Core Services Review Information

This web page communicates Council's work on the City of Nanaimo's Core Services Review. Under this section, you will find direct links to Agendas, Minutes and Presentations for public Core Services Review Steering Committee meetings, and reports arising from this committee.

Background

In February 2015, Council passed a motion to perform a City-wide Core Services Review. The Review was identified as the number one priority for that year and was to be carried out before any services were adjusted or initiatives undertaken by the City. A consultant was hired to help create the terms of reference before putting the Review to tender with WMC being the successful proponent. The Core Services Review Steering Committee, composed of the entire Council and chaired by the Mayor, guided the creation and implementation of the Core Services Review. In May 2016, the final report was presented to Council and later that year in September, an eTown Hall was held to provide feedback on individual findings contained within the report.

Updates

Updates are shown in chronological order with the most recent information at the top of the list.

• Core Services Review focused eTown Hall event scheduled for September 12 (August 24, 2016)
• Core Services Review Final Report (May 27, 2016)
• Core Services Review Progress Report (April 13, 2016)
• Core Services Review Progress Report (April 1, 2016)
• WMC Presentation - CSR Steering Committee Workshop (March 7, 2016)
• City Temporarily Recesses Committees and Commissions During Core Review(February 4, 2016)
• Core Services Review Project Charter approved by Council (January 26, 2016)
• City Council Set to Finalize RFP for Core Review (October 1, 2015)
• City Launches Core Review Webpage (July 24, 2015)
• Core Services Review Vision and Mandate (April 15, 2015)
• City Council set to establish scope of work for Core Services Review (March 17, 2015)
• Council passes motion to proceed with Core Review (February 3, 2015)

Official Documents

• Core Services Review Phase II Work Plan (February 16, 2016)
• Core Service Review Project Charter (January 26, 2016)

Related Reports

• Questions and Answers – Core Service Review (January 26, 2016)
• Draft 2016-2020 Financial Plan (January 5, 2016)
• Beban Park Master Plan Update 2015 (2015)
• Transportation Master Plan (May 26, 2014)
• Cultural Plan – 2014-2020 (2014)
• 2013/2014 Budget Review Sessions (2014)
• Communication Plan (2013)
• Harewood Centennial Park Improvement Plan (July 2012)
• Strategic Plan 2012-2015 (July 10, 2012)
• Review of Contracted Services (January 27, 2012)
• Asset Management Plan (2012)
• Downtown Nanaimo Partnership Society Review (June 30, 2009)
• Horticultural Strategy (2009)
• Sports Field Strategy (2009)
• Official Community Plan (2008)
• Trail Implementation Plan (May 2007)
• Parks, Recreation & Culture Master Plan (February 2005)
• Heritage Action Plan (1998)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Core Service Review?

Core Service Reviews often differ from city to city, but in essence, the process represents an opportunity to compile a clear foundation of information about the current state of a city’s services and programs; how these services and programs have changed over time; and what services and programs may, or may not, be desired going forward. Once the review is completed, a report is prepared for Council containing options outlining how challenges may be undertaken and how opportunities can be achieved.

When was the Core Services Review completed and what is the cost?

The Core Services Review final report was presented to Council at the May 30, 2016 Committee of the Whole Meeting. The cost of the review is $228,900.

When will the recommendations be implemented?

Council and staff will take the final report recommendations and come up with a strategy on how best to implement them and determine which are feasible for our community. Joint working groups comprised of Council, staff, union representatives and external stakeholders will be formed to create plans for moving forward with the recommendations that have been identified by Council as priorities for the organization. While some recommendations will be implemented as early as this year, others will take up to 18-24 months to implement.

What areas of City Services and Programs were examined?

The following 13 service areas, 6 corporate-wide processes and 3 External Agencies were examined during the review.

Service Areas:

1. HR Recruitment/Retention/Succession Planning Training
2. HR/Compensation
3. Financial Policies (renamed from the original Treasury and Investments, to include other financial policy areas)
4. Transportation (Operations)
5. Sanitation
6. Fleet Services
7. Police Support
8. Bylaw/Parking
9. Facilities Planning and Operations
10. Recreation Administration, Operations and Environment
11. Permissive Tax Exemptions and Grants
12. Building Permits and Inspections
13. Subdivision, Development, Land Use Planning and Approvals

Corporate-wide Processes:

1. Strategic planning, business planning and budgeting
2. Capital projects planning and development
3. Asset management
4. Project management
5. Purchasing and contract administration
6. Performance Measurement

External Agencies:

1. Vancouver Island Conference Centre
2. Downtown Nanaimo Business Improvement Association
3. Nanaimo Economic Development Corporation

What other communities was Nanaimo compared to in the Core Services Review?

Port Coquitlam, Chilliwack, District of North Vancouver, Kamloops, Kelowna and Prince George.

Will the public receive updates on any changes that come out of the Core Services Review?

Yes. Updates will be provided on the City website and social media channels as well through Public Input Sessions and the local media.

Will the public have a chance to provide feedback on the recommendations?

Yes, where service levels will be impacted, the public will have the opportunity to provide input.

Can I receive a hard copy of the report?

As this is a large document (245 pages), it is strongly recommended to view the report online. However, if you have accessibility issues or do not have access to a computer, a hard copy may be provided upon request.

Why close Beban Park pool for three months in the summer?

During the warm summer months, the indoor pools are not in high demand and Nanaimo Aquatic Centre has the capacity to accommodate anyone wishing to use one. This is a recommendation only. The public will have an opportunity to provide feedback on this and other recommendations that affect service levels to the community.

Why is there a recommendation to install GPS in City vehicles?

Currently, there is an ad-hoc system in place for GPS devices in City vehicles. The recommendation is to formalize this system and change to an alternative vendor that provides better products and services at a significant discount.

Why eliminate four prison guard positions?

Nanaimo is the only municipality in Canada that provides a male and female prison guard on duty at all times. By eliminating these positions, the City can potentially save over $360,000 per year by reducing these positions. At the moment, this is a recommendation only; Council and staff will be working with a joint committee on whether to implement this and other recommendations.