Kings County Grand Jury
2015-2016
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Findings & Recommendations
3 findings
F1:
The Grand Jury finds that the institutional programs at Avenal State Prison are proactive and productive and appear to contribute significantly to inmate rehabilitation.
F2:
The lack of maintenance personnel has also reduced the ability to conduct the preventative maintenance required to ensure proper operation of necessary facilities and equipment. The Future of California Corrections Appendix B: institution, Staffing, and Programming Plan
F3:
The Grand Jury finds that the institutional programs at CSATF-Corcoran are proactive and productive and appear to contribute significantly to inmate rehabilitation.
Additional Recommendations
2
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
The Grand Jury recommends CSATF-Corcoran request the filling of the institution’s vacant maintenance positions as part of their annual budget review.
R2:
The Grand Jury recommends CSATF-Corcoran request the filling of the institution’s vacant maintenance positions as part of their annual budget review.
Findings & Recommendations
1 findings
F1:
The Grand Jury finds that the institutional programs at Avenal State Prison are proactive and productive and appear to contribute significantly to inmate rehabilitation.
Additional Recommendations
1
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
None COMMENTS The Grand Jury thanks the Warden, Staff and Inmates of the Avenal State Prison for their hospitality during the informative and instructive tour.
Findings & Recommendations
3 findings
F1:
The ability of a student baseball player to qualify for the HWHS varsity squad was not solely determined by the player’s participation in summer club ball. A number of other factors, such as try-outs, were key in the selection of players to the varsity team. The investigation of the 2015-2016 Grand Jury did not substantiate that any aspiring HWHS player was prevented from playing HWHS varsity baseball based solely upon his failure to attend 70% of summer club ball or that the HWHS Athletic Department was in violation of AB 1575.
F2:
The 2015-2016 Grand Jury concurs with Finding 3 of the 2014-2015 Grand Jury that HWHS baseball players and their parents were not required to participate in fundraising as a condition to playing on the HWHS varsity baseball team. The Grand Jury further finds that the HWHS Athletic Department did not mandate fundraising in violation of AB 1575.
F3:
The direct payment of fees to a summer and fall club ball coach did not violate AB 1575 or any HWHS policy or regulation insofar as the club ball program did not operate under the auspices of the Hanford Joint Union High School District policies, but was a private, non-public organization.
Additional Recommendations
2
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
Since there is no further summer club ball involving HWHS players planned, there is no recommendation for the ensuing HWHS baseball season.
R2:
All written communication, such as game schedules, updates, communication to parents and booster clubs, should clarify that all fundraising efforts are voluntary and will not be considered as a factor in the ability of HWHS students to play varsity baseball.
Findings & Recommendations
3 findings
F1:
The Adult Transition Program of Independent Living gives educational opportunities and support for young adult students with disabilities 18-22 years of age, who have not received a high school diploma. It is specifically designed instruction which focuses on daily living, community skills and post-secondary education in local colleges, thus meeting the unique needs of the individuals with exceptional requirements.
F2:
The kitchen at the ILP facility is small, even though a large part of the students’ living skills involve cooking programs. The staff voiced concern about the size of the kitchen and expressed the need for a larger kitchen area with more appliances and storage.
F3:
The staff facilitating the ILP program is dedicated, caring and hard-working and is to be congratulated for outstanding service to their students and the Kings County community.
Additional Recommendations
1
Not linked to specific findings.
R2:
The Kings County Office of Education should consider incorporating into its budget a much-needed and larger remodeled kitchen for the ILP students.
Findings & Recommendations
3 findings
F1:
There is a great deal of pride on the part of both students and staff with regard to the school, which after seven years still appears to be a new school.
F2:
Education is important to the entire Sierra Pacific High School community.
F3:
The support staff of the school is in need of Phase Two of the master plan so that there are more efficient physical facilities including an administration building, wrestling room, aquatic center, maintenance facilities, a library and media center to serve the student population.
Additional Recommendations
1
Not linked to specific findings.
R3:
Complete Phase Two of the building master plan as soon as possible.
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Findings & Recommendations
3 findings
F1:
The jurisdiction falls directly on Kings County and not the City of Hanford for the complaint received regarding signage issues at 10th Avenue and Highway 43.
F2:
In 2011, the Board of Supervisors approved budget cuts, resulting in the elimination of positions in the Code Enforcement Division of the Community Development Agency. This greatly increased the responsibility and workload of that agency’s building inspectors, which has resulted in a reduction of code enforcement.
F3:
The Grand Jury finds there is an inadequate level of communication and coordination between the code enforcement efforts of the City of Hanford with those of Kings County.
Additional Recommendations
2
Not linked to specific findings.
R2:
The Grand Jury recommends that the Board of Supervisors, along with the Community Development Agency revisit the budget to include using funds obtained through fines, citations, and other fees in order to either hire more building inspectors, or re-establish an allocation for code enforcement officers for the county.
R3:
The City of Hanford prides itself on its appearance and standards; however, one of the major entrances into the city is cluttered with visually unappealing signage. The Grand Jury understands that the City has no jurisdiction as to the east side of Highway 43 at 10th Avenue; however, communication and coordination between local and county officials should be able to resolve this matter.
Findings & Recommendations
5 findings
F1:
The Grand Jury finds that the Kings County Veterans Services Office provides a variety of crucial services to local Veterans and does so in a proactive and collaborative environment which includes multiple organizations and resources. This approach effectively enhances the ability of Veterans and their families to access essential support services.
F2:
The Kings County Behavioral Health Department’s primary mission regarding Veterans, a number of whom are homeless, is to provide them mental health services, including alcohol, drugs and crisis intervention. The Grand Jury finds that the services provided are proactive, accessible and beneficial to Veterans in crisis or needing treatment.
F3:
The Kings County Behavioral Health Department does not have a subject- matter expert on Veterans services currently on their staff, which limits the scope of their services to Veterans.
F4:
The Kings County Behavioral Health Department will soon have its first local residential crisis house which will provide housing for six adults. Currently the KCBH is out looking for additional suitable sites to expand its crisis housing capacity.
F5:
The Collaborative Justice Veterans Treatment Court provides a unique opportunity for Veterans who may have ended up in the criminal justice system through pre-existing mental conditions, such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, to pay their debt to society through voluntary participation in a Court-supervised, multi-disciplinary environment.
Additional Recommendations
1
Not linked to specific findings.
R3:
The Kings County Grand Jury recommends that the Kings County Behavioral Health Department intensify its efforts to obtain a Veterans subject-matter expert on its staff.
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Findings & Recommendations
3 findings
F1:
The Grand Jury finds that there is a strong disconnect in communication between the Hanford City Departments and the Commissions to which they report. The Parks and Recreation Department focused solely on budgetary issues in regards to Freedom Park during the Capital Improvement Budget planning process in 2014.
F2:
When Freedom Park was completed in 2007, the estimated life of the rubberized matting was expected to be seven to ten years, at which time the city would have to replace the material. However, no long-term budget plans were created to cover the cost of this replacement.
F3:
The Grand Jury finds the quick action of the Hanford City Council in halting the demolition stage of the Freedom Park rubber matting to be commendable.
Additional Recommendations
3
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
With the uniqueness of Freedom Park and the public drive to get the rubberized matting, more information should have been presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission prior to approval of the project. The Grand Jury recommends that City Departments be more forthcoming with information presented to the Commissions, specifically in areas with high public interest.
R2:
None. The City of Hanford has corrected this discrepancy with the establishment of “Legacy Funding” in the budget for future replacement needs of the rubberized matting.
R3:
None COMMENTS The Grand Jury thanks all those interviewed during the course of this investigation. The Grand Jury was impressed at the speed in which the project was halted, solutions for a correction presented and the final determination of the Hanford City Council.
Findings & Recommendations
2 findings
F1:
The Grand Jury finds no evidence of misuse of City of Hanford funds. The Downtown Reinvestment Fund does not have the same defined boundaries and limitations as the Central Parking and Improvement District, which is commonly referred to as the ‘downtown’ fund.
F2:
The Grand Jury finds that the Hanford City Council did not follow up on the suggestion from city staff to hold a Study Session to establish zone boundaries and limitations for the Downtown Reinvestment Fund.
Additional Recommendations
2
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
As an on-going effort toward transparency and to keep the public and the city councilmembers properly informed, city staff should take great care in the wording of Agenda Staff Reports and the corresponding items listed on the agenda. Specific definitions such as budgetary fund numbers and acronyms should be used so as to avoid misconceptions.
R2:
The Grand Jury recommends that the Hanford City Council define boundaries and set limitations for the Downtown Reinvestment Fund.
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Findings & Recommendations
1 findings
F1:
The Grand Jury finds that the institutional programs at CSP-Corcoran are proactive and productive and appear to contribute significantly to inmate rehabilitation.