Recap of City Issues - June 5, 2009

This week has been one of the most exciting times for myself, Mayor & Council, City Staff and for the residents of Highland Village with the acquisition of Doubletree Ranch by the Trust for Public Land.  I would like to thank Niels Brown with the Trust for Public Land, if it was not for their assistance and their ability to work through all the complex issues, this opportunity could not have happened.  At this time we have entered into License Agreement with the Trust to gain access to property for the next 12 days. Over this time, we will start on the assessment of the property on identifying all issues on the property. The Ranch is still the property of the Trust and we will be monitoring it with our Police Department.  At this time, on Tuesday June 16th, the Double Tree Ranch will become property of the Citizens of Highland Village, I look forward in providing more information as we get closer to that date and we prepare to write the next chapter for the Doubletree Ranch in Highland Village, Texas were our middle name must be "Fun"!

Scott Kriston attended the the weekly TXDOT FM 2499 project meeting.  The project status is as follows:  The contractor finishing the concrete pours on the Poindexter bridge south of the lake water level.  The contractor will continue to perform  concrete pours of the southbound bridge spans next week starting at 6 a.m.  The pours are expected to last 10 hours each.  The contractor is prepping the southbound lanes at the railroad south to FM 407.  The contractor is paving the Harlington Drive intersection.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Sue Thompson reports the quarterly Mayor's Breakfast was held on Friday, June 5th.  Those in attendance were welcomed by Mayor Dianne Costa and received an update from City Manager Michael Leavitt on the acquisition of Doubletree Ranch and the proposed uses for the property.  Chief Ed O'Bara also addressed the group explaining the need for a "letter of support" for a grant  to purchase a "smart trailer" for the PD.  This trailer with multi-functions such as messaging, radar, etc. will be very useful in improving community safety and security.  Everyone agreed with supporting the grant.  Everyone introduced themselves and gave a brief description of their business.  Staff provided information about the annual Highland Village Days and Red, White and Blue Festival to be held Saturday, June 6th, the upcoming Highland Village Business Directory, and the HVBA events and dates for the rest of this year and 2010. Staff provided HVBA brochures and a 2009-2010 calendar.

PUBLIC SAFETY (POLICE AND FIRE)

Fire:

• Chief Lonnie Tatum was present at the Annual ROTC Awards this past Friday. The awards were held at Marcus High School Cafeteria.
• Approximately 75 Highland Village 3rd grade elementary students toured the Fire Station on Thursday. They enjoyed exploring the fire truck and ambulance and were able to ask questions about the firefighters and the fire station.
• Highland Village Fire Department responded to 22 calls for service May 29 - June 4. This included: 12 medical emergencies, 3 mutual aid, 3 public service calls, 2 structure fires, 1 motor vehicle accidents, and 1 odor investigation.
• A representative from August Industries demonstrated the new breathing air compressor unit on Friday. This unit will allow the fire department to fill the self-contained breathing apparatus and air truck without driving to Lewisville or Flower Mound for that service.

Police:

• This week the Police Department responded to 169 calls for service, made 0 traffic contacts, made 6 arrests, responded to 5 traffic accidents and performed 554 community policing activities.
• Corporal David Harney and Corporal April Roppolo presented Briarhill Middle School Vice Principal Mr. Fisher with a little something from the PD. Mr. Fisher has been the Eighth Grade Vice Principal for a several years and he is leaving to work at a school outside of Highland Village.
• This week Mayor Costa and Chief O'Bara presented the HVPD Certificates to students at the following schools: McAuliffe Elementary - 25 fifth graders, Highland Village Elementary - 27 fourth graders and 16 fifth graders, and Heritage - 72 fifth graders, These students help make the school safer for all students being dropped off and pick up during the school year. Officers attending the event showing support were Lieutenant Karl Schlichter, Sergeant David Pittinger, Sergeant Dennis Oliver, Corporal David Harney, Corporal April Roppolo, Corporal Onay Nunez, Corporal Patrick Finley, Officer Alicia Bautista, and Officer Melinda Stevens.

STREET / UTILITY DIVISIONS PROJECTS

Matthew Kite, Scott Kriston, David Clark & Gay Durden met with Freese & Nichols to finalize the interior colors and materials for the new Municipal Service Center Public Works building.

Scott Kriston & David Clark met with BW2 Engineering to discuss the 2008 Manhole Restoration Project and the 2009 AC Water Line Replacement Project.

 Utility Crews:

• Responded to three after hour call outs and nine resident emergencies.
• Performed 12 meter rereads, seven water turn ons, three water turn offs, and two meter leak checks.
• Unstopped two sewer line stoppages.
• Located four areas of utility infrastructure for franchise utilities to perform excavations.
• Flushed and TV inspected four sewer lines.
• Relocated one contractor fire hydrant meter.
• Assisted Layne Texas with semi-annual well pump maintenance.
• Lowered two fire hydrants and fire hydrant valve pads for the FM2499 project.
• Dressed seven areas where previous water/wastewater repairs were made.
• Installed four new greenbelt meter assemblies in the Highland Oaks Subdivision.
• Cleared brush and installed drainage pipe at the Southwood Well lot for the materials storage piles that will be relocated there permanently from the Municipal Service Center site.
• Performed maintenance on well lots, lift stations, fire hydrants and the water distribution and wastewater collection system.

Drainage Crews:

• Installed sod a birm in the City right of way to prevent flooding in the 2000 block of Briarhill.
• Cleared brush and installed drainage pipe at the Southwood Well lot for the materials storage piles that will be relocated there permanently from the Municipal Service Center site.
• Regraded bar ditch in the existing drainage easement near the 900 block of Kingwood.

PARKS DEPARTMENT

Parks Staff has been busy all week preparing for the Highland Village Red, White and Blue Festival scheduled for Saturday, June 6.

HUMAN RESOURCES / STAFF TRAINING

Human Resources:

• Jana Onstead attended the PRIMA Annual Conference in Dallas this week. She was awarded a $1,000 Small Entity Scholarship to attend the conference.
• Martha Butz attended the TMHRA Mid-Year Conference in San Antonio, Texas this week. Vital topics addressed were FMLAand ADA policy updates, compensation strategies, and health care change in a recession. Martha also serves on the TMHRA Board.
• Ten employees attended required training for preventing sexual harassment in the workplace. This training was provided by NTMA and hosted by Southlake.

Fire:

• Highland Village Fire Department held physical agility testing last Saturday at the Marcus High School Athletic Field. This testing was held for new firefighter/paramedic applicants.

CITY MANAGER / CITY COUNCIL

Mayor Costa attended the Kumon Learning Center 2009 Annual Award Ceremony on Sunday, May 31st to present medals to the students.

Monday morning Mayor Costa presented HVPD Certificates to the Safety Patrol at Heritage Elementary School.

HVPD Certificates were presented to the fourth grade Safety Patrol on Tuesday morning and the fifth grade Safety Patrol on Wednesday morning at Highland Village Elementary by Mayor Costa.

Members of Council and Staff joined Mayor Costa Friday morning in the Council Chambers for the HVBA "Breakfast with the Mayor" event.