Building Congress Event
Espresso with Carlo Featuring NYC DOB Commissioner Melanie La Rocca
Webinar in the News
Engineering News Record:
New York City Buildings Commissioner Notes Agency Role In COVID-19 Project Curbs
Webinar Transcript
Note this auto-generated transcript is provided as a tool to help our members locate moments in the webinar. Quotes taken from the transcription should always be verified in the actual recording.
Carlo Scissura 00:03
...on Pause, I dont think any of us ever expected to be going through at this point in our in our lives, we are building Congress continues to be here for everybody in our industry. And obviously we are working as hard as we can to continue to get updates to ensure that leaders on the city, state and federal level understanding of the building industry, and what it means for not just New York City and the region, but really the effect that has on our economy, how the building industry really is poised to start up and we start thinking about rebuilding our economy and getting back to work. And when you think about rebuilding the city and getting back to work and Building/construction, obviously there is no one I can think of better. Who knows this stuff inside out and that is commissioner of the New York City Department buildings. Dear friend Melanie la Rocca.
Carlo Scissura 01:14
Commissioner, I'm going to skip this wonderful intro that I had planned for you. Because we have people that are already writing questions. So I say we jump right into it. I will just say one thing before I introduce the commissioner to give a minute or two of opening this, this commissioner has probably the hardest job right now in New York City, in terms of our industry, because with the guidance of the state and the city, the Fed. I mean, there's so many different things that come online every day. It's the commissioner and her team that really are dealing with it and are updating us constantly. So Commissioner, welcome to Espresso with Carlo - I am actually having my spresso There you are, you're having your coffee. So, Commissioner, I'm gonna ask you to just give a minute or two. And then we'll jump right into I have some questions. And I know we have lots of them.
Melanie La Rocca 02:14
It sounds great. Thank you Carlo. It's a pleasure to be here I'm dialing in from beautiful 280 Broadway. So you know, certainly my view behind me is while literally the same because the buildings are all there and I'm thankful for that. It is quite a different view from my office from my perch today than it was two months ago. And it's almost incomprehensible how two months ago, February seems like literally a lifetime ago. It is really quite remarkable how you lose track of you know how disorienting this has been You know, I don't know, for others on but certainly for me, no concept of time no concept of days it just it is every day is another repeat of yesterday with the goal of getting a little closer to normal.
Melanie La Rocca 03:19
And meanwhile this entire time we've been operating in some way shape or form as we normally would have meaning the core function of what we do has been continuing because obviously the construction industry has been continuing now with the governor's executive order and our subsequent guidance to that are two guidance that we put out. There have been limits to that, but but construction is still working. It still is still going on. And we still have people visiting our offices to continue the activities that lead up to construction. So our pre development, our A&E teams, industry partners are still coming in, how they interact with us has changed dramatically.
Melanie La Rocca 04:14
And in the last six weeks or so, we have taken an agency that has been for the last, you know, version of, however long we've been around has been paper based and paper driven. And we have started the rapid transformation of how this agency operates. So, a couple of interesting tidbits, and then I'll, I'll go I'll stop because I know folks have lots of questions and we have lots of people here and I want to hear from everybody. But we've had about 90% of construction sites are not currently active and we have about 90% change 90% reduction of in person interactions and business processing with the department. So you look at, you know, again, two months ago, that would have been unheard of. And in a little snippet of time, we've gone, we've changed pretty dramatically.
Melanie La Rocca 05:17
So that's where we are, we're still working, we're still still here to support everybody and make sure jobs are going ahead that are allowed to safely. So that's what we've been up to. And then I turn it back to you, Carlo.
Carlo Scissura 05:32
Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner. I was gonna ask you how have you adapted and I was the agency adapted, like a lot of changes, maybe, maybe jump in with what you find as the the biggest changes I think the agency has done that really affect the industry.
Melanie La Rocca 05:51
I think the most obvious change is been on that on that point about reducing our in person transactions. I mean, we'd spend every single day, we have a standing meeting here with my folks on where we are with COVID. And part of that is literally Where are we with our business process? You know, your tr ones and your bw ones like where are we with the individual forms and how that relates back into the all the other systems that we're doing, how we can continue to push those business processes on to a different non paper system. So whether that's through E filing, whether that's email, whether that's phone, whether that's mail, we are literally spending every minute of our time figuring out how we can change our process.
Melanie La Rocca 06:52
Now mind you, this is all under biz, which is which was never contemplated to do the things that we're asking. That system that mainframe to do. And this is also while we still are launching and moving forward with DOB now. We have cranes that have that's happening this weekend. So the things we're doing here in terms of how we're changing our model of delivery of service delivery, that stuff is happening so rapidly, that it's really impressive that we're all you know, able to keep up with it. And of course, we're giving folks as as much lead time as we can. But as we build as we change, e-submit as we change is all of that is happening essentially in real time. So that has been a really big part of how we're trying to make sure that our staff is safe. Certainly, that's my top priority. I've got to make sure my people are safe and still able to support the industry and how do you do that? The first thing to go was that in person interaction where where we could. So that's been pretty pretty time consuming. And also it's been really freeing, I think on my end to be able to say, look, we're going to change we have to change we all knew we have to change that's why they started DOB now, so many years ago, but now this is a real a real bump to that to say, we can't wait for the best version of what we can be which is will help us ideally now will help us get there. We've got to do it. Now. We've got to help ourselves now. So that's been that's been quite a quite feat today.
Carlo Scissura 08:46
And you guys are doing great with it. So look there. There are some sites that are open. Obviously, the governor and ESD have issued clarifications on essential obviously DOB has issued their guidelines on essential just quickly tell us what is essential in your mind. And then one question that goes with that. For registered construction sites, do they have to submit a weekly safety report? Or is it just for those that are suspended? So that's the question that I think goes with this one who's open who's working?
Melanie La Rocca 09:23
So right now we actually have about 90% of sites that are are not working. So the remaining universe is a little bit of sprinkling of kind of everybody. So for whose essential essential is irrelevant what my mind says, the guidance that we published the second guidance we published is that determining factor so a big piece of this though is I do want folks coming through our portal. If you anticipate that you will be reactivating your site. If you believe you are essential and want to reactivate your site go through our portal, our service levels on the portal are phenomenal. You're getting a response, same day, in some instances, one day turnaround in nearly every case. So if you think you're essential come to the portal. Before you start work, get your certificate from us, we created a certificate that you will get one you're through the portal that you can put on your job site. So it makes it very clear to everybody that you have in fact been deemed essential or that your work is falls under the emergency provisions. Makes it very simple and easy for my guys in the field for members of the public who are seeing this activity in some cases seeing sites that have been inactive now reactivated, And also that gets bundled with our real time map that is updated, like I said in real time. So we are though, as I mentioned, we do our daily COVID meetings and a big part of our COVID meeting today was talking about who's working, how many sites were seeing working, and are and are there any differences and I think it's pretty, pretty clear. Most of our sites are in the essential business versus the emergency. And within the essential, it is a pretty decent smattering all throughout. And remember ESD did broaden the categories of sites that could be deemed essential. So now it is both that the type of work is essential. The actual physical construction work that's happening is essential and the Nexus to an essential business. So I think our guidance is pretty clear. But I'm happy to dive into that a little deeper, folks.
Carlo Scissura 12:02
Yeah, no, I think, you know, it was a little confusing and not because of DOB, just because of all the back and forth. I think people now know what is essential versus non essential. And I think the conversation at least from what the calls and emails I get daily is, are we doing next? are we preparing? Can we got the essential we get it, but this is not the universe forever. So God willing, in a few weeks, a month, whatever that may be. We'll go back to work. Have you all started thinking about what that mean? Is there in your mind that you'll be going to be the phase-in process of how people go back to work? Or is it going to be you know, sites can reopen? And here are the new protocols? And what will the new protocols be on your end?
Melanie La Rocca 12:52
Yeah, so and you know what I realized I didn't answer your second part. Carlos, I'm sorry, of your the question you asked before. So on the sites that On the to do the, the weekly. And that's for sites that are not active,
Carlo Scissura 13:07
not active
Melanie La Rocca 13:08
...and that have site safety personnel assigned to it. So a subset of the entire permitted universe. And that's actually an area I'd like to see much better strict adherence from the industry on following those DOB rules. So we did actually send out yesterday a targeted email to permit holders and site safety professionals that are associated with jobs where those weeklies are required. So hopefully that reminds folks of their obligation. And obviously, I'm not trying you know, nobody here is trying to get folks out just to do unnecessary work. We are in fact every day doing inspections of sites, both essential sites and non essential sites. To ensure that the work is is happening safely and correctly and in accordance with plans, obviously, on the essential sites, but on the non essentials to make sure that they are still not activated and that there are no obvious safety issues. Because certainly we obviously have concerns about making sure during this period that our members of the public are safe. And there are no immediate hazards.
Melanie La Rocca 14:26
Now to your actual question about what the world looks like. You know, that one is probably the hardest question. That is pretty that presents itself to everybody. Right? From your perspective, it's a different your considerations are slightly different than mine, because now I'm thinking through Well, this has been an experience that none of us could have foreseen. The department has done things that we could never have ever done. Imagine we would be doing, I never would have imagined that my inspectors who are top notch committed DOB team members would be out and participating in the city's efforts to enforce the various executive orders around social distancing. around making sure that folks are not using spaces and gatherings, you know, these are things that are out
Carlo Scissura 15:27
not in their job description, right
Melanie La Rocca 15:29
Not in our job description. And yeah, not
Carlo Scissura 15:31
in what they studied for in school.
Melanie La Rocca 15:33
Certainly not and, you know, you ask any random person off the street. What does DOB do? The answer is never going to be they enforce social distancing, or they enforce the ban on gatherings. You know, that's not our typical but nothing of what anybody in the city is doing is their typical, so you know, what the future looks like in the future? what the future looks like, who knows, you know, Whether the governor is going to say everybody and the mayor are going to say everybody, you know, tomorrow go back to work or you phase in that approach and how that specifically impacts the industry that we deal with our universe. You know, your best guess is my best guess. But we can see that, you know, you've seen the loosening up from ESD on their guidance of what's essential. And obviously, we are ensuring that the department's guidance is in accordance and in keeping with esds.
Melanie La Rocca 15:48
But there's also you know, considerations that our colleagues in the medical field we'll have to weigh in on from my perspective, we'll be there to manage what that future looks like. And we've started those conversations we've heard from industry folks on what does it look like when we're all back to work? What does that mean that that next day, in terms of folks that are that are still working to get their plans approved, but now we Obviously held off on issuing new permits for non essential.
Melanie La Rocca 17:03
So you know, the questions have been ranging from I've got my job. What do you think DOB your turnaround time is going to be to make sure we can actually pull our permit when we're all back to work at that level we were at before this, and then the actual what happens on a job site? You know, how does that interaction take place?
Melanie La Rocca 17:25
I think the best thing that my department can do is one, make sure we can handle the volume on day one, or day one a, whatever it may be, and to make sure that we're communicating what that volume is to make sure everybody understands the expectations, just simple table setting. But equally as important as our service to the industry is what we want the industry to look like in the future. And part of that is really you know, what can we do as an apartment to support You as the industry's efforts to innovate efforts to change how you practice your business. And to make sure that where you want to advance and change, were keeping up with you. I don't ever believe that there should be a cat and mouse game happening between industry and the department. It's my job to support you. It's your job to do it. My lights just turned off Sorry about that. It's your job to do it right and in accordance with my with our rules, but that's a that's a relationship that we have to have together. Lights are back on.
Carlo Scissura 18:39
And, you know, I want to I want to touch on the innovation obviously, know the building Congress, at least in the last two years, we've really ramped up our Innovation Council and we hosted our first innovation event last year, which we will innovatively remotely This year, so stay tuned.
Carlo Scissura 19:01
But, you know, are there things that given the new world that we're going to be living in, even if even if we open may 15? You know, great, we're open, it's still not going to be the same as it was March 1, we get that. What are things that DOB can say, you know, we get social distancing. We understand the new norm. Are there things and one of our co chairs Tom Scarrangello has been leading this process has been talking about this with us as well, but are things like a technological solutions, that mean that fewer people have to come into DOB. That mean fewer inspectors need to be on a job site are the things we should start thinking about? That can do that.
Carlo Scissura 19:53
And then I just want to when you finish that I want to just backtrack a minute because one of the problems I think DOB all of us are going to face is that everyone we hope is going to want to get back to work on day one. So everyone's going to want to pull their permit day one. Are there things that DOB could be doing now, for people who, assuming have all their ducks in a row and are ready to work, but no permit, could they start doing some of that process now and get their permit ready so that they don't need to be online they want with everybody else. So I know there's two kinds of very different questions there. But, but we'll tackle em.
Melanie La Rocca 20:35
Okay, we'll take the first one. We'll take them in order, I should say. So on the innovative side, yeah, we're we're trying to figure out in the absence of DOB now, which is going to be the sort of the cherry on top of DOB innovating DOB catching up with The rest of the world and being in a position to make sure that we're the most efficient version of ourselves while we wait for that rollout to continue, and it is still proceeding, so I don't want folks to think that COVID has derailed that because that's critically important to our agency. So cranes happens. This weekend, we still are anticipating doing GC launch later this year. So that's still moving on track.
Melanie La Rocca 21:34
But what can we do now to limit how how people come into the department and frankly, to avoid the coming into the department. So, like I said, we've seen a 90% drop, since pre COVID on how many interactions you have to do person to person. That doesn't mean that we've gotten rid of all the paper or have gotten rid of all the No Contact drop off. that we have that we instituted immediately. So we have more work to do on our end, to try to figure out how we can start peeling away the differences between you know, you make this payment online, this payment, you have to come in and talk to 15 different people, we're going to use this opportunity to try to keep peeling away those layers of that onion. So that's on the interacting with DOB.
Melanie La Rocca 22:27
In the field. I would say, you know, from our perspective, and similar to Carlo, we've now really taken hold of the notion that we have to innovate for ourselves in a business process, you know, absolutely. But also we have to be a center of innovation. And we have to actually support innovation in the industry. And what does that actually mean from a product perspective? Right? We're the regulator. We're the enforcer. And so when we think of innovation, you know, I think people think that that just means that DOB itself has to innovate.
Melanie La Rocca 23:09
Well, at the end of the day, you cannot replace a in person inspection. And you cannot have technology replaced replace people, individuals, my team that's going out in the field to do complaint response or proactive inspections. But what you can do is have technology, A help the department do that, and B help the industry change their physical sites.
Melanie La Rocca 23:41
And so we launched yesterday, I think we sent out yesterday we sent out on Earth Day, we launched our sustainability Innovation Challenge. So if folks haven't seen that, check our website we put out the press release yesterday on the launch of our carbon neutral Innovation Challenge where we're partnering with urban tech hub, at company, it's an EDC speared group - to really drive home the notion that DOB itself is going to step into the role of innovation of an innovation hub and a leader in making sure that we're a voice in promoting innovation for the industry as a whole. Whether the department can use the specific innovative tool or not is irrelevant to me. I want the the industry to really embrace this.
Melanie La Rocca 24:40
So that's our first sort of step into the innovation world. We'll continue to do that. And for the folks, the semi finalists of the challenge we launched yesterday, we will actually have them presenting at our build safe live safe conference that we Sadly, had to move to September, September 25. Now -
Carlo Scissura 25:03
- we're all going to be very busy in September, that's
Melanie La Rocca 25:06
It's gonna be the
Carlo Scissura 25:07
Let me jump in one minute - you know, I'm just I'm thinking out loud. You know, Melanie, you know me, I like to come up on the spot sometimes. But let's, one of one of the people from your team that's working on innovation to be part our innovation Council. I think that
Melanie La Rocca 25:25
we'd love that.
Carlo Scissura 25:26
And let's let's really come up with things together. Earlier, we're in this together and more than any time now, and I say this to the people so that we are in this together, we don't know what the world's gonna look like by the summer. So it's in all of our interest to be together.So yeah, second,
Melanie La Rocca 25:46
Count us in!
Carlo Scissura 25:47
...which is how do we get people to, you know, start doing things instead of day one, maybe day negative 12 or 13. I don't even know if that's a term but it might be...
Melanie La Rocca 25:59
I mean, I think we're there. I mean, we on certainly on the pre development side, on the pre construction side, I think we've gotten to the point where folks are doing everything they can just short of finishing the last piece of paperwork to print your permit. And I have to be mindful of fact, and we'll continue to look at it just to make sure that we are getting as close to press the button, press the print button. But we also have that sort of that balance that we have to strike to make sure that our first our first focus right now is COVID response, ensuring the non essential ban is in place, ensuring the folks in the field are operating in conformity with that and for those who are working, they're doing it right.
Carlo Scissura 26:52
And questions on essential if I can jump in -
Melanie La Rocca 26:56
yeah
Carlo Scissura 26:57
- hotel construction sites are those now deemed the Essential?
Melanie La Rocca 27:01
hotel is an essential business. And so for active businesses that have work that is essential.
Carlo Scissura 27:10
So if someone is I want to make sure I got this because George Leventis is asking me. If you if you are currently working on a hotel site you are essential?
Melanie La Rocca 27:24
if the site is... and you know what I'm going to pull up... ask your next question. I'm gonna read it.
Carlo Scissura 27:32
This is a question that I've gotten from a couple of people. So a site is deemed essential, right? They have a letter or whatever it is, they're on a map, they have a lot, whatever it is. Why are DOB inspectors still there two, three times a week to see if they are essential. That sounds like a waste of time to me.
Melanie La Rocca 27:54
Well, so two things right. So just because you're essential and you are Working does not mean that the department is going to never come by again. Like I said, your central you're working fantastic now we have to make sure you're doing it correctly to code to plans. And equally as important. If you're essential, or you're operating because of an emergency, we have to actually make sure you're doing that in accordance to the approved scope. And we have folks in the field every single day doing essential site visits and non essential site visits. So that'll continue.
Carlo Scissura 28:35
So, non essential sites, if they are receiving a request for an inspection, is the inspection still gonna continue on a non essential site right now.
Melanie La Rocca 28:46
So, depending on what is what inspection So, we are inspecting to ensure that non essential sites are not activated unless they are approved and that the site itself remains safe for the public. But two, if you have a non essential site and you're looking for a development inspection, we are prioritizing and not offering the ability for non essential sites to get certain development inspections completed.
Carlo Scissura 29:19
I have a lot of friends who are in the expediting business. How do we envision the role of the expediter now, particularly with the new universe, the new normal that's coming online soon.
Melanie La Rocca 29:33
I'm so to my filing representative friends out there. There is a there is an opportunity in this industry for anybody who's interested to work. We're certainly not in the business of limiting that. But that being said, the practice of how you engaged with the department before COVID was changing with DOB now during COVID is dramatically changing, and we expect that to continue.
Melanie La Rocca 30:03
So we're not putting anybody out. We're just saying, we have to be more transparent. Our process needs to be more transparent across the board. And that transparency is in everybody's interest from the from the person on the field in the field to the person who is writing the check, whether you're, you know, a single family homeowner that's doing a job a project in your house or your you know, a multinational company, everybody needs that transparency.
Carlo Scissura 30:35
Interesting question. Someone has a completed construction site all finished, ready to go. Obviously COVID happens. The site is not essential, but they need a TC inspection. Are you still doing that for non essential sites right now that are fully completed and ready to go?
Melanie La Rocca 31:00
For non essential, I believe the answer is no. And again, the straddle there is and we're going to fact check my answer in real time here. But the complication there and just to be totally candid with everybody we did look at yesterday, the day before we did look at because we've heard this from others on the development side, can we get to final sign off? The challenge with that, of course, is it's not always as simple as that one last inspections, everything that leads up to it, before you get to the construction inspection, sign off, and you're good to go. It's all the other pieces and we're living in a world where we have a non essential construction ban. I've got to prioritize my field inspectors to ensure that ban is being enforced.
Carlo Scissura 31:53
Got it. It does sound like particularly knowing that hopefully in a few weeks We'll get into the next phase of opening, it might be a good opportunity for some TCO sites to be inspected. So at least that part of the economic engine, you know, to sell, rent, whatever it is may start up to something to throw.
Melanie La Rocca 32:18
yeah i mean that logic is is exactly the reason why we started looking at it again just a couple of days ago about you know, parsing out every step in that process to see where we could if I realistically could, and if I can't, I can't, but to see if we can get closer to that point.
Carlo Scissura 32:37
Great. Couple of things we've heard someone asked a question but I've heard this from a few other members. Um, there have been some sadly a rise and burglaries on sites
Carlo Scissura 32:49
By the way, not just on construction sites in Bay Ridge where I live. Some lunatics went out because they're bored and decided to bust some windows on some storefronts, which Just saying that, you know, the police department and others in the city have to deal with this in addition to saving lives, but there are crazy people out there. And that
Carlo Scissura 33:13
so burglaries on construction sites. So some of some contractors now we're going to have to do some safety, envelope of facilities and changes, would that be considered essential? Even if the site is not essential, but you know, there's burglaries happening and vandalism and things like that.
Melanie La Rocca 33:35
So whether you are essential or non essential, whether your site is essential or non essential, if there is an emergent condition, sorry, my lights went off again, we're sustainable here.
Carlo Scissura 33:47
Yes.
Melanie La Rocca 33:47
Um, but if you're if you have an emergent condition, if you have an emergency, the position of the department has always been do that. fix that. Certainly. For all sites that are anticipating working for a reasonable duration more than I got a busted window or I have a busted pipe goes through the portal, make sure we deem you essential. Make sure we agree with your version of essential and deal with it that way for anything else again on the busted pipe on the busted window, if you needed a permit, go ahead, do that work, you know, you have two days to come back and pull that permit. So that continues, that's never changed. But when in doubt, go through the portal we have our service levels are great there. So you're not going to get bogged down in bureaucracy and never be able to get out and see the end of the line. So go through the portal, you have a question,
Carlo Scissura 34:41
a digital professional certification, will that be reintroduced? currently only in person professional certification is permitted.
Melanie La Rocca 34:51
I didn't even know we took that away.
Carlo Scissura 34:53
I didn't know that either. I'm just seeing it right now.
Melanie La Rocca 34:56
I'll come back to you.
Carlo Scissura 35:05
I would be remiss because I have I have this on my list of questions, and there's a bunch of them on it a Local Law 97, obviously, it's been a critical priority for DOB. Is there a change in timeline? Are we gonna slow down a little bit? Are we all full steam ahead?
Melanie La Rocca 35:25
Well, full steam ahead.
Carlo Scissura 35:27
That's the answer. All right. I'm putting on here. I know, you know. And by the way, there are, there are a bunch of compliments to commission for the work you and your team are doing. And complements on your borrow commissioners. In particular, got a few shout outs on here. So Marty, I don't know
Melanie La Rocca 35:48
which one in particular?
Carlo Scissura 35:53
Okay, ah putting on your your former life's act. construction. Obviously, I know that Lorraine Grillo was working, I think harder than anybody in the city of New York is right now. And by the way, knowing Lorraine, we're not surprised about that, right? That's right.
Carlo Scissura 36:16
So ESD has put school construction across the state as an essential. It seems to me that and I get city budgets and all of that, but there's got to be more school until the end of August. Right? And I should say, no school, no will not be children, generally in school buildings until the other one. This would seem to be a great time to get a lot of school construction work done. I know that's a tough question. But
Melanie La Rocca 36:48
ESD said they're essential. And you know, we heard that loud and clear. So from my perspective, it's an essential... essential service business. Whatever, Whatever you want to call it, like the rest of the ones that EFD put on their list and, and that is reflected in our guidance as well.
Carlo Scissura 37:08
Awesome. Awesome. Um, a new site that is still demo that will be a new residential building of affordable housing. Can they get a permit to begin demo on a new affordable housing bill?
Melanie La Rocca 37:25
So we've worked with HPD HCR to make sure that we understand the universe of sites that would be eligible under the guidance. So that universe is known to us go through the portal if you get a denial and you believe there was a beat missed between HPD HCR or any other entity in the affordable housing universe and the department. You can appeal make your case there and we'll correct it if we got it wrong on the first shot.
Carlo Scissura 37:57
Great. Um, do we have a hotel answer yet?
Melanie La Rocca 38:01
Do we have a hotel answer...
Carlo Scissura 38:03
You we're gonna double check on hotel construction. I have a lot of members in the hotel industry and I know the hotel Association VJ would want to hear that as well.
Melanie La Rocca 38:16
All right, I'm gonna read it to you verbatim
Carlo Scissura 38:18
Ok we love it.
Melanie La Rocca 38:19
So construction for existing, ie currently underway projects of essential businesses that do not fall under the categories listed in section two a through two g two. One such construction is defined as alterations to existing buildings of essential businesses with construction permits issued prior to April 15th 2020.
Carlo Scissura 38:53
That means yes, if your site has a permit, you can work on a hotel site.
Melanie La Rocca 38:58
and alteration to existing buildings of essential businesses, hotels being an essential business.
Carlo Scissura 39:05
Great, perfect. Okay. So if you're working on hotels get back to work. We're excited.
Carlo Scissura 39:12
You know, I think I want to spend the last few minutes because, you know, there are a lot of technical and I will say your website, the the information we get. Ellie has been wonderful. Um, I think, you know...
Carlo Scissura 39:27
...there's a couple of questions about your vision commissioner of the post COVID normal in New York, particularly on building sites. And I think obviously, that's a tough question to answer, but what do you see happening in the future?
Melanie La Rocca 39:47
It is a tough question because you know, I don't know what tomorrow will bring us and every day is our new normal, right, but certainly, I think what you will see is, at minimum, the changes we put in place with respect to how you actually engage with the department in one of our physical locations. That's not going away. That's only going to grow. So the insistence on paper is going to go away. Because we just we cannot literally afford to continue to operate like that. And COVID really reinforced that notion for us in a very dramatic way.
Melanie La Rocca 40:31
But certainly in the field, I think, the biggest challenge for us and the biggest opportunity, the biggest challenge for us individually, the biggest opportunity for us all, is our ability to let go of the way things were and the insistence on just because it did it that way. It must be that way. And so that is something as simple as saying, you know, do you Need, you know, do you need to share tools? I'm not making this up, right? That is a very common thing, but does that have to be? And so our ability to collectively innovate and change our business practice, both in the field in the office here is the single greatest challenge and opportunity available to all of us collectively as an industry to continue to work efficiently and effectively. So, from DOB perspective, you'll see more of the get rid of the paper stuff in advance of DOB now, which is going to continue. And sort of big picture, you'll see more of us insisting that we've got to be part of the conversation around innovation. And we've got to be part of a community of folks who actively want to do that.
Carlo Scissura 41:57
Right. I think that's important, and I think The challenge - but it sounds like a challenge you're ready to meet - is to not just be a this agency that's move everybody, but really be part of the community and part of the dialogue and, and help figure this all out together, which I think is important.
Carlo Scissura 42:18
Okay, I keep getting hotel questions.
Melanie La Rocca 42:20
Oh boy
Carlo Scissura 42:21
because clearly that's on the top of the agenda. So I think they understood your answer. Yes. I got three more questions. New const-
Melanie La Rocca 42:30
- hold on before you ask your question. I have an update. So our online professional cert is coming back tomorrow. Help self service comes back tomorrow.
Carlo Scissura 42:39
Okay, you're here. repeat that one more time.
Melanie La Rocca 42:41
hub self service comes back tomorrow.
Carlo Scissura 42:44
All right. Good news. That's the beginning of the comeback. If you are a new hotel construction project,
Melanie La Rocca 42:51
yes
Carlo Scissura 42:52
you get a permit to start work on a new project. Since hotels are deemed essential?
Melanie La Rocca 42:59
So I'm going to read you the sentence again, just because insisting on getting this right. Such construction is defined, is defined as alterations - my emphasis added - to existing buildings of essential businesses with construction permits issued prior to April 15. So those are my two emphasis. It's an alteration to an existing
Carlo Scissura 43:24
you're not getting it. Okay. So if you have a permit already, I think you're good. And if not, you got to wait. That's what it sounds like. Okay.
Carlo Scissura 43:34
After hours. That's been a discussion point. I mean, I've spoken about it. I obviously, have taken a position that and way before COVID that New York is a 24 hour city, and there are certain projects that should be happening after hours. I think it's reasonable for us to start thinking about Given that there might be social distancing norms, that will continue for quite some time, there might be testing of people's temperatures that will take time, you know, so a seven or eight hour shift is going to be reduced with less people on the job. So I think something to really think about seriously is, and it's not for everything. I mean, if you're, if you're building a house on a residential block, obviously, you don't want to be working at two in the morning, but are there projects that should be working 24 seven, to get the city of New York moving on, and it's something that we're all gonna have to think about seriously. And I think we're all gonna have to accept a little more noise in our lives and maybe a little bit more action in the middle of the night. Again, there are places where it makes sense and DOB working with the City Council and the city and the mayor's office need to kind of come up with a a plan of action.
Melanie La Rocca 45:01
I think you got the partnership on that. Right. So yeah, we'll we'll happily be a voice in that conversation.
Carlo Scissura 45:09
And by the way, you know, I'm hearing from from friends of mine who own pizzerias in Midtown. And you know what they're saying. After being shut down for two months, we would love to be serving pizza two in the morning to construction workers
Melanie La Rocca 45:25
I'll bet - I just had pizza for dinner!
Carlo Scissura 45:28
exactly. We need to really rebuild and come back there. So I think clearly think about. Let's see what else we have here.
Carlo Scissura 45:45
Filing of an HV, we are told to stay home. But the OB wants us in person to file this request. Why is this safe?
Melanie La Rocca 45:56
Yep, so like I said, we have we've seen a 90% drop Have in person, transaction that means person to person, you know DOB staff to an individual, that does not mean that we have stopped our services that cannot be done on some version of e-file or online via email or phone. That means things that can't go electronic are going into a Dropbox, Dropbox, no contact, or in the extremely limited circumstances in person contact. So we're doing the best we can to get what was a paper driven system as quickly as humanly possible away from that. But there is a limitation to as you know, to the volume of transactions, we can change. It's not like I can just, you know, turn a turn a switch on and the entire department goes electronic. So I get the I get the point, and certainly valid to raise and we're, you know, as eager as anybody else to get rid of the necessity of coming in in person.
Carlo Scissura 47:13
And speaking of coming in, in person, do you? Do you see additional self certification happening in the future? Are you guys starting to think about what are the things can be self certified, as opposed to again, these inspections and things?
Melanie La Rocca 47:28
I mean, you know, I think
Carlo Scissura 47:29
Elevators is one example
Melanie La Rocca 47:31
which ones are one -
Carlo Scissura 47:32
elevators. Someone asked about elevators.
Melanie La Rocca 47:35
Yeah, I mean, look, I'm not going to say no inherently but I think we have a delicate balance of making sure that we have enough eyes literally on something and enough opportunities to interject us to make sure things aren't going sideways. Right and at the end of the day, what however that comes in, whether you're a pro asserting your plans or your or you're doing this Special inspection, you have a third party doing the inspection. However it came to us it's our problem at the end. So I got to make sure that I I can feel comfortable knowing that we're seeing enough I'm never going to be in a position to see everything. So I'm not saying no, I'm just saying we have a delicate balance that we have to deal with here to make sure we strike it right.
Carlo Scissura 48:25
Um, another interesting question is... and this one is TR-1 and TR-8 inspections for non essential project by imagine there are other inspections that would fall into this question. Once we say you know, okay, everybody back to work. Obviously, the DOB is going to be bombarded. How are we going to ensure that inspections will happen, because there are certain continuations of projects that can happen without Certain inspections. So how do we ensure that, you know, people are not going to wait a very long time to get an inspection so that they can get back to work and put people back on jobs?
Melanie La Rocca 49:12
Yeah, I think that I just I would go back to, you know, we started again to look at the the entire universe of and I mean, it's an entire universe of things that need a DOB inspector or things that need inspections and making sure that we can one expect what the volume is going to be, and two actually make sure that we're staffed accordingly.
Melanie La Rocca 49:37
Now, do I think that the day the universe gets back to some version of what it was that we'll be able to instantaneously give you that same level of service, particularly on the development inspection side that we were doing before? No, but what I don't expect is that we'll have tremendous delays. I don't see a universe going back to your earlier Question Carlo on the permitting. I don't see a universe from where I sit today, that shows me anything to think that you know, getting your permit that last couple of steps that you need to do to press print is going to be anything beyond a handful of days. Right? We're not seeing a universe where we're talking about weeks of backlog. And I think that's a concern. Certainly, that's been expressed to me that we're going to be in a position where it takes two, three weeks to get those last two pieces of paper in to get your permit. I'm just not seeing that now. Right. But we are watching our daily our volumes literally on a daily occurrence. So every single day, we get new sets of volume, just to make sure that we're where we're anticipating what our universe looks like and we can handle it.
Carlo Scissura 50:49
Right. Well, I think this is a good place to wrap up and say thank you to the commissioner any final for us. I would ask you to What you've been going through and taking out from if you want to give anybody shout out guests to talk locals doing anything,
Melanie La Rocca 51:10
so everybody should know if you know nothing about me, you should know that I'm proudly from the borough of Queens never left. I have no plans to leave. One of my favorite boroughs one of my five favorite boroughs professionally, my favorite borough personally. Last night's dinner was pick up from Luzzo's which is in a sort of court square ish neighborhood. And we had we picked up a margarita and asked, which is a very, very good pizza if you're in the neighborhood stop by them. I don't even know if I'm allowed to say this. So to whoever is doing conflict of interest, I mean, no offense, this is just literally where I went yesterday.
Carlo Scissura 51:53
Good - you should have a right to!
Melanie La Rocca 51:56
So yeah, Luzzo's. They're best pizza which is east in, Italian is is delicious.
Carlo Scissura 52:03
Now Melanie I would agree with everything you justsaid I would only substitute the word queens with Brooklyn and then we'd be the same.
Melanie La Rocca 52:15
that's the end of the end of our personal and professional relationships.
Carlo Scissura 52:20
Come on but you know Brooklyn and Queens go hand in hand
Melanie La Rocca 52:24
they do I have to give you a shout out though because your your as I, as I understand it, you're a supporter of my favorite bakery. So I'm going to give you my last few moments with you guys a nod to your Brooklyn love my affinity long standing since I've been born for Brooklyn bakeries and Villabate is a place very few reasons will get me personally to go to Brooklyn!
Carlo Scissura 52:48
I will tell you this Don't get me started on Villabate. Not only are they close personal family friends, but I would argue the best cannoli in America happens to be at Villabate. So, when social distancing is over, I think it's time to commissioner of DOB back to Brooklyn to Villabate.
Melanie La Rocca 53:13
Fair enough!
Carlo Scissura 53:15
Since you didn't have an espresso today, we'll get you an espresso then!
Carlo Scissura 53:20
Commissioner. Again, I really want to say you all are doing phenomenal work. It's it's challenging. We're learning daily, new things. And I really want to commend you, youre essential and your team in the borough's for all they're doing so thank you.
Melanie La Rocca 53:39
Thank you so much. I appreciate it.
Carlo Scissura 53:41
And I will say that next week on a special follow. We will have Janno Lieber, from the MTA on to talk about MTA and what they're doing and how construction continues there. Janno, as you know, is doing phenomenal work with the MTA. So, everybody Stay safe. Please, please, please exercise social distancing your masks, do everything you want. Obviously none of us want to be home anymore. I'm going to work as much as I can't believe I'm gonna say this. I miss getting on theR Train from Bay Ridge. It's insanity to think that but we will get back and and it will look differently for a while. But right now we have to really protect everybody in the country.
Carlo Scissura 54:33
So stay safe. Stay well. Enjoy the day and Melanie. Thank you again. Have a great day, everybody. Thank you.
