Gran Jurado del Condado de Amador
2014-2015
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Hallazgos & Recomendaciones
10 hallazgos
F1:
Although its appearance in Amador County is unlikely, the highly contagious Ebola virus disease has become of worldwide concern, thus it is of great importance for local health professionals at every level to prepare to deal with it. 11
F2:
A coalition of health care workers and the other agencies in the County who might be involved with any aspect of an outbreak has been formed, and there has been constant communication with the CDC to assure that members are kept up to speed with any new information or procedures on the Ebola front.
F3:
Sutter Amador Hospital is a designated frontline healthcare facility in area dealings with Ebola or any highly contagious disease.
F4:
Amador county entities who would be involved directly with Ebola disease have practiced the parts they would play and have expressed confidence that they are ready for a real emergency.
F5:
Residents may not always consider the hazard or nuisance of their smoke to their neighbors.
F6:
Public awareness meetings are held to educate citizens about better burn practices and to suggest ways to avoid burning altogether.
F7:
There are alternatives to burning the prunings, trimmings, pine needles, etc. which are accumulated when properties are properly cleared and maintained.
F8:
All County residents can transport yard debris to either of the Aces Waste facilities or directly to Vicini Brothers.
F9:
Upcountry citizens may not be aware that the ARB provides large dumpsters in their area for yard debris disposal.
F10:
Vicini Brothers eventually receives all of the green waste collected by the two ACES facilities and the ARB dumpsters. Through a series of processes it is converted to mulch, compost, and topsoil available for sale to the public.
Recomendaciones adicionales
2
No vinculadas a hallazgos específicos.
R1:
Members of the Amador County coalition of public health workers and other entities who have prepared to handle an Ebola crisis would very much appreciate recognition for the great effort that has gone into organizing such a large cooperative venture. Their stated policy of working together towards preparing to deal with Ebola, or other serious contagious disease, has already been well established. The Grand Jury agrees, and highly recommends that there be public acknowledgement of this venture.
R2:
These local agencies may consider using the following methods to publicize information about safe burning, alternatives to burning, and the local resources available: Public service announcements (PSAs) on local TV and radio Notices in the local newspapers Posting information in public places
Hallazgos & Recomendaciones
10 hallazgos
F1:
In the upcountry area of Amador County, because of the fire-safe practices required for citizens to protect their properties, large quantities of yard debris may be produced.
F2:
Outdoor burning in the County is legal if regulations are followed, including obtaining permits when required. 18
F3:
When green waste is burned the resulting smoke can be both a serious health issue to some individuals and a visual hazard for drivers.
F4:
The burning of garbage, damp pine needles, or other plant materials can produce especially obnoxious smoke.
F5:
Residents may not always consider the hazard or nuisance of their smoke to their neighbors.
F6:
Public awareness meetings are held to educate citizens about better burn practices and to suggest ways to avoid burning altogether.
F7:
There are alternatives to burning the prunings, trimmings, pine needles, etc. which are accumulated when properties are properly cleared and maintained.
F8:
All County residents can transport yard debris to either of the Aces Waste facilities or directly to Vicini Brothers.
F9:
Upcountry citizens may not be aware that the ARB provides large dumpsters in their area for yard debris disposal.
F10:
Vicini Brothers eventually receives all of the green waste collected by the two ACES facilities and the ARB dumpsters. Through a series of processes it is converted to mulch, compost, and topsoil available for sale to the public.
Recomendaciones adicionales
2
No vinculadas a hallazgos específicos.
R1:
Local agencies who deal with fire safety and air quality in the County must increase their outreach efforts to educate residents on how to control and reduce smoke levels from yard waste burnings.
R2:
These local agencies may consider using the following methods to publicize information about safe burning, alternatives to burning, and the local resources available: Public service announcements (PSAs) on local TV and radio Notices in the local newspapers Posting information in public places
Hallazgos & Recomendaciones
3 hallazgos
F1:
Transparency and Communications in Civic Projects The responses in this matter from the City of Amador City were found to be satisfactory to the 2014-2015 Grand Jury. A letter to this effect was sent to the City Council. No further action is necessary. 56
F2:
Special Events in Amador County The City of Amador City had responded positively to the Findings and Recommendation of last year’s report. However, as of the close of the 2015 Grand Jury term, a Special Events Ordinance had not yet been provided to the Jury by the City if such exists. It is requested that the subsequent Grand Jury follow this issue to its agreed-upon conclusion. 57 (Page intentionally left blank) 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 (Page intentionally left blank) 78
F9:
- F11 found disagreement, with explanations from the City Council. The responses to the 6 Recommendations ranged from agreement because the Recommendation covered policies already in place (R1, R3, R5), to agreement that the Recommendation would be fully implemented (R2, R6), to disagreement because of unreasonable costs to the City (R4). Special Events in Amador County Following complaints to the 2013-2014 Grand Jury about the effects on traffic, pedestrian safety and littering, of the increasing number of special events in the County (fun walks and runs, bicycling events, etc.), it was discovered by the Jury that although Amador County, and the Cities of Ione, Jackson, and Sutter Creek do have their own permitting processes in place, the cities of Plymouth and Amador City do not. Plymouth was, at that time, reported to be establishing one. Several areas of inquiry were developed by the Jury, including neighborhood, road and litter impacts on the cities and County, profitability to the County, complaint procedures, and also the issue of unpermitted events. The Final Report produced 6 Findings and 3 Recommendations. In the City of Amador City’s response letter, received by the Grand Jury in September of 2014, there was agreement with all the findings. Regarding the Recommendations, the City stated that it would study the special events ordinances in place in Sutter Creek and Ione, and adopt applicable measures from these. Implementation was to begin immediately, and information is to be posted on the City website. A letter from the Grand Jury was sent to the City Clerk in April of 2015, requesting verification of the establishment of a special events policy. CONCLUSIONS 1. Transparency and Communications in Civic Projects The responses in this matter from the City of Amador City were found to be satisfactory to the 2014-2015 Grand Jury. A letter to this effect was sent to the City Council. No further action is necessary. 56 2. Special Events in Amador County The City of Amador City had responded positively to the Findings and Recommendation of last year’s report. However, as of the close of the 2015 Grand Jury term, a Special Events Ordinance had not yet been provided to the Jury by the City if such exists. It is requested that the subsequent Grand Jury follow this issue to its agreed-upon conclusion. 57 (Page intentionally left blank) 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 (Page intentionally left blank) 78
Recomendaciones adicionales
2
No vinculadas a hallazgos específicos.
R1:
Transparency and Communications in Civic Projects The responses in this matter from the City of Amador City were found to be satisfactory to the 2014-2015 Grand Jury. A letter to this effect was sent to the City Council. No further action is necessary. 56
R2:
Special Events in Amador County The City of Amador City had responded positively to the Findings and Recommendation of last year’s report. However, as of the close of the 2015 Grand Jury term, a Special Events Ordinance had not yet been provided to the Jury by the City if such exists. It is requested that the subsequent Grand Jury follow this issue to its agreed-upon conclusion. 57 (Page intentionally left blank) 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 (Page intentionally left blank) 78
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Hallazgos & Recomendaciones
4 hallazgos
F1:
Although its appearance in Amador County is unlikely, the highly contagious Ebola virus disease has become of worldwide concern, thus it is of great importance for local health professionals at every level to prepare to deal with it. 11
F2:
A coalition of health care workers and the other agencies in the County who might be involved with any aspect of an outbreak has been formed, and there has been constant communication with the CDC to assure that members are kept up to speed with any new information or procedures on the Ebola front.
F3:
Sutter Amador Hospital is a designated frontline healthcare facility in area dealings with Ebola or any highly contagious disease.
F4:
Amador county entities who would be involved directly with Ebola disease have practiced the parts they would play and have expressed confidence that they are ready for a real emergency.
Recomendaciones adicionales
1
No vinculadas a hallazgos específicos.
R1:
Members of the Amador County coalition of public health workers and other entities who have prepared to handle an Ebola crisis would very much appreciate recognition for the great effort that has gone into organizing such a large cooperative venture. Their stated policy of working together towards preparing to deal with Ebola, or other serious contagious disease, has already been well established. The Grand Jury agrees, and highly recommends that there be public acknowledgement of this venture.
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Hallazgos & Recomendaciones
5 hallazgos
F1:
The Grand Jury found the facility clean and in good repair.
F2:
Construction of additional Level II facilities is in progress. Completion of the additional facilities is expected in February 2016.
F3:
Funding has been secured to expand medical clinics A, B, and C.
F4:
Renovations are being done to some of the old facilities.
F5:
The education and training programs offered at the prison are real efforts at rehabilitation.
Recomendaciones adicionales
3
No vinculadas a hallazgos específicos.
R1:
Continue the planning process for the opening of the additional facilities, including hiring and training of staff, new operating procedures, and additional administrative duties. 30
R2:
Continue efforts to acquire canines for narcotics and cell phone searches as a means of assuring public and institutional safety.
R3:
Pursue funding for educational and training programs that are relevant to contemporary employer needs.
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Hallazgos & Recomendaciones
5 hallazgos
F1:
Amador County Jail is inadequate to meet current needs.
F2:
The Sheriff is applying for competitive grant funds that will be used to expand the Jail’s housing and program space.
F3:
Through the authorized waiver process, the Jail is in compliance with jail regulations.
F4:
Two suicides occurred in the Jail. Investigations were completed.
F5:
Persons adjudicated as mentally unfit to stand trial and ordered to be taken to a state hospital are housed for long periods of time in jail holding cells because the state says they do not have bed space available.
Recomendaciones adicionales
3
No vinculadas a hallazgos específicos.
R1:
The Sheriff should continue to seek funding for jail expansion. 24
R2:
The Sheriff should work with Behavioral Health to assure at-risk detainees are properly identified.
R3:
The Sheriff should continue his efforts working with the Court and his colleagues to cause the State to accept in a timely manner those persons deemed unfit for trial.
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Recomendaciones adicionales
8
No vinculadas a hallazgos específicos.
R1:
Complaint process against trustees: The Board amended Bylaw 9401 on October 8, 2014 to have complainants use the existing Amador Public Schools Uniform Complaint Procedure (UCP) form and process, and to submit it to the Compliance Officer/Executive Director of Personnel. 133
R2:
Censure policy against Board members (trustees): The Board amended Bylaw 9401 on October 8, 2014 to update the existing censure procedure to use a committee of two trustees from the five-member Board (previously three trustees for a seven-member Board).
R3:
Trustee training: The Board reported to the current Grand Jury on February 11, 2015 on which California School Board Association (CSBA) classes each of the trustees has taken between September 2014 and January 2015. Each trustee was given the CSBA booklet on the Brown Act. The current Grand Jury requested that the Board strengthen the Bylaws to be in compliance with California Government Code § 53235 requiring ethics training (including Brown Act) and records be kept of all training taken. The Board amended Bylaw 9240 on April 22, 2015 as requested.
R4:
Self-evaluation: The Board approved a new self-evaluation form, including two additional sections recommended by the current Grand Jury to cover Board goals, and Board training. Each trustee completed the self-evaluation and a compiled version of all of the self-evaluations was included in the April 22, 2015 meeting packet and was included on the agenda.
R5:
Public comments on self-evaluation: The public had the opportunity to review and comment at the April 22, 2015 meeting on the compiled self-evaluations included in the meeting packet.
R6:
Consequences if Bylaws are not followed: Bylaw 9401 was amended to use the UCP process for complaints.
R7:
Cure and Correct Brown Act violations: The current Grand Jury will not pursue, as a practical matter, the “cure and correct” Brown Act violation portion of R7, and has observed that the current Board has been active in acquiring Brown Act training.
R8:
Legal Counsel: The Board agrees to seek legal counsel (but at the discretion of the Board President and Superintendent) to review and approve the agendas as needed to avoid Brown Act violations.