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5 <br />2023-2024 San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury <br /> <br /> <br />The current requirements for trash enclosures by local jurisdictions are applied only to new <br />applications, resulting in many outdated, legacies facilities and, without regular inspection, there <br />is no monitoring of maintenance or repair. These areas are high impact areas and the enclosures <br />and bins, dumpsters and cans are subject to heavy use. The Grand Jury found many bins, <br />dumpsters and cans to be in damaged and filthy condition. <br /> <br />Economic forces impact maintenance and overflow conditions. An operator of a restaurant pays <br />for disposal service by volume (size and number of containers) and frequency (number of pick- <br />ups in one week). Increases in business generate higher volumes so what was working in the past <br />may not be sufficient for the current or future situation. It is logical that operators of food <br />facilities would see added frequency of pickups or added containers as a negative and an <br />expense. This is a financial impact question. <br /> <br />IMPACTS ON THE COMMUNITY <br /> <br />Normal sanitation issues apply; smell, unsightliness and vermin7. Vector Control does not <br />inspect trash or similar areas unless specifically requested. The Grand Jury interviews revealed <br />instances of the presence of rats, mice and raccoons in trash areas and parklets. Insect infestation <br />is also of concern. All this presents a health hazard to the public, the workers at these restaurants, <br />and the trash collectors. <br /> <br />ENFORCEMENT OF EXISTING REQUIREMENTS <br /> <br />The County Health Department inspections do not include the areas outside of the building. The <br />enforcement of the nuisance provisions by local jurisdictions is reactive and only called into play <br />upon a complaint. Oversight of the condition of receptacles (dumpsters, bins, cans) is minimal, at <br />best, and often non-existent. <br /> <br />SPECIAL CASES <br /> <br />Mobile Food Facilities (Food Trucks): The Permit Checklist for food trucks does not mention <br />waste disposal. Food Truck regulation is an evolving body of regulation and should be reviewed <br />at a later date. <br />https://www.smchealth.org/sites/main/files/file-attachments/20170915_mff_selfinspectionche <br />cklist.pdf?1536778880 <br /> <br /> <br />Farmer’s Markets: Several markets were visited by Jurors. Only the Farmer’s Market in San <br />Carlos was the subject of an interview. This particular market occurs on a Sunday. It is organized <br /> <br />7 H&S Code 113939. “Vermin” means cockroaches, mice, rats, and similar pests that carry disease. <br /> <br />H&S Code 13939.1. “Vermin infestation” means the presence of vermin within the food facility as evidenced by <br />actual live bodies, fresh droppings or vomitus, urine stains, or gnaw marks, that could result in contamination to the <br />food, equipment, packaging, or utensils. <br /> <br />6.F. - Page 9 of 32 <br />53