[Amended 8-22-2016 by Ord. No. 34-2016]
A. Function. The Department of Public Works shall be responsible for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of those physical structures and facilities that are owned and maintained by the City. Additionally, it will provide such City functions as streets maintenance, sewage, parks, waste disposal, environmental protection, water authority services and traffic management. Finally, this Department will provide engineering services for its own activities as well as the activities of other departments.
B. Department Director. The Department Director is also the City Engineer and is responsible to the Managing Director for the function and performance of the department.
C. Department Director qualifications. Charter §§ 604 and 706 speak to general qualifications. Charter § 606 specifies that the Director of Public Works shall be a professional civil engineer registered in Pennsylvania.
Editor's Note: Sections 604 and 706 of the Charter provide:
§ 604. Qualifications.
The heads of departments, offices, and agencies shall be selected solely on the basis of education, training, experience and professional, executive and administrative abilities; and such other qualifications as may be set forth in this Charter. (See § 705.)
§ 705. Compensation of heads of departments, offices and agencies.
The compensation of all heads of departments, offices and agencies under the direction of the Mayor shall be proposed by the Mayor and approved by ordinance. Compensation of all other employees shall be set in accordance with the uniform pay plan established by City Council in the Personnel Code. All such heads of departments, offices and agencies need not be residents of the City at the time of appointment, but after appointment shall reside in the City. City residency shall be required within 12 months of being appointed.
Editor's Note: Section 606 of the Charter provides:
§ 606. Department of Public Works/City Engineer.
(a) The Department of Public Works is mandated by this Charter. The Mayor shall appoint and fix the compensation of the head of the Department of Public Works/City Engineer. He shall be a professional civil engineer registered in Pennsylvania, and shall perform the duties required through the Administrative Code or other action, or as may be required of a City Engineer by general law.
(b) The Department of Public Works shall include an environmentalist who shall be appointed by the head of the Department of Public Works whose duties shall include education, lobbying, research and public liaison. The environmentalist shall have sufficient technical qualifications for a position of this type.
D. Department Director duties. The duties and responsibilities of the Director shall include, but not be limited to the below. He/she shall direct personally and through subordinates the performance of the below duties.
(1) Provide engineering services either directly or by contract for the City.
(2) Construct and maintain the streets and bridges of the City, including the provision of street cleaning, snow removal and ice control services.
(3) Construct and maintain storm and sanitary sewer structures and facilities.
(4) Construct, operate and maintain public wastewater treatment and disposal structures, and facilities.
(5) Install and maintain traffic control devices and directional signs and signals, street name signs, streetlights (as per Met Ed agreement) and parking meters.
(6) Provide services to the Water Authority as requested according to the contract between the City and the Authority as well as the current collective bargaining agreement.
(7) Provide public environmental education, lobbying, research and liaison with other environmental agencies.
(8) Provide for the management and/or collection and disposal of municipal solid wastes including recyclables.
(9) Coordinate Reading beautification program.
(10) Plan, develop, design, and administer in cooperation with other municipal departments, municipal park and recreation facilities owned, acquired, or designated by the City.
(11) Plant and maintain trees on City property.
(12) Provide for custodian services for all municipal buildings.
(13) Provide for inspection and related procedures to assure proper maintenance and repair of sidewalks in accordance with municipal ordinances.
(14) Repair and maintain municipal vehicles and equipment.
(15) Maintain and update Official Maps, plats, and other engineering records of the City.
(16) Provide electrical services.
(17) Plan, develop, design and administer in cooperation with other appropriate departments and agencies of other governments, expansion and modification of facilities for which this department is responsible.
(18) Administer community recreational programs.