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Public Works
Welcome to the Cornelius Public Works Department. Our department takes responsibility for the operations and maintenance of the city's water, sanitary sewerage, storm drainage, and street systems. Great improvements have been made in staffing and equipment since 1995, which has resulted in much higher quality service levels. But we are always looking for new ideas and are open to more positive change.
Mission
Our mission is to deliver cost-effective, timely, and courteous operations and maintenance services to the citizens of Cornelius regarding water, sanitary sewerage, storm drainage, and streets.
- When is Leaf Drop-Off?
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Leaf Drop-Off is available in the Public Works yard (1300 S Kodiak Circle), Monday through Friday (8am - 3pm) during autumn. There is not an exact start date, but the service will be available when leaves begin to fall. Public Works offers additional drop-off on select Saturdays. For the leaf-drop off schedule, for the current or upcoming fall, visit the Public Works Streets Page.
- When will the street sweeper be in my area?
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The City of Cornelius has one street sweeper and limited staff. Staff work to sweep every street in the City once a month, but there is not a consistent schedule or route. If you believe your street is being skipped or you would like to coordinate with City staff, please call Public Works at 503-357-3011. Please note, the street sweeper is not able to handle large amounts of debris. Leaves and other yard debris need to be removed by property owners by other means.
- Whose responsibility is it to upkeep sidewalks and street trees?
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Sidewalk and street tree maintenance is the responsibility of the abutting property owner. Before performing any maintenance in the right-of-way, call Public Works (503-357-3011) for sidewalk standards and a Public Works Permit application.
- Can I remove the tree in front of my house?
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There are multiple items to consider when determining if a tree can be removed or replaced. The first item is the tree location. Street trees require City Engineer approval before removal or replacement. If you are unsure if the tree in question is a street tree, then please call Public Works (503-357-3011) for assistance. Trees outside of the right-of-way, on private property, are not in the City's purview. The next item to consider is what work is being done. If the tree removal or replacement includes digging, the City recommends visiting callbeforeyoudig.org (or dial 811) to have utility lines marked near your property. These markings can help reduce the risk of damaging utility service lines. Additionally, street tree removal or replacement may require a Public Works permits; call Public Works (503-357-3011) to determine if that applies to you. The last item to consider is tree variety options for replacement. City staff advocate for tree replacement over removal and follow the recommended street tree lists provided by the City of Portland. This list takes many factors into consideration and provides detailed information about the style and size of the approved trees.
Note: There are occasional tree diseases and infestations that preclude them from approval. Before purchasing new trees, call Public Works and ask about any current tree exclusions.
- Where is my property line?
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The City of Cornelius does not maintain property line maps. The only way to know where your property lines are exactly is to have the property surveyed. The City does not have a surveyor on staff. For property maps and legal descriptions, visit the Washington County Assessment & Taxation Department.