Lake County Grand Jury
2015-2016
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Findings & Recommendations
3 findings
F1:
Changes in laws such as AB109 and Prop 47 can critically reduce the number of inmates housed in local jails such as Hill Road Correctional Facility in Lakeport.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
The Sheriff’s Department and the Hill Road Correction Facility should work with CAL FIRE to make their inmates who qualify available to transfer to the Conservation Camp Program. (F1)
F2:
The Middletown Rancheria fire department will be eligible to be part of the Lake County Fire Chief’s Association to coordinate with other fire chiefs for the most effective use of resources.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
The Lake County Fire Chief’s Association and the Board of Supervisors should encourage and support any efforts made by the Middletown Rancheria tribe in setting up another fire district. (F2)
F3:
There is an emergency warning system that consists of land line alerts such as Nixle, City Watch (Reverse 911), and voice over internet alerts. All of those systems require either telephone lines, internet connections or cell towers for operation. This is a dangerous situation for Lake County.In the Valley fire the telephone lines and cell towers were quickly destroyed negating any effective warning system for residents of Cobb and Middletown. The warning siren is a “low tech” option being investigated.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3:
Lake County should pursue more options for warning systems such as the sirens used in the past and IPAWS. Investigations could include solar power options for the sirens and/or any other alternatives that would supplement the existing telephone and internet systems.(F3) Request for Responses • Sheriff and Undersheriff , (60 days) • Board of Supervisors (90 days) • Lake County Fire Chief’s Association (courtesy request) Bibliography 1. CAL FIRE: www.fire.ca.gov 2. Lake County: www.co.lake.ca.us 3. ICS: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incident_Command_System 4. NIMS/ICS Training: www.fema.gov/pdf/emergency/nims/nims- training_program.pdf 5. AB109 : www.cdcr.ca.gov/realignment 6. Lake County Rotary Clubs Association Fire Relief Fund: www.LARCA5130.org
Findings & Recommendations
4 findings
F1:
Vector Control is important to the health and safety of all Lake County residents.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1:
The Vector Control Board of Trustees assume the role of leading Vector Control and the residents of the Esplanade neighborhood to communicate by or before the end of 2016 regarding a reasonable approach to their restructured operation at Esplanade which also reduces their impact on the neighborhood. (F1, F2, F3)
R2:
Lakeport Community Development Director take the leadership role to bring the Planning Commission, Vector Control, Lakeport City Council, and the residents of the Esplanade neighborhood into agreement over the General Plan and Zoning Ordinance changes and ensure The General Plan and the Zoning Ordinance are consistent by or before the end of Fiscal Year 2016-2017. (F1, F2, F3, F4) Request for Responses • Lakeport City Council (90 days) • Vector Control Board of Trustees (90 days) Bibliography 1. November 1996 - Memorandum of Understanding 2. November 1996 – City Planning Commission 3. December 1996 – Community Development Department Initial Study 4. January 1997, Memorandum from R. Knoll Community Development Director to Planning Commission 5. January 1997 - Minutes City of Lakeport Planning Commission 6. August 1997 - City of Lakeport to Vector Control , Right of Way Improvement Deferral Agreement 7. August 2002, Staff Report City Council 8. August 2002 - Agreement Transferring Lead Agency Status back to Vector Control 9. Jan 2003 – Letter from City of Lakeport to Del Lago [Esplanade] Homeowner’s Association 10. March 2003- Notice of 3 public hearings on April 9, 2003 11. April 2015 - Memorandum to M. Silveira City Manager from K. Ingram Community Development Director 12. Oct 15, 2014, Letter from resident , V. Schaffer to Andrew Britton re: parking 13. Oct. 28, 2014 , Letter from resident R. Bertsch to A. Britton, Community Development 14. November 2014 - Community Development Department Supplemental Memorandum to Staff Report 15. January 2015 – Soil Report by Pacific Agricultural Lab 16. Vector Control Minutes: Mar, Apr, Jun, August 2015 17. March 2015 – Vector Control Minutes 18. April 2015 – Lake Co News Article 19. June 2015 – Complaint to the CGJ re Lake County Vector Control 20. Planning, Zoning, and Development Laws – 2012 - Governor's Office of Planning and Research Web Sites Accessed 1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methoprene 2. http://www.lifescript.com/health/center/kids_health/drugs/;pyre thrin_andPiperonyl_butoxide_topical.aspx?p=1 3. http:///npic.orst.edu/factsheets/ResGen.html 4. www.toxipedia.org/display/toxipedia/Piperonly&Butoxide 5. www.greenfacts.org/glossary/der/epacancer- classifications.htm#a3 6. www.epa.gov/pesticides/reregistration/REDS/piperonly_red.pdf 7. www.epa.state.il.us 8. https://www.opr.ca.gov/docs/PZD2012.pdf
F2:
Vector Control could better fulfill its mission with a modern laboratory and updated equipment.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1:
The Vector Control Board of Trustees assume the role of leading Vector Control and the residents of the Esplanade neighborhood to communicate by or before the end of 2016 regarding a reasonable approach to their restructured operation at Esplanade which also reduces their impact on the neighborhood. (F1, F2, F3)
R2:
Lakeport Community Development Director take the leadership role to bring the Planning Commission, Vector Control, Lakeport City Council, and the residents of the Esplanade neighborhood into agreement over the General Plan and Zoning Ordinance changes and ensure The General Plan and the Zoning Ordinance are consistent by or before the end of Fiscal Year 2016-2017. (F1, F2, F3, F4) Request for Responses • Lakeport City Council (90 days) • Vector Control Board of Trustees (90 days) Bibliography 1. November 1996 - Memorandum of Understanding 2. November 1996 – City Planning Commission 3. December 1996 – Community Development Department Initial Study 4. January 1997, Memorandum from R. Knoll Community Development Director to Planning Commission 5. January 1997 - Minutes City of Lakeport Planning Commission 6. August 1997 - City of Lakeport to Vector Control , Right of Way Improvement Deferral Agreement 7. August 2002, Staff Report City Council 8. August 2002 - Agreement Transferring Lead Agency Status back to Vector Control 9. Jan 2003 – Letter from City of Lakeport to Del Lago [Esplanade] Homeowner’s Association 10. March 2003- Notice of 3 public hearings on April 9, 2003 11. April 2015 - Memorandum to M. Silveira City Manager from K. Ingram Community Development Director 12. Oct 15, 2014, Letter from resident , V. Schaffer to Andrew Britton re: parking 13. Oct. 28, 2014 , Letter from resident R. Bertsch to A. Britton, Community Development 14. November 2014 - Community Development Department Supplemental Memorandum to Staff Report 15. January 2015 – Soil Report by Pacific Agricultural Lab 16. Vector Control Minutes: Mar, Apr, Jun, August 2015 17. March 2015 – Vector Control Minutes 18. April 2015 – Lake Co News Article 19. June 2015 – Complaint to the CGJ re Lake County Vector Control 20. Planning, Zoning, and Development Laws – 2012 - Governor's Office of Planning and Research Web Sites Accessed 1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methoprene 2. http://www.lifescript.com/health/center/kids_health/drugs/;pyre thrin_andPiperonyl_butoxide_topical.aspx?p=1 3. http:///npic.orst.edu/factsheets/ResGen.html 4. www.toxipedia.org/display/toxipedia/Piperonly&Butoxide 5. www.greenfacts.org/glossary/der/epacancer- classifications.htm#a3 6. www.epa.gov/pesticides/reregistration/REDS/piperonly_red.pdf 7. www.epa.state.il.us 8. https://www.opr.ca.gov/docs/PZD2012.pdf
F3:
Vector Control cannot create a modern laboratory on their Esplanade property until the inconsistencies between the Lakeport General Plan and Zoning Ordinances are resolved.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1:
The Vector Control Board of Trustees assume the role of leading Vector Control and the residents of the Esplanade neighborhood to communicate by or before the end of 2016 regarding a reasonable approach to their restructured operation at Esplanade which also reduces their impact on the neighborhood. (F1, F2, F3)
R2:
Lakeport Community Development Director take the leadership role to bring the Planning Commission, Vector Control, Lakeport City Council, and the residents of the Esplanade neighborhood into agreement over the General Plan and Zoning Ordinance changes and ensure The General Plan and the Zoning Ordinance are consistent by or before the end of Fiscal Year 2016-2017. (F1, F2, F3, F4) Request for Responses • Lakeport City Council (90 days) • Vector Control Board of Trustees (90 days) Bibliography 1. November 1996 - Memorandum of Understanding 2. November 1996 – City Planning Commission 3. December 1996 – Community Development Department Initial Study 4. January 1997, Memorandum from R. Knoll Community Development Director to Planning Commission 5. January 1997 - Minutes City of Lakeport Planning Commission 6. August 1997 - City of Lakeport to Vector Control , Right of Way Improvement Deferral Agreement 7. August 2002, Staff Report City Council 8. August 2002 - Agreement Transferring Lead Agency Status back to Vector Control 9. Jan 2003 – Letter from City of Lakeport to Del Lago [Esplanade] Homeowner’s Association 10. March 2003- Notice of 3 public hearings on April 9, 2003 11. April 2015 - Memorandum to M. Silveira City Manager from K. Ingram Community Development Director 12. Oct 15, 2014, Letter from resident , V. Schaffer to Andrew Britton re: parking 13. Oct. 28, 2014 , Letter from resident R. Bertsch to A. Britton, Community Development 14. November 2014 - Community Development Department Supplemental Memorandum to Staff Report 15. January 2015 – Soil Report by Pacific Agricultural Lab 16. Vector Control Minutes: Mar, Apr, Jun, August 2015 17. March 2015 – Vector Control Minutes 18. April 2015 – Lake Co News Article 19. June 2015 – Complaint to the CGJ re Lake County Vector Control 20. Planning, Zoning, and Development Laws – 2012 - Governor's Office of Planning and Research Web Sites Accessed 1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methoprene 2. http://www.lifescript.com/health/center/kids_health/drugs/;pyre thrin_andPiperonyl_butoxide_topical.aspx?p=1 3. http:///npic.orst.edu/factsheets/ResGen.html 4. www.toxipedia.org/display/toxipedia/Piperonly&Butoxide 5. www.greenfacts.org/glossary/der/epacancer- classifications.htm#a3 6. www.epa.gov/pesticides/reregistration/REDS/piperonly_red.pdf 7. www.epa.state.il.us 8. https://www.opr.ca.gov/docs/PZD2012.pdf
F4:
The Lakeport General Plan and Zoning Ordinance are inconsistent with each other. This appears to differ with State Law.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
Lakeport Community Development Director take the leadership role to bring the Planning Commission, Vector Control, Lakeport City Council, and the residents of the Esplanade neighborhood into agreement over the General Plan and Zoning Ordinance changes and ensure The General Plan and the Zoning Ordinance are consistent by or before the end of Fiscal Year 2016-2017. (F1, F2, F3, F4) Request for Responses • Lakeport City Council (90 days) • Vector Control Board of Trustees (90 days) Bibliography 1. November 1996 - Memorandum of Understanding 2. November 1996 – City Planning Commission 3. December 1996 – Community Development Department Initial Study 4. January 1997, Memorandum from R. Knoll Community Development Director to Planning Commission 5. January 1997 - Minutes City of Lakeport Planning Commission 6. August 1997 - City of Lakeport to Vector Control , Right of Way Improvement Deferral Agreement 7. August 2002, Staff Report City Council 8. August 2002 - Agreement Transferring Lead Agency Status back to Vector Control 9. Jan 2003 – Letter from City of Lakeport to Del Lago [Esplanade] Homeowner’s Association 10. March 2003- Notice of 3 public hearings on April 9, 2003 11. April 2015 - Memorandum to M. Silveira City Manager from K. Ingram Community Development Director 12. Oct 15, 2014, Letter from resident , V. Schaffer to Andrew Britton re: parking 13. Oct. 28, 2014 , Letter from resident R. Bertsch to A. Britton, Community Development 14. November 2014 - Community Development Department Supplemental Memorandum to Staff Report 15. January 2015 – Soil Report by Pacific Agricultural Lab 16. Vector Control Minutes: Mar, Apr, Jun, August 2015 17. March 2015 – Vector Control Minutes 18. April 2015 – Lake Co News Article 19. June 2015 – Complaint to the CGJ re Lake County Vector Control 20. Planning, Zoning, and Development Laws – 2012 - Governor's Office of Planning and Research Web Sites Accessed 1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methoprene 2. http://www.lifescript.com/health/center/kids_health/drugs/;pyre thrin_andPiperonyl_butoxide_topical.aspx?p=1 3. http:///npic.orst.edu/factsheets/ResGen.html 4. www.toxipedia.org/display/toxipedia/Piperonly&Butoxide 5. www.greenfacts.org/glossary/der/epacancer- classifications.htm#a3 6. www.epa.gov/pesticides/reregistration/REDS/piperonly_red.pdf 7. www.epa.state.il.us 8. https://www.opr.ca.gov/docs/PZD2012.pdf
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Findings & Recommendations
6 findings
F1:
Vector Control provides a valuable service to the County.
F2:
The current lab facilities on Esplanade Street are cramped and show signs of leaks, wear and decay.
F3:
The Administrative building exterior on Esplanade Street appears dilapidated and unsightly.
F4:
It is in the interest of the County to allow Vector Control to complete their project. The added and updated lab space will allow them to continue to better meet the abatement needs of the county.
F5:
A Strategic Plan would be a good tool to keep all concerned parties informed and on track concerning the progress of Vector Control long-term projects.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
The Board of Trustees and Vector Control Management develop a Strategic Plan by or before the end of calendar year 2016, and make it available to concerned neighbors. (F5)
F6:
Keeping neighbors informed of expansion plans and schedules would open communications between Vector Control and the residents.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1:
The Vector Control Board keep neighbors informed of the progress of their expansion as it develops. (F6)
R3:
Vector Control send Notices to the neighborhood one week prior to agencies using the Vector Control’s meeting rooms after hours. (F6) Request for Responses • Lake County Vector Control Board of Trustees (90 days) • Lakeport City Council (90 days)
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Findings & Recommendations
3 findings
F1:
VWP did not place much reliance on outside assistance for grant- seeking opportunities in recent years.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
Lake County should continue to provide necessary supplemental funding VWP. There should also be a goal to lower this over a two year period. (F1)
F2:
The VATS methodology is outdated and requires replacement in order to enhance administrative efficiency. This also would improve the possibility of better positioning for future grants.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3:
VATS should be updated or replaced as soon as practical and affordable. (F2) Request for Responses • District Attorney’s Office (60 days) • Board of Supervisors (90 days) Health and Human Services Grand Jury Art Contest Winner Indira Duncan, Age 13
F3:
The VWP facilities are very well maintained and conducive to providing comfort to those assisted.
Additional Recommendations
1
Not linked to specific findings.
R2:
A much greater reliance is recommended on contracted grant writer advice and assistance to gain more new grant sources. ( F1,F2)
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Findings & Recommendations
3 findings
F1:
The absence of records of past code complaints and resolutions in Lakeport makes an analysis by the Grand Jury of the effectiveness of the code enforcement process difficult or inaccurate.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
Lakeport should establish a log of nuisance complaints. (F1)
F2:
Although Clearlake is still behind on responding to complaints due to the lengthy time without nuisance inspectors, they appear to be working effectively with the inspectors they now have, and are making good progress.
F3:
The Grand Jury found a bottleneck in the processing of complaints and inspection reports in the County CDD office due to communication difficulties with the officers in the field and with citizen complaints.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
Clearlake should purchase or share the program that the County government has purchased (Accela) to speed the processes involved in responding to nuisance complaints and enforcement reports. (F3) Request for Responses • Board of Supervisors (90 days) • Lakeport City Council. (90 days) • Clearlake City Council (90 days) Glossary Limited term employee: a person’s length of employment is dictated by available monies (i.e. grant funding) that are intended for the person’s compensation. Source: Lake County Human Resources. Bibliography City of Lakeport • Code enforcement violation investigations procedures • Lakeport Muni Code Section pertaining to Code Enforcement, Chapter 8.20, Nuisances; Chapter 8.22, Abatement of nuisances; Chapter 8.30, Administrative citation and appeal procedures; Chapter 8.35, Nuisance Vehicles. City of Clearlake • City of Clearlake Municipal Code, Chapter X Property maintenance, nuisance and vehicle abatement. • City of Clearlake, CA (clearlake.ca.us) • City of Clearlake CA codes and ordinances (clearlake.ca.us/652/codes-ordinances) • clearlake.ca.us/160/code-enforcement • clearlake.ca.us/159/city-clerks-office County of Lake • Lake County Code, Chapter 13, Lake County uniform Abatement of public Nuisances code. • http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Assets/CDD/CodeEnforcement/Code+Vio lations+and+Process/abatementOrd.pdf?method=1 • http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Code_Enforcement /news.htm Code info and news: o Weed and Brush Clearing - Removing weeds, brush, and clearing vegetation to prevent fires and help the community and the county. o Fire Damaged Structures - o Why Code Compliance is Needed - Not everyone wants the same living situation or more importantly, has the same standards. o Open & Outdoor Storage - All residential zoning districts in Lake County require most things stored outdoors to be screened from all exterior property lines and any public roadway. • http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Code_Enforcement /SubmitComplaint.htm Code Complaint Form • Board of Supervisors of Lake County (bos.lakecountyca.gov) • Code enforcement www.co.lake.ca.usgovernment/directory/code_enforcement.htm • www.accela.com Grand Jury
Findings & Recommendations
4 findings
F1:
BHS and the AODS component provide compassionate and professional services to their clients while respecting the cultural heritage and diversity of the County’s population.
F2:
Assistance provided by the Probation Department in job placement is very effective and improves the odds of success for all clients including veterans. It is also cost effective for the county as the county can then obtain compensation for incarceration services and victim reimbursement.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1:
The Probation Department continue to promote their special services, including those for veterans. (F2)
R3:
The Probation Department help in the development of more Alternative Work Programs that could be based on Helbush Drive. (F2) Request for Responses • Board of Supervisors (90 days)
F3:
As a result of the Valley Fire the Hilltop Residential Center has expanded to include another facility in Clearlake Oaks, which opened in January 2016.
F4:
The information program used by the CHP to educate drivers about their prescription drug use and the impact on their driving skills has been shown to be effective.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
The CHP and AODS therapists visit Senior Centers to provide information to seniors about the dangers of driving after using certain prescription and over-the-counter medications. (F4)