2018 Annual Report

Annual Report 2018 42 OBJECTIVE STRATEGY MEASURE PROGRESS Work closely with Committees of Council. Committees meet regularly, have Council representation and provide feedback to Council. All Committees active during year. Work cooperatively with senior government elected officials. Meet regularly with MLA's and MP to review mutual issues. Individual meetings have occurred as needed to discuss specific issues. These meetings will continue and joint group meetings will be scheduled. Ensure timely and accurate information to the community. Information provided. A social media presence was established on Facebook and Twitter in 2011, on Instagram in 2018 and timely updates are provided on a regular basis. A social media policy is in place and staff regularly answer questions and concerns posted on social media. The City has 7,064 followers on Facebook, 5,673 followers on Twitter and 1,028 followers on Instagram. Develop and Maintain a First Rate Work Force Have recruiting strategies that attract the brightest and the best. Qualified applicants. To date in 2018, there have been 102 job postings for 160 positions. As of November 9, 2018, 50 new employees have started with our organization. Undertake on-site training for employee development, as well as encourage employee professional development. Employees taking relevant professional training, approved by manager prior to training event. Various training took place throughout the year, focusing on professional development, skills-based operational and certification training and Health and Safety. Provide opportunity for internal advancement. Employee movement and turnover. 53 employees have changed positions within the organization to date in 2018. In each move, the employee obtained a new position within the organization to advance their careers. Offer a fair compensation package and employee programs. Periodic reviews of compensation in consideration of job content and internal equity. Collective agreements for CUPE and IAFF, which address unionized employees' compensation packages, are in place until 2019. Exempt staff packages are reviewed annually as per our Municipal Officers and Employees Bylaw. Workplace safety. Number of workdays lost per year due to injury. 136 workdays lost due to injury up to September 30, 2018. A comparison to the number of days lost in previous years is as follows; 16.5 (2017) 81 (2016), 177 (2015), 49 (2014), 41 (2013), 197 (2012) and 267 (2011). Provide Excellent Customer Service Provide customer service training to employees. Training provided. Provided group training for all employees. Seek taxpayer/customer feedback. Customer feedback system in place and followed up on. Concerns and issues followed up on promptly. Provide fast and efficient service. Timeliness of customer service. Volume of building permit applications for 2018 similar to 2016 levels, remaining historically very strong. In order to manage turn around times, additional plan review/inspection staff remain. Premium plan reviews remain suspended to allow staff to work on regular applications during non-regular work hours. Customer service by staff at the counter and in the field remains exceptional. Building Inspection report efficiency improvement. All building inspection reports are now recorded electronically and field reports are sent directly by email to property owners, applicants and builders.