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Public Works

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The Sturgeon Bay Street Department utilizes its diversely trained and multi-talented workforce to undertake a wide variety of tasks to improve and maintain the City’s infrastructure. This group of 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.

Staffing:

The Street Department is responsible for maintaining approximately 78 centerline miles of street, 50 miles of sidewalk, 6 miles of alleys, a storm sewer system, and garbage and recycling pick up.
Department of Public Works
835 North 14th Avenue
Telephone 920-746-2912
Fax 920-746-2906
Office Hours:  Monday thru Friday 7:00 a.m. thru 3:30 p.m.

The Street Department Activities include the following:

Garbage and recycling collection:
**Updates and/or changes to the garbage/recycling will be posted on the City of Sturgeon Bay Facebook page.**

All garbage and recycling must be placed in the provided 64 gallon or 96 gallon garbage cart per City Ordinance 12.015. Garbage and recycling should be placed at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on the day of collection and no more than 12 hours prior to the collection date and must be removed within 12 hours of that date. 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 pickup day for your garbage. Normal Refuse Collection Enforcement Policy: Items left at the curb by the City will be tagged and identified as “Uncollectible.” The normal refuse collection policy prohibits refuse being left at the curb for more than 24 hours. Failure to comply with the ordinance could result in fines. If additional cans are needed at your residence, you may purchase the 64 gallon can for $55 each, or the 96 gallon can for $60. Once the can is purchased, the City will deliver the cans and your refuse fee will be doubled each month. For more information you may contact the Municipal Services Department at 920-746-2912

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.  Beginning September 1, 2014 recycling is picked up every other week on the same day as garbage collection and recyclables must be placed in the provided 64 gallon or 96 gallon recycling cart. If additional cans are needed at your residence, you may purchase the 64 gallon can for $55 each, or the 96 gallon can for $60. Once the can is purchased, the City will deliver the cans and your refuse fee will be doubled each month. For more information you may contact the Municipal Services Department at 920-746-2912

Compost Site/Brush Pile
As of May 7, 1990, grass clippings, garden materials, leaves and brush will no longer be picked up with garbage collection. Only people residing within the City limits  may dispose of leaves, brush, grass clippings, etc., without a permit by taking them to the City’s Compost Pile located at Division Road. Disposal of brush at this site by contractors and/or landscapers is prohibited, however, grass clippings and leaves are accepted. 

Non-city residents that live in the Township of Sturgeon Bay or Township of Sevastopol may purchase an annual permit to drop items off at the City’s compost site. For more information, please contact the department at 920-746-2912.

Compost Site Hours
Spring and Fall Hours (March 15th to May 14th, and October 1st to December 15th):
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday                      7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday                                                                10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday                                                    8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Summer Hours (May 15th to October 1st):
Monday, Wednesday & Friday                                 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday & Thursday                                                 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday                                                   8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Compost Site Rules

  • All compost (grass, leaves, and garden waste only) must be put on the compost pile where designated.
  • All bags of compost must be emptied and bags put in garbage cans.
  • No dumping of garbage of any kind is allowed.
  • No rocks are to be mixed in with brush or compost.
  • 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.
  • No stumps or roots are allowed on the brush or compost piles.
  • No metal is to be mixed in with the brush or compost.
  • Lumber of any kind is not acceptable.
  • Paint, tires, and appliances are not to be deposited on the brush or compost piles.
  • No commercial or contractor brush will be accepted.
  • For Commercial use of finished compost, please contact the department for rules and pricing.
  • Finished compost material can be picked up by residents for their personal home use only, not for resale.
  • 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 fee for mowing non-compliant lawns approved on 9/17/21, and the property owner will be charged  by the City  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.

Fall Leaf Pick Up
Unbagged leaves are picked up in Fall. Dates will be made available thru the City of Sturgeon Bay Facebook page and the local media. Leaves must be put on the tree lawn, not in the curb or on the street.

Snow Removal
Main streets and streets leading to the main highway will be cleared first for use by Police, Fire & Emergency Departments. All other streets and alleys will be cleared as soon as possible. We sand/salt for ice control and maintain sand barrels on downtown street corners. Sidewalk Snow Removal 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 per the fee schedule approved by Common Council on 9/17/21 . 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.

Waste Oil
An above ground tank for the disposal of waste oil is located on North 14th Avenue at the south end of the Street Department Garage. The cost for disposal is $1 per gallon and may be paid at the Public Works Department Office – 835 N. 14th Avenue.  Waste oil should not be put in the garbage. Any questions or concerns regarding the Public Works Department should be directed by calling 920-746-2912 or e-mailing the Street Department.

Municipal Services Director 
The Municipal Services Director, under the direction and supervision of the City Administrator, directs and coordinates the work of crews engaged in street repair, construction and maintenance activities, solid waste disposal, snow removal and the installation, maintenance, repair and operation of the storm sewer systems of the City of Sturgeon Bay. Municipal Services Director  duties are: Directs and supervises all activities of the Department of Public Works including the divisions of Health and Sanitation and Highways. Responsible for the day to day activities of the Department including the maintenance of streets, storm sewers, solid waste collection and recycling, snow removal, municipal automotive and mechanical equipment and direct supervision of all employees of the department. Among the duties of the Municipal Services Director  are:

  • Coordinates purchasing both direct and authorizing, check invoices.
  • Budget preparation and preparation of Capital Improvement Program.
  • Plans, directs, and organizes work of subordinates for all Department of Public Works functions. Prepares and maintains job assignment and completion records.
  • Responsible for implementing and coordinating inventory control procedures and maintaining applicable records.
  • Oversees vehicle and equipment maintenance activities and ensures appropriate records are maintained to include all repairs and preventative maintenance.
  • Reviews employee time cards prior to authorizing payroll.
  • Attends Board of Public Works and Council meetings, and other committee meetings as directed.
  • Prepares and maintains daily and monthly work schedules and related records.
  • Responsible for coordination of personnel matters including employee interviews, screening, hiring, training, promotion, evaluation, discipline and recommends discharging when required.
  • Acts as Weed Commissioner and directs and supervises cutting and spraying of weeds on City and private lots.
  • Recruits, screens, and hires seasonal and other part time employees.
  • Responsible for the safety of subordinate employees acting within the scope of their employment.
  • Handles all incidents of employees acting without the scope of their employment, for appropriate action.
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