The Public Works Department oversees multiple divisions including:
- Parking
- Recycling & Sanitation
- Sewer Maintenance
- Water Distribution
- Transfer Station
- Urban Tree Division
Administration and Permits Division
The Administration Division provides a Work Center for basic customer complaint service and administers four (4) important permitting programs for Excavating in the Public Right-of-Way, Underground City Utilities Mark-outs, Temporary Dumpster Placements, and Temporary Sidewalk or Street Closures.
Work Center
The Work Center handles most incoming calls, logging almost 2,000 service requests from the public each year. These requests for service are directed to any one of the Public Works Divisions or Subdivisions: Water, Sewer, Storm, City Electric, Buildings and Grounds, Urban Trees, Street Maintenance, Sign Shop, Sanitation, and Enforcement. The Work Center also coordinates emergency requests for city underground utilities mark-outs during regular working hours.
Administration and Permits
Excavation Permit:
Provides permission to excavate in the public right-of way; commonly called a street opening. Doing work on city property requires proof of liability and workers compensation insurance. The fee for a street opening depends on the age of the pavement and requires a security deposit. (Note: this also requires a permit from the Dept of Building, Planning & Zoning.)
Utility Mark-outs:
Notifications of upcoming excavations in the city are transmitted to the Department of Public Works via the Underground Facilities Protection Organization (UFPO). The department requires the UFPO No. on the Excavation Permit Application.
Dumpster Permit:
Provides permission for a homeowner or resident to temporarily place a dumpster on a city street or sidewalk. The application and permit fee is $50.
Sidewalk or Street Closure Permit:
Provides permission for a homeowner or resident to temporarily block a city street or sidewalk. The application and permit fee is $100.