City Connections - March Edition

Stormwater Pollution

PRE-EMERGENT ORGANIC HERBICIDES
Late winter and spring will bring a new growing season requiring lawn maintenance and proper application of fertilizers and herbicides.  Improper application of lawn care chemicals can result in the pollution of stormwater, which flows untreated through storm drains into the nearest water body.  High levels of herbicides in a water body can kill the aquatic plants and animals, and make the water unsafe for humans.  Reduce stormwater pollution by using organic alternatives.  For example, pre-emergent organic herbicides prevent seeds from establishing roots; seeds cannot grow without roots.  By using pre-emergent organic herbicides, you prevent weeds from growing and prevent toxic chemicals found in traditional herbicides from entering storm drains.  The time to apply pre-emergent organic herbicides is in February and March.

HELP PREVENT STORMWATER POLLUTION BY:

• Following the manufacture’s directions when using any lawn care products.
• Avoid applying lawn care products on windy days.
• Avoid applying lawn care products 24 hours before a heavy rain.
• Purchasing organic herbicides, and other organic products from your local nursery and hardware stores.

Landscape Water Management Ordinance

The City of Highland Village has a landscape water management ordinance where a person commits an offense if he or she allows exterior plumbing leaks to exist, allows the irrigation or watering of lawn or landscape located on property owned leased or managed by that person in such a manner that causes a constant stream of water onto a street or alley in excess of fifty (50) feet from the property line, irrigating a lawn or landscape during any form of precipitation, this includes automatic sprinkler systems, or irrigating lawn or landscape when the ambient temperature is below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

SPRINKLER HEADS AND SYSTEM MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENT
A person commits an offense if he or she operates a lawn or landscape irrigation system or device on property that he or she owns leases or manages that has broken or missing sprinkler heads or has not been properly maintained to prevent the waste of water. View the complete ordinance.

Water Meters and Wastewater Cleanouts

Early spring is the time that grass starts to grow again.  Keep your water meter box exposed, so the City can locate it in the event of an emergency and so the meter reader can locate it to properly read the water meter.  It is just as important to locate and uncover your wastewater lateral clean out.  In the event that you have a wastewater lateral stoppage, the City will attempt to clear the obstruction upon execution of a release of liability form.  However, the City cannot assist with clearing the stoppage if the clean out is unable to be located.  The City of Highland Village Utilities Division has 24-hour emergency service for your water and wastewater utility needs.  During working hours, call our operations office at 972-317-2989 and after hour’s call 972-317-6551 or you can e-mail us at utility@highlandvillage.org

PRIVATE SEWER LATERAL BACK-UPS & TREE ROOTS
Sanitary sewer systems are constructed as a network of manholes and pipes that flow from each building that generates sewage to a wastewater treatment plant.  Private lateral services are pipes from the building to the sewer main.  Tree roots are a common cause of many house back-ups.  A chemical root controller can be purchased at your local hardware supply and used annually, in some cases, to help prevent a blockage caused by roots.  Follow all instructions to gain the maximum benefit from a root controlling product.    

The 2010 Census - April 1, 2010
Counting Everyone Once — and Only Once — and In the

Right Place

The foundation of our American democracy is dependent on fair and equitable representation in Congress. In order to achieve an accurate assessment of the number and location of the people living within the nation’s borders, the U.S. Constitution mandates a census of the population every ten years.

The census population totals determine which states gain or lose representation in Congress. It also determines the amount of state and federal funding communities receive over the course of the decade. 2010 Census data will directly affect how more than $4 trillion is allocated to local, state and tribal governments over the next ten years. 

In order for this funding allocation to be accomplished fairly and accurately, the goal of the decennial census is to count everybody, count them only once, and count them in the right place. The facts gathered in the census also help shape decisions for the rest of the decade about public health, neighborhood improvements, transportation, education, senior services and much more.

Reaching an Increasingly Diverse Population
The goal of the 2010 Census is to count all residents living in the United States on April 1, 2010. The U.S. Census Bureau does not ask about the legal status of respondents in any of its surveys and census programs. To help ensure the nation’s increasingly diverse population can answer the questionnaire accurately and completely, about 13 million bilingual Spanish/English forms will be mailed to housing units in neighborhoods identified as requiring high levels of Spanish assistance. Additionally, questionnaires in Spanish, Chinese (Simplified), Korean, Vietnamese and Russian as well as language guides in 59 languages will be available on request.

10 Questions, 10 Minutes to Complete
With one of the shortest questionnaires in history, the 2010 Census asks for name, gender, age, race, ethnicity, relationship, and whether you own or rent your home. It takes only about 10 minutes for the average household to complete. Questions about how we live as a nation, our diversity, education, housing, jobs and more are now covered in the American Community Survey, which is conducted every year throughout the decade and replaces the Census 2000 long-form questionnaire. Responses to the 2010 Census questionnaire are required by law. All responses are used for statistical purposes only, and all are strictly confidential. For more information, visit the 2010 Census Web site at http://www.census.gov/2010.

Election Day – May 08, 2010

The City Secretary’s Office is responsible for conducting municipal elections as prescribed by the Election Code of the State of Texas. The city’s website has pertinent information, which includes, but is not limited to: dates and times for early voting, last day to register with Denton County to vote in the municipal election and deadlines for candidates wishing to run for Council Places 1 (mayor), 2, 4 or 6.

If you are interested in running for Council, you may call the City Secretary’s Office at 972.899.5132 or click on the link “2010 Municipal Election” on the city’s website to obtain an electronic copy of the City Council candidate packet. The candidate packet includes the necessary forms (application to place name on ballot, petition for a place on the city general election ballot, etc.) utilized by candidates during their election campaign.

The City Secretary’s Office will accept applications beginning Monday, February 08, 2010 through Monday, March 08, 2010.  Applications will be received during the business week between the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

The City will conduct a joint election with the Lewisville Independent School District. As a result, the ballot will include City Council candidates (Places 1, 2, 4 and 6) and school district Board of Trustee candidates (Places 3, 4 and 5). If you would like additional information regarding the school district election, please call 469.713.5200. 

Save a Life – Learn CPR

The Highland Village Fire Department conducts monthly CPR and Health Care Provider courses. This training covers Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for Adults, Infants and Children and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) training.

Upcoming Class Dates:  Thursday, March 4, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. and Thursday, April 1, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
CPR Costs: $25 for residents, $45 for non-residents ~ HC Provider Costs:  $35 for residents, $55 for non-residents

A form of ID is required for address verification. Class size is limited; please contact Highland Village Fire Department at 972-317-0890 to sign-up.

Highland Village Senior All-Stars

JOIN US FOR GAME DAYS!
Held Mondays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at #1 Community Center Drive. EXCEPT: The second Thursday of the month game day is held in the Council Chambers at the Municipal Complex, 1000 Highland Village Road. View the monthly calendar.

 

Easter Egg Hunt - March 27 at 10:00 a.m. Sharp!

Each year the City of Highland Village holds their annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Unity Park baseball/softball field facility (Behind Briarhill Middle School). This event is free to the public and includes pictures with the Easter Bunny, face painting, fire engine and a bounce house. The Hunt starts immediately at 10:00 a.m. If the hunt is cancelled due to rain, it will be held the following Saturday, April 3, at Unity Park, at 10:00 a.m. For more information call: (972) 317-7430

Highland Village Road Sidewalk & Lake Vista Trail Project

Lake Vista Trail is an 8 foot wide, 240 foot long section of trail that connects City Trail to Lake Vista Road via the Lake Vista Well Lot property. Highland Village Road sidewalk is a 5 foot wide and .43 mile long sidewalk that intersects City Trail and Victoria Trail and heads south on Highland Village Road to the railroad tracks. This project should be completed by the end of April 2010.

Spring Clean-up

When:      Saturday, May 1, 2010
Time:       9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
               Due to limited capacity, may close early!
Where:    Copperas Branch Park

The Spring Clean-up Collection Event is an opportunity for Highland Village residents to dispose of the following – and at no cost to you!

• Hazardous Waste
• Tree & Lawn Clippings
• Paper to be Shredded
• Electronics & Batteries (All Types)
• Miscellaneous “stuff” you don’t want anymore - but someone else might.

Please bring this notice or your driver’s license showing a Highland Village address to be admitted to the collection site. Contractors will not be admitted. For more information call: (972) 317-7430