Recap of City Issues 03-18-11

The City has received several inquiries about the speed limit process on FM 2499 from FM 407 to the Northern City limits. FM 2499 is a State operated roadway and their methodology of setting speed limits will be applied upon total completion of all roadway and associated construction. There are several screening/safety walls yet to be constructed before the project is totally finished. At that time the State will perform a speed study to determine the speed at which 85% ( known as the 85th percentile) of drivers are abiding by  in using the road. This long accepted engineering practice is predicated on the observation that 85% of drivers will drive a reasonable and prudent speed on a roadway. The current speed limit signs are either advisory construction signs or are from a speed study performed by the county earlier in the project. They will be replaced by the final determined regulatory signs when the state completes its study. The roadway was previously set as a 40 mph speed limit when it was a narrower two lane road and functioned safely. It is reasonable that that stretch which is now a four lane boulevard  south of Northwood/Castlewood will perform safely at the currently posted 40 mph while the more rural bridge sections to the north will be set at a higher limit.

TXDOT FM 2499 section 4 project is still an active construction zone. The outer driving lanes are closed to traffic in various locations; 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 zones.  The contractor started installation of the ADA ramps at the intersections this week.  

TXDOT FM 407 project consists of constructing 1.164 miles of 4 lane divided concrete roadway from Briarhill Boulevard to Chinn Chapel Road.  The project is awarded to Tiseo Paving Co.  They have a 15 month contract to complete the project.  TX-DOT started charging time to the contractor on March 7th.   You should expect traffic delays along the entire length of the construction zone for the duration of the project.

PUBLIC SAFETY (POLICE AND FIRE)

Police:

This week, the police department responded to 131 calls for service, made 163 traffic contacts, made 1 arrest, responded to 1 traffic accident and performed 418 community policing activities.

The Police Department has a new communications officer, Roselyn Smith, that just started this week. Please stop by and welcome her to the team!

Assistant Chief Mark Stewart submitted a grant request through Co Serv to provide V-Vieu body cameras for our Police Officers. The V-Vieu cameras are worn on the shirt by the officer and allow audio and video recording that isn't restricted to the vehicle.

STREET / UTILITY DIVISIONS PROJECTS

The FM2499 screening wall project bid opening was last week. Three contractors submitted bids.  This project consists of constructing approximately 300 ft. of brick screening fence and 200 ft. of wrought iron fence along FM2499 at the Explorer Pipeline easement.  Staff is created a bid tab.  Recommendation to Council is scheduled on March 22nd. 

The Highland Village Road (Sellmeyer Rd. to Lakeland Dr.) project contractor installed the base coat of asphalt this week.  They are scheduled to install the final asphalt topping next week, start the sidewalk installation, finish the slope stabilization and prep for road striping.  The project is still on target for April 2011 completion.

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 well lot fence replacement project consists of removing and replacing approximately 400 ft. of perimeter fence at the well lot site.  The contractor completed the wood portion of the fence last week.  The wrought iron portion is anticipated to be delivered for install on March 21st. 

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 applied the cementitious lining.  The contractor is currently installing the epoxy lining on the upper end of the project.  

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

The AC Water Line Replacement 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 is working on Merriman and Mosswood.  The new water line was loaded this week, the contractor is pressure testing it and will disinfect it next week.  A restoration crew has mobilized in this area.  The pipe crew has relocated to Medina.  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 approx. 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:

• Unstopped and flushed one sewer lateral.
• Worked on installing the SCADA controls at the Oak St. Well Lot.
• Is performing PMCS on pumps, motors and MCC panels at all sanitary sewer lift stations.
• Performed water line isolation tests for the water line contractor.
• Isolated 3 sections of water main so the water line contractor could make connections to the new water main.
• Loaded the new water line on Merriman and Mosswood.
• Verified the construction method used for the existing sanitary sewer manholes located in the Winding Creek and Oak Forest areas.
• Located two areas of utility infrastructure.
• 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 systems.
• Are filling in the pond at the DT Ranch.
• Is installing dust control at the DT Ranch pond excavation.

Drainage Crews:

• Replaced the old cmp culvert pipe due to failure with 18' rcp pipe in the intersection of Springway & Post Oak.
• Performed line locates for a driveway culvert replacement on Horse Shoe.
• Performed line locates in the 800 block of Timberline for drainage easement improvements.
• Installed limit stakes for a project in the creek behind community center #3 for debris removal and grading for proper flow.
• Met with Tammy Hatter of the Highland Shores Owners, Inc. regarding the installation of 12" x 18" rip rap at the existing box culverts at Community Center 1A.
• Took delivery of the new walk behind track loader.  This machine will assist the crews where excavation is required in tight drainage easements inside backyards.

Street Crews:

• Made repairs to various sidewalk panels in the 100 block of Thistle Ct. and Tartan Tr. 
• Installed asphalt speed humps throughout Pilot Knoll Park for the Parks & Rec. Dept.
• Made an asphalt street repair on Springway Dr. at Post Oak Dr. after the Drainage crew installed their new section of pipe.
• Made concrete street repairs with FlexKrete on Highland Shores Blvd.

PARKS DEPARTMENT

Pedro Miranda and his crew made repairs to the camping area restroom at Pilot Knoll Park.

Staff installed new trash receptacles with lids in various Parks in the City.

Staff at Unity Park are reworking and preparing baseball fields for the spring season which starts on 3-22-11.

Tony Palesano is completing work on the Calsense irrigation system at Unity Park.

Staff at Copperas Branch Park are making repairs to the concession area ceiling in the storage/restroom building in that park. 

Staff started weed control applications in various parks and municipal grounds. The camping area at Pilot Knoll Park is anticipating full use for campsite rentals for the next few weeks.

Andra Boxberger met with an instructor to finalize the Couch to 5K program that will be offered at Unity Park. He will also be teaching the Sevylor Kayaking 101 program that will take place at Pilot Knoll Park.

Fince Espinoza and Andra Boxberger met with the head umpire for the adult men's softball league that will start on Wednesday, March 23rd.

Sarah Alexander met with an instructor from the YMCA to discuss her teaching exercise classes at the DuVall Center for our seniors. A low impact aerobics class is scheduled to start sometime this month.

Highland Village Senior All-Stars:

3/14/11: Game Day, Board Meeting, Texas Hold'em and Pickleball: 33 attendees

3/15/11: Game Day and Pickleball: 12 attendees

3/16/11: Winstar Casino Trip: 26 attendees

3/17/11: Game Day, Potluck Lunch and Pickleball: 25 attendees

American Red Cross Babysitter Training and CPR:

3/14/11: 2 attendees

3/15/11: 2 attendees

3/16/11: 2 attendees

3/17/11: 2 attendees

DuVall Center

3/13/11: HVABSA meeting

HUMAN RESOURCES / STAFF TRAINING

Human Resources:

• Martha Butz and Jana Onstead met with Inspire Yoga on Tuesday to discuss participation in the annual Employee Benefit Fair.
• Jana Onstead met with Compass to discuss utilization of the service they provide.  Compass Professional Health Services provides assistance to employees with their benefits; including doctor and facility recommendations, cost analysis, bill reconciliation and other valuable information.  To contact a Compass Health Pro, employees can either email answers@compassphs.com or call 800-513-1667.
• On Thursday, 13 new employees attended Preventing Sexual Harassment training presented by Strategic Government Resources.
•  Employees participating in the Naturally Slim program had their weekly meeting on Thursday.  The group discussed proper nutrition and tips for continued success with their weight loss goals.  This group of 17 has lost a total of 132 pounds so far throughout the first 5 weeks of the program. There is an average cumulative weight loss of 12.5 pounds, and already 5 individuals have reported losing over 10 pounds, 1 in particular has lost over 20 pounds!  Congratulations, that is a huge accomplishment!!!