172 Business View - May 2015
and construction of public streets, sidewalks, street
lighting, traffic lights, parks and recreational areas,
pedestrian bikeways and public facilities within city
limits. Other responsibilities include plan review, GIS
mapping, surveying, flood plain research and platting.
By providing civil engineering services to support Li-
ma’s infrastructure, the division strives to contribute
to the city’s residents, property owners, business own-
ers and visitors.
The city employs two professional engineers, one
professional surveyor, three other engineers who are
working on final certification, an engineering inspector
and a surveying technician. Additional engineering in-
spection personnel come in during the summer, when
things are busiest in the field.
Outside consultants are hired for larger projects or
those with abnormally tight deadlines, but, Niemeyer
said, the majority of the design work for road recon-
struction, small bridge projects, storm water work and
traffic signals is done in house.
Another significant block of time, he said, is devoted
to monitoring evolving federal requirements related to
the environmental impacts of ODOT (Ohio Department
of Transportation) projects.
“We’re pretty self-sufficient,” he said. “So when ODOT
funds become available, and obviously, they’re dwin-
dling, we can move pretty quickly to get things rolling.
We’re continually being audited on how we spend the
money, and we’re continually being audited on how
we inspect the projects to make sure that all T’s are
crossed and I’s are dotted. That takes up a consider-
able amount of time, and if you’re not used to it, it can
INFRASTRUCTURE
