Recap of City Issues - October 17, 2008

October is National Fire Prevention Month. The Flower Mound Fire Department, along with assistance from Highland Village Firefighters, brought their highly acclaimed SAFE (Safety and Fire Education) Program to all three Highland Village Elementary Schools this week.  The Program, headed up by Flower Mound Fire Captain Robert Brooks and nine dedicated and talented Flower Mound Firefighters, provides an array of safety tips and education for area youths.  This year the high impact and hilarious Clown Program addressed over 8500 elementary school students, including approximately 1900 Highland Village Elementary Students.  The Program is self sufficient and funded solely by donations and fund raisers by this enthusiastic and dedicated group of Flower Mound Firefighters.    Sherry Wagner, Principal of Highland Village Elementary School - "Thank you so much for coming back again this year with the safety program for our students.  It was such an entertaining way to teach some very important life lessons.  Our students were mesmerized by your actors!  Each year is bigger and better, and we appreciate the opportunity to see your program."

Sue Thompson attended the monthly Lewisville Chamber Governmental Affairs meeting and provided an update on the HVBA Salute Our Veterans luncheon, the dedication for the Veteran's Monument and the construction of FM 2499.  Denton County Commissioner Bobbie Mitchell gave a brief update on TRIP 08 - the County's upcoming bond package and Precinct 3 issues.  

The HVBA quarterly Mayor's Breakfast was held Friday, October 17th. A representative from DCTA presented information on the future DCTA rail to be known as the "A" train, the stations, locations and routes and an update on the local transit service, specifically, Route 22 ridership increase of 21% over this time last year.  Route 22 runs along FM 407 with stops in Highland Village.  Mayor Costa provided updates on transportations issues and projects, Sue Thompson reported on the upcoming HVBA "Salute Our Veterans" luncheon, the dedication of the Veteran's Monument and the moving of this year's Highland Village Women's Club "Our Village Glows" event from Unity Park to partner with the Shops of Highland Village for this great kick-off to the holiday season for the community.  Sue reports we had a great turnout today with approximately 37 in attendance.     

Sue Thompson reports that she, Laurie Mullens, Mayor Dianne Costa, Councilman Austin Adams, and Dottie Palumbo attended the ribbon cutting for the Offices @ The Shops at Highland Village located on the 2nd floor of the westernmost building at the Shops (above Sweet and Sassy).  There is approximately 28,500 sq. ft. of leasable office space which can be sub-divided into small offices.   

To promote the "Salute Our Veterans" luncheon to be held Tuesday, November 11, 2008, Sandy McCoy visited the area retirement communities and assisted living facilities.  She meet with Activity Directors at Lewisville Estates, Pinewood Hills, Franklin Park, Rambling Oaks and Flower Mound Assisted Living Community and provided flyers and information to encourage their Veteran residents to attend. 

The Highland Village Fire Department held its annual awards banquet on Sunday, October 5^th at the Fire Station for employees and their families.  A bounce house was donated by Dan Nevitt Realty.   Awards were presented for Life Saving Award, Paramedic of the Year, Fire Department Member of the Year, Service and Volunteer awards were also distributed. 

Life Saving Awards: 
Captain Tim Moehlman
FF/Paramedic Jared Middleton
FF/Paramedic Amber Wade
FF Paramedic Charles Hinkle

Fire Dept Member of the Year: 
FF/Paramedic Randy McCurley

Paramedic of the Year:
FF/Paramedic Jared Middleton

The Highland Village Fire Department had 30 calls for service the week of Oct 10th-16th.  This included: 10 medical emergencies, 2 public assists, 2 public services, 1 smoke investigation, 2 motor vehicle accidents, and 4 commercial fire alarm calls.

Firefighters provided public education on fire safety and fire prevention at Primrose, Highland Village Elementary Fall Festival and Heritage Elementary school this week.

Scott Kriston & David Clark held a PSR meeting with BW2 Engineers on Wednesday.  They discussed the status of Public Works projects.

Scott Kriston attended the weekly project meeting for the TXDOT FM2499 project.  Project status and issues were discussed.  Currently the right of way prep continues, installation of the SWPPP continues, installation of the stormwater pipe continues on the south end, retaining walls are scheduled to start soon on the south end of the project, and they plan on starting to install the drill shafts for the proposed bridges on the north end of the project.  Issues that were discussed were tree removal, franchise utility relocations, easements, and the Explorer Pipeline relocation.  TXDOT has instructed the contractor to saw cut limbs on trees that were damaged outside of the r.o.w., and save as many trees as they can within a 4 foot zone along the r.o.w. boundary line providing they will not interfere with any other part of the construction process or proposed infrastructure.  Franchise utilities have discovered additional infrastructure that needs to be relocated.  TXDOT is verifying drainage easements along the entire project.  Explorer Pipeline is scheduled to start relocation of their 2 gas lines that cross the TX DOT r.o.w. on October 22nd, weather permitting.

Utility Crews adjusted a 12 inch water main on 2499 for the TXDOT FM2499 project. 

Utility crews performed mandated monthly dead end water main flushing.

Utility crews are locating and raising sanitary sewer manholes to grade in wastewater basin 4, 6 & 10 to get ready for the smoke testing project that is scheduled to start in December.

Utility crews updated lift station 3 controls from a level probe to an Ultra Sonic level instrument by removing the old submersible probe and associated wiring and installing the new electrical and equipment for the new level transmitter.

Utility crews performed maintenance on well lots, lift stations, fire hydrants and the water distribution and the wastewater collection system.

The Drainage crew installed a French drain system in the 3300 block of Castlewood Blvd.  Will & Darren from Water Utilities Division assisted in the dress up.    

The Drainage crew installed rip rap rock at Sellmeyer & Creek Place to help prevent erosion. 

This week, the police department responded to 143 calls for service, made 65 traffic contacts, made 5 arrests, responded to 9 traffic accidents and performed 437 community policing activities.

The Street Division Crew cracksealed Lake Vista North, Lake Vista West, Greenbriar Lane and Tanglewood Lane.

The Street Staff made concrete street failure repairs in front of 824 Silverthorne Trail.

The Street Crew trimmed trees along Highland Village Rd. from Doubletree Dr. to Greensprings St.

The contractor (Jagoe- Public Co.) is close to finishing the 2008 Street Rehabilitation Project, they are about 95% complete and still need to strip the marking of the streets.

Sergeant Oliver, Officer Stanford, and PSO Williams assisted at a pep rally at McAuliffe Elementary this week.  This pep rally was also attended by Marcus High School students.  

The Police Department, assisted by the Police Auxiliary, provided safety and security at the annual Highland Village Elementary Fall Festival.  The Sky-Watch was also deployed during the event.  

On Tuesday, Assistant Chief Collier attended Leadership Lewisville.

Jana Onstead attended the HR Southwest Conference in Fort Worth this week. The conference offers keynote speakers, extensive schedules of educational sessions, and a first-class venue for exposure to the newest HR products, techniques and services.

Police Applicant Luis Flores has accepted a Police Officer position with Highland Village and will be starting Monday, October 27th.  Luis has over 3 years law enforcement experience with the Dallas DART police.  Luis will be assigned Badge #511.  We welcome him to our team and look forward to working with him in the future.

Auxiliary Member Mike McCoy has been selected as the new Lt to replace Mary Chandler who recently moved to California.  Mike will take over Team 2.  We congratulate him on his new duties and look forward to working with him in his new capacity.

Corporal Patrick Finley attended Field Training Officer school in Arlington.

Officer Delana Jones attended Standardized Field Sobriety Testing school at Collin County Law Enforcement Academy.

Mayor Costa attended the Flower Mound Chamber Fiesta Flower Mound "Ring of Fire" event held at Texas Motor Speedway on Saturday, October 11th.

On Tuesday, October 14th, Mayor Costa and Council member Adams attended the Ribbon Cutting and open house for Integrity Realty.  This event was hosted by the Flower Mound Chamber and catered by The Blue Goose Cantina.  Both businesses are located in The Shops at Highland Village.

Thursday evening, October 16th, Mayor Costa attended The Colony Mayors Ball.  This event was the kick-off to festivities celebrated in The Colony as part of the Mayor's Cup Race held on Saturday, October 18th.  Mayors of lakeside communities serve as Hobie Cat sailboat crew members for the race.  This year's theme was "Pirate Days of The Colony".

Mayor Costa hosted the Highland Village Business Association's Breakfast with the Mayor on Friday morning, October 17th.  The event was attended by Council members Adams and Combs, as well as many area business leaders.