The City of Grand Forks has ambitious goals for 2013, many of which have already been completed.
As outlined in the recently released city annual report, each department has developed goals which Mayor Brian Taylor and new Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Doug Allin are confident will contribute to the city’s improvement and development.
The new (2013) corporate and administrative services department has goals that are all about streamlining the city’s operations and improving communication within the city and with the public.
Both Allin and Taylor have a priority of making the public’s access to city officials and documents as simple as possible.
Under Allin’s leadership as CAO, the process of streamlining and clarifying procedures and communication has already begun. The department’s goal of easing access to public contracts, bylaws and policies, city reports and records via the Grand Forks website has made access relatively simple.
The process of review of city policies and procedures is a primary goal in other departments as well. In development and engineering, building and zoning bylaws as well as subdivision and development bylaws are being reviewed and redeveloped. Fees and charges will also be reviewed and altered if necessary.
The department of environmental and building construction services will be taking on the role of the city bylaw enforcement officer to improve compliance with the city’s bylaws.
The new Municipal Ticketing Information Bylaw, which could be approved soon by council, contains the schedule of fees and penalties that will accompany bylaw infractions.
Fire department/emergency services will launch a benefits program for volunteers as it continues to upgrade training for them. First responder, swiftwater, high angle and confined spaces training are in the works for 2013.
Public works will complete the second of the three-year cemetery grave restoration program in 2013, as well as work on the infield at James Donaldson Park.
They have a program to repair paving, sidewalks and storm drains as well as continue with the downtown hanging basket and beautification. Children will appreciate the improvements to the City Park tot lot the department has planned.
As part of the city’s overall plan to streamline and clarify policies and procedures, the finance department will be reviewing and updating many of its operations including purchasing and risk management.
Details of the annual report are available at the city’s website, www.city.grandforks.bc.ca.