|
October-December 2017 | Volume 1 | Issue 9
Greetings & Happy Holidays:
As we near the end of the calendar year, the leaves fall, and
temperatures drop, we are reminded that everything changes, and change can be
good.
We’re excited about the change requiring shop drawings to be
submitted online via our Shop Drawing Application & Elevator
Certification system. This improved Safe & Simple online application
process benefits contractors, owners, and operators of fire protection and
elevator systems in the District of Columbia. All applications can be
completely submitted and paid for online to install, repair and renovate
elevators and fire protection systems. More information on this system can
be found in the newsletter below.
Change continues to come to DCRA with new hires within multiple divisions in the agency. These new employees include inspectors, plan reviewers and managers that will allow us to stay focused on our ultimate goal: protecting the health, safety and economic interests of District residents by ensuring code compliance and regulating business.
DCRA continues to implement to changes in addition to the discussed below that promise better service deliverables for our nation’s capital. Stay tuned for more changes as we
improve and increase our city-wide services.
Sincerely,
 Melinda Bolling, Director
Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs
Text Us! Tell Us How We Are Doing
DCRA
customers can provide real-time feedback to the agency about their experience
through an interactive text messaging survey. To rate your recent customer
service experience at DCRA, simply text a response to the question, “How was
your experience at DCRA today?” to 202-839-8065 and by rating A)
Very Good, B) Good, C) Poor, and
D) Very Poor.
Have
you recently obtained a permit? Provide feedback on your experience by texting
your response to the question, “How would you rate the professionalism of
DCRA permit staff?” to 202-509-0857 and by rating A)
Very Good, B) Good, C) Poor, and
D) Very Poor.
The survey will then send
back a series of interactive questions, via text message, tailored to your
responses. DCRA monitors the feedback continuously for immediate
improvements and analyzes the data quarterly to identify trends and
opportunities. Feedback from our customers is vital to the success of our
agency, and by answering just a few questions, you will help us maintain,
improve and enhance our level of service and help to make DCRA the best it can
be. Tell us how we are doing by taking the survey now.
|
DCBIA-DCRA 2nd Annual Technical Event
The District of Columbia Building Industry Association in
partnership with DCRA hosted the 2nd
Annual DCBIA/DCRA Technical Training and Discussion at the Walter E. Washington
Convention Center on December 7, 2017. This educational seminar and
technical training dove into the many components of DCRA that impact DC
construction and development. Opening remarks were presented by DCRA Director
Melinda Bolling and DCBIA CEO Lisa Mallory. Training topics included DCRA
Policy, Programmatic Changes and Updates, Inclusionary Zoning Regulations and
Projections, Openings, Covenants and Easements. This was an informative event
for anyone working in DC construction who regularly interacts with DCRA.
New Online Requirement for Shop Drawing Applications
DCRA is excited to announce our new mandatory online Shop Drawing Application & Elevator Certification system where shop drawing applications can be submitted and paid for online to install, repair or renovate elevators and fire protection systems. An application for elevator certificates can also be submitted directly online.
All shop applications and drawings must be submitted online. Paper applications are no longer be accepted. This improved Safe & Simple online application process benefits the contractors, owners and operators of fire protection and elevator systems in the District of Columbia.
For questions, customers can refer to the Shop Drawing Application User Guide. Visit
dcra.dc.gov/shop-drawing-online for additional information about the fire protection and elevator shop drawing application and elevator inspection processes.
New Revised Third Party Program Manual
Great news! DCRA’s Third Party Program Procedure Manual has been revised. Over the last year, we have closely evaluated the Third Party Program (TPP) and the TPP Procedure Manual, and made various improvements. We are excited to share this newly adopted TPP Procedural Manual, effective as of November 6, 2017. DCRA will be holding a mandatory training in order to familiarize Third PArty Agencies with the updated manual. Learn more here.
Improving the Third Party Oversight
& Process Flow: Accela Mobile Office & Quality Assurance Training
DCRA implemented Accela Mobile Office (AMO) for processing Third
Party Inspection Agency (TPIA) reports. It is a requirement for all Third
Party Agencies to utilize this system.
Also, all Third Party Agencies were required to submit
a copy of their Quality Assurance (QA) Plan along with an annual summary
report by November 3rd of each year describing the number of reviews
conducted for each employee or contractor and the results of those
reviews.
New DC Lead Disclosure Form
The
District’s Lead-Hazard Prevention and Elimination Act requires owners of
residential properties, built before 1978, to disclose any information reasonably
known to the property owner about the presence of lead-based paint, lead-based
paint hazards, and any pending actions related to lead ordered by a District
government agency.
The
disclosures must be provided to prospective buyers or tenants and must occur
before they are obligated under any contract to purchase or lease the property.
The disclosures must be made on the DC
Lead Disclosure Form issued by DOEE located on their
website at doee.dc.gov/publication/lead-paint-disclosure-form-and-instructions.
For
more information, contact DOEE at 202-535-2600 and visit doee.dc.gov/lead.
Skip the Trip to DCRA
Just a reminder that DCRA has 22 online services, enabling customers
to Skip the Trip to our offices and conduct your DCRA business 24 hours per
day, seven days per week, to include the DC Business Portal, the Property
Information Verification System, and ProjectDox. You may also reserve a time to visit DCRA
by visiting our Online Appointment Scheduling System. Learn more on
our website at dcra.dc.gov/page/dcra-online-services.
12/14/2017 - Senior Entrepreneurship Program
12/19/2017 - Money Smart for Small Business Workshop: Recordkeeping & Time Management
12/20/2017 - ProjectDox Training
DC Dry Cleaner Compliance Workshop Highlights
DCRA and The
Mayor’s Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs (MOAPIA) piloted an
education program for all properly licensed, operating dry cleaners in the
District of Columbia. The purpose of this program was to serve as an avenue to
educate all boiler operated dry cleaners on how to become and remain
operationally compliant.
This program reinforced the importance of operational safety,
assisted in offering resources for test preparation and licensing renewals, and
offered education opportunities to assist dry cleaners in remaining compliant
with applicable codes. The program emphasized the importance and
communicated the consequences of engaging in unsafe practices; such as,
operating with an expired engineer license, allowing unlicensed personnel to
operate a boiler, and permitting boiler installations without permits and
approved inspections. DCRA, in conjunction with MOAPIA will ensure that transparent, safe and simple partnerships are established, with every dry cleaner owners in the District.
On November 30, 2017, DCRA and MOAPIA cohosted a Dry
Cleaner Compliance Workshop. We look forward to
more training opportunities and partnerships to come.
National Customer Service Week
In recognition of
National Customer Service Week (October 2-6, 2017) DCRA partnered with local hardware stores Lowe’s at 2438 Market St, NE and Frager’s at 1323 E Street, SE to connect with customers and provide
agency-related information. Customers were able to stop by to learn
about DCRA services, District regulations, and best practices when considering
home improvement projects.
Saving Lives, Futures, and Money with Healthy Housing
The “Saving Lives, Futures, and Money with Healthy Housing: How Do We Get There?” conference was held at the Hilton Garden Inn Washington DC/U.S. Capitol on November 16, 2017. This working conference brought together a broad range of stakeholders including individuals from health, housing, community development, managed care, real estate, education, child care, legal, faith-based, and art organizations; coalitions and professional associations; government agencies; property owners, managers, contractors, and developers; tenants; homeowners; and other interested parties to explore how we can learn, share, and coordinate strategies to prevent lead poisoning, eliminate indoor environmental hazards, and create healthy living environments. By sharing unique stories, challenges, experiences, questions, and ideas, this conference helped shape the strategic plan that will guide collaborative efforts in the coming year.
The discussion included the exploration of successful strategies for: Increasing lead screening rates among at-risk populations; Undertaking primary prevention programs and policies; Providing public education and community outreach; Connecting with lead hazard control and healthy homes programs; Conducting healthy housing inspections and remediation; Taking practical, cost-effective steps to increase returns on investment, and Accessing resources to support lead-safe and healthy housing, schools, and childcare sites.
DCRA at Great Streets
DMPED fosters economic development on the Great Streets corridors by investing in small business development via the Great Streets Retail Small Business Reimbursement Grants, which are competitive grants of up to $50,000 for qualified small business owners who wish to improve their place of business.
Great Streets, the
District's multi-year multi-agency commercial revitalization initiative to
support existing small businesses, attract new businesses, increase the
District's tax base, create new job opportunities for the District residents,
and transform emerging corridors into thriving and inviting neighborhood
centers that are magnets for private investment, was held on November 20, 2017. Great Streets has grown into a multi-year, multi-agency
program that utilizes public actions and resources to leverage private
investment in retail, office space, housing, and cultural facilities across the
District.
Permitting Data
September 2017
October 2017
General Business Licenses Data
September 2017
October 2017
Zoning Determination Letters
Zoning Determination Letters from September and October 2017:
September 2017
Ward 1: No Letters Issued
Ward 2: No Letters Issued
Ward 3: 5313 38TH ST NW
Ward 4: 6310 & 6314 33RD ST NW , 4 R ST, 7080 OREGON AVE NW
Ward 5: No Letters Issued
Ward 6: No Letters Issued
Ward 7: No Letters Issued
Ward 8: No Letters Issued
October 2017
Ward 1: 3431 13TH ST NW , 3002 11TH ST NW
Ward 2: 601 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Ward 3: No Letters Issued
Ward 4: No Letters Issued
Ward 5: No Letters Issued
Ward 6: SQUARE 672
Ward 7: No Letters Issued
Ward 8: 2308 SHANNON PL SE
If you have any questions regarding this newsletter, please contact the DCRA Communications Team at dcracommteam@dc.gov. DCRA actively uses feedback to improve our delivery and services. Please take a minute to share your feedback on how we performed in our last engagement. To subscribe to other DCRA email communications, please subscribe to your topics of interest.
|
