Scott Kriston Promoted to Public Works Director
Highland Village deputy public works director Scott Kriston has been promoted to public works director for the city of Highland Village.
Kriston, a US Army veteran, has been employed with the city of Highland Village Utility Department since 1996. After three years with the city he was promoted to utility superintendent and then manager of utilities in 2007. Later that year Mr. Kriston was promoted to deputy director of public works. In his role within the utility department, Kriston oversaw the city’s infrastructure; including the water system, drainage, wastewater and the street departments.
“In Highland Village career development is a primary goal; both the city and Scott Kriston have invested in meeting this goal. Scott has demonstrated his commitment through the completion of his Bachelor’s degree and his continued certification,” said city manager Mike Leavitt. “Retaining Scott’s talents, management skills and historical knowledge of the city’s infrastructure system is invaluable. His promotion is a testament to the dedicated career path the city council has supported for all Highland Village employees.”
While employed with the city Kriston attended the University of North Texas and in 2005 received his Bachelor of Applied Arts & Sciences in Public Administration. Additionally, Kriston has obtained the “A” Water license and Wastewater Collections 3 license from the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality.
Former public works director Matthew Kite recently left Highland Village after ten years of service to take the position of public works director with the city of Keller.
Council Approves Water Line Replacement Project
At the February 25 meeting, Council passed a resolution approving the funding for the replacement of a 16 inch water transmission line between the Southwood Ground Storage Tank and the Idlewild Elevated Tank.
Approximately 850 feet of the line needs to be relocated to city property and easements. A 12 inch water line along FM 2499 will also be relocated in order to facilitate the construction of the Castlewood Trail Project that opens the tunnel under FM 2499 and connects Castlewood Trail to City Trail.
The contract was awarded to Four Star Excavating in the amount of $164,957.
Also at the meeting Council approved the resolution authorizing the contract with Blastco Texas, Inc. for the repainting of the Southwood Ground Storage Tank. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality requires steel tanks be repainted periodically. The storage tank was last painted when it was constructed in 1995. Also part of this project is improvements to the motor controls which will ensure continued pumping service from the ground storage tank.
City Secretary Designated Certified Municipal Clerk
Highland Village city secretary Diane A. Callahan has earned the designation of Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC), which is awarded by the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC), Inc.
IIMC grants the CMC designation only to those municipal clerks who complete demanding education requirements; and who have a record of significant contributions to their local government, their community and state.
“We are very proud of City Secretary Diane Callahan earning the designation of Certified Municipal Clerk by the International Institute of Municipal Clerks. Diane effectively blends personal goals with organizational objectives. The quality I really enjoy is that Diane is consistent, dependable, and accurate in carrying out responsibilities to a successful conclusion,” stated Mayor Pat Davis
Ms. Callahan began her career with the City of Highland Village in 2000 as Administrative Secretary in the City Secretary’s office. She received her Texas Municipal Clerk certification in February 2008 and was appointed City Secretary in February 2011.
The International Institute of Municipal Clerks, founded in 1947, has 10,300 members throughout the United States, Canada and 15 other countries, and the mission of this global non-profit corporation is to enhance the education opportunities and professional development of its diverse membership.
“In light of the speed and drastic nature of change these days, lifelong learning is not only desirable, it is necessary for all in local government to keep pace with growing demands and changing needs of the citizens we serve. Your City can take immense pride in Diane’s educational accomplishments and achievement of this milestone,” stated IIMC President Marc Lemoine.
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