Recap of City Issues 2-25-11

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.

Denton County Days in Austin was held this past Monday and Tuesday. This event brings Denton County Chambers of Commerce, Council members, city staff and school districts to Austin as a group to meet with our legislators. This trip was one of the most productive in recent years as we were able to meet with the Chief's of Staff for our local legislators to discuss our key issues, specifically our support of the widening of I-35E and our support of the non-smoking legislation proposed by Representative Crownover. We were informed on the issue of state budget cuts and inquired as to how we can help while stressing that we are not in support of unfunded mandates. We also had the opportunity to attend a presentation by Austin CapMetro and DCTA. This presentation included a bus ride on their system which uses the same type of buses as DCTA will have in place. Council members Charlotte Wilcox, William Meek, Pat Davis, myself, Dottie Palumbo and Laurie Mullens made the trip to Austin. John McGee was also there but with the Lewisville Leadership group.

PUBLIC SAFETY (POLICE AND FIRE)

Fire:

Calls for Service: Week of Feb 18 - Feb 24

• Medical Emergencies - 9
• Motor Vehicle Accident - 1
• Public Service Calls - 3
• Residential Fire Alarms  - 2
• Commercial Fire Alarms - 1
• Commercial Plan Review - 2
• Commercial Inspections - 2

Police:

This week, the police department responded to 108 calls for service, made 106 traffic contacts, made 6 arrests, responded to 2 traffic accidents and performed 371 community policing activities.

The Rambling Oaks Wedding ceremony held last weekend was a great event! Our police officers served as escorts and all did a great job. April Ropollo served as the flower girl.  Officers involved include Officer Henderson, Officer Peterson, Sgt Oliver, Cpl Patrick O, Officer Hasten, Steve Jones and his wife, Dick Williams and Auxiliary Jeanie Yanai. The flowers were donated by Mulkey Flowers and Officer Hasten's mother design the flowers.  Steve's wife made bows for the wheel chairs.  One couple has been married for  78 years and one wrote a book on how to keep a marriage together. 

Police Officer Applicant Nicole Green will be our new Police Officer starting March 7, 2011.  Nicole has over 2 years experience with Baylor Hospital Police, Intermediate certification, and a bachelors degree.  We welcome her to our team and look forward to working with her.  See will be assigned badge #521 and AOR#2.

A total of 345 students went through the LETS program this year at Briarhill Middle School. Corporal David Harney did a great job. Officer Peterson, our newest LETS instructor, even taught a couple of lessons.

Senior Animal Care Officer Michelle Burke was awarded a check for $250.00 from the Highland Village Rotary Club to assist with medical treatment and supplies for the shelter and our animals. Thanks Rotary and members!!

STREET / UTILITY DIVISIONS PROJECTS

The FM 2499 screening wall project bid opening was this week.  Three contractors submitted bids.  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.  Staff is creating a bid tab. 

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 was issued a final acceptance letter this week.

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.  A pre-construction meeting was held this week.  Contractor is anticipated to mobilize March 1st. 

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.  

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

The AC Water Line Replacement project is awarded to Macval & Associates.  This project consists of replacing approximately 14,000 ft. of water line in the east side of the City.  The Village Estates, Villa Park, Merriman Dr., Mosswood, Sellmeyer, Desiree, Perro Place & Medina Dr. areas are the water lines to be replaced.  The contractor is working on Merriman and Mosswood.  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:

• Replaced one old curb stop.
• Flushed one sewer lateral and TV inspected two laterals for problem areas.
• Attended the TXDOT Work Zone Traffic Control & Qualified Flagger Training class. 
• 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:

• Completed the gabion erosion control project in the 300 block of Lake Vista. 
• Performed inlet box inspections and maintenance at various locations.
• Are constructing the throat and curb & gutter to complete the Spring Oaks Turn Around Project.
• Attended the TXDOT Work Zone Traffic Control & Qualified Flagger Training class.

Street Crews:

• Painted the parking lot curbs in front of the Robert and Lee Duvall Center.
• Made asphalt street repairs in the 100 block of Scenic Dr. and 200 block of Rain Tree Dr.
• Attended the TXDOT Work Zone Traffic Control & Qualified Flagger Training class.

PARKS DEPARTMENT

Andra Boxberger met with a representative who will be offering a Couch to 5K program. The program will start in March and run over the Spring and Summer months.

Fince Espinoza and Andra Boxberger met with Kayak Instruction, Inc. who delivered kayaks to us this week.  Kayaks will start to be available for rent at Pilot Knoll Park.  Kayak Instruction, Inc. will offer a kayak class on May 22 at Pilot Knoll Park. 

City staff along with Bowman-Melton Associates, Inc. hosted a Trail Master Plan Update - Interagency meeting with representatives from; NCTCOG, TxDOT, DCTA, City of Lewisville and the USACOE to discuss future potential connections to schools, parks, municipal buildings, retail, surrounding cities and the DCTA rail station. 

Park staff completed construction of the sidewalk around the restroom building at Unity Park.

Soccer games began this past week at Unity Park.

Tommy White met with Charles Mitchell and Robert Maynard of the Street Department regarding installation of speed bumps at the day use area in Pilot Knoll Park .

Wes Nienhuser made pre-emergent fertilizer applications to all parks and medians in the city this past week.

Park staff are currently installing new trash receptacles at various parks in the city.

A new pet waste station was installed at Village Park by the Trail crew.

Staff at Pilot Knoll Park are in the process of painting and replacing camp fire rings and grills in the day use area of the Park.

Park staff at City Hall are cleaning and prepping shrub beds and trimming trees at that site.

HUMAN RESOURCES / STAFF TRAINING

Fire:

• Firefighter Paramedic Derek Doyle attended new employee orientation on Monday.  Please welcome Derek when you see him!
• Nancy Sharp attended Leadership Lewisville held in Austin on Monday and Tuesday.
• Chief Lonnie Tatum attended Denton County Days held in Austin on Monday and Tuesday.
• On Thursday, Chief Tatum and Assistant Chief Collier attended the Denton County Fire Chief's Meeting.