[HISTORY: Adopted by the City of Norwalk Common Council 11-26-2024.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also superseded former Ch. 90, Public Works, Department of, adopted 9-11-2018, as amended.
There is established a Department of Operations and Public Works (the "Department") which was formerly known as the "Department of Public Works," the functions of which shall include:
A. 
The maintenance and repair of all accepted streets and appurtenances and of public ways and public grounds not under the supervision of others.
B. 
The collection and disposal of solid waste in accordance with state statutes.
C. 
The management and operation of the wastewater treatment plant and collection system. The Chief of Operations and Public Works, who was formerly known as the "Director of Public Works," shall have responsibility, charge, jurisdiction, rights and powers to perform all duties relating to the supervision, operation, repair, maintenance and upkeep of the wastewater system of the City. They shall, subject to the orders and directions of the Water Pollution Control Authority, have charge of the sewer system of the Fourth Taxing District and of the care and maintenance thereof and of the construction of all new sewers.
D. 
The preparation of or assistance in the preparation of plans and specifications for bidding the construction, demolition, repair, renovation or rehabilitation of municipal improvements and all manner of public works projects carried out by the City.
E. 
Collaboration with the Department of Transportation, Mobility and Parking, and all other relevant departments, on the supervision and coordination of public improvements carried out by contract with the City related to the planning, design, construction and maintenance of the Mobility System. The supervision and coordination of all other public improvements carried out by contract with the City and the performance, direction or inspection of actual conduct of all construction work related to such other public improvements by or on behalf of the City. For purposes of this chapter, the term "Mobility System" shall have the meaning set forth in the Complete Streets ordinance, as amended from time to time (the "Complete Streets Ordinance").[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 33A.
F. 
The prevention of encroachment and excavations in the public streets and highways, except in accordance with duly adopted law and regulation.
G. 
The development and administration of a comprehensive program of fleet maintenance services for all City departments, agencies and commissions, with the exception of the Fire Department. The program shall include the acquisition, assignment, disposition, sale and modification of all equipment and related parts and supplies. Acquisition and assignment of police vehicles shall be the responsibility of the Police Department. Acquisition and assignment of parks maintenance vehicles and equipment shall be the responsibility of this Department.
H. 
The control, development, operation and maintenance of a system of public parks and recreational areas and facilities, and the operation and maintenance of, narrow parkways, boulevard strips, trails and small areas along streets, now in existence or that may hereafter be acquired, except that the control, development, management, operation and maintenance of the Oak Hills Park and all other matters relating thereto shall be as provided by separate ordinance. The Department shall be charged with the construction, protection, repair, furnishing, cleaning, heating, lighting and general care of all public buildings, except school buildings and structures under the jurisdiction of the Board of Education, and the water pollution control plants, pump stations and the solid waste transfer station.
I. 
The maintenance of playgrounds, playfields, bathing beaches, swimming pools, recreation centers and other recreation and park activities, areas and facilities.
J. 
May plan, set up or place and protect and care for flowers, vines, shrubs and trees to adorn and improve public squares, grounds, boulevards, streets, avenues or spaces within the City.
K. 
Shall recommend to the Common Council the institution of condemnation proceedings whenever, in its judgment, private property should be taken in the name of the City for the purposes of the Department.
L. 
Shall have the right to call upon any other department of the City government for assistance in performing its duties, and it shall be the duty of such other departments to comply with a proper request of said Department. Any questions as to what shall constitute a proper request for assistance shall be decided by the Mayor.
M. 
Collaborating with the Department of Transportation, Mobility and Parking, and other relevant departments, in the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of the City's Mobility System in a manner consistent with the Complete Streets Ordinance.
The head of the Department of Operations and Public Works shall be the Chief of Operations and Public Works, who shall be appointed by the Mayor, subject to confirmation by the Common Council, and may be removed by the Mayor at their discretion. The Chief shall have had at least five years of applicable executive or administrative experience prior to appointment. Their compensation shall be fixed by ordinance. They shall have all the powers and duties hitherto conferred or imposed by law, ordinance or Charter provision on the Chief of Operations and Public Works and such other duties as may be required of them by ordinance.
The Chief is authorized to employ, in compliance with all existing procedures, all necessary assistants and staff for the carrying out of the duties imposed upon them by this chapter.
A. 
The Chief shall, with the concurrence of the Common Council, make and alter, from time to time, rates, fines, penalties and fees with respect to operations of the Department. The Chief shall establish rates, fines, penalties and fees to be charged for the various departmental services and functions and shall submit same, hereinafter referred to as the "Fee Schedule," to the Public Works Committee of the Common Council, or its successor, which shall hold a public hearing. Public notice of the public hearing shall be consistent with the Charter of the City of Norwalk. Within 30 days of receipt by the City Clerk of notice of the action taken by the Public Works Committee subsequent to such public hearing, the Common Council shall act upon the Fee Schedule. If the Council takes no action within such 30 days, the Fee Schedule shall be deemed approved, and the City Clerk shall issue a notice so stating, which shall be maintained with the records of the Common Council. If the Council votes to disapprove all or a portion of the Fee Schedule, it may ask the Chief to submit revised proposals to the Common Council to be acted on in accordance with this section.
B. 
The Chief shall recommend to the Water Pollution Control Authority rates, fines, penalties and fees, or alterations to same, with respect to operations of the wastewater collection and treatment system. The Chief shall organize proposed rates, fines, penalties and fees to be charged for the various system services and functions, or alterations to same, into the Fee Schedule and submit same to the Water Pollution Control Authority, which shall hold a public hearing. Public notice of the public hearing shall be consistent with the Charter of the City of Norwalk. If the Water Pollution Control Authority votes to disapprove all or a portion of the Fee Schedule, it may ask the Chief to submit revised proposals to the Water Pollution Control Authority to be acted on in accordance with this section. The Chief shall implement the approved Fee Schedule.
C. 
The approved Fee Schedules, as they may be modified from time to time in accordance with the procedure set forth in this section, shall be available on the City website and in the offices of the City Clerk and the Department of Operations and Public Works at all times and shall be made available for distribution to persons requesting same.
The Chief shall employ and maintain, as a regular employee, a Principal Engineer of the Department, who shall be a qualified professional civil engineer with at least five years of experience with the design or construction of public works, highways, public utilities and municipal improvements. They shall be licensed to practice in the State of Connecticut or shall become certified to do so within six months of assuming the position of Principal Engineer. Said Engineer shall provide professional assistance to the Chief concerning engineering projects and shall supervise the Department's engineering and construction administration staff at the direction of the Chief.
A. 
The Chief shall cause to be made and prepared all surveys, maps, profiles, calculations, construction documents, drawings and specifications required for the use of the City and shall cause to be performed all surveying and engineering services which may be required of them by the Common Council and by each and every department, authority, commission or agency of City government; provided, however, that the Chief shall not perform or cause to be performed engineering services on behalf of any other department if such engineering services are approved by a qualified professional civil engineer, licensed to practice in the State of Connecticut, where the department managing the project has authorized such approval and where the Principal Engineer has been given an opportunity to review and provide comment. The Chief shall collaborate with and support engineering services required, rendered and/or approved by other City departments.
B. 
The Chief shall have the care and custody of all maps and plans of the public works and improvements of the City.
C. 
It shall be the duty of the Chief to record, and keep in such manner that they can easily be examined, all surveys and layouts of streets, sewers and public works for which a manuscript, survey or layout is adopted by the Common Council.
D. 
It shall be the responsibility of the Chief, in collaboration with the Department of Transportation, Mobility and Parking, to establish and prepare the necessary standard construction specifications, design standards and manuals required for the planning, design, construction and maintenance of the Mobility System in a manner consistent with the Complete Streets Ordinance. It shall also be the responsibility of the Chief to establish and prepare all other necessary standard construction specifications, design standards and manuals required for the operations of the Department, the wastewater collection and treatment system and the parking system.
E. 
The Chief shall be charged with the control, development, operation and maintenance of a system of public parks and recreational areas and facilities now in existence or that may hereafter be acquired as further explained in the City Code, including § 90-1 and § 74-23 through § 74-27.
A. 
The Chief shall keep a written record of all permits and licenses granted under Chapters 90 through 99 of the Code, and such written record shall at all times be open to inspection.
B. 
The Chief shall keep a record of complaints made by the public and shall enter therein all complaints made concerning streets, highways, sidewalks, gutters, parking facilities, wastewater collection and treatment facilities and public places, and any breach of Chapters 90 through 99 of this Code, together with the action taken by them with respect thereto.
Nothing in §§ 90-1 through 90-8 shall be construed to affect the buildings, structures and properties belonging to the First, Second, Third or Sixth Taxing Districts of the City or their management and operation. When, in the judgment of the Chief, public safety is or may be adversely affected by work to be performed by the taxing districts, the Chief may at their discretion make the requirements of this chapter and any other appropriate provision of the Code applicable to such taxing district.
No person shall resist, molest, interfere with or disobey the Chief or their assistants while engaged in the duty of keeping the streets, sidewalks and public places of the City open and free from obstruction by vehicles, crowds, groups of persons or otherwise.
If any provision, clause or phrase of this chapter is adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or if the applicability thereof to any persons or circumstances is held invalid, such judgment shall not invalidate the remainder, and the applicability thereof to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.
Any provisions of the Code of the City of Norwalk inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter are hereby repealed to the extent of such inconsistency.