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Q&A
Discussion on Parks Department's decision-making process for problematic contractors
1:08:40
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94 sec
Council Member Krishnan questions the Parks Department's approach to working with contractors involved in serious legal issues. Commissioner Donoghue explains the department's decision-making process and oversight measures.
- The department aims to improve and invest in urban canopy as fairly and efficiently as possible
- Contractors are under an active monitoring agreement overseen by the Department of Investigation
- Parks contracting determinations are made based on a thorough review of a vendor's business experience and ability to meet project requirements
- The department relies on the active monitoring agreement for ethical and criminal conduct standards
Shekar Krishnan
1:08:40
Yep.
1:08:41
And so I fail to understand the Parks Department's approach to working with these deeply problematic contractors that are multiple times tied up in serious, federal criminal charges.
1:08:54
What is the decision making process here to continue going back and doing business with these actors?
Susan Donoghue
1:09:00
Thank you, council member, for the question.
1:09:02
And as you said earlier, you know, plant planting trees equitably and across all the city is really important to the parks department and in order for us to improve and invest in our urban Canterbury as fairly and efficiently as possible, We believe it's in the best interest of New Yorkers to continue working with the contracted.
1:09:24
They're under an active monitoring agreement that's overseen by the Department of Investigation and so we we, our parks contracting determinations are made prior to each award based on a thorough review of a vendor's business experience and ability to meet the requirements of the project.
1:09:44
And so, you know, we are doing our best to, you know, really enhance and invest in the urban tree canopy as fairly and efficiently as possible.
Shekar Krishnan
1:09:51
But are there a set of standards, you know, whether it's ethical standards, criminal conduct, that especially goes to the business practices of these tree contractors that you all employ in evaluating whether to give them contracts or to deny them contracts?
Susan Donoghue
1:10:07
That is where the active monitoring agreement overseen by the Department of Investigations, that's what we rely on.