Merced County Grand Jury
2019-2020
Findings & Recommendations
4 findings
F1:
That the facility, including cells and classrooms, was clean and orderly.
F2:
That the youth appeared well nourished, well-groomed and were wearing clean clothes.
F3:
That the Bear Creek Academy Program provides a well-rounded program that includes both academic and personal growth opportunities as well as community interaction.
F4:
That the facility has changed the choices of their meal packages and the increase in cost has resulted in a decrease of quantity and some students report they are still hungry.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
That the Probation Department reevaluate the portion size of the meals provided for the youth and make increases as needed. (F4) REQUEST FOR RESPONSE(S) Pursuant to Penal Code Section 933.05, the following responses are required: • Merced County Board of Supervisors respond to F4 and R1 within 90 days.
Findings & Recommendations
4 findings
F1:
That 64% of roads in Los Banos fall below a “satisfactory” rating and need more than a fog seal for preservation.
F2:
That the money spent fog sealing and restriping roads below “good” rating is not an effective means of long-term maintenance.
F3:
That the website does not provide relevant or current information for the public regarding RD activities and schedules.
F4:
That the RD does not have a central system for submitting and tracking public complaints. 26
Additional Recommendations
4
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
That the RD budget more money toward road improvement instead of putting it into fog sealing and striping roads with ratings below “satisfactory” in the 2021-2022 fiscal year budget.
R2:
That the RD update their website and make it more user friendly by January 1, 2021.
R3:
That the RD create a pamphlet or newsletter to provide information to the public regarding procedures and road maintenance schedules by January 1, 2021.
R4:
That the City create a centralized online system to report road problems by January 1, 2021.
Findings & Recommendations
5 findings
F1:
That the JLCF is in an advanced state of decay.
F2:
That the county has received a $40 million grant in 2015 for the phase one (1) upgrading of the facility and the County has allocated $5 million in funds to upgrade the facility.
F3:
That no funds have been released to begin the project based on unfulfilled conditions of approval.
F4:
That no sources have been identified for the implementation of phase 2 providing for the replacement of the Main Jail and facilities at JLCF.
F5:
That the County has new, or modified, contracts for the commissary and medical services.
Additional Recommendations
3
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
That the maintenance staff be increased to maintain the facility and address issues in a timely manner.
R2:
That the County put the highest priority on completing the grant requirements needed for release of the funding so construction can begin on Phase one (1).
R3:
That the Board of Supervisors identify funding sources for the implementation of Phase two (2). Phase two (2) will replace jail facilities at both the JLCF and the Main Jail in downtown Merced. REQUEST FOR RESPONSE(S) Pursuant to Penal Code Section 933.05, the following responses are requested: • Merced County Board of Supervisors respond to F1, F2, F3, F4, R1, R2 and R3 within 90 days. • Merced County Sheriff Vernon Warnke respond to F1, F2, F3, F4, R1, R2, and R3 within 60 days.
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Findings & Recommendations
7 findings
F1:
That Well 3C pumps 864,000 gallons of water into the storm drain system every day.
F2:
That Well 3C has been offline and pumping water into the storm drain system since approximately November 2017.
F3:
That the water from Well 3C has been given to MID at no cost to MID.
F4:
That the cost of the wasted water and pumping costs average close to $30,000 per month.
F5:
That the Public Works department received a quote of $70,000 for the caustic disinfection at Well 3C including labor, chemicals, and training for Merced City employees.
F6:
That the maintenance logbooks contain multiple blank lines between entries.
F7:
That the public is unaware of the 864,000 gallons of water being pumped into the storm drain system every day.
Additional Recommendations
4
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
That Well 3C be disinfected and brought back online by December 31, 2020 or decommissioned to prevent continued waste of water and costs associated with pumping.
R2:
That water running to waste from Well 3C be sold or directed to ground water recharge basins immediately until Well 3C goes back online.
R3:
That the Public Works logbooks be maintained from this point forward with no blank spaces between entries as best practices for maintaining a proper logbook.
R4:
That the public be informed about the water running to waste from this point forward until it is repaired.
Findings & Recommendations
6 findings
F1:
That the County in the future will have an increase in funds to use for road maintenance due to the increase in state funds generated by the increase in gas taxes. The (SB 1) fees forwarded to the County, along with other resources, will provide an increase from ten (10) miles to fifty (50) miles of improvement to the 1,754 miles of County roads.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1:
That an Audit of all County Road Impact Contracts and Funds be made within six months. (F1, F2, F4, F5) 46
R3:
That the Roads Department establish a specific set of yearly procedures for the collection and use of Road Impact Fees along with collecting all past due fees. The procedures should be overseen by one (1) department member and the Auditor’s Office. (F1, F2, F6)
F2:
That the County has an adopted a Capital Improvement Plan and Pavement Management Plan guiding the allocation of funds on a yearly basis as a part of the County’s budget process.
Related Recommendations (3)
R1:
That an Audit of all County Road Impact Contracts and Funds be made within six months. (F1, F2, F4, F5) 46
R2:
That separate trust fund accounts be established for the tracking of the collections fees and use of fees from Road Impact Fee Contracts. (F2, F4)
R3:
That the Roads Department establish a specific set of yearly procedures for the collection and use of Road Impact Fees along with collecting all past due fees. The procedures should be overseen by one (1) department member and the Auditor’s Office. (F1, F2, F6)
F3:
That based on the documents provided, the County may be owed as much as $400,000.00 in Road Impact Fees.
F4:
That any Road Impact Fees collected are being combined with overall County Road Maintenance Fees and not assigned or used for the mitigation of specific projects as required by individual contracts.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1:
That an Audit of all County Road Impact Contracts and Funds be made within six months. (F1, F2, F4, F5) 46
R2:
That separate trust fund accounts be established for the tracking of the collections fees and use of fees from Road Impact Fee Contracts. (F2, F4)
F5:
That the County has not increased individual Road Impact Fees by the construction cost index as published in the Engineering News Record as allowed by the contracts.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1:
That an Audit of all County Road Impact Contracts and Funds be made within six months. (F1, F2, F4, F5) 46
R5:
That the Road Department review all Road Impact Fees to determine if increases are warranted based on the construction cost index as published in the Engineering News Record as allowed by each contract and attempt collection for any delinquent accounts. (F5) REQUEST FOR RESPONSE(S) Pursuant to Penal Code §933.05, the grand jury requests responses as follows: From the following individuals: • Merced County Public Works Director/Roads Commissioner respond to F3, F4, F5, F6,
F6:
That no one person has been accountable for the tracking of road impact fees for at least six (6) years. This accounts for the lack of documentation and accurate record keeping by the County Roads Department.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3:
That the Roads Department establish a specific set of yearly procedures for the collection and use of Road Impact Fees along with collecting all past due fees. The procedures should be overseen by one (1) department member and the Auditor’s Office. (F1, F2, F6)
Additional Recommendations
1
Not linked to specific findings.
R4:
That the Roads Department establish procedures for the expenditure of Road Impact fees in accordance with the approved Road Impact Fees Contracts on a yearly basis. (F2,
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Findings & Recommendations
5 findings
F1:
That there is a lack of adequate training for emergencies at polling sites.
F2:
That signage visibility and placement issues exist.
F3:
That ballot privacy is not consistently protected from public view.
F4:
That the new technology transitioned well into election procedures.
F5:
That poll workers responded well to the needs of voters.
Additional Recommendations
3
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
That training for emergency situations is implemented before the November 3, 2020 General Election.
R2:
That signage to polling sites be visible and in well-lit locations for evening voters.
R3:
That adequate training for the secure and secret handling of ballots be required before the November 3, 2020 General Election. 21
Findings & Recommendations
5 findings
F1:
That the Department has plans to break ground on a new $25 million, 30,000 square foot facility in 2020 with completion anticipated in 2023.
F2:
That the Department has policies in place to assist homeless and mentally ill residents.
F3:
That the Department’s growing Police Activities League (PAL) program continues to work toward reducing crime, violence and substance abuse among youth through positive interaction.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3:
That the Department publicize their Citizen’s Police Academy more widely. (F3) REQUEST FOR RESPONSE(S) Pursuant to Penal Code Section 933.05, the following responses are requested. • City of Merced respond to F1, F2 and R1 and R2 within ninety (90) days • Merced Police Department respond to F3 and R3 within 60 days.
F4:
That the officers are not provided overdose reversal drug applicators as standard issue equipment.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
That the Department include overdose reversal drug applicators to every officer as standard equipment and provide training. (F4)
F5:
That dispatch has camera surveillance of the City at approximately twelve (12) strategic points but has no direct camera surveillance of the fifteen (15) schools in Los Banos.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
That existing school video surveillance be connected to the dispatch network system. (F5) REQUEST FOR RESPONSE(S) Pursuant to Penal Code Section 933.05, the following responses are requested. • Los Banos City Council respond to F4, F5, R1, and R2 within 90 days.
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Findings & Recommendations
3 findings
F1:
That the majority of CADC is undeveloped and underutilized.
F2:
That no central online website location with information about present and future development at CADC exists.
F3:
That CADC is actively seeking business opportunities and investments for increased interconnectivity of commerce and commercial business that extend beyond the County.
Additional Recommendations
2
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
That an informative and up-to-date website and social media presence be developed and presented to the public to convey current pertinent information about the CADC redevelopment project by December 31, 2020.
R2:
That the website be maintained with up-to-date information regarding CADC business development progress.