SUBJECT: The Department of Public Works and Engineering requests City Council approval of an ordinance amending Chapter 45 of the Code of Ordinances, Houston, Texas changing the name of the department to Houston Public Works.
RECOMMENDATION: Adopt an ordinance approving and authorizing the name change of the Department of Public Works and Engineering to Houston Public Works.
DESCRIPTION: On May 5, 1993, by Ordinance No. 1993-514, the city's former Department of Traffic and Transportation merged into the city's Department of Public Works and Engineering, therefore creating the department. The Code of Ordinances, Chapter 45, Section 2.285-2.290, established the one department and its current name.
The primary purpose for amending Chapter 45 is to change the name of the Department of Public Works and Engineering to Houston Public Works and establish the title of the director for the department as the “Director of Houston Public Works” where ever those terms appear throughout the Code.
Any reference in this Code, other ordinances and documents of the city to the Department Public Works and Engineering shall be construed to mean Houston Public Works. Similarly, any reference to the director of the Department of Public Works and Engineering shall be construed to mean the Director of Houston Public Works.
LOCATION: The building housing the department is known as the Bob Lanier Public Works building, located one block from Houston City Hall and Hermann Square. It is bounded by Louisiana, Rusk, Smith, and Walker Streets.
ACTION RECOMMENDED: It is recommended that City Council approve an ordinance amending Chapter 45 as it relates to changing the name of the Department of Public Works and Engineering to Houston Public Works.
_________________________________
Carol Ellinger Haddock, P.E.
Acting Director
Department of Public Works and Engineering