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ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: February 19, 1997
Dept. File No.:PR\96\075
C.C. File No.: 3701-1
TO: Vancouver City Council
From: Chief Constable, in consultation with
Director of Finance and City Manager
Subject: False Alarm Reduction Program - Staffing Requirements
RECOMMENDATION
THAT Council approve the conversion of two (2) Full Time
Equivalent (F.T.E.) temporary clerical help positions to two
(2) regular full time clerical positions in the False Alarm
Reduction Program, at no additional costs, subject to a job
evaluation by the Director of Human Resources.
COUNCIL POLICY
Approval of regular full time positions require Council approval.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this report is to seek Council s approval to
convert two F.T.E. temporary full time clerical positions to two
full time regular clerical positions in the office of the False
Alarm Reduction Program.
BACKGROUND
On June 16, 1992, Council approved the False Alarm Reduction
Program.
On May 18, 1993, Council approved the Security Alarm System
By-Law #7111 regulating user permits for residential and
commercial alarms.
The False Alarm Reduction Program has enforced and administered
the By-law since May 18, 1993 with an authorized staffing of one
Alarm Coordinator, one (1) Clerk III position and temporary
clerical help.
DISCUSSION
From July 1993, to December 31, 1993 the program issued 18,218
alarm permits and generated approximately $320,000 in net
revenues (excluding one time startup costs).
In the calender year of 1994, 24,758 permits were issued. The
total revenue for the calender year was $540,898. This was the
first full year of the program and many more administrative
procedures were required to be initiated and processes properly
setup. Some of the major tasks were:
a. Actual enforcement of the by-law, obtaining the
required evidence and setting up a court file for the
By-law Prosecutor.
b. Issuing permit cancellations for excessive alarms and
police response cancellations to premises that failed
to have their permits reinstated.
c. Permit reinstatement process to ensure alarm system
problems have been addressed and special conditions, if
required, have been complied with.
d. Establish and maintain an appeal process to the
Vancouver Police Board for permit and police response
cancellations.
e. Yearly renewal notices and yearly renewal of all
permits on file.
f. Monitoring and enforcement of premises that do not
renew their alarm permits (6,236 in 1995).
In the calender year of 1995, 29,737 permits were issued, an
increase of 20.1%. Total revenue for the 1995 calender year was
$954,607 a 76.5% increase.
Temporary staff expenditures for 1995 were $61,500. For 1996,
temporary staff expenditures to June 30 were $38,000. Temporary
staff costs for the last six months continues to be slightly
higher because the program start date causes a large permit
renewal work load.
Fig. A
Year Permits % change Revenue % change
1993 18,218 $320,000
1994 24,758 35.9% $540,898 69.0%
1995 29,737 20.1% $954,607 76.5%
The increase in revenues versus actual increases in permits is as
a result of fees charged for alarm permit re-instatements and
enforcement of non-renewals.
According to the B.C. Chapter of the Canadian Alarm and Security
Association, the industry is experiencing an approximate growth
rate of 25% in the security alarm sector.
The 1996 temporary staff budget was $67,000. This equates to the
cost of two full time Clerk II positions. It is apparent that the
level of staff required will not drop below the minimum level of
these two positions.
The conversion from temporary staff to fulltime staff will result
in an increase in efficiency and effectiveness. It will reduce
the ongoing turnover and will reduce the amount of time the
Program Coordinator has to spend in the training of new staff.
This will enable staff to better deal with the constant increase
in the program workload. The ability for staff to gain expertise
will also allow for an improved service to the public.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
There are no financial implications as the costs for the full
time staff will equal those budgeted for the temporary clerical
h e l p .
SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS
There is no direct relationship between the contemplated staffing
changes and families or children.
PERSONNEL IMPLICATIONS
The Teamster s Union has been provided a copy of this report.
CONCLUSIONS
The alarm industry is experiencing dramatic growth. This growth
directly impacts on the work load experienced by the False Alarm
Reduction Program staff. The requested change to full time staff
will ensure the continued efficiency and effectiveness of the
program.
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