Recap of City Issues 04-01-11

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 contractor is cleaning up staging areas and working on punch list items. 

      COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

On Wednesday Councilmember Meek, Dottie Palumbo and Laurie Mullens attended DCTA's tour of the A-train corridor. The tour began in Denton and ended at the Highland Village/Lewisville Lake station. DCTA highlighted the facility at the downtown Denton station, the work that's been done to improve the intersections and sound walls through Denton residential areas and the progress of the stations. The A-train is set to open on June 18. To prepare for the opening, DCTA is recording short one-liners from council members and staff focusing on "what the A-_________train means to them." Specifically, they are asking for a filled in the blank response beginning with the letter "A". Mr. Meek recorded his on Wednesday, the "Avoiding bumper to bumper traffic train".  

On Monday Laurie Mullens and Lori Wright met with the Flower Mound Chamber to discuss partnership opportunities.

Laurie Mullens attended the Flower Mound Ambassador lunch on Friday at Blue Goose. We have a great partnership with the Flower Mound Chamber. The Ambassador's focus for this month and next is "Project Highland Village". The Flower Mound ambassadors are visiting Highland Village businesses and providing them information on the Flower Mound Chamber and the Highland Village Business Association. The next ambassador lunch continues this theme and is scheduled for Friday, May 6 at Rosa's in Highland Village.

PUBLIC SAFETY (POLICE AND FIRE)

Police:

This week, the police department responded to 123 calls for service, made 152 traffic contacts, made 9 arrests, responded to no traffic accidents and performed 350 community policing activities.

Corporal April Roppolo assisted the Chief of Westworth Village, Texas,  in the "Tip A Cop" fundraiser for Special Olympics held last weekend at Red Robin in Flower Mound. The Chief had been tasked to put on the fundraiser and he was having a hard time finding volunteers. Anyone that knows April knows that she is really hard to say no to so she had several officers rounded up to assist. April brought over a few 9-1-1 goodies to pass out for the kiddos and she said that the kids always have a fun when "Officer Patty" makes an appearance at any event. Several Highland Village Police Auxiliary (including Auxiliary/PSO Steve Jones and Jeanne Yanai) were also there to assist with the event.

Officer LaFortune and Corporal Roppolo met 42 High School students from Lafayette, LA who were singing at Highland Village Elementary.  They were very impressed that the Highland Village Police were so friendly. Officer Lafortune did great job in making them feel welcome.

Today Corporal Roppolo and several officers took HOPED fund raiser baskets to Highland Village Elementary.  This is the first year that the city was asked to help the school raise money.  Corporal Roppolo collected items from City Hall and the Police department.  Even Denco 911 provided awesome items for the auction scheduled for April 30.  Other give-a-ways include "Spend time with the Mayor at the  Red,White and Blue Festival"  and "Spend time with Cpl Roppolo and have lunch with the HV officers". The baskets are valued at $200.00, but the Chuck Norris poster is priceless. The school principals were so very grateful. Even one of our HVPD school crossing guard donated two beautiful dolls for the Auction.

Captain Corry Blount received the "Professionalism Award" during his graduation ceremony last week at the Institute for Law Enforcement Administration in Plano. The "Professionalism Award" is given to one person each class that best embodies and exemplifies the principles and topics that are covered during the Management College. Give your congratulations to Captain Blount!

Fire:

Calls for Service: Week of March 25-30

• Medical Emergencies - 6
• Fire Calls - 3
• Motor Vehicle Accident - 2
• Commercial Fire Alarm - 3
• Commercial Plan Review - 2
• Commercial Inspections - 3

Highland Village Firefighters attended Live Fire Training held at the Tarrant County Community College complex on Monday - Wednesday of this week.

STREET / UTILITY DIVISIONS PROJECTS

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 started charging time to the contractor on March 7th.   You should expect traffic delays along the entire length of the construction zone for the duration of the project.

The FM 2499 screening wall project bid opening was last week.  This project consists of constructing approximately 300 ft. of brick screening fence, 200 ft. of wrought iron fence along FM 2499 at the Explorer Pipeline easement and replacing the existing brick panels south of Highland Shores Blvd.  Project is awarded to Ratliff Hardscape.  Contracts are being signed.  Contractor is anticipated to start late April, 2011.  

The Highland Village Road (Sellmeyer Rd. to Lakeland Dr.) project contractor is installing the hand rail for the trail.  The road was opened this week to traffic.  Final walk through is anticipated for next week.  A Ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for April 8th.

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 installed upon delivery. 

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 applied the cementitious lining.  The contractor is currently installing the epoxy lining on the upper end of the project.  

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.  The new water line was placed into service this week.  A restoration crew has mobilized in this area.  The pipe crew installed pipe on Medina.  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 approx. 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:

• Justin Praesel and Larry Jeurink attended a Hach sponsored Chlorine Standards Testing class at the Eagle Mountain WTP in Ft Worth.
• Gary Matthews and Colt Steen attended the city mandated Sexual Harassment class and also attended a Safety Class.
• Put Southwood and FM 407 wells into service due to water demand increase.
• Installed temporary irrigation at Double Tree Ranch to prevent dust and to water in grass seed.
• Worked on the City wide water pressure study.
• Flushed 4,040 linear feet of sanitary sewer line.
• Lowered a water service line on Horeshoe to make way for drainage repairs.
• Located two areas of utility infrastructure.
• Excavated a sewer service on Sunday Haus.  Made repairs and installed a property line cleanout.
• Excavated a sewer service on Medina.  Made repairs and dressed yard.
• TV inspected three sewer service lines.
• 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.

Drainage Crews:

• Covered up graffiti on the concrete drainage flume in the 600 block of Arbor Ct.
• Inspected and cleaned various inlet boxes.
• Is replacing the rip rap rock at the creek crossing near Community Center 1A. 

Street Crews:

• Installed reflective pavement markers on Highland Village Rd. from Lakeland Dr. to Brazos Blvd.
• Made concrete repairs on Meadow Brook Dr.
• Put down a fresh coat of paint on the center no passing stripe on Highland Village Rd. from Brazos Blvd. to Sellmeyer Ln.
• Painted stripes for the City vehicle parking area at the Municipal Service Center.
• Made a concrete street repairs on Hillside Dr.
• Removed graffiti from the Poindexter bridge pillars.
• Hauled spoils from Southwood to Big City and to the landfill.
• Robert Maynard and Alan Orr attended a class on FlexKrete in Celina to learn the techniques of how to make quick concrete street repairs.

PARKS DEPARTMENT

Staff at Unity Park is prepping baseball and soccer fields each day for league games.

Wes Nienhuser has been making weed control applications to various parks and municipal grounds.

Staff is adding mulch to planting and shrub beds in several parks, municipal grounds and medians in the city.

Staff is in the process of making repairs to playground areas at Lions Club Park and Turpin Park.

Tony Palesano is finishing up installation of the Calsense irrigation system at Unity Park.

An electrical contractor is in the process of enhancing several campsites from 30 amp to 50 amp service at Pilot Knoll Park camp ground.

The mowing contractor for TXDOT is scheduled to mow FM 2499 this week. VMC Landscape Services will take over the mowing cycle of this city ROW after April first.

The Spring Clean Up took place last Saturday at Copperas Branch Park, 350 vehicles participated in the event. Residents had the opportunity to dispose of hazardous waste, electronics, paper shredding, and brush and limbs.  The Environmental Collection Center reported 28,945 pounds of hazardous waste were collected at the event.

The men's softball league completed the second week of play at Unity Park

Laurie Mullens and Andra Boxberger met with The Ranch, KSCS, and The Wolf to discuss radio advertisement for the Red, White and Blue Festival.

Fince Espinoza and Andra Boxberger met with Marcus Cross Country to plan the 1K and 5K race for the Red, White and Blue Festival.

Highland Village Senior All-Stars

3/28/11: Game Day, Texas Hold'em and Pickleball: 25 attendees

3/29/11: Game Day and Pickleball: 12 attendees

3/30/11: Texas Hold'em: 10 attendees

3/31/11: Game Day, Bridge and Pickleball: 26 attendees

Building Reservations:

4/2/11: Lions Club

HUMAN RESOURCES / STAFF TRAINING

Human Resources:

• Jana Onstead attended a training session presented by the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) on Tuesday titled "The Impact of the ADA Amendments Act on Employers," regarding final regulations recently released on the amendments to the Americans with Disabilities Act . 
• The Naturally Slim group had their regular meeting on Thursday.  This is week 7 out of the 10-week program.

Parks:

• Tommy White received notice that he has met the requirements of the standards set forth by the National Certification Board and has been granted certification as a Certified Playground Safety Inspector.  The exam is quite difficult.  He attended the three day class on Feb 28 - March 2 in McAllen.  He is the only Certified Playground Inspector we have in our Department at this time.  This will assist us in providing safe public playgrounds for our citizens. Congratulations Tommy!