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Extracted from Consolidated Report

This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.

San Joaquin County Grand Jury • 2008-2009

City of Stockton Neighborhood Services / Code Enforcement

6 pages
View PDF View Full Original

Findings 11 findings

F1 Page 73
Citizens can file a complaint with CED in person, via the internet, telephone and fax. The city website features the ‘Ask Stockton’ link and inquiries can be made there as well (http://user.govoutreach.com/stockton/faq.php). In November 2008, a CED employee was given the responsibility of answering questions from the public, responding to requests from real estate agents and delivering escrow payoff demands.
F2 Page 73
When accessing CED’s contact information through the City of Stockton website, users must click on three links. The public would be better served if the website featured a direct link on the home page.
F3 Page 73
Other California cities, such as Sacramento, have internet information systems that allow the public to search by category, property type, case number or address. Stockton code enforcement representatives agree that such a website feature would save time and money.
F4 Page 73
On numerous occasions, CED has not been timely in notifying all parties involved in property sale transactions of the pending code citations. Prior to closing escrow, the escrow agent requests a payoff demand from CED. When CED responds to this request, a code enforcement officer makes a return visit to the property. If any new violations are found, the escrow holder is notified. This has caused delays in closing escrow and subsequent post-transaction problems for new property owners.
F5 Page 74
Properties are often purchased with pending code citations and without a lien having been recorded. Citations remain on the property and the code enforcement process continues as if property ownership had not changed. Associated fees for the violations continue to be the responsibility of the original owner and are not assessed to the new owner. However, the new owner remains responsible for correcting the violations.
F6 Page 74
The Grand Jury has found that the new owner of the property mentioned in one complaint has not accepted the responsibility to remedy the violations. Reactionary complaints are often generated against CED as a result of fees continuing to accrue when property owners do not comply.
F7 Page 74
Stockton is one of only four U.S. cities utilizing the newly-developed Mortgage Electronic Registration System (MERS). Nationwide mortgage holders list foreclosed properties, with 2.2 million registered properties. Stockton code enforcers have access to this registration system. The system is designed to give information on foreclosed properties and to provide users with the name of a contact person.
F8 Page 74
The CED is now engaging in outreach efforts, including the proactive publishing and distribution of Q&A brochures to realtors and escrow agents during site specific contacts and scheduled presentations.
F9 Page 74
When efforts are being made for compliance, the CED will often allow the property owner an extension of time to complete the required work before assessing fines.
F10 Page 74
The CED initiated efforts to equip CEO vehicles with electronic equipment for portable computer access to expedite the transmission of reports to the CED office. Not all vehicles have been modified. When computer access is available, the Grand Jury found some CEOs do not use it.
F11 Page 74
Some California cities use Redevelopment Agency Funding (RDA) or other funding methods outside of the General Fund to finance supplemental police services for code enforcement.

Recommendations 9