SUPPORTS ITEM NO. 3 CS&B AGENDA FEBRUARY 20, 1997 ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT Date: January 17, 1997Dept. File No. NIST C.C. File No. 1008-1 TO: Vancouver City Council FROM: City Manager SUBJECT: Neighbourhood Integrated Services Teams - Staffing RECOMMENDATION That Council approve the continuation of the full-time technical position for an additional year in 1997, to provide support for the development and coordination of the Neighbourhood Integrated Service Teams (NIST). Funding for the position, $41,000, will be provided on a 50/50 split from the existing departmental operating budget of the City Clerk s Office and the Police Department. COUNCIL POLICY On September 17, 1994, Council approved the Neighbourhood Integrated Services Delivery model for City operations. PURPOSE This report seeks the continuation of the full-time staff position for the Neighbourhood Integrated Service Teams. BACKGROUND Council adopted a framework for the development of an Integrated Service Delivery System on September 17, 1994. The new model was developed to ensure open City government, and to provide an effective community-based City service delivery system. On December 5, 1995, Council approved the creation of a temporary position for one year, to assist the teams and the individual members to respond to local issues arising in Vancouver communities. The Project Assistant s duties, under the direction of the Deputy City Manager, have included: implementation of guidelines and procedures related to NIST; maintaining NIST records and information on City activities; assisting with cross-departmental coordination of responses to community issues; assessing issues and then linking with the appropriate teams; coordinating with Information Services on the communication procedures; assessing and modifying plans and administrative tasks in response to team/community/staff needs. There is a need to continue with this position, to provide permanent, on-going administrative support to the teams. DISCUSSION The Neighbourhood Integrated Service Teams have provided local neighbourhoods with direct assistance in problem-solving local issues. The teams have tackled challenging problems in consultation with the community members and through their coordinated efforts have efficiently and effectively dealt with issues. Significant effort has been undertaken during 1996 to ensure that the community and team members are able to communicate with one another. The majority of team members are connected to one another through Internet. As well, information kiosks are being established in local libraries so that citizens can contact teams. This work is on-going. Identification of issues for the teams has impacted on work areas within departments. For example, teams have identified problems that have required additional information and coordination of staff within Permits and Licenses and the Law Department. Identifying and responding to issues requires increasing closer work with the City Clerk s Department. Staff and Organization Implications The Project Assistant will be located with the City Clerk s Department and will continue to work closely with the Deputy City Manager on NIST policy. The move into the Clerk s Office will allow the Project Assistant to more fully integrate CCST and NIST work. It will, as well, allow for more consistency in the referral process to NIST. Financial Implications For 1997, funding for the Project Assistant will be jointly funded from the current budget for staffing within the City Clerk s Office budget (half-time) and from the Vancouver Police Department budget (half-time). The VPD recognize the importance of the Project Assistant s position for the implementation of community-based policing. Cost for the position, including benefits, is approximately $41,000. Funds were transferred from a half-time, vacant clerical position in the Manager s Office, to the Clerk s Office for this NIST position. Conclusion The on-going success of the NIST model is dependent upon the consistent and administrative coordination of information for teams on problems/issues. However, the need for the on-going Project Assistant s position is critical at this time. * * * * *