Recap of City Issues - August 1, 2008

On Wednesday we enacted Phase 2 of our Water Conservation plan. Phase 2 was triggered automatically by ordinance when the demand on the City water supply reached 80% or greater for 3 consecutive days. Signs have been posted throughout the city, a press release was sent to the media, an eConnect e-mail and Connect CTY phone call was sent to residents, and the information is on the city web site.

The ground breaking ceremony was held for The District of Highland Village on July 29th.  Developer/property owner Mike Silvaggio introduced Mayor Dianne Costa and Sue Thompson who made brief statements in support of the project and the partnership of working with the developer and the residents.  Longtime resident Jo Moody gave a brief history of the site stating in 1986 the Texas Sesquicentennial wagon train stopped on that site and was served lunch by members of the Sesquicentennial Committee, City staff, Council and volunteers before the wagon train went on its way. Council members Adams, Fiorenza, McDearmont and Combs were present as well as members of P&Z and staff.  Dottie Palumbo stated that this will be the first development in the City, during the planning process, to provide a transit stop for DCTA bus service along FM 407.  Mr. Frank Wu was also present.  This property was known as the "Wu property" from 20+ years before Mr. Silvaggio purchased the site for The District.    

Dottie Palumbo, Sue Thompson and I attended a meeting at DCTA to review and discuss conceptual rail station designs for the five (5) rail station locations.  This meeting was with City Managers and staff from Lewisville, Denton and Highland Village, URS consultants and DCTA staff to receive preliminary information on station design and elements.  The next step is to bring this presentation to the three member city's City Councils to receive input.  Staff plans to place this work session item on the second meeting in August to receive a presentation from URS and DCTA. 

Sue Thompson reports that a meeting between Regency Centers and the Highland Village Women's Club was held to begin preliminary discussions related to the possible relocation of the annual HVWC event, "Our Village Glows", to the Shops at Highland Village.  Representatives of the HVWC outlined their expectations to Regency and all aspects of the event were discussed.  Regency is excited at the prospect of hosting the "Glow" and feels they can offer enhancements to help provide a win-win for the community.  A follow-up meeting is scheduled.  Sue will serve as the staff point person with input and assistance from the Parks and Recreation Department. Future updates will be provided as information becomes available.

Sue Thompson and Dottie Palumbo attended the monthly Precinct 3 meeting chaired by Denton County Commissioner Bobbie Mitchell to receive updates on the roadway projects of importance to Highland Village and its citizens and businesses.  Sue requested TxDOT provide construction updates and information to the City on a regular basis on construction of the improvements to the intersection of FM 407 and FM 2499 and the ongoing work on FM 2499 that could be placed on the City's website to help inform residents and businesses of timelines and closures associated with the construction.

This week, the police department responded to 155 calls for service, made 82 traffic contacts, made 4 arrests, responded to 3 traffic accidents and performed 707 community policing activities.

Corporal April Roppolo presented a Merit Award certificate to Sydney Hicke, a first grader at Heritage Elementary. 

The Street Division made repairs at Highland Village Road at Highland Shores Boulevard. In that area the crew changed the transition to the pavement so that is had a less abrupt slope to the pavement. The crew will continue to make corrections at that location into next week.

The Street crews installed some new school signs on Brazos Boulevard to upgrade the signs in that area.

On Monday, Fince L. Espinoza spoke with Ann Duncan of Upper Trinity regarding water distribution state regulations for the clean up events.

On Tuesday, Fince L. Espinoza and Shelly Clark held a phone conference with a representative from RecPro, who demonstrated an alternative recreation software computer program.

On Monday, the Senior All-Stars enjoyed Game Day at the Highland Shores Community Center.

On Thursday, the Senior All-Stars enjoyed Game Day at the Highland Shores Community Center.

Our Kids Kamp had an awesome week of events for Fitness Week.  They learned about fitness as they attended field trips to Bounce World, The Health and Athletic Center, Sprouts and Swimming.  The summer is going quickly - only 2 weeks left of 2008 Kids Kamp.

Pilot Knoll Crew and Wes Neinhuser are nearing completion of remodeling the restrooms at the overnight camping area.  

The Pilot Knoll crew repaired a pond aeration fountain.

The Parks North Crew added material and did field preparation to the baseball fields at Copperas Park.

The Parks North Crew replaced a cable on a tree in the Municipal Complex parking lot. 

Tony Palesano has been busy adjusting cycles on all irrigation systems in the parks and municipal grounds due to phase II watering changes in the city.  

Inland Trail Crew replaced 12 signs on City Trail.

Inland Trail Crew landscaped at Village Park, Trail A, B and C.

On Thursday, Tommy White attended a safety committee incident review at 948 Highland Village Road.

On Thursday, Rhoda Savage, Fince L. Espinoza and Tommy White attended a budget meeting.

Corporal David Harney was profiled in the Flower Mound News Connection this week.  They spoke with him about his new appointment as part time School Resource Officer at Marcus High School.

Chief O'Bara, Detective Musick, Corporal Bell and Corporal Roppolo each received an award from the Children's Advocacy Center at the City Council meeting for their assistance in raising funds to construct their new building.  The awards were presented by CACDC representative Dan Leal. 

Corporal April Roppolo and Corporal David Harney attended Advanced School Safety training.

The Police Department conducted Police Auxiliary training for the Sky Watch and Cart Operations.

Chief O'Bara, Captain Stewart, Captain Blount, Lieutenant Schlichter and Communications Supervisor Grove attended a CAD demonstration by ICS. 

The Police Department held our annual Awards Dinner this week.  We first had a fajita dinner at The Blue Goose and then walked over to the AMC Theater where we all watched a showing of "Batman - The Dark Knight."  The awards for the year were given out just before the movie.

• Outstanding Police Officer - Jessie Peterson
• Rookie of the Year - Alan Oldaker
• Supervisor of the Year - (tie) Sergeant Paul Kimberlin and Sergeant David Pittinger
• Non-Sworn Employee of the Year - Michelle Burke (Animal Care)
• Communications Officer of the Year - Jessie O'Brien
• Auxiliary Member of the Year - Steve Jones

Vanesa Childers attended training for updating information to the City website.

Jana Onstead, Tommy White, Charles Mitchell, David Clark, Sam Smith, Bill Parsons, Billy Spencer, David Harney, and David Pittinger held their monthly Safety Incident Review meeting on Thursday morning.  Two incidents were reviewed.

The Employee Benefit Committee met on Wednesday.  Martha Butz, Jana Onstead, Autumn Aman, Alicia Richardson, Justin Praesel, Karen Bradley, Carolyn Britton, Nancy Sharp, Doug Bell, and Jon Richardson attended.  The committee discussed ideas to promote wellness and the upcoming insurance renewal.

Martha Butz attended a budget meeting on Thursday morning.

Thursday evening Jana Onstead and Vanesa Childers attended the North Texas Society of Human Resource Management summer social in Denton.

Council member Adams attended the monthly Precinct 3 Meeting held in Lewisville on Monday.

Mayor Costa, Mayor Pro Tem McDearmont, and Council members Adams, Combs and Fiorenza attended the Groundbreaking Ceremonies for The District of Highland Village on Tuesday morning.  That evening members of Council joined Police Department personnel at their Annual Awards Celebration held at the Blue Goose Restaurant and AMC Movie Theater at The Shops at Highland Village.