Annual Report 2014

City Manager’s Department

City of surrey Overviews

The City Manager’s Department provides advice and recommendations to City Council-related policies and

emerging issues. The department assists in guiding the work of other City Departments, thus ensuring a

coordinated and balanced implementation of Council policy. The City Manager’s office provides effective

financial management by monitoring the annual budget and the 5-year Financial Plan. It is responsible for

ensuring that high quality sustainable City services are delivered on a consistent basis to the City’s residents

and businesses. The City Manager’s Department also has responsibility for the following operational divisions

and sections:

LEGAL SERVICES

The Legal Services Division provides services to City Council and

City Departments. City solicitors serve as court counsel, provide legal

advice, render legal opinions, and draft and review legal and legislative

documentation associated with City business. The Division is also

responsible for the By-law Enforcement & Licensing Services Section

and for the animal control function, including the operation of the City

Animal Shelter and parking enforcement.

LEGISLATIVE SERVICES

The Legislative Services Division carries out the statutory

responsibilities of the Corporate Officer as legislated under the

Community Charter. Legislative Services provides services to City

Council, City departments and the public, and is responsible for

ensuring City business is undertaken in accordance with all levels of

government legislation. Legislative Services is also responsible for

managing the City’s compliance with the Freedom of Information and

Protection of Privacy legislation which includes management of the

Corporate Records program, privacy training, impact assessments,

and responding to requests for information under the

Freedom of

Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA)

CRIME REDUCTION STRATEGY OFFICE

The Crime Reduction Strategy Office is responsible for implementing

the recommendations of the Surrey Crime Reduction Strategy, which

is focused on reducing crime, nuisance behavior, and increasing public

safety through considering international best practices tailored to the

needs of communities in Surrey.

SUSTAINABILITY OFFICE

The Sustainability Office is responsible for implementing the

recommendations contained in the Surrey Sustainability Charter with

the over-riding goal of making meaningful advances in sustainability in

the City of Surrey to the benefit of present and future generations.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The Economic Development Division is responsible for maximizing

opportunities for partnerships with other orders of government,

educational institutions, and the private sector. The Division facilitates

sustainable economic expansion and diversification across industries,

with a focus on key sectors and takes all reasonable actions so that

Surrey is recognized as a preferred location in which to conduct

business.

2 0 1 4 A c c o m p l i s h m e n t s

• Development and implementation of the

Emerging Leaders Program (ELP). This program

is aimed at investing in the development

and growth of leaders within the City. The

ELP will provide new and emerging leaders

with the education, work experiences and

self‑development opportunities needed to

meet the challenges and demands of building

a world-class city.

• Honoured with a FCM 2015 Sustainable

Communities Award in Energy for the City’s

Community Climate Action Strategy.

• With Parks and DIVERSECity, developed a

newcomers garden (“Growing Roots Garden”)

and a community garden co-located at

Lionel Courchene Park, including supporting

community outreach and garden building, and

facilitating two market stands.

• Key driver in partnership and business

development initiatives for Innovation

Boulevard – actively working with another 45

companies including three multinationals.

• Recruited Foresight Cleantech Accelerator

Centre, western Canada’s only business

accelerator for cleantech companies.

• Extended the Inter Municipal Business

License pilot project with nine Fraser Valley

municipalities.

• Supported the launch of the Surrey RCMP’s

“Surrey Steps Up” (SSU) campaign in

partnership with the other City departments.

Surrey Steps Up was built on past successes

of the Stop Bullying project and promoted a

broader message of community engagement

to encourage social responsibility.

• Digitalized Council meeting agendas,

which allows City Council and the Senior

Management Team to access the Council

meeting agendas and materials electronically.

• Launched privacy awareness training for City of

Surrey staff to increase awareness around our

obligations under the Freedom of Information

and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA).

• Worked in partnership with the Kwantlen

University AT-CURA (Acting Together –

Canadian Urban Research Alliance) on the

development of evidence-based research on

the relationship between youth strengths and

prevention of delinquency, violence, and gang

involvement. A national conference was held in

Surrey in July 2014.