The Public Works office and garage are located at 637 38th Avenue NE. The 31 members of this department service and maintain the 70 miles of city streets, city vehicles, parks, and water and sewer systems. In addition to snow plowing, street sweeping, and park mowing this department also trim the trees over street right of ways and ensure the safe delivery of water to all the homes.

Sanitary Sewer Pipe Bursting Project
In 2003 Public Works staff conducted an analysis of the utility capacity and its adequacy to accommodate new redevelopment on the east part of Central Avenue. At that time it was determined that the sanitary sewer on Central Avenue would need upsizing to provide sufficient capacity for current and planned development.

The work requires increasing the size of the sanitary sewer to a 12-inch diameter pipe on the east side of Central Avenue from just north of 47th Avenue to 51st Court. Due to the varied depths, proximity to some buildings, and conflict with multiple underground utilities, the pipe will be installed as an in-situ replacement using pipe bursting.

Project Area Map

The Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES) Interceptor Improvements
During the summer and fall of 2010, MCES, operator of the metro area wastewater collection and treatment system, will be replacing the sanitary sewer line serving part of Columbia Heights and Hilltop. For more details follow the link below.

Sanitary Sewer Replacement

City of Columbia Heights Pedestrian and Bicycle Mobility Plan

• Pedestrian and Bicycle Mobility Plan

2008 Ramsdell Park Master Plan:

A Master Plan for the future redevelopment was recommended by the Park and Recreation Commission and approved by the City Council in 2008, based upon extensive public input and Commission review. The Master Plan will form the basis of future park reconstruction, depending on funding availability.

• Ramsdell Park Master Plan (2008)

Water and Sewer Utility
Water, storm drainage, and sanitary sewer services are provided by the Columbia Heights Water and Sewer Department. Columbia Heights' municipally-supplied water is purchased from the City of Minneapolis. The water source is the Mississippi River.

• Read the 2010 Water Quality Report

Water hardness averages 80 parts per million, or 4.5 grains per gallon. This is classified as a medium soft water and residential water softening is not necessary.

Occasional discoloration of the water is caused by iron in the system. This is not harmful and is considered an aesthetic problem. Its source is iron in the water distribution piping, and may be caused by a disruption in the system, such as when water has been turned off or when fire hydrants are being flushed in your neighborhood. Recommended remedy: Open the cold water faucet that is located closest to the water meter, usually an outside faucet or the laundry tub faucet works best. Let water run until the color returns to normal, this usually takes 5 to 10 minutes. If you have done this and there is still discoloration, call Public Works at (763)706-3700 

Public Works Permits
The following permits are required from the Public Works Department:

Work within Right-of-Way
Excavation work done within the street right-of-way, including the boulevard area, for utilities, curb and gutter, public sidewalk, etc.

Contractors must furnish a Street and Public Easement Excavation Bond and a current Certificate of Insurance.

Permit

Street Restoration
The extent of street restoration depends on the age of the most recent street rehabilitation (reconstruction or overlay).

Street Obstruction
Any non-motorized obstruction placed in the street such as dumpsters, storage containers, and building/landscape materials. Cost of the permit is $25.00. Flashers are required if the obstruction will remain in the street overnight. Flashers are available from the Public Works Department with a $150 deposit. A separate check is required for the flasher deposit.

Permit

For Emergency Water or Sewer Service:

•  Weekdays: 7:00 am - 3:30 pm (763) 706-3700
• After hours: 911

The after-hours phone number for sewer backup, or water break, 911 is for the Anoka County emergency dispatcher. They will answer the phone "police and fire", inform them of your problem, and they will contact the appropriate person for the service needed. 

Sewer Backups
If waste water is backing up and no water is being used in your building, the City sewer is probably plugged and you should call the City immediately. When in doubt, call the City first. During normal business hours, please call the Public Works Department at (763) 706-3700. After hours, call the Police Department at 911

If wastewater is backing up only when you are using water, the plug is likely in the service line and is the responsibility of the property owner. A qualified sewer cleaning contractor should be called to service the line.

The property owner is responsible for maintaining the sanitary sewer service from their building up to and including the connection to the main sewer line. 

Sump Pump and Drainage Information
To reschedule your sump pump inspection please email : Jesse.davies@ci.columbia-heights.mn.us or call 763 706-3720

• Sump Pump and Drainage Information

The tree and shrub trimming in alleys is the responsibility of the property owner. The right-of-way maintenance includes trimming all grass and weeds that exceed 9" in height and at a minimum trimming all woody plant materials to the degree that they do not hang over the paved surface of the alley up to a height of approximately 15'. Inspections are made on an annual basis.

Tree branches that are touching public electrical service lines may be trimmed by Xcel. Call Xcel Customer Service at 1-800-895-1999 Monday - Friday 7:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. for details and scheduling.

Trees that interfere with electrical service to a single home are the responsibility of the property owner. Caution: Tree trimming around power lines is very hazardous. Call Xcel to disconnect the power before trimming, 1-800-895-4999. Hire a professional tree trimmer that is licensed and bonded to work in Columbia Heights. 

Check out he National Arbor Day Foundation for additional information regarding tree planting, tree triming, and trees in general.
Arbor Day Foundation

Tree Planting
Keep your power on. Plant the right tree in the right place.

Planting trees offers many potential benefits - they help reduce air pollution, increase property values and often improve the energy efficiency of your home by offering shade in the summer and wind protection in the winter. However, poorly placed trees can create problems. Choosing a suitable location for your tree provides a better future for your tree and for all of us. Before you plant a tree, remember that tree-to-power line contracts increase the likelyhood of an outage during a storm, so avoid planting trees that will eventually grow into, or overhang, power lines.

• Ornamentals and low-growing trees planted under or within 25 feet of power lines should grow no taller then 20-25 feet at maturity
• Plant tall growing trees at least 25 feet away from power lines
• Do not plant trees under the service lines that run from the pole to your home
• Avoid planting any vegitation in front of our ground-level electrical boxes
• Call 8-1-1 before you palnt trees for the location of all underground utility lines

Tree Inspector
Public and private trees are inspected three times a year, June, July and August, for Dutch Elm disease and Oak wilt. If you suspect Dutch Elm disease or Oak wilt, please call (763) 706-3700. A tree inspector will examine your trees and mark them for removal if they are diseased. Lots of great information on how to keep your trees healthy can be found at MNTrees.org.

DON'T MOVE FIREWOOD!
To see why - click the link below

Pest Control Warning

Ponds
Wherever possible, the Parks Department maintains a buffer of undisturbed vegetation along the shoreline of ponds and streams. These buffers provide a variety of benefits including the filtration and absorption of runoff water before it enters the streams and ponds. These buffers also provide shoreline stabilization, which prevents grass clippings and fertilizers from being blown or spread into the water and they provide wildlife habitat. 

Tips for Controlling Canadian Geese in Urban Environments
The key to controlling Canadian Geese populations in urban environments is to make the areas where geese are a problem, less attractive to the geese. Urban habits like mowed fertilized lawns and open spaces are ideal habits for Canadian Geese. The following tips may help control populations.

• Don’t feed the geese - Feeding the geese will concentrate populations, reduce effectiveness of other measures, and will make them more aggressive to people as they expect to be fed. Also hand feeding makes geese more susceptible to diseases and rarely provide proper nutrients that the geese require.
• Manage Grass and Plants – Geese prefer to eat grass, especially young shoots that can be found in abundance on mowed fertilized lawns. Elimate mowing at least 20 feet from shorelines or plant prairie grasses in these areas, as they are less palatable to geese. Reduce fertilizer use, as geese prefer fertilized grass.
• Vegetative Barrier – Geese prefer to walk from land to water and because geese feel safe in open areas where they can see their predators, a tall grass buffer (minimum of 30”) will discourage the geese from established feeding areas as they will be unable to physically walk to the area and the height grasses will impair their sightlines.
• Fencing and Rock – Large rock (2 feet in diameter or greater) or fence will also discourage geese from an area. Fences should be at least 30” tall and have no openings larger than 3 feet.