ARTICLE 7
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

   Section 701. Department of Public Works; Commissioner; qualifications. There shall be a Department of Public Works headed by a Commissioner of Public Works. The Commissioner of Public Works shall be appointed on the basis of her experience and qualifications for the duties of office. The Commissioner of Public Works shall be appointed by the County Executive, subject to confirmation by the County Legislature as provided in Section 302(c) of this Charter and shall serve at the pleasure of the County Executive.

   Section 702. Powers and duties. Except as otherwise provided in this Charter, the Commissioner of Public Works shall:

(a) have all the powers and duties of a County engineer and a County Superintendent of Highways pursuant to the highway law or other applicable law;

(b) have charge and supervision of the design, construction, and alterations of the County parking fields, drives, walks, docks, marinas, parks and recreational facilities, beaches, erosion projects, and such other structures and facilities in the nature of public works under the jurisdiction of the County;

(c) have charge and supervision of County facilities for drainage, flood control and water supply;

(d) furnish engineering and other services to the County Legislature, the County Executive, the Department of Planning, and other County Departments except as may be otherwise provided in this Charter; and

(e) perform such other functions concerning County property, public works and other matters as the County Legislature or the County Executive may, from time to time, direct.

   Section 703. Divisions of the Department. There shall be the following divisions within the Department of Public Works; (a) division of highways, (b) division of parks and recreation, (c) division of highway engineering, and (d) such other divisions as may be created within the Department by local law, or resolution of the County Legislature. The head of each such Division shall be appointed by the Commissioner of Public Works.