Recap of City Issues - January 22, 2010

The Department Heads and Administrative Assistants met on Friday to discuss the creation of an Administrative Support Team, in accordance with the 2010 Mid-Point Review and Municipal Workforce Analysis and Staffing Plan.  A team leader and Department Head liaison were identified and the team was charged with equalizing workloads, coordinating coverage among departments, identifying opportunities to serve other departments without administrative support, establishing more formal back-up designations, setting standards and maintaining quality control, planning to meet peak needs and scheduling training opportunities for administrative support personnel, and holding regular staff meetings.

This week Highland Village turned in to the starting location for The Even More Amazing Race. The Even More Amazing Race (a deliberate play on the CBS program, The Amazing Race) is the theme for this year's State of the City video. We have teamed up with Lewisville and Flower Mound and are sharing the theme, with each city producing their own State of the City video following The Even More Amazing Race theme. On Tuesday of this week the open segment was video taped with all three Mayor's participating, as well as all production staff of the three cities.

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 FM 407.

Scott Kriston reports that the Highland Shores Paving project contractor is cleaning up the site & working on sprinkler repairs.  Pavement striping is complete.  A final walk through is scheduled for next week.  

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Sue Thompson reports that she attended the monthly Lewisville Area Chamber of Commerce Governmental Affairs Committee meeting and the program was presented by Myron Moham of the U. S. Census Bureau.  He talked to everyone about how important it is "to be counted" in the 2010 Census.  Sue provided updates on Highland Village happenings and reported the bid was awarded for construction of the next phase of improvements for FM 407 from approximately 600' past Briarhill Blvd. to past Chinn Chapel Rd.  Mr.Charles Emory provided a DCTA update as well as representatives from our State Representatives, Senators, and Congressman Burgess gave updates from their respective offices.  The State of the Cities luncheon will be held Tuesday, February 16th at the Hilton Garden Inn in Lewisville at 11:30 AM. 

Sue Thompson, Laurie Mullens and Mayor Dianne Costa attended the Grand Opening of the U. S. Census Bureau office located in Highland Village.  Mayor Costa was the keynote speaker for the event, and she stressed the benefits to the State of Texas and certainly Denton County and surrounding counties to make sure everyone completes the Census form which will be mailed around March 1st and return it to the proper address.  The accurate population numbers benefit in many ways, including financial and political implications.  U. S. Census Bureau representatives stated they would be hiring from 1500 - 2000 people in the Denton and Wise County areas.  April 1st, 2010 is designated as "Census Day".

PUBLIC SAFETY (POLICE AND FIRE)

Police:

This week, the police department responded to 128 calls for service, made 124 traffic contacts, made 6 arrests, responded to no traffic accidents and performed 487 community policing activities.

The Police Department received a note of thanks from the Police Chief of Lakeway PD concerning his recent visit.  "Chief Obara, I just wanted to take a minute to thank you and your staff for your hospitality and openness about your operation. It really made me take a pause and to think about our path and the direction of things here in Lakeway. We are changing many things  and the sergeant that accompanied me finally sees the vision of where we need to take our operation, so thank you for that, it was impactful for him. "

The Police Department presented two Certificates of Merit last week to deserving Highland Village students. 

Captain Mark Stewart and Chief Ed O'Bara met with a potential police officer candidate this week.  We still have one position to fill.

The Police Department received it's "Evidence Drying System" this week.  This was a system that was purchased with TAPEIT grant money ($2,000) obtained through a grant submission by Sergeant Sheri Morrison. 

The Police Department assisted with the recent "State of the City" video that was taped at the intersection of Justin Road and Sellmeyer Lane.  The intersection had to be completely closed and we were able to assist with traffic control, along with Lewisville and Flower Mound.

The Police Department Animal Care Unit received a donation for $1,000 from the Rotary Club to put towards our new Animal Care vehicle graphic design wrap.  The Rotary Club has assisted us in the past and we are very grateful for this recent donation. 

The Police Department conducted a deployment for the recent "Resolution Run" held in town.  The deployment went well and there were no problems to report.

Police staff continues to receive requests from other Police Departments for information on our current policing model and programs.  Some of the Police Departments we have sent information to include:  Baldwinsville (New York) Police Department, Yale University Police Department, Port Neches (Texas) Police Department, Mequon (Wisconsin) Police Department, and Terrell (Texas) Police Department.

A representative from the Bartonville Police Department recently contacted Sergeant Sheri Morrison for some questions about property room policies.

Chief O'Bara and Sergeant Morrison attended a meeting with city administrative staff and City Manager Mike Leavitt.  This was the first of many administrative staff meetings that are being held to assist the city in becoming even more cost efficient with administrative duties and tasks.

Detective Andrea Musick was responsible for the decorations for our Annual EAF Party held at Celebrations.  Although the committee came up with the idea, Andrea did all of the shopping and work herself and did a fantastic job.  Thanks Andrea!

STREET / UTILITY DIVISIONS PROJECTS

Streets:

The Street Division made asphalt street repairs on  Rain Tree Drive and at 260 Dickinson Drive.  The repair at 260 Dickinson was a utility water leak repair.

The Street Division made several saw cuts on Meadowbrook and Lakewood Court and also at Highland Shores Boulevard at Remington West in preparation of street repairs.

The Street Division swept the City Municipal Complex parking lot of the sand residue from the sanding of the parking lot during the snow event.

Utilities:

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 prepped for the foundation to be poured.  The framing and dry wall contractor continues to work 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 Metro PCS station located on the City's Idlewild EST site.  The contractors are working on the punch list.

Scott Kriston and his staff attended the UTRWD a final walk through for lift station #1 located at the Doubletree site.  The contractors are working on a small punch list.

Scott Kriston met with BW2 Engineering , Inc. & discussed the status of all open Public Works projects.

Utility Crews:

• Responded to nine after hour call outs and nine resident concerns.
• Excavated and repaired two sewer lines.  One on Shetland and the other on Glen Ridge.  Plugged the abandoned sewer line on Briarhill Blvd.
• Unstopped three sewer line backups.
• Performed a line locate for the fence contractor at the MSC.
• TV inspected four sewer lines including the new lines installed at The District of Highland Village.
• 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:

• Installed a drainage grate to assist with the drainage in the 200 block of Tharp.
• Completed the first 2 materials storage bins at the Southwood site.  They are grading and forming 2nd half of material bins at sSouthwood.  
• Is demolishing an inlet protection product in the curb inlet at the corner of Louise in & Willow Creek Estates Drive.  The  inlet protection will assist in keeping leaves, silt and other debris from entering our drainage lines and water ways.

PARKS DEPARTMENT

Last Saturday, we held our second annual Highland Village Resolution Run.  We had 400+ registered runners and pet walkers this year which is an increase of about 75 participants from last year.

Parks crews are preparing the baseball and soccer fields for the spring season.

Parks crews are installing safety fencing at Unity Park between the baseball fields in order to create a safe zone for pitchers to warm up.

In preparation for Spring, parks crews are in the process of remodeling the Copperas Park restroom building.

 Anthony Palesano is finalizing the installation of the Calsense irrigation system.  We should have it in operation by next week, just in time for the Spring and Summer.

Recreation department met with the Highland Village Women's Club to discuss this and last year's Our Village Glows community event.

Tickets are now on sale for the Father / Daughter dance.  Please come visit us at City Hall to sign up, this one sells out fast!

The Highland Village Senior All Stars met on Monday (22 attendees) and Thursday (34 attendees) for game day. Thursday was also the monthly potluck lunch.

Nine Senior All Stars met on Tuesday for open game time and the Helping Hands pillow heart project.

On Wednesday, 53 Highland Village Senior All Stars went on the Choctaw Casino trip.

HUMAN RESOURCES / STAFF TRAINING

Human Resources:

• As part of promoting wellness the City is partnering with our healthcare provider, United Healthcare, in a program called "Simply Engaged".  This week a "Know Your Numbers" event screening for blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol and body mass index was held on Wednesday and fifty employees participated.  Employees can earn rewards by participating in the program.

Police:

• Corporal Greg Arrington attended Field Training Officer school this week.  He will now be able to assist in the training of any newly hired officers.
• The Police Department's newest Communications Officer, Candice Stinnett, just started her training and is well on her way to completion.  Everyone feel free to welcome Candice to the family!

Mayor Costa attended and spoke at the Census Bureau's open house on Friday.  The census bureau is located at 1830 FM 407.