Calaveras County Grand Jury
2016-2017
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Findings & Recommendations
3 findings
F1:
There is a significant backlog within the Assessor’s Office.
F2:
No formal collaborative effort exists to provide the Information Technology Department with current and future technology needs of the various departments.
F3:
There is a lack of communication and collaboration among the County’s administrative leadership both elective and appointed.
Additional Recommendations
3
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
The County needs to develop a plan to address this issue through a comprehensive staffing and work methods analysis. RESPONSE REQUESTED: County Assessor's Office County Administrative Office 29
R2:
The County should consider greater use of modernized and integrated computer solutions. RESPONSE REQUESTED: County Assessor's Office County Administrative Office
R3:
The County should implement a practice of collaborative planning with departments. Such planning should focus on several measurable objectives that can be met within 2 to 3 years. RESPONSE REQUESTED: County Administrative Office 31 Melones from Parrott’s Ferry Bridge 32
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Findings & Recommendations
8 findings
F1:
Staff are doing an excellent job under very difficult circumstances.
F2:
There is a mutual respect and good rapport between inmates and correctional staff.
F3:
Inadequate staffing levels and overtime requirements are causing potential health & safety issues.
F4:
There has been an increase in workers' compensation claims over the last four years requiring additional overtime.
F5:
Correctional officers have a very low salary in comparison to nearby counties.
F6:
There has been a high rate of turnover within the correctional officer classifications which can be directly attributed to low wages and excessive overtime requirements.
F7:
Non-medical personnel are currently distributing medications to inmates.
F8:
Calaveras County has the lowest jail budget in the tri-county area.
Additional Recommendations
2
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
Expedite filling all vacant positions. RESPONSE REQUESTED: Calaveras County Sheriff 45
R2:
Increase correctional salaries to a competitive level making the positions more attractive to qualified candidates thus making positions easier to fill. RESPONSE REQUESTED: Calaveras County Sheriff Board of Supervisors
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Findings & Recommendations
3 findings
F1:
Calaveras County CPS is following state mandated guidelines in the Juvenile Dependency Process.
F2:
Parents and relatives of court-dependent children have multiple avenues of action and appeal to reunify the family.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
None RESPONSE REQUESTED: None 36 FINDING #2: Parents and relatives of court-dependent children have multiple avenues of action and appeal to reunify the family.
F3:
There is no clear complaint process for grievances the family or members of the public may have with the agency.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
Parents or relatives should be given a copy of the Juvenile Dependency Process Flowchart outlining timelines and requirements of the overall process. RESPONSE REQUESTED: Child Protective Services FINDING #3: There is no clear complaint process for grievances the family or members of the public may have with the agency.
Additional Recommendations
1
Not linked to specific findings.
R3:
A complaint process should be created to allow submission of grievances. RESPONSE REQUESTED: Calaveras County Health & Human Services Child Protective Services 37 Stanislaus River Canyon 38
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Findings & Recommendations
8 findings
F1:
There is a lack of public interest in filling the elected positions of the City of Angels Camp.
F2:
The current City Council and staff are looking into reorganizing the structure of government operations.
F3:
A former city administrator was acting in violation of the city handbook by independently creating policies and procedures rather than implementing the policies as set by the Council.
F4:
The at-will employee performance evaluation form is inadequate.
F5:
It was determined that city staff were aware misuse of public funds had occurred.
F6:
The City of Angels Camp has a payroll advance policy that has been abused and mismanaged.
F7:
Administrative staff was taking more administrative leave than was accrued, resulting in a loss to the city of at least $29,000.
F8:
The City of Angels Camp has reasons for proposing dissolution of a city.
Additional Recommendations
3
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
The City Council should reinforce the need for greater public involvement at every opportunity. RESPONSE REQUESTED: Angels Camp City Council 19
R2:
The City Council should create a public awareness program for the purpose of gaining greater involvement in local government. RESPONSE REQUESTED: Angels Camp City Council
R3:
Next year's Grand Jury should continue to keep this investigation open. RESPONSE REQUESTED: None 23 New Hogan Lake 24
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Findings & Recommendations
1 findings
F1:
The furniture in the TV room is in disrepair and in need of replacement.
Additional Recommendations
1
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
Replace aging and damaged furniture with durable furniture. RESPONSE REQUESTED: California Department of Corrections Sierra Conservation Center 54 Responses to the 2015-2016 Grand Jury Report 55 RESPONSES TO THE 2015 - 2016 GRAND JURY REPORT The Grand Jury releases its final report at the end of its term. Most, if not all, of the responses are received after the new Grand Jury has been seated and these responses become its responsibility. Unlike many counties, the Calaveras County Grand Jury have holdovers who return to assist the new Jury in the way the Grand Jury conducts business and aid in the analysis of the responses. To assure continuity, it is important to carefully track and evaluate responses. Responses are tracked to inform the public, ensure follow up, promote solutions, and reduce the number of unresponsive answers. Public scrutiny of the responses can improve the impact of the Grand Jury's reports and recommendations as well as increase the credibility of the elected officials and department heads whose areas were investigated. The new Grand Jury reviews the findings and recommendations of the prior year's Jury and the ensuing responses. When necessary, these responses are discussed with the appropriate standing committees for follow-up comments. If it is determined that more information is needed, Jury members may meet with the respondents to discuss specific responses. The Grand Jury refers to the California Penal Code (CPC) for follow up, summarization, and analysis of the responses from the responding officials and departments. Pursuant to CPC §933 and §933.05 there are time limits for responses and each Finding and Recommendation may either require or request a response from the party addressed. Specifically worded responses are limited by the CPC. Responses may include additional information to clarify a specific response. RESPONSE TIME LIMITS CPC §933 (c) "...No later than 90 days after the Grand Jury submits a final report on the operations of any public agency subject to its reviewing authority, the governing body of the public agency shall comment to the presiding judge of the superior court on the findings and every elected county officer or agency head for which the grand jury has responsibility pursuant to §914.1 shall comment within 60 days to the presiding judge of the superior court, with an Information copy sent to the board of supervisors, on the findings and recommendations pertaining to matters under the control of that county officer or agency head and any agency or agencies which that officer or agency head supervises or controls. In any city and county the mayor shall also comment on the findings and recommendations. All of these comments and reports shall forthwith be submitted to the presiding judge of the superior court who impaneled the grand jury. A copy of all responses to grand jury reports shall be placed on file with the clerk of the public agency and the office of the county clerk, or the mayor when applicable, and shall remain on file with the applicable grand jury final report by, and in the control of the currently impaneled grand jury, where it shall be maintained for a minimum of five years." 56 57