PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
MISSION STATEMENT: To provide the public with the highest level of service in the construction and maintenance of City infrastructure and construction development services to the community.

The department consists of three functional divisions: building, engineering, and maintenance. The department provides coordinated community enhancement, development services, and City infrastructure maintenance including contract maintenance and construction oversight.

These three divisions are supported by the public works administration. The director provides oversight to the three divisions. He serves as the city engineer, city traffic engineer, and building official. He also administers day-to-day operations of the building and engineering divisions. The maintenance operations manager administers day-to-day operations for the maintenance division.

The department is staffed by a total of 72 full-time positions. They include five employees within administration, 11 employees within the building division, five employees within the engineering division, and 51 employees within the maintenance division.

Administration

The administration of the department is responsible for assisting, planning, coordinating and supervising the activities of the department's three functional divisions: building, engineering, and maintenance.

Building Division

This division enforces public safety, health, welfare, and property maintenance standards for both public and private development, and provides construction management oversight for public construction. It is divided into three sections: building, community enhancement, and city building construction.

Utilizing the California Building Codes, this section is responsible for insuring that all private developments within the city conform to construction and safety standards through comprehensive plan review, permit, and inspection. Proper compliance with approved plans is obtained through field inspections associated with this work.

The community enhancement section enforces the City's Municipal Codes. They monitor the maintenance of all residential and commercial properties through field inspections and by responding to citizens' complaints. This section further ensures that hazards associated with unsafe conditions, such as un-maintained swimming pools, are abated. This section also initiates and follows through on court cases involving violations of the West Covina Municipal Code.

The building construction section administers and oversees the application of California Public Contract Law and Standard Specifications for Public Works Construction to construct, remodel, and renovate City-owned buildings and structures. Additionally, they provide supervision and back-up for building inspectors.

Engineering Division

The engineering division is divided into two sections: engineering services, and traffic and lighting services.

The engineering services section prepares the plans and specifications. It also provides field inspections for all engineering Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects and processes all related documents. This section also ensures that private developments conform to Conditions of Approval imposed by the Planning Commission and City Council and adopted City standards through comprehensive plan review. They also conduct field inspections and provide assessment district engineering. This section maintains City mapping and processes assessment districts renewals for street lighting, landscaping, and sewers. It also performs data collection, analysis and evaluation of the street system, maintenance and rehabilitation needs, and National pollution Discharge Emission System (NPDES) compliance as well as contract administration of street projects.

In an effort to maintain optimal traffic flow and safety throughout the city, the traffic and lighting section performs traffic safety studies, designs traffic signals, and reviews street lighting designs by private developers. It also maintains and enhances computer operations for both engineering activities and the City's computerized traffic signal network system. Additional activities include subdivision regulation and right-of- way acquisition, review of lot line adjustments and easements, and annual budget preparation.

Maintenance Division

This division is responsible for maintaining the infrastructure of the City. The division is divided into three sections: streets/wastewater, parks, and equipment maintenance.

The street section repairs and maintains streets, sidewalks, traffic signals, and lighting. It provides street sign fabrication and installation, and contract administration for the street sweeping program. It is responsible for the maintenance of the sewer and storm drain systems. It also assists other City departments with various projects, such as moving furniture and equipment for civic events.

The parks section provides contract administration for the maintenance of parks, landscaped and natural open spaces, landscaped portions of rights-of-ways, medians, street trees and the Civic Center open areas. It also provides water conservation services and janitorial/building maintenance for all City buildings, including park restrooms and recreation facilities.

The equipment maintenance section oversees purchasing and maintenance of all City vehicles and equipment, and manages storage and disposal of hazardous material. It also includes a welding and fabrication shop, the City warehouse, and a facility for compressed fuels.

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT ORGANIZATIONAL CHART


The director performs building official and City engineer duties

FY 2005-2006 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Administration

• The department handled over 30,000 outside calls.
  
  
• The department applied for and received "Tree City USA" recertification for the 24th consecutive year from the National Arbor Day Foundation for the City's urban forestry efforts. Staff also coordinated the 50th anniversary of Del Norte Park along with the annual Arbor Day celebration.
  
  
• Public works administration was awarded a Tire-Derived Product grant in the amount of $46,000 from the California Integrated Waste Management Board to install rubberized tree grates in tree wells.

Building Division

• Provided plan review and inspection services for construction activity in the city of over $48,000,000 valuation. This includes the construction of the developments of Target expansion, Nissan Auto Dealer, and Walgreens Drug Store. In addition 112 new single- family dwelling units were started.
  
  
• Managed and completed numerous city construction, design, and renovation projects. Some of the projects include the installation of City entrance signs on major streets, Cortez Senior Citizens Center rehabilitation, police department building security and structural improvements, and the relocation and renovation of the City's cable television office.
  
  
• Community enhancement assisted in resolving over 2,254 properties and zoning violations. The administrative citation process is fully implemented. Voluntary compliance statistics are resulting in only 3.3% of the cases being sent to the City prosecutor. Due to staffing, and the load of property complaints, very little proactive code enforcement can be conducted.
  
  
• An expedited Plan Check process is ongoing and has been very successful in providing developers an opportunity to have their plans checked by a consultant and returned within five to seven business days in most cases.

Engineering Division

• Completed the design and inspection of nine capital improvement projects at a combined cost of five million dollars.
  
  
• Provided plan review and inspection services for construction activity in the city to include Big League Dreams project, Eclipse Development (West Covina Heights), Nissan Development, Pacific Communities, D.C. Corporation, Abell-Helou developments, the East San Gabriel Valley Health Center, and thirty minor private residential and commercial grading projects. The division also implements all ongoing NPDES requirements.
  
  
• The traffic section has completed several traffic volume and speed studies needed to complete the evaluation of vehicular and pedestrian safety issues and several surveys to establish restricted parking zones as requested by residents.
  
  
• Traffic studies for various developments were reviewed to determine the impact from vehicular traffic generated by the new developments on existing facilities.
  
  
• Provided plan review of traffic and lighting (street and parking) and right- of-way issues for construction activity in the city that include Big League Dreams project, Eclipse Development (West Covina Heights), Nissan Development, Pacific Communities, D.C. Corporation, Abell-Helou developments, and the East San Gabriel Valley Health Center.
  
  
• Completed design and installation of in- pavement flashing lights at seven school crosswalks, which was funded through a $300,000 Office of Traffic Safety grant.
  
  
• Completed design and installation of traffic signal modification at the intersection of Valinda Avenue and Vine Avenue.
  
  
• Coordinate with Los Angeles County on the the San Gabriel Valley Traffic Signal Synchronization Project (TSSP) for several identified locations.

Maintenance Division

• Received 2,693 residential requests for service.
  
  
• Trees and vegetation were trimmed to enhance the freeway visibility of Auto Row.
  
  
• Municipal pool heater was replaced with a more efficient AQMD compliant unit.
  
  
• Increased efforts to eliminate standing water in cooperation with the county mosquito abatement program.
  
  
• Additional portions of Azusa and Amar medians were landscaped.
  
  
• Underground fuel storage tanks at City Yard were removed.

FY 2005-2006 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Administration

Capital Improvement Projects

• Maintain monthly status of hours charged to capital improvement projects
• MaintainReview project and budget status on monthly basis with CIP committee

Review public works operating budget on a monthly basis and make mid-year adjustments when warranted.

Review fees for service.

• Begin review in accordance with budget preparations - March 2007
• Submit information to Finance - May 2007

Building Division

Galster Park Renovation

• Complete construction - November 2006
• Grand opening - November 2006

Heritage Park Trail Construction

• Complete construction - November 2006
• Grand opening - November 2006

Aroma Parkette construction

• Complete construction - September 2006
• Grand opening - September 2006

Ridge Rider Improvements

• Complete design
• Confirm funding for construction
• Public contract bid
• Award of bid
• Begin construction
• Complete construction
• Grand opening

Maintain a two-week plan check turn- around and a next-day building inspection schedule. Monitor plan check log

Establish standard for weekly field inspections per Community Enhancement Officer. Average 45 per week

Maintain standard for follow-up inspections on code enforcement complaints within two days of due date

Maintain standard for follow-up inspections for code enforcement administrative fines within two days of due date

Reduce total City prosecutor referrals for code enforcement cases.

• Less than 5% of total caseload per month

Implement volunteer Community Enhancement program.

• Obtain approval to recruit - August 2006
• Recruit and train - December 2006

Provide support of sportsplex in plan review and inspection.

• Attend weekly meeting

Engineering Division

Amar Road West of Azusa Avenue and Azusa Avenue South of Amar Road median landscaping, entry signs, and paving (Pending outside funding) Phase I

• Complete installation of improvements - July 2007

Concrete bus pads program

• Identify location for improvements - July 2006
• Prepare plans and specification - November 2006
• Advertise for bids, review bids award contract - January 2007
• Complete installation of improvements - May 2007

Curb and gutter program

• Identify location for improvements - July 2006
• Field survey of some locations - October 2006
• Prepare plans and specification - December 2006
• Advertise for bids, review bids award contract - February 2007
• Complete installation of improvements - April 2007

Sidewalk installation

• Obtain budget approval - July 2006
• Field survey - December 2006
• Prepare plans and specification - February 2007
• Advertise for bids, review bids, award contract - April 2007
• Complete installation of improvements - June 2007

Residential streets rehabilitation and barrier removal

• Identify location for improvements - July 2006
• Prepare plans and specification - October 2006
• Advertise for bids, review bids, award contract - November 2006
• Complete installation of improvements - March 2007

Bus route streets rehabilitation and barrier removal

• Prepare plans and specification - October 2006
• Advertise for bids, review bids, award contract - December 2006
• Complete installation of improvements - March 2007

Major and CDBG streets rehabilitation and barrier removal

• Prepare plans and specification - October 2006
• Advertise for bids, review bids, award contract - December 2006
• Complete installation of improvements - March 2007

Street widening and traffic signal installation at Plaza Drive and California Avenue

• Obtain funding - July 2007
• Prepare and send out RFP for design- August 2007
• Prepare plans and specification - November 2007
• Advertise for bids, review bids, award contract - December 2007
• Complete installation of improvements - June 2008

Street widening and traffic signal modification at Azusa Avenue and Amar Road

• Obtain funding -August 2006
• Prepare and send out RFP for design- August 2006
• Prepare plans and specification - June 2007
• Advertise for bids, review bids, award contract -September 2007
• Complete installation of improvements - June 2008

Traffic signal modifications at Vincent Avenue/Rowland Avenue and Amar Road/Lark Ellen Avenue

• Obtain funding - July 2006
• Prepare and send out RFP for design- August 2006
• Prepare plans and specification - November 2006
• Advertise for bids, review bids, award contract - December 2006
• Complete installation of improvements - June 2007

Develop and implement sewer system management plan (SSMP)

• Obtain funding - July 2006
• Develop SSMP- August 2006
• Monitor SSMP - September 2006

Maintenance Division

Install stamped colored concrete

• Locate areas in need - August 2006
• Schedule work - September 2006
• Install stamped colored concrete - October 2006
• Complete project - April 2007

Perform minor repairs to city bridges

• Identify items that can be performed in house - July 2006
• Prioritize and schedule work - August 2006
• Make minor repairs as needed - September 2006
• Complete project - June 2007

Perform city-wide sewer cleaning and video inspection

• Complete project - June 2008

PERFORMANCE MEASURES


AUTHORIZED POSITIONS
Administration



Building



Engineering



Maintenance Division



BUDGET COMMENTS
The department budget reallocates the funding sources of a number of staff positions according to each person's revised responsibilities.

The line item Special Assignment Pay (object 5126) is composed of personnel costs associated with CIP projects. The various line items are as follows:



Additional funds were added to fund City Hall holiday tree lighting and additional lighting for the newer portions of Azusa and Amar medians. Funding for the City holiday tree lighting was offset by contributions from the Lakes Development.

Additional funds were added to increase janitorial service from 4 days to 5 days.

Additional funds were added to fund street tree trimming back to original 5-year trim cycle.

Additional funds were added for the Azusa and Amar medians in fiscal year 2007-2008 for phase I and phase II.

BUDGET ISSUES
The vacant community enhancement officer was filled in January 2006. This filled vacancy will result in more inspections and compliance of municipal code violators.

The addition a one civil engineering assistant will enable the department to coordinate the new Regional Water Board requirements. Beginning in fiscal year 2006-2007 the Regional Water Board will be requiring the development and implementation of a Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP). SSMP requires that City have a complete inventory of the City's entire sewer system, including condition and capacity, establishment of a preventive maintenance program, and establishment of a communication system to report any sewer system overflow to the Regional Water Board and various other agencies. Also this new position will assist the traffic section in reviewing of traffic issues and preparing traffic studies.

On a year round basis, the division is improving the City's compliance with the NPDES Permit. The California Regional Water Quality Board adopted the permit on December 13, 2001, with significantly more costly and stringent requirements than the previous permit. Various inspections to enforce the permit requirements are preformed by the division to ensure the City complies with the permit requirements and helps maintain a debris free environment. Consultant services may be used as necessary in order to adhere to these requirements.

Base maps need to be continually updated. This work is labor intensive and has been delayed due to the elimination of numerous full-time and limited service positions. The purchase and replacement of vehicles has been deferred for a number of years causing the age of the City fleet to increase. This will ultimately result in an increase in maintenance costs. The availability of pool vehicles has decreased significantly.

ACTIVITY TREE


BUDGET SUMMARY

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