Del Norte County Grand Jury
2015-2016
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Findings & Recommendations
5 findings
F1:
Alder Camp is very clean and is set in the trees and away from the main road. The camp is reached
F2:
The barracks were found to be very sufficient with each inmate having his own personal space. It
F3:
The kitchen is being remodeled because it required multiple upgrades including a new cooling system.
F4:
Each project that the inmates participate in, such as the wood mill or workshop, is supervised by a
F5:
There have been no actual escaped inmates this year from Alder Camp. However, there were two
Additional Recommendations
2
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
The impressive facility was found to be running smoothly and well managed. It is located in a
R2:
The incidence of escapism is relatively low, as most of the Level 1 inmates who participate in Alder
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Findings & Recommendations
4 findings
F7:
The Local Fair District Board entered into an MOU with the 41st Fair District to provide for funding of the
F8:
The MOU dated November 17, 2015 between the Local Fair Board and the 41st District states that the funds
F9:
Currently the Local Fair District is accruing an average of $55,000 per month in local sales tax revenue. The
F10:
LAFCO requires the Local Fair District to reimburse the 41st District for the cost of being formed. The
Additional Recommendations
3
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
The Grand Jury cannot make a complete list of recommendations due to the fact that we have requested legal
R2:
The Grand Jury recommends the Local Fair Board needs to post the monthly agendas in two or more public
R3:
The Grand Jury recommends the Local Fair Board post their monthly Meeting Minutes more publicly and
Findings & Recommendations
6 findings
F1:
The Local Fair District is not posting Minutes of their monthly Board Meetings online for the Public to
F2:
Since January of 2016, the Local Fair District has been either gifting or granting funds to the 41st District while
F3:
The Governor of the State of California declined to sign the Lease Contract in March of 2016. In testimony
F4:
Section 5780.1 (c) and 5780.1(h) of the Public Resources Code requires that the fairgrounds and the facilities
F5:
When the Grand Jury reviewed the statutes associated with the formation of the Local Fair District
F6:
LAFCO placed certain conditions (see the LAFCO conditions sited above) on the creation of the Local Fair
Additional Recommendations
6
Not linked to specific findings.
R3:
Per Federal Case Review, State Department of Social Services All County Information Notice I-40-14 , an
R3a:
In 1996, the US Congress amended the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) to require states
R4:
The salaries are below par for the area, as well as for the entire state of California. Salaries should be brought
R5:
In view of the importance given in the California's Child Welfare Continuum of Care Reform (SB 1013) ,
R6:
Ongoing communication between DHHS case management and clients can be enhanced. Due to the time
R7:
Staffing for the development of Foster Care homes and Foster Resource homes could be localized instead of
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Findings & Recommendations
5 findings
F1:
Deputy Director Kent Burrow was very informative and accommodated all inquiries.
F2:
Bar-O Boys Ranch is a 42-bed facility and there are currently 18 boys in residence.
F3:
The staff encourages the youth to better themselves physically, educationally, and
F4:
The barracks are maintained in a neat and orderly manner, but the physical condition of the barracks
F5:
The atmosphere of the complex is one of professionalism where security is stressed at all times.
Additional Recommendations
5
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
The Grand Jury continues to recommend to the Board of Supervisors that the barracks be replaced.
R2:
The Sheriff and Board of Supervisors should continue to pursue State Funds and grants to complete
R3:
The disrepair of the southern wall of the facility should be addressed immediately with a plan
R4:
The dispatch staffing issue and work area should be continually reviewed by subsequent Grand
R5:
The Del Norte County Board of Supervisors must revise the budget to allocate funding for additional
Findings & Recommendations
8 findings
F1:
There is an immediate need for more officers to fully staff the police department. Even when the
F2:
There are only four Reserve Officers, one of whom is a retired regular officer who volunteers
F3:
The computerized reporting system is not compatible with allied agencies.
F4:
Maintenance, repairs and janitorial tasks are being performed by police officers.
F5:
The police department building is at best adequate. There is inadequate utilization of the available
F6:
The motorcycle currently assigned to the police department in not needed.
F7:
The Explorer Post Cadets provide a valuable service to the department and are a credit to the
F8:
The rapport between the law enforcement agencies is impressive and all involved should be
Additional Recommendations
7
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
In a recent review of the City’s financial status, it was found that the City currently has a surplus of
R2:
Funding should be obtained either through the regular budgetary process or grant funding to increase
R3:
Support for the Explorer Cadets should be made by the City Council in the budgetary process
R4:
Chief Minsal’s intent to sell the department motorcycle should be encouraged, with the
R5:
Although the Chief terms the facility as “adequate”, it was noted during a tour of the facility that quarters
R6:
The current computerized reporting system needs to be upgraded in order to be compatible with allied
R7:
In order to free up officers for police work, the City should provide maintenance personnel to perform
Findings & Recommendations
11 findings
F1:
Despite reasonable and credible DHHS reports of follow up on child welfare cases, both historically
F2:
Staff salaries are inadequate to recruit and retain an essential number of trained professionals.
F3:
There are insufficient numbers of staff available, and the workloads are up to twice the minimum
F4:
While not uniquely a problem to Del Norte County , there are reported to be significant
F5:
Responsibility for foster care recruitment is through an office in Humboldt County. The staff here
F6:
There are sometimes difficulties with finding an immediate placement for children that are
F7:
There are reports of significant numbers of teenagers who are not quite homeless but are sheltered by
F8:
There can be a less than thorough connection with staff social workers when children are
F9:
There may be a lack of timely contact with children in placement by social workers.
F10:
Full assessment of situations of children in placement may go for months or years without a
F11:
A full review and evaluation of the DHHS services that can be understood in layman’s
Additional Recommendations
2
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
With the passing of California Assembly Bill 403 (Signed October 11 2015), reforms and changes are being
R2:
Assembly Bill 403 allows children to choose up to two members of staff on the team that develops their
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