Recap of City Issues - March 26, 2010

Scott Kriston reports that the TXDOT FM 2499 section 4 project contractor is in the process of barricade removal at the FM 2499 connection at FM 407.  TXDOT anticipates opening one north bound lane and both southbound lanes of FM 2499 from Highland Shores to FM 407 to local traffic by the end of March, weather permitting.  They will then finish demolishing & pouring the concrete the coping walls, cut outs, sidewalks and driveway connections on the north bound outside lane.

Scott Kriston reports that the Highland Shores / Hillside Drive Paving project contractor has submitted his final pay estimate for review.   

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Sue Thompson and Dottie Palumbo attended the groundbreaking for the DCTA Downtown Denton Transit Center and the adjacent A-train rail platform.  The Transit Center and A-train rail platform will be located in the vicinity of E. Hickory St. in Denton.  The Mayor of Denton Mark Burroughs presented the renderings of the future Transit Center and introduced the City of Denton City Council and other elected officials in attendance.  David Lehde read a statement on behalf of Congressman Michael Burgess prior to Charles Emory introducing the DCTA Board members and providing the history and the future of DCTA.  Various groups participated in the groundbreaking ceremony, including the DCTA Board and members of the Denton City Council.

Sue Thompson and Laurie Mullens attended the monthly Lewisville Area Chamber Governmental Affairs meeting and provided Highland Village news and happenings.  The speaker was Jim Cline, the newly appointed President of the DCTA. Mr. Cline made a brief presentation on the progress of the rail construction, future station construction, and other elements of the DCTA for providing future transportation solutions for Denton County residents and possibly adjacent areas.

PUBLIC SAFETY (POLICE AND FIRE)

Police:

This week, the police department responded to 150 calls for service, made 135 traffic contacts, made 10 arrests, responded to 2 traffic accidents and performed 410 community policing activities.

Senior Animal Care Officer Michelle Burke was able to adopt out one of our kitties that we've had for several months.  Morris has found a great new forever home!  Emma was also adopted out this week.

Police Officer Luis Flores will be holding a Safety Fair for Highland Shores residents on Saturday, March 27th from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm during the Highland Shores Easter Eggstravaganza.  This event will be held at the Highland Shores Community Center and Soccer Field.  Officer Flores is the AOR Officer for AOR 4 in Highland Shores.  HVPD will have a table set up near the Easter Egg hunt, and bounce house.  He invites you to stop by and pick up some crime prevention and safety information.  Enjoy the event and get informed on how to keep Highland Village, and Highland Shores safe! 

The Mihalaks recently wrote in about the kitties that they adopted from our shelter.  They said, "Here are a couple of photos of the cats we adopted from your shelter. The grey one we call "Joey "now is doing just fine. Loves to play with our 2 yr old female & loves us! So sweet! Now  Billy we now call "Max". ... is very loving to us and our Female cat.

Sergeant Bobby Doyle attended Taser Instructor Recertification training this week in Crowley.  Corporal David Harney and Corporal Clint Webb attended Police Instructor training this week at Grand Prairie Police Department.

Fire:

Highland Village Firefighters participated in 7 hours of fire hose evolution training.

Captain Chip Willis completed the Fire Officer II course this week at Tarrant County College.

Assistant Chief Collier and FF-Paramedic attended a Special Events meeting held at the Fire Station for the upcoming Easter Egg Hunt and other Special Events that will be held in the near future.

Fire Calls for Service

Fire Department personnel responded to 19 calls for service the week of March 19 - 25

• Medical Emergencies - 8
• Motor Vehicle Accidents - 1
• Public Assist - 4
• Fill In - 1
• Public Service - 1
• Odor Investigation - 2
• Gas Leak - 1
• Mutual Aid - Medical Emergency - 1

Boy Scout Troop #612 toured the fire station and asked firefighters questions regarding the fire station, fire trucks and equipment in order to earn their merit badge for Fire Safety.

Highland Village Firefighters ‘A' shift responded to a medical emergency where a motorcycle struck a transformer box.  Careflight was contacted for immediate transport to a Level 1 trauma center in Fort Worth.

STREET / UTILITY DIVISIONS PROJECTS

Streets:

The Street Division made asphalt street repairs to 249 Meadowbrook Drive due to a utility sewer line repair.

The Street Division made concrete street repairs to 920 Lochmoor Lane due to base failure on the west bound side and the crew will start on the east bound side next week.

The Street Division began a crack sealing program this week by crack sealing Willow Creek Estates subdivision and Highland Village Roadfrom Sellmeyer Lane to 35E.

Utilities:

Scott Kriston reports that the MSC project contractor poured the concrete slab for the equipment storage & wash bay.  The motor pool & fuel pumps will be closed for 4 weeks.   The framing and dry wall contractors continue to work inside the Parks & Rec building.  The framing contractor is installing the wood & steel framing for the Public Works building.  The electrical rough is being installed in the PWB.  The equipment building and the storage building steel is currently being installed as weather permits.  See pics 84, 85

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

Utility Crews:

• Responded to two after hour call outs and 18 resident concerns.
• Excavated and repaired one water service line valve on Medina and repaired a sewer property line cleanout on Scenic.
• Located two areas of utility infrastructure.
• Flushed one section of sewer line and TV inspected one.
• Raised one manhole and one meter box up to grade.
• 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:

• Shot grade on the existing drainage easement in the 3000 block of Newhaven to prepare for regarding the swale in the near future.
• Located buried storm lines on FM 407 for franchise utility relocations.
• Regraded the drainage swale in the 300 block of Karen Renee.
• Poured concrete around a manhole at 3362 Castlewood.
• Removed silt by existing pipe culvert in the 100 block of Brookdale to prevent the swale from holding water.
• Shot grade of the bar ditch in the 200 block of Lake Vista W. to prepare for a bar ditch maintenance this summer.
• Regraded drainage swale at the 5001 Village parkway material bins to restore proper flow.

PARKS DEPARTMENT

Axis Construction is in their third week of construction on the Highland Village Sidewalk Project.

On Tuesday night Council approved the Parks and Recreation Ordinance updating park user fees.  The Ordinance reinstates the fees for soccer and baseball practice fields as well as Copperas and Pilot Knoll Parks.

On Wednesday Andra Boxberger, Dennis Oliver; Karl Schlichter, and Jason Collier met to discuss the Easter Egg Hunt and upcoming special events.

ark Crews performed a playground inspection at Kids Kastle on Thursday. There were only a few minor items that need to be addressed.

Alicia Richardson, Terry Golden, and Fince Espinoza meet with Southern Comfort Mechanical to discuss sponsorship opportunities for the Red, White and Blue Festival. 

HVABSA games will begin on Friday.

This Saturday is the annual Easter Egg Hunt at Unity Park. The hunt will start at 10:00 and will include face painting, bounce house, Games 2 U, Freddy's Frozen Custard, and pictures with the Easter Bunny.

Senior All Stars:

The Highland Village Senior All Stars met on Monday (21 attendees) and Thursday (26 attendees) for game day. 

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

On Friday, 10 Highland Village Senior All Stars went to the the Texas Indian Market and Southwest Showcase in Arlington.

HUMAN RESOURCES / STAFF TRAINING

Human Resources:

• The Employee Activity Committee met this week to plan spring employee events.  A picnic luncheon for employees is planned for May 5th at Doubletree Ranch and a ballgame event at the Ballpark in Arlington for the Rangers vs Houston Astros on June 25th.
• Heather Miller, Bobby Salmon and Jackie Cottongame attended the Supervisory Series, Leading Teams, on Wednesday.
• On Wednesday Jana Onstead and the Safety Committee members met with Steve Spainhouer, Loss Control Representative from Texas Political Subdivisions. 
• Lori Wright held an Administrative Team meeting and presented a video on "Being Positive in the Workplace."
• Martha Butz attended a wellness event in Los Colinas hosted by United Healthcare.
• On Friday Martha Butz was a co-presenter at a TCMA conference in Dallas.

CITY MANAGER / CITY COUNCIL

Deputy Mayor Pro Tem McDearmont and Council Member Meek attended the monthly Precinct 3 Meeting, held in Lewisville, on Monday.

Deputy Mayor Pro Tem McDearmont attended the Lewisville Area Chamber of Commerce Luncheon on Tuesday.

Council Member Meek attended the Lewisville Chamber Commerce luncheon on Tuesday and gave a brief talk about Leadership Lewisville.   

Council Member Davis and his wife attended the PediPlace HealthCare Heroes 2010 Banquet, honoring Senator Jane Nelson and Dr. Danny K. Corbitt and Staff on Thursday.

Mayor Costa, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem McDearmont and City Manager Leavitt met with Dr. Leann Nutt from NCTC on Friday.