Committed to Serving the Public
The mission of the Public Works Department is to provide and maintain the infrastructure of the City of Coos Bay while protecting the health and welfare of the City residents, businesses, and visitors. We are here to provide quality services, within available resources, to our customers in a timely and effcient manner, as well as to support economic growth and development with the unity and trust of highly qualified and skilled personnel.
Get To Know
Jim Hossley
Most Requested Forms
- Special Event Permit Application Application to hold special events on city property or with city services
- Public Works Permit Right of way (ROW) use; driveway access, curb cut; sewer connection, cap or repair; site development, grading, fill, excavation
- Right of Way Vacation Application Right of Way Vacation
FAQs
-
Q:
× What is my property zoned?
The Zoning Map shows the zoning for the entire city; just zoom in to find your property. You can also call the Planning Division of the Community Development Department at 541-269-8918. You'll need to know the property address or, if it is an undeveloped property, some other means of identifying it such as cross streets or tax parcel information. We can help you find the answers you need. Allowed uses on a property are based on the zoning designation. Zoning definitions and descriptions are included in the Coos Bay Municipal Code, Title 17.
-
Q:
× Do I need a permit to remove a tree from my property?
You do not need a permit or permission to remove a tree on your own property. However, if the tree is in the public right of way, such as next to the street or sidewalk, you must have approval from the Tree Board prior to removal. You may also need a Public Works Permit for work in the right of way. Contact the Public Works Department at 541-269-8918 for additional information.
-
Q:
× Who is responsible for the improved and unimproved right of way next to my house?
The property owner is responsible for the maintenance of the improved and/or unimproved right of way adjacent to the property. The right of way must be maintained so that vegetation in not overgrown and causing a vision clearance issue, and sidewalks must be maintained and in good repair and safe condition. See Coos Bay Municipal Code Section 12.
Engineering Division
The Engineering Division provides engineering services for the City's public improvement projects.
Engineering's projects are primarily related to wastewater and stormwater infrastructure. The division also provides engineering review of plans for private improvements within public rightof-way or that impact public right-of-way.
Operations Division
The Operations Division is responsible for the maintenance of the public infrastructure.
Services provided by this division include: the repair of City streets, sidewalks, storm water, street sweeping, tree service, public drainage facilities, mowing of City's property, installation of traffic control devices, traffic signals, traffic markings, fleet management and facility management. Operations Division also oversees project management and contract management of large infrastructure and facility projects, which includes securing outside resources such as grants to assist both the department and other shareholders in achieving the City's goals.
Plans, schedules & Documents
Coos Bay Transportation System Plan - Volume 1
Coos Bay Transportation System Plan - Volume 2
Utility & Service Lateral Installation Restoration Policy - 2018
Water Quality Division
Water Quality manages the wastewater treatment plants and the sanitary and storm collection systems.
The City has two wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) (that also service two special districts Charleston and Bunker Hill), 22 santiary sewer pump stations, and three storm pump stations. WWTP No 1 is located in downtown and WWTP No 2 is located in empire. The City of Coos Bay is committed to ensuring that the water quality entering our waterways is treated to the strict EPA & DEQ standards. Having clean wastewater is a benefit for us all. Wastewater treatment process is specifically designed to prevent waterborne pollution. On average every 15-20 years treatment plants need to be fully updated. While updates are continuously being performed every year to the treatment plants large upgrades have to be planned over a longer timeframe as a requirement of DEQ. While updating wastewater technology can be expensive, it is crucial in ensuring clean wastewater is continued through the years.
WWTP1
.jpg)
With the passing of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1948, the City of Coos Bay constructed its first Wastewater Treatment Plant in 1950. Along with the construction of the treatment plant, there were collection lines installed and pump stations constructed. With the 1950 build there was a control building, grit channel, clarifier, and anerobic digester.
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 (popularly known as the Clean Water Act) was the first establishment of national standards for sewage treatment and significantly increased federal funding to help communities meet the laws. This act established the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. These permits control water pollution by regulating point sources that discharge pollutants into waters of the United States. Since its introduction in 1972 the program has been responsible for significant improvements to our nations and states water quality. With each permit comes limits that are designed to protect waterways. Due to the 1972 amendments the City of Coos Bay updated their treatment plant again. The 1972 upgrade was finished in 1975 and included: an additional digester, chlorine building, aeration basins, grit collector, and a final clarifier.
In 1990, WWTP No. 1 was upgraded again. This upgrade included building a new primary treatment area, a secondary clarifier, remodeled the maintenance building, updates to the aeration basins, updates to the digesters, updates to the grit system & headworks system, chlorine contact basin conversion, outfall repair, and a large electrical upgrade to the plant. In the planning of this upgrade, consideration was given for future upgrades so there was space intentionally left open for future needs of the treatment system.
Currently the WWTP No 1 is in final design for its next upgrade, final design is anticipated to be complete by Spring 2023. Once design is complete bidding and construction will commence, it is anticipated that the construction upgrade will take 2-3 years.
WWTP2
WWTP2 was originally constructed in 1964 and upgraded in 1990.
In 2010 the City started the process of planning the next upgrade, in 2012 it was determined that the existing WWTP did not have the capacity to be upgraded again with the increased flows and newer EPA/DEQ requirements. This determination began the process of building a new wastewater treatment plant. In 2016 the City broke ground to build the new WWTP. The plant was fully operational in 2020. This treatment plant is a Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) plant.
.jpg)
Solids from WWTP2 are transfered to WWTP1 through the collection system. At WWTP1 the solids are treated using anaerobic digesters. Once fully treated the solids are sent to the 4 acre lagoon in Eastside. This lagoon was constructed in 1989. These solids are then further processed in the lagoon. The end product is Class B Biosolids.
Annually the City hauls Class B Biosolids onto DEQ approved land sites throughout the county. This process is completed in the summer months. Testing of the biosolids is performed at the lagoon each month during the summer and additional daily testing is performed when hauling is occuring. The City also performs testing of the land prior to application and utilizes DEQ/EPA directives and regulations for tracking application rates. Annual reports of testing and program processes are submitted to DEQ & EPA.
Biosolids are nutrient-rich and can be used as a soil amendment or fertilizer and a sustainable alternative to commonly used chemical fertilizers. Nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, zinc, calcium, magnesium, and iron are present in most biosolids. Organic matter also is a major component of biosolids. Biosolids are applied at agronomic rates that benefit soil quality and the growth of crops. Biosolids can also be used for enhancing vegetative growth on reclamation sites and the US Department of Agriculture Conservation Reserve Program lands at greater than agronomic rates. These sites are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and appropriate agronomic rates are determined. Properly applied they improve soil structure and water-holding capacity, which improves growing conditions for crops, forests, landscaping, lawns, and vegetation on reclaimed lands.
Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) Management Program
Throughout the year, the City cleans sanitary sewer lines that are full of Fats, Oils and Grease (commonly referred to as FOG). When FOG enters into the sewer system, it can have drastic impacts on the system (such as sanitary sewer overflows, line backups, pump station complications and treatment plant issues). The way most cities in the State address the FOG problem is to have a FOG program in place. Due to the continued FOG related issues in the City’s system, the City of Coos Bay has implemented new rules to the municipal code to help minimize the FOG discharge into the sanitary sewer system. The state plumbing code already has provisions directed to installing FOG pretreatment devices, but this City code is in place to ensure that the devices are installed, maintained and operating in an effective manner.
Food service establishments and manufacturing facilities will be the businesses most impacted. The rules will require establishments to implement FOG program Kitchen Best Management Practices, install proper FOG pretreatment devices, and utilize a professional waste hauler to remove the FOG generated at their facility (outdoor device minimum cleaning of every 90 days, indoor device minimum cleaning of every 30 days). Additionally annual inspections will occur to ensure that the businesses are complying with the municipal code.
Below are templates and information for implementing a proper FOG Management Program in your business:
FOG Kitchen Best Management Plan Guide
FOG Kitchen Best Management Plan Template
FOG Pretreatment Device Maintenance Log
FOG Private Pump Station Maintenance Log
FOG Private Pump Station Signage Template
FOG Waste Hauler Disposal Manifest Form
FOG Waste Reduction Plan Template
If a Food Service establishment or manufacturing facility does not have a pretreatment device the City has funding available for up to $7,500 for installation of a device. This funding does end in June 2023. If you are interested in this funding opportunity please coordinate with the Environmental Specialist at the City and fill out the funding application.
GIS Services
Creating, maintaining and delivering accurate, up to date geographic information resources for the City of Coos Bay staff and its citizens.
What is GIS?
A geographic information system (GIS) integrates hardware, software, and data for capturing, managing, analyzing, and displaying all forms of geographically referenced information. It is a computer-based tool for mapping and analyzing things that exist and events that happen on earth. GIS technology integrates database operations and statistical analysis with the unique visualization and spatial analysis benefits offered by maps. These abilities distinguish GIS from other information systems and make it valuable to a wide range of public and private enterprises for explaining events, predicting outcomes, and planning strategies.
GIS Services
GIS Services is responsible for the development and maintenance of all enterprise GIS data utilized by the City. Specific responsibilities include map production, geospatial analysis, GPS data collection & processing, software/hardware configuration and web mapping application design.
External Links
Contact
Micah Lynn
GIS Coordinator
502-500-9965
mlynn@coosbay.org
Coos Bay Maps
The City of Coos Bay provides GIS maps for its citizens and staff to view and search for a variety of data. Maps are available through interactive web-based applications or as downloadable files.
Online Interactive Maps - Select the link below to access the City's web-based mapping applications.
Coos Bay Maps
Standard Maps - The following City maps are available for download in Adobe® pdf format.
Plans & Standards
The following plans and standards have been adopted.
design standards, Policies & Details
Engineering Design Standards
Engineering Standard Details
Utility & Service Lateral Installation Restoration Policy - 2018
Policy for Reduced Street Construction and Design Standards
Wastewater Master Plans
Collection System Master Plan - Volume A
Collection System Master Plan - Appendices
Collection System Master Plan - Figures
Collection System Master Plan - Volume B - System Mapping
Collection System Master Plan - Volume B - Proposed Improvements
Stormwater Master Plans
Stormwater Master Plan - Volume A
Stormwater Master Plan - Appendix A
Stormwater System Master Plan - Volume B - System Mapping
Stormwater System Master Plan - Limited Area - 2004
Stormwater System Master Plan - Limited Area - 2004 - Appendices
Sewer Lateral Regulations
Letter to Industry, Guidelines for Illegal and Legal Discharge
Streets & transportation plans
Streets Task Force Recommendations
Coos Bay Transportation System Plan - Volume 1
Coos Bay Transportation System Plan - Volume 2
Street Grading Schedule Map
Bids, RFPs & RFQs
Current Request for Bids, Proposals and/or Qualifications from the City of Coos Bay