Public Works: Engineering Division

The Department of Public Works Engineering (DPW) is responsible for developing and managing the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for the Town and Sanitary District No. 2 (SD2). It is responsible for enforcement and maintenance of the Town’s right of way through the encroachment permit process and is responsible for the protection of flood hazard areas, watercourses, and urban runoff pollution prevention through other types of DPW permits. The Department is responsible for traffic engineering and traffic safety through the implementation and maintenance of traffic control devices and the development of traffic safety studies. The DPW also oversees the design and construction of CIP projects; to maintain and improve critical infrastructure, such as, streets, sewers, flood control systems, multi-modal facilities, and building structures; along with enhancing parks, playgrounds, and other recreational facilities.

The Town’s roadway network is 35 centerline miles in length and consists of facilities for bicyclists, pedestrians and motorists; and the District’s sewer collection system consists of 48 miles of gravity sewer, force mains and pump stations.

The Department of Public Works also facilitates the Town’s Flood Control Board, and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee; reviews, permits and oversees site improvements for private development, and assists both the public and other departments on public works and engineering related matters.

The Department of Public Works Engineering includes a Director of Public Works, two Senior Engineers* (one is currently vacant), two Project Managers, one Assistant Engineer, one shared Public Works/SD2 Inspector, one part-time consultant Associate Engineer/Permit Reviewer and a Customer Services Representative. This staff also serves as the staff for Sanitary District No. 2.

Town of Corte Madera

• Corte Madera Town Hall – 50% Construction Complete
• Paradise Drive Complete Streets (Westward to eastern Town limit) – Conceptual Design
• Storm Drain Master Plan- 25% Complete
• Sidewalk Pilot Program
• Hart Street Connector (Palm Ave to Larkspur/Corte Madera Path) – Initiated Design & Outreach
• San Clemente Force Main Rehabilitation – Completed Design
• 2022 Road Resurfacing Project, Phase I – Completed
• 2022 Road Resurfacing Project, Phase II – Initiated Construction
• Echo to San Clemente Multi-Use Connector Path – Initiated Design
• Lower Christmas Tree Hill Complete Streets & Evacuation Improvements Project (formerly 20A Redwood Ave. & Edison Ave. Undergrounding District) – Continued to Scope & Coordinate with PG&E
• Town Park Restroom – Completed Structure Design & Initiated Construction of Structure
• Town Park Sports Field Enhanced Maintenance Pilot
• Christmas Tree Hill – Steps, Lanes & Paths Upgrades
• Caltrans Overcrossing Project on Tamalpais Drive – Completed Extensive Outreach & Progress Toward Alternative 4B Involving New Multi-Use Path
• FEMA Community Rating System (CRS) – 5 Year Audit Recertification
• Miscellaneous Traffic Signal Repairs & Upgrades
• Awarded $2.5M+ in New Grant Funds
• Miscellaneous Retaining Wall Repairs

Sanitary District No. 2

• Private Sewer Lateral Pilot Program - Extended
• Sewer Master Plan & Rate Study – 75% Complete
• Meadowsweet Drive Capacity Improvements Project, Phase I – Completed Construction
• Greenbrae Boardwalk Smoke Testing - Complete
• 2022 Sewer Rehabilitation Project - Complete
• Redwood Hwy Sewer Rehabilitation - Complete
• Paradise Pump Station Variable Frequency Drive Troubleshooting – Implemented Parts Upgrades

Staff intends to implement a very ambitious Capital Improvement Program for Fiscal Year 2023-24. We are requesting approximately $2,180,000 in Town of Corte Madera expenditures for flood control, multimodal infrastructure, and Parks projects. In addition, we are requesting $5.9 million expenditures for Sanitary District No. 2.

Current Engineering staff have very high workloads and continue to produce at a high level relating to delivering the present and future level of capital projects that are funded, expected by the community, and needed for Town infrastructure improvements and transportation safety. The Engineering Division currently has a vacancy at the Senior Engineer position that is a high priority to recruit and fill.

Overall, the department is committed to the continued high-quality service to the public that the residents of Corte Madera have come to appreciate from all Town staff, while at the same time reducing operating costs as much as possible through targeted staff recruitment/replacement, increasing work done in-house and decreasing both overtime expenditures and reliance on consulting services. Finally, we plan to continue to vigorously seek grants as much as possible to supplement Town funds for these expenditures.

• Corte Madera Town Hall – Complete Construction & Move-In to New Building
• Town Park Restroom – Complete Construction
• Endeavor Drive Emergency Slide – Complete Construction
• 2023 Slurry Seal Project (& 2022 Road Resurfacing Project, Phase II) - Complete Construction
• Central Marin Regional Pathways Gap Closure Project – Initiate Construction
• San Clemente Force Main Rehabilitation- Initiate Construction
• Paradise Drive Complete Streets (Westward to eastern Town limit) – Continue Design Work Including Utility Relocation
• Caltrans Overcrossing Project on Tamalpais Drive – Continue to Pursue Alternative 4B and Support Caltrans Design Process
• Lower Christmas Tree Hill Complete Streets & Evacuation Improvements Project (formerly 20A Redwood Ave. & Edison Ave. Undergrounding District) – Initiate Design Work & Public Outreach Process
• Town Park Sports Field Enhanced Maintenance Pilot
• Storm Drain Master Plan – 75% Complete
• Hart Street Connector (Palm Ave to Larkspur/Corte Madera Path) – 100% Design
• Echo to San Clemente Multi-Use Connector Path – 100% Design
• 2023 Madera Gardens Storm and Sewer Rehabilitation Project – Initiate Construction
• Private Sewer Lateral Pilot & Grant Programs
• 2023 Paradise Pump Station Rehabilitation (Incl. VFD Replacement) – Complete Design
• Sewer Master Plan & Rate Study - Complete
• Meadowsweet Phase III – Complete Construction
• Manzanita Smoke Testing - Complete

Services and supplies include outside services related to public meetings, Marin Map services, and contract personnel; training and education; dues and membership; equipment maintenance for the copy machine and other office equipment; building maintenance including janitorial services and alarm monitoring; utilities and materials and supplies.