Recap of City Issues - February 8, 2008

It's official! We are very pleased to inform everyone that Standard & Poor's Rating Service has raised our underlying rating for Highland Village up one notch from "A+" to "AA-".  The City's new rate is based on the stable outlook that reflects our expectation that the increasingly diversified tax and revenue base, coupled with the city's good financial management practices, will result in a continued solid financial performance for the City of Highland Village.

TimeSlice Technology, Inc will be conducting a seismic survey in Denton County in the near future.  Highland Village is the most eastern portion of this particular project. Surveyors will begin on the project on February 7.  Trained professionals with global positioning systems will travel city streets in regular sized pickup trucks.  They will access permitted, private property on foot and will mark the locations where the equipment will be placed on a later date.  The expected duration of the survey stage is 10-14 days. Once the surveying stage is complete, the recording crew will begin equipment deployment.  The expected duration of the recording phase is two weeks. The crews will operate during daylight hours and will not enter private property without prior notice given to the property owner.  Adequate signs will be placed on roadways to inform the public of the seismic operations.

On Wednesday, Ms. Rhoda Savage, Fince Espinoza and BW2 Engineers opened bids for new soccer complex.

On Monday evening, Rhoda Savage, Fince Espinoza and Audrey Gedminas attended the Park Board meeting.

On Monday, the Senior All-Stars met at the Highland Shores Community Center for snacks and game day.  (26 Residents and 8 Non-Residents attended.)

On Thursday, the Senior All-Stars met at the Highland Shores Community Center for game day.  Meals on Wheel brought Rosa’s Tortilla Factory and a huge chocolate cake for the seniors to enjoy (37 Residents and 12 Non-Residents attended.)

The Recreation Department is excited to announce that our 8th Annual Father/Daughter Dance will be held this Friday, February 8, 2008 at 6:30 p.m.

The seniors have been frequent visitors at the City Complex this week.  The next senior Choctaw Casino day trip is on Friday, February 15, 2008.  Space is limited and tickets are officially on sale.

We have been excited to see Cheryl Dudich at the municipal complex this week.  Cheryl is our Senior Coordinator and she has been a big help to Shelly Clark and Fince Espinoza this week.  Shelly and Fince have been busy getting ready for the Father/Daughter dance and Cheryl has stepped up to the plate to helped  out.  Thank you, Cheryl.

On Monday, Assistant Chief Collier discussed his role as the new Assistant Fire Chief and gave a tour of the new fire station for the Lewisville Leadership “City Day”. 

On Friday, Firefighter Paramedic Chip Willis donated twelve infant and toddler car seats to the Denton County Children’s Advocacy Center through a grant that was received from the North Central Texas Trauma Regional Advisory Council.

Corporal April Roppolo and three Police Auxiliary assisted with the McAuliffe Chili Cook-off this week. 

Animal Care Officer Burke conducted an animal safety class at Highland Village Elementary School.  The class went over basic animal safety and how to care for your pets.

The Street Division is finishing  repairs to  the concrete curb on Medina Drive and  Victoria Drive.

Crew is back filling with top soil behind curb and asphalt next to the street.

The Street Division received a new cracksealing machine from Craftco Inc. and the sales representative gave a class on the operation and the safety use of SS 60.

The South Crew is in the process of building a dirt mound on the green baseball, game field in preparation for the spring baseball season.

North and South Crew’s assisted Wes at Pilot Knoll in constructing a camp site.

Tony Palesano has been dealing with the enigma of the irrigation system at Unity Park.

On Thursday, Pedro Miranda received his new mower.  He is excited to see what a difference it will make for our trail system.

Thank you, to Wes Nienhuser and Frank Furche for going the “extra mile”.  They helped construct a key board holder on a desk at City Hall this week.

The Highland Village Fire Department had 25 calls for service the week of February 1 – 7.  This included:  12 medical emergencies, 3 motor vehicle accidents, 2 public assists, 2 residential fire alarms, 2 vehicle lock-outs, 2 structure fires, 1 odor investigation and 1 fill-in.

This week, the police department responded to 132 calls for service, made 63 traffic contacts, made 2 arrests, responded to 3 traffic accidents and performed 373 community policing activities.

Jana Onstead, Vanesa Childers and Jane Ponder held orientation for Audrey Gedminas, Tony Sorsby, Matthew Luttrell and Amber Wade that recently came on board in the Parks Department and Fire Department.  They received their personnel and safety manuals as well as signing up for benefits.

The Police Department welcomed Dick Williams on board as a part time Public Safety Officer.  He will provide police support, crime prevention and perform community service activities.  Dick has worked as a Police Auxiliary for several years and will be a great addition to the department.

Recently the employees were asked for those interested in dedicating their time and energy to an employee committee to volunteer.  The Employee Activity Fund Committee administers the Employee Activity Fund and plans events for employees throughout the year.  The Benefit Committee assists with the annual Health and Benefit Fair and they participate in the insurance renewal process.  They also provide responses from employees in their departments when there are options to consider in the renewal process.  Both of these committees are important and are just another example of our employees supporting each other.  What a great staff we have!  Thanks for all you do!

On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week Tommy White, Joey Hardin, Frank Furche, Keegan Arnold, Robert Wise, Pedro Miranda and Bill Aycock attended the SWPTI conference.  

On Monday, Fince Espinoza and Heather Castillo attended Leadership Lewisville.

Captain Tim Moehlman attended the National Incident Management Training for NIMS 300 & 400 that was held in Garland this week.

Assistant Chief Collier attended the weekly fire construction meeting on Thursday.

On Thursday evening, Assistant Chief Collier attended the Denton County Fire Chiefs’ meeting held at the Denton Fire Department s Central station.

On Tuesday, Assistant Chief Collier met with our medical control director to update our medical program.

Firefighter Paramedic Mel Harper provided a CPR/Healthcare Provider for 18 residents and medical professionals on Thursday evening.

On Tuesday, Firefighter Paramedic Chip Willis attended a Special Events meeting regarding a residential block party and the upcoming HVABSA parade.

Police Auxiliary members Myers, Allison and Faltot started this week and will be working with the other Auxiliary members assisting the Police Department with special events and other daily activities. 

Chief O'Bara attended the Texas Police Chief Leadership series in Galveston.

Captain Blount attended the meeting for the new Highland Village logo.

Mayor Costa, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Combs and Council member Adams and McDearmont attended the Highland Village Community Development Corporation (4B) meeting on Tuesday, February 5, 2008.

Michael Leavitt, City Manager
02/08/08