Recap of City Issues - May 21, 2010

Scott Kriston reports that the TXDOT FM 2499 section 4 project contractor is finishing the concrete coping walls, cut outs, side walks, added storm water inlets and driveway connections on the north bound outside lane as weather permits.  The contractor is mowing the r.o.w. as weather permits.  The contractor is preparing to redefine some offsite drainage areas where easements were obtained during the design process.  The contractor is preparing to move into the Northwood / FM 2499 intersection to construct it, they anticipate approximately 4 weeks to build, weather permitting.  Most of the work is taking place on the Corinth side of the project now.

          COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

On Tuesday, Mayor Scott McDearmont spoke at the Children's Miracle Network media event held at the Highland Village Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart hosted the presentation of  the Cook Children's patient Champion for Texas. The child ambassadors, known as Champions, are from every state as part of the children's Miracle Network program.  Champions is presented by Walmart and Sam's Club. The program brings attention to the important work being done at children's hospitals by honoring remarkable children who have triumphed despite severe medical challenges. I attended the event along with Sue Thompson and Laurie Mullens.

PUBLIC SAFETY (POLICE AND FIRE)

Fire:

Fire Department Captains and Fire Personnel attended EMS continued education this week at the fire station.  Training covered pediatric emergency procedures.

Fire Calls for Service

Fire Department personnel responded to 18 Calls for Service the week of May 14-20:

• Medical Emergencies - 12
• Odor Investigation - 2
• Public Service - 1
• Residential Structure Fires - 2
• Fill-In @ Lewisville - 1

Fire Personnel conducted two 4 Fire Inspections and 1 Plan Review for commercial businesses this week.

Police:

This week, the police department responded to 152 calls for service, made 128 traffic contacts, made 7 arrests, responded to 1 traffic accident and performed 500 community policing activities.

This past Wednesday the Police Department took over the patio area of the Blue Goose and a showing of Iron Man 2 to complete our Annual Awards Banquet.  We had the largest crowd yet and everyone ate way too much and had a great time.  The following awards were given: Officer of the Year - Chris Carver, Communications Officer of the Year - Candice Stinnett, Supervisor of the Year - Doug Bell, Non-Sworn Employee of the Year - Patty Hamilton, Auxiliary Member of the Year - Mike MacLean, Citizen's Certificate of Merit - James Reiland, and Certificate of Merit - Dick Williams.  Congratulations to all of this year's winners!!  One of our local citizens, James Reiland, also joined us and received a Citizen's Certificate of Merit for his recent actions that helped by pulling an unconscious and submerged victim back to the shore after a wakeboarding accident.  James provided first aid and stabilized the victim until the medics arrived.  Thanks James! 

Senior Animal Care Officer Michelle Burke organized an adoption fair at the Highland Village IHop this past weekend.  The adoption fair was a resounding success and we found homes for six shelter animals and received $241 in donations. An IHop representative stayed for most of the day and was delighted that the event was so successful.  She was kind enough to post a flyer about the event on the entry door to the IHOP so there was a lot of foot traffic checking out all of the furry faces.  She asked us to hold another event there in the near future.  Thanks go out IHOP!!

Congratulations to Auxiliary Mike MacLean for his appointment as Auxiliary Lieutenant over Team 1.  Mike will replace Auxiliary Fred Clements in this role.  We appreciate the great job Fred did and look forward to working with Mike in his new capacity.

The Police Department held it's annual firearms training recently at the Denton County Sheriff's Office range. A representative from Strike International conducted a series of firearms training exercises throughout the full day of training. 

Chief Ed O'Bara attended a meeting with the Texas Police Chief's Association this week in Keller.

STREET / UTILITY DIVISIONS PROJECTS

Streets:

The Street Division painted the parking lot stripes and crossing bars at the Central Fire Station.

The Street Division making asphalt street repairs in front of 530 Snowdon Court due to a base failure and will continue to make repairs into next week.

The Street Division is building a memorial for veterans at 1000 Highland Village Road and will continue to work on the memorial through next week.

Utilities:

Scott Kriston reports that the MSC project mason is bricking the PWB & working on the stone work for the REC building. The window contractor is installing the store front windows on the REC & PWB buildings.  The flooring contractor is installing the tile floors in the REC building.  The dry wall & painting contractors are working inside the PWB & Rec buildings.  The electrical & duct work rough is being installed in the PWB.  The equipment building and the storage building steel is currently being installed as weather permits.

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

Justin Praesel opened bids for the AC water line replacement project this week.

Scott Kriston met with TX DOT, Ed Bell & four residents to discuss the pending Northwood / FM2499 intersection construction.

Utility Crews:

• Scott, David, Jimmy, Will, Jose, Tatum, Todd, John & Gabe attended the 63rd TWUA annual short school at UT Arlington this week to attain CEU's for their state required licenses.
• Tatum and Gabe tested on Thursday to obtain a higher grade of State licensing.
• Unstopped one sewer line blockage.
• TV inspected two sewer lines for areas in need of repair.
• Replaced one old style curb stops in preparation for a future AMR installation.
• Located three areas of utility infrastructure.
• Installed 56 blue fire hydrant curb markers.
• 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:

• Is redefining the drainage easement behind the houses on Newhaven.

PARKS DEPARTMENT

Parks staff is in the process of replacing non working light bulbs at Unity Park athletic complex area light poles.

Parks staff has installed truncated dome brick pavers and a headwall beam at Lower Sellmeyer Park allowing wheelchair access to the playground and sitting area. 

Park staff has removed the old gatehouse located at the northern area of Copperas Branch Park.  This building removal not only alleviates our reasonability to maintain an obsolete building  but also allows for a large, unobstructed special event exit route. 

Parks staff is in the process of completing their weekly mowing schedules and replacing seasonal flower beds.

Parks staff submitted a change order to Axis Contracting, Inc to connect Market Trail to Village Park which crosses F.M. 2499.  Axis Contracting, Inc. has currently poured the the connection located at Village Park and is working on the Market Trail portion.

Senior All Stars:

The Highland Village Senior All Stars met on Monday (17 attendees) and Thursday (28 attendees) for game day.  

 On Monday, 46 Highland Village Senior All Stars went on the Kiowa Casino trip.

Eight Senior All Stars met on Tuesday for open game time and Helping Hands.

HUMAN RESOURCES / STAFF TRAINING

Parks:

• Linda Cornelius, Fince Espinoza and Andra Boxberger attended T.A.A.F. /T.R.A.P.S. SMS University (Sports Management School) in Waco, TX.

Human Resources:

• Our annual Benefit Fair was held on Thursday May 20th, 2010.  The theme this year was Rockin' Wellness and there was a special appearance by Elvis!  Our employee benefit providers are at this event and employees have opportunity to get information and get questions answered.  A popular addition this year was skin cancer screening.  The Employee Benefit Committee helps Human Resources host this event each year and we could not do it without those volunteers.  Thanks so much to Sandy McCoy, Alicia Richardson, Carolyn Britton, Doug Bell, Justin Praesel, Jason Collier, Jon Richardson, Karen Bradley, Autumn Aman, Nancy Sharp, Laurie Mullens, Melanie Lewis, Sam Smith and Stephen Harrison for all your help!