City cancels election; considers smoking restrictions

The Highland Village City Council Tuesday approved a resolution cancelling the May 14 general election for city officers.

The deadline to apply for a place on the ballot for City Council was March 14.  All three incumbent council members – Charlotte Wilcox, Pat Davis and William Meek – filed for re-election, negating the need for an election.

Council, by a vote of 5-1, also approved the first read of an ordinance providing for smoke free workplaces in Highland Village.

The ordinance prohibits smoking in any enclosed facility within all places of employment and any area used by the general public. Smoking is not prohibited in outdoor patio areas of businesses. The second read of the ordinance will be considered at the April 12 council meeting.

Also at this meeting, council members approved the first read of an ordinance adopting the new Flood Insurance Rate Maps as part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s flood National Flood Insurance Program (FIRM).

The ordinance details the city’s adoption of floodplain management measures to allow residents to receive and renew flood insurance policies. The change in the Flood Hazard Area (from the 1997 analysis to 2011) includes approximately 505 residential and commercial properties.

The ordinance adopts the new FIRM map, requires a structure’s lowest floor be two feet above the Base Flood Elevation, a Floodplain Development permit (at not cost to the resident) for any property located in the floodplain and all new or structure with substantial improvement must have an elevation certificate. These changes allow residents to receive lower insurance premiums on flood insurance and allows the city to better manage the flood hazard, officials said.

“Adopting the new Flood Insurance Rate maps provided by FEMA will give our residents the opportunity for lower flood insurance rates. Stormwater management and drainage utility infrastructure is already in place to help our city qualify for this program. With so many of our residents on or near the lake this will be a win-win for the city and our citizens,” said Mayor Scott McDearmont.

During his report, City Manager Michael Leavitt informed residents of upcoming events:

– Highland Village Business Association Lunch – Read Any Good Books Lately? The HVBA lunch is taking on a new twist – focusing on books that have helped improve your business or life. This will be an interactive event as we’re asking attendees to bring a book that has impacted them in some way and share it with others in attendance. The lunch is scheduled for Tuesday, April 12 at Celebrations Grand Ballroom. Please call Lori Wright at 972-899-5131 to make reservations.

– Spring Clean Up – Saturday, March 26 from 9:00 a.m. until noon at Copperas Branch Park. Residents can bring household hazardous waste, electronic waste, batteries and paper to be shredded along with tree and lawn clippings. There’s no need to bring latex paint, let those cans dry out and dispose of them in household waste. This is for Highland Village residents only so proof of residency is required. Details on what can and can’t be accepted at this clean up is available on the city website – www.highlandvillage.org

– Annual Easter Egg Hunt – Saturday, April 16 at Unity Park. The hunt begins promptly at 10 a.m. so don’t be late. There will be face painting, games, a bounce house and Freddy’s Frozen Custard. The Easter bunny will be there too and available for pictures with the kids. This event is free and for children ages ten and under.

– Highland Village Veterans Memorial Dedication – In 2008 the city dedicated the community funded Veterans Monument on the south side of the Municipal Complex. The monument represents each branch of the armed services. The newly constructed Veterans Memorial is adjacent to the monument and is designed to memorialize individual Highland Village Veterans who have died in the line of duty or passed away after full retirement from the service. Join us for the dedication of our Veterans Memorial and for the placing of the first plaque honoring Pfc. Aaron Hudson from Highland Village who was killed in Iraq on April 16, 2005.