Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes - 2001-06-18 SSPECIAL COUNCIL MINUTES JUNE 18, 2001 CITY OF KITCHENER A special meeting of City Council was held at 4:07 p.m. this date and Chaired by Mayor C. Zehr with all members present. Notice of this special meeting had previously been given to all members of Council by the City Clerk pursuant to Chapter 25 (Council Procedure) of the Municipal Code. It is noted for the record that pursuant to Section 25.8.9 of Chapter 25 (Council Procedure) of the Municipal Code, Councillor J. Smola declared a pecuniary interest relative to a labour relations matter at an in-camera meeting of City Council held June 11,2001. Mayor C. Zehr advised that the purpose of this special meeting was to announce the revised organizational structure circulated this date. Mayor Zehr reviewed the background and philosophy behind the restructuring, noting that there has been no significant review of the corporate administrative structure for some time. He advised that Council, with the assistance of Ms. Carolyn Kearns, The Randolf Group Management Consultants Inc., has reviewed the existing administrative structure as objectively as possible. In this review, Council considered the current structure and trends in other municipalities, and identified the need for a stronger customer service philosophy and attitude which has been characterized as 'Service First'. He suggested the new structure is easy to understand, allows for better access to senior management, allows the Chief Administrative Officer to focus on strategic planning, and groups similar functions. The new structure will also support improved communications between staff, Council and the community. Mayor C. Zehr then introduced Mr. R. Pritchard, Interim Chief Administrative Officer, who under the revised structure would become the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager of a new department to be named the 'Strategic Services Department'. Mr. Pritchard would also assume the responsibility for implementing the new administrative structure and service philosophy. Mayor Zehr advised that Council hopes to appoint a new Chief Administrative Officer by the end of this Summer or early Fall. Mr. R. Pritchard then presented the new administrative structure, beginning with the Community Services Department, advising that Mr. F. Pizzuto will continue as the Department's General Manager. The Department will maintain its existing functions and have added two new areas of responsibility being Roads Services, and Traffic and Parking Services. He noted that the current Public Works Department will not exist under the restructuring. Mr. Pritchard announced that the Corporate Services Department will have a new General Manager, Mr. G. Sosnoski, whose title will be General Manager of Corporate Services & City Clerk. The Corporate Services Department will have the following additional responsibilities: Information Services, Legal, Mayor/Council support staff and By-law Enforcement. By-law Enforcement will encompass Municipal Law Enforcement, currently the responsibility of the Building Division as well as Traffic and Parking Enforcement. The Fleet Division will shift from the current Department to the Financial Services Department. Mr. Pritchard also advised that the City will be hiring a Deputy City Clerk. The third department in the restructured administration is Development & Technical Services and a new General Manager will be hired. This department will consist of Business, Planning, Fire and Engineering Services. Mr. Pritchard advised that Mr. S. Gyorffy will assume the position of the Assistant General Manager of Engineering Services, and Mr. B. Stanley the position of Assistant General Manager of Business & Planning Services. Mr. N. Kuntz has agreed to continue as Fire Chief for another year. Mr. Pritchard then advised that under the new department, Building and Fire Inspection will merge into a new component in order to create a seamless operation. The existing Public Works Department will lose responsibility for Utilities which moves to the Financial Services Department; and for Roads Services and Traffic and Parking Services which moves to the Community Services Department. Further, Municipal Law Enforcement and Traffic and Parking Enforcement will shift to the Corporate Services Department from the existing Business & Planning Services Department and Public Works Department respectively. The fourth department will be the Financial Services Department which will continue to be headed by Ms. P. Houston. The current department will assume responsibility for Utilities (Gas & Water) and Fleet but relinquish responsibility for Information Services. Mr. Pritchard then advised of four additional items included in the restructuring: the position 'Safe City Coordinator' will report through the Director of Community Programs & Services Division of the SPECIAL COUNCIL MINUTES JUNE 18, 2001 - 238 - CITY OF KITCHENER Community Services Department; Council will undertake a review of the Standing Committee structure this Summer; the City Solicitor will be given direct access to Council on matters of solicitor-client privilege; and, until a General Manager of Development & Technical Services is appointed, the Fire Chief, Assistant General Manager of Engineering Services and Assistant General Manager of Business & Planning Services will be members of Management Committee. Mr. Pritchard then stated that the new structure is effective immediately, on the understanding that some of the changes will take time to implement. Mayor Zehr noted that some staff may be questioning why the restructuring is being implemented at this time. He stated that the philosophy of 'Service First' is the guiding principle behind the restructuring and the new Chief Administrative Officer will operate under this principle. The new philosophy will also be a guiding factor when choosing a new Chief Administrative Officer, and having a new organizational structure in place when he/she arrives will allow that person to focus on strategic planning for the municipality. Mayor Zehr emphasized that the process involved in restructuring was not an exercise in downsizing and staff at all levels of the administration have been informed of the new structure. He stated that Council recognizes staff are important and will play a vital role in implementing the 'Service First' philosophy. Moved by Councillor B. Vrbanovic Seconded by Councillor G. Lorentz That the attached City of Kitchener Organizational Chart, dated June 18, 2001, be approved. Further, that the following appointments be confirmed this date: Department Name General Manager, Strategic Services Department and Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Robert W. Pritchard General Manager, Community Services Department Frank Pizzuto General Manager, Corporate Services Department and City Clerk Gary Sosnoski General Manager, Development & Technical Services Department To Be Determined General Manager, Financial Services Department & City Treasurer Pauline Houston Fire Chief Bert Kuntz Assistant General Manager, Business & Planning Services, Development & Technical Services Department Brock Stanley Assistant General Manager, Engineering Services, Development & Technical Services Department Steve Gyorffy Director of Communications Rosemary Pitfield That the position of Safe City Coordinator report through Shelley Adams, Director, Community Programs & Services Division, Community Services Department. That the Compass Kitchener Project Coordinator (contract position), report through Robert W. Pritchard, General Manager, Strategic Services Department and Deputy Chief Administrative Officer. SPECIAL COUNCIL MINUTES JUNE 18, 2001 - 239 - CITY OF KITCHENER That Robert W. Pritchard be instructed to oversee implementation of the new organizational structure in his current capacity as Interim Chief Administrative Officer and subsequently as General Manager of Strategic Services & Deputy Chief Administrative Officer. That we undertake a review of the existing Standing Committee structure during the summer months while the revised organizational structure is undergoing implementation. During this period the existing rules shall be used in determining on which Standing Committee agenda each item shall be placed for consideration. That the City Solicitor be granted direct access to City Council on matters involving 'Solicitor-Client privilege'. That notwithstanding the provisions of Chapter 111, clause 111.4.9, of the Municipal Code, the Membership of Management Committee shall also include the Assistant General Manager of Business & Planning Services, Fire Chief, and Assistant General Manager of Engineering Services until such a time as the City engages the services of a General Manager of Development and Technical Services." Councillor B. Vrbanovic stated that this reorganization demonstrates a commitment to customer service. He commented that the Corporation's greatest resource is its staff and the reorganization shows Council's commitment to staff and the community. The restructuring will create a proactive, service-oriented municipality with a positive impact on the community. Councillor Vrbanovic's motion was then voted on and Carried Unanimously. Moved by Councillor B. Vrbanovic Seconded by Councillor M. Galloway "That leave be given the Mover and Seconder to introduce a by-law to confirm all actions and proceedings of the Council and that the same be taken as read a first, second and third times, be finally passed and numbered 2001-116 by the Clerk." Carried. On motion, the meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m. MAYOR CLERK 0 0 Z ITl 0 "-I 0 '"l- ITl Z ITl '13 ITl 0 Z Z ITl