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Building Inspection Commission unanimously approves Department of Building Inspection budget
Summary
The Building Inspection Commission on Feb. 7 approved DBI—s proposed budget for FY2012–13 through FY2014–15, reallocating $40,000 to code-enforcement outreach, planning to add 20–25 inspectors and funding a multi-year building remodel from fund balance.
The Building Inspection Commission voted unanimously on Feb. 7, 2013 to approve the Department of Building Inspection—s proposed budget for fiscal years 2012–13 through 2014–15, a package staff said will fund staffing increases, technology upgrades and a multi-year remodel of DBI offices.
Pamela Levin of the Department of Building Inspection presented the proposal and said staff moved $40,000 into the Code Enforcement Outreach Program (CO-OP) within city grants at the request of Commissioner Cohen to expand outreach in a targeted area of the city. Levin told commissioners the department expects to add "between now and July somewhere between 20 to 25 additional inspectors" and is adjusting budget lines and fringe projections as it finalizes information from the Comptroller—s Office and DHR.
The presentation focused heavily on fleet needs. Levin said DBI plans to request a waiver in March from the Department of Environment to the Healthy Air and Clean Transportation Ordinance (HACTO) vehicle-reduction requirement and expects a decision by April. She described several alternatives staff is pursuing: car-sharing, retaining some replaced vehicles, and a memorandum-of-understanding option under which inspectors use personal vehicles with compensation of about $40–$100 per month and issuance of parking placards to allow metered parking.
Commissioner Michelle Melgar asked whether DBI had budgeted to replace retiring vehicles with electric cars and whether that would be accepted in lieu of reducing overall fleet size. Levin and other staff responded that DBI currently has no electric vehicles and only a small number of hybrids or CNG vehicles, that charging infrastructure and permitting at DBI facilities are constraints, and that vehicle decisions involve the Department of Environment, the City Administrator—s Office and the Mayor—s Budget Office.
Levin also said DBI expects changes in its revenue streams because Planning now collects certain development impact fees; as a result DBI will use a transfer from its fund balance to cover the difference between projected expenditures and revenues. She described the fund balance as a source for one-time activities and capital projects and said DBI is working with the Comptroller—s Office to develop policies on appropriate reserve levels.
Commissioners pressed staff on operational items. Levin said an existing RFP covers ongoing records scanning and archival transfers and that DBI plans to index records in-house using budgeted positions. On facilities, Acting Director Khanh Phoo said DBI will prioritize remodeling (starting with the fourth and second floors and a larger first-floor reconfiguration) to accommodate staff and incoming inspectors; Levin said the current plan calls for $1,000,000 this year, $2,000,000 next year and $2,000,000 the following year, and commissioners discussed an estimated $5,000,000 total over two to three years pending DPW design estimates.
A member of the public, Suzanne Tucker, asked about a memorandum of understanding between DBI and the Housing Authority and whether funds for advisory inspection services are shown in DBI—s budget and being used effectively. Deputy Director Sweeney replied that an MOU exists but typically does not specify dollar amounts, that the Housing Authority has its own inspectors and on-site managers, and that DBI responds to tenant complaints and issues notices of violation that are recorded in DBI—s MIS system.
On technology, Levin said DBI budgeted for the new Acela permitting system, including implementation, training and any required programming or interfaces, and that ongoing maintenance is funded by a dedicated technology fee (2 percent on permits) that code restricts to that use.
Commissioner Michelle Melgar moved approval of the budget; a second was given and the commission conducted a roll-call vote. President McCarthy, Vice President Marr, Commissioner McCray, Commissioner Melgar, Commissioner Lee and Commissioner Clinch all voted yes. The motion carried unanimously and the budget was approved.
The commission noted the next regular meeting is scheduled for Feb. 20.
