Recap of City Issues - December 31, 2009

Scott Kriston reports that the TXDOT FM 2499 project contractor is installing the Pedestrian tunnel north of the KCS Railroad, excavating the south bound lanes at FM 2499 & Castlewood and is excavating the FM 2499 connection at FM 407.

PUBLIC SAFETY (POLICE AND FIRE)

This week, the police department responded to 136 calls for service, made 51 traffic contacts, made 6 arrests, responded to 0 traffic accidents and performed 689 community policing activities.

Animal Care Officer Michelle Burke recently placed one of our animals with Melanie Lewis for his new forever home.  "Buddy" is a yellow lab mix who seems to have quickly learned to fit right in with his new family. 

PSO Dick Williams assisted a citizen by installing their newly purchased Child Safety Seat.  Dick is one of our certified installers.

Chief Ed O'Bara and Officer Jose Diaz recently visited with the Lewisville chapter of the Salvation Army.  They were running very low on toys for Christmas so we took some over and donated them to be given to children for Christmas.

Another of our new forever homes sent the Animal Care Unit an email telling them how well "Roxie" is fitting in.  Roxie was an older rottie mix.

Corporal April Roppolo escorted Santa to Rambling Oaks, Blue Line and some of our local restaurants.  A great time was had by all, including Santa!

The Highland Village Animal Care Unit recently held an adoption fair.  Along with our animals, we welcomed animals from NTACA and Noah's Ark (Gainesville).  Out of the eighteen dogs at the fair, fourteen were adopted to new homes.  Over $100 in donations was collected for the animal care unit during this event.

This year we made Santa available for pictures at the Police Storefront.  Officer Luis Flores played McGruff and assisted with the Santa pictures.  Corporal David Harney had food donated from Rosa's and Officer Joey Hasten also assisted with the event.  Thirty-three children and three pets had their pictures taken with Santa and the pictures were made possible by a generous donation from Walgreens.  Forty-eight adults attended the event.

Corporal David Harney, Corporal Detective Doug Bell, and Detective Andrea Musick volunteered to assist with the book readings this year.  The three officers read books for the children at Christa McAuliffe.

Officer Luis Flores was recently awarded with a Life Saving Bar (he will also be receiving a plaque to honor his work).  He had responded to a drug overdose and found a young female that was unconscious inside the residence.  He checked her pulse and began life saving steps in the form of chest compressions when he could not find a pulse.  The doctor administering aid to her at the hospital called the department and commended Officer Flores for his quick thinking and said that his quick action saved this young woman's life.  Way to go Luis!

Sergeant Morrison spoke with the Property Room Custodian at Cleburne Police Department.  She had some questions about property disposal/destruction.  We shared our destruction order form with her and gave her some helpful hints .

The Animal Care Unit recently received a donation of $1000 from a citizen to assist in the treatment and care of our animals.  The donator had spoken with Michelle before Christmas and was so pleased with the job we're doing that she wanted to help with a monetary donation.

The Police Department made a job officer to Candice Stinnett.  Candice is currently working for Blue Mound Police Department and she will be starting her first day as a Highland Village Communications Officer in two weeks.  Please stop by and welcome her to the team!

STREET / UTILITY DIVISIONS PROJECTS

Scott Kriston reports that the Highland Shores Paving project contractor has started clean up.  Pavement striping is anticipated to start next week.  Two-way traffic has been established from Highland Village Road through the Briarhill intersection.   

Scott Kriston attended a project meeting this week & reports that the MSC contractor is working on the demolition & dirt work of the MSC site (fence demo & asphalt removal).  The contractor is installing the water & sanitary lines.  Fence contractor is anticipated to start next week, weather permitting.

Scott Kriston met with BW2 Engineers this week to discuss all open Public Works projects.

Utility Crews:

• Responded to seven after hour call outs and eleven resident concerns.
• Flushed 1,000 feet of sewer lines.
• Located four areas of utility infrastructure for proposed franchise utility work.
• TV inspected five sewer lines for damage and covered infrastructure.
• Cleared six sewer backups.
• 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:

• Reworked a dirt berm and installed sod for potential flooding in the 2000 block of Briarhill Boulevard.
• Finished backfilling pool, dressed up area, and seeded at 310 Highland Village Road.
• Are installing  the material bins slabs at 5001 Village Parkway.