Recap of City Issues 1-21-11

Update on FM 407 Reconstruction - Tiseo Paving began the TxDOT project to widen FM 407 from Briarhill Boulevard to west of Chinn Chapel Road in September. TxDOT has suspended all work by Tiseo Paving due to utility conflicts that have not been resolved. Currently TxDOT and our Denton County Commissioner are working with franchise utilities and Bartonville Water Supply Company (BWSC), to relocate all infrastructure that is in conflict with the proposed reconstruction. Tiseo Paving was awarded the FM 407 project for $5.42 million, construction began on FM 407 on September 13, 2010; it was anticipated to be a 15 month construction schedule. On November 1, 2010 work was suspended when the contractor hit the BWSC water line in the subgrade, which provides water service to an area of residents in the the Town of Flower Mound. The line needs to be relocated before construction can commence. It is anticipated construction will begin again in early February.  Use caution when driving through work zones. Find more information and public service announcements regarding work zone safety at http://www.txdot.gov/safety/tips/work_zones.htm.

Collected sales tax revenues of $154,758 for November are up 14% from the previous year.  October collections were up 2% from the previous year.  In relation to the Budget, with opening of FM 2499, coupled with cautioned optimism of improvement in the economy, budgeted sales tax projections for FY 2011 were increased 7% from FY 2010.  Thus, we are on target thus far in this budget year and have high expectation for the December sales tax collections (which we won't know until Feb 11th).  But we are certainly going in the right direction!

The City's HVAC contractor, GMR , set the nineteen rooftop HVAC units this past week. This is part of the approximately $250,000 contract awarded by Council to replace the aging HVAC infrastructure in City Hall. The project is quite timely as three of the old units actually failed between the bidding of the project and this phase of construction. Rental of a crane sufficient to replace roof units is approximately $2500 so replacing all the units now will be a significant savings in construction fees as well as proving much higher efficiency operations and reducing electric costs.

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 street light was installed this week at Northwood.

  COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Laurie Mullens attended the Lewisville Chamber Governmental Affairs meeting on Thursday, January 20. The speaker, from North Central Texas College, discussed the opening of their newest campus in Flower Mound. The 2009 graduating class of Marcus High School enrolled 73 students at NCTC. The Flower Mound campus currently offers the core academic classes needed for transfer to a 4-year university. Also discussed was the potential for the current legislature to cut community college budgets. NCTC does not want to raise tuition and will likely cut curriculum based on popularity and cost. The Flower Mound Campus currently has 9045 students enrolled.

Laurie Mullens attended the Lewisville Leadership Steering Committee meeting on Wednesday, January 19. The committee discussed the Leadership class upcoming trip to Austin in conjunction with Denton County Days. City Day will be in March; co-hosted by Highland Village and Lewisville.

PUBLIC SAFETY (POLICE AND FIRE)

Fire:

Calls for Service: Week of Dec 31 - Jan 11

• Medical Emergencies -  19
• Commercial Fire Alarms - 2
• Residential Fire Alarms - 2
• Motor Vehicle Accidents  - 1
• Fire Calls - 4
• Public Service Calls - 5
• Structure Fires - 1
• Commercial Plan Review - 1
• Commercial Inspections - 3

Assistant Chief Collier attended the DCTA Fire Life Safe Committee held in Lewisville on Wednesday.  This committee discussed the upcoming opening of the "A" train and the impact it will have on the surrounding communities.  Upcoming training dates were set for DCTA to provide Emergency Responder hands-on training regarding railcar safety.

Captain Vince Jones along with shift personnel provided a "Ride to School on the Fire Engine" for one of our residents' children.  The Ride to School was a donated certificate for the Rotary Club's Tacky Ball Fundraising Event.

Police:

This week, the police department responded to 123 calls for service, made 91 traffic contacts, made 3 arrests, responded to no traffic accidents and performed 396 community policing activities.

The Police Department conducted a deployment for the Resolution Run on Saturday. The Police Department was also assisted by members of our Police Auxiliary.

The Police Department (represented by Sergeant Dennis Oliver, Corporal April Roppolo, Corporal David Harney, and Officer Joey Hasten) recognized six Briarhill students that have gone above and beyond at their school.

STREET / UTILITY DIVISIONS PROJECTS

The Highland Village Road (Sellmeyer Rd. to Lakeland Dr.) 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 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 sent pay estimate #5 to Finance.

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 3 manholes along the 24" trunk sewer line that runs along side the lake.
• Finished running conduit and wiring up power and controls to the overhead door operators Parks and Streets bays.
• Responded to two water leaks; one on Gayle Lane and one on Kingwood Ct.
• Unstopped one sewer service and TV inspected another for location of area in need of repair.
• 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 bar ditch to flow in the 70 block of Remington Dr. 
• Cleaned debris from the concrete flume on Devon Ct.
• Cleaned various curb inlets to restore proper flow.
• Confirmed grade on an existing drainage easement in the 800 block of Timberline for and up coming project.

Streets Crews:

• Began construction of a guardrail along Highland Village Rd. at Canyon Creek Dr.
• Attended a "Loss Prevention Class" in the Town of Flower Mound for equipment operators and utility driver training.
• Continued to move equipment and materials from 310 Highland Village Road to the Southwood materials storage area.

PARKS DEPARTMENT

Parks staff is in the process of removing Christmas lights from City Hall and the 948 service center.

The new restroom facility at Unity Park was set in place on Friday the 21st.  Rock work and sidewalks will be put in place prior to opening to the public.

Mold testing is being conducted at the 707 Highland Village Road.

All Parks equipment with the exception of 4B and trail crew items have been removed from the Double Tree Park site to the 948 center or other Parks sites.

Repairs at kids Kastle are nearing completion and the play ground area should be open by next week.

The Christmas tree recycling and removal period at Copperas Park has ended. 

Park staff at Pilot Knoll have cleared and constructed sites in the day use area for primitive camping.

Tommy White and Joey Hardin have been meeting with electrical contractors concerning enhancement of several 30 amp service campsites at Pilot Knoll Park to 50 amp service.

 Improvements to the Pilot Knoll Park gate house are due to begin this week with the addition of rock work veneer and flag stone replacement to the patio area.

Parks staff met with representatives from Dunkin Simms Stoffels, Inc. to determine the location of the playground planned for Village Park Phase II.

Highland Village Senior All-Stars

1/18: Senior Advisory Board Meeting 9 attendees

1/18: Game Day and Pickleball 21 attendees

1/19: Game Day and Texas Hold'em: 10 attendees

1/20: Game Day, Pickleball and Potluck Lunch: 33 attendees

Parks and Recreation have partnered with Camp Gladiator to bring boot camp style fitness to Highland Village.  Participants meet at Unity Park on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 6:30 p.m.  Inclement weather site is The Robert and Lee DuVall Center.  Look for an indoor boot camp and Zumba classes to start soon.

Last Saturday, we held our 3rd Annual Resolution Run. We had 375 participants in the 5K Run/Walk and Four-Legged Friend Walk. Thank you to everyone that came out to support all the runners.

HUMAN RESOURCES / STAFF TRAINING

Human Resources:

As part of the ongoing Wellness Program with UHC the annual screening event was held Wednesday and 50 employees participated.  Many serious health conditions develop over time, but they can be delayed or prevented if you know your risks and make healthy changes. The "Know Your Numbers" event screened blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol and BMI.