Q&A
Council Member Ariola questions Parks Department on staffing and organization
0:57:54
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Council Member Joann Ariola engages in a Q&A session with Parks Department representatives, focusing on staffing levels, organizational structure, and the challenges faced by the department in managing natural areas. The discussion highlights the limited number of employees managing a vast acreage of parkland and natural areas.
- The Parks Department manages 30,000 acres of parkland, with 14,000 acres classified as natural areas.
- Only about 60 employees work in the Natural Resources Group to manage these 14,000 acres of natural areas.
- The conversation reveals the organizational structure of the Parks Department, with Forestry directors reporting to the assistant commissioner rather than borough commissioners.
- Council Member Ariola expresses support for Intro 800, which aims to codify criteria for prioritizing tree maintenance.
Joann Ariola
0:57:54
Thank you, council member.
0:57:57
Council member Paladino brings up a a very good point.
0:57:59
I have just a couple of more questions and then I will yield to my to my colleagues.
0:58:03
So you said there's 14 acres of parks?
0:58:06
14,000.
0:58:07
14,000.
0:58:08
I'm sorry.
0:58:08
I I didn't see the k.
0:58:10
14,000 acres.
0:58:11
Acres.
0:58:12
And how many employees?
0:58:15
Was that the 60 that you're talking about?
Marit Larsen
0:58:19
Yeah.
0:58:19
Parks department has 30,000 acres of parkland, and fourteen 1,000 of those we characterize as natural areas.
0:58:28
Within our natural areas, group, we have usually, it fluctuates, of course, around 60.
Joann Ariola
0:58:35
And what's the total of employees?
Marit Larsen
0:58:38
In the parks department.
Joann Ariola
0:58:39
No.
0:58:40
That that address parks and natural resources.
Marit Larsen
0:58:42
Yeah.
0:58:43
Within our natural resources group, it's about 60.
Joann Ariola
0:58:45
60 is the number.
0:58:46
Yeah.
0:58:47
Wow.
0:58:48
Okay.
0:58:48
So that's certainly not enough, especially with the issues we have now.
0:58:54
So I will be working with with chair Shaker, Krishnan, and the rest of the committee members to make sure that we address these during our budget budget, rounds.
0:59:06
The other thing is is why when we call, over to Parks for Forestry, why is it that Forestry does not answer to the borough commissioners?
Matt Drury
0:59:22
Okay.
0:59:23
Sorry.
0:59:23
No.
0:59:23
It's an interesting question.
0:59:25
So the in terms of the org chart of the agency.
0:59:27
So, the borough commissioners are extremely important, and and work very, very closely.
0:59:33
But in terms of the org chart, I believe, yes, the so the forestry directors would report to assistant commissioner Osborne who then reports in turn to our deputy commissioner, Jennifer Greenfeld for, environment and planning.
0:59:45
So it's, but having said that, there are very, very, close relationships with the borough commissioners who know sort of conditions sort of out there in the neighborhoods and with key stakeholders such as elected officials, and they are a core core core part of of the conversations that happen in terms of, you know, how to prioritize, our efforts and how to communicate Kate about those efforts.
1:00:03
But in terms of the reporting structure, you're you're correct that the the forestry staff is is is sort of that vertical, if you will, is is through the environment and planning, division.
Joann Ariola
1:00:13
That's why I think inter o 800 is so very important, and I'm proud to be a cosponsor.