Recap of City Issues - May 23, 2008

Coming Soon…Highland Village Days Red, White and Blue Festival.

Sue Thompson reports that she, Dottie Palumbo, and Councilmembers Adams and Fiorenza attended the monthly Lewisville Chamber Governmental Affairs meeting on May 22nd to hear Senator Jane Nelson provide an update on legislative issues.  Senator Nelson provided comments on transportation issues, including fuels costs and the possibility of future toll roads, education with emphasis on how important a well-trained work force is, teachers and testing, health care costs and wellness.  She also mentioned that 1/3 of the State's economy is generated from the DFW metroplex area.

The Highland Village Fire Department is assisting The Muscular Dystrophy Association with its annual Fill-the-Boot Campaign.  Highland Village Firefighters will be out this week collecting money for Jerry’s Kids.  Highland Village residents are always super supportive in this effort and all donations are greatly appreciated.

The Pipeline Safety Group hosted is annual safety training workshop this week.  Chief Collier and Chief Tatum attended this seminar, focusing on increasing awareness and mitigation of pipeline and hazardous materials emergencies within our community.

Firefighter Chip Willis attended the annual Marcus ROTC Banquet where he presented an ROTC cadet with an award for citizenship.

On Monday, the Senior All-Stars met at the Highland Shores Community Center for snacks and game day.  (17 Residents and 9 Nonresidents attended.) 

On Thursday, the Senior All-Stars met at the Highland Shores Community Center for game day and potluck lunch.  (19 Residents and 11 Nonresidents attended.)   

On Thursday, Shelly Clark delivered the Kids Kamp flyers to the Highland Village Schools.

On Tuesday, the contractor poured another section of the Inland Trail.

The Highland Village Fire Dept. provided a tour for the local Daisy Girl Scout Troop in Highland Village.  The girl scouts enjoyed touring the station, fire engine and ambulance.  They thanked the firefighters for being “lifesavers” and presented them with cards made of candy lifesavers.

Corporal April Roppolo attended a Health Safety Fair at Lewisville hospital on Saturday.  She took along Rosie the Robot to assist in her presentation.

This week, the police department responded to 153 calls for service, made 92 traffic contacts, made 5 arrests, responded to 9 traffic accidents and performed 625 community policing activities.

The Highland Village Fire Department had 31 calls for service the week of May 16th – 22nd which included; 3 structure fires, 12 medical emergencies, 1 fire alarm call, 8 public assists, 2 motor vehicle accidents, 1 gas leak, 2 public services, and 2 medical alarm calls.  Public education programs: 1, attendees 11.

Captain Mark Stewart attended the Command Staff Leadership series sponsored by LEMIT.  The training is held at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville.

Corporal Detective Doug Bell attended Managing Criminal Investigations training at the Frisco Police Department.

Detective Andrea Musick attended the Reid Method of Interview and Interrogation training (Basic and Advanced). 

Michael Whatley joined the Utilities Department staff this week.  Michael is experienced in the utilities field and we are happy to welcome him on board.

Martha Butz and Jana Onstead attended the TMHRA Mid-Year Conference in South Padre Island this week.  TMHRA is an affiliate of the Texas Municipal League (TML).  Martha Butz led the program planning for this event and set up the speakers, including representatives from Dodge Development in Duncanville, the Executive Director of TMRS, Lynn Pham & Ross in Fort Worth and the Associate Executive Director of NTMA in Keller.  The speakers addressed retirement issues, compensation strategies and personal improvement.  Enhancements and updates to the Texas Municipal League’s salary survey software were also covered by The Waters Consulting Group.

Vanesa Childers, Nancy Sharp, Lori Wright, Sandy McCoy, Diane Callahan, Audrey Gedminas, and Shelly Clark attended the fifth series of the Customer Service Training in Corinth, Learning the Language of Multiple Generations.  

Captain Travis Nokes is attending Fire Officer II training (a 60-hour officer development course) at Tarrant County College this week.

We all know that staying physically fit reduces the amount of sick and injury leave taken by employees.  The Fire Departments all new State of the Art Physical Training Facility is up and running.  Pictured are City Employees Bill Aycock and Richard Smith taking advantage of the new facility with a daily workout.

Council member Calvin and his wife attended the Communities in Schools - Celebrating Successes event on Saturday evening, May 17th.  Proceeds from this event help fund dropout prevention services provided by Community In Schools North Texas to eliminate barriers for students so they may achieve academic success at: Denton ISD, Lewisville ISD, Little Elm ISD and Northwest ISD.

Mayor Costa attended the first annual Southern Denton County Neighbor to Neighbor Campaign Wrap-up and Check Presentation on Tuesday at the Lewisville City Hall.

Michael Leavitt, City Manager
05/23/08