Napa County Grand Jury
• 2021-2022
The Report on the Napa City Community Development Department
⚠️ 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 8 findings
F1
The City of Napa’s Community Development Department’s IT system is obsolete, does not meet current needs, and has contributed to delays in review processes. The Cultural Heritage Commission is a five-member advisory body to the City Council on matters related to preservation of historic resources. 8
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The Grand Jury recommends that management fast-track the implementation of the Tyler Intergov Information System and encourage CDD’S employees in their training and use of the new system.
F2
A new IT system will be implemented by the City over the next 16-18 months starting in February 2022.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
The City should designate a project manager to have oversight over the review process for plans as they move through departments and oversee the timeframe to increase efficiency.
F3
The contracts for the new IT system have been signed and the funds allocated. The CDD currently does not use the current IT system but in the future it will be integrated into the new IT system. The new system will be Tyler Intergov and is cloud based, which is a substantial advantage. This system will be integrated into all of the other City systems of the other departments that are involved in the application review process.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
The City should develop an historic buildings resource database and integrate it into its new IT system.
F4
Most documents project applicants need to complete the CDD review process will be submitted and available online at full implementation of the new IT system. It will no longer be necessary to provide multiple copies of plans because all departments involved in the review process of projects will be able to access the same data online.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
The Grand Jury suggests that the Planning Commission and City Council meet yearly to discuss future growth and development issues. 9
F5
The CDD’s application review process and general responsiveness to the public were adversely affected by the COVID pandemic.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
The Community Development Department should educate the public about the Napa City fee structures to make clear they they include services that are not offered by other cities. This approach results in extra costs outside the fee services in those other cities.
F6
Citizen groups often provide new information at the public meetings to the Planning Commission which can result in a delay of a project.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
The Grand Jury recommends that the CDD either designate a planning staff member or contract with a consultant who specializes historic preservation.
F7
The Grand Jury believes that CDD’s fees are appropriate since they cover services not provided by other jurisdictions.
No recommendations for this finding
F8
The absence of expertise in CDD regarding the renovation of historic sites means that some historic building project applications might not receive appropriate review.
No recommendations for this finding
Agency Responses 1
Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.