“The council would like to recognize the Public Works Department for their tireless commitment to excellence providing unwavering service to the residents for infrastructure upkeep and important services,” said Mayor Mike Weichers as he proclaimed May 19 through May 23 as Public Works Week within the city of Cottonwood Heights. 

All five council members, along with the city manager, recognized Proclamation 2025-02: Designation May 19-25, 2025 as Public Works Week. The proclamation document was signed on May 6.

The proclamation follows suit with the American Public Works Association designation celebrating the vital role public works professionals play in building, protecting and sustaining communities as part of National Public Works Week.

“The Public Works Department provides indispensable services, including road maintenance, water management, waste collection, snow removal and infrastructure upkeep, ensuring the safety, health and prosperity of our community,” Weichers read from the proclamation. 

Assistant City Engineer Ben Nelson expressed reciprocal appreciation for the city council from the Public Works Department. 

“Our people respond during everyday moments to do what is necessary in everyday moments. The council has been a steady partner in our mission who recognizes the people,” Nelson said.

Nelson presented the members of the city council with a Challenge Coin representing the valued partnership with Cottonwood Heights and the intent of making it stronger. 

“Challenge Coins have been a way to recognize service and build community,” Nelson said.

“The employees are dedicated to proactivity in problem-solving, responding to emergencies and maintaining critical infrastructure,” Weichers said, recognizing the crew’s efforts in building the aforementioned community. 

As he read the proclamation document, he added how the Public Works Crew “exemplify dedication, expertise and resilience in their daily efforts to address challenges.”

The Public Works crew is currently made up of 18 employees working out of the 1-year-old Public Works Building (6579 S. 3000 East). This is a long way from where the Public Works Department started in 2016 when the city council at the time decided to move public work service in-house instead of contracting them out. 

“We kept a low profile under blue tarps,” Public Works Director Matt Shipp reflected on how their 10-person crew used to work out of a trailer. “We feel like we are moving forward and in the right direction.” 

“In that time, we’ve gone from doing mostly operations and maintenance to bringing engineering services and stormwater management in house,” Nelson added. “Our team is made up of trained professionals who take a lot of pride in what we do.”   

To join in the appreciation for the Public Works Department during their week, Nelson recommended residents smile or give a friendly wave to the crewmembers when they see them working throughout the city. The recognition goes a long way for the crewmembers because…

“If we are doing our job right, then no one knows we exist,” Shipp said. 

In addition, Nelson asks for residents to be in open communication with their city officials and public works crew.

“If you see something that needs attention, letting us know is genuinely helpful—we rely on those reports to catch issues quickly,” Nelson said.  λ