Recap of City Issues - December 23, 2008

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 near the Castlewood area and the Brooks Court area, retaining wall construction continues on the south end of the project at Southwood well lot, Clifton, near the Castlewood / Highland Shores intersection and near the Castlewood / Northwood intersection, the contractor installed all of the drill shafts on the south side of the proposed bridge at Poindexter Branch of Lake Lewisville, he has moved to the north side of the bridge and started installing drill shafts.  Franchise utilities are working on relocating their infrastructure that needs to be relocated inside the TX DOT right of way.  CoServ continues relocating buried electric south of Highland Shores Blvd.  They have relocated 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.  The TX DOT contractor is installing stormwater pipes along the right of way at various locations.  The holiday schedule for the TX DOT contractor is as follows:  Dec. 25 - Jan. 4.             

The Seniors had 22 participants for game day on December 15.

The Seniors had 27 participants for game day, pot luck and gift exchange on December 18.

On Thursday afternoon Highland Village Fire and Police units responded to an emergency call regarding a vehicle that had driven into a residence.  Upon arrival, emergency personnel found an individual trapped inside a vehicle that had in fact driven into the residence.  The victim was treated by Highland Village Paramedics who found no serious injuries.   The victim refused transport and was released to go home with a family member without being transported to the hospital.  Lewisville and Lake Cities Fire Department personnel and equipment responded to the scene with special heavy rescue equipment to shore up the unstable structure.  This action by Fire Department personnel was greatly appreciated by the resident as it prevented her from being displaced from her residence for the evening.           

The Highland Village Fire and Police Department held Santa Day on Saturday, December 20^th at the Fire Station.  The Highland Village fire engine will become Santa's sleigh as they parade Santa through Highland Village spreading holiday cheer on Saturday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.  Then Santa will make a guest appearance at the Fire Station from 2:00 - 5:00 pm to visit with the children.  Hot chocolate, popcorn and hotdogs are just a few of the treats that will be served.  A special children's area will also be available for the children to watch Holiday movies and to write their wish list for Santa. Other activities range from coloring and face painting to having pictures taken with Santa. Children and adults are encouraged to attend.

Chief Tatum and Assistant Chief Collier went to Mt. Pleasant to pick up the trailer that will be used to transport the ATV Inland Trail and Special Events vehicle funded by the CoServ Foundation Grant received this year.   The purchase of this trailer finalizes the completion of this project.

The Street Division was prepared for the winter advisory last week and was out sanding the icy spots throughout the City of Highland Village with our new dump truck and sand spreader. The sand spreader was load with a sand mix of ice melt that is environmentally friendly and is effective for sanding icy roads.

The Street Division had made repairs to  the guardrail located at Highland Shores and Village Parkway due to an accident.

Scott Kriston attended the monthly UTRWD 60" water line project meeting this week.  Project status is as follows:  Currently the contractor is submitting material data for approval.  The UTRWD is drafting a letter to the business owners in the area to make sure they know the status of the project.  The contractor plans on starting January 5th, 2009.

The Highland Oaks subdivision construction is underway.  The contractors are currently cutting grade and installing the water, wastewater & stormwater utilities.

The District of Highland Village construction is underway.  The contractor has installed some of the water, wastewater & stormwater infrastructure.  The dirt work continues and the infrastructure installation continues.  

Utility crews started preventative maintenance checks and services on Highland Shores and Lake Vista Well Lots.

Utility crews changed out a well raw water flow meter at Highland Shores Well Lot.

Utility crews assisted CoServ with switching Southwood main power over to generator power while they relocated the main power to the new pole going in on FM 2499.

Utility crews excavated the existing 16" water line in the TP&L easement from Southwood well lot to the Idlewild elevated storage reservoir to allow surveyors to pinpoint the exact location of the line.

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

Drainage crews repaired broken curb inlet in the 3000 block of Overlook.

Drainage crews installed more rip rap rock at the intersection of Harlington & Chinn Chapel, to prevent further erosion of the pipe & cable fencing.

Drainage crews cleaned culverts & removed debris in the 900 block of Highland Village Road.

Drainage crews removed spoils (concrete & debris) from 5001 Village Parkway and dressed up area.

Drainage crews cleaned culverts & removed debris in the 1000 block of Highland Village Road.

Drainage crews repaired the curb inlet in the 200 block of Village Tree.

Drainage crews cleaned  debris & trash from pipe culvert at Harlington & Chinn Chapel.

Drainage crews removed weeds & debris In the drainage culvert in preparation for further work at the 3000 block of Highland Hills.

Wes Neinhuser has been constructing cabinets for some offices at city hall. 

Tony Palesano has been adjusting watering cycles and taking freeze protection measures with the Park irrigation systems.

Parks crews have been busy winterizing Parks restroom and concession buildings and evaluating all athletic fields to prepare for winter restoration projects before baseball and soccer season begins in the Spring.

The Highland Village Fire Department had 15 calls for service the week of Dec 12-18.  This included: 5 medical emergencies, 4 motor vehicle accidents, 3 public service calls, 2 public assists and 1 structure fire.  Four plan reviews were completed, as well as; two new business inspections.

Parks and Recreation would like to welcome a new employee to our department.  Her name is Andra Boxberger and she will be assisting us in the office.  Come by and meet Andra if you haven't already. 

Laurie Mullens, Karen Bradley and Andra Boxberger attended a two day training session which covered the implementation of Adobe In-Design software.  Lori Wright attended the first day of the session.

Crews from the Parks Department attended the Texas Turf Grass Conference in Fort Worth and an Arbor Master tree climbing and trimming classes in Irving within the last two weeks. 

On Tuesday Jana Onstead and Jane Ponder held orientation for four new employees;  Todd Hutson and Tatom Bivins in Utilities, Andra Boxberger in Parks and Recreation, and Stephen Harrison in Maintenance.  We are happy to welcome them to our staff!

Friday afternoon Vanesa Childers attended a training software demonstration in Denton hosted by NTMA.

Justin Praesel attended Water Laboratory class in Lewisville sponsored by TEEX in preparation for the B Groundwater license.

Assistant Chief Collier, Captain Vince Jones, and Firefighter/Paramedic Chip Willis attended the Medical Control Meeting at MCL on Friday.  

On Monday December 15th, Council members Adams and Combs attended the Precinct 3 Meeting held in Highland Village.