Lake County Grand Jury
2019-2020
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Findings & Recommendations
3 findings
F1:
There is a dramatic under-counting of the homeless population in Lake County, this may equal a difference of approximately 2,500 homeless people.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4:
Coordination between several governmental and NGO groups could refine the actual number of homeless in Lake County. While federal standards still stipulate the PIT count as the formal number, having a unified estimate from Continuum of Care, PIT, Partnership Health Plan and LCOE could provide county and city governance as well as NGO service organizations a more accurate means to determine types and amounts of necessary services. (F1) 78
F2:
There are insufficient numbers of warming centers and beds for the homeless population during the winter months.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1:
In order to adequately serve the number of homeless in Lake County, identified centralized locations around the lake might possibly be looked into to make the broad variety of services more accessible. (F2, F3)
R2:
There needs to be more warming centers throughout Lake County, during the winter months. Explore the possibility of using vacant buildings/properties and also searching for monetary grants to assist in this. (F2)
F3:
There is a severe lack of low income housing available in Lake County. 77
Related Recommendations (2)
R1:
In order to adequately serve the number of homeless in Lake County, identified centralized locations around the lake might possibly be looked into to make the broad variety of services more accessible. (F2, F3)
R3:
Lake County Board of Supervisors and other possible agencies would benefit by looking into alternate forms of housing. This could include: tiny homes, refurbishing closed down motels, small resorts and vacant housing that can be turned into apartments. Also condemned buildings could be turned into housing and also identifiable tax default properties. Upcoming grants and funding should be explored for housing opportunities. (F3)
Findings & Recommendations
6 findings
F1:
Lake County has repaid all sums owed to the state for MHAS reversions.
F2:
Behavioral Health Services is already evaluating criminal defendants both 90 days before their release from custody and for diversion eligibility.
F3:
Behavioral Health Services has been supervising criminal defendants in a new mental health diversion program since 2019.
F4:
Lake County has decided against establishing a Mental Health Court.
F5:
Behavioral Health Services is not responsible for delayed release of criminal defendants from the jail.
F6:
Behavioral Health Services is unable to recruit as many qualified professionals as it needs or may be required to have and has, therefore, terminated some services to its patients. Recommendations
Additional Recommendations
4
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
Behavioral Health Services should continue to monitor and evaluate whether it is in danger of incurring future MHAS reversion charges and take all steps needed to avoid another such problem. (F-1)
R2:
Behavioral Health Services should continue to cooperate and participate with other county agencies in designing and providing services to its target populations. (F-2)
R3:
Behavioral Health Services should continue to expand and explore new funding for its substance abuse services. (F-3)
R4:
The Board of Supervisors and county managers should review its personnel policies to allow its agencies such as BHS more flexibility in filling positions required by law. (F-6) Request for Responses Pursuant to Penal Code sec. 933(c). the following responses are required: -Board of Supervisors, R-1, R-4 (90 days) -Behavioral Health Services (via the BOS), R-1, R-2, R-3 (90 days) 55 Footnotes 1. California Courts, Collaborative Courts, Mental Health Court, http://www.courts.ca.gov/5982.htm 2. RDA, Lake County Behavioral Health Services, Mental Health Services Act, (MHSA) Annual Update FY 2019-2020, mhsa.lake county ca.gov 3. State Controller schedules, County of Lake FY 2019-2020 Budget, http://www.lakecountyca.gov/.../Financial/BudgetNew.htm 4. MHAS Annual Update, supra, p. 153 5. Cal. Penal Code, secs. 1001.36, 1170.9 56 57 58
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Findings & Recommendations
7 findings
F1:
The Probation Department has not yet followed through on its promise to better inform the public about available programs and activities for children and youth in Lake County.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
The Probation Department should do more to inform the public about available programs for children and youth in Lake County. (F1)
F2:
The Probation Department has recommended renewing the county’s contract with the Tehama County Juvenile Hall for another two years. The Board of Supervisors makes approvals for such requests.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
The Board of Supervisors should renew the contract with the Tehama County Juvenile Hall for two more years. (F2)
F3:
The Sheriff’s Department is striving to bring the Lake County jail into compliance with state facility standards under the CCR Title 15 regulations. It can continue those efforts, especially by providing enough toilets, sinks and bathing areas to comply with the state’s standards.
Related Recommendations (2)
R3:
The Sheriff’s Department should continue efforts to comply with state regulations by completing construction and other efforts to ensure the Lake County jail has enough toilets, sinks and bathing facilities. (F3)
R4:
The Sheriff’s Department should provide beds and mattresses to all inmates and stop using “boats”. (F3)
F4:
There is not enough programming for inmates at the Lake County jail because there are not enough corrections officers to transport and supervise them even if there were more activities available.
F5:
Both the Probation and Sheriff’s Departments have difficulty recruiting and retaining employees because the county’s wages are too low and the benefits are too expensive.
Related Recommendations (2)
R5:
The Board of Supervisors may fund the full complement of 55 corrections officers for the Lake County jail to promote safety and better programming for inmates and to relieve correctional officers from excessively long work shifts. (F5)
R6:
The Board of Supervisors may reevaluate wages and benefits for correctional officers to encourage their retention. (F5)
F6:
The Probation Department and Mendo Lake Alternatives need improved signage to direct new clients to the appropriate location.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7:
The Probation Department and Mendo Lake Alternatives should redo their signage to better direct clients to appropriate services. (F6)
F7:
The Sheriff’s Department is taking steps to control the smuggling of heroin and other illegal drugs into the county jail. These will continue in earnest after the COVID-19 restrictions on visitation are lifted. 121
Related Recommendations (1)
R8:
The Sheriff’s Department should continue to take vigorous action to control the smuggling of heroin and other illegal drugs into the county jail. (F7) 122 REQUESTS FOR RESPONSES: Pursuant to Penal Code sec, 933c, the following responses are required: Board of Supervisors R 1, 2,5, 6 and 7 – (within 90 days) Sheriff’s Department R 3, 4, and 8— (within 60 days) The following are invited to respond: Mendo Lake Alternatives R 7— (within 60 days) FOOTNOTES 1. Brown v. Plata, 563 US 493 (2011) 2. State Treasurer, California Community Corrections Partnership, Performance Incentives Act of 2009 (SB 678) Lake County 3. Interview Lake County Sheriff, May 18, 2020 123
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Findings & Recommendations
4 findings
F1:
Lake County Financial Management System – segment designated “Megabyte Property Tax System”, accessed March 6, 2020
F2:
Lake County Data Base System – Segment designated “Tax Collector’s Office - Parcels with Power to Sell”, accessed March 5, 2020
F3:
AB 349, California Legislative Record, 1949 – Archived (Original Teeter Plan Legislation)
F4:
Lake County Budget - Teeter revenue distributed to Clearlake is account 840.99-19. The Teeter revenue account is 411.10-10. Program designator GM270L accessed March 9, 2020. 100 101 102 103 104
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Findings & Recommendations
4 findings
F1:
Communication from PG&E was spotty and untimely making appropriate responses difficult.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
Establish a Public Information Officer (PIO) within the OES to improve communication. (F1)
F2:
Neighborhoods and the general public were not adequately prepared for PSPS events. 37
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
A PIO could assist neighborhoods, Home Owner’s Associations (HOAs), service organizations, and the general public to prepare for PSPS and other emergency events through regular meetings and workshops. (F2)
F3:
School calendars no longer include inclement weather days
Related Recommendations (1)
R3:
Lost school time could be partially remediated by putting inclement weather days back into district calendars to add emergency flexibility. Districts and unions should negotiate mutually acceptable terms for schools to adapt to PSPS impacts. (F3)
F4:
With the emergence of the COVID19 pandemic, the threat of a triple emergency- wildfire evacuation, shelter in place and PSPS- could unfold making effective official responses extremely difficult.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4:
Even more detailed planning from the county and cities is needed to coordinate responses to simultaneous emergency situations. (F4) REQUEST FOR RESPONSES: Pursuant to Penal Code sections 933 and 933.05, the following responses are required: The Lake County Board of Supervisors (R1, R2, R4) (90 days) Lake County Sheriff (R1, R2, R4) (60 days) The cities of Lakeport and Clearlake (R4) (90 days) 38 The Grand Jury invites the following for comments: Lake County Superintendent of Schools (R3) (60 days) Superintendent, Kelseyville Unified School District (R3) (60 days) Superintendent, Konocti Unified School District (R3) (60 days) Superintendent, Lakeport Unified School District (R3) (60 days) Superintendent, Lucerne Elementary District (R3) (60 days) Superintendent, Middletown Unified School District (R3) (60 days) Superintendent, Upper Lake Unified School District (R3) (60 days) 39
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Findings & Recommendations
5 findings
F1:
The initial fee permit of $500.00 represented the minimum costs to cover the processing. The new regulations presented to the Board are a significant increase in workload for the Agriculture Department: administrative, personnel, and incidental costs. When enacted, there is potential to cause a financial loss to Lake County.
F2:
The regulations require that hemp cultivated for seed production must be carried out in a greenhouse equipped with air filtration because it is necessary to pollinate the plants to get seed production. This solution was accepted by both hemp and marijuana growers. Failure to control this issue causes a loss of value for the marijuana crop and can result in the hemp crop failing the THC content limit of 0.3 percent.
F3:
The inspection requirement for accessing the property references both the initial inspection and THC content inspection.
F4:
The administration of permit issuances and inspection is divided between two departments. Hemp is regulated by the Agriculture Department and Marijuana is regulated by the Planning Department. They are not considered legal grows without the correct permits.
F5:
During this investigation there emerged an impression that there was little exact understanding of the costs of general administration, personnel or other incidental costs related to the issuance and maintenance of the permitting process.
Additional Recommendations
4
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
The Agriculture Department as well as all other involved departments having regulatory authority regarding industrial hemp cultivation be directed to conduct a cost analysis. This information should flow to a central source for data analysis and action before presenting to the Board of Supervisors. This would permit fair adjustment of fees to cover costs administration. (F1.) (F5.)
R2:
To be an effective solution Lake County needs to develop and make available to interested growers the minimum greenhouse structure and air filtration equipment requirements necessary to obtain a permit to grow. (F2.) 64
R3:
The application should clarify access to crop property to satisfy regulatory requirements. Such access is to be scheduled during customary business hours or by appointment. (F3.)
R4:
Consideration should be given to combine the appropriate sections that deal with hemp and cannabis from the Agriculture Department and Planning Department together under one department. Having a single regulating entity would serve to localize and coordinate the necessary expertise and eliminate a redundancy of effort and possible costs. (F5.)