(a Public Cemetery District)*

Recommendations 12

• R1
  Trustees should require that employees dress appropriately for serving the public by following Madera County dress code requirements. The District has purchased uniforms for its employees, such as those which are used in many other cemeteries. In addition, the District is currently recruiting for a new District Manager, one of whose duties will be to improve the appearance, professionalism and service-orientation of all employees.
• R2
  A long term maintenance plan for the repair of curbs, sidewalks and asphalt surfaces be created and implemented as soon as possible. A preliminary maintenance and repair plan for curbs, gutters, sidewalks and asphalt is currently being developed, and will be further developed and implements by the District's new Manager. However, those areas in the worst state of repair and with the most unsafe conditions are being repaired as soon as possible.
• R3
  An emergency eye wash station and shower be added for employees in the workshop. A temporary eye-wash facility will be provided. The new restroom facility will have showers and a permanent eye-wash station for employees.
• R4
  The Employee Handbook should be brought up to date. The District believes that its current Employee Handbook is largely up to date. However, the District's counsel is currently reviewing and updating the Handbook.
• R5
  Employee job descriptions should be revised to reflect current employee duties. CHOWCHILLA CEMETERY DISTRICT'S RESPONSES TO 2013-2014 GRAND JURY REPORT New employee job descriptions have been prepared. However, job descriptions are under continuing review and will be revised throughout the coming year.
• R6
  Clear signage should be provided at the entry to the Cemetery stating hours of operation. The Chowchilla Cemetery has a sign inside the fence at the entry. Following the Grand Jury's comment, the Board of Trustees is reviewing existing signage and what additional information might be placed on a sign or signs.
• R7
  A list of current condition and useful lifespan of tools and equipment should be prepared and a plan for replacement be maintained by the Trustees. An inventory of existing tools and equipment is being conducted; additional tools and equipment are being purchased. A program of care and maintenance, as well as inventory control, will be implemented.
• R8
  Salaries of employees be reviewed and brought up to date with comparable size cemeteries in the state. The Board of Trustees reviewed salaries for comparable public cemetery district employees in comparable cemeteries, in terms of numbers of employees and interments conducted, from across California. Salaries for Chowchilla Cemetery District employees are in the approximate mid-point of those of other comparable districts. Nonetheless, the Board has taken action to increase salary scales.
• R10
  Construction of the Hillside Chamber, public bathrooms and pagoda be completed as soon as possible. Architectural drawings have been completed and approved by the Board. The project is currently with an engineering firm for cost estimates. This project will be moved forward as quickly as possible.
• R12
  The Cemetery begin accepting credit card usage for public convenience. The Chowchilla Cemetery District now accepts credit cards.
• R13
  The Trustees should receive training regarding the requirements of the Brown Act. The Board of Trustees have recently attended training on the Brown Act. In addition, the Board receives ongoing training and advice from the District's counsel who reviews agendas and descriptions prior to posting, attends Board meetings and provides Trustees guidance on Brown Act compliance.
• R14
  The Board of Supervisors and the Trustees consider that the Cemetery be joined with Madera County Cemetery District. Neither the Board of Supervisors nor the Madera County Cemetery District have discussed consolidation with the Chowchilla Cemetery District, and the District's Board of Trustees have given this matter no consideration at this time. Instead, the Board's focus and energies currently are devoted to improving all aspects of the operation and maintenance of the Chowchilla Cemetery District. Response to "Facts" The Board of Trustees of the Chowchilla Cemetery District wishes to respond to several of the purported "Facts" found by the Grand Jury and cited in its report.