Prat P. Reddy P.E. heads Public Works Department after 26 years of experience with Jefferson Parish as a conscientious, proactive, progressive and innovative Director who exercised physical responsibility, was resourceful, with good organizational skills, serving the public and regaining the trust of our "number one client" the citizens of Jefferson Parish.

Mayor Edmond "Ed" Muniz in July 2006 offered Mr. Reddy the opportunity to come to the City of Kenner to apply what he has mastered and the motto by which he lives. A contributing factor of Mr. Reddy's success was he worked to master "the art of spending" and lives by the motto "don't spend what you don't have", which has brought him to his present position as Deputy Chief Administrator Officer Public Works. Mr. Reddy strongly believes the employees are the backbone of the department in serving the residents of this city.

The administrative Division headed by Senior Administrative Assistant, Billie Gautreaux. The administrative office staff consists of six (6) employees. All phases of the departments operation is generated from the administrative office under the management of the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer and/or Director, Kenny Melvin assigned to the appropriate remaining six (6) sub-departments. The administrative office is classified into three (3) main divisions; clerical, operations, payroll/purchasing. The goal of the administration is to provide a prominent degree of productivity and quality services to the citizens of Kenner. The Director and Senior Administrative Assistant aid the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer in the endeavor.

Some of the many duties and responsibilities performed daily by the administrative office staff entail:

• CLERICAL: Meets the demands of the department's clerical and secretarial needs. Maintains all plan, specifications and records concerning development of special city projects. Prepares and maintains department records on legislative matters, annual material and supply contracts and employee personnel records including job performance evaluations, disciplinary actions, etc.
  
  
• OPERATIONS: Receives approximately 10,000 + annual citizens and city Council complaints varying form major infrastructure repairs to city property maintenance requests. All complaints and requests are monitored with the use of a specialized database computer work order system. This system is scheduled to be upgraded in the near future to be able to produce more detailed specialized data reports in monitoring productivity. Maintains computerized traffic accident records used when needed to evaluate problem areas possibly needing traffic control device or signage to improve safety.
  
  
• PURCHASING / PAYROLL: Prepares and maintains current budget spending account records to ensure spending is within budgetary confinements. Prepares purchase requisitions and monitors purchases for cost saving measures in following city purchasing procedures. Prepares and maintains department's employee payroll.

The Administrative Office can be reached at (504) 468-7515.

Mr. Reddy has proposed and prepared an organization of Public Works duly regrouping specific functions and responsibilities. In this reorganization the Department was broken down into six (6) sub-departments and they are as follow:

1. ENGINEERING & CAPITAL PROJECTS DIVISION
2. FLEET MANAGEMENT DIVISION
3. GENERAL SERVICES DIVISION / TRAFFIC CONTROL DIVISION
4. STREETS & DRAINAGE DIVISION
5. WASTEWATER OPERATIONS
6. SANITATION

1. ENGINEERING & CAPITAL PROJECTS DIVISION

   Deputy C.A.O., Prat P. Reddy, P.E. agrees with Mayor Ed Muniz' vision to welcome developers, builders and entrepreneurs into Kenner to encourage economic breakthrough and growth.

   Mr. Reddy also believes the city's Public Works Department should be ready and willing to provide the infrastructure facilities and services required to effectively meet these demands.

   This department will be under the direction of a licensed Engineer who will oversee not only our soon to be established One Stop Division, but will also review and approve commercial, industrial and residential developments, capital projects, construction and inspection, coordinating with the Regional Planning Commission, Jefferson Parish, State & Federal Agencies for Grants for new development plans.

2. FLEET MANAGEMENT DIVISION:

   Department Director Ronnie Vitellaro oversees all city departmental vehicle purchases and maintenance, heavy equipment purchases and maintenance, develop standard specifications for city vehicles and heavy equipment and out-sourced contracts for parts and major repairs. This department is responsible for servicing and repairing city vehicles, in addition to scheduling and overseeing all sublet repairs for which Fleet Management is not equipped to handle.

3. GENERAL SERVICES DIVISION:

   Director Kenny Melvin oversees the general services department that maintains, streetlights, replacing street signs, and maintains 29 traffic signals throughout the city. In addition, they provide electrical services for all city buildings, special projects, seasonal activities and work in conjunction with the building maintenance for the setup of the Christmas village in Veterans Park and the Christmas lights at Kenner City Park, as well as special events held in Rivertown & Laketown.

   Building maintenance also falls under the direction of Director Kenny Melvin. This division is skilled in a variety of trades that include, but are not limited to, electrical, carpentry, plumbing, painting, and office furniture repair. Our crews have performed major renovation work to several administrative buildings, as well as daily maintenance services to over 40 city-owned buildings and properties throughout Kenner. In addition, building maintenance is a major factor in the preparation of special events and their hard work is evident at events such as Family Day and the July 4th festivities. They are responsible for picking up 8,000-10,000 pounds of food from the Second Harvesters and delivering to the Kenner Food Bank on a weekly basis.

4. STREETS & DRAINAGE DIVISION:

   Assistant Director Jerry Dillenkoffer oversees parkways, streets and drainage projects and maintenance, drainage and flood control improvements and maintenance including out-sourced contracts.

   DRAINAGE - The maintenance of all subsurface drainage within the city is essential in elimination of standing water on our streets. Since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita one of the main problems related to standing water is the debris, such as leaves, grass, silt and other objects flowing or dumped into catch basins in most areas. Maintenance consists of flushing pipes, clearing drains of debris on a regular basis and repairing or replacing drains and drain lines on an as needed basis. This sub-department also installs new drains in an effort to alleviate flooding in problem areas.

   STREETS - Responsible for all concrete and asphalt street repairs and overlay work of over three hundred (300) miles of city streets. These street repairs can be as complex as core panel replacements to minor patchwork. Duties also include, but are not limited to curb repair and sidewalk replacement. City workers have had their challenges since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, but have completed major street repairs throughout the city with the majority of the work performed by private contractors enabling the sub-department to concentrate on the jobs of operations.

   PARKWAYS - Performs perpetual maintenance of all property designated as the City's responsibility. Maintains 60 miles of ditches and approximately 940 miles of medians, right of ways, municipal properties and berm areas. In addition to the 150 to 200 flower beds that are maintained by the crews on a regular basis, they also trim or remove any foliage obstructing the illumination of street lights, traffic signs, roadways, walkways, keeping streets clean and swept.

   PUBLIC WORKS CUSTOMER SERVICE

   For inquiries or to report problems with streets, street lights, potholes, drainage, etc. please click this link ____________ and fill out the request for work form. Should this be and EMERGENCY situation you may contact the Administrative office by calling (504) 468-7225 Monday-Friday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

5. CITY OF KENNER WASTEWATER OPERATIONS (SEWERAGE DEPARTMENT):

   Veolia Water N.A. Manager, Joanne Massony oversees this department and reports to the Deputy C.A.O. Public Works. They are responsible for handling Sewerage Plant Operations, Lift Stations, Sewerage Rehab Projects, and D.E.Q. Sewerage Compliance Projects. Kenner's Wastewater System includes a 391 mile collection system with collection system with 360 miles of gravity sewer lines, 31 miles of force mains, 4, 250 manholes and 78 lift stations to transport the sewerage to the treatment plants. Their duties include but are not limited to grease trap inspections, permits, special sampling for the EPA/DEQ and inspections for occupational licenses. They perform inspections by smoke testing, line washings, televising and flow monitoring. They work closely with city Officials to achieve the most efficient system possible through upgrades and modifications to the lines, pump stations and plants.

   If you would like to review the I & I presentation, please click here. (Requires free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view)

   For CUSTOMER SERVICE or EMERGENCIES, please call (504) 468-7292. This number can be used 24 hours per day, 7 days a week, including Holidays. After hours just follow the simple directions on the answer system and one of our technicians will contact you to help you resolve your problem or concern.

6. SANITATION DEPARTMENT:

   The Ramelli Group has assumed the remainder of Waste Management contract until June 2007 and has been awarded a new contract beginning July 2007. They are responsible for residential household garbage pickup.

   For CUSTOMER SERVICE, please call (504) 482-2040.