e-Brief August 23, 2018
STRATEGYCORP PRESENTS THE 2018 CROSS-CANADA SURVEY OF CITY MANAGERS AND MUNICIPAL CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS (CAOS)
 
 

Since 2016, StrategyCorp has surveyed the opinions of a cross-section of municipal City Managers and Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs) on a variety of topical issues.  This year, they expanded their perspective.  They moved from an Ontario lens to one that embraced the whole country.  
 
In their 2017 Survey Report, they reflected the views of CAOs from smaller and medium-sized municipalities, following their 2016 Survey’s report of the opinions of big city CAOs and City Managers.  For 2018, they solicited views of a cross-section of CAOs and City Managers across the breadth and diversity of our country, including the unique perspectives of those dealing with community issues in the Far North.
 
This year’s survey of municipal CAOs reflects the scope and diversity of a vast country that touches three oceans.  They have faced different economies and challenges.  As municipal leaders, they often have very different personalities and management styles. Despite their diversity, StrategyCorp found that CAOs share a commitment to finding solutions and to building better communities and service-delivery organizations. At their core, they share basic values of service, principle-centered leadership, building strong relationships and a belief in good governance and the importance of municipal professionalism.
 
You can view what 25 of your colleagues that participated in the survey had to say in their 2018 Report.
RECOGNIZE AND ELIMINATE BIAS: KEYS TO BEING A BETTER LEADER AND TEAM PLAYER
The ICMA Coaching Program invites you and all of the members of your team to this free webinar:  "Recognize and Eliminate Bias: Keys to being a better leader and team player" -- ICMA Coaching Program webinar taking place at 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. PT (1:00-2:30 p.m. ET), Wednesday, September 19, 2018.  Register now for this no-charge webinar:
 https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8862265318410960898 
   
1. What are the effects of unconscious bias in the workplace?
2. How can bias impact policies and actions and our communities?
3. What are examples of effective steps to make local government fairer for all?

Presenters:
  • Tansy Hayward, Asst. City Manager, Raleigh, NC; Chair ICMA Task Force on Strengthening Inclusiveness in the Profession
  • Veronica Briseno, Director, Dept. of Small and Minority Business Resources, Austin, TX; President Local Government Hispanic Network
  • Patricia Efiom, Equity & Empowerment Coordinator, Evanston, IL              
Audience:  All persons in or interested in local government.
Click on the direct link to registration for this no-charge webinar open to all persons interested in local government: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8862265318410960898

Enjoy these and other resources to thrive in local government: https://icma.org/coaching. If you are not already subscribed to the ICMA Coaching Program email list, we encourage you to sign up for free (whether you are an ICMA member or not) at https://icma.org/coachinglist. It will give you notices of upcoming events and resources.
NOVA SCOTIA MEMBERS: GRANT PROGRAM HELPS BUILD AGE-FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES
 
Government is supporting several projects that help older Nova Scotians live safely, enjoy good health and stay involved in their communities.  The Age-Friendly Communities Grant supports projects that promote healthy, active living and make communities better places for Nova Scotians as they age.  The grant is open to non-profit and community organizations, municipal governments, associations and universities. Successful applicants can include partnerships or collaborative projects. This year, government has increased the threshold for funding to up to $25,000 per project.  Applications are accepted year-round. Applications received on or before Septembers 30 will be reviewed in October. Applications received between October 1, 2018 and February 1, 2019 will be reviewed in February.  For more information and to apply, visit http://novascotia.ca/age-friendly-grant .

 FEATURED CAMA AWARD SUBMISSIONS
City of Markham’s Backflow Prevention Program - Administrative Process Automation
In 2000, the Walkerton tragedy caused 7 residents to die and thousands sickened. In 2005, Stratford Ontario experienced drinking water contamination caused by a backflow incident from a car wash station. One of Markham’s actions was to pass a Backflow Prevention By-law and to establish the program.

The program applies to 3,000 business and multi-residential properties within Markham. Property owners at their own expense must hire Qualified Persons registered with the City to complete 3 backflow prevention activities: (1) A Survey every 5 years to determine any backflow device upgrades (i.e. new installations, repairs or replacements). (2) A Test of all backflow devices installed in their water systems. (3) Implementing backflow Device Upgrades required by Survey.

After completing these requirements, around 6,750 report submissions (i.e. 600 Surveys, 6,000 Tests and 150 Device Upgrades) are generated from the program annually. The review and records keeping is labor-intensive.  To automate the process, the “Online Services” website and related software were designed to follow and mimic the manual work process. This automation has substantially reduced the administrative burden and activities associated with the program.

The City of Markham submitted a nomination to the 2017 CAMA Awards of Excellence Program under the Willis Award for Innovation Category for municipalities with a population Over 100,000.  If you would like to see their full submission please visit the CAMA Member's Section, Awards of Excellence/Best Practices section and search "City of Markham".  If you would like more information please contact City of Markham - Environmental Services Department at 905-477-7000 ext 3010 or [email protected]
Designing Out Crime Book
A book project championed by the City of Surrey, British Columbia has given local governments an effective new crime-prevention tool.  While crime-prevention programs are relatively common, results are often mixed due to a lack of sustained support and a generic, non-customized approach.  Written by criminologists, Designing Out Crime for the first time translates the professional literature in a way that helps governments evaluate and implement their own successful crime-prevention solutions.  Both theory and practical advice are provided.  The book was edited by Surrey Fire Chief and UFV adjunct professor Len Garis and Wilfrid Laurier University professor Paul Maxim, and published in November 2016 through a partnership with the University of the Fraser Valley.

The project was a natural fit for Surrey, which has successfully implemented alternative solutions to crime problems that exceeded the capacity of the criminal justice system. Along with senior management participation in the book’s development, the City covered the book design and printing costs, Surrey Mayor Linda Hepner wrote the forward and City Manager Vincent Lalonde supplied a cover testimonial.  The book can be downloaded here at no cost 

The City of Surrey submitted a nomination to the 2017 CAMA Awards of Excellence Program under the Willis Award for Innovation Category for municipalities with a population Over 100,000.  If you would like to see their full submission please visit the CAMA Member's Section, Awards of Excellence/Best Practices section and search "Surrey".  If you would like more information please contact  Len Garis, Fire Chief, City of Surrey, Adjunct Professor, School of Criminology & Criminal Justice, University of the Fraser Valley at 778-846-0851 or [email protected]. 
Richmond Hill 2016 Asset Management Plan
An integral part of building communities is creating an effective approach to managing municipal infrastructure. The development of a corporate Asset Management Plan presented an opportunity to connect and build upon the strengths of existing Town asset management programs, with a ‘made in Richmond Hill’ approach. The Plan connects all the different components of the asset management function focusing on a thorough and logical approach to asset management in Richmond Hill, using plain language, clear assumptions and visual graphics to ensure a document that is accessible and practical. Richmond Hill’s Asset Management Plan goes beyond the traditional approach, incorporating environmental assets and establishing an approach that is consistent across all asset classes. It includes the state of current infrastructure, defines levels of service, reviews asset management strategies, and proposes financial strategies and recommendations for improved management of our assets in the future. With $1.85 billion in infrastructure assets and $87.6 million in Environmental Assets, the Asset Management Plan provides a set of practical tools to understand, plan and communicate sound decision making related to our assets today and in the future.

The Town of Richmond Hill submitted a nomination to the 2017 CAMA Awards of Excellence Program under the Willis Award for Innovation Category for municipalities with a population Over 100,000.  If you would like to see their full submission please visit the CAMA Member's Section, Awards of Excellence/Best Practices section and search "Richmond Hill".  If you would like more information please contact Neil Garbe, Chief Administrative Officer at 905-747-6366 or [email protected]
A First in Quebec: A Web Portal on Crime
The Gatineau Police Service (SPVG), in collaboration with the Information Technology Department, launched its Crime Portal on June 2, 2009, in order to improve its client approach and be transparent to the public. In November 2016, this web-based tool now allows citizens to view seven types of crimes committed on their territory from a computer, tablet, or smart phone on a Gatineau map: break and enter, arson, mischief , robbery, theft in a vehicle, theft of a vehicle, and assault.  Citizens can view the information according to three periods: the last seven days, the last month or the current year. The data is updated automatically every 24 hours.
 
The Crime Portal is innovative as the SPVG is the first municipal police service in Quebec to launch such a tool. Citizens are able to know, almost in real-time, crime in their neighborhood, so they can take measures to ensure their safety while contributing to the security of the city.

The City of Gatineau submitted a nomination to the 2017 CAMA Awards of Excellence Program under the Prix Willis de l’innovation Category for municipalities with a population plus de 100,000.  If you would like to see their full submission please visit the CAMA Member's Section, Awards of Excellence/Best Practices section and search "Gatineau".  If you would like more information please contact Caroline Gilbert at 819 243-2345 or [email protected]  

Soucieux de toujours améliorer son approche client et d’être transparent auprès de la population, le Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau (SPVG), en collaboration avec le Service de l’informatique, a lancé son Portail sur la criminalité le 2 novembre 2016. Cet outil Web permet aux citoyens de voir, sur une carte de Gatineau, sept types de crimes commis sur le territoire, et ce, à partir de leur ordinateur, tablette électronique ou téléphone intelligent : introduction par effraction, incendie criminel, méfait, vol qualifié, vol dans un véhicule, vol d’un véhicule, voies de fait.

Les citoyens peuvent ainsi visualiser l’information selon trois périodes : les sept derniers jours, le dernier mois ou l’année en cours. Les données sont mises à jour automatiquement toutes les 24 heures.

Le Portail sur la criminalité est innovateur puisque le SPVG est le premier service de police municipal au Québec à lancer un tel outil. Les citoyens sont en mesure de connaître, presque en temps réel, la criminalité dans leur quartier, de sorte qu’ils peuvent prendre des moyens pour assurer leur sécurité tout en contribuant à la sécurité de la ville.

La Ville de Gatineau a présenté une candidature au Programme des Prix d'excellence 2017 de l'ACAM dans le cadre de la catégorie Prix Willis de l'innovation pour les municipalités de plus de 100 000 habitants. Si vous aimeriez voir leur soumission complète, veuillez visiter la section des membres de l'ACAM, la section Prix d'excellence / Pratiques exemplaires et recherchez «Gatineau». Si vous désirez plus d'information, veuillez communiquer avec Caroline Gilbert au 819 243-2345 ou à [email protected]
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!

 
 
  • Marc Rouleau, Directeur général, Ville de Candiac, QC
  • Tristan Urquhart, Chief Administrative Officer, Hamiota Municipality, MB
  • Paul Gill, Chief Administrative Officer, City of Maple Ridge, BC
  • Charles Croll, Chief Administrative Officer, Grandview Municipality, MB
  • Jocelyn Whaley, Chief Administrative Officer, Brazeau County, AB
  • Robert Tremblay, CAO/Clerk-Treasurer, Township of Whitewater Region, ON
  • Duane Gladden, Director of Business Services, Rural Municipalities of Alberta, AB
  • Marie Andree Bastien, Partner, Demarcom, QC
  • Pierre Laflamme, Partner, Demarcom, QC
Do you have a story for our next issue?
Let us know by contacting [email protected]
CAMA e-Brief is published every two weeks. Watch for the next issue on: The week of September 3, 2018
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