QUESTION
How was the additional $1,000,000 for Project Cupid determined, and what is its future?
0:18:18
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173 sec
Deputy Commissioner Pemberton explains the funding and future of Project Cupid, a program for online marriage licenses initiated during COVID.
- The additional $1,000,000 for licenses and technical support was proposed by OTI, mainly for system maintenance.
- Project Cupid was started during COVID to facilitate online marriage licenses without the need for physical presence.
- The future of Project Cupid beyond 2025 remains uncertain, with discussions ongoing with OMB and the City Clerk.
- There is mention of continuous enhancements to the system, indicating ongoing development and adjustments.
Jennifer Gutiérrez
0:18:18
Can I ask about Project Cupid?
Matthew Fraser
0:18:23
Project Cupid.
0:18:24
Sure.
0:18:24
I'd I'd also defer to the deputy commissioner.
Jennifer Gutiérrez
0:18:26
Yeah.
0:18:26
No.
0:18:26
No, please.
0:18:27
So just wanna under how the additional 1,000,000 for licenses and technical support was determined.
0:18:34
And is there any new technology being integrated?
0:18:37
And just maybe tell us what it is, just for folks that don't know.
Edwin Pemberton
0:18:41
So Project Cupid was a program that started during COVID, it it was pretty much for carrying online marriage licenses to help people, you know, didn't have to actually come in.
0:18:53
So it was it was definitely something that was needed at that time.
Jennifer Gutiérrez
0:18:56
Mhmm.
Edwin Pemberton
0:18:57
We're we're carrying the the oversight of the project as a system build, we will engage with the city clerk to to help build that program very quickly.
0:19:07
And something that we wanted to get funded as as the program.
0:19:11
You know, decisions are made whether to keep this program going.
0:19:17
We we are getting reimbursed from o and b.
Jennifer Gutiérrez
0:19:19
Okay.
0:19:19
And the oh, well, I've had pretty in the last, like, 2 years.
0:19:25
I know the first year that I rolled out was a little bumpy, but I've heard pretty good feedback about it.
0:19:29
But is the idea to maintain this as, like, in purpose activity that New Yorkers can attain their license virtually using Project Cupid.
Edwin Pemberton
0:19:40
So we work with OMB and and to declare to decide exactly what the future would be.
0:19:45
Mhmm.
0:19:46
And and, again, it's it it was a system that was just interim process.
0:19:51
So City clerk will be work working with OMB to decide how to keep that program going.
Jennifer Gutiérrez
0:19:57
Oh, okay.
0:19:57
Okay.
0:19:58
So you're not sure if it's going to be a permanent program beyond
Edwin Pemberton
0:20:02
2025.
0:20:03
Yeah.
Jennifer Gutiérrez
0:20:04
Okay.
0:20:04
And so can you tell me how the $1,000,000 for for Project Cupid was determined as far as that's what we have in our, I see, commissioner commissioner.
0:20:15
He's just raising his eyebrows But can you tell me, yeah, how did you land on the $1,000,000 for especially not not necessarily knowing that it's gonna be per minute.
0:20:22
And if there's any new technology that you're gonna be integrated or that will be integrated into the program.
Edwin Pemberton
0:20:29
So the system was built and constantly those enhancements that that has to be done throughout know, to try to process.
0:20:36
So as we maintain and actually direct with City Clerk, what you know, we have consultants who are actually taking care of all the enhancements while the system is going.
0:20:48
So it it pretty much pays to support the system.
Jennifer Gutiérrez
0:20:51
Okay.
0:20:52
But and the 1,000,000 was proposed by OTI or the city clerk?
Edwin Pemberton
0:20:57
It was proposed by OTI to to maintain the system.
Jennifer Gutiérrez
0:21:01
Okay.
0:21:01
So it's just for maintenance.
Edwin Pemberton
0:21:02
Right.
0:21:02
May main maintain the current system that that was built.
Jennifer Gutiérrez
0:21:08
Jeez.
0:21:10
Okay.
0:21:10
Feels like a lot.