Departmental Outline

Corporate Services

The Corporate Services Department facilitates a wide range of services to the Town, its residents and businesses. The department's primary functions include Council and Committees, bylaws, legal services, information technology, policies, drainage, human resources, animal control and customer service.

The Corporate Services Department continually looks at new ways to improve service to the municipality and its tax payers. We pride ourselves on providing the best customer service possible.

The department consists of the Director and five Managers who oversee the various areas of responsibility.

Information Technology

Brian Lucier 519- 728-2700 Ext. 299

• Networks, Computers, printers, copiers, cell phones, blackberries
• Community connectivity
• Geographic Information Systems
• Server operation and maintenance

Clerks

Mary Masse 519-728-2700 Ext. 231

• Elections
• Risk Management
• Freedom of Information
• Council and Committee Support
• Legal Services
• Record Retention
• Lottery Licensing
• Vital Statistics, i.e. Marriage license
• By-laws
• Accessibility Issues

Special Projects Officer

Rita Arsenault 519-728-2700 Ext. 282

• Customer Service
• Policy Development
• Corporate Communications
• Corporate Newsletter
• Employee training
• Website Development and upkeep

Human Resources

Carol Nussey 519-728-2700 Ext. 232

• Personnel matters
• Employee records
• Employee benefits
• Administration and monitoring of union contracts
• Salary administration
• Employee recruitment
• Health and Safety

Drainage

Eric Chamberlain 519-728-2700 Ext. 274

• Drain maintenance projects
• Drain improvement projects
• Assist Landowners in obtaining legal outlet for drainage

Economic Development Services

The primary function of Economic Development Services is to engage in marketing and communications activities that promote the Town of Lakeshore as a progressive and attractive location for investment.  Through a cooperative effort with the private sector and senior levels of government Economic Development aspires to create an economic environment conducive to providing increased economic activity, tax assessment and sustainable career opportunities for its citizens.  The following initiatives are critical to achieving the stated goals:

New Investment Attraction

the Town of Lakeshore works with the Windsor-Essex County Development Commission who handles all inquiries related to new investment opportunities; information and activities related to site selection and servicing, demographic and sector analysis and liaison services with all levels of government are provided at no cost to potential investors. 

The Town of Lakeshore works with the Small Business Enterprise Centre and the Windsor – Essex County Development Commission, to provide information and assistance to entrepreneurs seeking to start or enhance new businesses.  Information related to start up costs, regulations, licensing and site selection and identification are available at no cost to clients.

All enquiries are handled in a timely, professional and confidential fashion. Contact our Chief Administrative Officer, A. Ruth Coursey for further information.

Department of Engineering and Infrastructure Services

Department Overview

The mission of the Engineering and Infrastructure Services department is to provide a high level of infrastructure services to our residents and to maintain the Town of Lakeshore as a clean, safe and well serviced place to live and work.

The Engineering and Infrastructure Services department is organized into three divisions to provide the efficient and effective delivery of services essential for a rapidly growing community.

Environmental Services Division

Tony Francisco, C.Tech., C.R.S-S (519) 728-2488 Ext. 239

This division is responsible for the operation and the maintaining of water/wastewater treatment plants and the water distribution systems.  The division responds to emergency water/wastewater related issues which include watermain breaks, water service repairs and sanitary sewage issues.   The division issues water meters for new construction and oversees the water meter program responsible for monitoring water consumption in the Town of Lakeshore.  The division is also responsible for managing solid waste management.

Engineering Services Division

Tony DiCiocco (519) 728-2488 Ext. 297

This division is responsible for reviewing new development proposals such as residential subdivisions, commercial, industrial and institutional developments. 

The Division ensures compliance with the Town of Lakeshore Development Standards Manual, Subdivision Agreements and Site.  Plan Agreements, both at the design and construction stage, for all new development. The Division also reviews all traffic engineering related matters and transit issues within the municipality. The Division also oversees all new construction, improvements and maintenance of all municipal drains and pumping stations constructed under the Municipal Drainage Act, RSO 1990.  There are over 1000 municipal drains and over 60 pumping stations in the Town of Lakeshore.  The division also ensures  mapping and record drawings are  filed appropriately in order to be retrieved for review and to provide servicing data to consulting engineers, developers, contractors, utility companies, property owners, builders, lawyers, staff,  etc.  Engineering Services works closely with Geographic Information Systems staff to ensure our GIS data is accurate.

Public Works Services Division

Chuck Chevalier (519) 728-2488 Ext. 300

This division is responsible for the municipal road system and all associated maintenance.  This includes, but is not limited to hardtop maintenance, loose top maintenance, road side maintenance, signs, signals and

lighting, safety devices, storm sewer repairs, winter control sidewalk repairs, bridges and culverts.  Traffic management is also undertaken by this division to ensure the safe and efficient movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic on the Town of Lakeshore roads.

Upon completion of an Infrastructure and Asset Management Plan, we will be in a position to develop and implement a long range Capital Roads Programs. 

Finance and Performance Services

The finance department is comprised of two main areas. One deals with the billing and collecting of revenues and the other with the payment of bills, payroll and the provision of financial information for the benefit of other departments, along with the public.  Finance is equally committed to the provision of excellent customer service for ratepayer and general public enquiries.  New, as well as changed, legislation over the years has resulted in new challenges for the department in terms of work flows and procedures.  Some of the current projects underway, as well as additional information on each area is provided below.

Revenue

Patti Atkinson, (519) 728-2700 Ext. 249

This includes the preparation and collection of all property tax bills, which are issued twice a year as well as water and wastewater bills issued bi-monthly.  Invoices for recoverable costs such as arena usage, drainage maintenance and developer services are billed monthly to assist with cash flow and ensure costs are recovered on a timely basis.  There are 7 full time staff members assigned to this section of the department.

Accounting

Wendy Poole, (519) 728-2700 Ext. 250

Services include accounts payable, payroll, cash management, investments, grant claims and general ledger account reconciliations and balancing.  Financial statement preparation, along with Ministry reporting, is an annual requirement.  There are currently 3 full time staff members assigned to this section.

Finance, with input from the various other departments, is responsible for annual budgeting and planning to ensure that the financial resources are available for the provision of necessary services, now and in the long term.  Information and input are provided to all departments for business plans, development related projects and the financial impact on council reports. 

Key elements of the department include:

• Fulfilling the responsibilities as set out in the Municipal Act with respect to finances
• Providing necessary financial information for other departments for effective and efficient decision making
• Providing excellent customer service to both external and internal stakeholders such as ratepayers, developers and others
• Maintaining and improving financial policies as changes occur both internally and externally

Some of the projects for 2007 include:

• Research, planning and implementation of asset capitalization as required by the Public Sector Accounting Board of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants
• Assisting in the establishment of asset management practices and procedures
• Assisting with business plans to determine fee structures for recoverable services
• Incorporating master plans into a long-term financial plan for all operations of the Town of Lakeshore

Community and Development Services

Community and Development Services is a customer service focused department comprised of 4 main divisions:

• Development Services
• Recreation and Facilities
• Fire Services
• Police Services

These divisions work co-operatively and in harmony with the balance of the administrative structure.  The CDS divisions pride themselves on exemplary customer service and commitment to the residents of Lakeshore.

As a rapidly growing Town of 35,000, the Community and Development Services division is constantly updating its policies and procedures to respond to the many needs of our residents.

Numerous long term studies and plans have recently been completed with this department. These important studies will ensure Council and Community and Development Services are providing the services the citizens of Lakeshore require in a planned, cost effective approach.  The 4 divisions are highlighted below.  I encourage you to review the division pages for more detailed information.

Development Services

(519) 728-2818

The Development Services Division provides planning, long range and land use functions for the Town of Lakeshore.  The department also provides the building permitting and inspection function for our residents. 

As a rapidly expanding community, this division is extremely busy.  It functions with a mix of municipal staff and planning professionals augmented by outside consultants on a fee for service basis.  The competent staff deal with a significant number of development and planning applications and an average of $120,000,000 of construction activity including approximately 450 new homes per year.

The division has recently completed a new Official Plan and is in the final stages of a new of a new comprehensive zoning by-law.

Recreation and Facilities

Todd Shoemaker, (519) 727-0470 Ext. 27

The Recreation and Facilities Division provides for the recreational needs of our ratepayers and visitors to the Town of Lakeshore.  Overseeing a 300 slip municipal marina (hot link) on Lake St. Clair, a twin pad ice facility (hot link) some 24 municipal parks (hot link) and the new Puce Sports and Rec Centre (hot link).

Coupled with the operations of the above facilities, the Recreation and Facilities Division also provides recreational and leisure programming for our citizens. 

This division has completed a master planning process that will set the direction for recreation services and facilities for the next 15 – 20 years.

Fire Services

Don Williamson, (519) 728-0550

The Fire Services Division provides fire suppression, inspection and education services to the residents of Lakeshore.

Comprised of 5 stations, the department is made up of some 100 volunteer firefighters.  Direction is provided by 5 full time administration  officers and clerical support staff. 

The department also provides medical support to the Land Ambulance Service through a tiered response agreement.  With 40 kilometres of 401 highway dividing Lakeshore, the department also provides emergency services to that  portion of the 400 series highway.

The Fire Services Division will be concluding a Master Planning Exercise in 2010 to plan for appropriate emergency services through 2020.

Police Services

John Collins, (519) 728-1810

The Police Services Division provides all police services to the residents and visitors to the Town of Lakeshore.  Governed by a 5 member Police Services Board, this division provides services through an OPP contract.

The division functions in co-operation with, and as part of the Essex Detachment of the OPP.  Besides providing all aspects of the day to day police services, the division also provides marine services to our 40 kms of Lake St. Clair shoreline and rivers.

Through proactive law enforcement, the service ensures that a safe environment exists within the 531 square kilometres of land area in Lakeshore.