Score: 0 (4/4/4)

Napa County Grand Jury • 2023-2024

Napa County Building Department: The Good, the Bad, and the Confusing

Published: May 01, 2024 13 pages

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⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.

⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.

Findings and Recommendations 7 findings

The Jury found that Napa County has only one full-time Fire Plans Examiner. After this report was written, the Jury learned that the department had hired a second Fire Plans Examiner.

Related Recommendations (1)

By December 31, 2024, the Jury recommends that a qualified fire code plans examiner be hired to ensure the department has adequate coverage to meet the demands of the building permit submissions. After this report was written, the Jury learned that the department had hired a second Fire Plans Examiner.

The Jury found that all Napa County building permits must be approved by the Fire Plans Examiner.

Related Recommendations (1)

The Jury recommends that PBES immediately cross-train a staff member to cover the work volume during staffing shortages or vacancies. The department should not allow a position to remain vacant for any extended length of time.

The Jury found that as a result of staff shortages, projects throughout the county are delayed and customers are in a holding pattern pending approvals for extended periods of time. 8

Related Recommendations (1)

The Jury recommends that PBES immediately require compliance with the 60 (50) day rule for all applicants of temporary events license permits.

The Jury found that an annual golf tournament held in Napa County has consistently been allowed to not comply with the permit application rules.

Related Recommendations (1)

By December 31, 2024, the Jury recommends that PBES initiate a comprehensive review of existing policies and procedures regarding temporary events license permits to ensure future compliance and accountability.

The Jury found the Napa County permit matrix to be a complex five-page document that is confusing to the average applicant.

Related Recommendations (1)

By December 31, 2024, the Jury recommends that PBES modify the existing internal matrix into a format understandable by applicants.

The Jury found that PBES is currently without a formal process for customers to provide feedback, either in person or on the website.

Related Recommendations (1)

By September 30, 2024, the Jury recommends that PBES develop a customer feedback option, in person and online, as part of the application process. PBES should retain these records for potential performance improvement and evaluation purposes.

The Jury found that PBES does not assign specific field inspectors for entire projects leading to potential conflicting opinions about required corrective actions. COMMENDATIONS The Jury commends the continuing efforts of the PBES team implementing the online digital platform. The Jury commends the PBES’s dedicated staff who perform despite the challenges of staff shortages and cramped office environment.

Related Recommendations (1)

The Jury recommends that, whenever possible PBES send the same inspector to conduct follow-up inspections. 9

Additional Recommendations 2

These recommendations are not explicitly linked to specific findings.

R8

The Jury recommends that PBES immediately establish a protocol for resolving conflicting code interpretations by different inspectors on the same project. R.9 By December 31, 2024, the Jury recommends that PBES provide mobile compatible electronic devices for each field inspector capable of reviewing plans and prior inspection notes.
R9

By December 31, 2024, the Jury recommends that PBES provide mobile compatible electronic devices for each field inspector capable of reviewing plans and prior inspection notes. REQUEST FOR RESPONSES Napa County Board of Supervisors – R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, and R9 INVITED RESPONSES Director, Napa County Department of Planning, Building, and Environmental Services - R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, and R9 Chief Building Official, Napa County – R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, and R9 Napa County Fire Marshall – R2 Reports issued by the NCGJ do not identify individuals interviewed. Penal Code section 929 requires that reports of the NCGJ not contain the name of any person or facts leading to the identity of any person who provides information to the NCGJ.

Commendations 1

CM1 Page 9

The Jury commends the continuing efforts of the PBES team implementing the online digital platform. The Jury commends the PBES’s dedicated staff who perform despite the challenges of staff shortages and cramped office environment.

Agency Responses 8

Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.

City of Napa

July 16, 2024 • 4 pages • 1 response • Score: +1 (+1, 0, 0) View Details ▾

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1 response to findings and recommendations

Response: Will Implement

Score: +1

(R6) in the Grand Jury Report (hereinafter "City Response"). The City Response was prepared by City staff, including the Police Chief, and presented to the City Council for their consideration. At the public meeting on July 16, 2024, the City Council approved this City Response, and directed the City Manager to submit this City Response on behalf of the City Council. Therefore, this City Response represents the required response to the Grand Jury Report from the City Council of the City of Napa, as well as the invited responses from the Police Chief of the City of Napa. General Responses: <b>F...

City of Napa

June 18, 2024 • 6 pages • 2 responses • Score: -1 (+0, 1, -1) View Details ▾

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2 responses to findings and recommendations

The Jury found that as a result of staff shortages, projects throughout the county are delayed and customers are in a holding pattern pending approvals for extended periods of time. 8

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

. The Jury found current gang activity and recruitment is more apparent in middle school and even younger ages. The City of Napa agrees with the finding. F4. The Jury found that despite it having been proved to be successful, vocational curriculum has been eliminated within the NVUSD. The City of Napa agrees with the finding. F5. The Jury found that Napa County has little to no after school activities for teens and preteens. There is a need for organized free programs, including sports and other after school activities. The City of Napa disagrees partially with the finding. While the City of N...

The Jury recommends that PBES immediately establish a protocol for resolving conflicting code interpretations by different inspectors on the same project. R.9 By December 31, 2024, the Jury recommends that PBES provide mobile compatible electronic devices for each field inspector capable of reviewing plans and prior inspection notes.

Response: Will Not Implement

Score: -1

. By September 30, 2024, the City of Napa Police Department create a succession plan for the Community Service Officer role in the Juvenile Diversion Program, including program expansion. This recommendation will not be implemented because it is not reasonable. The City of Napa Civil Services Rules govern how vacancies are filled and require a thorough, fair and competitive process, and therefore the City cannot predesignate a replacement for any classified position. However, the City of Napa appreciates the Grand Jury's recognition of the importance of continuity in the Community Service Offi...

Napa County

October 01, 2024 • 3 pages View Details ▾

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Napa County

September 30, 2024 • 12 pages • 2 responses • Score: 0 (+1, 0, -1) View Details ▾

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2 responses to findings and recommendations

Response: Will Implement

Score: +1

. By September 30, 2024, the Napa County Sheriff direct their communication staff to create a monthly review of their social media accounts, websites, and other digital communication channels to assure that information stays current. Response, Sheriff: The recommendation has not yet been implemented. The Sheriff will implement this recommendation within the timeframe identified by the Jury. The Board of Supervisors agrees with the Sheriff.

Response: Disagree Score: -1

or have their contact number or email manually entered into Everbridge by OES staff as they periodically checked the Nixle system for any new subscribers. The Board and Sheriff are pleased that this enrollment issue has been resolved, and new subscribers should find the process efficient and effective. Finding 11. Everbridge has not fulfilled all of its contractual obligations with Napa County. The Board of Supervisors and the Sheriff disagree wholly with the finding. The contract executed between Napa County and Everbridge has been reviewed by the County, with assistance from County Counsel, ...

Napa County

September 30, 2024 • 3 pages View Details ▾

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Napa County

September 11, 2024 • 30 pages • 3 responses • Score: +1 (+1, 2, 0) View Details ▾

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3 responses to findings and recommendations

The Jury found that Napa County has only one full-time Fire Plans Examiner. After this report was written, the Jury learned that the department had hired a second Fire Plans Examiner.

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

, the Agency is an active participant in a collaborative network of entities who work together to ensure that older adults are protected from harm and receive the support they need. The Board of Supervisors agrees with the Director of Health and Human Services Agency. Finding 3. The Jury found that the constellation of services available to the elderly is broad and complex making it a challenge for some people to find the resources they need. The Director of Health and Human Services Agency agrees with this finding. There are indeed a wide range of services available for older adults in Napa C...

The Jury found the Napa County permit matrix to be a complex five-page document that is confusing to the average applicant.

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

is incorporated by reference. The Board of Supervisors agrees with the Director of Health and Human Services Agency. Finding 7. The Jury found that an affluent population makes Napa County particularly vulnerable to elder financial scams. Experts predict that emerging artificial intelligence technologies will make financial scams a bigger problem. The best deterrent to this type of fraud is for potential victims to have the capability and strategies to identify them beforehand. The Director of Health and Human Services Agency partially disagrees with this finding. According to CDSS data on APS...

The Jury found that PBES is currently without a formal process for customers to provide feedback, either in person or on the website.

Response: Agree Score: +1

The Board of Supervisors agrees with the Director of Health and Human Services Agency. Finding 8. The Jury found that the elderly population in Napa County is increasing. As the elderly population increases, the demand for resources needed to keep them safe will also increase. Additional social workers and mental health therapists will be needed in the county. The Director of Health and Human Services Agency agrees with this finding. In 2040, it is projected that older adults 60+ will comprise 33% of the population compared to just 21% in 2020. Therefore, systems and services will have to resp...

Napa County

August 06, 2024 • 8 pages • 2 responses • Score: +1 (+1, 0, 0) View Details ▾

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2 responses to findings and recommendations

The Jury recommends that PBES immediately require compliance with the 60 (50) day rule for all applicants of temporary events license permits.

Response: Will Implement

Score: +1

The Board of Supervisors agrees with the Director of the Department of Planning, Building and Environmental Services. Recommendation 5. By December 31, 2024, the Jury recommends that PBES modify the existing internal matrix into a format understandable by applicants. Response of Director of the Department of Planning, Building and Environmental Services: The recommendation has not yet been implemented. As staff are in the process of developing guidance documents to better inform the public on the building permit process, the matrix has been removed from the County's website to prevent confusio...

The Jury recommends that, whenever possible PBES send the same inspector to conduct follow-up inspections. 9

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

There are occasions when the Building Code may not be entirely clear, and the inspector may need to interpret the intent of the code language. When this occurs, it typically results in a discussion with the other inspectors and the Field Inspection Supervisor. In the morning before the inspectors head out for the day, inspectors will discuss code corrections from the prior day as well as review any issues that might arise with the inspections assigned for that day. This is an opportunity to promote a balanced understanding of the code across the inspection team. Currently, these discussions ar...

Napa County Election Division, Response to Findings and Recommendations

April 09, 2024 • 4 pages • 4 responses • Score: -2 (+0, 1, -2) View Details ▾

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4 responses to findings and recommendations

The Napa County Board of Supervisors examine the need to upgrade the Napa Elections Office to ensure adequate office workspace for future elections. This examination should include collaboration with and input from the Napa County Elections Division staff, and should occur , with a report of recommendations released in 45 days.

Response: Implemented

Due: Within 60 days Scheduled: within 60 days Score: 0

The recommendation has been implemented. On April 9, 2024, the Board of Supervisors reviewed the Facilities Master Plan (FMP) report which included recommendations to address election division workspace needs. In developing those recommendations, the firm preparing the FMP report interviewed the Registrar of Voters, surveyed election staff and reviewed Napa County workspace standards. The Board of Supervisors expects to follow those recommendations when final decisions are made on relocating the election division. R2. The Napa County Elections Division review its website for modernization and ...

The Napa County Elections Division review its website for modernization and standards to help the organization of information. The Elections website should include the public reports required by the state. Recommendation for a review and generation of areas of improvement of the website be and implementation of changes from the identification of the areas of improvement.

Response: Will Not Implement

Due: Within 60 days Scheduled: within 90 days Score: -1

The recommendation has not yet been implemented. The Election Division is participating in a major, countywide upgrade of countyofnapa.org website where Election Division pages reside. The timing of improvements to the website are beyond the control of any single department or division but will be undertaken as part of the countywide effort. R3. The Napa County Elections Division set up and maintain its own social media accounts to distribute voter information, and staff should refrain from using personal accounts to communicate official county business. Both of these recommendations should be...

The Napa County Elections Division set up and maintain its own social media accounts to distribute voter information, and staff should refrain from using personal 13 accounts to communicate official county business. Both of these recommendations should be implemented

Response: Will Not Implement

Due: Within 90 days Scheduled: within 30 days Score: -1

The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted or is not reasonable. The Napa County Social Media Use Policy has no requirement for departments or divisions to create and maintain their own sites. Creating and maintaining a social media presence demands both financial and staff resources which are beyond the scope of smaller departments and divisions. The Election Division uses the Countywide Social Media team to disseminate information and monitor any comments received. The Napa ELECTION DIVISION RESPONSE TO GRAND JURY REPORT Page 1 of 2 County Social Media Use Policy...

The Napa County Elections Division examine its outreach program directed to those coming of age to vote. This outreach should be added to the next iteration of the Napa County Election Administration Plan (EAP). Materials should be readily available and circulated

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

The recommendation has been partially implemented. Napa County approximates the statewide average of pre-registered voters as a percentage of eligible 16 and 17 year olds. Outreach materials targeted at coming-of-age voters are available in our office. Instructions on pre-registration are being added to our website as part of the overall, countywide upgrade. Napa County has a Registration Ambassador program targeted at elementary and coming-of-age voters. Our attempts to coordinate outreach activities with the schools have run into scheduling problems and lack of response. Our outreach strateg...

No Responses Found 1

Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.

Napa County Board of Supervisors Elected County Office