[Adopted 1978 by Ord. No. 507 (Ch. 2.36 of the 1979 Code); amended in its entirety 2-6-2017 by Ord. No. 994]
[Amended 8-2-2021 by Ord. No. 1046]
There is created the Office of Director of Public Service, referred to and possessing the statutory duties of the Superintendent of Streets, Superintendent of the Combined Waterworks and Sewerage System, or any combination of those officers. The Mayor shall appoint a person to fill the Office of Director of Public Service and that individual shall hold his office for the term of one year and until his successor is appointed and qualified. Before entering upon the duties of his office, he shall take the oath provided for other City officials. The City shall maintain employee dishonesty insurance coverage through the liability insurance policy maintained by the City during the term of employment of the Director of Public Services.
The Director shall have charge of the improvement, repair and cleaning of all streets and alleys in the City and shall supervise the construction and repair of all sidewalks therein, but no improvement or repairs, except as may be actually necessary, shall be made by him without previous order of the Council. He shall without delay cause all breaks in any street or alley, crossing, culvert or other unsafe place to be repaired. He shall have charge of the care, maintenance and repair of the waterworks and sewerage system; shall have charge of installation of taps, pipes and water mains and shall have supervision over all buildings, sewers, manholes, mains, treatment works, wells, appurtenances and equipment to be used in connection with the combined waterworks and sewerage system of the City. In all cases, he shall perform his duties and responsibilities at the direction of the Council and the Sewer, Water and Light Standing Committee. He shall perform such other duties as may be required of him by the Mayor; the Streets, Alleys, Sidewalks and Public Grounds Committee and the Sewer, Water and Light Committee.
The Director of Public Service shall cause all ordinances in relation to streets, alleys, sidewalks and the City's combined waterworks and sewerage system to be enforced (by reporting all violations thereof to the Mayor or Police Department); the Director shall carry into effect all such orders, general or special, as he may receive from the Council; the Mayor; the Committee on Streets, Alleys, Sidewalks and Public Grounds and the Committee on Sewer, Water and Light.
The Director of Public Service shall, under the direction of the Mayor, and the Committee on Streets, Alleys, Sidewalks and Public Grounds, cause the streets and alleys, when needed, to be cleaned and gutters opened, and he shall, as far as practicable, keep them in that condition during the year. The Director shall, at the direction of the Mayor, Committee on Streets, Alleys, Sidewalks and Public Grounds and the Committee on Sewer, Water and Light, from time to time, examine the water distribution system, sanitary sewer system, the City's streets and alleys, the City's storm sewers, drains and culverts and all crossings and sidewalks located within the City and report the condition of same to the Council and recommend such improvements or repairs as he may deem necessary.
The Director of Public Service may be assisted by such subordinate employees as the Council may authorize, including without limitation the Utilities Director or, in lieu thereof, the Director of Public Service. In addition, with the authority of the Council, the Committee on Streets, Alleys, Sidewalks and Public Grounds or the Committee on Sewer, Water and Light, the Director may employ such number of laborers as shall be necessary for cleaning and repairing the streets and alleys and maintaining and repairing the combined waterworks and sewerage system at such prices as may be fixed by the Council. He shall oversee and direct the subordinates and any laborers or workmen hired and shall require them to labor faithfully. He shall keep in a suitable book a correct account of their time.
The Director shall, at the regular meeting of each and every month, report to the Council in writing a statement of all expenditures under his supervision during the preceding month, specifying the purpose of such expenditures and, if required, the person to whom made.