Conversion of 3 GIS Support Positions to Regular Full-Time Status

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: November 26, 2001
Author/Local: J. Mark/7987

RTS NO. 02327

CC File No. 1370

Council: December 4, 2001

TO:

Vancouver City Council

FROM:

General Manager of Corporate Services and Director of Information Technology Department in Consultation with Engineering Services and Community Services

SUBJECT:

Conversion of Three GIS Support Positions to Regular Full-Time Status

RECOMMENDATION

THAT Council authorize the conversion of three temporary full-time positions dedicated to the support of the City's Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to regular full-time status. Ongoing funding for these positions is available within the Operating Budget.

GENERAL MANAGERS' COMMENTS

The General Managers of Corporate Services, Engineering Services, and Community Services recommend approval of the foregoing.

COUNCIL POLICY

Council approves the establishment of all regular positions except where such authority has been delegated to the Park Board as part of their Global Budget arrangement.

PURPOSE

This report seeks Council approval to convert three existing temporary full-time positions providing technical support for the City's corporate GIS application to regular full-time status.
BACKGROUND

The City's enterprise-wide GIS environment includes both VanMap (for staff and the public)and VISION where data creation and maintenance are performed. These are complex technical environments which require ongoing support.

On July 31, 1997, Council approved funds for GIS including two temporary full-time positions in support of GIS: an exempt Systems Analyst and an included Programmer/Analyst. The System Analyst position provides support focussing on the database, operating system, hardware, and GIS software and business processes related to these as well as managing technical projects. The Programmer/Analyst develops GIS and VanMap applications.

On July 30, 1998, Council approved two additional temporary full-time positions: an exempt Systems Analyst and an included Programmer/Analyst. Both positions provided support for technology for the Development and Building Review, Engineering, and related areas. The Systems Analyst focussed on database and data administration, business processes related to geographic data, as well as managing technical projects, while the Programmer/Analyst focussed on VanMap development.

In May, 2001, a GIS sustainment budget was developed by Corporate Services after consultation with Engineering Services and Community Services which would provide for ongoing support of these four GIS staff as well as other GIS infrastructure and services.

On July 26, 2001, Council approved converting a number of CUPE 15 positions from temporary full-time status to regular full-time status including the Programmer/Analyst position approved in 1998. That report indicated that there may be subsequent reports to Council to deal with outstanding situations for exempt and bargaining unit staff.

DISCUSSION

GIS, including VanMap, is becoming increasingly important to staff and the public. Some staff use the corporate VISION GIS to create and maintain spatial data such as lot and property lines, zoning, and underground utilities. A much larger number of staff use VanMap to view this data, as well as data from other City systems including data such as ownership and assessments, business and dog licenses, Statistics Canada data, and public places. Substantial data from multiple departments is also available through VanMap. The public also use VanMap on a regular basis and it is one of the most popular segments on the City's public web site.

Sustainment of the GIS and VanMap applications utilizing the three positions identified in this report will be an ongoing requirement, especially as the City continues to develop its spatial data. As a result, it is appropriate to convert these positions from full time temporary to full time permanent. This will ensure the incumbents are eligible for normal benefits and will ensure continuity in the positions through reduced risk of turnover.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

In May, 2001, Engineering Services, Community Services and Corporate Services, the departments with the largest interest in spatial data, formalized a sustainment plan for GIS which includes these positions. Funding for 2001 is available in the Operating Budget. Ongoing needs beginning in 2002 will be reviewed as part of the 2002 operating budget process.

PERSONNEL IMPLICATIONS

The incumbents in the two exempt positions (#50007084, #50012210) have been in the positions approximately three years or longer and will be appointed to regular full-time status. The incumbent in the CUPE 15 position (#50005498) has been in the position for approximately nine months; this position will be posted in accordance with posting requirements.

CONCLUSION

GIS is increasingly important to City staff and the public. To reduce staff turnover and provide continuity of support, it is recommended that these three GIS positions be converted to regular full-time status.

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TO:	Vancouver City Council
FROM:	General Manager of Corporate Services and Director of Information Technology Department in Consultation with Engineering Services and Community Services
SUBJECT:	Conversion of Three GIS Support Positions to Regular Full-Time Status