[{"_1":2,"_76":-5,"_77":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6678006,"mediaKeyId","2159814-39369e01efea2ebc1630c1c352d2ead4","parentId",2159814,"title","Highland Village mayor highlights infrastructure projects, parks grant and new safety rules in state-of-the-city presser","audioSeconds",971,"startMs",560000,"endMs",1531000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159814-39369e01efea2ebc1630c1c352d2ead4&start=560&end=1531","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159814-39369e01efea2ebc1630c1c352d2ead4/thumbnail_560000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6678006/Texas/Highland-Village-mayor-highlights-infrastructure-projects-parks-grant-and-new-safety-rules-in-state-of-the-city-presser","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6678006-85a5969520c398b8ebc50a2f85c8db67/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138090&Signature=MMz3fFOn~IG2gu0uhL8illq1mi8joFqjL-JrtlDo4HNdBNP0mOG7jxVMHdpMezjl69FJHmkUnfLk0zTZTJ9WwKHi8huEfhjIEogo2J7bgYdluoYxks7q7UwOvLsu8lwP5dM2DgDTGhYcbIL8XKsZ2KIWkBpyMeYhUHy5qGpGn2V4PSnIDFH82G6PH6aUPk~tBQz7PJw5S2nyRP5HooIm-5VdfFIiNzJACq25OoYq~HzSDvcCIEJ27-i3d9hnOEpM9MID52UFxlO6-fY-WqSk5MwA-Uyz0FQFVGpf2JnF8BGI4s2uZirSsz2trXVbVYNgsyfVmWqFUgvcGHM55NPeSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Highlands","date","2025-01-28T00:00:00Z","article","Mayor — speaking at a Highland Village state-of-the-city press conference — summarized infrastructure and public-safety priorities and announced a recent parks grant Tuesday.

The mayor said the city’s 2022 bond and capital improvement program have “set the stage” for projects now in design and construction, including an asphalt overlay on Highland Shores Boulevard from Highland Village Road to Briar Hill Boulevard and design work on the next section of Highland Shores from Briar Hill to Twin Coves. Scott Christen, transportation and hydration coordinator, told reporters the Twin Coves section design will include replacement of concrete paving and “enhance drainage and pedestrian and traffic safety by adding traffic calming options.” Christen also said the city has upgraded the Highland Village Road traffic signal and is designing reconstruction of Highland Village Road from Brazos Boulevard to the Kansas City Southern Railroad.

The mayor and parks staff also announced a grant award to expand camping amenities at Highland Knoll Park. Bill Lozano, fields and play coordinator, said the city has won grant funding that will be paired with $750,000 in mayoral matching funds to build 14 cabins, enhance camping areas and amenities, and fund planning for a boat-launch rebuild area. Lozano said the city worked with Texas Parks and Wildlife and “the Corps” during the application process; the transcript did not specify the exact grant program or the Corps entity referenced.

Parks staff reported other recreation changes. Lozano said Unity Park’s tennis courts were converted to pickleball courts last season and that the city plans to add lighted basketball courts at Unity Park this year.

Public-safety and mobility announcements included an update to local rules governing small, motorized devices. Chief Ryan, safety and security coordinator, said the city updated ordinances “to address all micro mobility devices in Highland Village,” including a new requirement that riders under 18 wear helmets. Ryan said the city’s approach emphasizes “education and enforcement” and that school resource officers will take part in outreach before spring break and summer. The police department also accepted two micro-mobility devices from Trike to help patrol trails and support education and enforcement efforts.

On emergency medical services, Chief Collier, EMS coordinator, described a new “peak demand analyst” approach after reviewing call data. “We reviewed our stats and saw that our peak demand is from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.,” Collier said, and added the change aims to meet daytime demand and reduce mutual-aid reliance. Collier also described a joint fire-training facility partnership with Flower Mound and Lewisville; he said participation requires the city’s share of less than 8% of construction and ongoing maintenance costs, which the city sees as a way to increase training opportunities.

Police outreach and a confidential registry for residents with medical needs were also promoted. Officer McKelvey of the Highland Village Police Department outlined the STAR program — Special Treatment and Response — saying it is an optional, confidential registry where residents can provide medical information and emergency contacts for first responders. “If you would like to be a part of this program, contact HVPD by phone or email,” McKelvey said, and he directed residents to hvpd.com for the sign-up form and additional details.

The mayor framed the announcements as part of a longer-term plan to maintain quality of life and economic vitality. He cited recent retail investment at the Shops at Highland Village and said the city is continuing to lower property taxes while investing in public improvements.

No formal votes, ordinances by number, or specific grant program identifiers were announced on the record during the press conference. Several items mentioned by staff and the mayor — including the grant source, the precise legal citations for the micro-mobility ordinance update, and the city’s exact financial commitment to some projects beyond the $750,000 match — were described in general terms and not given as specific statutory or contract references in the remarks.

Looking ahead, staff said design work will continue on the road and park projects and that the micro-mobility education and enforcement efforts will intensify ahead of higher trail use in spring and summer.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Highlands - City Council - Jan 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At a state-of-the-city press conference, Highland Village leaders announced road and park projects tied to the 2022 bond, a $750,000 mayoral match for a cabins and boat-launch planning grant, updates to micro-mobility rules including a helmet requirement for riders under 18, and new public-safety programs and training agreements.","taxTitle","Highlands City Council, Highlands, Harris County, Texas","taxId",72997,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary","actionData","errors"]

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Highland Village mayor highlights infrastructure projects, parks grant and new safety rules in state-of-the-city presser