62.13(6)(a)2.
2. To contract for and purchase all necessary apparatus and supplies for the use of the departments under their supervision, exclusive of the erection and control of the police and fire station buildings.
62.13(6)(a)3.
3. To audit all bills, claims and expenses of the fire and police departments before the same are paid by the city treasurer.
62.13(6)(b)
(b) The provisions of this subsection shall apply only if adopted by the electors. Whenever not less than 30 days prior to a regular city election a petition therefor, conforming to the requirements of
s. 8.40 and signed by electors equal in number to not less than 20% of the total vote cast in the city for governor at the last general election, shall be filed with the clerk, the clerk shall give notice in the manner of notice of the regular city election of a referendum on the adoption of this subsection. Such referendum election shall be held with the regular city election, and the ballots shall conform with the provisions of
ss. 5.64 (2) and
10.02, and the question shall be "Shall
s. 62.13 (6) of the statutes be adopted?"
62.13(6m)
(6m) If a city of less than 4,000 population has not by ordinance applied
subs. (1) to
(6) to the city, the city may not suspend, reduce, suspend and reduce, or remove any police chief or other law enforcement officer who is not probationary, and for whom there is no valid and enforceable contract of employment or collective bargaining agreement which provides for a fair review prior to that suspension, reduction, suspension and reduction or removal, unless the city does one of the following:
62.13(6m)(a)
(a) Establishes a committee of not less than 3 members, none of whom may be an elected or appointed official of the city or be employed by the city. The committee shall act under
sub. (5) in place of the board of police and fire commissioners. The city council may provide for some payment to each member for the member's cost of serving on the committee at a rate established by the city council.
62.13(6m)(b)
(b) Appoint a person who is not an elected or appointed official of the city and who is not employed by the city. The person shall act under
sub. (5) in place of the board. The city council may provide for some payment to that person for serving under this paragraph at a rate established by the city council.
62.13(7)
(7) Compensation. The salaries of chiefs and subordinates shall be fixed by the council. Unless the council otherwise provides, in cities of the 4th class rewards for the apprehension of criminals may be retained by the person entitled thereto. Such salaries when so fixed may be increased but not decreased by the council without a previous recommendation of the board. The council may provide that the salaries shall increase with length of service.
62.13(7m)(a)(a) The council of every city of the fourth class shall provide for, and the chief of the police department shall assign to, each police officer in the service of such city one full rest day of 24 consecutive hours during each 192 hours, except in cases of positive necessity by some sudden and serious emergency, which, in the judgment of the chief of police, demands that such day of rest not be given at such time. Arrangements shall be made so that each full rest day may be had at such time or times as will not impair the efficiency of the department.
62.13(7m)(b)
(b) The council of every city of the second or third class shall provide for, and the chief of the police department shall assign to, each police officer in the service of such city 2 full rest days of 24 consecutive hours each during each 192 hours, except in cases of positive necessity by some sudden and serious emergency, which, in the judgment of the chief of police, demands that any such day of rest not be given at such time. Arrangements shall be made so that each full rest day may be had at such time or times as will not impair the efficiency of the department. This section shall not apply to villages to which
s. 61.65 is applicable.
62.13(7n)
(7n) Hours of labor. Except when a labor agreement under
subch. IV of ch. 111 that governs hours of employment exists, the council of every 2nd, 3rd or 4th class city shall provide for a working day of not more than 8 hours in each 24 except in cases of positive necessity by some sudden and serious emergency, which, in the judgment of the chief of police, demands that such workday shall be extended beyond the 8-hour period at such time; and, when such emergency ceases to exist, all overtime given during such emergency shall be placed to the credit of such police officer, and compensatory time under
s. 103.025 given therefor.
62.13(8)
(8) Fire department. The council may provide by ordinance for either a paid or a volunteer fire department and for the management and equipment of either insofar as not otherwise provided for by law. In the case where a combination of paid and volunteer fire department is provided for, such city shall be reimbursed by the department of transportation, not to exceed $500 for any fire calls on a state trunk highway or on any highway that is a part of the national system of interstate highways and is maintained by the department of transportation.
62.13(10m)
(10m) Rules governing leaving city. Subject to approval of the common council the fire chief may establish rules requiring fire fighters to obtain permission before leaving the city.
62.13(11)
(11) Fire fighters, rest day. The common council of every 4th class city, having a population of 5,000 or more and a fire department shall provide for, and the chief of the fire department shall assign to each full paid member thereof, a period of 24 consecutive hours off duty during each 72 hours, except in cases of positive necessity by some sudden and serious fire, accident or other peril, which, in the judgment of the chief engineer or other officer in charge demands that the day of rest not be given at that time. The provisions of this section shall not apply to cities having a 2-platoon or double shift system.
62.13(11a)(a)(a) The common council, or other governing body of every city of the first, second and third class, whether organized under a general or special charter, having a paid fire department, shall provide for, and the governing power of the fire department shall divide the full paid fire fighting force in the fire department into 2 or more bodies or platoons. Each platoon shall work, or be on duty, alternately an equal number of hours or as nearly so as the governing power of the fire department of each such city decides, but no member of said platoon shall be on duty for a longer continuous period of time than the governing power of the fire department designates, except in cases of positive necessity by some sudden and serious fire, accident, or other peril, which in the judgment of the chief engineer or other officer in charge demands.
62.13(11a)(b)
(b) The hours of duty of each member of the fire fighting force of the fire department in every city of the first class shall be limited to 72 hours in any one week. If any such department shall be on a platoon system of hours of duty, 12 hours may be added to one of 2 successive weeks and such period of time deducted from the previous or succeeding week, as the case may be.
62.13 History
History: 1971 c. 41 s.
12;
1971 c. 213 s.
5;
1975 c. 94 ss.
26,
91 (5);
1975 c. 199;
1977 c. 20;
1977 c. 29 s.
1654 (8) (c);
1977 c. 151,
182,
196;
1981 c. 171,
380;
1981 c. 390 s.
252;
1981 c. 391 s.
211;
1985 a. 135 s.
83 (3), (5);
1985 a. 166;
1987 a. 27;
1989 a. 31,
192;
1991 a. 32,
101,
189;
1993 a. 16,
53,
144,
213;
1995 a. 225,
270.
62.13 Annotation
An amnesty agreement by a city not to prosecute a fireman for striking, made as part of the settlement of the strike, does not bar a complaint by a citizen alleging violation because of the strike. Durkin v. Board of Police & Fire Comm. 48 W (2d) 112, 180 NW (2d) 1.
62.13 Annotation
A written charge of conduct unbecoming an officer filed by the chief is sufficiently specific where the officer does not object at the hearing. The fact that one member of the board prejudged the case is immaterial where the decision was unanimous. State ex rel. Richey v. Neenah Police & F. Comm. 48 W (2d) 575, 180 NW (2d) 743.
62.13 Annotation
In 2nd and 3rd class cities, monthly compensation for purposes of computing a pension do not include employer contributions to the pension fund and health and life insurance. These items cannot be included by a collective bargaining agreement. State ex rel. Manitowoc v. Police Pension Bd. 56 W (2d) 602, 203 NW (2d) 74.
62.13 Annotation
Standby time required of municipal police by the issuance of a "yellow alert" under which officers were required to leave their names, phone numbers and locations with the station house, were forbidden to leave the city without permission, did not constitute work or overtime under (7n), since the officers were not confined at the police station and, although restricted in some senses, were basically free to spend the standby time for their own purposes. Theune v. Sheboygan, 67 W (2d) 33, 226 NW (2d) 396.
62.13 Annotation
Legislatively created agencies or boards such as city police and fire commissions have the capacity to sue or be sued where such authority is necessary to carry out an express power or to perform an express duty, or where the action arises out of the performance of statutory powers or obligations. Racine Fire and Police Comm. v. Stanfield, 70 W (2d) 395, 234 NW (2d) 307.
62.13 Annotation
Review of determinations of fire and police commission may be had only by writ of certiorari or by appeal procedure provided by legislature since such procedure under (5) (i) is exclusive and conclusive. Party failing to commence certiorari proceeding within 6 months of decision is guilty of laches. State ex rel. Enk v. Mentkowski, 76 W (2d) 565, 252 NW (2d) 28.
62.13 Annotation
A labor contract under 111.70 may limit the scope of the police chief's discretion under 62.13 (4) (a). Glendale Prof. Policemen's Asso. v. Glendale, 83 W (2d) 90, 264 NW (2d) 594 (1978).
62.13 Annotation
By imposing arbitrary and capricious penalty, board exceeded its jurisdiction. State ex rel. Smits v. City of De Pere, 104 W (2d) 26, 310 NW (2d) 607 (1981).
62.13 Annotation
Probationary officer had neither constitutional nor statutory right to statement of specifications and hearing on city's decision not to retain him. Kaiser v. Bd. of Police & Fire Commrs. 104 W (2d) 498, 311 NW (2d) 646 (1981).
62.13 Annotation
Service under (5) (i) must be personal. Gibson v. Racine Police & Fire Comm. 123 W (2d) 150, 366 NW (2d) 144 (Ct. App. 1985).
62.13 Annotation
Because s. 62.13 protects police officers against wrongful discipline or discharge, a police officer cannot state a cause of action by invoking the public policy exception to the employment-at-will doctrine. Larson v. City of Tomah, 193 W (2d) 225, 532 NW (2d) 726 (1995).
62.13 Annotation
A collective bargaining agreement cannot provide for the right to seek arbitration of a discipline decision rather than to seek a hearing before the police and fire commission under this section. City of Janesville v. WERC, 193 W (2d) 492, 535 NW (2d) 34 (Ct. App. 1995).
62.13 Annotation
Citizenship requirement for peace officers is constitutional. 65 Atty. Gen. 273 is withdrawn. 68 Atty. Gen. 61.
62.13 Annotation
A mayor in a city with a police and fire commission does not have the authority to order a police chief to reinstate a discharged probationary police officer.
81 Atty. Gen. 1.
62.13 Annotation
Fire fighter's dismissal violated due process. Schulz v. Baumgart, 738 F (2d) 231 (1984).
62.13 Annotation
Police accountability in Wisconsin. 1974 WLR 1131.
62.133
62.133
Ambulance service. The common council may purchase, equip, operate and maintain ambulances and contract for ambulance service with one or more providers for conveyance of the sick or injured. The common council may determine and charge a reasonable fee for ambulance service provided under this section.
62.133 History
History: 1991 a. 39.
62.135
62.135
Highway safety coordinator. In cities with a population of 150,000 and more, the mayor may appoint a city highway safety coordinator who shall be a member of the city agency or commission responsible for traffic accident analysis and traffic safety related matters. The commission or agency shall meet at least quarterly to review city traffic accident data and other traffic safety related matters.
62.135 History
History: 1983 a. 291.
62.14
62.14
Board of public works. 62.14(1)
(1)
How constituted; terms. There shall be a department known as the "Board of Public Works" to consist of 3 commissioners. In cities of the 2nd class the commissioners shall be appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the council at their first regular meeting or as soon thereafter as may be. The members of the first board shall hold their offices, 1, 2 and 3 years, respectively, and thereafter for 3 years or until their successors are qualified. In all other cities the board shall consist of the city attorney, city comptroller and city engineer. The council, by a two-thirds vote, may determine that the board of public works shall consist of other public officers or persons and provide for the election or appointment of the members thereof, or it may, by a like vote, dispense with such board, in which case its duties and powers shall be exercised by the council or a committee thereof, or by such officer, officers or boards as the council designates. The words "board of public works" wherever used in this subchapter shall include such officer, officers, or boards as shall be designated to discharge its duties.
62.14(2)
(2) Organization. The members of the board of public works shall, on the first Tuesday in May of each year, choose a president of the board from their number, and in cities of the first class a secretary; in other cities the city clerk shall be the secretary of the board.
62.14(3)
(3) Compensation. The commissioners of public works in cities of the second class shall receive a salary, but in all other cities the salaries of the attorney, comptroller and engineer respectively shall be in full for their services as members of such board.
62.14(4)
(4) Rules for, by council. The council may make such rules as the council deems proper, not contravening this subchapter, for the government of the board of public works and the manner in which the business of said board shall be conducted.
62.14(5)
(5) Quorum; record; report. A majority of the board shall constitute a quorum for doing business. They shall keep a record of all their proceedings, which shall be open at all reasonable times to the inspection of any elector of such city, and shall make a report to the council on or before the first day of March in each year, and oftener if required.
62.14(6)(a)(a)
In general. It shall be the duty of the board, under the direction of the council, to superintend all public works and keep the streets, alleys, sewers and public works and places in repair.
62.14(6)(b)
(b)
Unusual use of streets. No building shall be moved through the streets without a written permit therefor granted by the board of public works, except in cities where the council shall, by ordinance authorize some other officer or officers to issue a permit therefor; said board shall determine the time and manner of using the streets for laying or changing water or gas pipes, or placing and maintaining electric light, telegraph and telephone poles therein; provided, that its decision in this regard may be reviewed by the council.
62.14(6)(c)
(c)
Restoring streets. In case any corporation or individual shall neglect to repair or restore to its former condition any street, alley or sidewalk excavated, altered or taken up, within the time and in the manner directed by the board, said board shall cause the same to be done at the expense of said corporation or individual. The expense thereof, when chargeable to a lot owner, shall be certified to the city clerk by the board, and if not paid shall be carried into the tax roll as a special tax against the lot.
62.14(7)
(7) Records of city engineer. The city engineer shall keep on file in the engineer's office, in the office of the city clerk, a record of all the engineer's official acts and doings and also a copy of all plats of lots, blocks and sewers embraced within the city limits, all profiles of streets, alleys and sewers and of the grades thereof, and of all drafts and plans relating to bridges and harbors and of any buildings belonging to the city; and shall at the same place keep a record of the location of all bench marks and permanent corner stakes from which subsequent surveys shall be started; which said records and documents shall be the property of the city and open to the inspection of parties interested, and shall be delivered over by said engineer to the engineer's successor or to the board of public works. Whenever requested, the engineer shall make a report of all doings of the engineer's department to the board of public works.
62.14 History
History: 1977 c. 151;
1991 a. 316.
62.15
62.15
Public works. 62.15(1)(1)
Contracts; how let. All public construction, the estimated cost of which exceeds $10,000, shall be let by contract to the lowest responsible bidder; all other public construction shall be let as the council may direct. If the estimated cost of any public construction exceeds $5,000 but is not greater than $10,000, the board of public works shall give a class 1 notice, under
ch. 985, of the proposed construction before the contract for the construction is executed. The council may also by a vote of three-fourths of all the members-elect provide by ordinance that any class of public construction or any part thereof may be done directly by the city without submitting the same for bids.
62.15(1a)
(1a) Escalator clauses. Contracts may include escalator clauses providing for additional charges for labor and materials if as a result of general inflation the rates and prices of the same to the contractor increase during performance of the contract. Such escalator provision shall be applicable to all bidders and shall not exceed 15 per cent of the amount of the firm bid nor the amount of the increase paid by the contractor. Each bid on a contract which is to include an escalator provision shall be accompanied by a schedule enumerating the estimated rates and prices of items of labor and materials used in arriving at the bid. Only as to such items as are enumerated shall an increased charge be allowed the contractor.
62.15(1b)
(1b) Exception as to public emergency. The provisions of
sub. (1) and
s. 281.41 are not mandatory for the repair and reconstruction of public facilities when damage or threatened damage thereto creates an emergency, as determined by resolution of the board of public works or board of public utility commissioners, in which the public health or welfare of the city is endangered. Whenever the city council determines by majority vote at a regular or special meeting that an emergency no longer exists, this subsection no longer applies.
62.15(1c)
(1c) Increased quantity clauses. Contracts may include clauses providing for increasing the quantity of construction required in the original contract by an amount not to exceed 15 per cent of the original contract price.
62.15(2)
(2) Plans; contract; bond. When the work is required or directed to be let to the lowest responsible bidder, the board of public works shall prepare plans and specifications for the same, containing a description of the work, the materials to be used and such other matters as will give an intelligent idea of the work required and file the same with the city clerk for the inspection of bidders, and shall also prepare a form of contract and bond with sureties required, and furnish a copy of the same to all persons desiring to bid on the work.
62.15(3)
(3) Advertisement for bids. After the plans, specifications and form of contract have been prepared, the board of public works shall advertise for proposals for doing such work by publishing a class 2 notice, under
ch. 985. No bid shall be received unless accompanied by a certified check or a bid bond equal to at least 5% but not more than 10% of the bid payable to the city as a guaranty that if the bid is accepted the bidder will execute and file the proper contract and bond within the time limited by the city. If the successful bidder so files the contract and bond, upon the execution of the contract by the city the check shall be returned. In case the successful bidder fails to file such contract and bond the amount of the check or bid bond shall be forfeited to the city as liquidated damages. The notice published shall inform bidders of this requirement.
62.15(4)
(4) Sureties, justification. The sureties shall justify as to their responsibility and by their several affidavits show that they are worth in the aggregate at least the amount mentioned in the contract in property not by law exempt from execution. A certified check in amount equal to 5% of the bid, and a provision in the contract for the retention by the city of 20% of the estimates made from time to time may be accepted in place of sureties.
62.15(4m)
(4m) Substantial compliance. If any certified check or bid bond is in substantial compliance with the minimum guaranty requirements of
subs. (3) or
(4), the letting authority may, in its discretion, accept such check or bid bond and allow such bidder 30 days to furnish such additional guaranty as may be required by said authority. Substantial compliance hereunder may be found if said check or bond is insufficient by not more than one-fourth of one per cent of the bid.
62.15(5)
(5) Rejection of bids. The power to reject any and all bids shall exist unless expressly waived. The board of public works may reject any and all bids, if, in their opinion, any combination has been entered into to prevent free competition. The council may, if it be of the opinion that any of the bids are fraudulent, collusive, excessive or against the best interests of the city, by resolution adopted by two-thirds of its members, reject any or all of the bids received and order the work done by the city directly under the supervision of the board of public works and
s. 61.54 (2) and
(3) shall apply to the performance of such work.
62.15(6)
(6) Incompetent bidders. Whenever any bidder shall be, in the judgment of said board, incompetent or otherwise unreliable for the performance of the work on which the bidder bids, the board shall report to the council a schedule of all the bids for such work, together with a recommendation to accept the bid of the lowest responsible bidder, with their reasons; and thereupon the council may direct said board either to let the work to such competent and reliable bidder or to readvertise the same; and the failure to let such contract to the lowest bidder in compliance with this provision shall not invalidate such contract or any special assessment made to pay the liability incurred thereunder.
62.15(7)
(7) Patented material or process. Any public work, whether chargeable in whole or in part to the city, or to any lot or lots or parcels of land therein, may be done by the use of a patented article, materials or process, in whole or in part, or in combination with articles, materials, or processes not patented, when the city shall have obtained from the owner of the patented article, materials or process, before advertising for bids for such work, an agreement to furnish to any contractor, desiring to bid upon such work as a whole, the right to use the patented article, materials and processes in the construction of said work, and also to furnish to any contractor the patented article itself upon the payment of what the authorities of said city charged with the duty of letting a contract for such public work shall determine to be a reasonable price therefor, which price shall be publicly stated and furnished upon application to any contractor desiring to bid on said work.
62.15(8)
(8) Alternative plans and specifications. Different plans and specifications for any public work may be prepared by the proper authorities requiring the use of different kinds of materials, whether patented or not, thereby bringing one kind of article, material or process in competition with one or more other kinds of articles, materials or processes designed to accomplish the same general purpose, and bids received for each such kind of article, material or process, and thereafter a contract let for one kind of article, material or process; provided, that before any contract is let all the bids received shall be opened, and considered before the kind of article or process to be used in such work shall be decided upon by the proper city authorities, and thereupon the proper city authorities shall first determine which kind of article, material or process shall be used in the work, and the contract shall be let to the lowest responsible bidder for the kind of article, material or process so selected for use in the proposed public work.
62.15(9)(a)(a) Any contract for doing public work may contain a provision requiring the contractor to keep the work done under the contract in good order or repair for not to exceed 5 years.
62.15(9)(b)
(b) The inclusion in the contract of a provision described in
par. (a) shall not invalidate any special assessment or certificate thereof or tax certificate based thereon.
62.15(10)
(10) Estimates; deposit; default; completion. As the work progresses under any contract for the performance of which a surety bond has been furnished,
s. 66.29 (9) (b) shall apply. All contracts shall contain a provision authorizing such board, in case the work under any contract is defaulted or not completed within the time required, to take charge of or authorize the surety to take charge of the work and finish it at the expense of the contractor and the sureties, and to apply the amounts retained from estimates to the completion of the work. In no case shall the 5% deposit described in
sub. (4) be returned to a successful bidder until the contract is performed; but it, together with the retained amounts, shall be used in whole or in part to complete the work. Any amount remaining from the deposit or from retained estimates after the completion of a contract shall be paid to the contractor.
62.15(11)
(11) Street obstruction. All contractors doing any work which shall in any manner obstruct the streets or sidewalks shall put up and maintain barriers and lights to prevent accidents, and be liable for all damages caused by failure so to do. All contracts shall contain a provision covering this liability, and also a provision making the contractor liable for all damages caused by the negligent digging up of streets, alleys or public grounds, or which may result from the contractor's carelessness in the prosecution of such work.
62.15(12)
(12) Contracts; how executed. All contracts shall be signed by the mayor and clerk, unless otherwise provided by resolution or ordinance, and approved as to form by the city attorney. No contract shall be executed on the part of the city until the comptroller shall have countersigned the same and made an indorsement thereon showing that sufficient funds are in the treasury to meet the expense thereof, or that provision has been made to pay the liability that will accrue thereunder.
62.15(14)
(14) Report to council of nonbid contracts. 62.15(14)(a)(a) Whenever the council of any city shall have provided by ordinance that any class of public work or any part thereof may be done directly by the city without submitting the same for bids as provided in
sub. (1), and the public work shall be done in accordance with the ordinance, the board of public works shall keep an accurate account of the cost of the public work, including the necessary overhead expense.
62.15(14)(b)
(b) Upon the completion of the work described in
par. (a), the board of public works shall make a complete report of the work to the council, stating in detail the items of cost and the total cost of doing the work. The city clerk shall publish the report as a part of the proceedings of the council.
62.15(14)(c)
(c) Any member of the board of public works who fails to comply with the provisions of this subsection shall be liable to a forfeiture of $50 to be recovered as in the case of other penalties.
62.15 Annotation
When work has been performed for a municipality under a contract which is void or unenforceable, a cause of action based for unjust enrichment can be maintained with damages limited to the actual cost to the plaintiff and not exceeding the unit cost of the original contract; any recovery being limited to the value of the actual benefit conferred. Blum v. Hillsboro, 49 W (2d) 667, 183 NW (2d) 47 (1971).
62.15 Annotation
Where a contract establishes a "unit price" for work done, with only an estimate of the total, excess work may be paid for without regard to the 15% limitation in (1c). Gottschalk Bros., Inc. v. Wausau, 56 W (2d) 848, 203 NW (2d) 140.
62.15 Annotation
Mayor may not veto council action or inaction on public works contracts. Sturzl Const. Co., Inc. v. City of Green Bay, 88 W (2d) 403, 276 NW (2d) 771 (1979).
62.15 Annotation
City cannot waive liquidated damages under (3). Award, acceptance and execution of public contracts discussed. City of Merrill v. Wenzel Brothers, Inc. 88 W (2d) 676, 277 NW (2d) 799 (1979).
62.15 Annotation
The low bidder has no absolute right to the contract. The statute implies the exercise of discretion in letting the contract. An administrative rule will not be interpreted to prevent the exercise of this discretion. Envirologix v. City of Waukesha, 192 W (2d) 277, 531 NW (2d) 357 (Ct. App. 1995).
62.15 Annotation
Acceptance of a late bid is not precluded by this section and is within the city's discretionary powers. Power Systems Analysis v. City of Bloomer, 197 W (2d) 817, 541 NW (2d) 214 (Ct. App. 1995).
62.15 Annotation
Recovery for value of services furnished without compliance with statutory bidding requirements. Redmond, 55 MLR 397.
62.155
62.155
Acquisition of recycling or resource recovery facilities without bids. A city may contract for the acquisition of any element of a recycling or resource recovery facility without submitting the contract for bids as required under
s. 62.15 if the city invites developers to submit proposals to provide a completed project and evaluates proposals according to site, cost, design and the developers' experience in other similar projects.
62.155 History
History: 1983 a. 425.
62.16
62.16
Street grades; service pipes. 62.16(1)(a)(a) Establishment; damage. The council shall have authority to establish the grade of all streets and alleys in the city, and to change and reestablish the same as it deems expedient. Whenever it changes or alters the permanently established grade of any street any person thereby sustaining damages to that person's property on the affected street may have such damages set off against any special assessment levied against the person's property for any public improvement made in conjunction with such grade change or may maintain an action to recover such damages.
62.16(1)(b)
(b)
Record. The grade of all streets shall be established and described, and the adoption of such grades and all alterations thereof shall be recorded by the city clerk. No street shall be worked until the grade thereof is established and recorded in the manner herein set forth.