Recap of City Issues 2-18-11

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 city hired a contract sweeper to collect the sand used during the ice storm to prevent it from reaching our waterways. We expect the sweeper to operate for 15 hours in order to clear the major streets, bridges, and intersections.

The FM 407 project is expected to begin the drainage portion with some partial detours expected on March 7. The total project will take approximately one year.

Design of the additional screening walls for FM 2499 is almost complete and TXDOT expects to get the design to the contractor for a change order price in 2 to 3 weeks.

The Highland Village Road project is on schedule for a late March completion as the contractor is finishing the retaining walls.

          COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

The State of the City presentation was held on Tuesday of this week. This is a joint event with the Lewisville and Flower Mound Chambers. Each year the three mayors present the "State of the City" in a video format. This year the presentation was done in the style of the game show, Jeopardy! The "game" was played live with each mayor as a contestant and videos from each city telling their story. A special thanks to Video Production Specialist Andrew Boyd for his hard work on this production. Andrew worked closely with our vendor Shawn Griffith and his crew at the Texas Film Group.

      PUBLIC SAFETY (POLICE AND FIRE)

Fire:

Calls for Service: Week of Feb 11 - Feb 17

• Medical Emergencies -  9
• Mutual Aid  - 5
• Public Service Calls - 5
• Residential Fire Alarms  - 2
• Commercial Plan Review - 2
• Commercial Inspections - 1

Assistant Chief Jason Collier, Captain Travis Nokes and B shift crew attended the chili cook-off at McAuliffe Elementary school Thursday evening. 

Police:

Cpl Doug Bell and Asst Chief Mark Stewart met with representatives of the Denton County District Attorney's Office on a new proposal to electronically file cases.  The initiative would increase efficiency by eliminating the need for personnel to hand carry case files from Highland Village to the DA's Office in Denton.  Highland Village is scheduled to be one of the test agencies in this new "E-File" program.

STREET / UTILITY DIVISIONS PROJECTS

The FM 2499 screening wall project is currently out to bid.  This project consists of constructing approximately 300 ft. of brick screening fence and 200 ft. of wrought iron fence along FM 2499 at the Explorer Pipeline easement.  The bid opening is scheduled for Feb. 22nd. 

The MSC site improvements project subcontractors are working on minor punch list items.  The City & FNI are working on closing out the project.  Staff is reviewing a pay estimate submitted by FNI. 

The Oak St. GSR site improvements project contractor is working on a small punch list.

The Oak St well lot fence replacement project consists of removing and replacing approximately 400 ft. of perimeter fence at the well lot site.  The project is awarded to Hardy Fence.  Contractor is anticipated to mobilize within the next two weeks. 

The 24" / 27" manhole restoration project phase 1.  This project consists of rehabilitating 50 manholes on the City's 24-inch SS trunk main along the lake to restore integrity of the manholes and stop the I&I.   The contractor washed down all manholes.  The contractor has plugged all I&I and is applying the cementitious lining.  Staff is reviewing the lining material submittal.  

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

The AC Water Line Replacement project is awarded to Macval & Associates.  This project consists of replacing approximately 14,000 ft. of water line in the east side of the City.  The Village Estates, Villa Park, Merriman Dr., Mosswood, Sellmeyer, Desiree, Perro Pl. & Medina Dr. areas are the water lines to be replaced.  The contractor started excavation on Merriman and Mosswood this week.  You should expect traffic delays in the areas the contractor is working in.

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 repaired a sewer line.
• Made one line locate of buried city infrastructure.
• Participated in snow and ice clean up at City facilities with other departments.
• 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:

• Installed gabion baskets to prevent further erosion in the 300 block of Lake Vista.
• Deployed the track hoe trailer for the stage and the message board for information for the Chili Cook Off located at Christa McAuliffe Elementary.

Streets Crews:

• Secured Moore Disposal to sweep the sand that was spread out during the ice and snow event last week.
• Completed the installation of the guardrail on Highland Village Rd. at Canyon Creek Drive.
• Installed the wayward sign in front of 948 Highland Village Road.

PARKS DEPARTMENT

Last Saturday, the 11th Annual Father/Daughter Dance was held at Celebrations. The evening included dinner, dancing, and pictures. Each daughter received a rose and a keepsake when leaving the dance.

Parks staff met with the Lion's Club on Tuesday to start the planning of the Balloon Festival in August.

Fince Espinoza and Andra Boxberger attended the T.A.A.F regional meeting in Hurst.

Linda Cornelius, Fince Espinoza, and Andra Boxberger met with Western Enterprises to discuss the fireworks show for the Red, White and Blue Festival.

Andra Boxberger met to finalize the tennis classes that will run from March to May.

Parks staff along with representatives from Bowman-Melton Associates, Inc. held a public forum on Wednesday night to present and receive suggestions for the Inland Trail Master Plan Update.  

Park staff is trimming trees in various parks and medians.

Staff at pilot Knoll Park is constructing fences around horse shoe pits that were recently added to the day use area.

Staff will begin adding electrical and irrigation lines to areas of Unity Park for the Calsense irrigation system.

The trail crew is installing new pet waste stations to areas around Village Park.

Wes Nienhuser and the crew leaders will begin to apply late winter pre emergent to all parks and medians as well as municipal grounds beginning next week.

Highland Village Senior All-Stars

2/14/11: Game Day, Advisory Board Meeting, Texas Hold'em and Pickleball: 36 attendees

2/15/11: Game Day and Pickleball: 16 attendees

2/16/11: Game Day: 8 attendees

2/17/11: Game Day, Potluck Lunch, Bridge, and Pickleball: 30 attendees

Sarah Alexander met to discuss offering Spanish classes. Classes are scheduled to start in April.

HUMAN RESOURCES / STAFF TRAINING

Human Resources:

This week was the first class of the Naturally Slim program.  This 10-week program teaches participants to develop certain eating habits that will enable weight loss, help maintain a healthy weight and ultimately increase quality of life.  18 employees are participating in the program sponsored by the Human Resources Department.