Administration proposes splitting community development from public works to accelerate housing work

The administration proposed reorganizing departmental reporting to place community development and housing-focused functions under a community development lead, separate from public works. Office of Management and Budget Director Brass explained the change is intended to "remove a layer of middle management" and to let community development focus more directly on housing-related departments.

Director Brass mapped the current chain-of-command in the Planning, Development and Public Works functions, saying the proposal would separate the previous supervisory chain that included a planning and public works link (naming Lance Wilbur, Kent Kohlhase, Craig Soule, Miley Sibbab and Tiffany Bridal as the directors occupying those roles). The administration described the move as both practical and aspirational—intended to better align staff with the mayor's housing priorities while preserving cross-functional collaboration on issues such as transportation and road safety.

Assembly members raised concerns that separating the functions could inadvertently silo transportation and neighborhood planning. One member urged that the reorganization include language in the ordinance or accompanying materials to "signify or identify" the intended coordination between transportation and neighborhood planning so the operational link is explicit in the code or presentation. Director Brass acknowledged the concern and said the administration would "take it under advisement" and consider how to present the intended synergies in the ordinance or materials.

Next steps: The reorganization was presented for Assembly review as part of the budget work session; members asked for additional documentation and historical org charts so they can weigh potential impacts before final action on the ordinance.