DBI outlines staffing, backlog and outreach plans; announces Oct. 25 public summit

Acting Director Amy Lee updated the commission on operational matters including an MIS reprocurement, plan-review backlogs, staffing and an outreach summit.

Lee said an earlier combined RFP produced widely divergent bids, so staff separated the street-address mapping and reengineering work to attract a broader pool of vendors; staff expect selection activity within 30–60 days and said a previously selected vendor could begin work as early as December once minor contract details are resolved.

On performance, staff reported a modest change in average turnaround statistics for July and August and a plan-review backlog averaging about 22 days for major projects. Lee said the department is standardizing how divisions count turnaround and will monitor performance weekly. Financial reports provided to commissioners showed year-to-date expenditures of about $5.7 million and revenues of roughly $6.75 million, with seasonal revenue patterns expected to close gaps later in the fiscal year.

Lee also said DBI has about 29 filled engineering positions and a few vacancies being recruited. Communications staff described a "Meet the DBI Professionals" summit planned for Oct. 25 at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, with workshops on permitting, tenant/landlord responsibilities, high-rise safety and lead-paint enforcement; preregistration stood at about 100 and workshop sizes were averaging 30–50.

Commissioners praised staff work on the Bloomingdale’s opening and welcomed the summit as an outreach tool. Staff asked commissioners to help distribute materials and encouraged public registration.