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8635 West Point Douglas Road, Cottage Grove, MN. 55016
Monday - Friday - 7:30am-4:00pm
(651) 458-2807
The Public Works Department is responsible for a wide variety of city services and maintenance to provide a quality place for its residents to live. Public Works is responsible for eight areas of city services and maintenance that include utilities, streets, parks, fleet maintenance, recreation and the ice arena. Public Works is also responsible for the snow plowing, recycling program, and storm water drainage system.
2013 Spring Blvd Tree Trimming
Spring Blvd Tree Trimming
2013 Tree Trimming Map - click here!
Tree trimming is a necessary service done to improve shape, form, and vigor of the tree. The trimming process removes dead branches, broken branches and crossing branches as well as those branches that are growing into other trees or growing down towards the ground/street. Removal of the lower branches impeding sight lines or drive lanes from the driveway and down the street helps in preventing vehicle accidents and equipment damage to larger vehicles such as fire, trash, delivery or plow trucks. Without tree trimming the life span of a tree is shortened by making it more susceptible to disease, damage and pest infestation. There is also an increased risk of the tree becoming hazardous based on branch attachment if not for regular trimming methods.
The City only prunes trees in the right of way, which is usually ten to fifteen feet from the back of the curb. Most homeowners are allowed one boulevard tree per property (corner lots may have two trees). All boulevard trees are on a five to six year rotational trimming schedule. Trimming services are performed by both an independent contractor and City Public Works/Parks staff. By utilizing both services, the City is able to maintain the tree trimming schedule which ultimately provides beautification to the community while saving homeowners money.
Throughout the tree trimming process, the City Forester is monitoring the service performance of the contractor to make sure proper techniques and procedures are followed to the benefit of the tree. Some trees receive a larger amount of pruning than others based on their point in the growth cycle. Tree trimmers are not to remove more than one third of the overall tree canopy to minimize the amount of stress put onto the trees at one pruning. Limiting pruning also helps with reducing the chance for over-stressing the tree.
We also ask at this time that you remove any Christmas lights on boulevard trees to eliminate safety hazards or damage to your lights. If you have any question throughout this process please contact the City Forester at Public Works (651) 458-2808.
Spring & Fall Hydrant Flushing
Spring and Fall Hydrant Flushing
May 8, 2013 - Zone 1
May 9, 2013 - Zone 1 Finished
May 13, 2013 - Zone 2 Finished
May, 14, 2013 - Zone 3 Finished
May 15, 2013 - Zone 4
All Hydrant Flushing is Weather Permitting!!
To protect the City's water supply, all Cottage Grove water mains will be flushed in the spring and fall. Public Works Department employees flush the water mains by opening each of the 1300-plus fire hydrants in Cottage Grove. The sudden rush of water loosens and removes accumulated mineral deposits from the lines. This process often causes discoloration of your water in the home. The water is safe to drink, but it may stain fabrics if you are washing clothes at the time the water main is being flushed. Check for signs of discoloration before using the water to wash clothes. The Public Works Department suggests that each homeowner flush out the taps in their home at the same time water main flushing is done, since iron deposits tend to also build up in residential lines.
Spring Street Sweeping
Street Sweeping will begin the week of May 6, 2013
Weather Permitting!!
Cottage Grove conducts Street Sweeping to removal of the residual sand resulting from snow and ice control maintenance. All curbed streets are swept full width, typically in April. Fall street sweeping is used to help keep storm sewers clean and improve storm water quality and usually occurs in September.
The City of Cottage Grove encourages residents to deposit any sand that has accumulated on the boulevard into the street near the curb prior to spring sweeping. This allows the street sweeper to remove the material and make spring cleanup easier for the residents. Residents are not allowed to place leaves or debris in the street for removal.
