Recap of City Issues 1-14-11

On Thursday Matthew Kite and I attended TXDOT's IH 35E Aesthetics Master Plan meeting held at the City of Lewisville.  Stakeholders included Denton County officials, City of Lewisville and the Corps of Engineers.  This was the first of four different meetings that will be conducted by TXDOT to present the proposed architecture aesthetics throughout the entire corridor.  The aesthetics treatment will represents approximately 1% of the total construction cost of the I35E project.

TX DOT FM2499 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. 

  COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

On Tuesday we held the first Highland Village Business Association Luncheon for 2011. Our speaker was memory expert Ron White. Ron entertained us with his memory skills by remembering the name of every person in attendance. He shared his memorization techniques as well. We were fortunate also to have Congressman Michael Burgess attend the lunch and speak to the group. The Congressman discussed the recent tragedy in Arizona and emphasized his desire to remain accessible and visible for his constituents. We had about 70 people attend the lunch.

PUBLIC SAFETY (POLICE AND FIRE)

Fire:

Calls for Service: Week of Dec 31 - Jan 11

• Medical Emergencies -  15
• Commercial Fire Alarms - 1
• Motor Vehicle Accidents  - 2
• Fire Alarm Residential - 3
• Fire Calls - 8
• Public Service Calls - 4
• Structure Fires - 2
• Mutual Aid - 1
• Fill In at Station - 1
• Commercial Plan Review - 3
• Commercial Inspections - 3

Public Relations:

Firefighters provided two tours for a local Girl Scout and Boy Scout troop this past week.  The tours are designed to help the scouts earn their merit badge requirements by asking the firefighters fire prevention and safety questions.

Police:

This week, the police department responded to 135 calls for service, made 124 traffic contacts, made 8 arrests, responded to 1 traffic accident and performed 488 community policing activities.

Corporal April Roppolo took some donated toys to the family of a recent house fire. All of the toys that they had at the house smelled like smoke or were damaged.

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.

Scott Kriston, Charles Mitchell & Robert Maynard held interviews this week for the Streets Crew Leader position.

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 Rd. from Brazos Blvd. to Lake Vista.  Staff executed change order #1 & is reviewing the pay estimate #5.

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 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 4 manholes on the 24" trunk sewer line that runs along side the lake. 
• Completed electrical and wired the controls to the overhead door operators in the 948 EQU building and started electrical work in the STO building.
• Attended the grant funded City and County Technical and Regulatory Training class "Work Zone Construction Site Safety" on Tuesday and half day Wednesday. 
• Attended the monthly safety meeting.  A TML representative came in to give a 1-hour class on driving safety.
• 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:

• Attended the grant funded City and County Technical and Regulatory Training class "Work Zone Construction Site Safety" on Tuesday and half day Wednesday.
• Attended the monthly safety meeting.  A TML representative came in to give a 1-hour class on driving safety.
• Cleaned various flumes and inlet boxes.
• Inspected drainage lines in the 2300 block of Justin Rd. 
• Inspected drainage lines in the 400 block of Moran.

Street Crews:

• Mobilized for the inclement winter weather on Sunday & Monday.  No action was required.
• Attended the grant funded City and County Technical and Regulatory Training class "Work Zone Construction Site Safety" on Tuesday and half day Wednesday.
• Attended the monthly safety meeting.  A TML representative came in to give a 1-hour class on driving safety.
• Relocated equipment and materials from 310 Highland Village Road to 948 Highland Village Road and finished installing storage racks in the new storage area.

PARKS DEPARTMENT

This Saturday was the 3rd Annual Resolution Run benefiting the Highland Village Trail System.

Andra Boxberger and Cpl. Harney met with McAuliffe Elementary to discuss the 6th Annual Chili Cook-off that will take place on February 17 from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Camp Gladiator boot camp is now underway out at Unity Park on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

Linda Cornelius, Fince Espinoza, and Andra Boxberger attended the Texas Amateur Athletic Federation Winter meetings held in Frisco on Thursday.

Highland Village Senior All-Stars

1/10/11 Game Day and Pickleball: 21 attendees

1/11/11: Game Day and Pickleball: 20 attendees

1/12/11: Game Day and trip to the Mary Kay Manufacturing Plant and The Frontiers of Flight Museum: 20 attendees

1/13/11: Game Day and Pickleball: 35 attendees

1/15/11: Chili Dog and Game Night: 22 attendees

HUMAN RESOURCES / STAFF TRAINING

Human Resources:

• An employee meeting was held on Wednesday.  Departmental updates were provided and Jana Onstead shared information on the Naturally Slim program being offered to our employees. This is a 10 week program which begins on February 10.

Fire:

• Chief Tatum, Assistant Chief Collier, Captain Nokes, Captain Willis and Captain Jones attended a TEEX Leadership Development Symposium held at the Frisco Convention Center on Monday - Wednesday of this week.  The Symposium was designed to provide information on current issues in emergency services as well as opportunities for development of leadership and management skills