Recap of City Issues 2-4-11

Wow, what Ground Hog Day for 2011 or is it our new Super Bowl curse!  This week has been a challenge on resources and our labor force with the rain, then ice, then snow, single digit temperatures, then rolling brown outs and then another snow storm and it's not over yet.  Everyone has done an outstanding job this week in responding to calls for service or stepping up and doing their part, but we can't rest yet.  With our temperatures forecasted to go above freezing for the first time this week, it will most likely cause a different strain on our resources, but I'm confident that we will handle whatever we are faced with, as a professional and effective work force.

On Thursday of this week the majority of City staff enjoyed a free lunch at The Shops at Highland Village at Rockfish, Blue Goose, Snuffers and Corner Bakery. Regency provided the lunch through a promotional event, and it was enjoyed by all.

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.  

PUBLIC SAFETY (POLICE AND FIRE)

Police:

This week, the police department responded to 136 calls for service, made 86 traffic contacts, made 4 arrests, responded to no traffic accidents and performed 242 community policing activities.

The Police Department made a conditional offer to a Police Officer candidate and a Communications Officer candidate this week.

Patrol vehicles were equipped with snow chains this week to facilitate normal patrol and calls for service response during the icy weather.

The Police Department Auxiliary welcomed their newest member, Jeanne Yanai. She is interested in helping with the Bailiff program and Storefront staffing.

STREET / UTILITY DIVISIONS PROJECTS

The Highland Village Road (Sellmeyer Rd. to Lakeland Dr.) project 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.  Pay estimate #10 is being processed in Finance.  Staff is reviewing a pay estimate submitted by FNI. 

The Oak St. GSR site improvements project 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 have completed installing the new manhole rings & covers.  The contractor has plugged all I&I and is applying the cementitious lining.

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

The Highland Village Road water line replacement project sections 1 & 2 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.  The Final pay estimate is being processed in Finance.

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 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 through April 2011.

Utility Crews:

• Participated in snow and ice clean up at City facilities with other departments.
• Responded to SCADA alarms from transmitters that needed even more winter protection than normal.
• Made emergency turnoffs for frozen service lines due to the extreme cold temperatures.
• 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.
• Assisted Streets Div. on their efforts to clear the emergency responder areas during this event.

Drainage Crews:

• Assisted the Streets Division on their sand spreading crews during this event.

Street Crews:

• Split crews in to 12 hour shifts and spread 180 tons of manufacturing sand with ice melt mixture.  Two sand spreaders ran around the clock spreading sand on the streets since the beginning of this event.

PARKS DEPARTMENT

Park staff helped clean ice off the sidewalks and parking areas at the Municipal Complex and 948 Service Center this week.

Staff is also constructing shelving and brackets for electronic equipment in the DuVall Center conference room and office area.

The weather has hindered finishing construction on the new Unity Park restroom , as well as the rock work on the gate house at Pilot Knoll Park.

The Trail crew has clearing the Inland Trail of debris from tree limbs etc damaged by the icy weather.

Tony Palesano and Wes Nienhuser have constructed fencing to secure the Calsense irrigation controller and antenna stationed at Unity Park.

Staff at Pilot Knoll Park completed installing metal roofing to ten remaining picnic shelter sites in the Day use area. This project, which included roofing 36 shelter sites, was done in as-needed stages over the last two and a half years by staff and is now complete. Now all day use pavilions, restrooms and the Park gate house have new metal roofing and have been refurbished on the inside as well.

Due to the inclement weather this week the Comprehensive Trail System Master Plan meeting has been rescheduled to February 16, 2011 at 6:30 p.m.

The Father and Daughter Dance scheduled for Friday, February 4 has been cancelled due to inclement weather. The dance has been rescheduled for Saturday, February 12

HUMAN RESOURCES / STAFF TRAINING

Human Resources:

• Thanks are extended to the  employees who worked round the clock this week addressing the many issues raised by the inclement weather. We truly have an exemplary group of folks!
• Jesse Acevedo, Streets Equipment Operator, was honored at the recent City Council meeting for his 25 years of dedicated service. Jesse is retiring this month  and is our first employee to have spent his entire 25 years with the City of Highland Village. Congratulations Jesse!