Merced County Grand Jury
2012-2013
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Findings & Recommendations
15 findings
F1:
In the last two years only complaint-based inspections are completed in Firebaugh, Los Banos, Volta and part of Santa Nella.
F2:
Those facilities observed by the 2012-2013 Merced County Civil Grand Jury from December 5, 2012 to March 5, 2013 which received “unsatisfactory” ratings had not been re-inspected within the thirty days as required by law.
F3:
As of July 1, 2012 DEH was down one EHS and as of January 8, 2013 they were down two EHS. There has not been any EHS recruitment since 2008.
F4:
DEH posted a job listing on November 29, 2012 to hire an EHT. An EHT was hired April 8, 2013.
F5:
EHS are required to do other duties beyond inspections, including “volunteering” their work time to do clerical work and aid the DPH as a whole for special events. The inspectors spend an average of 30% of their time on food inspections. Inspectors stated that they were behind on their inspections by an average of 40%.
F6:
Inspectors are overwhelmed by the workload and morale is low.
F7:
Inspectors are required to do front desk duty three or four days per month due to lack of clerical staff.
F8:
The hospital the Civil Grand Jury observed on March 5, 2013 had an unsatisfactory rating and was last inspected June 13, 2011. As of April 27, 2013 DEH had not re- inspected the facility. 50
F9:
The facilities the Civil Grand Jury visited (with the exception of one) had current operating health permits, but the majority didn’t have a current inspection report. Therefore, they are not receiving the services that are tied to the annual permit fee.
F10:
Laptops are available to all EHS. Not all inspectors use the assigned laptop to write reports in the field. This results in duplication of work to get it from hand-written form to laptop when they return to the office. Training on the laptop is available online but is not required by the SEHS.
F11:
DEH does not use an on-site posted rating system to inform consumers of business inspection status.
F12:
The 2010-2011 San Luis Obispo County Civil Grand Jury17 observed three restaurant inspections in their county with no negative impact on the county or the restaurants they observed.
F13:
The Envision Connect System by Decade Software Company doesn’t interface well with the County system. The script for the reports used to trigger upload of food inspection report data to the internet is ineffective.
F14:
One EHS III spends 50% of the work day addressing computer problems.
F15:
If a facility hasn’t been inspected within two years it falls off the website.
Additional Recommendations
10
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
The 2012-2013 Merced County Civil Grand Jury recommends placement of door tags. These should be multilingual. This is the cheapest and most effective way. It has been done in other jurisdictions with diverse cultures. The 2012-2013 Merced County Civil Grand Jury recommends using public service announcements, town hall meetings, and Municipal Advisory Councils to further disseminate information.
R2:
The 2012-2013 Merced County Civil Grand Jury recommends an accrual account dedicated to buying heavy equipment when it needs to be replaced.
R3:
The 2012-2013 Merced County Civil Grand Jury recommends that MCRWMA participate in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s LMOP, a voluntary assistance program that helps to reduce methane emissions from landfills by encouraging the recovery and beneficial use of landfill gas (LFG) as an energy resource. According to their website: (http://www.epa.gov/lmop/ ) “by joining LMOP, companies, state agencies, organizations, landfills, and communities gain access to a vast network of industry experts and practitioners, as well as to various technical and marketing resources that can 61 help with LFG energy project development.” Grants to fund the start up cost of a methane conversion project should be explored.
R4:
The 2012-2013 Merced County Civil Grand Jury recommends a monthly-designated area for haulers to pick up recyclables.
R8:
The 2012-2013 Merced County Civil Grand Jury recommends hospitals should be given priority for inspections.
R9:
The 2012-2013 Merced County Civil Grand Jury recommends the yearly permit list should be cross-referenced with the inspection database quarterly to determine the most recent date of inspection. Those facilities that have lapsed should take priority. This would act as a check and balance so the facilities would receive yearly inspections and remain on the website.
R10:
The 2012-2013 Merced County Civil Grand Jury recommends inspectors be required to complete training and use the laptop for all inspections.
R11:
The 2012-2013 Merced County Civil Grand Jury recommends DEH implement an on-site posted placard rating system. The inspector could carry the appropriate rating placard for placement at time of inspection. This would allow the public to have immediate access to the facility’s inspection status and be readily visible. In the future the DEH should look into a Quick Response (QR) code reader to allow consumers the ability to use modern technology to access this information.
R12:
The 2012-2013 Merced County Civil Grand Jury recommends the DPH consider a more transparent approach to any future Merced County Civil Grand Jury’s request to observe a food inspector conducting a food facility inspection. 17 2010-2011 San Luis Obispo County Civil Grand Jury Report 51
R15:
The 2012-2013 Merced County Civil Grand Jury recommends reprograming the software so reports remain on the website beyond two years. COMMENDATION The Merced County online food inspection reports are more user friendly than five of the surrounding counties that offer online reports. Merced County is the only one that lists a rating program based on points for violations at food facilities.
Findings & Recommendations
5 findings
F1:
Office space is inadequate for staff and the storage of medical records.
F2:
The purchase of an X-Ray machine would be cost effective in the long run, but there is currently no adequate space available.
F3:
Budget cuts have reduced the number of dispatchers and responders. AB109 has put more criminals back on the street. If one commits a minor crime, while they may be charged, they often will not see jail time. Criminals are often released as soon as they are processed.
F4:
In various jurisdictions in Merced County, responders will sometimes find themselves in locations where their radio systems and/or cell phones do not have an adequate signal.
F5:
The County of Merced spent $351,783 on a reverse 9-1-1 system that was never operational. 13 http://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/crimestats 14 http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/news/docs/2011-05-23-three-judge-panel-background.pdf 36
Additional Recommendations
5
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
The 2012-2013 Merced County Civil Grand Jury recommends a larger facility to adequately house services currently being outsourced, increase staff work space and provide necessary space for storage of medical records.
R2:
The 2012-2013 Merced County Civil Grand Jury recommends the purchase of an X- Ray machine as budget allows. COMMENDATION The 2012-2013 Merced County Civil Grand Jury recognizes the ongoing efforts of this agency to enhance and upgrade systems for increased efficiency. The Sheriff’s Department and the Coroner's Office should be commended for a job well done.
R3:
The 2012-2013 Merced County Civil Grand Jury recommends that Merced County jurisdictions should increase the number of dispatchers and law enforcement responders as soon as budget allows.
R4:
The 2012-2013 Merced County Civil Grand Jury recommends that Merced County ensure that all emergency responder radio “dead zones” are located and the necessary actions are taken to ensure adequate radio signal strength.
R5:
The 2012-2013 Merced County Civil Grand Jury recommends the County of Merced require all departments in charge of purchasing for the County to have a clause in each contract that will allow the return of the equipment and a full refund if it does not work as advertised or with our systems. Also, enough research should be done prior to purchasing to ensure that the equipment will work with our systems.
Additional documents
Documents found alongside this year's reports, not grand jury reports or responses.