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AGENCY TESTIMONY
Introduction and acknowledgment of DOB leadership team
2:50:57
ยท
122 sec
Commissioner Jimmy Oddo of the New York City Department of Buildings introduces himself and his leadership team to the Committee on Housing and Buildings. He expresses gratitude for the collaboration with the committee and other council members over the past two years.
- Emphasizes that building and construction site safety is his top priority
- Highlights progress made in making the city's built environment safer and more livable
- Mentions partnering with the council to advocate for additional resources and address community issues
James "Jimmy" S. Oddo
2:50:57
Good afternoon Chair Sanchez and members of the Committee on Housing and Buildings.
2:51:01
I'm Jimmy Otto, commissioner of the New York City Department of Buildings.
2:51:05
I'm joined today by several members of the department's leadership team.
2:51:08
Gus Sarakis, deputy commissioner for development and technical affairs.
2:51:12
Gina Ugarthe, the deputy commissioner for finance.
2:51:15
Guillermo Patino, deputy commissioner for policy and legal affairs.
2:51:19
Laura Popa, deputy commissioner for sustainability.
2:51:23
Yigal Shamash, deputy commissioner for enforcement, and Mark Sinabria, deputy commissioner for administration.
2:51:30
And and madam chair, I'm happy that we're in the big room of the chamber so that the dais could be complete because the wonderful public service at the dais are the reason why this agency has held it together during some difficult financial times and the good things you're gonna hear about in the testimony and in response to your questions.
2:51:50
And there are good things.
2:51:52
Are the work of the folks at dais, the men and women behind them.
2:51:59
And I'm gonna try to do a better job of incorporating their responses to your questions.
2:52:04
Before I discuss fiscal year twenty twenty six preliminary budget, I wanna take a moment to thank you chair Sanchez as well as the members of this committee and countless other council members who have worked closely with the department during my tenure as commissioner over the past two years.
2:52:21
When I was appointed commissioner in 2023, I made it clear that keeping buildings and construction sites safe would be my top priority.
2:52:29
Working together, we have made strides to make New York City's built environment safer and more livable.
2:52:35
This includes partnering to advocate for additional resources for the department to take a proactive approach to building safety, additional resources to address quality of life issues facing New Yorkers and working together to solve local issues raised by your offices, other elected officials' offices, and community boards.
2:52:54
I look forward to continuing to work together on behalf of all New Yorkers.