Recap of City Issues - August 22, 2008

The new recycle carts arrived Thursday morning at the City's Service Center.  Delivery of the carts to the citizens also began early Thursday morning.  The old fire house bay is full to capacity with blue recycle carts. The delivery process will take at least this week and possibly into next week to be completed. The 65 gallon carts will be delivered to each household with a flyer introducing the new program, providing instructions on how to obtain one of the limited number of the smaller (35 gallon) carts or how to exchange the carts for one box of blue bags.  Additional information includes how the program works and a list of items that can and cannot be recycled. 

On Tuesday Congressman Burgess and TxDOT held a press conference at Copperas Branch Park to highlight the need for the widening of I-35E from I-635 to US 380. Congressman Burgess and TxDOT pointed to the population growth in the area and the fact that I-35E is the only route north and south for most of Denton County. The widening of the road would increase mobility and improve safety on the stretch of highway. The project would be divided into three segments and alternative funding, such as toll "express or managed lanes", will be considered to assist with funding the $4 billion project. The goal is to begin construction in 2010 and complete all three segments by 2020.

To date, $2,730 has been donated by residents of Highland Village toward the construction of the Veterans Monument, including $355.00 received this week.

Sue Thompson attended the monthly Governmental Affairs meeting hosted by Lewisville Area Chamber of Commerce.  The topic of discussion was a draft State Legislative Agenda.  An overview of the draft agenda and the Chamber's priority topics for the upcoming 81st legislative session was presented.  Sue provided an update on Highland Village happenings. It was announced that Denton County Days in Austin is scheduled for February 9 & 10, 2009.  

Sue Thompson is serving on the Leadership Lewisville Committee this year and is involved in helping to  plan the sessions for the program.  As in recent years, Highland Village will be sharing "City Day" with the City of Lewisville on Monday, November 17, 2008. In addition, Sue will be a presenter on December 9th  for Economic Development/Transportation Day.  Two staff members will be participating in the 2008/09 Leadership Class.   

Cub Scout Troop 298 held a flag raising ceremony at the fire station on Tuesday evening.  This ceremony provided an opportunity for the Cub Scouts to earn their merit badges and to interview firefighters with questions relative to Citizenship in the Community.

Captain Vince Jones along with his shift personnel, Randy McCurley, Charles Hinkle, Tony Sorsby and Scott Clasby, provided a tour of the fire station for the Highland Shores Mom's Association on Thursday.

On Friday, Assistant Chief Collier met with the Division Chief of Lewisville to restock their customer service unit with plywood and rehab supplies that have been used during major incidents in Highland Village Fire this past year.  Without the support of their customer service unit; the ability to secure homes would not be possible.  

Chief Lonnie Tatum met with Denco Area 911 representatives regarding the new quality assurance program for Denton County Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP).

Rhoda Savage, Tommy White and Fince Espinoza met with a representative from NCTCOG to discuss the grant procedure that we received for our Spring and Fall Clean-Ups.

Rhoda Savage and Fince Espinoza attended a progress meeting with BW2 Engineers and Paperwork's to discuss the Victoria, Market and Village Trail project.

On Monday, the Senior All-Stars enjoyed Game Day at the Highland Shores Community Center.

On Tuesday, the Senior All-Stars enjoyed Lunch Out and a Movie at the AMC Theater in the Shops at Highland Village.

On Thursday, the Senior All-Stars enjoyed Game Day at the Highland Shores Community Center and Potluck Lunch together.                         

 All Parks Crews are involved in mowing and general Parks maintenance.

The Parks South Crew was involved in tree trimming at Silverthorne Park and helped the drainage department with repairs to the pond at Unity Park.

The Parks North Crew was busy with clean up at Copperas Branch Park after the Balloon Festival last weekend.

Wes Neinhuser and the Pilot Knoll Crew are remodeling and doing repairs to restrooms at Pilot Knoll Park. Tony Palesano was busy cutting water cycles back due to the abundance of rain we received this week.

The Parks Crews prepared for Congressman Burgess' press conference at Copperas Park on Tuesday. 

The Street Division made some asphalt street repairs on Tharp Street and Highland Lake. These repair consist of  repairing street base failures.

The Street Division installed water conservation signs in various locations throughout the city.

The Street crew trimmed trees that were blown down along Highland Village Road.

The Street crew assisted with the unloading of the new recycling bins off the trucks and storing in the old Fire Station.

Corporal April Roppolo assisted with orientation at Briarhill Middle School. She gave out over three hundred packets containing information on School bus issues, No cell Phones in School Zones, 911 safety material etc, 911 pencil cases , 911 pencils, 911 rulers, etc and it was a great turn out. Also, the parents loved the new Security Doors. 

The Police Department conducted a deployment at the Lion's Club Balloon Fest on Friday and Saturday night.  They were assisted by the Police Auxiliary.

Corporal April Roppolo and Corporal David Harney both attended the "Meet the Teacher" event for the new school year.

At the request of Burleson PD we provided them with information on our Value Based Policing model and implementation processes.

FF/Paramedic Mel Harper provided a CPR refresher course for the school crossing guards on Tuesday, while FF/Paramedic Travis Nokes provided a First Aid refresher course to one of our residents on Friday.

The Highland Village Fire Department had 23 calls for service the week of Aug 15-21.  This included: 4 commercial & 3 residential fire alarms, 2 public assists, 7 medical emergencies, 1 odor investigation, 5 public service calls, and 1 motor vehicle accident.  Two fire protection and sprinkler plans were reviewed for new businesses in Highland Village.

This week, the police department responded to 148 calls for service, made 67 traffic contacts, made 1 arrests, responded to 6 traffic accidents and performed 586 community policing activities.

Martha Butz and Jana Onstead met with a loss control consultant for Texas Political Subdivision, who is our worker's compensation carrier.  They discussed upcoming worker's comp insurance renewal.

An employee meeting was held on Wednesday.  Directors, and departments provided updates and plans for the upcoming budget year.  Employees from Utilities, Parks, Finance, Community Development, Drainage, Police and the City Manager's Office were recognized for work on the committee that designed the new logo and for a sewer line problem that was cleaned up.

The Police Department has two new Auxiliary members - Jim Conrad and Stacey Rogers.  Welcome!!

Corporal Onay Nunez completed his coursework with Midwestern University and was awarded his Bachelor Degree.  Congratulations Onay!

Mayor Costa and members of Council attended the annual Lion's Club Balloon Festival held at Copperas Branch Park the weekend of August 15th - 17th.

On Thursday afternoon, August 21st, Mayor Costa attended the Dallas Region Chamber 2008 Congressional Forum held at the Rosewood Crescent Hotel in Dallas, which highlighted the impact of current federal issues on area businesses.

Also on Thursday, Mayor Pro Tem McDearmont attended the North Texas Tollway Authority Groundbreaking for the Eastern Extension of the President George Bush Turnpike in Rowlett.  Later that day, Mayor Pro Tem McDearmont attended the Grand Opening of the Roanoke Visitor Center and Museum.