The Engineering Department is responsible for the planning, design, and construction management of the City's public infrastructure.
Engineering has the following major functions:
- Capital Improvement Program
Engineering plans, designs and administers the construction of publicly funded projects, including the preservation, rehabilitation, construction, and reconstruction of public infrastructure. Projects include streets, bridges, traffic signals, street lighting, drainage, sewer and water improvements. Engineering also provides technical support for Airport improvements and the City’s wastewater treatment plant. The planning aspect of public infrastructure includes developing master plans or management plans for streets, drainage, water and sewer. Annually, a five year capital improvement program is updated to budget and schedule projects.
Engineering is responsible for the review and inspection of public infrastructure for new development projects. This process includes checking drainage studies, grading and public improvement plans, and maps to assure compliance with City standards and codes. The process continues with plan and map approval, issuing permits for construction, inspecting the improvements, and acceptance of the improvements for maintenance by the City.
Engineering is responsible for the design of an efficient and safe street network for all users including motor vehicles, public transit, bicycles and pedestrians. Engineering is responsible for deciding which traffic control devices are installed or modified. These devices include pavement markings (such as lane lines and legends) for 479 miles of streets, thousands of signs and 101 traffic signals. Tasks include traffic signal systems design, timing, and coordination plans, setting speed limits, collecting traffic volume and accident data, and preparing or reviewing various traffic studies.
Engineering checks private development subdivision maps, lot line adjustments, easement documents, and legal descriptions for technical correctness. Other surveying services include field surveying: for design and construction staking of capital improvement projects, restoring or setting survey monuments and benchmarks for maintaining the City's horizontal and vertical control networks, boundary surveys. Office services include preparing maps, records of surveys and legal descriptions for use by the City. Other than checking new development documents, the City does not provide surveying services for property owners or residents.