Chapter 2.54
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

Sections:

2.54.010    Purpose.

2.54.020    Composition.

2.54.030    Director – Appointment – Dismissal.

2.54.040    Director – Salary.

2.54.050    Director – Duties.

2.54.060    Employees.

2.54.070    Reports.

2.54.010 Purpose.

The general purpose of this chapter is to create a department within the city possessing sufficient technical and administrative capacity to assume responsibility for administering the increasing comprehensive functions involved in municipal public works, to provide group supervision of these allied services using common materials, tools, equipment, supplies and man power, and to coordinate the public works program so as to permit better research, fact finding, planning and reporting to the city council and people of Longview. (Ord. 1088 § 1, 1961).

2.54.020 Composition.

The department of public works shall consist of the following divisions:

(1) Engineering division;

(2) Water-sewer division;

(3) Street division;

(4) Sanitary division;

(5) Storm water division;

(6) Water treatment division;

(7) Traffic division;

(8) Solid waste/recycling division. (Ord. 2757 § 2, 1999; Ord. 1088 § 2, 1961).

2.54.030 Director – Appointment – Dismissal.

There is created the position of director of public works. Such director shall be appointed by the city manager and confirmed by the city council. He shall be subject to dismissal by the mayor with the concurrence of the city council. (Ord. 1088 § 3, 1961).

2.54.040 Director – Salary.

The annual salary of the director of public works shall be as determined and fixed in the annual budget of the city. (Ord. 1088 § 4, 1961).

2.54.050 Director – Duties.

(1) The director shall administer the department of public works. He shall be fully responsible to the city manager and city council for the direction, conduct, and performance of all personnel of the department. He shall also act as the head of one or more departments which are under the public works department if so directed by the city manager.

(2) The director of public works shall supervise the maintenance shops and public buildings of the city. He shall incorporate into the department of public works and supervise the following technical services:

(a) Street lights;

(b) Traffic engineering;

(c) Project design and construction;

(d) Supervision;

(e) Platting;

(f) Drafting.

(3) The director of public works shall supply information for any inquiry, investigation or audit conducted by the city council. He shall attend department head meetings, make all recommendations, reports on projects, annual budgets and activity reports for the department of public works to the city manager and city council.

(4) The director of public works shall be responsible for the collection of fees, charges and enforcement of ordinances pertaining to matters under his supervision. He shall conduct training for his staff to promote better service, safety and public relations. He shall generally acquaint himself with the ordinances of the city and present any recommendations which would be for the improvement and benefit of any municipal service under his supervision.

(5) The director of public works, in addition to such duties as may be prescribed from time to time by the city manager, shall supervise and assist in the planning, engineering, surveying and drafting work involved in public works and improvements to the city, such as preparing estimates, plans, specifications, reports on public improvements; supervise the keeping of maps, plans, plats, profiles, drawings, dedications, final estimates and specifications relating to public works; direct the city’s construction, inspection, repair, sweeping, cleaning and sprinkling of streets, curbs, gutters, alleys and sidewalks; direct the city’s construction, repair, cleaning and flushing of sewers; direct the maintenance and operation of the sewage treatment plant; direct the inspection of water and sewer improvements; plan and recommend needed public construction and repair work; supervise the manner in which public dumping grounds are used; provide technical engineering assistance to other departments; direct the operation of the traffic painting and signs; direct the construction, maintenance and operation of the water system; direct the operation of the utility billing and collection; supervise the progress of the work in the formation and completion of local improvement district; direct the activities of the city garage. (Ord. 1088 § 5, 1961).

2.54.060 Employees.

All employees of the water and sewer department, street department, sanitation department and engineering department at the time of adoption of the ordinance codified in this chapter shall retain their salary classifications. (Ord. 1088 § 6, 1961).

2.54.070 Reports.

(1) The director of public works shall edit all public releases, reports and correspondence irrespective of compilation that emanates from the department and shall serve as its spokesman in behalf of the city.

(2) Neither the director nor any of his employees shall commit the city to any policies or obligations not previously approved by ordinances or resolutions of the city council. (Ord. 1088 § 7, 1961).