Madera County Grand Jury • 2024-2025

Graphic Designer Paul Aleman, it Admin Mary Norris, it Asst Admin Cana Marks

Published: ∼ June 30, 2025 283 pages Consolidated Report

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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 16 findings

The MCGJ finds that the transition of leadership from the Department of Corrections to the Sheriff’s Office has been positive for both staff and inmates at the Madera County Jail.

The MCGJ finds that despite legislative changes and the County’s population growth, the staffing levels at the Jail have remained the same.

The MCGJ finds that building renovations can help support the potential future growth of the Jail population.

The MCGJ finds that employee absenteeism compounds productivity issues. 50

The MCGJ finds that the EHD lacks public transparency and community education efforts.

The MCGJ finds that the EHD does not prioritize housing and homeless encampment complaints.

The MCGJ finds impact on public trust: The irregularities in the business license issuance process harm public trust in city officials and the administration.

The MCGJ finds the Council does not read the findings, recommendations, and City responses to MCGJ reports.

The MCGJ finds the equipment inventory, Exhibit B, is outdated.

F10

The MCGJ finds the cleaning of the solar panels has been paid by SGM from the CapitaI Improvement fund and not the maintenance costs. 154

F11

The MCGJ finds that the Advisory Committee monthly meeting reports are not made available to the Council.

F12

The MCGJ finds insufficient training regarding business license applications and issuance requirements.

F13

The MCGJ finds that the City has repeatedly failed to ascertain or confirm the true identity of SGM’s purported subtenant(s) at the MMGC.

F14

The MCGJ finds that SGM appears to have two subtenants: Smokehouse for the food service, and the undisclosed bar operator GROUP.

F15

The MCGJ finds that the Interim Fire Marshal recommended that the MMGC be brought up to both the ADA requirements and the City Building Code due to serious violations.

F16

The MCGJ finds that the City has failed to ensure that its tenant and subtenants at the MMGC have performed their daily maintenance obligations under the Lease

Recommendations 16

R1

The MCGJ recommends that the Sheriff’s Office continue to develop innovative ways to maintain employee morale and the high level of safety and security of the Jail. The Sheriff's Office should continue to provide regular updates to the Board of Supervisors regarding innovative developments within the Jail beginning 90 days after the MCGJ report posting.
R2

The MCGJ recommends that the Sheriff’s Office work with the Board of Supervisors to conduct a staffing analysis now that the Jail is fully staffed and there are correctional officers available to join at any time. The staffing analysis should be completed by 90 days after the MCGJ report posting.
R3

The MCGJ recommends that the Sheriff’s Office develop a plan to rehabilitate Module B, which should be completed and presented to the Board of Supervisors 90 days after the MCGJ report posting. REQUEST FOR RESPONSES Pursuant to Penal Code Section 933 and 933.05, the Madera County Grand Jury requests responses as follows: From the following elected officials : Office of the Madera County Sheriff 2725 Falcon Drive Madera, CA 93637 Madera County Board of Supervisors 200 West Fourth Street Madera, CA 93637 _________________________________________________________________________________ Reports issued by the Civil Grand Jury do not identify individuals interviewed. Penal Code Section 929 requires that reports of the Grand Jury not contain the name of any person or facts leading to the identity of any person who provides information to the Civil Grand Jury. The California State Legislature has stated that it intends the provisions of Penal Code Section 929 prohibiting disclosure of witness identities to encourage full candor in testimony in Grand Jury investigations by protecting the privacy and confidentiality of those who participate in any Civil Grand Jury investigation. * Note: This report was prepared using current information available on the websites listed. ___________________________________________________________________________________ 27 2023 Employee Survey Responses Demand Action March 19, 2025 2425-02 Prepared by the
R4

The MCGJ recommends that upon receipt of the leadership-developed departmental goals, the CAO’s Office will allocate appropriate resources to achieve the identified goals. A notification of requested and allocated resources will be submitted to the MCGJ by 150 days after the MCGJ report publication. REQUEST FOR RESPONSES The following responses are required pursuant to Penal Code sections 933 and 933.05: From the following governing bodies : Madera County Board of Supervisors 200 W. 4th St. Madera, CA 93637 The following responses are required pursuant to Penal Code sections 933 and 933.05: From the following governing bodies : Madera County Human Resources Department 200 W. 4th St. Madera, CA 93637 Chief Administrative Officer of Madera County 200 W. 4th St. Madera, CA 93637 _________________________________________________________________________ Reports issued by the Civil Grand Jury do not identify individuals interviewed. Penal Code Section 929 requires that reports of the Grand Jury not contain the name of any person or facts leading to the identity of any person who provides information to the Civil Grand Jury. The California State Legislature has stated that it intends the provisions of Penal Code Section 929 prohibiting disclosure of witness identities to encourage full candor in testimony in Grand Jury investigations by protecting the privacy and confidentiality of those who participate in any Civil Grand Jury investigation. * Note: This report was prepared using current information available on the websites listed. _________________________________________________________________________________________ 39 Food, Medical Waste, and Substandard Housing “Not a Priority” for Madera County Environmental Health Division 04/09/2025 2425-03 Prepared by the
R5

The MCGJ recommends that the EHD develop an outreach program in charge of regular public education events as well as updates to the EHD website including food inspection reports and fillable vendor forms. This should be completed by 90 days after the MCGJ report posting.
R6

The MCGJ recommends that the EHD join the established Madera Housing Our Homeless task force and collaborate with other county departments to address the recurring housing and homelessness issues. This should be completed by 90 days after the MCGJ report posting. 51
R7

The MCGJ recommends that the entire MCGJ report be read to the Council members in an open public meeting of receiving this report.
R8

The MCGJ recommends hiring an outside expert to check the City's property and equipment records and also to do regular checks within the City. The list of items the City owns (Exhibit B) needs to be brought up-to-date
R9

The MCGJ recommends conducting regular audits of SGM’s business expenses in regards to capital improvements vs maintenance obligations. of receiving this report.
R10

The MCGJ recommends improving the documentation process for issuing and modifying business licenses to ensure that all actions are properly recorded and transparent. of receiving this report.
R11

The MCGJ recommends engaging with stakeholders, including business owners and residents, to gather feedback and improve the business license issuance process of receiving this report.
R12

The MCGJ recommends that the Advisory Committee reports be agendized monthly and read to the Council in an open meeting of this report. REQUIRED RESPONSE Pursuant to Penal Code sections 933 and 933.05, the Madera County Grand Jury requires responses from the following: : Mayor of the City of Madera Madera City Hall 205 West 4th Street Madera, CA 93637 Pursuant to Penal Code sections 933 and 933.05, the Madera County Grand Jury requires responses from the following: : Madera City Council Madera City Hall 205 West 4th Street Madera, CA 93637 INVITED RESPONSES Pursuant to Penal Code sections 933 and 933.05, the Madera County Grand Jury invites responses from the following : City of Madera City Manager Madera City Hall 205 West 4th Street Madera, CA 93637 City of Madera Director of Parks and Community Services John W. Wells Youth Center 701 East 5th Street Madera, CA 93638 City of Madera Finance Department Madera City Hall 205 West 4th Street Madera, CA 93637 City of Madera Planning Department Madera City Hall 205 West 4th Street Madera, Ca 93637 157 City of Madera Code Enforcement 330 C Street Madera, CA 93637 City of Madera Golf Course Advisory Committee Madera City Hall 205 West 4th Street Madera, CA 93637 ______________________________________________________________________ Reports issued by the Civil Grand Jury do not identify individuals interviewed. Penal Code Section 929 requires that reports of the Grand Jury not contain the name of any person or facts leading to the identity of any person who provides information to the Civil Grand Jury. The California State Legislature has stated that it intends the provisions of Penal Code Section 929 prohibiting disclosure of witness identities to encourage full candor in testimony in Grand Jury investigations by protecting the privacy and confidentiality of those who participate in any Civil Grand Jury investigation. ____________________________________________________________________________ * Note: This report was prepared using current information available on the websites listed. ____________________________________________________________________________ 158 This Page Intentionally Left Blank 159 Summary of Responses to 2023-2024 Reports Responses to the Final Reports, filed by the 2023-2024 Madera County Grand Jury, are mandated by the California Penal Code. Penal Code sections 933 and 933.05 and requests that a response to the report be filed. This section includes a summary and overview of each report introducing the MCGJ’s Findings and Recommendations. The entire Final Report including archived responses are available on the website, Madera County Grand Jury Reports 2022-2023. Governing boards and elected officials are required to respond to the report
R13

The MCGJ recommends that the City recognize that SGM has represented its subtenant as Smokehouse and commence all appropriate actions to determine and correct the subtenant’s true identity of the kitchen/dining and bar operator(s) of the publication of this report. 232
R14

The MCGJ recommends that the City investigate this subtenant discrepancy and take appropriate action of the publication of this report.
R15

The MCGJ recommends that the City and SGM take action to correct these violations and complete the required work to avoid serious potential liability of the publication of this report.
R16

The MCGJ recommends that the City enforce timely maintenance at the MMGC immediately. REPORT RESPONDENTS Pursuant to Penal Code sections 933 and 933.05, the Madera County Grand Jury requests that the statutory required responses be delivered within the deadlines in both written form and PDF to the following: Superior Court of Madera County 200 South G Street Madera, CA 93637 Madera County Grand Jury Po Box 534 Madera, CA 93639 REQUIRED RESPONSES: Pursuant to Penal Code sections 933 and 933.05, the MCGJ requests responses as follows; From the following elected county officials : Madera City Council Madera City Hall 205 West 4th Street Madera, CA 93637 233 Mayor of the City of Madera Madera City Hall 205 West 4th Street Madera, CA 93637 Madera County District Attorney 300 South G Street Madera, CA 93637 INVITED RESPONDENTS: Pursuant to Penal Code sections 933 and 933.05, the Madera County Grand Jury invites responses from the following : California Attorney General 1300 I Street Ste 1142 Sacramento, CA 95814 Alcoholic Beverage Control 1330 E. Shaw Avenue Ste or Building B Fresno. CA 93710 City of Madera City Manager Madera City Hall 205 West 4th Street Madera, CA 93637 City of Madera Director of Parks and Community Services John W. Wells Youth Center 701 East 5th Street Madera, CA 93638 City of Madera Finance Department Madera City Hall 205 West 4th Street Madera, CA 93637 234 City of Madera Police Chief 330 C Street Madera, CA 93637 City of Madera Planning Department Madera City Hall 205 West 4th Street Madera, Ca 93637 City of Madera Code Enforcement 330 C Street Madera, CA 93637 City of Madera ADA Advisory Council Madera City Hall 205 West 4th Street Madera, CA 93637 City of Madera Golf Course Advisory Committee Madera City Hall 205 West 4th Street Madera, CA 93637 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 260 261 262 263 264 265 266 267 268 269 270 271 272 273 274 275 Madera County Civil Grand Jury Continuity Report 2023-2024 Madera County Final Report 2324-07 June 19, 2024