Yolo County Grand Jury
• 2021-2022
Inspecting the Inspectors: Hiring Practices at City of West Sacramento, Building Division
⚠️ 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 4 findings
F1
Management failed to conduct an adequate background check and failed to properly vet the SOTC to ensure all qualifications for the position were met, as specified by the City of West Sacramento’s personnel rules.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The City of West Sacramento should update the personnel rules to guide management to conduct more thorough background checks of an applicant’s work history and implement a vetting process to ensure the candidate selected for hire is fully qualified for the position.
F2
Management failed to verify timely completion of certifications necessary for the SOTC to independently inspect construction projects to which the SOTC was assigned during the SOTC’s employment.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
The City of West Sacramento should update the personnel rules to require that the building department management conduct follow-up annual reviews of professional licenses, certifications and training requirements, to ensure employees are current with requirements for their positions.
F3
For over two years, supervisory and management staff failed to address the pattern of community complaints regarding the SOTC’s work.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
The City of West Sacramento should ensure that supervisory and management staff adhere to the employee complaint policy and act to resolve any verbal or formal complaints filed by staff.
F4
The grand jury was not given access to the HR file of the SOTC or to the electronic tracking system, Acela, despite formal and lawful grand jury requests. RECOMMENDATIONS
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
The City of West Sacramento should ensure that management staff are trained in the HR processes when a staff member lodges a complaint against another City of West Sacramento employee.
Additional Recommendations 1
These recommendations are not explicitly linked to specific findings.
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R5The City of West Sacramento should consider an independent audit of the SOTC’s work to ensure the safety and compliance of projects inspected by the SOTC for the safety of the public. REQUIRED RESPONSES Pursuant to California Penal Code Section (PC) 933 and PC §933.05: - The City Council of West Sacramento is requested to respond to Findings F-1, F-2, F-3 and F-4 and R-1, R-2, R-3, and R-4, and R-5 by October 1, 2022. 5