Recap of City Issues - October 9, 2009

On Thursday October 8th the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) approved the funding modification for FM 407.  Their action was the result of $742 million in road funds previously promised to Texas being taken back.  The RTC approved the funding of FM 407 with $7.5 million in regional funding instead of the original funding source from the Federal Category Two funds.

The TXDOT FM 2499 project status is as follows:  The contractor is pouring concrete north of the Northwood Castlewood intersection to the Hickory Creek bridge. The contractor continues to pour the cut outs and driveways on the south end of the project.  The contractor is addressing drainage issues that have surfaced from the final grade of the new road.  The contractor continues to build the pedestrian tunnel.  The contractor is final dressing the southern end of the project.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Sue Thompson reports that the quarterly Breakfast with the Mayor was held on Friday, October 9th.  Mayor Costa welcomed those in attendance, including Councilmembers Davis, Meek and Wilcox, staff, and a special guest Congressman Michael Burgess and members of his staff.  Everyone introduced themselves and told about their business, and made any announcements they would like to share.  Mayor Costa spoke of her recent trip to Washington D.C. and shared information about an upcoming project in conjunction with the Veteran's monument dedication last November.  The City plans to develop a plan to honor Highland Village residents who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country. I provided information related to transportation issues, especially proposed improvements to FM 407, Sue Thompson gave an update on the upcoming 7th "Salute Our Veteran's" HVBA luncheon on November 10th at Celebrations and the tenth anniversary of Our Village Glows to be held on Tuesday, December 1st at the Shops of Highland Village.  Laurie Mullens explained the upcoming Holiday Shopping Program.  A meeting will be held here at City Hall next Friday, October 16th at 8:30 AM to kickoff this program.  All businesses, including retail, office/ professional, restaurants ,as well as home-based business, are invited to attend to hear the details.

PUBLIC SAFETY (POLICE AND FIRE)

This week, the police department responded to 140 calls for service, made 12 traffic contacts, made 3 arrests, responded to 0 traffic accidents and performed 433 community policing activities.

Corporal April Roppolo conducted LETS Graduation at McAuliffe Elementary this week.  These classes were to teach all of the fifth graders the importance of making the right choices at an early age.

Officer Alicia Bautista helped set up a block party for National Night Out.  They had about 40 people participate.  The Police Department was assisted by Police Auxiliary Dick Williams, Police Auxiliary Karen Williams, and Police Auxiliary Christine Arrington (who played McGruff).  The Parks Department assisted in getting us the necessary equipment.  Records Technician Patty Hamilton assisted with the decorations.  The Fire Department sent over a Medic and an Engine and Sandy with DENCO 911 actually helped organize the entire event. 

Corporal April Roppolo and Corporal David Harney manned our Police Store front on National Night Out this week.  The Store Front had a good turn out of about forty people with several boy scout troops in attendance.  Corporal Harney did an awesome job getting food from several restaurants.  McGruff was a great hit at the Store Front and at Officer Alicia Bautista's block party.  Police Auxiliary Selene Allison served the food and Auxiliary Christine Arrington played McGruff.

Highland Village Fire attended the National Night Out Block Party in one of Officer AJ Bautista areas this past Tuesday.

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT is designed to:

• Heighten community awareness of crime and drug prevention
• Generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime programs
• Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships
• Send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back
• Promote emergency preparedness awareness

Highland Village Fire Department personnel conducted the annual Fire Prevention Program for Primrose School on Friday.  The purpose of the program is to update children on fire safety in their home and to show them what a firefighter would look like if they were to enter their home for a fire.

October is National Fire Prevention Month.  The Flower Mound Fire Department, along with assistance from Highland Village Firefighters, brought there 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 will address over 8500 elementary school students. 

Highland Village Fire Department responded to 11 calls for service the week of Oct 2 - 8th.  Included are: 4 medical emergencies, 4 commercial fire alarm, 2 public service calls and 1 smoke investigation. 

STREET / UTILITY DIVISIONS PROJECTS

Scott Kriston & BW2 Engineers opened bids for the Highland Shores Boulevard paving improvements this week.  The project consists of performing a total depth reclamation of the existing asphalt and a 2-inch layer of new asphalt on Highland Shores Boulevard from Highland Village Rd. to Briarhill Boulevard.  Jagoe Public Co. is the low bidder.  The project is proposed to begin construction in early November and has a 60-day contract.

Matthew Kite, P.E. & Scott Kriston met with Freese & Nichol's to discuss the process of selecting a contractor for the new Municipal Service Center project.

Scott Kriston met with BW2 Engineers to discuss the status of Utilities projects.

Utility Crews:

• Raised one manhole up to grade.
• Performed maintenance on 48 fire hydrants and replaced one on Villa Park.
• Repaired sewer lines on Oak Forest and Timber way; and installed a property line clean out.
• Performed sewer manhole inspections and verified pipe size and manhole depth.
• Repaired the Southwood 600KVA generator and Lift Station 9 after they were struck by lightening earlier last month.
• Continued building the Southwood storage fence.
• Responded to twelve after hour call outs and five resident complaints.
• Located five areas of utility infrastructure for proposed franchise utility work.
• Flushed over 5,000 feet of sewer lines and TV inspected four sewer lines as part of the sewer line maintenance program.
• Installed 20 new radio read meters for the pilot study being performed.
• Performed meter rereads, water turn on/turn offs, and leak checks.
• Performed maintenance on well lots, lift stations, fire hydrants and the water distribution and wastewater collection system.

Drainage Crews:

• Removed broken drainage pipe in the 300 block of Oak Forest in preparation of a repair next week.
• Is cleaning creek channels, creek crossings, inlet boxes to keep proper water flow from the rain events.
• Cleared an obstruction that was blocking the storm water flow from the outfall pipe at one of the detention ponds located at City Hall.
• Is regrading the drainage swale & creek channel in the 600 block of Timber Way. Rains have currently halted the project.

PARKS DEPARTMENT

The Parks Department competed in the annual Region 2 and 3 Texas Recreation and Parks Society Rodeo in Arlington on Thursday.   Jon Richardson placed 3rd in the mower obstacle course event and Tony Palesano placed 3rd in the Plant and Weed identification.  

Staff completed repairs on the Sellmeyer Tennis Court fence last week.

Wes Neinhuser made applications for Fire Ant control in several parks

The Highland Village Senior All Stars met on Monday (18 attendees) and Thursday (23 attendees) for game day.

Three Senior All Stars met on Tuesday for open game time.

On Wednesday, 12 Highland Village Senior All Stars met at Barnes and Noble for Book Club.

Twenty two Highland Village Senior All Stars took a trip on Thursday to the Rose Festival in Tyler.

HUMAN RESOURCES / STAFF TRAINING

Human Resources:

• Vanesa Childers attended a Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) training seminar in Arlington. The two day training covered membership, retirement and investments.
• Jane Ponder, Martha Butz, Jana Onstead and Vanesa Childers held orientation for our newest police officer, Leticia Bustamante. We are happy to welcome her to the City of Highland Village.
• Jana Onstead and Vanesa Childers received training for the online administration of our new dental provider, MetLife.

Fire:

• Nancy Sharp attended Leadership Lewisville's Community Trusteeship on Thursday. The day involved touring Lewisville Feed Mill, Community Theatre, CCA, and the Lewisville Environmental Learning Center. A brief overview was given by representatives from CCA, Children's Advocacy Center, and Friends of the Families.
• Chief Lonnie Tatum, Asst. Chief Collier and Captain Chip Willis attended Penal Code updates that were held at Denton County on Tuesday.

CITY MANAGER / CITY COUNCIL

Mayor Costa, Councilmembers Davis, Robichaux and Wilcox and City Attorney/Assistant City Manager Palumbo attended the Flower Mound Chamber Fiesta Flower Mound event at Texas Motor Speedway on Saturday, October 3rd.

Councilmember Meek attended Leadership Lewisville on Thursday. 

Councilmembers Davis, Meek and Wilcox joined members of the community and Mayor Costa at the HVBA Breakfast with the Mayor event on Friday morning.