Recap of City Issues - January 15, 2010

At the Council meeting held on January 12, an inquiry was made in reference to court costs. The State of Texas requires a State Court cost be added to all Class C violations filed in Municipal and JP courts. The courts are required to collect these fees and send the money to the State on a quarterly basis. An example of the fines and fees collected and the portion sent to the State are as follows:

A Red Light violation                                                          Speeding 50/40

The total fine/cost is $188.00                                            The total fine/cost is $153.00

The court's fine is $91.00                                                  The court's fine is $56.00       

Court Cost collected $97.00                                             Court cost collected $97.00       

                                                      Breakdown of $97.00 Court Cost:

Costs collected that are sent to the State                         Costs collected that remain in the city

$40.00 Consolidated Court Costs                                         $3.00 Traffic fund   

$30.00 State traffic fee                                                      $5.00 Arrest fee     

$4.00 State Jury fee                                                          $3.00 Court security fund              

$5.40 State Judicial fee                                                     $4.00 Court Tech fund                      

$2.00 Indigent defense fee                                                $.60 City portion of Judicial fee        

$81.40 total                                                                     $15.60 total                

State costs vary depending on the violation. The two above are moving violations and cost is greater for those charges that come under the Transportation Code of the law. For those charges in the Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure as well as City Ordinances, the States cost is approximately $64.00 which does not include the $3.00 Traffic fund and the $30.00 State traffic fee. Every two years the Legislators meet and pass bills that normally increase the court cost for the state. The courts have absolutely no authority to change or not collect the State costs. If a defendant pays their fine in Community Service and no money is collected, no money is sent to the State.  If only a portion of the fine is paid the monies are split between the city and the State. In years past, if a portion was paid, the State received their money first then the city.

Scott Kriston reports that the TXDOT FM 2499 section 4 project contractor is wrapping up the installation of the Pedestrian tunnel north of the KCS Railroad, excavating & pouring concrete on the south bound lanes at FM 2499 & Castlewood and is excavating the FM 2499 connection at FM407.

Scott Kriston reports that the Highland Shores Paving project contractor is cleaning up the site.  Pavement striping has started.  Two-way traffic has been established from Highland Village Road through the Briarhill intersection.   

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Sue Thompson reports the first Highland Village Business Association (HVBA) luncheon for 2010 was a success!  Mayor Dianne Costa welcomed everyone with a Happy New Year, the invocation and "let's eat".  Mayor Costa introduced our speaker, Rebecca Carrell of the Dorsey Gang on KSCS morning radio show.  Ms. Carrell provided insight into her radio broadcasting career, her family and her faith.  Afterward, we went around the room for introductions of all in attendance to state their name and business.  We had a great turnout, approximately 70, and several businesses were in attendance for the first time. Staff heard great comments at the luncheon about the HVBA practice to allow everyone to introduce themselves s part of the networking opportunity.  Great way to start 2010!

PUBLIC SAFETY (POLICE AND FIRE)

Fire:

Fire Department personnel responded to 30 calls for service the week of January 8-14.

• Medical Emergencies - 9
• Fire Alarm Residential - 2
• Fire Alarm Commercial - 8
• Vehicle Lock Out - 1
• Public Service - 4
• Fill In  - 3
• Odor Investigation - 2
• Gas Leak - 1

Police:

This week, the police department responded to 115 calls for service, made 162 traffic contacts, made 4 arrests, responded to 1 traffic accident and performed 448 community policing activities.

Animal Care Officer Michelle Burke received this photo from one of our adopting families.  Lucy was a dog that we had to work for four days to trap that had been running loose in the Village Parkway area.  They love her!

Animal Care Officer Michelle Burke helped to add a "plus one" to Officer Jose Diaz's family this week when he adopted one of our shelter animals.  This little guy couldn't have been happier!  We also recently had a "Momma" kitty give birth to eight little ones after she was picked up by us as a stray and remained unclaimed.  Another rescue group was kind enough to pick up her and her babies to care for them and find them homes.

Corporal April Roppolo and Corporal David Harney presented two Briarhill Middle School 8th grade students with Certificates of Merit.  Corporal Roppolo said that the parents were very grateful that the department was taking the time to recognize their children.

One Hundred and sixty two Heritage fifth graders received their LETS certificates from Corporal David Harney and Corporal April Roppolo after a week long program. The following people were present as guest speakers:  Corporal Patrick Finley, Officer Luis Flores, Senior Animal Care Officer Michelle Burke, Detective Andrea Musick, Corporal Detective Doug Bell and Corporal Jered Cameron.  Thibault Gehin, a French Exchange Student, was also present for the ceremonies.

Senior Animal Care Officer Michelle Burke made a presentation at two classes at Heritage Elementary School this week.

Chief Ed O'Bara and Captain Mark Stewart traveled to Shenandoah Police Department to conduct further on-site training with their staff.  Shenandoah Police Department is very interested in using some of our programs at their department including the Areas of Responsibility Program.  Because of their highway traffic and large number of visitors passing through the city on a daily basis, they also reviewed their field operations and deployment models to assist us in preparing for challenges related to the 2499 expansion.

Officer Luis Flores (along with several family members) attended the recent Council meeting to receive recognition for his actions on a recent investigation.  Officer Flores was instrumental in saving the life of a citizen and was presented a plaque and a uniform bar from the department.

Sergeant Sheri Morrison met with Susan Gale who was acting as a representative for the "Champions for Children" event that is coming up on February 20th.  Susan had asked the Police Department to donate a "Party in the Jail" for them to auction.  This event is to benefit the Childrens Advocacy Center of Denton County.

STREET / UTILITY DIVISIONS PROJECTS

Streets:

The Street Division moved the school signal light on Brazos Boulevard at Medina Drive out from under some trees so that the solar panel would able to receive sunlight to charge the system.

The Street Division crew were changing out street signs on Medina Drive from Sellymeyer to the north end of Medina to comply with the Federal Highway Authority mandate to be completed by 2018.

The Street staff replaced the concrete curb at 218 Rain Tree Drive and saw cut the area in the street to repair the asphalt street  next week.

Scott Kriston reports that the MSC contractor is moving dirt on the site, bringing it to the new grade, installed the plumbing rough for the Public Works building and has poured the concrete grade beams for the new buildings.  The framing and dry wall contractor has started inside the Parks & Rec building.  The fence contractor has started excavating the concrete footer for the perimeter fence along the north side of the lot.

Scott Kriston and his staff performed a final walk through on the District at Highland Village development.  The contractors are working on the punch list.

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

Utility Crews:

• Responded to 42 after hour call outs and seven resident concerns.
• Excavated and repaired one water main break on Woodhollow.
• Unstopped two sewer line backups.
• Responded to 53 calls & performed 35 water turn offs due to the inclement weather freezing water lines.
• Performed meter re-reads, 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:

• Finished forming half of material storage bins at Southwood Well lot and poured 30 yds of concrete.  Utilities staff assisted in the pour.
• Installed a grate inlet in the 2300 block of Briarhill to eliminate ponding on Briarhill.
• Graded ditch to eliminate water ponding in the 2300 block of  Briarhill during rain events. 

PARKS DEPARTMENT

Parks' staff poured the main portion of the wheelchair accessible route at Lower Sellmeyer Park.  They will construct the forms to pour the accessible ramps at the street and playground next week.

Parks and Recreation staff met with Medical Center of Lewisville, Highland Village Parks Foundation, Terra Firma Promotions, Excite Gym and Cheer, Police Department, Fire Department and Councilman McDearmont to finalize plans for the second annual Highland Village Resolution Run. Councilman McDearmont will be our emcee for this event.  See you there!

Wes Neinhuser constructed frames and signs for the Resolution Run on Saturday.

Tony Palesano and Wes Neinhuser repaired broken water lines on fixtures at Unity Park restrooms.

The Highland Village Senior All Stars met on Monday (28 attendees) and Thursday (25 attendees) for game day. 

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

On Wednesday, 10 Highland Village Senior All Stars took a trip to the Discovery Gardens at Fair Park in Dallas.

HUMAN RESOURCES / STAFF TRAINING

Human Resources:

• The Supervisory Series started this week in Keller.  Supervisors attending are Jackie Cottongame in the Police Department, Heather Miller in the Finance Department and Bobby Salmon in the Drainage Department.  This series consists of eleven courses that focus on basic concepts that supervisors need to know in order to be effective and successful.
• Martha Butz attended the NTMA board meeting in Euless on Thursday.

Fire:

• Chief Tatum attended the Denco 911 meeting held on Thursday at the Denco offices in Lewisville.
• This week Lonnie Tatum, Jason Collier, Chip Willis, Vince Jones and Travis Nokes attended the 16 hr. TEEX (Texas Engineering Extension Service) Leadership Development Symposium in Frisco.  The Symposium, which is provided free of charge, was attended by over 700 Emergency Service Leaders from across the State and co-sponsored by our local FIANT (Fire Instructors Association of North Texas) group.  Keynote speakers included a detailed report from the Fire Chief's of Fort Hood, Killeen, and Copperas Cove, who managed the Emergency Services aspect of the recent tragedy at Fort Hood.  HVFD's Jason Collier served as the Liaison for Oklahoma City Assistant Fire Chief Jon Hansen, who was the Fire and Emergency Management Commander for the Murray Federal Bombing and the devastating F-6 Tornado that ravaged the State.   A very motivational closing ceremony was provided by legendary Football Coach Gene Stallings, who coached under Bear Bryant and Tom Landry.

CITY MANAGER / CITY COUNCIL

On Tuesday, Mayor Costa and Councilmember Meek attended the HVBA luncheon.  Councilmember Wilcox attended Flower Mound Leadership Class.

On Thursday, Councilmember Meek attended Lewisville Leadership Economic Development/Transportation.

On Friday, Mayor Costa and Councilmembers Meek, Davis and Wilcox, along with their spouses, attended the FM Chamber Banquet and Awards Evening "A Night at the Oscars".