Q&A
Update on Local Law 97 implementation and staffing at DOB
3:24:18
·
119 sec
Deputy Commissioner Laura Popa provides an update on the staffing dedicated to Local Law 97 implementation at the Department of Buildings. She reports significant progress in staffing levels compared to previous hearings.
- DOB has a new bureau with 66 budgeted positions, of which 21 are focused on Local Law 97
- The department is working on aligning older laws with Local Law 97 to streamline processes
- There has been substantial progress in staffing compared to previous reports
Lincoln Restler
3:24:18
Then lastly, I just saw local on 97.
3:24:20
I I won't be too tough today, but we'd love to just ask a couple of questions if that's alright.
3:24:25
Yeah.
3:24:25
Thank you, Gus.
3:24:26
Sorry, Gus.
3:24:27
No worries.
Gale A. Brewer
3:24:32
Hi.
Lincoln Restler
3:24:33
I agree with everything that the commissioner and my colleague said about you, so it's good to see a deputy commissioner.
3:24:42
Just firstly, in previous hearings, we've asked questions about how many staff at DOB are focused on local law 97, if you could give us an update on that.
UNKNOWN
3:24:50
Okay.
3:24:50
Before your answer, let me just swear you in.
3:24:52
You raise your
Lincoln Restler
3:24:52
right hand.
UNKNOWN
3:24:54
Do you do you affirm to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing the truth before this committee and to respond honestly to council member questions.
3:25:00
Yes.
3:25:00
Thank you.
Laura Popa
3:25:02
So council member, we have a new bureau.
3:25:06
As of a year and a half when I came in.
3:25:08
And the total staff at the bureau is 66 budgeted positions.
3:25:13
And the local NOG 97 staff is around 21.
3:25:18
And we are I
Lincoln Restler
3:25:19
mean, those physicians are filled.
Laura Popa
3:25:22
All of them.
3:25:23
Great.
3:25:23
Yeah.
3:25:24
All of them.
3:25:25
So we have we have a 4 a 4 person vacancy.
3:25:28
We have we're we're down four people.
Lincoln Restler
3:25:30
Congratulations.
Laura Popa
3:25:32
Yeah.
3:25:32
So and we're working towards expansion.
3:25:34
And also, you know, it's a reorg too.
3:25:37
Right?
3:25:37
So we have these old laws that we past in 9.
3:25:42
And we're aligning them with 97, like benchmarking and auditing and retro commissioning.
3:25:46
And so staff working on that.
3:25:48
We're kind of transitioning a bit to 97 because we're trying to figure out how to make it streamline and the least onerous on building owners and on on our administrative staff.
3:25:59
So it's a work in progress, but we do have a fair amount of people working on this.
Lincoln Restler
3:26:05
I'm happy to hear about the progress.
3:26:07
My last time, I think there was It's like we were talking about 7 or 11 staff members.
3:26:12
So, yep, substantial progress from what I can recall.
3:26:15
I apologize to note at the number in front of me.