Recap of City Issues - April 18, 2008

Sue Thompson attended the Government Affairs Committee meeting this week and provided updates on Highland Village to the Committee.  A representative from the City of Lewisville made a presentation on recycling for the business community.  Commissioner Bobbie Mitchell updated everyone on transportation issues and the City of Lewisville announced that on Saturday, June 26th the FM 407 bridge over I-35 will be closed from 6 AM to 7 PM to allow for the much needed resurfacing.  TxDot will provide signage in the area with this information as well.

Sue Thompson reports that this Saturday beginning at 11 AM the new Pei Wei located at 3090 FM 407 (in the same building as Up In Smoke) in the Marketplace at HV will be serving food during their "trial run" period prior to the official opening on Monday, April 21st.

On Monday, the Senior All-Stars met at the Highland Shores Community Center for snacks and game day.  (14 Residents and 7 Nonresidents attended.)  Following game day, Cheryl Dudich and Shelly Clark treated the Senior Board to lunch while discussing upcoming events.

On Thursday, the Senior All-Stars met at the Highland Shores Community Center for game day and potluck lunch.  (24 Residents and 16 Nonresidents attended.) 

On Friday, the Senior All-Stars went on a day trip to the Choctaw Casino.  53 seniors signed up to go, lacking two people from being completely full.

The Bass Champs Fishing Tournament at Copperas Branch Park is this Saturday.

On Tuesday through Thursday of this week, Marikka Williams conducted staff training sessions on how to use the web based Citizen/Staff Request and Work Order Management System.  The system will provide citizens a means to request city service through a web portal which will enable staff to assess the situation and respond accordingly.  Staff will be equipped by this system to generate and manage electronic work orders related to these requests.  It also provides a means for residents and staff to track the status of the request.   Another facet of the system is to provide web access to an extensive 'Frequently Asked Questions' knowledge base.  Staff will be testing the system for the next two weeks and Marikka will have follow up meetings with each department to address any questions or concerns while she finalizes the customization process.  We plan to 'Go Live' with the system internally on May 1, 2008 and staff will utilize the system internally to submit requests and manage work orders, between departments, for the next few months.  The 'Citizen Action Center' will be released to the public in unison with the rollout of the new website.   

The City of Highland Village teamed up with McAuliffe Elementary for a service project.  McAuliffe students painted 300 tiles to replace the tiles that were ruined in the fire of 1999.  The tiles will be installed on the wall at Kids Kastle next Wednesday.

Wes Neinhuser, along with help from the Parks South crew, aerated and top dressed the practice soccer fields at Unity Park.

The Parks South Crew did regular maintenance this week.

The Parks North crew installed new tennis nets at Sellmeyer Tennis Courts.

The Parks North crew planted flowers in various shrubs in the flower beds.

Inland Trail Crew did regular maintenance and planted flowers this week.

Pilot Knoll crew retrieved and relocated “No Wake” buoys at Pilot Knoll Park.

Gedco Drilling Company, a contractor for TXDOT, assembled a drilling barge at the Copperas Branch Park to launch and drill for core samples from the lake bottom for the future construction project for I-35E expansion.  

The Street Division has continued to make concrete and asphalt street repairs this week on Hillside Drive and Remington Terrace.  These streets had base failures due to excessive water. 

Street staff have made repairs to brick pavers through out the city and will continue to make those repairs.

This week, the police department responded to 193 calls for service, made 84 traffic contacts, made 8 arrests, responded to 10 traffic accidents and performed 508 community policing activities.  

Jana Onstead attended the 2008 Cigna Forum in Dallas on wellness.  It was an educational forum providing new drivers impacting costs, employee health and productivity for employers.

On Wednesday, Rhoda Savage, Fince Espinoza, Sandy McCoy, Alicia Richardson, Audrey Gedminas, Sue Thompson, Lori Wright, Karen Bradley, Laurie Mullens, Martha Butz, Diane Callahan and Charles Mitchell held a VIP committee meeting for the Highland Village Days Red, White and Blue Festival.

The Parks and Recreation department held a Spring Luncheon for our hard-working parks and trails crews on Thursday.  The luncheon was well-attended, and the guys polished off a hearty meal from Babe's Restaurant.

Big "CONGRATULATIONS"  to Richard Smith on completing his first "SOLO" engine replacement.

Chief O'Bara and Captain Stewart provided presentation to senior members of the Denton Police Department regarding Highland Village PD's "Community Policing Concepts" and application processes.

Chief O'Bara, Captain Stewart, Captain Blount, and Lt. Schlichter met with the Chief of Police and a Lieutenant from the Sasche Police Department.  The Sasche Police Department is very interested in our Community Policing model and wanted to learn about our Police Department programs and projects.

Michael Leavitt, City Manager                                                 |
04/18/08