Berm: A ledge at the bottom of a bank or cutting to catch dirt that may roll down the slope, or to strengthen the bank.
Bid Let (Letting): A formal and competitive procurement procedure through which offers are requested, received and evaluated for the procurement of services, and as a consequence an award is made to the bidder whose offer is the lowest evaluated bid.
Building Code: Set of standards established and enforced by local government for the structural safety of buildings. Learn more about Building Code.
Catch Basin: Curbside opening that collects rainwater from streets and serves as an entry point to the storm drain system.
Cross Drain: A pipe that crosses underneath the road and is used to move water from one side of the road to the other side to prevent accumulation of runoff without the need of a culvert or bridge.
Culvert: A sewer or drain pipe crossing under a road or embankment.
Curb: A rim, especially of joined stones or concrete, along a street or roadway, forming an edge for a sidewalk.
Design Phase: The phase of a roadway, drainage or other infrastructure improvement project in which the specifics of the project are planned, including finalization of retention pond requirements, development of preliminary traffic control and detour plans, development of plans to relocate utilities, establishment of right of way requirements and property acquisition needs, etc. Follows the study (or engineering) phase.
Detention Pond (Dry Pond): A low lying area that is designed to temporarily hold a set amount of water while slowly draining to another location.
Dredge: To clean, deepen or widen with a machine equipped with scooping or suction devices.
Easement: A right of way (see "right of way" definition) giving individuals other than the owner permission to use a property for a specific purpose.
Encroachment: Entry to another's property without right or permission.
Engineering Phase: Often referred to as study phase. (see study phase)
5-Year Storm Event: Sewer systems are designed based on five year (or 10, 20, 50 year, etc.) storm events, meaning the system can handle any amount of water equal to or less than the five year storm event. In terms of rainfall accumulation, a five year storm event is equivalent to about 1.2 inches in 20 minutes, or about 1.8 inches in one hour. Rainfall intensities in excess of these will cause a sewer system designed for a five year storm event to surcharge. The probability that a storm event of a five year magnitude or greater will occur is about 20 percent in any one year, or 50 percent over a three year period, or 67 percent over a five year period. The size and slope of a storm sewer determines its five year flow capacity.
Grading: To level or smooth a surface, such as a ditch or road shoulder, to a desired or horizontal slope.
Groundwater: Water beneath the surface of the earth.
Gutter: The edge of a street (below the curb) designed to drain water runoff from streets, driveways, parking lots, etc. into catch basins.
Illegal Discharge: Any disposal into the storm drain system for which a person or business does not have a permit.
Illicit Connection: Any connection to the storm drain system that is not permitted: or any legitimate connection that is used for illegal discharge.
Infrastructure: The basic facilities, services and installations needed for the functioning of a community or society, such as transportation and communications systems, water and power lines.
Inlet: A point where water passes through a drain, such as to a culvert; an opening providing a means of entrance, such as a smaller body of water (a creek, for example) leading to a larger body, such as the ocean or a river.
Milling: To grind, pulverize, or break down into smaller particles; typically the first step in road resurfacing.
MOT (Maintenance of Traffic): A plan for the flow of traffic, especially during a construction project where road closures and detours are required. The MOT ensures that traffic moves efficiently.
Outfall: The place where a sewer, drain or stream discharges to a receiving body of water.
P.E.: Professional Engineer
Plan Review: Building Inspection Division's section that checks or reviews building plans before a permit is issued in an effort to uncover and resolve potential problems before the project begins, saving time and money in the long run.
Punch List: Minor items to be completed on a construction project after substantial completion. (see substantial completion)
Resurfacing: To cover with a new surface, as in resurfacing a road.
Retaining Wall: A wall that holds back the soil to prevent erosion.
Retention Pond (Wet Pond): A pond that is designed to hold a specific amount of water indefinitely. Usually the pond is designed to have drainage leading to another location when the water level gets above the pond capacity, but still maintains a certain capacity.
Right of way (ROW): A strip of property that includes the roadway plus the parkway (area between the road and private property). The ROW does not extend onto private property. It begins where one property ends and goes all the way across the road to where another property begins.
ROW Acquisition: The process of acquiring private property needed for city projects, including drainage improvements, roadway improvements, parks, etc.
Sanitary sewer: A pipe, usually underground, for carrying off waste matter from the toilet, sink, shower, dishwasher, etc. to a wastewater treatment facility.
Slope: A slanting surface; an incline or decline.
Stop Work Order: Official notification to stop work in progress on building projects that have no building permit or that are hazardous to public safety.
Storm Sewer or Storm Drain System: A vast network of underground pipes and open channels designed for carrying off rainfall drained from paved surfaces, roofs, etc.
Stormwater: Rainwater that enters the storm drain system and empties into lakes, rivers, streams or the ocean.
Study Phase: The first phase in designing an infrastructure project. Includes surveying the area to determine the locations of the current utilities, gathering traffic and accident data for the project area, preparing environmental assessments, tree surveys, etc. Also referred to as Engineering Phase.
Substantial Completion: The date at which a project is significantly complete, meaning the roadways and project area is fully functional. It is common for workers to have a few details of the project to complete, such as clearing the project area, following substantial completion of the project. (see punch list)
Swale: A shallow trough-like depression that carries water mainly during rainstorms.
Traffic Calming: Methods used to reduce vehicular speed and volume, and increase the sharing of streets by pedestrians and other users. Generally refers to physical measures and roadway design changes, such as speed bumps and roundabouts, but enforcement and education can be components. To learn more, click the following link to view the Traffic Calming Manual.
Under Drain: A pipe placed approximately two to three feet under the surface of streets used to collect groundwater to keep it out of the lime rock base of a road in an effort to prevent deterioration of the road.
Velocity: Speed of motion; swiftness. For example, the faster that water flows through a ditch, or the higher its velocity, the more quickly erosion and sedimentation will develop.
Zoning: Dividing an area into sections reserved for different purposes such as residence, business, manufacturing, etc.