The Ridge at Stillhouse Lake

A boil water notice is issued effective February 19, 2021 at 11:30 p.m. for all properties located in Harker Heights.
A water shortage caused by extreme winter weather has reduced water pressure and services. As a precaution, customers who have experienced low water pressure and/or no water service should boil all water prior to consumption. Public Notice Will Be Issued When the Notice is lifted. harkerheights.gov/index.php/news/55-boilwater-notice-effective-2-19- 2021

From the city of Harker Heights:
Morning Winter Weather Update – February 19, 2021
Today the sun came out! Road conditions are slick this morning, but are already beginning to thaw some. The City is working some of the problem road areas this morning in hopes that the sun will help us get those in good condition. We have already lost one City vehicle, in route to a water leak, to accident with another vehicle just this morning, so please stay off of the roads if at all possible!

With improving road conditions citizens should be aware that grocery stores are depleted as trucks have not been able to reach them with additional stock. We have also heard that there will be a shortage for some time of milk and meat. The production of both was disrupted by the winter storm so it will be some time before the distribution network is restocked. Also, gas stations are almost out of unleaded fuel at this time. We will all have to be patient as stores are restocked with essentials.
City Hall will reopen today at 12 p.m.

Harker Heights is not under a boil water notice but we ask that you continue to conserve water. If you notice a water leak contact the City at 254-953-5600 and after hours at 254-681-6779.
The City continues to operate a warming center/shelter at the Recreation Center located at 307 Miller’s Crossing for any citizen in need.

Be patient, check on your neighbors, and continue to be courageous! Together, we as Texans are bigger than anything we face!

If you know you are going to file an insurance claim due to the freeze and/or power outage, I’d suggest doing it now to get ahead of all the other claims that are going to be filed. Even if you don’t know the extent of the damage yet, at least get it in the system. Note: If it’s just a broken sprinkler backflow valve (the part that sticks up aboveground), it’s not worth filing a claim. Those are about $250-$300 to repair.

Also, if you have USAA insurance, go on their app and check out the $500 reimbursement for spoiled food during a power outage. It will be approved within a few minutes and won’t affect your insurance score or premiums. It’s similar to filing an auto claim for a windshield chip.

Beginning March 1, the city will no longer pick up bags of trash left at the curb. Instead, they will be required to place all garbage in 96-gallon, wheeled carts, which will be provided to each customer. Article here.

For our new neighbors…
If you bought your home in 2020, now is the time to file your homestead property tax exemption. It’s completely free to file and will save you $200-$300/year on your annual property taxes. There are also other exemptions available, such as for senior citizens and disabled veterans. If you’re not sure which exemptions you have, contact Teresa to get help looking it up. teresa@hd-realty.com, 254-462-1226.

You only need to file once, and the exemption will be valid as long as you live in your home. File your homestead exemption between January 1 and April 1 at www.bellcad.org.

Don’t let this be you! The cold weather is coming, and it’s time to cover water faucets and plants. And if you have an in-ground sprinkler system, please read below (IMPORTANT!)
Most sprinkler systems have a backflow preventer section of pipe that sticks up above the ground about 18-24 inches. Because this is exposed to wind, it freezes very easily and can explode under pressure. When temperatures get to 35 or below, it’s strongly recommended to drain that section of pipe or cover it (or both). Draining it only takes a couple of minutes and a flat-head screwdriver. This can save you a lot of heartache and a $250-$300 repair bill. To cover it, you have a few options. Wrap it with some old towels, then cover the whole thing with an upside-down plastic Rubbermaid type of container. Or wrap it with insulation and duct tape a black plastic trash bag over the insulation. Or buy a sprinkler sock made for this purpose; they cost around $50-$100. Check Amazon or Ewing Irrigation on 2410 in Harker Heights for insulated sprinkler covers.

For the really cold days, or several freezing days in a row , covering it may not be enough. To drain your system, click here: www.stillhouseridge.com/info/sprinkler-winterization/

Stay warm, my friends!

Beginning this week, the Texas Department of Transportation and its contractors are starting the third and final phase of the Interstate 14 expansion project from Harker Heights to Belton.
The last phase will span from Farm to Market 2410 in west Belton to Interstate 35, according to a news release.
The last phase, and the entire project, is scheduled to be complete in 2023, weather permitting.
Currently, crews are working on the second phase of the I-14 expansion project, which spans from Indian Trail in Harker Heights to Farm to Market 2410 in Belton. The second phase is scheduled to be complete in late 2021, according to the release.
The third and final phase is part of TxDOT’s ongoing project to expand I-14 from four to six lanes by adding a third lane in each direction of the highway.
The 5.2-mile long project will cost approximately $39.5 million, and is being undertaken by James Construction, according to the release.
TxDOT encourages all motorists to use caution when approaching work zones, eliminate all distractions while driving, and watch for construction equipment and personnel.

kdhnews.com/harker_heights_herald/local/council-considers-taking-man agement-of-dana-peak-park/article_118d2ef2-0a76-11eb-84d4-9b2d44277802.html
Discussions that began during a Harker Heights City Council Workshop over a year ago concerning the possibility of leasing 560 acres of Dana Peak Park from the Corps of Engineers have moved a step closer to reality with the release of an official management proposal.
The Dana Peak Park Management Proposal, as revealed to the Council at its Tuesday workshop meeting, is the result of months of intensive research by Parks and Recreation Department Director Jeff Achee and members of his staff.
For the first time, council members heard about and saw the details of the potential lease agreement between the City of Harker Heights and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which was one of the more extraordinary hurdles to clear in the early stages of developing the proposal.
The 10-page proposal contained an overview of the project, a tentative calendar for future plans, proposed budget, personnel information and details about maintenance, programming, marketing and fees.
An overview of the project states that according to a survey conducted by the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) in 2019, the 560 acres mentioned in the lease includes 100 feet from the designated shoreline along the lake.
The proposed length of the lease, beginning in 2021, is a five-year initial lease with the option to renew the lease for another 25 years when the city is ready to apply for a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) local park grant; the lease must have at least 25 years left in order to be considered.
In addition to protecting investments made by the city in regards to long-term management of the park, the 25-year lease term is also the minimum needed to secure grants from TPWD that will ensure that the facility evolves to meet the needs of the community.
Major events on the tentative calendar include:
Signing of the lease agreement and gathering public input on the Master Plan process during a January/February 2021 time frame.
In March and April of 2021, the purchase of fixed assets related to the management of Dana Peak Park and a City Council meeting to approve entering into a contract with reservation and point-of-sale software.
Marketing and communication with the public about new programs, fees and schedules and the taking of reservations online for 2021-2022 campsites and pavilions will begin during May and June 2021.
In July and August 2021, contracts for gate attendants will be finalized.
Installation of signage at the Dana Peak gatehouse, boat ramp, day-use areas, trails and trailheads and campsites regarding updated rules and regulations for the park will be done in September of 2021.
Regular park operations will begin on Oct. 1, 2021.
Once it opens, the park will remain open all year. Park hours are 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. Gate hours will be 10 a.m.- 8 p.m.
Among the programs that can be offered or improved upon leasing Dana Peak Park are: camping program, pop-up park program, outdoor classroom, bird watching, archery programs (temporary), trail runs/bike races, guided hikes, movie nights on the beach, interpretive programs and educational signage and trail maintenance.
The city will allow large-scale events at the park, such as the Food, Wine and Brew Festival, movie events and music events.
Park fees are tentative and must be approved by the council.
The estimated cost of the Park Specific Master Plan is $23,000.

The Harker Heights City Council on Tuesday heard a presentation regarding the future of Dana Peak Park, but not until City Manager David Mitchell refuted misinformation about the park that has been circulated through social media.
Mitchell clarified several points by stating, “The leasing of Dana Peak Park, if approved by the City Council, will not result in a tax increase.
“As has been covered in past open meetings, Dana Peak will continue to be a pay-to-enter park,” Mitchell said. “The numbers that the city has on the usage of the park, as provided by the Corps of Engineers, indicates that the City, with an appropriate gate fee, can operate the park without having to increase taxes. In fact, the park is expected to produce excess revenues that will be held in reserve for flood mitigation for when rising lake levels cause damage at the park.”
Mitchell told council members, “Some citizens have requested that there be a more vigorous review of the budget for the park and I’ll be happy to bring that back to the council at a later meeting.”
According to Mitchell, the pursuit of the park is driven exclusively by input from residents. “This was clearly indicated from the Exploring New Heights project where we gathered volumes of responses from organizations, individuals and focus groups about Dana Peak Park,” Mitchell said. “The topic ‘Laketown USA.’ came from the residents in a focus group,” he said.
Another point made by Mitchell was that residents realize that the park is closed from October until March and it is a revenue reduction in the Corps of Engineers recreation budget. “If leased, the city plans to keep the park open year-round to provide additional access and opportunities,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell also stated that the city needs additional parkland to meet the needs of a growing population.
“The City Council recognized the fact of growth long ago and acquired land off Comanche Park Road and FM 2410,” Mitchell said. “The city has owned this land for eight years. While the city has fully engineered plans for the first phase of this park, they have never constructed it due to revenue concerns. Dana Peak, being a gated and pay-for- use-park allows the city additional park acreage for plus new recreational activities for citizens without the burden of additional taxes,” said Mitchell.
“The City Council has had all of these discussions about Dana Peak Park in open meetings that were accessible to the public. In fact, this very meeting this evening is yet another open meeting at which the park is being discussed. The Council also discussed Dana Peak during budget meetings that were also open to the public.”
Mitchell continued by saying that the monies in this year’s budget provided for the items for the startup of city operations at Dana Peak Park. He said, “These monies cannot be expended until approved by the council. This means that the council will again, in several open meetings, which the public can join into telephonically or listen to on their computer, direct staff on how to proceed with the information outlined in the management proposal and that includes approval of the lease, if the council so desires.”

Beginning Thursday, the Texas Department of Transportation will start the construction of a new turnaround bridge at Interstate Highway 14 and Farm to Market 2410 in Harker Heights.
Currently, there is an interchange along West Central Texas Expressway that allows eastbound traffic to turnaround and head westbound at Farm to Market 2410/Knights Way.
This project’s goal is to construct a similar turnaround on the east side of Farm to Market 2410, and will allow westbound traffic on East Central Texas Expressway to turnaround at Farm to Market 2410 and head eastbound.
The project is scheduled to be complete early 2022, weather permitting. There will be various lane closures throughout the duration of the project, however, there will largely be minimal impact to the traveling public in the area, according to TxDOT.
The project will cost approximately $3.1 million, and is being undertaken by J.D. Abrams, L.P.
TxDOT encourages all motorists to use caution when approaching work zones, eliminate all distractions while driving, and watch for construction equipment and personnel.