Scott Kriston reports that TXDOT states the FM 2499 section 4 project is ahead of it's April 2011 completion schedule.  FM 2499 is now open from Highland Shores Boulevard to Orchid Hill Lane. This section of FM 2499 is still an active construction zone. The outer driving lane is closed to traffic and delays and detouring during working hours are to be expected. The posted speed limit is 40 miles per hour and will be enforced.  No parking is allowed in the construction zone.  A four-way stop has been installed at the intersection of FM 2499 and Highland Shores Boulevard / Castlewood Boulevard until the construction of the traffic signal is completed. TXDOT  anticipates opening the entire FM 2499 Section 4 project November or December 2010.  The contractor is mowing the r.o.w. as required by their contract as weather permits.  The contractor is redefining the offsite drainage areas where easements were obtained during the design process.  The contractor is constructing the Northwood / FM2499 intersection, weather permitting.

    COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Mayor Scott McDearmont recognized the retirement of community development manager, Sue Thompson. After 22 years with the City of Highland Village, Ms. Thompson will retire on September 3. Beginning her career with the City in Code Enforcement, Ms. Thompson moved to the Planning & Zoning liaison and worked with developers to the nearly complete build-out of the City. The book, A History of Highland Village, was co-authored by Ms. Thompson and recounts the history of the city through interviews with many of the original residents. Ms. Thompson initiated the Highland Village Business Association and through that the annual Salute Our Veterans Luncheon. Mayor McDearmont read a proclamation designating September 1, 2010 as Sue Thompson Day in Highland Village. 

PUBLIC SAFETY (POLICE AND FIRE)

Fire:

Calls for Service: Week of August 20-26

• Medical Emergencies -  18
• Residential Fire Calls  - 1
• Commercial Fire Alarms - 2
• Mutual Aid Structure Fire  - 1
• Structure Fire HV - 1
• Smoke/Odor Investigations - 4
• Motor Vehicle Accidents - 2
• Public Service - 3
• Vehicle Lock Out - 1
• Fire Inspections - 1
• Commercial Plan Review - 1
• Car Seat Installation - 1

This week the Highland Village Fire Department was privileged and honored to be invited to an event called "Coffee Talk" hosted by Rambling Oaks Courtyard. The focus of the event was a forum to allow Rambling Oaks personnel to meet other health care professionals from the community. The event was a time to meet and greet other professionals, provide tours and openly discuss how as a community of professional health care providers we can better provide for our citizens and the patrons' health care needs. The turn out was very positive and enlightening on all the services available for the elderly. Services including but not limited to 911 emergency care, Non-emergency transportation to and from medical facilities, medical benefits, and a service that provides non-medicals needs such as house keeping, companionship, or running errands etc. The Highland Village Fire Department was very happy to be a part of "Coffee Talks" and is looking forward to meeting and being involved in other community outreaches. 

Police:

This week, the police department responded to 153 calls for service, made 67 traffic contacts, made 6 arrests, responded to 2 traffic accidents and performed 530 community policing activities.

Congrats go out to Officer Chris Carver and his family.  They welcomed in baby boy Aaron Collin Carver (8lbs.-5oz)  .  Please take the time to congratulate Officer Carver and keep his family in your prayers for a safe recovery.

Highland Village students started back to school this past week without any problems. The Police Department conducted its annual deployment for this event.

The Police Department is thrilled to welcome back our same group of crossing guards this year. This is the second year that we have had the same group in the same locations. We held our annual training this year at the local IHop and awarded the "Perfect Attendance Award" to James Walden! Thanks to all of you for all you do!

At the August 24 meeting, Council approved the final read of an ordinance prohibiting the use, purchase, possession and sale of the synthetic cannabinoid known under such names as "Spice," "Genie," "DaScents," and "K-2." The product is packaged and sold as incense with no age restrictions for purchasers. The product is smoked to produce a marijuana-like high.

On Wednesday, August 25, 2010, HVPD kicked off its latest business community partnership with "Operation Shield". Members of the Highland Village Police Department and Civilian Auxiliary worked hard for several hours to install the shields at approximately twelve (12) businesses in the city. This program is designed to reduce the opportunity of business burglaries by the installation of a metal shield that will prevent a burglar from prying open the rear door of a business. City Manager Michael Leavitt authorized HVPD sponsorship of the program as an initiative in support of the Highland Village Business Association.  HVPD plans on scheduling additional installation days during the upcoming weeks.

The Police Department conducted a deployment at the annual Balloonfest held at Copperas Branch Park.

A baby shower was held recently for Melinda Zehetner.Thanks to all who attended and brought gifts!

The Police Department participated in the "Open House" events that were held at all of the schools. At Highland Village Elementary, Corporal Jered Cameron, Officer Urbanek, and Auxiliary Tim Morgan handed out 325 packets and 8 gun locks. At McAuliffe Elementary, Corporal David Harney handed out 290 packets. At Heritage Elementary School, Corporal April Roppolo and Auxiliary Scott Myers handed out 390 packets. The informational packets handed out included items on taking the bus, bike safety, starting a walking school bus, internet safety, back to school safety, and other miscellaneous topics.

Officer David Scott and Officer Jeff Davis (from a neighboring community) presented a Drug Awareness presentation at Briarhill Middle School.

PARKS DEPARTMENT

All crews are trimming trees and shrubs in Municipal Parks and grounds areas.

Wes Neinhuser is making fertilizer applications in all Municipal Parks and turf areas.

Tony Palesano is repairing and adjusting various irrigation systems in the parks.

On Monday, city staff met with representatives from The Shops of Highland Village and The Highland Village Women's Club to discuss this year's Our Village Glows program scheduled for November 30th.  The city plans to assist with security, EMS, set up and Santa. 

On Wednesday, Parks crews assisted the Utilities department in trimming some trees in preparation for the SCADA tower.

On Wednesday, Fince Espinoza and Andra Boxberger attended the regional T.A.A.F meeting to discuss upcoming programs and rule changes.

On Wednesday, Parks staff met with the Highland Village Parks Foundation to discuss their upcoming Hogwarts festival and future projects.

On Friday, Parks staff met the the Highland Village Senior All Stars advisory board to discuss the operations of the Robert and Lee DuVall center.

On Friday, Parks staff met with representatives from BW2 Engineers to discuss closing out of the Highland Village Road Sidewalk project and current projects that are in design

Senior All Stars

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

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

Six Senior All Stars went to see "The Sunshine Boys" at Grapevine Palace on Thursday.

STREET / UTILITY DIVISIONS PROJECTS

Scott Kriston reports that the MSC project is on schedule.  A final walk through was performed by the City & the Architect, the GC has his subcontractors working on the punch list items.  Dallas Security is installing the access security on the site.  The fire alarms are monitoring the PWB & THE REC buildings.  Furniture delivery & install started this week, it is anticipated to be completed August 30th.  Anticipated move in is scheduled for the week of September 6th.  The grand opening is currently being planned and is anticipated to be on Sept. 21st.   

The Oak St. GSR site improvements project GC installed the forms for the foundation of the proposed pump house and chemical facilities, the electrician installed the under slab conduit.  

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

The manhole restoration project bids were opened August 26th.  Two bids were received and came in over budget.  Staff is preparing a bid tab and a bid rejection letter.  Staff is starting the revaluation of the project to attempt to bring it in to the budget.  This project consists of rehabilitating the manholes for the City's 24" & 27" trunk sanitary sewer main located on the north side of the City along the lake shore from Community Center Blvd. to Lift station #1 at the Double Tree Ranch.   

Update on Highland Village Road water line replacement project sections 1 & 2:  The City's new message board sign is deployed to warn traffic.  RKM Utility Services, Inc. has installed approximately 4,500 feet of new water line and made 4 tie-ins.  This project consists of replacing approximately 5000 feet of water line along Highland Village Road from Brazos Blvd. to Lake Vista.  The contractor will be onsite for 4 months.  You should expect minor traffic delays in the area for the duration of the project. 

Sanitary sewer smoke testing phase 3 continued this week.  This project consists of smoke testing 83,500 linear feet of VCP sewer main located in the south and east portions of the City.  A report will be submitted to the City with all deficiencies listed that require correction.  The smoke testing portion of the project will take approximately 3-weeks to complete. 

Chinn Chapel Rd phase 1 reconstruction contractor is on schedule.  This project is a Town of Copper Canyon project funded through Denton County bonds.  It consists of drainage improvements and road reconstruction on Chinn Chapel from approx. 100 feet north of Fm407 to Orchid Hill Lane.  The contract has 500 calendar days to final completion.  There will be traffic detours throughout the duration of the project; you should expect traffic delays in the area.

Utility Crews:

• Responded to five after hour call outs and five resident concerns.
• Raised one sewer line cleanout up to grade.
• Cleaned 12,730 linear feet of sewer main lines this week.
• Installed the SCADA antennae tower at the new MSC site with the assistance of Joey and Wes from the Parks Dept.
• Sealed a leaking manhole on Brighton.
• Located nine areas of infrastructure for contractors.
• Replaced four broken meter boxes.
• Installed seven missing clean out caps.  The caps were found missing during the latest phase III sewer line smoke test.
• Excavated and repaired two sewer main breaks; one on Nowlin and one on Turpin.
• Implemented the City Works work order system this week.
• Performed meter rereads, water turn on/turn offs, and leak checks.
• Performed maintenance on well lots, lift stations, fire hydrants and the water distribution & wastewater collection system.

Drainage Crews:

• Cleaned the existing concrete flume in the 2000 block of Lakeside.
• Repaired the retaining wall on the edge of the existing concrete flume in the 100 block of Baird St.
• Is installing erosion control in the 700 block of Highland Hills.
• Met with residents in the 100 block of Brookdale on flooding issues.
• Cleaned various creek crossings after the recent rain events.

HUMAN RESOURCES / STAFF TRAINING

Human Resources:

• Martha Butz, Jana Onstead, Vanesa Childers, Heather Miller and Jane Ponder met to discuss the employer implementation for the Health Savings Account (HSA) on Monday.  A conference call was held with representatives from United Healthcare, Optum Bank and Higginbotham.
• Tuesday afternoon employees interested in choosing the HSA option for their medical plan with United Health Care attended a meeting to get additional details.  Open enrollment for all full time employees will be held next week in Human Resources.
• A Lunch n Learn on Identity Theft was provided by Liberty Mutual on Wednesday.  Twenty-three employees participated and information provided was very helpful.  Tips to avoid Identity Theft were given as well as what to do if you are a victim.

Fire:

• Chief Lonnie Tatum attended the Denco Area 9-1-1 Board Meeting on Friday.
• On Monday, Assistant Chief Collier attended a Village Glow meeting.

Utilities:

• Scott Kriston & David Clark attend the Lunch & Learn event on ID Fraud this week.