| Street Maintenance Division | Forestry Division | Electrical Division |
| Building Maintenance Division | Utility System Maintenance Division | |
| Equipment Maintenance Division | Engineering Division |
Street Maintenance Division
What is the scope of work done by Street Division?
Maintenance of all roadways in the City of Elmhurst including street signs.
How many miles of streets are in Elmhurst?
Approximately 145 miles: 100 miles of asphalt, 40 miles of concrete, 5 miles unimproved, plus 24 miles of state maintained highways.
What is the general condition of streets in Elmhurst at the present time?
Generally fair to good. The City feels that with aggressive maintenance and repaving programs the streets will continue to be upgraded.
How often is resurfacing done?
A goal is to resurface asphalt streets every twenty years. In order to accomplish this, it is necessary to overlay or resurface about four to five miles of streets annually.
How many potholes are filled annually?
10,000 - 20,000
What is the purpose of cracksealing?
Filling and cracksealing in both asphalt and concrete pavements prevents water from reaching the base and creating a soft condition which affects the stability of the pavement.
When is cracksealing done?
Cracksealing normally is done during the cooler months and would include March through May and September through November. It can, however, be done at other times as well.
How often would this need to be done?
Approximately every four to eight years, depending on the type of material used.
How many asphalt street patches are done annually?
This may vary from 150 to 300.
What is meant by "hazardous"?
The structure has collapsed and part of the street around it has been weakened.
How often are the residential streets swept?
City streets are swept once every 6-8 weeks beginning about March and continuing through November.
How often are the Business District's swept?
The Central Business District, Spring Rd. and South York Business Districts and parking lots/alleys are swept weekly.
Does the Street Division provide barricades for block parties and parades?
Yes. Street sweeping is also done beforehand. To arrange this, call Public Works at 630-530-3020.
What does the Street Division do during the winter months?
Primarily snow removal operations. Additionally, equipment is refurbished and readied for spring programs. Also, a great amount of time is spent patching potholes.
What is the scope of the work done by the Forestry Division?
Maintenance of all parkway trees and City owned properties.
What does this include?
Tree triming, tree removal, and tree maintenance. Dutch Elm Disease control, tree planting, landscaping parkway restoration, grounds maintenance, mowing, waste wood recycling,
stump removal, creek log jam clearance, etc.
How many parkway trees are there in Elmhurst?
Approximately 21,000.
How many species?
Approximately 141.
Does the City have a tree planting program?
Yes. 90% of the plantings are replacements and 10% are new trees.
How many trees are planted annually?
About 300 to 400.
What is the avarage cost per tree?
$110.00 for the 2" diameter.
Who bears the cost of the tree planting?
If the tree is a replacement the City pays the entire cost.
How many parkway trees are removed annually?
250 to 300.
What percent of these losses is due to Dutch Elm Disease?
15 to 20%.
How many trees are trimmed annually?
3,500 to 4,000.
Does the City have a brush pick-up program?
Yes, beginning in 1992 it allowed for two free bundles per week to be picked up on normal refuse collection days between April 1st and November 30th each year.
Brush must be in bundles no heavier than 50 lbs., 4' in length, and should not include branches more than 4 " in diameter.
Does the City recycle any of the wood waste material?
Brush chips from chipper units are delivered at no cost to homeowners who have requested this service. The chips come from parkway trees, branch removals, and stump removals. A list is
maintained and chips are provided as quickly as possible. Logs are routinely picked up from a City log storage site by a saw mill and utilized for pallets and lumber. There is no charge to the City
for this service. Grindings from stump removal operations are also provided to residents at no charge.
What is the scope of work of the Electrical Division?
To maintain all streetlights and traffic signals throughout the City of Elmhurst. This includes bulb changing, fixture and pole repair and replacement, and the installation of new streetlights and traffic signals.
How many streetlights are maintained?
The number is continually changing due to the relighting program, but over 6,300 lights have been installed since 1972.
How many traffic signals are maintained by the Electrical Division?
The division maintains the traffic signals at 22 intersections throughout Elmhurst. In addition, 9 flashing lights are maintained.
What other functions is the division responsible for?
The Electrical Division, along with the Building Maintenance Division, is responsible for the snow removal program in Business Districts. This includes the Central Business District, the York St. Business District, and the Spring Road Business District. The Electrical Division also installs and removes the seasonal decorations and the banners that are located in the downtown area. The division also installs and repairs the portable two-way radios that are located in all City, Police and Fire Vehicles.
What is the scope of work of the Building Maintenance Division?
To maintain City Hall, the Police Station, two Fire Stations, the Metra Station, the Historical Museum and the Municipal Garage Complex at a high standard.
What type of maintenance activities does the division perform?
Primarily the day-to-day services required to keep the buildings operating smoothly. The staff repairs locks, sets up for special events (voting, meetings), performs routine filter changes, removes refuse, cleans the City Centre fountain, etc.
What is the scope of work of the Utility System Maintenance Division?
Maintenance of all watermains, storm and sanitary sewers and water meter reading.
How many miles of watermain / storm and sanitary sewers does Elmhurst maintain?
Approximately 150 miles.
How many water customers does the City of Elmhurst have?
About 14,000 water billing customers.
What might cause my water bill to be higher than normal?
- Water sprinkling in the summer, leaky faucets or flush tanks and water softener programs.
- Leaving water run to prevent pipes from freezing inside properties.
- Broken pipes or outside leak sillcock, which may have frozen during winter.
- Extra people living at residence, guests from out of town or family members moving in.
There is an added charge for excess use.
Why do I sometimes have low water pressure?
It could be a problem in the water softener, a plugged faucet screen, cartridge, or shower head. In addition older homes may have galvanized steel piping that have restrictions on the inside from a build up of mineral deposits.
What might cause a resident not to have any water?
Non-payment of a water bill, frozen pipes in water, a plugged meter or plugged faucet aerator.
Is there a charge for an emergency call?
No.
Who would I call for an emergency call during non-working hours?
Call 630-530-3050.
If I have a non-emergency problem who should I call?
Call the Public Works Department at 530-3020 and they will write up a service order which service personnel will respond to.
How many storm water inlets (curb drains) are there in Elmhurst?
Approximately 3,500.
What is the general condition of these structures?
40% - Good to excellent
50% - Fair
10% - Poor to hazardous (1%+)
How many inlets are repaired annually?
30 - 50 receive general repairs.
What is the scope of work of the Equipment Maintenance Division?
To perform repair work and preventative maintenance for all city equipment including maintenance of all Park District equipment.
How many pieces of city equipment does the division maintain?
Approximately 330 including lift stations and stand-by generator sets.
Does the city do its own towing?
Yes, the division maintains its own tow truck.
Are designs and installations on new vehicles performed in-house?
Yes, for example, police vehicle changeovers are performed. Plow frames and salt spreaders are also installed.
Where does the city equipment fuel up?
The City maintains EPA approved unleaded and diesel underground storage tanks. These tanks recently underwent improvements which included leak detection and fuel monitoring. The Park District and School District also utilize the city's fuel system.
What are the daily functions of the Engineering Staff?
The Engineering Division is involved in a number of projects which range from annual programs to Capital Improvement Projects. All construction within the Public Right-of-Way is inspected and City utilities located through this division. The Engineering Division also reviews all site plans for private development within the corporate limits. Other daily functions are to assist the public works crews, the general public, and elected officials in engineering related activities.
What types of annual projects is the Engineering Division involved in?
Such projects as the contract paving, watermain replacement, sewer lining and sewer point repairs, 50/50 Sidewalk Replacement Program, Pavement Patching and Rear Yard Drain Programs.