Amador County Grand Jury
2019-2020
Findings & Recommendations
9 findings
F1:
The staff is very professional and engaged with operations within MCSP.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1:
Continue to offer the many activities, educational opportunities, and rehabilitation programs available to inmates. (F1, F2)
R4:
Once the above-referenced recommendations have been completed, the AFPA should develop a system of checks and balances to enhance accountability and ensure it is meeting all responsibilities and duties as outlined in the JPA by April 1, 2021. (F1)
F2:
There are many programs available to inmates in order to help recidivism rates decrease.
Related Recommendations (3)
R1:
Continue to offer the many activities, educational opportunities, and rehabilitation programs available to inmates. (F1, F2)
R2:
Consider expanding the two dog training programs, POOCH and PFL, as they greatly benefit the inmates and the citizens in the community. (F2)
R5:
The Amador County Board of Supervisors should review Measure M and Ordinance 1676 with input from AFPA members, identify potential ambiguities, and determine if action is required to clarify those ambiguities, including consideration of a clarifying ballot amendment if needed. The review should occur by December 31, 2020. (F2)
F3:
The CDCR states that their investigation shows no direct cross-connections between the stormwater and sanitary collection systems and has identified the non-stormwater sources to be irrigation and groundwater within the stormwater collection system at MCSP.
Related Recommendations (2)
R3:
Continue to monitor non-stormwater contaminants in Mule Creek to ensure contaminants are not entering the stormwater system. (F3) 16
R6:
The AFPA should investigate the County’s current call dispatching system for fire and EMS, and explore options to improve the process or locate a new solution. Recommendations should be made by February 1, 2021. (F3)
F4:
Approximately $100,000 has been budgeted for these repairs which must be performed during the non-fire season that varies from year to year.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7:
The AFPA should immediately ensure any changes to response area maps be communicated, well-understood, and publicly documented with district and department input prior to implementation. (F4)
F5:
New fire stations are being planned and built near existing stations, near the boundaries of districts, or in areas already well-served. Martell is an example of this occurring.
Related Recommendations (1)
R8:
The AFPA’s county-wide planning of fire stations should include locations in areas of greatest need, where fire protection coverage can be maximized and response times reduced. Opportunities to reduce costs by co-locating or consolidating utilizing the Amador Plan should be considered. This should be accomplished by February 1, 2021. (F5)
F6:
A Fire Chief routinely self-dispatches to incidents, and therefore violates protocol.
Related Recommendations (1)
R9:
The AFPA should immediately ensure routine, intentional self-dispatching comes to an end as it violates established dispatching protocols and endangers public safety. (F6)
F7:
On multiple occasions, a Fire Chief canceled responding resources who would have been first to arrive in order to allow another department to respond, thereby unnecessarily adding to the response time. Not using the first-arriving engine resource is a public safety issue.
Related Recommendations (1)
R10:
The AFPA should enforce established protocol and immediately ensure the first arriving dispatched responders and/or engines should be utilized, and reprimand any Chief who is reported as intentionally slowing down a responding engine. (F7, F8)
F8:
A Fire Chief slowed down an engine arrival by intentionally driving their district/department’s vehicle slowly in front of the responding engine of another district or department. Slowing down a responding engine is a public safety issue. 36
Related Recommendations (1)
R10:
The AFPA should enforce established protocol and immediately ensure the first arriving dispatched responders and/or engines should be utilized, and reprimand any Chief who is reported as intentionally slowing down a responding engine. (F7, F8)
F9:
Amador County Fire Departments have been prevented from participating in training with other local fire departments.
Related Recommendations (1)
R11:
Consistent with the JPA’s spirit of cooperation, the AFPA should ensure all Amador County Fire Departments and Districts collaborate and cooperate to allow training opportunities among firefighters to the greatest extent possible. This should be implemented by January 1, 2021. (F9) 37
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Additional Recommendations
4
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
The recommendation has been implemented, including a summary of the implemented action.
R2:
The recommendation has not been implemented, but will be implemented in the future. This response should include a timeframe for implementation.
R3:
The recommendation required further analysis. The law requires a detailed explanation of the analysis or study and the timeframe not to exceed six months. In this response, the analysis or study must be submitted to the officer, director, or governing body of the agency being investigated.
R4:
The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted, or is not reasonable, with an explanation. iv
Findings & Recommendations
5 findings
F1:
The jail is 36 years old and was designed with a 20-year lifespan intended to house 76 inmates. Periodic updates and improvements have not kept up with the jail’s increasing average daily population of 89 inmates.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1:
Paint, repair, and/or clean the issues identified (ceiling water stain in dayroom, smell of mold, dirty or moldy air vents). (F1)
R3:
With Board of Supervisor approval, the search for an appropriate location for a new county jail facility should begin in earnest along with securing the funding for construction. (F1, F2, F4) 9
F2:
The jail is overcrowded and houses male and female inmates.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3:
With Board of Supervisor approval, the search for an appropriate location for a new county jail facility should begin in earnest along with securing the funding for construction. (F1, F2, F4) 9
F3:
Four correctional staff positions are unfilled despite recruitment efforts to fill them.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
Fill vacant positions as soon as possible. (F3)
F4:
Use of the sobering cell is non-compliant with BSCC regulations, but alternatives are unavailable until the expansion project can be completed.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3:
With Board of Supervisor approval, the search for an appropriate location for a new county jail facility should begin in earnest along with securing the funding for construction. (F1, F2, F4) 9
F5:
Jail staff are professional and competent in their duties and responsibilities.
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Findings & Recommendations
5 findings
F1:
AWA has taken steps to increase transparency, yet still has room for improvement.
Related Recommendations (4)
R1:
AWA should continue increasing its transparency. In addition to information being provided and accessible to the public, it should also be presented in a format the average ratepayer can easily interpret and understand. (F1)
R2:
Should AWA decide it is necessary to adjust its rates, the reasons for doing so should be clearly documented and explained. (F1, F2)
R3:
By December 31, 2020, AWA should acquire membership in the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) to implement their standards for compiling the Comprehensive Annual Finance Report. (F1, F2)
R4:
AWA should strive to be awarded the GFOA’s “Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.” (F1, F2)
F2:
AWA’s financial stability remains a great concern.
Related Recommendations (3)
R2:
Should AWA decide it is necessary to adjust its rates, the reasons for doing so should be clearly documented and explained. (F1, F2)
R3:
By December 31, 2020, AWA should acquire membership in the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) to implement their standards for compiling the Comprehensive Annual Finance Report. (F1, F2)
R4:
AWA should strive to be awarded the GFOA’s “Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.” (F1, F2)
F3:
Employees have not been sufficiently trained on their use of the Springbrook software. 3
Related Recommendations (1)
R5:
By December 31, 2020, employees who use the Springbrook software should be thoroughly trained in its use. (F3)
F4:
During this investigation, the Grand Jury found no retaliatory actions by AWA management to employees.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6:
AWA should continue fostering a positive work environment. (F4)
F5:
The Interim GM has begun a reorganization of AWA. The outcome and structure of the reorganization is unknown at this time.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7:
The position of General Manager should be filled as soon as possible. (F5)