When I released my plan a few weeks ago to make changes to the Departments of Public Works and Parks and Recreation, I was aware that the proposed creation of a Deputy Superintendent of Environmental Services, in which long-time employee Julie Noble would be considered for provisional appointment, would be a central focus of the Council and public. I believed then, as I do now, that our current structure encourages duplication of services and would benefit from a departmental integration plan.

 

My job is to ensure the effective and efficient functioning of all City departments. Over the past few years, I have sought to make gradual institutional changes to improve public services. The Council's willingness to consider my previous proposals has resulted in some extraordinary changes. In just four years, we have centralized grants management, improved communications, invested in arts and cultural affairs, and prioritized health and wellness. I have had the opportunity to appoint new leaders to key existing positions, including the heads of DPW, Engineering, Corporation Counsel, Building Safety, and the Clerk's Office. With the Council's support, we carefully negotiated the integration of Citibus with Ulster County Area Transit after years of delay. I have appreciated the Council and public's trust in my leadership as we have navigated these new opportunities.

 

When the current Parks & Recreation Superintendent informed me of his plans to retire this April, I approached this situation with the same intentions for improved functioning and efficiencies as I have with all major transitions. In the City Code (C14-1), under the Powers and Duties of the Department of Public Works, it states "The Department of Public Works, at the direction of the Mayor, shall have the care and control of the streets, sewers and public parks of said city". Over the years, the Department of Public Works created a Parks Maintenance Division, but it was never funded or staffed. Now, with the retirement of key leadership and several major parks infrastructure projects in the pipeline, I feel it is time to proceed with the integration of these two departments.

 

Under my proposal, the Superintendent of Public Works would oversee the personnel, finances, and service delivery of both DPW and Parks and Recreation. In the short-term, this would improve interdepartmental communication and allow us to centralize equipment purchases and work order systems. In the long-term, we would decrease redundancies, save taxpayers money, and create a stronger, more unified workforce.

 

As part of this proposal, I proposed three key changes:

1. Request that the Council consider a change to the City Code, allowing the Superintendent of DPW to also serve as the head of Parks and Recreation

2. Appoint a Recreation Director (instead of a Superintendent of Parks and Recreation) off of an existing civil service list to oversee and expand recreation programming for youth, adults and senior citizens

3. Establish a Deputy Superintendent of Environmental Services position to increase the capacity of the departments

 

I feel strongly that all three actions are needed to effectively implement the ambitious work plans of Public Works and Parks and Recreation in the coming years. I also understand that institutional change is challenging. It doesn't happen overnight; it requires time, patience and trust. 

 

While I must ensure the proper functioning of our city departments, I am also responsible to uphold the public's trust in its government. I recognize that my proposal to establish a Deputy Superintendent of Environmental Services is inextricably linked to my family because my wife is a candidate for the position. The stability of these essential public services is paramount, and so, I made the decision to request that consideration of the proposal to create a Deputy Superintendent be tabled until a later date. 

 

At Wednesday's Laws & Rules meeting, I urged the Council to continue deliberating the other components of my proposal so that we can maintain, to the best of our ability, continuity of services. 

In order to ensure my office is handling this transition with the utmost propriety, the City's Corporation Counsel has contact the NYS Attorney General's office in a recent letter, providing the background of the situation, and asking for a guidance in moving forward in the most lawful, proper way.