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Criticism of DOT managing the outdoor dining program
0:46:35
·
139 sec
Council Member Julie Menin expresses strong criticism of the decision to have the Department of Transportation (DOT) manage the outdoor dining program. Key points include:
- Menin argues that the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) should have been given jurisdiction over the program
- DCWP has a physical licensing center where people can get in-person assistance
- Concern that a transit agency (DOT) is managing a licensing program
- Rob Bookman provides historical context on the previous application process under DCWP
Julie Menin
0:46:35
Absolutely.
0:46:35
And that is why, and and I know you're aware of this, I objected to the original this original bill to this aspect of it, that DOT should never have been given the jurisdiction over this program.
0:46:45
It should have always gone to DCWP, which has a licensing center right down the street that you can walk into, that when people have issues, they can actually talk to someone to help them fill the paperwork out.
0:46:56
I mean, why would we give this program to a transit agency?
0:47:00
Why wouldn't we give the program to a licensing agency?
0:47:03
And we simply did not have those concerns, quite frankly.
0:47:07
And Rob, I know you can attest to this.
0:47:08
You know, we worked together a long time on DCWP issues around the sidewalk cafe issues.
0:47:14
So I'm very concerned about that aspect of this.
Rob Bookman
0:47:17
I filed thousand applications over the years under the old I still call it consumer affairs.
0:47:23
I'm sorry.
0:47:23
That's where I met my wife and it was we both worked in consumer affairs.
0:47:27
So for me, it's the Department of Consumer Affairs.
0:47:31
I filed over a thousand applications.
0:47:33
You physically went there.
0:47:34
It was it was a special application unit, not even a window.
0:47:38
It was special application unit because it was complicated.
0:47:40
There's plans, there's photographs, there's a lot of documents.
0:47:43
Somebody would sit down with you.
0:47:44
You can make an appointment or wait.
0:47:46
They would review it and they would either say no.
0:47:49
This you need this, you need that, and then come on back, we'll accept the application.
0:47:54
Or you got everything here, stamped, approved.
0:47:57
Within five days, they sent that on to the next step in, you know, in the process while they did their substantive review.
0:48:06
That was listen.
0:48:07
That was a compromise.
0:48:09
The administration insisted on it being DOT.
0:48:14
I think they, you know, they they've done the best job they can being
Julie Menin
0:48:18
a I just wanna interrupt for minute.
0:48:19
I just wanna say it again.
0:48:20
The administration insisted that it be DOT.
Rob Bookman
0:48:23
Yes.
Julie Menin
0:48:24
We I we I couldn't have been clearer personally with my objections.
0:48:27
I know other colleagues had objections around DOT.
0:48:30
And now I think we are all paying the price, and quite frankly, it needs to be remedied.
0:48:34
That's one of the goals of this hearing.
0:48:36
I do have one more question, then I wanted to turn it over to the chair and the colleagues who I know have a number of questions.
0:48:42
Can you specifically say why you believe that only 67 restaurants have completed the entire application process and revocable consent at this juncture?