City Connections - November Edition

Salute Our Veterans Lunch

The Highland Village Business Association dedicates their November luncheon to honor our area veterans. The 8th Annual Salute Our Veterans Luncheon is scheduled for November 9 this year and will be held at Celebrations Grand Ballroom. If you’re a veteran, we would like to honor you at this luncheon. As in past years, the HVBA takes donations from residents and local businesses to provide lunch for every veteran in attendance. Contact Sandy McCoy at 972-899-5091 for more information on sponsoring a veteran or to make your reservations.

Public Hearing Notice - Draft Environmental Assessment For Interstate Highway 35E: From President George Bush Turnpike to FM 2181

Thursday, November 18, 2010
6:00 p.m. - Open House ~ 7:00 p.m. - Public Hearing
Lewisville High School, 1098 West Main Street, Lewisville, TX

Documents are on file to view at the Highland Village Municipal Complex, City Secretary’s Office, 1000 Highland Village Road, Highland Village, TX 75077.

Highland Village Road Closure

Highland Village Road is currently closed from Doubletree Lane to Sellmeyer Boulevard. The heavy storms on September 8 caused severe damage to Highland Village Road constituting a declaration of disaster. The County has entered into a design-build contract with Halff Associates engineers and construction services with Saber Development to complete the repairs to the road. The necessary improvements to the road include raising the road three and one-half feet in the vicinity of the boat docks so as to prevent future flooding of the roadway and disruption of emergency services. The project is scheduled to be completed by late March 2011 and will also include two new ten-foot wide drainage structures and a ten-foot wide trail.

The $1.78 million for the project was a City identified reconstruction project proposed and approved within the County 2008 TRIP Bond Program. Suggested detours include Brazos Boulevard, Garden Ridge and Highland Village Road to FM 407.

Highland Village Has it All – Come See for Yourself!

Everything you need for your holiday shopping, gift giving, party planning and family gatherings can be found right here in Highland Village! The holiday shopping season offers you an opportunity to discover the new stores of Highland Village.

By staying in Highland Village you can enjoy the cheerful Christmas decorations, avoid the holiday crowds and receive a hearty "thank you" from local store owners. That’s a part of the season which shouldn’t be overlooked. So, look around, abundant gifts wait to be purchased right here at home. Keeping those dollars in Highland Village benefits us all and that’s a gift you can feel very good about giving.

Look for the Gold Bow – Receive a Special Gift

Very soon you will receive a postcard announcing the Holiday Gift Pass Program – Look for the Gold Bow! When you’re out doing your holiday shopping and dining, take your card to participating businesses in Highland Village and receive a special gift. We do "Have it All" in Highland Village – including businesses who want to reward you for patronizing their establishments this holiday season!

Weather Tips & Water Meters

Please be reminded of the location of your water meter, especially when autumn leaves fall to the ground. All the different temperatures, continually mixing could cause pipes to burst and flooding would occur if one’s meter weren’t easily located.

Please keep your water meter box uncovered, cleaned off and easily accessible, so we can locate it in the event of an emergency. It is especially important during the fall months when temperature fluctuations occur.

We provide you 24-hour emergency service with a 30 minute response time. If you do not have your own water shut-off valve, keep your meter box uncovered, maintained and exposed. Consider having a licensed third party plumber install a water shut off for you.

Winter Averaging

The amount of water a residence uses during the winter months determines what the sewer bill will be for the rest of the year. It’s difficult for most people to get a "feel" of how much water they use and where they use it. Here’s information to help:

Regular Shower - 25 gal.
Full Tub - 36 gal.
Toilet - 3-6 gal.
Washing Machine - 30-60 gal.
How To Protect Stormwater Quality

You can protect our untreated water resources:

• Report illegal dumping;
• Use the least toxic alternatives for managing pests and diseases in landscapes;
• Follow package directions when applying pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers;
• Do not apply pesticides or fertilizers when rain is expected;
• Recycle or properly dispose of toxic chemicals in your home.

For more information on free drop-off locations for household chemicals, call the City of Highland Village Public Works Office at 972-899-5091.

Save Your Drains, Bag The FOG (Fats, Oils & Grease)

Grease from cooking makes its way into your private sewer pipes and the City’s sewer mains when you dispose of it by pouring down your kitchen sink drain.

Grease disposed through your kitchen sink clogs your drains and creates sewer back-ups. Blocked sewer pipes cause raw sewer to back up into your house, and could cause the City’s sewer mains to clog causing raw sewer to back up into your neighbor’s houses. Sewer back-ups lead to expensive cleanup and plumbing repair bills that must be paid for by the home owner.

• Wipe or scrape dishes before washing.
• Remove grease or oil from your pans with a paper towel before washing.
• Dispose of food scraps into the trash and minimize the use of garbage disposals.

Cool down grease; pour it into a container and dispose of it in the trash.

MCL Coliform Violation (TCR22)

The City of Highland Village water system collected 2 water samples during September, 2010 that contained Coliform bacteria. The City is required to submit a minimum of 20 routine water samples each month for bacteriological analysis. One repeat sample was Coliform-found for the month and year indicated above.

The TCEQ sets drinking water standards in Texas and has determined that the presence of total Coliform is a possible health concern. Coliforms are bacteria that are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that other, potentially harmfull, bacteria may be present. Coliforms were found in more samples than allowed and this is a warning of potential problems.

For systems analyzing fewer than 40 samples per month, no more than 1 sample per month may be positive for a total Coliform.

Since the Coliform found sample was obtained, City water crews have obtained several water samples from the same location of the Coliform found site and all water samples have been analyzed with no Coliform found.

If you have questions regarding this matter, you may contact our office at 972-317-2989 to speak to a licensed professional.

Save a Life! Learn CPR!

Upcoming CPR Classes are held from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. on the following dates:

Wednesday, November 10 ~ Wednesday, December 8

CPR Costs: $25 for residents, $45 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.

Fall/Winter Photo Contest
Give Us Your Best Shot!

We’ve begun our Fall/Winter Photo Contest, which will run through February 28. Cash prizes will be awarded for Best Overall, Holiday/Special Occasions, Architecture/Structures, Nature/Wildlife and Black and White Photos. Details and contest forms are online at www.hvparks.comStay up to date with Parks and Recreation programs, activities and events by signing up for
eConnect under the E-Services box on the city website or become a fan of
City of Highland Village Parks and Recreation on Facebook.

We’ve Moved!Parks and Recreation Administrative Offices are now located at The Robert & Lee DuVall Center. The facility is open for public use and will be available for city events, senior activities and rentals. For rental information, rates and amenities for The Robert & Lee DuVall Center please call (972) 317-7430 or visit www.hvparks.com

Senior All-Stars

Choctaw Casino Day Trips
Wednesday, November 17 and December 15
Must Sign Up By 3:00 p.m. the Monday before the trip
The cost is $5 and you get $10 Casino play money.
Space is limited.

The Robert & Lee DuVall Center Senior All-Star Open House!
948 Highland Village Road
November 6
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Entertainment, Snacks, Door PrizesShuttle buses will be provided.
Please park at City Hall located at 1000 Highland Village Road. Shuttle service will start at 1:00 p.m.For more information on Senior All-Star activities
please call 972-317-7430

Texas Recycles Day - Electronic Pick Up

Texas Recycles Day
Saturday, November 20
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
City Hall – 1000 Highland Village Road
Accepting all electronics

Our Village Glows - Tree Lighting Ceremony

Our Village Glows will be held on Tuesday, November 30, 2010, (Rain Date – December 2) at The Shops at Highland Village beginning at 6:30 p.m. Our Village Glows, a festive community event enjoyed by thousands of Highland Village residents and organized by the Highland Village Women’s Club, is a holiday tradition of more than ten years and features the lighting of a 54-foot Christmas tree at The Shops at Highland Village. The celebration features activities for the entire family including carolers, face-painting, cookie-decorating, treats to eat and a visit from Santa Claus, all while choirs from Highland Village schools serenade listeners in the background.

Resolution Run 

Mark your calendar for the Resolution Run – 5K Run/Walk & Four-Legged Friend Run
Saturday, January 15, 2011