Recap of City Issues 04-08-11

I was asked a very good question about State Funding and what is happening in the City of Dallas with the projected loss of $24,000,000 and if the City of Highland Village in danger of losing any revenue. The City of Dallas, along with most larger urban cities, receives a substantial amount of State and Federal money due to their demographics.  Huge areas of the city that are low income/poverty qualifies them for Community Development Block Grants and Urban Housing, which provides money to libraries, senior housing for low income, section 8 housing, and the rebuilding of impoverished neighborhood's infrastructure, etc........but that appears to be going away. 

Typically we do not qualify for any State of Federal grants, due to our demographics being at the other end of the spectrum.  In fact it's either purely luck or a good argument by us when we do get some type of funding.  Over the last two years we received approximately $225,000  of Federal money that is allocated through the State Comptroller. mainly for capital purchases one time expenses.  The only funded program is the Safer Grant for our FF/Paramedic's. I have identified the 3 major grants we have recently received:

2011 - $57,000 Federal Energy Stimulus Money we used for the AC replacement

2010 - $60,000 PD's License Plate scanners

2009 - 2013 - average per year $60,000 for our Federal Safer Grant 3 FF/Paramedic's which expires in 2 years 

To date, through FY 2010-2011 we have received no direct funding from the State of Texas for capital or programming needs.  Our biggest concern for the City of Highland Village is unfunded mandates by the State or the State capturing current revenue and redirecting fines and or fees directly to the state.  We are monitoring this closely and at this time there is several proposed Bills but no action has come to date.

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.  

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.  TX DOT 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.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

On Thursday Laurie Mullens and Andra Boxberger attended a meeting at DCTA offices to plan events for the launch of the A-train. On May 7, from 10-1, the Rail Ready Safety Day will take place at the Highland Village/Lewisville Lake station. This event will consist of booths and displays by Highland Village Police and Fire Departments, Texas Parks and Wildlife boat, MADD and their "drunk goggles", a car wrecked by a collision with a train, Denton Area Railroad Club with a model layout of the A-train system and many others. Most importantly, the A-train will be on site for attendees to tour. Last Saturday the first Rail Ready Safety Day took place in Old Town Lewisville and had about 500 attendees.

It was my pleasure to participate with Denton County Commissioner Bobbie Mitchell in a ribbon cutting officially opening the newly reconstructed Highland Village Road. This project is an example of the city and county working together to meet the needs of the community. The road has been closed for construction since September 2010 when flooding rains caused this portion of the road to wash away. Fortunately we had partnered with Denton County to include reconstruction of this section of Highland Village Road (along Wichita Forest and the Lewisville Lake boat docks) in the 2008 TRIP Bond Program. The new roadway is now raised to avoid future flooding and includes enhanced drainage to comply with US Army Corps of Engineers guidelines. A ten-foot wide walking trail was also included in the reconstruction to allow connection to the Inland Trail system and provide safe pedestrian transport along Highland Village Road.

PUBLIC SAFETY (POLICE AND FIRE)

Police:

This week, the police department responded to 132 calls for service, made 108 traffic contacts, made 8 arrests, responded to 2 traffic accidents and performed 361 community policing activities.

Corporal April Roppolo and several other Police Department members delivered several donation baskets to Highland Village Elementary this week. We also took over five porcelain dolls (valued at over $300) that were kindly donated by two of our own crossing guards, Phyllis and James Walden. Thanks to everyone for helping!

A Highland Village resident asked Corporal Roppolo to help her obtain a fire helmet to assist with a fundraiser for fire fighters. Chief Tatum was able to give her a helmet that she decorated with pictures from 9/11. After the event, the helmet will be presented to the Fire Department for display.

Officer Jessie Peterson, Corporal April Roppolo, and "Officer Patty" went to Primrose and spoke to approximately twenty-six students about bullying and other safety issues.

Fire:

Calls for Service: Week of March 31 - April 7

• Medical Emergencies - 10
• Fire Calls - 5
• Motor Vehicle Accident - 1
• Public Service Calls - 5
• Commercial Plan Review - 1
• Commercial Inspections -  3

Scott Clasby, who has served as a Highland Village Volunteer Firefighter for the past 6 years, has been hired to fill the vacant full-time position in the Fire Department.  Scott, who has worked for the past 11 years as Director of Exercise Physiology for the Cooper Clinic is a 1998 Graduate of Oklahoma State University and looks forward to his new career with the City of Highland Village.

STREET / UTILITY DIVISIONS PROJECTS

The FM2499 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 is open to traffic.  Final walk through was performed this week.  Contractor is working on a small punch list.  A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on Friday.

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 retainage 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.  The wrought iron fence installation will start next week. 

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 in the manholes.  

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 resoration of the Merriman and Mosswood area.    The pipe crew is installing new 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 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:

• Re-inspected four grease traps.
• Are in the process of repairing the HOA fence around lift station #2.
• Performed a water line test kill on HV Rd and Village Estates for the water line replacement project currently under construction.
• Located two areas of utility infrastructure.
• Excavated a sewer service on Monday Haus.  Made repairs, installed a property line cleanout, and raised the existing manhole to grade.
• 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:

• Inspected and cleaned various inlet boxes.
• Completed replacing the rip rap rock at the creek crossing near Community Center 1A. 

Street Crews:

• Made concrete street repairs on Highland Shores Blvd. at Green Oaks St. due to a base failure.
• Installed road reflectors on Highland Village Rd. from Lakeland Dr. to I35E service road and added rail reflectors on guardrail on the new section of Highland Village Rd. at the boat docks.

PARKS DEPARTMENT

The 4B crew has been cleaning up brush and debris from the Doubletree Ranch Park In preparation for near future demolition of the existing buildings at that site.

Staff at Copperas Park made repairs to the gate house, concession and storage building.

Staff added surface material to the Playground at Lions Club Park.

Staff at Unity is in the process of making repairs to Kids Kastle Playground.

Wes Nienhuser constructed a concrete pad for a Calsense irrigation antenna at the Harlington Soccer fields.

The enhancement of 6 additional 30 amp service camp sites to 50 amp service at Pilot Knoll Park has been completed by an electrical contractor. The Pilot Knoll Park camp ground has experienced full capacity the last several week ends

Staff at Pilot Knoll Park made repairs to a broken water line near the gate house.

Pedro Miranda made repairs to two drinking fountains on the City Trail.

Tony Palesano is in the process of completing the Cal sense irrigation system at Unity Park.

Linda Cornelius and Fince Espinoza interviewed several architectural design firms which included; Newman, Jackson, Bieberstein, Inc, Schrickel, Rollins and Associates, Inc, Studio Outside and David Retzsch Design.  Hopefully one of these firms will be selected to design the Doubletree Ranch Master Plan. 

Parks staff has submitted a RFP for the Municipal Parks and Recreation Building Structures Demolition Project which include the Doubletree Ranch Park Dance Hall, Two Story House, Well House, Well Tank, Metal Panel Fence and a Concrete Curb.  Parks staff will have a pre-bid meeting on April 19th at The Robert and Lee DuVall Center at 10:00 a.m. and the bids are due on May 2nd at 2:00 p.m.  Information for bidders can be found at http://www.highlandvillage.org/legalnoticesql.html

Parks staff held Red, White and Blue committee meetings covering food vendors, bands, sponsorships, and marketing for this year's festival.

Andra Boxberger met with Specialty Pet Training to schedule additional dog obedience classes due to the popular demand. The Good Manners class started this week at Brazos Park.

Tennis classes start this week at Unity Park on Tuesday evenings.

Laurie Mullens and Andra Boxberger met with DCTA to discuss the A-Train Rail Ready Safety Days that will take place at the Highland Village/Lewisville Lake Station on May 7th from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00

4/4/11:Game Day, Helping Hands, Texas Hold'em and Pickleball: 30 attendees

4/5/11: Game Day and Pickleball: 15 attendees

4/6/11: Texas Hold'em: 3 attendees

4/7/11:  Game Day, Meals on Wheels & Bingo, and Pickleball: 24 attendees

Sarah Alexander met with the Director of Musculoskeletal Services & Rehabilitation Services for the Medical Center of Lewisville to discuss a possible Health/Wellness Fair to be held at The Robert & Lee Duvall Center

HUMAN RESOURCES / STAFF TRAINING

Human Resources:

• The Naturally Slim group had their weekly meeting on Thursday.  There are 2 more weeks to go, and the group is still experiencing some big losers, a few have already hit their goal weights - congratulations!
• Martha Butz, Jane Ponder, and Jana Onstead conducted Employee Orientation on Thursday for 3 new employees:  Communications Officer Roselyn Smith, Police Officer Nicole Green, and Firefighter/EMT Scott Clasby.

Fire:

• DCTA Train Training ~ Highland Village and Lewisville Firefighters attended joint training exercises for the anticipated June opening of the DCTA's "A" Train.  This training consisted of emergency access to the train cars to remove victims and included emergency shut down of the engines in case of fire and other hazards.  
• Lake Lewisville  ~  Lewisville Dive Team Leader conducted training for Highland Village Firefighters on mutual aid dive operation response on our shores of Lake Lewisville.  This familiarization training is conducted annually to assure a constant state of readiness as we approach what is expected to be a busy season on the lake. 
• On Wednesday, Assistant Chief Collier attended the monthly FIANT (Fire Instructors Association of North Texas) meeting held in Grapevine.
• On Thursday, Assistant Chief Collier attended an  Emergency Management Meeting.
• On Thursday, Assistant Chief Collier attended the Denton County Fire Chief's Meeting.