The office of the Public Works Director/City Engineer provides overall supervision and coordination of the Street and Parks Departments. In addition, the City Engineer performs the following job related activities: Transportation Planning & Traffic Management, Traffic Engineering, Drainage Systems Design, Management of Capital Improvement Programs, Designs and manages street system, updates and maintains all City maps, and subdivision regulation conformance.

The Sturgeon Bay Street Department utilizes it’s diversely trained and multi-talented work force to undertake a wide variety of tasks to improve and maintain the City’s infrastructure. This group of 17 dedicated individuals is on-call to serve the community as needed. The goal of the department is to provide quality workmanship while maintaining the community’s streets, grounds, and general appearance. This work includes maintaining approximately 78 centerline miles of street, 50 miles of sidewalk and a storm sewer system.

Garbage collection: Limit of four (4) 32 gallon cans or equivalent per week per residence or business. Garbage should be placed at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on the day of collection. Large/bulky items can be disposed of, by contacting the department to schedule a pickup. Any route changes will be announced through the local media. Residents are asked NOT to place garbage cans on top of snow banks. If you are new to the area, please call the Street Department for the pick up day for your garbage.

Recycling: As of July 1, 1992, the City of Sturgeon Bay began curbside pick up of recyclable materials from residences and apartments of four (4) units or less. Recycling is mandatory in the State of Wisconsin. Residents may take their items to the Waste Management Facility on Division Road or participate in the City’s curbside pick up. Curbside pick up is on the same day as garbage collection and recyclables must be in the blue bins only. Cardboard must be cut up to a size no larger than the blue bin. Paper, cardboard, and co-mingled material are picked up on alternating weeks.

Compost Site/Brush Pile: As of May 7, 1990 grass clippings, garden materials, leaves and brush will not longer be picked up with garbage collection. People residing within the City limits only may dispose of leaves, brush, grass clippings, etc anytime by taking them to the City’s Compost Pile located on Division Road. Disposal of brush at this site by contractors and/or landscapers is prohibited, however, grass clippings and leaves are accepted.

Compost Site Rules

1. All compost (grass, leaves, and garden waste only) must be put on the compost pile where designated.

2. All bags of compost must be emptied and bags put in garbage cans.

3. No dumping of garbage of any kind is allowed.

4. No rocks are to be mixed in with brush or compost.

5. All brush must be put on the brush pile, not on the compost pile. Limbs must not exceed five feet (5') in length or six (6") in diameter.

6. No stumps or roots are allowed on the brush or compost piles.

7. No metal is to be mixed in with the brush or compost.

8. Lumber of any kind is not acceptable.

9. Paint, tires, and appliances are not to be deposited on the brush or compost piles.

10. No commercial or contractor brush will be accepted.

11. For Commercial use of finished compost, please contact the department for rules and pricing.

12. Finished compost material can be picked up by residents for their personal home use only, not for resale.

13. The compost site is open year round.

Weed & Grass Control: The City cuts weeds and grass on all City property. The City also cuts weeds/grass that are in violation of Section 10.19 of the Municipal Code in that "no person owning property within the City of Sturgeon Bay shall permit to grow or pollinate upon his premises any weeds or grasses which cause or produce hay fever or other toxic effects in human beings, emit unpleasant or noxious odors or conceal filthy deposits. Every owner shall mow or cause to be mowed all grasses or weeds exceeding 10" in height." The Common Council has established a minimum rate of $100.00 per hour plus tax with a minimum charge of one (1) hour for each parcel of property cut by the City plus the cost of any equipment repairs for damages incurred while cutting said parcels. If at all possible, the City tries not to compete with private enterprise. There are numerous companies and private individuals who are capable of providing weed cutting services to residents at a much more reasonable rate.

As per Section 8.04 of the Municipal Code, residents must clear snow from their sidewalks within 24 hours of a snowfall. Non-compliance results in our Department removing the snow and the property owner being billed. No person shall deposit or cause to deposit, directly or indirectly, of snow or ice from private property upon the City right of ways, streets, alleys, parking lots, docks or other property.

Any questions or concerns regarding the Public Works Department should be directed by calling 920-746-2912 or e-mailing publicworkssec@sturgeonbaywi.org