Madera County Grand Jury

2009-2010

14 reports

Findings & Recommendations 16 findings
F1: Modify the adoption hours to better accommodate the public by including some after 5:00 PM weekday and Sunday hours. Utilize volunteers if necessary.
F2: Resurface the cement floor in the kennel area of the new building to facilitate clean and sanitary conditions.
F3: Implement a regular schedule of ongoing, formal training to include employee safety, animal medication, euthanasia, and care.
F4: Shelter management should seek assistance from the Human Resource Department to improve the workplace environment and employee morale. Contract provisions with regard to employees, supervisors, directors and union representative interaction should be clarified.
F5: Overnight drop off boxes should be located so that the animals are protected from extreme cold and heat.
F6: For humane animal care, some outdoor grassy area must be provided for dogs in the new building.
F7: Monitor access and availability of Shelter funds to prevent theft.
F8: The County should re-evaluate the contract with Comcast for a fair rent for their tower on the Shelter grounds. Respondents: Written response required pursuant to PC933(c) Madera County Animal Shelter Animal Control Director 14269 Road 28 Madera, California 93638 Madera County Chief Administrative Officer 200 W. 4th Street Madera, California 93637 Madera County Board of Supervisors 200 W. 4th Street Madera California 93637 Respondents: Response Optional Friends of the Animal Shelter 14269 Road 28 Madera, California 93638
F9: Modify the adoption hours to better accommodate the public by including some after 5:00 PM weekday and Sunday hours. Utilize volunteers if necessary.
F10: Resurface the cement floor in the kennel area of the new building to facilitate clean and sanitary conditions.
F11: Implement a regular schedule of ongoing, formal training to include employee safety, animal medication, euthanasia, and care.
F12: Shelter management should seek assistance from the Human Resource Department to improve the workplace environment and employee morale. Contract provisions with regard to employees, supervisors, directors and union representative interaction should be clarified.
F13: Overnight drop off boxes should be located so that the animals are protected from extreme cold and heat.
F14: For humane animal care, some outdoor grassy area must be provided for dogs in the new building.
F15: Monitor access and availability of Shelter funds to prevent theft.
F16: The County should re-evaluate the contract with Comcast for a fair rent for their tower on the Shelter grounds. Respondents: Written response required pursuant to PC933(c) Madera County Animal Shelter Animal Control Director 14269 Road 28 Madera, California 93638 Madera County Chief Administrative Officer 200 W. 4th Street Madera, California 93637 Madera County Board of Supervisors 200 W. 4th Street Madera California 93637 Respondents: Response Optional Friends of the Animal Shelter 14269 Road 28 Madera, California 93638
Findings & Recommendations 4 findings
F1: The schools should review the requirements within the California Educational Code, Section 32001 in particular, regarding fire drills and other security/safety issues as applicable.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1: • The schools should review the requirements within the California Educational Code, Section 32001 in particular, regarding fire drills and other security/safety issues as applicable. • Faculty and staff should be familiarized on a regular basis with emergency procedures. Parents and students should be given at least basic instructions regarding safety and security when visiting campus. Respondents: Written response required pursuant to PC933(c) Western Sierra Charter Schools, Inc. Yosemite Unified School District Attn: Executive Director Attn: Superintendent 41275 Highway 41 50200 Road 427 Oakhurst, California 93644 Oakhurst, California 93644 Respondents: Response optional Madera County Office of Education Madera County Board of Supervisors Attn: Superintendent 200 W. 4th St. 28123 Ave. Madera, California 93637 Madera, California 93638
F2: Faculty and staff should be familiarized on a regular basis with emergency procedures. Parents and students should be given at least basic instructions regarding safety and security when visiting campus. Respondents: Written response required pursuant to PC933(c) Western Sierra Charter Schools, Inc. Yosemite Unified School District Attn: Executive Director Attn: Superintendent 41275 Highway 41 50200 Road 427 Oakhurst, California 93644 Oakhurst, California 93644 Respondents: Response optional Madera County Office of Education Madera County Board of Supervisors Attn: Superintendent 200 W. 4th St. 28123 Ave. Madera, California 93637 Madera, California 93638
Related Recommendations (1)
R1: • The schools should review the requirements within the California Educational Code, Section 32001 in particular, regarding fire drills and other security/safety issues as applicable. • Faculty and staff should be familiarized on a regular basis with emergency procedures. Parents and students should be given at least basic instructions regarding safety and security when visiting campus. Respondents: Written response required pursuant to PC933(c) Western Sierra Charter Schools, Inc. Yosemite Unified School District Attn: Executive Director Attn: Superintendent 41275 Highway 41 50200 Road 427 Oakhurst, California 93644 Oakhurst, California 93644 Respondents: Response optional Madera County Office of Education Madera County Board of Supervisors Attn: Superintendent 200 W. 4th St. 28123 Ave. Madera, California 93637 Madera, California 93638
F3: The schools should review the requirements within the California Educational Code, Section 32001 in particular, regarding fire drills and other security/safety issues as applicable.
F4: Faculty and staff should be familiarized on a regular basis with emergency procedures. Parents and students should be given at least basic instructions regarding safety and security when visiting campus. Respondents: Written response required pursuant to PC933(c) Western Sierra Charter Schools, Inc. Yosemite Unified School District Attn: Executive Director Attn: Superintendent 41275 Highway 41 50200 Road 427 Oakhurst, California 93644 Oakhurst, California 93644 Respondents: Response optional Madera County Office of Education Madera County Board of Supervisors Attn: Superintendent 200 W. 4th St. 28123 Ave. Madera, California 93637 Madera, California 93638
Findings & Recommendations 10 findings
F1: First to evening meals, clothing and canteen items.
F2: Ability to choose where they live within the housing unit.
F3: Plants in the dayroom to create a more relaxed atmosphere.
F4: Ability to leave their assigned door open as long as one inmate remains in the room. The program has approximately 256 inmates. The Lighthouse inmates have contributed to the institution by serving as role models for other inmates and as spokespersons for inmate self-help groups. The staff is motivated by the success of this program. Due to the success of the program, it is anticipated that the program will be extended to other housing units. Conclusions: The Madera County Grand Jury found the institution to be clean with a very efficient staff. Motivational programs are in effect and appear to be having a positive influence on inmate behavior. However, budget cuts have affected the number of staff which has restricted the availability of these effective programs. Medical personnel expressed concern about their workload and appeared to be understaffed.
F5: Outdoor general population yards need restroom facilities for inmates. These yards are quite large and it is a considerable walk to use the indoor restrooms when necessary.
F6: Consider expanding the Lighthouse program for other inmates as a means to promote positive behavior.
F7: Consider re-allocation of budget funding for additional medical staff. Respondents: Written response required pursuant to PC933(c) Valley State Prison for Women Attention: Warden 21633 Avenue 24 P.O. Box 99 Chowchilla, California 93610-0099 State of California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation 1515 S Street, Room 400S Sacramento, California 95811 Repondents: Response Optional Madera County Board of Supervisors 200 West 4th Street Madera, California 93637 Valley State Prison for Women Attention: Administrative Assistant 21633 Avenue 24 P.O. Box 99 Chowchilla, California 93610-0099
F8: Outdoor general population yards need restroom facilities for inmates. These yards are quite large and it is a considerable walk to use the indoor restrooms when necessary.
F9: Consider expanding the Lighthouse program for other inmates as a means to promote positive behavior.
F10: Consider re-allocation of budget funding for additional medical staff. Respondents: Written response required pursuant to PC933(c) Valley State Prison for Women Attention: Warden 21633 Avenue 24 P.O. Box 99 Chowchilla, California 93610-0099 State of California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation 1515 S Street, Room 400S Sacramento, California 95811 Repondents: Response Optional Madera County Board of Supervisors 200 West 4th Street Madera, California 93637 Valley State Prison for Women Attention: Administrative Assistant 21633 Avenue 24 P.O. Box 99 Chowchilla, California 93610-0099
Findings & Recommendations 2 findings
F1: The API score of 539 is a major concern to the Madera County Grand Jury and all efforts to improve this score should continue. Respondents: Written response required pursuant to PC 933 (c) Madera County Office of Education Attn: Superintendent 28123 Avenue 14 Madera, California 93638 Madera County Office of Education Attn: Executive Director, Career and Alternative Education 28123 Avenue 14 Madera, California 93638 Pioneer Technical Center Attn: Principal 1025 S. Madera Avenue Madera, California 93637 Respondents: Response optional Madera County Board of Supervisors 200 W. 4th St. Madera, California 93637
F2: The API score of 539 is a major concern to the Madera County Grand Jury and all efforts to improve this score should continue. Respondents: Written response required pursuant to PC 933 (c) Madera County Office of Education Attn: Superintendent 28123 Avenue 14 Madera, California 93638 Madera County Office of Education Attn: Executive Director, Career and Alternative Education 28123 Avenue 14 Madera, California 93638 Pioneer Technical Center Attn: Principal 1025 S. Madera Avenue Madera, California 93637 Respondents: Response optional Madera County Board of Supervisors 200 W. 4th St. Madera, California 93637
Findings & Recommendations 4 findings
F1: Continue efforts to build an involved parent organization to support the school as a whole.
F2: Continue efforts to raise the API to meet state goals. Respondents: Written response required pursuant to PC 933(c) Madera Unified School District Attn: Superintendent 1902 Howard Road Madera, CA 93637 Madera South High School Attn: Principal 755 West Pecan Avenue Madera, CA 93637 Respondents: (Response optional) Madera County Board of Supervisors 200 W. 4th St. Madera, California 93637 Madera County Office of Education Attn: Superintendent 28123 Avenue 14 Madera, California 93638
F3: Continue efforts to build an involved parent organization to support the school as a whole.
F4: Continue efforts to raise the API to meet state goals. Respondents: Written response required pursuant to PC 933(c) Madera Unified School District Attn: Superintendent 1902 Howard Road Madera, CA 93637 Madera South High School Attn: Principal 755 West Pecan Avenue Madera, CA 93637 Respondents: (Response optional) Madera County Board of Supervisors 200 W. 4th St. Madera, California 93637 Madera County Office of Education Attn: Superintendent 28123 Avenue 14 Madera, California 93638
Findings & Recommendations 8 findings
F1: Planning and the exercising of the plans should continue and should receive the attention of all levels of county government.
F2: Even in this era of critical budget shortages, emergency planning and training should be supported. Grants and other non-county sources of support should be explored.
F3: Integration of all activities within the geographical boundaries of the County should be pursued.
F4: Communications interoperability should remain a firm goal and should include all responders. Respondents: Written response required pursuant to PC933(c) Madera County Board of Supervisors 200 W. 4th St. Madera, California 93637 Madera County Sheriff’s Department Attn: Sheriff 14143 Rd. Madera, CA 93638
F5: Planning and the exercising of the plans should continue and should receive the attention of all levels of county government.
F6: Even in this era of critical budget shortages, emergency planning and training should be supported. Grants and other non-county sources of support should be explored.
F7: Integration of all activities within the geographical boundaries of the County should be pursued.
F8: Communications interoperability should remain a firm goal and should include all responders. Respondents: Written response required pursuant to PC933(c) Madera County Board of Supervisors 200 W. 4th St. Madera, California 93637 Madera County Sheriff’s Department Attn: Sheriff 14143 Rd. Madera, CA 93638

Findings and recommendations not yet extracted.

Findings & Recommendations 2 findings
F1: With the current economic status of this county, EW is carrying a workload that will be increasing in future years. It is recommended that the budget be reviewed to accommodate additional staffing that will be required due to inevitable increases in their workload. Respondents: Written response required pursuant to PC 933 (c) Madera County Board of Supervisors 200 West 4th Street Madera, California 93637 Madera County Department of Social Services - Director 700 E. Yosemite Ave. Madera, California 93638 Madera County Department of Social Services – EW Deputy Director 720 E. Yosemite Ave. Madera, California 93638 Madera County Department of Social Services – EW Program Manager 720 E. Yosemite Ave. Madera, California 93638
F2: With the current economic status of this county, EW is carrying a workload that will be increasing in future years. It is recommended that the budget be reviewed to accommodate additional staffing that will be required due to inevitable increases in their workload. Respondents: Written response required pursuant to PC 933 (c) Madera County Board of Supervisors 200 West 4th Street Madera, California 93637 Madera County Department of Social Services - Director 700 E. Yosemite Ave. Madera, California 93638 Madera County Department of Social Services – EW Deputy Director 720 E. Yosemite Ave. Madera, California 93638 Madera County Department of Social Services – EW Program Manager 720 E. Yosemite Ave. Madera, California 93638
Findings & Recommendations 6 findings
F1: The Madera County Office of Education, in cooperation with the Madera County Department of Probation, should increase overall student safety by addressing the behavioral issues of adult probationary juveniles.
F2: Appropriately trained staff should be provided that can monitor and administer physician prescribed medications when needed.
F3: The staff should be augmented with full-time, on-site mental health professionals. Respondents: Written response required pursuant to PC933(c) Madera County Board of Supervisors 200 W. 4th St. Madera, California 93637 Madera County Office of Education Superintendent 28123 Avenue 14 Madera, California 93638 Madera County Probation Department – Chief 209 West Yosemite Madera, California 93637 Madera County Office of Education Director of Alterative Education 28123 Avenue 14 Madera, California 93638 Enterprise Secondary School Principal for Alternative Education 28261 Avenue 14 Madera, California 93638
F4: The Madera County Office of Education, in cooperation with the Madera County Department of Probation, should increase overall student safety by addressing the behavioral issues of adult probationary juveniles.
F5: Appropriately trained staff should be provided that can monitor and administer physician prescribed medications when needed.
F6: The staff should be augmented with full-time, on-site mental health professionals. Respondents: Written response required pursuant to PC933(c) Madera County Board of Supervisors 200 W. 4th St. Madera, California 93637 Madera County Office of Education Superintendent 28123 Avenue 14 Madera, California 93638 Madera County Probation Department – Chief 209 West Yosemite Madera, California 93637 Madera County Office of Education Director of Alterative Education 28123 Avenue 14 Madera, California 93638 Enterprise Secondary School Principal for Alternative Education 28261 Avenue 14 Madera, California 93638

Findings and recommendations not yet extracted.

Findings & Recommendations 2 findings
F1: The Grand Jury recommends the Director of DCSS consider placing the process server function out to bid to test the water to see if there are any other registered process serving companies in the immediate area who would like to compete for the work. Respondents: Written response required pursuant to PC933 (c) Department Of Child Support Services Office of the Director 120 No. Lake Street Madera, CA 93638 County Administrative Officer 200 West 4th Street Madera, CA 93637 Madera County Board of Supervisors 200 West 4th Street Madera, CA 93637
F2: The Grand Jury recommends the Director of DCSS consider placing the process server function out to bid to test the water to see if there are any other registered process serving companies in the immediate area who would like to compete for the work. Respondents: Written response required pursuant to PC933 (c) Department Of Child Support Services Office of the Director 120 No. Lake Street Madera, CA 93638 County Administrative Officer 200 West 4th Street Madera, CA 93637 Madera County Board of Supervisors 200 West 4th Street Madera, CA 93637
Findings & Recommendations 8 findings
F1: The Grand Jury finds that there were no Brown Act violations during the Madera City Planning Commission meeting of September 8, 2009.
F2: The Grand Jury also finds that the Madera City Planning Department presented a fair and professional staff report regarding the Society’s application for a CUP.
F3: With regard to the denial of the CUP, the Commission acted according to the mandate assigned them by the Madera City Council.
F4: No further action is warranted by the Madera County District Attorney. Respondents: Written response required pursuant to PC933(c) Madera City Planning Commission Attention Chairperson 205 West 4th Street Madera, CA 93637 Madera County District Attorney 209 West Yosemite Madera, CA 93637 Madera City Council 205 West 4th Street Madera, CA 93637
F5: The Grand Jury finds that there were no Brown Act violations during the Madera City Planning Commission meeting of September 8, 2009.
F6: The Grand Jury also finds that the Madera City Planning Department presented a fair and professional staff report regarding the Society’s application for a CUP.
F7: With regard to the denial of the CUP, the Commission acted according to the mandate assigned them by the Madera City Council.
F8: No further action is warranted by the Madera County District Attorney. Respondents: Written response required pursuant to PC933(c) Madera City Planning Commission Attention Chairperson 205 West 4th Street Madera, CA 93637 Madera County District Attorney 209 West Yosemite Madera, CA 93637 Madera City Council 205 West 4th Street Madera, CA 93637

Findings and recommendations not yet extracted.

Findings & Recommendations 3 findings
F1: In the absence of a proven “quid pro quo”, that is, there is no proof that the relatives of counsel were employed contingent upon the firm receiving county legal business and/or the employment of the Counsel’s relatives has not been shown to have materially enhanced the firm’s opportunities to receive county business. There exists, at best, an appearance of a conflict of interest.
F2: County Counsel should have disclosed the fact that his wife and son were employed by Cota, Duncan & Cole.
F3: There is the appearance of a conflict of interest and the appearance of unethical behavior by County Counsel with regard to failure to disclosure interest.