion at Pilot Knoll Park.

The north crew has been adding mulch to shrub beds in various parks.

The boat dock at Copperas Park is functional again after warranty repairs were recently made by a contractor.

The south crew has been making welding repairs to pipe fencing at the small parking area near Copperas Park.

The trail crew recently installed new signs to trail crossing areas on the Market Trail as well as mirrors at various corners on the trail in the residential areas due to safety concerns.

Tony Palesano has been making repairs and adjustments to irrigation systems in median and park areas.

Andra Boxberger and Fince Espinoza met with TNT Tennis about starting tennis programs for this spring.

Fince Espinoza and Andra Boxberger attended the Santa Day Special Event Meeting on Tuesday.

Fince Espinoza and Linda Cornelius met with Bud Melton of Bowman Melton and Associates who are updating the Comprehensive Trail System Master Plan. 

Linda Cornelius, Fince Espinoza, Andra Boxberger, along with an impartial panel, judged the Holiday Lighting Contest on Wednesday night. The judges had to pick the best houses in the following categories: Spirit of the Holiday's Award, Most Creative Display, Best Theme, Most Outstanding Lights, and Best Decorated Street. Award winners in each category received a yard sign placed at their residence indicating which category they won.

Highland Village Senior All-Stars

Game Day 12/13: 28 attendees

Senior Advisory Board Meeting 12/13: 8 attendees

Game Day 12/14: 19 attendees

Game Day & Present Wrapping 12/15: 8 attendees

Game Day & Holiday Potluck 12/16: 29 attendees

Movie Day 12/17: 10 attendees

HUMAN RESOURCES / STAFF TRAINING

The annual Holiday Luncheon sponsored by the Lion's Club was held on Friday for the employees.  Service award recipients this year were 25 yrs - Jesse Acevedo, 15 yrs -  Lori Wright, 10 yrs - Martha Butz, Michael Leavitt, Audrey Yakes, Ed O'Bara, Bobby Doyle, Jr., Diane Callahan, and Jannie Baughman, 5 yrs - Patrick Finley, Scott Strasser, Dorothy Palumbo, Keegan Arnold and Alicia Bautista-Gonzalez.  Congratulations to all of our service award recipients and thank you for your dedication to the City of Highland Village.  Also recognized at the luncheon were employees from the Streets and Parks Department for their work on the Veteran's Memorial at City Hall.  Special thanks to the Highland Village Lion's Club for providing lunch, a special appearance by Santa, and Vocal Magic for providing entertainment.