Public Works Department
The Public Works Department (email here) is responsible for the maintenance, planning, and administration of the City's infrastructure. This infrastructure includes city roadways, waterlines, sewers, curbs, and sidewalks. Other responsibilities of the department include stormwater and floodplain management.
General Services, Water Treatment, Wastewater Treatment, and the Zoning Department all fall under the jurisdiction of Public Works.
Annual Projects
Sidewalk Program
Maintaining sidewalks is an essential part of city infrastructure for transportation, recreation, safety, and aesthetic purposes. Maintenance of sidewalks is the responsibility of the owner of the property abutting the sidewalk. Approximately one mile of walks are upgraded each year with this program.
The City is divided into quadrants, with a different quadrant addressed each year for repair and/or replacement of hazardous sidewalks. Sidewalks within that quadrant are inspected and marked for repair/replacement as necessary. Property owners are notified by certified mail of any necessary repairs. Owners are given the option of having the repairs made themselves or reimbursing the City (via tax assessments) for making the repairs.
Street Resurfacing & Concrete Repair Program
A list of streets that need repair is created based upon annual inspections combined with an independent third party scoring all streets. The funding for this comes from a one-quarter percent income tax which generates $300,000 worth of resurfacing annually. A typical year will see 10 to 15 streets resurfaced.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Project
The City applies for this grant every year, selecting a project that meets CDBG requirements. Federal funding is supplemented with local funds. Currently the City is committed to multiple phases of a sewer separation project in the Wooster/Marshall Street area.
Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) Project
This yearly project takes place on a major route and ranges from $400,000 to $600,000 in cost. Examples of past CDBG projects include four phases of Cline Street and five phases of E. Main Street. In ADDITION to this state funding, the City supplements these projects with local funds.
Home Repair
Great Lakes Community Action Partnership (GLCAP) administers the Community Housing Impact & Preservation (CHIP) Home Repair program on behalf of Huron County and the City of Norwalk. CHIP provides home repair assistance for a variety of needs, including furnace replacements; water heater replacements; roof replacements; electrical upgrades; plumbing upgrades and ADA modifications. For more details on how to apply visit: www.glcap.org/homerepair
Current Road Construction
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City of Norwalk Engineering Standards
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Right-of-Way Construction Permit Application
Floodplain Management
Floodplain management means the operation of an overall program of corrective and preventive measures for reducing flood damage, including but not limited to emergency preparedness plans, flood control works, and floodplain management regulations.
Flood damage can be significantly reduced when development is not placed in harm’s way or is appropriately protected from flood hazards. Properly managed floodplains can increase property values and expand recreational opportunities, while reducing direct and indirect costs associated with flood hazards, erosion, and stormwater; improving groundwater recharge and water quality; and providing valuable wildlife habitat.
If you are in a floodplain and plan on filling or building, please contact the Public Works Department at (419) 663-6735.
To determine if your property is within a floodplain, go to http://msc.fema.gov/portal and type in your address.
What is a Floodplain?
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Norwalk Creek Maintenance For Homeowners
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FEMA National Flood Insurance Program
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Stormwater Management
Definition:
A storm water utility, like other utilities, provides a service to the public, supported by charging fees to its customers. Stormwater utility fees operate and maintain the existing system and may be able to finance capital improvements. User charges provide a consistent, predictable, long-term revenue source.
What the Utility Pays For:
Items addressed in the storm water management plan (effectively "unfunded mandates") include:
• Inspection
• Mapping
• Infrastructure Projects
• Maintenance of Existing System
- pipes, catch basins, manholdes, detention ponds, outfalls, headwalls, culverts, bridges
More specifically, this fund will go toward reducing infiltration in the existing storm sewers and create separate sewers for areas that are still combined. By doing this, basement floodings and backups can be reduced.
Environmental Concerns
Illicit Discharge Information