NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer. Image credit: Office of the New York City Comptroller
Audit shows Housing Department has inadequate controls in place to monitor and keep track of vacant units. On June 24, 2015, New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer released an audit report that examined how the New York City Housing Authority manages vacant apartments in developments throughout the city. The report discussed the process by which an apartment becomes vacant in NYCHA’s system and when certain units are taken off of the rent roll. NYCHA classifies apartments as either being on the rent roll (on roll) or off of the rent roll (off roll). On roll units are those that are either occupied by a tenant or in the process of being turned over to a new tenant. Off roll units are those that are not available for residential use for an extended period of time due to major repair or renovation.
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NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer. Image credit: Office of the New York City Comptroller
Audit shows weaknesses in Health Department’s ability to regulate health code inspections at restaurants. On June 30, 2015, New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer released an audit report that examined how effectively the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s restaurant inspection program was working to resolve outstanding health code violations. The report examined the process by which DOHMH conducts its restaurant inspection program. The program consists of initial unannounced inspections where public health inspectors note any health code violations. If an establishment receives 14 or more points, a follow-up inspection by DOHMH is required to ensure the violations were resolved. Additionally, supervisors in the inspection program are required to conduct field inspections of restaurants previously inspected by health inspectors under their supervision.
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Comptroller found that Buildings did not audit requisite percentage of professionally certified building permit applications. City Comptroller John C. Liu issued an audit report on Buildings’ compliance with its rules governing the internal auditing of professionally certified building applications. The audit found, among other things, that Buildings audited a “significantly lower” number of applications than required, and that Buildings’ borough offices in Brooklyn and Queens failed to fully review certain audit applications.
The professional certification program was created in 1995 and allows registered architects and licensed engineers to “self-certify” certain building permit applications by affirming that the plans comply with all applicable codes and laws. Self-certified applications bypass examination by Buildings, but the program’s rules require Buildings to randomly audit at least 20 percent of the applications. Audits must be performed within ten days after a permit has been obtained. (more…)
Comptroller asserts that insufficient oversight could cost City $6.1 million. A June 2008 audit by City Comptroller William C. Thompson concluded that New York Skyports, Inc. violated its lease agreement for a two-acre City-owned East River site, creating a potential cost of $6.1 million to the City.
Originally executed with the Gulf Oil Corp in 1959, the lease allowed the construction of a parking garage over the East River and the additional use of the two-acre parcel – running along the East River from East 18th to East 23rd Streets in Manhattan – for a seaplane operation, marina, gas station, and a plane, boat and auto repair facility. In exchange, the lease entitled the City to annual rents and 50 percent of all gross revenue from sales and advertising. Starting in 2002, several City inspections revealed needed repairs. In 2006, an inspection revealed issues with the garage’s structural support. In 2007, the City stepped in, spending $464,000 to install temporary shoring to support the floating garage. (more…)
