Report 2015-134 Recommendation 26 Responses

Report 2015-134: Residential Building Records: The Cities of San Rafael, Novato, and Pasadena Need to Strengthen the Implementation of Their Resale Record Programs (Release Date: March 2016)

Recommendation #26 To: San Rafael, City of

To ensure that it conducts its resale record inspections and completes the reports in a timely manner, San Rafael should review its time goals by July 2016 for the resale record program and modify them if necessary, factoring in property owners' expectations and staff resources to complete the resale record reports. If applicable, San Rafael should update its policies and procedures to reflect the revised time goals.

Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From November 2017

On July 17, 2017, a six-month report on the progress of the program was presented to the San Rafael City Council. The City Council report and video stream of the July 17, 2017 meeting can be accessed at the following links:

http://cityofsanrafael.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=38&clip_id=1181&meta_id=109312

http://cityofsanrafael.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=38&clip_id=1181&meta_id=109313

Overall, the six-month report resulted in no further changes to the Residential Building Record Program. As outlined in City Council Resolution No. 14323 (previously provided to your office), City staff is working toward preparing an informational video, which will supplement all other informational resources that have been prepared to facilitate public education. Further, it is expected that an amnesty program will be launched in early 2018, which will provide an opportunity for property owners to secure permits for unpermitted work without paying penalties or fines.

California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Fully Implemented

1-Year Agency Response

As part of the City Council adoption of Ordinance No. 1945 and Resolution No. 14323, the San Rafael City Council mandated a six-month progress report and review. At the end of the first six months of the new program (commencing in mid-January 2017), City staff is to return to the City Council with a report on the progress of the program. Further, this action requires that the City complete a periodic review of the program policies, practices and procedures to amend them as deemed necessary.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 1-Year Status: Pending

6-Month Agency Response

On August 1st and Sept 6th City Council held public study sessions in order to hear testimony from all interested parties on whether or not to maintain our Resale program in it's present state. No determination was made, and staff is now in the process of preparing a list of options for modification of the program based on the public testimony heard. That will be presented to Council at some future date to be determined. At that time, it will be determined if the program will continue. Should the program continue in its current form, procedures for monitoring these timelines will be developed and explored.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Pending

60-Day Agency Response

Time goals will be reviewed in July 2016 to determine compliance with this recommendations.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: Pending

All Recommendations in 2015-134

Agency responses received are posted verbatim.