PUBLIC WORKS

Physical address:
110 S. Pine Street, Suite 221
Santa Maria, CA 93458 		Mailing address:
110 S. Pine Street, Suite 101
Santa Maria, CA 93458

The Department of Public Works/Engineering is responsible for ensuring that City-owned transportation infrastructure and facilities, transit services and capital improvement programs are designed, engineered, constructed, maintained and/or modified in a presentable and safe condition. The department coordinates a variety of activities and services including the preparation of plans and specifications for public works related construction projects; the design and inspection of public facilities; ensuring the proper installation of all public improvements made in new subdivisions, such as streets, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, water mains, sewer lines, and drainage; and provides custodial service to City facilities. The Streets division is responsible for preventive and regular maintenance of streets and appurtenant facilities. Santa Maria Area Transit (SMAT) system provides a regional public transportation service.

HOTLINES:

City Lights / Traffic Signals
Report inoperable streetlights and traffic signal concerns by contacting
(805) 925-0951 ext. 442 or 229. After hours/weekends you may leave
a message on the City's Streetlight Hotline - (805) 925-0951 ext. 804.

City Sidewalk / Potholes
Report a damaged, raised or hazardous City sidewalk or a pothole by contacting
(805) 925-0951 ext. 229 or 442. Use the City's Streetlight Hotline at ext. 804
for after hours/weekend reporting.

City Facilities
To report an unsafe condition at a City facility contact (805) 925-0951 ext. 229 or 442.

photo of David J. Whitehead, Director of Public Works DAVID J. WHITEHEAD
Director of Public Works/City Engineer

City Phone: (805) 925.0951 x227
City Fax: (805) 928-4995
E-Mail

EDUCATION & EMPLOYMENT:

  • Registered Professional Engineer, State of California
  • BS Civil Engineering, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
  • Director of Public Works/City Engineer - City of Santa Maria
  • Principal Civil Engineer, Construction & Development – City of Santa Maria
  • Senior Civil Engineer, Construction - City of Santa Maria
  • Senior Civil Engineer, Development - City of Santa Maria
  • Associate Civil Engineer, Capital Projects - City of Santa Maria
  • Assistant Civil Engineer, Design – Santa Clara County Transportation Agency

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:

  • American Public Works Association
  • American Society of Civil Engineers
  • UCSB Economic Forecast Project, North Santa Barbara county Board of Directors
  • Autumnwoods Homeowners Association, Past President

DESCRIPTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

Manager of Public Works Department, streets and facilities maintenance; transit system; and engineering.

Mission Statement
To effectively provide public works services to all City residents in a courteous, responsible, responsive and efficient manner.

2011-12 Goals/Objectives

  1. Enhance public safety and emergency response times in the northern section of the City by completing the construction of the northwest and northeast fire stations.
  2. Facilitate monthly preparation meetings with other departments to identify and prioritize logistics, and assist them in preparing to advertise bids, for the structural and technological retrofitting of the future Police station facility in advance of move-in during 2012-13.
  3. Improve public safety, reduce energy utility costs, and long-term maintenance costs within the city street lighting system by calling for bids for a grant project to install retrofit induction street light fixtures on all existing street lights on Broadway and Main Street.
  4. Reduce traffic congestion and improve safety, by completing construction of a new lane on the eastern approach of Battles Road at Depot Street, construct a left-turn "refuge lane" at Donovan Road/Lynne Drive, and improve the traffic signal at Miller and Donovan roads.
  5. Continue to monitor, assess and respond to Santa Maria Area Transit riders’ concerns, and make service adjustments, when feasible, to meet customers’ needs.
  6. Implement a bus stop improvement program to provide more amenities for waiting passengers in an effort to improve customer service and increase the community’s use in public transportation.
  7. Purchase three new buses for the Clean Air Express in an effort to improve customer service and reliability for commuters.
  8. Restore facility integrity and reduce utility service costs at the Veterans Memorial Building by renovating the parking lot and replacing deteriorated sewer and water lines.
  9. Reduce energy consumption and improve service performance by installing new high efficiency HVAC systems at the Ruffoni Building and at the Atkinson Community Center.
  10. Continue to improve access to City facilities for persons with disabilities by installing restroom upgrades at the Atkinson Community Center.