Olivehurst Public Utility District

Recommendations 3

• R1

  Page 61
  from the Final Report reads as follows: “The building department needs to build a friendly approachable reputation, especially with construction professionals. “
• R2

  Page 62
  The Community Development and Services Agency needs to complete, post and publicize the Residential Construction Guide as soon as possible. Yuba County Grand Jury Final Report June 25, 2009
• R5

  Page 61
  from the Final Report reads as follows: “The building department needs to formalize a complaint process. Complaints and their solutions should be documented. Community Development and Services management should periodically review the complaint/solution database to determine that complaints are being resolved. Customers of the building department need to be made aware that such a system exists and that there will be no reprisals for using it.” Method of the Investigation The Committee requested information from the Community Development and Services Agency (CDSA), which included the agency’s overall goals, budget goals, organizational information, and 2007-2008 accomplishments of the agency. The Committee reviewed the provided information. Interviews were held with the CDSA staff with a minimum of two members present. Facts and Observations The CDSA is comprised of the county Building, Planning, Environmental Health, and Public Works departments. The agency posts its Mission Statement on the Yuba County website as follows: Yuba County Grand Jury Final Report June 25, 2009 “The Community Development & Services Agency coordinates the orderly growth and development of the County while ensuring proper housing, circulation and public health and safety of its residents. The Agency provides direction, coordination, and administrative support for the Building, Environmental Health, Planning, and Public Works Departments. The four Departments within the Agency and the Divisions within the Departments which include Code Enforcement, CUPA, Housing & Community Services, and the County Surveyor encompass all services necessary for the County to provide land use, building, housing, circulation and code compliance information in an efficient, courteous, professional and cost-effective manner to the residents of Yuba County.” During staff interviews, it was indicated that the complaint resolution process has been streamlined. The CDSA staff mentioned that, contrary to prior practice, one individual is now responsible for tracking and resolving complaints in the Building Department. The complaint process has been improved by providing this single point of contact. Once a complaint is received, the point of contact communicates with the Director throughout the resolution process. The Committee was given the opportunity to review a draft of the Residential Construction Guide (Guide). When complete, this Guide will be available free of charge at the CDSA office as well as on the CDSA website. The Guide will present a large amount of information and will be useful for both the do-it-yourselfer and the professional builder. The Guide will also help those seeking to hire a contractor for either a remodeling job or new home construction. It will cover everything from building permits to fire and energy standards, including code enforcement requirements. The Guide will contain extensive material requirement lists for every phase of building from grading and drainage to roofing.