[Adopted 4-21-2025 by L.L. No. 3-2025 (J-2024)]
The Common Council finds that the City of Albany has parceled out the functions pertaining to the engineering of our sidewalks, streets, and other public works to a number of different departments. By centralizing those functions under one department, the City of Albany will be able to organize its public projects and enhance its built environment with greater efficiency. This will further the objectives of the City of Albany's Complete Streets program which will make the City safer for users of all modes of transportation.
There shall be and is hereby created and established in the City of Albany a department known as the "Department of Engineering."
A. 
The Commissioner of Engineering shall hold office at the pleasure of the Mayor.
B. 
The Commissioner shall appoint, to serve at their pleasure, Deputy Commissioner(s) and such other subordinates as may be authorized by the Board of Estimate and Apportionment. No person shall be eligible for appointment as Deputy Commissioner of Engineering unless they are a licensed New York State professional with a civil or mechanical engineering degree and relevant experience.
C. 
In case of the absence or disability of the Commissioner or of a vacancy in office, the most senior Deputy Commissioner shall discharge the duties of the office until the Commissioner returns, the disability ceases or the vacancy is filled by Mayoral appointment.
A. 
The Commissioner shall administer and oversee the Department of Engineering, its subordinate divisions, and the responsibilities thereof.
B. 
The Department shall be responsible for designing and assisting in the capital construction, maintenance and repair of: City streets, sidewalks, other active transportation pathways, roads, and streetscape elements not related to refuse or recycling collection; sewers; pumping plants; and drainage facilities or water/water facilities.
C. 
The Department shall also be responsible for reviewing and certifying all project plans as compliant with Article V (Complete Streets) of Chapter 323 (Streets and Sidewalks) of Part II (General Legislation) of the Code of the City of Albany and all applicable Federal and State law.
D. 
The Department shall also review and certify all work done under contract entered into by the Board of Contract and Supply and supervise the construction of public works. The Department shall also be responsible for enhancing pedestrian and multi-modal safety in and around each public works project during each phase of such project.
E. 
The Department shall be responsible for conducting traffic studies for work to be performed by the Department and shall oversee and perform such other traffic studies as requested by the Mayor, Commissioner of Engineering, or resolution of the Common Council and provide the study report upon completion to the Mayor and Common Council.
F. 
The Department shall be responsible for and superintend all City-owned buildings and related appurtenances and shall maintain and supervise construction, maintenance and janitorial staff to accomplish such functions.
The Commissioner or their designee shall administer and oversee a Division of Traffic Engineering within the Department of Engineering. The functions of the Division of Traffic Engineering shall include but not be limited to:
A. 
Installing and maintaining traffic signals;
B. 
Coordinating with public transportation planning and operating organizations;
C. 
Researching and implementing methods for improving active transportation thoroughfares;
D. 
Traffic sign graphics, fabrication, installation, and maintenance;
E. 
Supervising active transportation and vehicular infrastructure projects;
F. 
Pavement marking installation and maintenance;
G. 
Instituting and administering an Emergency No Parking program available to residents and businesses for the purpose of temporarily reserving on-street parking spaces;
H. 
Performing such other and further duties as may be prescribed by the City Charter, local laws, and law.
The Commissioner shall serve as the City Engineer and whenever in any local law, ordinance, Charter provision or other applicable statute, rule or regulation reference is made to the "City Engineer" such reference shall be deemed to have been made to the Commissioner of Engineering or their designee. Whenever in any local law, ordinance, Charter provision or other applicable statute, rule or regulation reference is made to the "Bureau of Engineering," such reference shall be deemed to have been made to the Department of Engineering.