There is hereby created and established within and for the city a department to be known as the department of public works.
(Ordinance 0122, sec. 1, adopted 7/13/04)
The office of the director of the department of public works is hereby created. Such director shall be the department head of the department of public works and shall be appointed by the mayor with the approval of the city council. Termination of the director of the department of public works shall be upon recommendation by the mayor and approval of the city council.
(Ordinance 0122, sec. 2, adopted 7/13/04)
(a) 
The department of public works shall be in charge of building services for the city. Building services shall receive applications required by the building code, issue permits and furnish the prescribed certificates. The department shall examine the premises for which permits have been issued and shall make necessary inspections to see that the provisions of law are complied with and that construction is prosecuted safely. The director of the department of public works shall cause to be enforced all provisions of the building code. He shall, when requested by proper authority or when the public interest so requires, make investigations in connection with matters referred to in the building code and render written reports on the same. To enforce compliance with law, to remove illegal or unsafe conditions, to secure the necessary safeguards during construction, or to require adequate exit facilities in buildings and structures, he shall issue such notices or orders as may be necessary. Whenever necessary to make an inspection to enforce any provisions of this code, or whenever the director of the department of public works has reasonable cause to believe that there exists in any building or upon any premises any condition or code violation which makes any building or premises unsafe, dangerous or hazardous, the director of the department of public works or his or her designee may enter such building or premises within the provisions of current state law for right of entry upon the premises for the purpose of inspection and examination of violations pursuant to the requirements of this code. The department of director of public works shall also have the right to inspect and enforce all code provisions dealing with signs erected within the jurisdiction of the city.
(b) 
Inspections required under the provisions of the building code shall be made by the director of the department of public works or his duly appointed assistant. The director may accept reports of inspectors of recognized inspection services, after investigation of their qualifications and reliability. No certificate called for by any provision of the building code shall be issued on such reports unless the same are in writing and certified to by a responsible officer of such service.
(c) 
The department of public works shall make comprehensive records of applications for permits issued, of certificates issued, of inspections made, of reports rendered and of notices or orders issued as required by state law and city ordinances.
(d) 
All such records shall be open to public inspection for good and sufficient reasons at the stated office hours, but shall not be removed from the department of public works.
(e) 
The department of public works shall have charge of the opening, construction, maintenance and repair of all streets, alleys, sidewalks, traffic signs, bridges, rivers, watercourses, creeks, ditches and public ways, parks and open recreation areas; the inspection of site improvements for subdivisions under construction; the issuance and enforcement of grading permits issued within the city and of storm sewers; of the construction, maintenance, repair and operation of all public buildings and properties belonging to or used by the city; of building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing inspection, and the issuance of building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits; of weights and measures; and of such other functions as may be prescribed by ordinance.
(f) 
Coordination with the planning department on planning of future subdivisions and requirements mandated by the city as well as preliminary review of all subdivision improvement plans.
(g) 
Any other duties as assigned by the mayor.
(Ordinance 0122, sec. 3, adopted 7/13/04; Ordinance adopting Code)