Recap of City Issues 1-7-11

TXDOT FM 2499 section 4 project is still an active construction zone. The outer driving lane is closed to traffic; 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.  The contractor is installing the signal at the intersection of FM 2499 and Highland Shores Boulevard / Castlewood Boulevard.  A four-way stop has been installed until the construction of the traffic signal is completed.  The contractor is mowing the r.o.w. as required by their contract as weather permits.  

The signal located at Highland Village Road & Brazos Boulevard was upgraded this week by adding additional signal heads and changing out the candescent lamps to LED lamps. LED lamps will give the signal a brighter luminous light. The City of Lewisville performed the work as part of the interlocal agreement with the City of Highland Village to maintain the signal at Highland Village Road & Brazos Boulevard.

PUBLIC SAFETY (POLICE AND FIRE)

Police:

This week, the police department responded to 139 calls for service, made 158 traffic contacts, made 10 arrests, responded to 4 traffic accidents and performed 469 community policing activities.

Upon the recommendation of the Sergeants during the recent Corporal assessment panel and Chief's interview, Officer Alan Oldaker has been selected for assignment as a Patrol Corporal effective January 10, 2011. We congratulate Officer Oldaker on his new assignment and look forward to working with him in his new capacity.

Fire:

Calls for Service: Week of Dec 23-29

• Medical Emergencies -  12
• Commercial Fire Alarms - 1
• Motor Vehicle Accidents  - 2
• Fire Calls - 6
• Public Service Calls - 1
• Commercial Plan Review - 2
• Commercial Inspections - 2

Public Relations:

The Fire Department returned from the Holiday break to find the administrative areas flooded with water due to a leak in one of the bathroom sink lines.  Firefighter/Paramedics Rhett Rimmer, Stanton Halfmann and Tony Sorsby used the shop vac to clean about 40 gallons of water up and Stanley Steemer completed the cleaning process.

STREET / UTILITY DIVISIONS PROJECTS

The Highland Village Road (Sellmeyer Road to Lakeland Drive) project is on target.  The contractor is constructing the MSE wall located on the south side of the proposed road.  This portion of the project is typically the most time consuming to construct.  The project is still on target for April 2011 completion.

The MSC site improvements project.  Subcontractors are working on minor punch list items.  The City & FNI are working on closing out the project. 

The Oak St. GSR site improvements project.  A final walk through was performed on the project.  The contractor is working on a small punch list.  

The 24" / 27" manhole restoration project phase 1.  This project consists of rehabilitating 50 manholes on the City's 24-inch SS trunk main along the lake to restore integrity of the manholes and stop the I&I.  The contractor has 6 months to complete the project.  The contractor is washing down manholes.  City crews are installing new manhole rings & covers.

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

The Highland Village Road water line replacement project sections 1 & 2.  A final walk through was performed, the contractor has completed the punch list.  This project consisted of replacing approximately 5000 feet of water line along Highland Village Road from Brazos Boulevard to Lake Vista.  Staff is reviewing the final pay estimate.

Chinn Chapel Road 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 approximately 100 feet north of FM 407 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 through April 2011.

Utility Crews:

• Raised 15 manholes along the 24" trunk sewer line that runs along side the lake.  This is part of the Sanitary Sewer manhole restoration project.
• Began running conduit and wiring up power and controls to the overhead door operators in the 948 storage bays.
• Attended the monthly safety meeting.  OSHA Hazardous Communication Standard was discussed.
• Performed upgrades, changes and repairs to the new 948 MSC.
• 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:

• Redefined the drainage swale in the existing easement in the backyards of two houses in the 2000 block of Lakeside Dr.
• Built gabion baskets for a gabion project in the 300 block of Lake Vista.

Street Crews:

• Made concrete street repairs located on Northwood Dr., Southwood Dr., Hillside Dr. and Elm Tree Ln. 
• Made an asphalt street repair in the 400 block of Longfellow Dr. due to wet base and shoulder failure.

PARKS DEPARTMENT

Parks staff are making repairs to Kids Kastle at Unity Park. The facility will be closed for another couple of weeks.

Staff at Pilot Knoll Park are in the process of constructing primitive campsites in the day use area of the Park. This will add additional tent use camping areas for patrons of the Park.

Park staff are assembling and installing storage racks and cabinets at their storage area at the 948 service center. 

Repairs were made to the fountain lighting system at the Village Park pond due to beaver damage. The fountain is once again operational.

New 2011 annual pass cards for city Corps Parks are for sale by the Parks Department.

The Parks Department has a new staff member for the Tech I position. We all welcome Josh Dodd to the City staff.

The New restroom for Unity Park is scheduled to be installed on January 13 by the contractor.

Tony Palesano is installing antennae receptors at Unity Park for the Calsense irrigation system

Tickets went on sale for the Father/Daughter Dance for Highland Village residents. The dance will take place on February 4th at Celebrations.

Wes Nienhuser and Andra Boxberger met with the Medical Center of Lewisville, Parks Foundation, and P.D. to discuss the final details of the Resolution Run that will be taking place on January 15.

Andra Boxberger met with Camp Gladiator to start fitness classes that will be held at Unity Park on Tuesday and Thursday evenings

 Highland Village Senior All-Stars

1/3/11: Game Day and Pickleball: 29 attendees

1/4/11: Game Day and Pickleball: 18 attendees

1/5/11: Game Day and Book Club: 26 attendees

1/6/11: Game Day, Meals on Wheels, and Pickleball: 32 attendees

HUMAN RESOURCES / STAFF TRAINING

Human Resources:

• Jana Onstead and Jane Ponder held orientation on Thursday for Josh Dodd in the Parks Department and Colt Steen in the Utilities Department.  We are glad to welcome them to the City of Highland Village staff.
• Vanesa Childers attended the monthly Administrative Assistants meeting on Wednesday.
• Guadalupe Hernandez, Streets Crew Leader, who has worked for the City since February of 1998 retired this week.  We wish Lupe the best and he will be missed.

Fire:

• Firefighters attended training on the effective use of thermal imaging cameras.  These cameras are located on the fire engines and help to locate hidden fires or hot spots located within walls and attics.