Engineering Division

Overview

 
The Engineering Division is the branch of Public Works that oversees construction activities within the city right-of-way (ROW). This construction can be both city initiated, such as a major street and sewer reconstruction project, or privately initiated, such as a plumbing repair to a water or sewer service for a residence. The Engineering Division also coordinates with franchise utility companies such as gas, electric, phone, and cable TV when it needs to perform work in the ROW. 

Organizational Structure


The Engineering staff consists of the City Engineer, three project Civil Engineers, three Engineering Technicians, and one Right-of-Way Agent. This division is located on the second floor of City Hall and is divided into two main sections of responsibility. 

  • The Right-of-Way section is responsible for the issuance of permits and inspection of private sector construction work in the ROW. Typical permits issued by this section include driveways and sidewalks, excavations in the ROW, and grading. This section also coordinates with the Building Division's Permits and Inspections office on building permits and investigates complaints and concerns in the ROW.  
  • The Projects section oversees the planning and implementation of the city's Capital Improvement Program for infrastructure. Working closely with the Mayor, City Council, and the Finance Department, the city's infrastructure needs are prioritized and budgeted. The project engineers manage the design, construction, and repairs of roadways, bridges, sanitary sewers, storm sewers, and the Water Pollution Control Plant. Other responsibilities of the Projects section include stormwater management, review of commercial and residential development projects, grading plan reviews, coordination with Community Development, Planning, and Zoning, and maintaining "as-built" construction drawings for public infrastructure. In addition, this section is the liaison to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers concerning operation, maintenance, and repair of the Federal levee system which provides flood protection to a large area of the city.