Municipal Departments

Administration

 

The Municipal Administrator is the Chief Administrative Officer of the District and makes recommendations to Council on a broad range of policy and administrative issues. He is responsible to Council for the efficient management of the municipal workforce, and for ensuring that Council's directions and policies are carried out. He co-ordinates the budget process, acts as Council's representative in labour negotiations, and is called upon to provide management advice to Council.

Archives

 

The Archives collects and preserves municipal files; biographical information on many former long service employees; photographs and descriptions of heritage structures, important events and special projects, reports, plans and ephemera.

Corporate Services

Legislative Division

In the District of Saanich, the Legislative Division is responsible for:

• Processing and coordinating all business relative to Saanich Council
• Carrying out statutory requirements in relation to the Local Government Act.
• Providing information and directing enquiries to the appropriate departments
• Providing advice with respect to Council procedures, policies, and functions
• Coordinating and providing sufficient information to Council to support the Council decision making process and provides procedural and policy advice.
• Conducting the triennial Municipal elections and referenda
• Providing administrative and secretarial service to the majority of Council's committees
• Administering a municipal wide program for the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

In addition to carrying out the above-mentioned functions, this team handles approximately 10,000 public enquiries per year. The office is often the first contact the public has with the Municipal Hall.

Human Resources

The Human Resources staff provide resources as listed below to all departments within the Municipality and work closely with other local Municipalities in areas of mutual interest. We also provide advice to the Administrator, Council and Police Board on a wide range of personnel and labour relations matters.

Human Resources Planning Employee Benefits Planning Retirement Planning Recruitment Contract Negotiations Job Evaluation and Classification Personnel Records

Labour Relations Training and Development Leave Management Employee Counseling Wage and Salary Administration Health and Safety WCB Administration

 

Engineering

 

The Engineering Services, under the leadership of the Director of Engineering, provides guidance, design, analysis and administration of Municipal infrastructure, including, roads, water, sewers, drains, street and traffic lights to ensure existing needs as well as future requirements are met. It includes the management of the geographic information system, which contains all Municipal maps, drawings, and engineering infrastructure data.

MISSION STATEMENT Saanich Engineering – planning, constructing, maintaining public infrastructure and providing related services for our Citizens. Building a safe, vibrant and sustainable community in an effective and socially responsible manner.

Facilities Operations

Maintains all Saanich community recreation centres, as well as all other municipal buildings, including the Municipal Hall, the Police and Fire buildings, Saanich branch libraries and affiliated seniors centres.

Public Works

Responsible for the construction and maintenance of roads, sanitary sewers, open and closed storm drainage systems, water distribution, traffic signals, street lights, street signs, bridge maintenance and refuse collection. It insures that all residents have safe and reliable drinking water, that they are adequately protected in the case of floods, and that refuse is collected on a regular basis. In addition Public Works is also responsible for snow clearing of major and collector roads. The division is also responsible for responding to emergencies after hours, weekends and holidays.

Finance

 

The Finance Department is responsible for the overall management of the financial affairs for the Municipality. Primary functions include:

• Financial planning and budgets
• Treasury and cash management
• Accounting and payroll
• Financial reporting and internal control
• Property Tax
• Water Billing
• Dog Licences
• Business Licences and Commercial Vehicles
• Risk Management and Claims
• Municipal Budget
• Corporate Planning and Project

 

Information Technology

The employees in Information Technology provide leadership and expertise in the provision of information technology for the Municipality. This includes support for staff computers as well as all internet servers and communications equipment needed for public services provided by computer technology. IT staff also operate Saanich's telephone switchboard and the central reception desk at the main entrance to the municipal hall.

• Hardware and Software Planning and Acquisition
• Hardware and Software Research and Development
• Hardware and Software Installation
• Information Technology Policies and Procedures
• Employee Computer Training
• Help Desk Assistance

 

2008-2012 Saanich Technology Plan

Fire

 

The Saanich Fire Department's mandate is to protect life and property within the Municipality.  The Department is responsible for the prevention, suppression and investigation of fires.

Legal Department

Lands Division

The Lands Division provides real estate and appraisal services to Council and other departments. The Division buys and sells property on behalf of the Municipality, manages all leased or rented properties and negotiates the acquisition of rights-of-way. The Division also has the responsibility for managing and coordinating special projects.

For information on properties for sale or rent contact the Lands Division at 475-1775 (local 3574)

Legal Division

The role of the legal division is to give legal advice to the Council and other departments and prepares bylaws, contracts and real estate documentation for the Municipality. The department also manages all types of litigation for the Municipality including damage claims, bylaw prosecutions and labour arbitrations.

Parks and Recreation

Parks Division

The Parks Division is responsible for the planning, design, maintenance and construction of over 140 parks including turf, sport fields, playgrounds, tennis courts, trails, field houses, washrooms, roads and parking lots. This responsibility also includes beach accesses, walkways, roadside grass cutting, and landscape maintenance of recreation centres and branch libraries.

The Parks Division is also responsible for the planting and maintenance of all boulevard and parks trees, administration of the Tree Preservation Bylaw, and horticultural maintenance of annual beds, shrub beds, perennial borders and traffic islands.

Recreation Division

Saanich Recreation Services operates four major community recreation centres and provides liaison with the community through the Community Services Section. The Department provides recreation programming for all ages and interests, ranging from sports and fitness opportunities to the exploration and enjoyment of arts and culture. As well, Recreation Services provides leadership in organizing special events and activities that foster community identity and pride.

All four Saanich recreation centres, who welcome 1.8 million visitors each year, offer full fitness, aerobic and weight training opportunities as well as recreation programming. Aquatic amenities are located at Saanich Commonwealth Place and Gordon Head Community Recreation Centre, arenas are located at Pearkes Community Recreation Centre and indoor court facilities are found at Cedar Hill Community Recreation Centres. In addition, each facility offers rental space for groups ranging in size from 20 to 2,000 participants. The Community Services Division focuses on providing recreation opportunities for youth as well as providing leadership in such areas as cultural bridging and recreation affordability.

Golf Course Division

The Golf Course Division operates the 18 hole Cedar Hill Golf Course, one of the most popular golf courses in Canada with over 80,000 rounds played per year.  Golf Professionals offer CPGA private and group lessons through the Pro Shop.  The “Grab ‘n Run”, Shank’s Pub and the Cedar Hill Golf Course Clubhouse offer food and beverages for golfers as well as visitors.  The Clubhouse is a full catering and banquet facility which is known for its attention to detail and its wonderful food.

Planning

 

The responsibility of the Planning Department is to ensure that municipal goals are reflected in planning policy documents and ultimately in new development that occurs within the municipality.  The Department has an important role in providing Council with professional and technical advice on current and future land uses, and a wide range of issues including housing, heritage, environment, transportation, and social policy.

The principal functions of the Planning Department are:

• To provide long range community planning through the Official Community Plan and other policy documents;
• To undertake focuesd planning studies on a variety of subjects;
• To administer development control bylaws including building permits and bylaw enforcement;
• To provide policies and education to conserve, protect and enhance Saanich's natural environment;
• To act as advisors to Council on planning and environmental matters; and
• To provide liaison to various municipal committees and community groups.
  
  

Environmental Services, within Planning, promotes conservation and enhancement of Saanich’s natural environment. This is achieved through the development application process, the introduction of new policies and bylaws and environmental education and outreach programs that create greater awareness, understanding and involvement within the community.

One vital section of this Department is Inspection Services which is responsible for the administration and enforcement of B.C. Building Code and related Plumbing Code. This section also includes enforcement of municipal bylaws.

Police

 

The Municipality of Saanich, through its governing Municipal Police Board, is responsible for maintaining an independent police department which is supported by civilians and volunteer Reserve Police Officers.

Central to the activities of the police department is a commitment to a formal, five year strategic plan encompassing the philosophy of Community Policing.

The mission statement of the Saanich Police is:
To provide quality police services by working with our partners to ensure the safety and security of our community.

Purchasing

 

The Purchasing Department is responsible for:

• Working with the departments to coordinate the procurement process
• Coordinating the bid process to ensure compliance with current tendering laws
• Assisting departments with contract management initiatives
• Management of the Municipal Stores operation
• Management of the Municipal Fleet Operation
• Provision of the accounts payable function
• Operating the Municipal Print Shop
• Coordinating efforts in conjunction with the members of the Greater Victoria Joint Purchasing Group and the Greater Vancouver Municipal Purchasing Group