Recap of City Issues - November 21, 2008

The Mayor and I hosted a meeting of Highland Village businesses this morning, on behalf of the HVBA,  to discuss ways to disseminate information on upcoming holiday events and specials for Highland Village businesses.  Those in attendance were very positive and appreciative of the City's desire to promote our businesses.  An item was placed on the next Council agenda requesting Council's approval to move forward with a plan.

Sue Thompson reports that the City hosted the 2008-09 Leadership Class from the Lewisville Area Chamber as the Highland Village participation in "City Day".  The class was welcomed by the City Manager and treated to information from our Public Affairs Manager, Laurie Mullens on the various forms of communication and technology the City uses to provide information to our residents and businesses on a variety of topics, including potential severe weather, road construction and closures, HVBA functions, televising live meetings such as Planning and Zoning, Park and Recreation Advisory Board, and City Council and other information of interest and importance.  Assistant Chief Jason Collier and Chief Tatum provided tours and information on our Fire Department and new Fire facility, Chief O'Bara visited with the class about community policing and other related topics. We provided lunch for the class and they continued to their next stop, the City of Lewisville.  Thank you to everyone who participated in making this part of the Leadership class day special in our City.  

Sue Thompson reports that she attended the monthly Governmental Affairs Committee meeting and Charles Emery provided an update on DCTA rail and transportation issues including funding for I-35 expansion and other projects. Commissioner Bobbie Mitchell provided an update on the recent roadway and building bond which passed on November 4th and includes projects submitted by the cities within Commissioner Mitchell's Precinct 3 area.  Sue also gave an update on the recent HVBA "Salute Our Veteran's" luncheon and Veteran's monument dedication.  Sue also invited everyone to enjoy the annual "Our Village Glows", to be held on December 2nd at the Shops at Highland Village from 6:30 - 8 PM. Also Sue received was very good feedback and accolades on the Veteran's luncheon from those in attendance. 

Highland Village Fire Department donated a certificate for "A birthday party with the Firemen", to the Lewisville School District for a fundraiser.  The highest bidder enjoyed a birthday party with the firemen on Sunday afternoon. 

Approximately 70 Kindergarten students from the McAuliffe Elementary School toured the Fire Station this week.  Students took advantage of the beautiful weather by utilizing the walking trail as they walked to the fire station from the school.  The firefighters reviewed with the students the information they received during Fire Safety Month in October.  This tour was in response to the Thank You cards the firemen received from the McAuliffe students regarding the HVFD Hurricane Ike response.

Scott Kriston held a pre-construction meeting for the Highland Oaks Subdivision this week.  The contractor started moving dirt from the detention pond and cutting the grades for the proposed streets.  Utility installation is anticipated to begin December 1st.                               

Scott Kriston attended the TX DOT FM 2499 phase 4 weekly project meeting.  The TX DOT FM 2499 project status  is as follows:  Currently the installation of the stormwater pipe continues on the south end, the drainage infrastructure is complete from FM 407 north to Saddle Brook Dr., retaining wall construction continues on the south end of the project at Clifton and near the Castlewood / Highland Shores intersection, the contractor installed all of the drill shafts on the south side of the proposed bridge at Poindexter Branch of Lake Lewisville, he is moving to the north side of the bridge to start installing drill shafts.  Franchise utilities are working on relocating their infrastructure that needs to be relocated inside the TX DOT right of way.  CoServ started relocating electric poles & buried electric south of Highland Shores Blvd.  They are relocating the poles to 1-foot inside of the TX DOT r.o.w. so TX DOT can install a proposed retaining wall 500 feet south of Highland Shores Blvd. on the east side of the TX DOT r.o.w.  Time Warner CATV has laid a temporary line and is anticipated to start relocating approximately 800 feet of buried CATV wire located south of Highland Shores Blvd. over the next few weeks.  TX DOT is verifying drainage easements along the entire project.  Explorer Pipeline completed the relocation of their gas line that cross the TX DOT r.o.w. in Highland Village, they are currently finishing backfilling the trench.  Next Monday through Wednesday November 24th - 26th, TX DOT is proposing to install a culvert boxes across the right of way located at Orchard Hill Ln., flagmen will control traffic during this process, it is anticipated to take 1 day to install the box culvert across the r.o.w., weather permitting.  The holiday schedule for the TX DOT contractor is as follows:  Nov. 27 - 30, Dec. 25 - Jan. 4.     

A final walk through was performed on the 2008 Asphalt rehabilitation Project.  The contractor is working on a small punch list.

Utility Crews obtained the required bacteriological water samples as mandated by the TCEQ & delivered them to the Lewisville lab for testing.

Utility Crews repaired water service line leaks on Village Estates, Lakeside Drive, Lake Hollow and New Haven Drive.

Utility Crews made a 4-inch bore under Camelot Court  to allow  sewer service for a new house under construction.

Utility Crews made a sewer service point repair, installed a clean out and replaced 10 feet of 6 inch sewer main  due to contractor error on Pebble Knoll. 

Utility Crews installed a fire hydrant meter for the Highland Oaks subdivision to supply the contractor with construction water for dust control and moisture control of the backfill compaction on the construction site.

Utility Crews preformed 46 monthly grease trap inspections.

Utility Crews repaired a fire hydrant meter that was damaged by the TXDOT contractor.

Utility Crews video inspected the sewer main in the Lakeside and Winding Creek areas. 

Utility Crews responded to five after hour emergency call outs this week. 

Utility Crews gave assistance to the Drainage Dept by video inspecting the storm drain on Village Tree.

Utility Crews started to winterize the well lots by verifying the well lot heaters are operational, installing heat tape and insulation on exposed piping. 

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

Utility Crews used the new flush/vac truck to flushed sewer mains in the Lakeside, Pebble Knoll and Park Lane areas.

Drainage crews repaired a reinforced concrete drainage pipe in the 200 block of Village tree. the pipe had a 6" separation that was discovered by utilizing the Utilities Division tractor camera. 

Drainage crews remove overgrown trees and debris blocking the drainage flows from the rear drainage easement in the 800 block of Camelot.

Drainage crews removed overgrown trees that were blocking the drainage flows, causing silt to build up & the existing drainage pipe to hold water from the drainage easement in the 3000 block of Lake Creek.  Regrading of the drainage swale is scheduled for next week.  

The Highland Village Fire Department had 25 calls for service the week of Nov 14th-20th.  This included: 10 medical emergencies, 3 public assists, 1 public education, 3 fire alarm calls, 3 mutual aid calls, 1 odor investigation, 2 structure fires, 1 public service and       1 motor vehicle accident.    The fire department also conducted a final fire inspection for the Census Bureau.

Firefighter/Paramedic Jared Middleton received his Firefighter/Intermediate Certification from the Texas Commission on Fire Protection.

Firefighter/EMT Matthew Luttrell received his Paramedic license from the Texas Department of State Health Services this week. Congratulations, Matthew and Jared!!

On Monday, Assistant Chief Collier attended Lewisville Leadership. The group toured the Fire Station as part of their City Day.

Jana Onstead and David Clark attended a luncheon on Tuesday in The Colony regarding safety training.

The American Cancer Society sponsors an annual event in November called "The Great American Smokeout."  This year it was on Thursday, November 20^th and as part of the City's wellness initiative information was shared with employees this week which included helpful tips to quit smoking.  Smoker survival kits were available in Human Resources for anyone that was interested in quitting. 

Monday, Mayor Costa addressed the Lewisville Leadership Class at City Hall as part of their Local Government Day.

Mayor Costa met with Highland Village Business Leaders on Friday morning.