Recap of City Issues 2-11-11

This week IT finished the installation and configuration of the redundant storage area network.  All City data, with the exception of the PD CAD systems and several miscellaneous support systems is now stored on two separate systems in two locations and kept synchronized via the high speed fiber backbone.  This provides a high level of data fault tolerance, disaster recovery and availability previously unachievable for organizations of our size.

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.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Snooty Pig Cafe will be coming to Highland Village soon.  They are located at 2940 FM 407, Suite #102, formerly the Wine Cat Bistro.

PUBLIC SAFETY (POLICE AND FIRE)

Fire:

Calls for Service: Week of Feb 4 - Feb 10

• Medical Emergencies -  11
• Commercial Fire Alarms - 14
• Residential Fire Alarms - 4
• Fire Calls - 3
• Public Service Calls - 8
• Structure Fires - 2
• Motor Vehicle Accident s- 1
• Commercial Plan Review - 4
• Commercial Inspections - 2

Chief Tatum reports that the snow and ice that occurred over the past two weeks presented some interesting challenges for City of Highland Village employees.  The Fire Department responded to 80 calls for service, including two mutual aid structure fires in Lake Cities, a CPR and numerous falls due to icy conditions.  He is extremely pleased with the Teamwork that was displayed by all City Departments during these trying times.  The Street Department keeping our roads sanded and safe for emergency apparatus to drive on, the Police Department for assisting with patient care during our CPR call and Utilities for pulling our Fire Engine out of a impassable slick spot in the road.  Kudo's to all.   

Police:

The Police Department Auxiliary held their annual meeting this week. There were several topics that were discussed along with several service awards that were received.  Congratulations and great thanks go to:  Todd Wakeman (15 years), Tom Dickinson (11 years), Kellyn Friedman (11 years), Comie Barges (10 years), Allison Coon (10 years), James Elias (10 years), Shawn Griffith (10 years), Renee Olson (10 years), Shanali Bhagat (9 years), Fred Clements (9 years), Nadezda Serrie (9 years), William Surratt (9 years), Ken Morgan (7 years), James Swann (7 years), Dick Williams (7 years), Debra Brod (5 years), Steve Jones (4 years), Robert Miller (4 years), Karen Williams (4 years), Chandra Artham (3 years), David Faltot (3 years), Arto Lehtonen (3 years), Jay Myers (3 years), Michael Maclean (2 years), Paul Scholz (2 years), Donald Guzzardo (1 year), Tim Morgan (1 year), and Scott Myers (1 year). Thanks again to these fantastic volunteers! I'm not sure how we would ever get it all done without them!

Officer Ryan Urbanek was presented with the Life Saving Award for his actions in December at Copperas Branch Park. Congratulations Ryan and great job!

This week, the police department responded to 128 calls for service, made 68 traffic contacts, made 7 arrests, responded to 1 traffic accident and performed 183 community policing activities.

On February 11, 2011 at approximately 7:52 am officers received a report of welfare concern for a resident in the Castlewood area. Officers responded to the scene and were able to meet and talk with the person at their residence. It was determined the resident was not injured and the incident was later concluded.

STREET / UTILITY DIVISIONS PROJECTS

The FM 2499 screening wall project is currently out to bid.  This project consists of constructing approximately 300 ft. of brick screening fence and 200 ft. of wrought iron fence along FM 2499 at the Explorer Pipeline easement.  The bid opening is scheduled for Feb. 22nd. 

TXDOT FM 407 project consists of constructing 1.164 miles of 4 lane divided concrete roadway from Briarhill Boulevard to Chinn Chapel Road.  The project is awarded to Tiseo Paving Co. The project is currently at a standstill due to underground conflicts on the south side of the road right of way.  It is anticipated that all conflicts will be resolved & the contractor will be moving dirt within 3 to 4 weeks.

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 utilities contractors are scheduled to mobilize next week to begin construction of the gas main & water main.  The dirt contractor is scheduled to begin constructing the mow strip.  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.  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 Oak St well lot fence replacement project consists of removing and replacing approximately 400 ft. of perimeter fence at the well lot site.  The project is awarded to Hardy Fence.  The contracts are being executed in the City Manager's office.  Contractor is anticipated to mobilize within the next 3 weeks. 

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 washed down all manholes.  The contractor has plugged all I&I and is applying the cementitious lining.  Staff is reviewing the lining material submittal.  Pay estimate #1 is being processed in Finance.

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

Scott Kriston conducted a final walk through on the Buffalo Wild Wings site last week.  The contractor is working on a small punch list.

The Highland Village Road water line replacement project sections 1 & 2 is complete.  This project consisted of replacing approximately 5000 feet of water line along Highland Village Rd. from Brazos Boulevard to Lake Vista. 

The AC Water Line Replacement project is awarded to Macval & Associates.  This project consists of replacing approximately 10,000 ft. of water line in the east side of the City.  The Village Estates, Villa Park, Merriman Dr., Mosswood, Sellmeyer, Desiree, Perro Pl. & Medina Dr. areas are the water lines to be replaced.  Staff held a pre-construction meeting last week.  The contractor is in the process of mobilizing.  The contractor has 200 calendar days to complete the project.  You should expect traffic delays in the areas the contractor is working in.

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:

• Excavated and repaired a sewer line on Scenic Dr.
• Made one line locate of buried city infrastructure.
• Participated in snow and ice clean up at City facilities with other departments.
• Attended one day of the TXDOT Work Zone Traffic Control & Qualified Flagger Training class.  The class was split up due to inclement weather. 
• Made emergency turnoffs due to frozen service lines caused by 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.

Drainage Crews:

• Assisted streets in sanding during ice & snow event.
• Removed over grown shrubs from the box culverts in the 2000 block of Highland Shores to restore proper flow.
• Attended one day of the TXDOT Work Zone Traffic Control & Qualified Flagger Training class.  The class was split up due to inclement weather.
• Cleaned creek crossings and inlet boxes to insure proper flow.

Streets Crews:

• Attended one day of the TXDOT Work Zone Traffic Control & Qualified Flagger Training class.  The class was split up due to inclement weather.
• Spread sand for the snow and ice event that came in the first part of the week.
• Made repairs to street signs throughout City due to the ice and snow event that caused damage.
• Installed signs on Highland Shores Boulevard at Northwood Drive for east bound traffic.
• Installed a guardrail on Highland Village Road at Canyon Creek Drive.
• Started installation of the wayward sign in front of 948 Highland Village Road.

PARKS DEPARTMENT

Park staff is in the process of trimming trees at City Hall as well as removing fallen trees from Unity Park and other Park locations.

The new restroom at Unity Park is complete and Parks staff will begin pouring the surrounding sidewalk as soon as weather permits.

The rock and masonry work on the Pilot Knoll gate has been completed.  

Frank Furche and Scott Strasser attended a sports field seminar at the Ewing irrigation facility on Thursday. This class went over fundamentals of sports field prep and establishment and maintenance of healthy turf on game fields.

Park staff has been busy making repairs to several broken water pipes damaged in the recent freezing weather.

Linda Cornelius and Fince Espinoza met with representatives from Dunkin Sims Stoffles, Inc. to view preliminary plans for the playground located a Village Park

Parks Staff, Officer Roppolo, and Chief Collier met with McAuliffe Elementary to discuss the final details of the 6th Annual Chili Cook-off.

This Saturday is the 11th Annual Father/Daughter Dance held at Celebrations Grand Ballroom.

Highland Village Senior All-Stars:

2/7/11: Game Day, Pickleball and Texas Hold'em: 40 attendees

2/8/11: Game Day, Pickleball: 15 attendees

2/10/11: Game Day, Bridge, Open Nominations and Pickleball: 30 attendees

2/12/11: Valentines Social and Game Night: 30 attendees

Sarah Alexander met to discuss the possibility of starting Spanish Classes at The Robert and Lee DuVall Center.

Sarah Alexander met with a Zumba Fitness instructor to finalize the Zumba class she will be offering. Classes are set to begin on Wednesday, March 2 from 9:30 a.m.- 10:30 a.m. at The Robert and Lee DuVall Center.

Sarah Alexander met with a Home Economist to finalize contracts for the classes she will be offering at The Robert and Lee DuVall Center. She will be offering an American Red Cross Babysitting and CPR class during the week of March 14-17, 2011 from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m..  She will then offer this class 2 times a month on Saturdays in April and May from 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.  She will also be offering a Sew Fun Camp during the week of March 14-17, 2011 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at The Robert and Lee DuVall Center