August 20, 2009
PUBLIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MEETING NOTES
Monday, August 20, 2009
2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
1660 Mission Street
Room 2001
1. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
Vivian Day welcomed attendees to the meeting and introductions were made.
2. UPDATE ON DBI COMPUTER SYSTEMS
The new PTS system will allow for sharing of information access across all City Departments as to the status of projects. Users will be able to track by project number or common name. The hardware system will be held offsite and maintained by DT to grow as needed. The system will be able to link to GIS and other systems.
DBI/Planning is still under contract negotiations and reviewing statement of work to provide clarity.
It was suggested to make sure floor of project is listed in the new system.
New system will save staff time at CPB with auto-populations of standard information.
Once permits have expired, an automatic letter will be generated and sent to the owner. Inspector could add “resolved” in the job description of the new permit which will be linked to the old permit.
3. OBTAINING PERMITS ON PROPERTIES WITH ACTIVE COMPLAINTS
It was suggested that DBI staff be trained on handling issuing of permits on properties with unverified complaints. Properties that have a formal NOV issued are not a problem. Staff has discretion to check and resolve the issue on the spot. Vivian will work with 4th floor staff on addressing this item.
Additionally, it was suggested to make the location on the complaints as specific as possible, such as Suite123, not the whole building.
4. ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION
Vivian reviewed the Owner-Builder requirements in other jurisdictions.
There was an inquiry as to why DBI was contracting with a Canadian business for the PTS. Participant objects to contracting outside San Francisco. The company does not meet HRC requirements locally. Director Day stated that the City is not buying programmers but a complete system. DBI staff will be handling the programming, not an outsider. This is an off-the-shelf system. The department will be adding staff with this new system. Existing software is limited, and this new software is a state of the art, city-wide system. They are still in the process of negotiating the contract. Any sub-contractor must use/conform with San Francisco laws. All vendors who bid had to meet City requirements. There were six bids, some of which were local bidders.
There was an inquiry on the maintenance and monitoring fee on code violations.
A representative from BOMA commented that they were pleased to be able to pay permit fees on the 4th floor. This will surely relieve the lines at CPB. DBI is continuing to work on improving its payment systems.
A problem at intake was discussed. Director Day reported that basic inquiries will be handled at the 1st floor. Once the applicant is ready, they can proceed to the 5th floor as of October 1st. By November, the process should be substantially better.
There was an inquiry about a staff retirement and whether DBI would be submitting a requisition to fill the position and bring staff back. Director Day stated this depends on Civil Service rules.
There was a comment about OTC operations. All systems are able to approve permits but DPW takes five more days. John Kwong stated that the first come, first served DBI OTC may not be DPW’s OTC. DPW code does not permit premium service route. This could improve with the new 5th floor operation and DPW staff.
5. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
No future agenda items were discussed.
6. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.
