1D, Public Works Supervision & Staffing

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10/ 16/2009 Page 2 Following is a list of maintenance activities that could be done more efficiently and cost- effectively if done proactively: • Sewer line cleaning and root cutting: In addition to the goal of cleaning one third of the sewer lines each year, which is nearly being met, more frequent attention also needs to be paid to those areas with root problems, to avoid blocked lines and sewer back-ups. The cost of a sewer back-up into a home is in the tens of thousands of dollars and causes a major hardship for the homeowners. • Preventative maintenance on sewer lift stations can prevent operational problems, particularly emergency problems, including sewer back-ups. • There are manhole castings that have sunk below grade and dirt has fallen into the manhole or covered the manhole. These castings need to be repaired in a planned, proactive way, rather than waiting until access is needed. • Storm sewer structures and lines need to be cleaned regularly to avoid sediment build-up that blocks the lines and can cause flooding problems. • Trimming on trails and easement areas: If trimming is done regularly, it limits the amount of trimming needed. But once the areas are overgrown, it becomes a major project to trim the overgrowth back. Regular trimming also maintains a consistent appearance and character. • Trees along roadways need to be trimmed on a regular basis to avoid having to do major trimming, and to avoid City trucks hitting branches, which can damage the lights on the trucks, and also damage the trees, making them more susceptible to disease. • Proactive trail maintenance and repair can prevent major deterioration, reduce higher cost repairs, and extend the life of the trails • Timely curb and gutter repair (i.e. when a segment is settling causing pooling of water) addresses the water pooling problem, but also prevents damage from the water undermining the curb and gutter causing more extensive damage and higher costs for replacement. • Ballfield fences require on -going repair to maintain appearance, and to avoid deterioration to the point of needing replacement • On -going park sign maintenance maintains appearance and avoids the need for total repainting of the signs, which is a much more substantial project. • Regular exercising of valves on hydrants and gate valves can ensure the valves are working and are accessible, so that when it is necessary to close a valve it can be done easily and quickly as opposed to finding that it is not accessible due to a build up of silt or being rusted shut. • Updating, correcting, and mapping the location of utilities infrastructure such as off -road gate valves, which enables them to be easily and quickly located when work is needed on them, whether in an emergency or non -emergency situation. • While street sweeping is done regularly on a city-wide basis, there are wooded areas near lakes that should be swept more frequently to protect water quality.