Get Started: Make the Commitment

 

The process of climate change adaptation planning requires a commitment from local government elected officials and staff. A community can expect to use staff time, budget and volunteer hours. It is important to note that because this process requires staff time, the commitment usually requires a resolution from council to move ahead.

Time Commitment Estimates – Council and City Staff

In summary, the key contact/staff member will spend approximately 10 days on the project. Additional staff and councilors will participate throughout the project for two to four days depending. Please be aware that this time is in addition to the local coordinator and/or consultants.

Detailed estimates for Kimberley and Elkford (2008-2009) are below.

Elkford

  • Learning Network (CAO) – 40 hours
  • City Planner or CAO – 40 hours
  • Director of Financial Services – 4 days
  • City Engineer or Operations Manager – 4 days
  • Mayor and some Council members – 2 days

Total in-kind hours: approximately 90 hours

Kimberley

Estimates below are based on time spent at workshops, in issue working groups and/or at steering committee meetings. Kimberley had four public workshops, four working groups that each met twice, and the project Steering Committee (which included the city planner and economic development officer) which met once a month through most of the project.

  • City Planner - 10 days
  • City Operations Manager - 3 days
  • Fire Chief - 2 days
  • Mayor - 3 days
  • Councilors - average of 1.5 days each
  • Economic Development Officer - 2 days

Total in-kind hours including volunteers, steering committee and staff: 753

Please note: When this is tried in large cities, and when you have much larger and more extensive city departments, the time required from each department champion may amount to a lot of time and the process may take much longer.