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Findings and Recommendations 12 findings
F1
The MCGJ finds that a City Administrator instructed Smokehouse to contact a Financial Officer, regarding how to change the business license to reflect GROUP's name.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The MCGJ recommends Transparency and Accountability: The City should ensure transparency and accountability in the issuance and modification of business licenses. All actions taken by city officials should be documented and made available for public scrutiny of this report being published.
F2
The MCGJ finds The GROUP business license was initiated by a City Administrator. Email records from the city confirm that this was done without any application filed by GROUP.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
The MCGJ recommends the city administration hire an independent agency to conduct a thorough review and audit of the business license issuance process to identify any irregularities and ensure compliance with city ordinances of receiving this report.
F3
The MCGJ finds Lack of Documentation: There is a lack of proper documentation and transparency in the process of issuing and modifying business licenses.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
The MCGJ recommends improving communication between city departments and the City Council to ensure that all relevant information is shared, discussed and documented This recommendation should be implemented of receiving this report.
F4
The MCGJ finds Non-compliance with Ordinances: The issuance of the business license to GROUP did not comply with the Madera Code of Ordinances (MCO) Title VI, Chapter 1.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
The MCGJ recommends enforcement of ordinances: Enforce the Madera Code of Ordinances Title VI, Chapter 1, to ensure that all businesses operating in the city have the necessary licenses and comply with city regulations of receiving this report.
F5
The MCGJ finds Potential Conflict of Interest: A City Manager's involvement in the business license issuance process raises concerns about conflicts of interest, especially in light of the Team Responses.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
The MCGJ recommends implementing a conflict of interest policy to ensure that city officials do not have any personal or financial interests in the businesses they regulate of receiving this report.
F6
The MCGJ finds Public Scrutiny: The actions taken by city officials in issuing and modifying business licenses should be documented and made available for public scrutiny.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
The MCGJ recommends launching a public awareness campaign to inform residents and business owners about the importance of compliance with city ordinances and the procedures for obtaining business licenses of receiving this report.
F7
The MCGJ finds impact on public trust: The irregularities in the business license issuance process harm public trust in city officials and the administration.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
The MCGJ recommends that the entire MCGJ report be read to the Council members in an open public meeting of receiving this report.
F8
The MCGJ finds the Council does not read the findings, recommendations, and City responses to MCGJ reports.
Related Recommendations (1)
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
F9
The MCGJ finds the equipment inventory, Exhibit B, is outdated.
Related Recommendations (1)
R9
The MCGJ recommends conducting regular audits of SGM’s business expenses in regards to capital improvements vs maintenance obligations. of receiving this report.
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.
Related Recommendations (1)
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.
F11
The MCGJ finds that the Advisory Committee monthly meeting reports are not made available to the Council.
Related Recommendations (1)
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.
F12
The MCGJ finds insufficient training regarding business license applications and issuance requirements.
Related Recommendations (1)
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 Madera County District Attorney 300 South G 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 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. ____________________________________________________________________________
Conclusions 1
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CL1GROUP Business License: The GROUP business license was initiated by a City Administrator. Email records from the city confirm that this was done outside of the ordinances, without planning department approval and without any application being filed by GROUP. Business License Discrepancies: The City Manager instructed Smokehouse to contact a Financial Officer to correct the business license to reflect GROUP's name. This action contradicts the City Manager's denial in last year's jury report that GROUP Smokehouse operated the golf course bar. Email records from the City Clerk’s office confirm that this name correction was done without providing any documents or application by GROUP. 21 City”Bogey’s” Grand Jury’s Report
No Responses Found 2
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
Madera
City
Madera County District Attorney
Elected County Office