Gabriella Olivieri Publications Portfolio Annual Report - 2009 | Page 34

ADMINISTRATION Malachy Higgins, Chief Anthony Johnson, Deputy The Administration Division oversees business operations for the Law Department and is responsible for all expenditures of funds, collection of revenue and fees, procurement rules compliance and personnel processing. Staff also provide general administrative oversight and development of internal policies, rules and regulations. Finally, the Division currently stores 170,000 boxes containing inactive case ?les, and is responsible for ensuring the physical maintenance of ten citywide Law Department of?ces in addition to the Kingston, N.Y., of?ce which totals a half-million square feet of space. Each year, the Division handles over 38,000 paychecks; hundreds of personnel actions; thousands of payments for expert witnesses; 4,000 requests for court reporters and depositions; and hundreds of individual procurements. Moreover, it deposits money recovered in lawsuits on the City’s behalf. The Division’s efforts continue to focus on expansion and renovation of the Law Department’s facilities, speedy responses to staff changes, and automation of systems and processes to increase the Department’s efficiency. The Division also provides oversight and advice to other Department enterprises, such as information technology initiatives, equipment upgrades and management evaluations. Above: Brooklyn Bridge - 1905 On May 17, 1884, P. T. Barnum helped to squelch doubts about the bridge’s stability when one of his most famous attractions, Jumbo, led a parade of 21 elephants over the bridge. Left: Brooklyn Bridge - Present Day Highlights of Accomplishments from 2009: • • • SUPPORT DIVISIONS 1 • • Expanded the electronic routing of invoices to the General Litigation and Labor & Employment Law Divisions. Finalized the Guidelines for Outside Counsel Contracts. Completed work with the Office of Emergency Management that led to the creation of the Law Department’s Continuity of Operations Plan. This work identi?ed the Department’s essential services in response to Mayor Bloomberg’s Executive Order No. 107 which is aimed at ensuring that the City essential services remain operational during citywide emergencies. Increased work space capacity at 52 Duane Street. Completed plans with the Criminal Justice • • • • • Coordinator’s Of?ce to increase space capacity and improve the layout of our Bronx Family Court of?ce. Secured capital funding to enhance computer response and connectivity to further facilitate the migration of computer assets from 100 Church Street to Metrotech in Brooklyn. Secured capital funding to purchase shelving to accommodate an additional 86,000 boxes at our off-site storage facility. This increase will bring our total storage capacity to 256,000 boxes. Implemented procedural changes to facilitate internal processing under the City’s upgraded FMS/3 Accounting System. Transferred 636 non-legal staff to the City’s automated timekeeping program. Implemented a biometric handscan system to enhance our agency security access. 30