Highland Village council receives update on capital improvement projects

The Highland Village City Council on Tuesday received an update on Capital Improvement Projects scheduled for 2016.

The first project, currently underway, is the Highland Shores water line replacement. This project consists of replacing the existing 16-inch water line along Highland Shores Boulevard from Highland Village Road to Briarhill Boulevard and adding a hike and bike trail from Remington East to Highland Village Road. The existing water line was originally constructed in the 1980’s with Highland Shores Phase 1. The project completion is anticipated for late spring, 2016, weather permitting.

The second project is also a water line project, this one along Highland Village Road. This project consists of replacing the existing eight-inch water line along Highland Village Road with a ten-inch water line from FM407 to the Highland Shores Boulevard/Brazos Boulevard intersection. Construction is anticipated to begin late January, 2016 and be completed in late spring 2016, weather permitting.

Updates were also provided on the Sellmeyer Lane reconstruction, Highland Village Road overlay, FM 2499 screen wall replacement and Canyon Creek drainage culverts. The full presentation is available on the city website.

Council also received an update on the progress at Doubletree Ranch Park, scheduled to open in early summer. The Park, purchased by the city in 2009 from the Trust for Public Land, is steeped in Highland Village history. Originally owned by Highland Village’s first Mayor and the home of the City’s first “city hall,” the property became a “Dude Ranch” and through the years many corporate events and retreats, dances, wedding receptions and family gatherings were held at Doubletree Ranch. The City purchased the property with 4B sales tax dollars which can only be used for soccer fields and trails. Doubletree Ranch Park will include soccer fields, a pavilion, walking trails, a splash pad and a natural habitat viewing area. The full presentation is available on the city website.

During the mayor’s comments, Mayor Charlotte Wilcox recognized Police Officer Jessica Klekar and Captain Jared Middleton, Firefighter/Paramedics Derek Doyle, Kirk Brown, Justin Moore and Matthew Bufford for the “Life-Saving Award” and 911 Communications Officer Terra Hair for the “Police Commendation Award.” The Highland Village Public Safety Dispatch Center received a 911 call from a resident reporting a medical emergency.  911 Communications Officer Terra Hair’s recognition of the emergency situation, the actions of Officer Jessica Klekar who was the first to arrive and the care given by the Highland Village Fire Department resulted in the patient’s survival.

“We are so happy to have the resident with her friends and family here with us today. This is the kind of public safety teamwork we foster and seek to provide our residents. The rapid access to the patient, early CPR and defibrillation, along with advanced life support measures and expeditious transport to an appropriate facility all resulted in the patient’s survival,” said Mayor Wilcox.

The HVTV Update informed residents of the need to lock their cars, remove their keys and take their belongings lest they fall victim to the “Bad News Bandit.” The update also told of the registration for the annual Father & Daughter Valentine’s dance which will take place on Friday, February 5. The Pet of the Week segment highlighted Angel, an American Staffordshire Mix available for adoption.

The City Council early work session and regular session is available on HVTV (Time Warner 16; Verizon 43) and via the website streaming by clicking HVTV. The meetings are also available for on-demand viewing on the city website.