Tools

City Manager Michael Leavitt

City Manager's Report

Communication is very important to the City of Highland Village. Each week, I will provide you departmental updates on projects, events and accomplishments. Please stop by and take a minute to become informed on what is happening in your city.

View All Posts

Aug 07

City Manager's Weekly Update

Posted on August 7, 2017 at 8:31 AM by Crystal Babcock

The Highland Village Parks Foundation (HVPF) held a special board meeting on Saturday, July 29 at the Municipal Complex. The Board asked me to facilitate the meeting as a planning session to help them determine the direction they will go for the future. Topics discussed included the history of the Parks Foundation, foundation accomplishments, directors and members, the City park system, where to go for the future, and available options. It was a very productive meeting.
 
Community Development
The Highland Village Farmers Market opened Sunday morning. The Market will take place in the parking area of the Highland Village Town Center every Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Four Seasons Markets has been working with Andra Foreman and Autumn Aman to bring the Market to Highland Village. The Market will feature fresh produce, Texas meats, prepared foods, specialty foods, beauty and skin care, as well as arts and accessories. Four Seasons has over 40 markets in several cities including Dallas, Addison, Lewisville, Richardson, Sachse, Fairview, Flower Mound, Colleyville, and Carrollton. We hope to see you next Sunday at the Highland Village’s Farmers Market!
8.4.2017 CD - Farmers Market
 
Fire Department
All three shifts completed Emergency Reporting 3.0 training conducted by Deputy Chief Travis Nokes as well as the RT-130 Wildland Refresher training conducted by Assistant Chief Jason Collier this week. 

Due to inclement weather on Wednesday, the monthly siren test was canceled. 

Chief Brad Goudie and Deputy Chief Nokes attended the North Central Texas Trauma Regional Advisory Committee (NCTTRAC) meeting in Arlington on Wednesday. Following that meeting, Deputy Chief Nokes attended the Fire Instructor’s Association of North Texas (FIANT) meeting in Grapevine. 

Assistant Chief Collier attended the Benefit Committee meeting on Wednesday where Human Resources provided an update on the annual benefits renewal options.

Chief Goudie, Police Chief Doug Reim, and I met for our weekly Public Safety meeting on Wednesday.

On Thursday, Assistant Chief Collier attended the Denton County Fire Chief’s meeting in Denton. 

C Shift received some freshly baked cookies from residents on Thursday. As a thank you for their generosity, the Fire Department took the residents on a tour of the Fire Engine and Medic.
8.4.2017 FD - Cookies
The Fire Department had 24 calls for service this past week including 13 EMS Calls, one Gas Leak Call, five Water Leak Calls, one Smoke/Odor Investigation Call, one Public Service Call, one Medical Assist Call, one Canceled En Route Call, and one Detector Malfunction Call. 

Additionally, the Fire Marshal completed two inspections. 
 
Police Department
Several members of the Police Department attended a National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS) training in Fort Worth this week. NIBRS is an incident based reporting system used by law enforcement agencies in the United States for collecting and reporting data on crimes. Local, state, and federal agencies generate NIBRS data for their records management systems. Those in attendance from the Police Department included Sergeant Paul Kimberlin, Sergeant David Pittinger, Corporal J McCally, Administrative Manager Kathlee Teniente, Commander Sheri Morrison, Records Technician Jasmine Hipp, and Corporal Anita Sanchez.
8.4.2017 PD - NIBRS
Animal Control Officer Wes Fiddes received a call about two stray horses this week. It’s pretty normal to have stray dogs, but very out of the ordinary to have stray horses! Thank you to Flower Mound Animal Services for helping us corral these two!
8.4.2017 PD - Horses 1
 8.4.2017 PD - Horses 2

Public Works
Public Works staff met with BW2 to discuss various projects.

Work continues on the Ladera Development; the contractors are working on the box culvert bridge and storm sewer inlets. Another crew has been working on the retaining walls. 

Staff met with several residents to discuss drainage, street widening, and other issues.

Street Division
  • Continued asphalt street repairs on Willow Way. 
  • Finished concrete street repairs on Silverthorne Trail.
8.4.2017 Streets - Silverthorne
  • Completed the railroad pavement markings on Briarhill Boulevard.
  • Finished asphalt street repairs on Caitlin Circle. 
  • Finished sidewalk maintenance on Patricia Lane. 
  • Completed curb maintenance on Abigail Drive.
8.4.2017 Streets - Abigail
  • Removed debris from the roadway at Village Parkway/FM 2499 and Highland Shores Boulevard.
8.4.2017 Streets - 2499 Debris
  • Patched potholes in various locations throughout the City.
  • Replaced more school zone pavement markings in preparation of the new school year. 
8.4.2017 Streets - School Zones
  • Ben McEnroe and David Gonzalez attended Pavement Maintenance and Rehabilitation training at North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) in Arlington.

Drainage Division
  • Treated abandoned swimming pools in the 3300 block of Castlewood Boulevard, the 500 block of Willow Way, and the 700 block of Duvall Boulevard.
  • Performed mosquito collections for sampling.
8.4.2017 Drainage - Mosquito
  • Fogged for adult mosquitoes throughout the City.
  • Installed gabion baskets in the 300 block of Lake Vista South to help prevent creek erosion. 
8.4.2017 Drainage - Lake Vista
  • Inspected an area in the 600 block of Duvall Boulevard for creek erosion protection.
8.4.2017 Drainage - Duvall
  • Met with a resident on Abigail Drive to discuss issues blocking the wye inlet located in their backyard.
  • Mowed and trimmed weeds around the pond located behind Walmart.
  • Met with a contractor to discuss treating the ponds behind Walmart and Quail Cove to remove algae. 
  • Responded to a call about “green stuff” in the curb and gutter. Upon investigation, it was found to be algae growing on a mud pile and swimming pool D.E. in the gutter line.
  • Performed water quality testing in the creeks at various locations throughout the City.

Utilities Division
  • Bruce Sprowl and Nathan Hardwick passed their TCEQ Class II Wastewater Collection Operator license exams in order to obtain their licenses.
  • Sandblasted and painted several fire hydrants according to AWWA color code.
8.4.2017 Utilities - FH Blasting
  • Unstopped a sanitary sewer service in the 70 block of Remington Drive.
  • Replaced a meter box in a driveway in the 4300 block of Millington Drive.
8.4.2017 Utilities - Meter Box Replace
  • Performed maintenance on the cathodic protection at Southwood Well Lot and Idlewild Elevated Storage Tower.
  • Installed a new CL-17 chlorine analyzer at Idlewild Elevated Storage Tower.
  • Performed monthly maintenance on the train horns on Highland Village Road and Briarhill Boulevard.
  • Performed customer service inspections on several commercial businesses.
  • 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 system.

Maintenance Division
  • Performed 13 preventive maintenance and equipment services.
8.4.2017 Maint - Service
  • Repaired the A/C on a truck. 
  • Replaced four tires.
  • Replaced the PTO and deck belts on two mowers.
8.4.2017 Maint - PTO
  • Replaced the rear brake pads on a truck.
  • Performed one front end alignment.
 
Parks and Recreation
Park Projects
Doubletree Ranch Park
The contractor’s landscape subcontractor is installing plants and trees throughout the park. Staff is assisting the contractor with the final walkthrough punch list items in an effort to complete them.

Park Staff
  • Staff is performing regular maintenance at their assigned properties.
  • The crew at Doubletree Ranch Park has been working on the soccer fields in preparation for the tournament taking place there this weekend. 
8.4.2017 Parks - DRP Soccer
  • Our projects crew has been troubleshooting the Lightguard Crosswalk on Highland Village Road at Oak Street. They are also preparing for the installation of another Lightguard Crosswalk at Highland Village Road at South Clearwater Drive.
8.4.2017 Parks - Lightguard
  • Crews are working on irrigation repairs in the medians on FM 2499 and Highland Village Road. 
  • Assisting the contractor with troubleshooting a portion of the irrigation system at Doubletree Ranch Park. 

Recreation
This week marked the last week of Kids Kamp. Field trips during this final week included Interskate, Going Bonkers, and Hawaiian Falls in The Colony. On Friday, the Kamp concluded with a Pizza and Popcorn party.

Adult kickball summer league games took place Wednesday evening at Unity Park.

The summer youth basketball league games took place on Saturday at Briarhill Middle School.

Senior All-Stars
Monday: Assorted Card Games - Dealer’s Choice, Spades in the Library
Tuesday: Assorted Card Games - Dealer’s Choice, Dominoes, 42
Thursday: Assorted Card Games - Dealer’s Choice, Bridge, Rummikub

Meals on Wheels provided a delicious meal of chicken salad, carrots, a roll, and dessert to 38 Senior All-Stars on Thursday. Following lunch, several Senior All-Stars stayed to play Bingo. 

Community Education Classes
Yoga classes are now available at The Robert & Lee DuVall Center. There are two options: Yoga Foundations: Beginners on Mondays from 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and Yoga Fitness: Beginner/Intermediate on Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. For more information, please contact Rachel Swan at (214) 641-4236 or revonswan@me.com.

Adams “At-Home” Kempo Kids Karate classes are held on Saturdays for children ages four and up. Indoor classes take place at The Robert & Lee DuVall Center at 9:00 a.m. and outdoor classes are held at Unity Park at 10:30 a.m.

Fit4Mom is held Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. at Unity Park as well as on Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. at Doubletree Ranch Park.

Camp Gladiator is held at Unity Park on Monday at 8:30 a.m.; Tuesday at 8:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 6:30 p.m.; as well as on Thursday at 8:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 6:30 p.m.

Tai Chi Gung is held Mondays from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m., and Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. at The Robert & Lee DuVall Center FREE of charge.

The Beyond Basic Workshop for dogs was held on Monday, and the Basic Manners dog obedience class was held Wednesday at The Robert & Lee DuVall Center.

Outdoor Recreational Pickleball open court is available at Unity Park. Pickleball nets and balls are located on-site for set up. All ages are welcome to play FREE of charge and residency is not required. Don’t forget to bring your paddle!

Indoor Recreational Pickleball open court is available weekly on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. at The Robert & Lee DuVall Center. All ages are welcome to play FREE of charge and residency is not required.

Pilates Strength & Core for 50 is held Sundays at 9:00 a.m. at The Robert & Lee DuVall Center.

Stand Up Paddle Boarding is available by appointment only. Contact Juliet at (214) 717-2031 for an appointment. Bluet SUP will be offering daily rentals, SUP yoga classes, private lessons, tours, and group parties. Please see Bluet SUP at www.BluetSup.com, on Facebook, or on Instagram for current classes offered as well as rental days/times available.

Adventure in Art Camp was held this week. The weeklong camp is geared for youth ages five to 13, and participants work on a variety of subjects such as animals, lush landscapes, splashy seascapes and colorful florals. In total, each participant completed eight art pieces. 

Facility Rentals
Doubletree Ranch Park Barn - 5
Doubletree Ranch Park Pavilion - 3
Pilot Knoll Pavilions - 2
The Robert & Lee DuVall Center - 2
Kids Kastle Pavilion - 0
Lions Club Pavilion - 0
Lakeside Community Park Pavilion - 0
 
Human Resources
Jana Onstead and Kim Lopez met with the Benefit Committee on Wednesday to provide an update on the annual benefit renewal options.

Jana Onstead demoed a performance assessment software, Trakstar, this week.