in translation, it is just instruction how to use the system? everything else is done, the staff has been retrained? >> yes. the actual translation is not only instructions on the staff but for the public and is frequently asked questions and we are ready in terms of personnel and people know what they need to do. we does have to get things tweaked a little. >> three or four weeks? >> translation, once we get it to the vendors, they will take a week to turn it around. we have to review it with our staff so they are able to read

cantonese and spanish to make sure that is finalized. we're not going to make fancy brochures at this time. just a paper copy. then we need to have a time frame in terms of notification. four weeks is about right. >> the english version is finalized? >> know, we're still tweaking it to be with the final period once it is done, i can provided for your review, but i have not actually gotten it yet. >> i want to add that we are instituting an express line for

the fire department -- they want an express line for permits for the people who just need something signed off instead of completely plan checked. this is something new that was thought up at the end. we are doing as much as we can to make sure everyone does not get stuck in a line. we do not want a line. that is what we are trying to do. >> up date on other technology projects? >> we have been focusing on trying to improve customer service on the web. we are doing the requests over

the web where you can request and pay. in some cases, we have faxed it to people but you can start the process. we are also working on people being able to other requests so we are looking at how those would be developed. you have all heard me mention we are being a model department in terms of combining server equipment from the human services agency planning departmentour department. it is a very slow process to get even other bids from other departments on how much it would cost to do these improvements, getting a group -- approval

from the department of technology. we did achieve two weeks ago a signed a memorandum of understanding between the departments that with what kind of equipment that we would require an of what the general scope of the equipment room would look like. there are still some things we need to work out, but we are now just trying to get approval of that through the department of technology. i mentioned the cash management system. then the other thing i did want to tell you is that we are getting a small number of mobile devices to be able to start looking at what is going to be required for support by mis and what is needing to be developed, so that we can start getting people used to them. by the time we have an increment tracking system, they will be more familiar and able to

actually use the devices. >> and also the mobil does not -- devices will be used for disaster preparedness. we have a program given to us by fema that will be down loaded on to the system so that the inspectors will be able to do their forms on to the devices. it is a fema approved program that we will have training on. and i think we have six to be tested, just to make sure that there is the right kind of device that we want to use in the field and that they are viable for these sectors. we did not want to go out and buy 150 computers and then find out that they cannot use them at all. so, they will be testing those soon. >> commissioner? >> that is great. i just wanted to ask about acknowledging receipt of the

request. did we send out any automatic information back to the customers, just as we had the request? it would take us that long to process. and do we tell them when to expect the report to be ready? >> we do not tell them when to expect it, it is dependent on the number of requests that, in. right now, we are working on trying to shorten the time frame that it takes to get a 3r report. we are going to have to do something to acknowledge the request and in some of the other cases, because the credit card companies have changed their policies, we needed to make sure that we had something that said -- yes, you actually paid for this. or else, when there is what they call a charge back, which is when we all do our disputes

about being charged to much for something, we have proof we have actually provided the service. yes, we need to do that and i believe we can recognize that. >> any further questions? >> 10g, update on new hires. >> pam mentioned this earlier. we have hired 28 new people since the beginning of this fiscal year. most of those have been -- it has been distributed throughout the department in various categories, as we could get them. we just interviewed for the 1406, a clerical position, entry-level permit tech. we will be hiring three to four of those people, freeing up positions.

it will keep rotating as we fill in positions to temporary positions that are limited duration positions that go away and become full-time positions. we are working on that. the clerical came out when they said they would. we just have some problems, internally, in terms of where we will be placing people. we have had several people due to layoffs in other departments that have bumped into our department and in most cases have been very good for the department. we actually got peace -- people faster than we work through the recruitment process. we will be announcing them at the next meeting, our new hires. >> with regards to the new hires, can you talk more about the 5214's and when we expect a time frame? >> the 5214's and do not have a list. they will be testing for that.

we have two people in those positions in that right now as acting. we are filling the positions vacated at the lower position as temporary positions. so, we are getting the same number of people, but we have promoted -- not internally, but -- but they're getting paid for working in a higher classification until they can create a list. >> we are working first on the referral engineers. basically, there is a list out there and there is a meeting right after this meeting with our personnel person and vivian to double check on the priorities. but we are working with each deputy director to make sure that as soon as we request a list that we can put everything together and hire, because you have one month to do that.

those are the civil service rules. so, we are working with getting more staff. >> i have another question after this one. you, first. >> here on this one, i really see the real problem here with this becoming the volume of work coming down the pipes that is already in there. >> that is true. >> i am really concerned that this keeps getting kicked down the road. i need to get some kind of time mind as to -- first i need it from you, because i need to get from you your urgency. i do not want these projects to suffer because we have the opportunity right now to put people in and we did not. i really want to hear from you to stress that fact. i want to hear from you. the hand is really coming down

at different points right now >> first of all, the good news is we have [unintelligible] coming back next week. also, we have 52 on the puc coming back next month. also, the urgency over prioritizing what we would get. the 41 in the lease, passing at, hopefully maintaining a monthly higher for those people to come back. and then we will stop looking at other, lighter, 5214. then, also, the inspector. because we cannot do it all at once, we need to prioritize to, before we go to the chief. >> i understand that.

i get that. from you, as deputy director, the two new hires that you have got the two mentioned, this is a good step forward that will happen. i ordered them on the 24th, i believe. it is a good step forward in the world you are living in right now. >> the retiring 5214 is coming back and i am relieved somewhat. but he is only coming back for some time to help out. and then the 07 comes back next month. also, hopefully, we can have the test folks being 241, and consequently we will have to test for the 14. >> the 5214's, there are approximately five of them? >> 41. >> 5241 is the next one.

>> 5 is the 5241. i think two of them are 5214. >> what are the common denominators that will be burdened on you, deputy director, to put a tester -- test together? i presume that that would be next week or whenever? right? >> once the list comes in and be billed the invitation to the question for the personnel, the panel is ready. once they pass the test, correct me if i am wrong? >> we have to make the job offer. then they have to accept the job. if they are internal, they have to give notice to their other department. that can take a couple of weeks. we are trying to get a list of those approved positions. tom is already working on the

interview panel questions. he already has the panel chosen. he knows who's going to be on it. as soon as we can get the list with the applications, we can be able to interview. >> awarding the jobs, theoretically? >> in a land of milk and honey, they are all privileged to work here at this department. when do they actually become -- when do they actually get in? >> june, or some time. it depends on the people's offer. we are trying our best to get the test and set them up right away. maybe they want to take a month off or whenever. >> when they except the job, they have no further department to check in with? it is just a matter of giving them a date to start?

>> pam, can you go to the process? after they sat to the job, what happens? >> let's say that we finish the interviews. we select someone that has to be reviewed by thr. we offered the job after that is done. they then have to go through condition history, they have to go through before they can even -- before we can say that this is final and dandy, because we have had situations where people have gone into jobs and have lied about their conviction history. thr is very careful on that. in the best case, we should be able to get people here at the end of may, beginning of june. i just want to -- i am not into making excuses, but i want you all to realize that we have one

person who is doing this. we have some help from human resources, who we contract with. vivian and i have a meeting with the deputy director, they call it the managing director over there, to discuss some other issues. we will discuss the kind of path that we can get. we are running as fast as we can. but, there are some things that might need to be cited, like if we fill out a permit and not fill out the temporary? there are some discussions on this, but we do know the seriousness of getting the people on board and moving forward. >> well, i am trying to get my mind around this and make these milestones in my head.

does dhr understand it -- and i know that is not a fair question to ask you, but do they understand the urgency that the department is under right now? i understand they have their protocols, and i want that, obviously, but do they have a faster gear that they can put in in times like this? it is crucial to the city's structure that these people are in place and that these projects get what they are paying for. otherwise we will be in mint -- inundated with complaints, people complaining about the department when we have a notice out that we need these people and we are going through the motions. can dhr understand the urgency of what we are working with? the mayor's office has made it extremely clear to the human

resources department the necessity for our department to have the staff. what is always not clear to me is -- when it comes down to the things we have to do, like canvassing, you get a list and you have to go down at and canvas whether the people meet the criteria. you have to contact people and give them time to respond. i believe that these kinds of things could be done by dhr, but those are the things that take time. to get help from them we have an agreement from them on how much help will be given. it would make things go quicker. i do know that we have been told, by the mayor's office, that this is a priority to the city, to provide and keep up, keeping the development moving

along. the economy moving along. we have expressed that to human- resources. the mayor's department has expressed that to human resources. i think there is recognition, it is just whether or not we can have the follow-up. >> do you think that a special hearing on this would be something to reinforce dhr? >> i do not think so. i think that this is an internal sort of issue. we would be glad to report back on what the development is. we could, given what needs to be cited today, we could request for the 5241's, we could request the list tomorrow. i do not know how long it takes for them to turn it over. that is basically where i want to go. i am hoping that we can get some of these issues resolved that we

need to, internally, to be able to do that. >> ok. we are aware of the situation and they are anxious to put those bodies in our department. we may entertain or look for ways to make that happen. can you express that? >> the term was a memo of understanding between the equipment installed. can we get the understanding that me? >> that is my goal. i have expressed that. the commission is very concerned about it. i have remarked many times in the mayor's budget analyst, who has been here for the budget, and i suspect the fact that he is probably watching this. we are as determined as you are to get these positions on board.

>> director? >> i wanted to say that we have an internal work order that can be reduced if we do not get the service. if we hire -- have to hire consultants in, we have to find a way to speed this up. we are meeting with the deputy director to hammer some of these facts out. they are sort of under the same constraint we are, short staffed, dah, dah, dah, dah, dah. it does not help when we have these kinds of developments coming in daily. thank goodness it is still in development daily, but it will hit us and we want to be prepared. that is why tom and pam are being proactive. as soon as we get a vacancy, we have asked to fill every vacancy

that we have on the engineering list. >> the other thing i have been exploring is basically paying another department's human- resources to help us. so far, everyone is maxed out. that is the thing i am trying to do, the reach out to say -- can you help us for the short period of time? >> for the record, the deputy hrc director is? >> ted sfgov.o[unintelligible] 1 of the things that vivian mentioned is that they are really busy. the last couple of months, we have in the city been in negotiations with 40 some odd unions. it has tapped out a lot of the people in dhr and my staff, my

finance director, to participate on these. we are really trying to be cognizant that we are a city family. that we do need to work tightly together, but that we do have some unique needs right now. most other departments are not hiring as fast as we are right now. >> thank you, pamela. let's just keep the pedal flipped here. >> is there any public comment on items 10 a through g in the director's report? seeing no one, questions and the matter is, item 11. a, inquiries to staff. at this time, commissioners make inquiries to staff regarding

various documents, policies, practices, and procedures, which are of interest to the commission. any comments? increase? >> this might be coming up anyways, but can we get a report back to see how many small businesses are planning for a fee waiver? >> that is definitely part of the agreement that we have, reporting back on exactly how much, from the department's standpoint and planning standpoint, it is mostly the two departments involved. that will probably happen in july. >> ok. no other commissioner comments? any public comment on item 11a? 11b, future meetings and agendas.

at this time, the commission may discuss and take action to set the date of a special meeting and or determine those items that could be placed on the agenda of the next meeting and future meetings of the building inspection commission. the next regular meeting will be on the third wednesday of may, the 16th. sometime soon i will contact the clinic commissioners regarding nominations. >> the litigation committee is at 2:00 p.m.? >> on the 15th. >> at the building department. >> yes. >> is there any public comment on item 11b? no public comment. item number 12, review and approval of the minutes of october 19, 2011. >> minutes are approved.

>> there is a motion in a second to approve the minutes of october 19. all in favor? >> aye. >> public comment? sorry. is there any opposed? ok. the minutes are approved. item number 13, review and approval of the regular meeting of december 15, 2011. -- november 16, 2011. >> so moved. >> second. >> emotion in a second. any public comments -- a motion in a second -- and a second. approved. item 14 is adjournment. is there a motion to adjourn? >> so moved. >> second. >> are all in favor to adjourn?

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