City Connections - April Edition

Place 5
Patrick L. Davis

Place 7 
Bill P. Towe
Bill Meek

Early and Election Day Voting

Early Voting

Election Day

Water Use Conservation / Drought Contingency Plan

PHASE ONE – SEASONAL CONSERVATION BEGINS MAY 1

1. Effective each year beginning May 1 and ending September 30.
2. No outside watering between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Hand watering of shrubbery allowed at any hour.
   Variances to this regulation may be granted by permit only, available at the Municipal Complex (inspections/permits counter).
3. Users of private well water for irrigation are required to post a sign indicating so in a conspicuous location.
4. Hand washing of vehicles shall be permitted providing there is no wasteful runoff.
5. Wasteful runoff, by any means, shall be prohibited.

Landscape Water Management Ordinance

In an effort to conserve our water resources, the City has passed a landscape water management ordinance. A person commits an offense if he or she allows exterior plumbing leaks to exist, allows the irrigation or watering of lawn or landscape located on property owned leased or managed by that person in such a manner that causes a constant stream of water onto a street or alley in excess of fifty (50) feet from the property line, irrigating a lawn or landscape during any form of precipitation, this includes automatic sprinkler systems, or irrigating lawn or landscape when the ambient temperature is below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

SPRINKLER HEADS AND SYSTEM MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENT

A person commits an offense if he or she operates a lawn or landscape irrigation system or device on property that he or she owns leases or manages that has broken or missing sprinkler heads or has not been properly maintained to prevent the waste of water.

Please visit our website to view the complete ordinance.

Water Meters and Wastewater Cleanouts

Early spring is the time that grass starts to grow again.  Keep your water meter box exposed, so the City can locate it in the event of an emergency and so the meter reader can locate it to properly read the water meter.  It is just as important to locate and uncover your wastewater lateral clean out.  In the event that you have a wastewater lateral stoppage, the City will attempt to clear the obstruction upon execution of a release of liability form.  However, the City cannot assist with clearing the stoppage if the clean out is unable to be located. The City of Highland Village Utilities Division has 24-hour emergency service for your water and wastewater utility needs.  During working hours, call our operations office at 972-317-2989.

Save a Life – Learn CPR

The Highland Village Fire Department conducts monthly CPR and Health Care Provider courses. This training covers Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for Adults, Infants and Children and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) training.

Upcoming Class Dates:  Thursday, April 2nd   6-9 PM  -- Thursday, May 14th   6-9 PM

Spring Clean-up Collection Event

Date: Saturday, April 25, 2009
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Due to limited capacity, drop off may close early!
Place: Copperas Branch Park

The City of Highland Village is sponsoring the Spring Clean-up Collection Event. This event is an opportunity for Highland Village residents to dispose of the following – and at no cost to you!

• Hazardous Waste
• Tree & Lawn Clippings
• Paper to be Shredded
• Electronics & Batteries (All Types)
• Miscellaneous “stuff” you don’t want anymore - but someone else might.

Please BRING THIS NOTICE or your DRIVER’S LICENSE showing a HIGHLAND VILLAGE address, to be admitted to the collection site. For additional information, contact the Highland Village Park & Recreation department at (972) 317-7430. Visit the city web site for the list of acceptable items.

The average household has three to ten gallons of materials that are hazardous to humans or the environment. These products should never be disposed of by pouring down the drain, on the ground, into the storm drain, or into the trash, as they can contaminate surface water, septic tanks, or even the wastewater treatment system. We must take responsibility for taking care of this globe we call home. The City wants to help you do the right thing for our environment!

How Do I Register My Pet?

• Complete the Registration Form (which can be found on our website).
• Include the $5 registration fee (per pet) and this payment must be in check or money order form.
• Include a copy of your current rabies vaccination. 
• Include your return address and your tags will be delivered to your residence!

• Complete the Registration Form (which can be found on our website). 
• Bring your payment ($5 per pet) in either money order or check only to the Police Department Storefront located at

  3196 Justin Road, Suite 203

  (next to LA Fitness) between the hours of 10am and 2pm, Monday - Friday.
• Bring a copy of your current rabies vaccination.  (We'll make a copy from your original while completing your registration).
• You will receive your tags at the time of registration if you come to the Storefront and have all of the required information.

• Complete the Registration Form (which can be found on our website).
• Fax the Registration Form and your current rabies vaccination to 972-317-8974 to the attention of the ANIMAL CARE OFFICER.
• The Animal Care Officer will contact you and confirm receipt of the necessary paperwork.  They will also arrange for payment (we are in the process of creating an online payment system) and will deliver your tags once payment arrangements are completed.

Severe Weather I hear the sirens!  Now what?

Living in North Texas, you have all heard the sound of what has been commonly called “Tornado Sirens” at some point.  The decision to activate these sirens is part of a comprehensive planning model designed by the Emergency Operations Section of the Highland Village Police Department.  In order to help you better understand these sirens and what YOU can do to be prepared, we have developed the following Emergency Preparedness message.

The correct name for these sirens is “Outdoor Warning Siren System”.  The sirens are intended for exactly that – to warn citizens participating in “outdoor activities” of pending severe weather conditions.  Once the warning sounds, citizens are encouraged to

• Immediately seek shelter!
• Tune into national/local news service (television or radio)
• Prepare for possible emergency.

NOTE: If time allows, prior to siren activation you will receive a Connect-CTY phone message alerting you of pending severe weather conditions.

Safety Preparations

• Immediately seek shelter, tune into local news service (television or radio) and prepare for the possibility of an emergency.
• Do not try to outrun a tornado in your car; instead, leave it immediately for safe shelter
• If caught outside or in a vehicle, lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands.
• Be aware of flying debris.  Flying debris from “severe weather” or tornadoes causes most fatalities and injuries.
• Do not drive through flooded areas!

• Retrieve your “Family Emergency Response Kit” (see below).
• Seek shelter in the innermost part of your home, such as a hallway.  Stay away from windows.
• Bring your pets with you (don’t forget additional food and water supplies for them).
• Bring a telephone (cell phone) and radio with you.
• Continue to monitor your local weather for further instructions and information.

What is Connect-CTY®?

Highland Village uses the Connect‑CTY® notification service to send residents and businesses important information about our community, such as severe weather alerts, road closures, utility problems, or even notification of a community wide event. With the Connect‑CTY® service, we can reach you by phone or e-mail within minutes. Participation is 100% free and completely voluntary. If you have not received calls from the City or would like to add a cell phone or e-mail address, visit the web site at www.highlandvillage.org and click on the E-Services banner at the bottom then select Connect‑CTY® to sign up.