Recap of City Issues 3-11-11

TXDOT FM 2499 section 4 project is still an active construction zone. The outer driving lanes are closed to traffic in various locations; 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 zones.  The signal at the intersection of FM 2499 and Highland Shores Boulevard / Castlewood Boulevard is fully operational.  

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.  They have a 15 month contract to complete the project.  TXDOT will start charging time to the contractor starting Monday March 7th.   You should expect traffic delays along the entire length of the construction zone.

     COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

On Thursday the Lewisville Leadership class was in Highland Village for City Day. The class had lunch at Blue Goose in the Shops at Highland Village and then boarded golf carts for a tour of the our trail system. Fince Espinoza, Linda Cornelius and Laurie Mullens provided information along the route about the trail system and our partnership with the developers to connect the trails throughout the city. The group stopped at The Robert & Lee DuVall Center for a tour of the facility. More information was given on the funding mechanism for the trail system, the process for creating and updating a trail master plan and information on the construction of the DuVall Center and the purchase of Doubletree Park and 707 Highland Village Road. The group then took the golf cart ride to Doubletree for a tour of the property. The class enjoyed the visit and appreciated the information about Highland Village and our amenities.

PUBLIC SAFETY (POLICE AND FIRE)

Fire:

Calls for Service: Week of March 4 - 10

• Medical Emergencies - 8
• Public Service Calls - 4
• Fire Calls - 2
• Commercial Plan Review - 1
• Commercial Inspections -  1

Highland Village Firefighters attended a presentation by a Petroleum Engineer with Chesapeake Energy.  This presentation included classroom and field training regarding fire and job site injuries that may occur at gas well drilling sites.  Although Highland Village has no gas wells within our city limits, the possibility of being summoned for mutual aid to neighboring cities does exist making this training beneficial.

Police:

This week, the police department responded to 131 calls for service, made 165 traffic contacts, made 8 arrests, responded to 2 traffic accidents and performed 393 community policing activities.

The Police Department conducted their annual In-Service training this week. Subjects included; AED training, DWI, Family Violence, LISD Emergency Procedures, and other related topics.

The Police Department welcomes it's newest member and Police Officer, Nicole Green. Nicole was sworn in on Monday and started her field training program with Sergeant Bobby Doyle. 

Lieutenant Sheri Morrison attended the first of two T.A.P.E.I.T. (Texas Association of Property and Evidence Inventory Technicians) Board meetings that will be held before their annual conference in October. Lieutenant Morrison is the Editor for this organization.

The Police Department presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Mulkey's Flowers and Gifts for their donations and assistance for the recent renewal of vows ceremony at Rambling Oaks.

STREET / UTILITY DIVISIONS PROJECTS

The FM2499 screening wall project bid opening was last 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 created a bid tab.  Recommendation to Council is scheduled on March 22nd. 

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 well lot fence replacement project consists of removing and replacing approximately 400 ft. of perimeter fence at the well lot site.  The contractor completed the wood portion of the fence last week.  The wrought iron portion is anticipated to be delivered for install on March 21st. 

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.  The contractor has ordered the epoxy lining material and is anticipated to start applying it within the next few weeks.  

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

The AC Water Line Replacement 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 Pl. & 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 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:

• Gary Matthew and Colt Steen attended Cityworks training at 948A Training Room.
• Unstopped and flushed one sewer lateral.
• Located two areas of utility infrastructure.
• Reinspected one grease interceptor that previously failed its monthly inspection.
• Replaced a broken curb stop on Doublet Tree.
• Replaced broken pump control switches at the Amhurst lift station.
• 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 systems.
• Are filling in the pond at the DT Ranch. 

Drainage Crews:

• Repaired several concrete inlet boxes in the Highland Shores Overlook Subdivision.
• Attended the 2-day TX DOT Planning Work Zone Traffic Control class at the 948A Training Room
• Redefined the swale inside an existing drainage easement in the 3300 block of Northwood.
• Located the utilities at Post Oak & Springway for culvert replacement.
• Met with a resident regarding a driveway culvert replacement in the Horse Shoe Subdivision.

Street Crews:

• Completed the installation of 16 speed humps located at Pilot Knoll Park for the Parks & Rec Dept.
• Attended the 2-day TX DOT Planning Work Zone Traffic Control class at the 948A Training Room.
• Charles, Robert, Mark, Alan & Jannie attended Cityworks training at 948A Training Room.

PARKS DEPARTMENT

Parks:

The new restroom  at Unity Park / Kids Kastle is now open for use.

Tommy White and Joey Hardin met with a contractor at Pilot Knoll Park regarding expansion of the boat  dock in the day-use area of the park.

Electrical contractor Metro Electric is expected to finish enhancement of six additional camp sites at Pilot Knoll Park from 30 amp to 50 amp service by this weekend.

Several mowing contractors have picked up bid packets from the Parks Department in response to the advertisement of services for the ROW maintenance bidding.

The Parks department wishes to thank the Streets Maintenance Department for the installation of new speed bumps in camping and day use areas of Pilot Knoll Park.

Wes Nienhuser and other Parks staff are now making weed control applications in various parks and municipal grounds areas.

Recreation:

On Tuesday, Lori Wright, Karen Bradley, Andra Boxberger and Fince Espinoza met to discuss the Red, White and Blue Festival band contracts, stage set up and event timeline.

On Tuesday, Fince Espinoza met with representatives from HVABSA to discuss their contract extensions.

On Wednesday, Linda Cornelius, Laurie Mullens, Doug Bell, Sheri Morrison and Andrea King assisted Andra Boxberger in judging the Fall/Winter photo contest.  We had 194 pictures entered for the Fall/Winter photo contest.  The Best Overall - Blazing Clouds of Glory by Allison Niccum.

On Wednesday, Andra Boxberger and Fince Espinoza met with a representative from Sound Mind Events, a sound, light and stage company, to discuss their bid for this year's R, W & B Festival.

Robert and Lee DuVall Center Rentals

Saturday - 3/5/11 Lions Club Meeting

Saturday and Sunday - 3/5-6/11 Men's Basketball Organization Meeting

Monday 3/7/11 Pampered Chef

Highland Village Senior All-Stars:

3/7/11: Game Day, Helping Hands, Pickleball and Texas Hold'em: 35 attendees

3/8/11: Game Day and Pickleball: 22 attendees

3/9/11: Texas Hold'em: 12 attendees

3/10/11: Game Day and Pickleball: 32 attendees

3/12/11: St. Patrick's Day Social and Game Night: 25 attendees

HUMAN RESOURCES / STAFF TRAINING

Fire:

• Assistant Chief Collier attended the Firefighter Advisory Board in Austin on Thursday and Friday.
• Assistant Chief Collier attended the monthly FIANT meeting held in Grapevine on Wednesday.
• Chief Lonnie Tatum attended the Board of Managers Meeting for Denco on Thursday.