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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 01311989 - 2.4 THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA Adopted this Order on January 31, 1989 , by the following vote: AYES: Supervisors Powers, Fanden, Schroder, McPeak, Torlakson NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None ------------------------------------------------------------------ SUBJECT: Restaurant Rating System The Board received the attached report dated January 5 , 1989 from Mark Finucane, Health Services Director, relative to a proposed restaurant rating system for Contra Costa County. Phil Batchelor, County Administrator, referred to a Board request for a review of the County' s restaurant inspection procedures. He advised that the Health Services Department is in the process of scheduling meetings with the California Restaurant Association, to obtain industry input on any rating system that is developed. Mr. Batchelor stated that the Department is looking at a system that might include such categories as excellent, good, average, fair and poor. He noted that the Department is also looking at the process of an appeal system. Supervisor Schroder questioned the use of such categories, noting that if a restaurant received a poor rating it should be closed. Dan Bergman, Environmental Health Director, advised that when the field inspectors find violations that could result in the transmission of disease, those conditions must be corrected immediately and if the violation is severe enough the restaurant is closed immediately. He stated that this procedure assures that no establishment would be permitted to operate under conditions that could cause transmission of illness. He noted that the field inspections are unannounced, and if a restaurant received less than an excellent rating they could make the appropriate corrections and request a reinspection. Supervisor McPeak commented on the grading card system, and asked how the County would ensure compliance with the posting requirements. Mr. Bergman advised that an ordinance could be adopted requiring that the rating cards be posted and providing for imposition of penalties for lack of compliance. He referred to the San Diego County restaurant grading system and noted that experience has shown that owners generally comply with the posting requirements. Supervisor McPeak stated that she was interested in the concept, but would like further information on the rating categories. Mr. Bergman advised that the proposed system would be similar to the San Diego County system, which is an A card for 900 compliance, a B card for 80-90% compliance, and a C card for anything less than 80%. He stated that a C card requires correction within 30 days in the San Diego system. Supervisor Powers inquired as to whether there had been any litigation as a result of the rating system in San Diego County. Mr. Bergman stated that in his experience with the San Diego system there had been no liability issues or litigation involving the County. Supervisor Fanden expressed her support for the proposed rating system and stated that the restaurant owners, enforcement officers and the public would all benefit from such a system. Supervisor Torlakson requested further information on the proposed appeal process and the potential costs involved in enforcing the system. There being no further discussion, IT IS BY THE BOARD ORDERED that the report from the Health Services Director is ACCEPTED. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Health Services Director is DIRECTED to respond to questions raised by Board members relative to fiscal impact, cost recovery, potential liability, a proposed appeal system and enforcement of a rating system, and to develop a proposed rating system and implementation process for the Board' s consideration. cc: Health Services Director County Administrator I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the rrnnu as o:'kne Board of SupeZCHIELOR, ' ors on the elate shown. ATTESTED:PHIL B eerk of the Board of Su enri'scrs and County Administrator By � �, Deputy d 2' .,004 TO: y BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FROM: Mark Finucane , Health Services Director Contra 1& Costa DATE: January 5 , 1989 County,nty SUBJECT: Proposed Restaurant Rating System for Contra Costa County SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION I . RECOMMENDED ACTION : Accept report from Health Services Director regarding a restaurant rating system for Contra Costa County . II . FINANCIAL IMPACT : None . III . REASONS AND RECOMMENDATION/BACKGROUND : This report is a follow up to your Boards ' Directive of July 19 , 1988 requesting information on current restaurant rating programs in other government jurisdictions and of the Director of Health Services' October 7 , 1988 report to your Board . Our Environmental Health Division is currently developing the details for establishing a restaurant rating system for Contra Costa County in response to your Boards ' directive . The following procedures will be completed within 60 days and submitted to your Board for consideration in establishing a restaurant rating system for this county. * Environmental Health Division staff will meet with representatives of the California Restaurant Association for a full discussion of the pro- posed restaurant rating system, to assure a joint health services and restaurant industry effort . * Our Environmental Health Division currently uses restaurant inspection forms in conjunction with the State Wide Environmental Evaluation Program System ( SWEEPS ) . These forms provide a general basis for rating Contra Costa C my CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: X YES SIGNATURE: RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S): TION OF BOARD ON APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER VOTE OF SUPERVISORS `�. i HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE _ UNANIMOUS (ABSENT AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AYES: NOES. _```SAND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD ABSENT: ABSTAIN: 0"U_ PERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. CC: County Administrator ATTESTED Health Services Director PHIL BATC OR, CLERK OF THE BOARD OF Environmental Health Director SUPERVISORS A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BY TY M382/7-83 restaurants in five categories : excellent , good , average , fair , and poor . The restaurant evaluation forms are processed through the SWEEPS program and result in monthly reports that are used for monitoring the work flow in our food services program. The SWEEPS system has been an excellent tool in managing the food services program in our county . Environmental Health Division staff will meet with the SWEEPS managers and develop a numerical rating system that can be applied with the use of the SWEEPS forms . * Environmental Health Division staff will meet with County Counsel to develop a Board Resolution or Ordinance defining the proposed restaurant rating system in detail for your Boards ' approval . This effort will include an appropriate appeals procedure providing due process to restaurant operators who believe they have received an unfair rating score . * Following acceptance of a restaurant rating system by your Board , the Environmental Health Division staff will notify each restaurant facility in Contra Costa County and provide written information describing the rating system and its effective date for implemen- tation . Environmental Health Division staff will work closely with restaurant operators during their initial inspection of restaurants using the new numerical rating system which will result in a posted rating card . We will also prepare appropriate press releases describing the rating system and its purposes to the general public .