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Q&A
DCP staffing levels and vacancy rates
0:22:14
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Council Member Salamanca inquires about DCP's staffing levels and vacancy rates, particularly in relation to advancing the administration's housing growth and zoning goals. Director Garodnick provides an update on the department's progress in reducing vacancies and improving retention.
- DCP's vacancy rate has decreased significantly, from about 14% to around 10% when accounting for new hires in the pipeline
- Attrition rate has dropped from 14% to 4% in the past year
- The department is working to remain competitive in terms of salaries and creating an attractive work environment
Rafael Salamanca
0:22:14
Alright.
0:22:16
We've just wanna recognize that we've been joined also by council member Betina Sanchez on via Zoom.
0:22:21
Alright.
0:22:21
Let's talk about staffing and attrition.
0:22:24
So DCP plays a central role in advancing the administration's housing growth and zoning goals including the city of Yes agenda.
0:22:31
Currently, the department has 13.3% vacancy rate, about half of the rate about half of the rate it had in July of twenty twenty two.
0:22:41
While the progress made since 2022 is welcome, DCP's borough offices are still struggling with staffing and the department's overall vacancy rate is roughly the same as last year's.
0:22:53
So how is the high number of vacancies impacting the timelines for processing of applications at DCP?
0:23:00
And how many of these applications are for housing projects to address the city's housing crisis?
Dan Garodnick
0:23:06
Thank you for the question.
0:23:07
Well, first of all, it is important to note that our vacancy rate has gone significantly down the last couple of years.
0:23:13
We've taken real steps to address that issue.
0:23:16
The number that you cited of our nearly 14% officially reported vacancy rate is actually a little bit lower when you consider dormant grant funded positions for which there are six, and new hires that are already in the pipeline for which there are about eight, that brings us down to around 10%.
0:23:38
So we are still moving in the right direction.
0:23:41
Also, know, as I noted in my opening, our attrition is down significantly last year 4% compared to 14% in the year before.
0:23:54
So we feel like things have significantly stabilized at the Department of City Planning.
0:23:59
I don't think that there has been any question about the ambition of the department as it relates to our work program.
0:24:04
Certainly, have sent plenty of that over to you, Mr.
0:24:07
Chairman, and this committee, and the full council, and we feel poised to be able to continue to do that.
0:24:14
Although I don't think there's gonna be any more City of Yes initiatives coming your way this year, so don't Is
Rafael Salamanca
0:24:19
is the salary an issue with retaining staff?
Dan Garodnick
0:24:25
Always.
0:24:25
We wanna make sure that we are competitive.
0:24:28
We wanna try to keep people.
0:24:30
Obviously, we made some adjustments due to collective bargaining this year, which was helpful.
0:24:36
And so we do our very best to not only pay people well, but also to create an environment where people see this as a great opportunity.
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We want the Department of City Planning to be the pinnacle of one's opportunity in the planning world.
0:24:56
And I think a lot of people do see that because of the incredible work that's coming out of our agency.
Rafael Salamanca
0:25:00
My question more is in terms of the closing of projects.