Napa County Grand Jury
2016-2017
From the annual report
The consolidated year-end volume. The individual investigations it contains are listed separately below.
📑 Year-End Report
The full consolidated volume; individual reports are listed below.
Individual reports (6)
Findings & Recommendations
6 findings
F1:
The Grand Jury finds that:
A majority of interviewees view the Vision 2040 Report’s proposed highway improvement lists, bike lanes, and new buses as insufficient to solve Napa County’s traffic congestion problems.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
By November 30, 2017, the Napa County Board of Supervisors form a multidisciplinary task force that includes traffic, economic, employment, and housing experts to make recommendations for comprehensive planning, innovative solutions to traffic congestion and funding sources.
F2:
The Grand Jury finds that:
No quantifiable measurements are in place for the Board or the public to assess Napa County congestion management goals, determine results on a timeline, or evaluate the efficacy of NVTA budgets and spending.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
The NVTA Board set clear expectations, determinate goals, and timelines to establish quantifiable traffic congestion performance targets with measurable results and annual progress reports to the public, starting in January 2018.
F3:
The Grand Jury finds that:
The NVTA does an inadequate public relations job of educating the community of all their responsibilities, activities and progress toward achieving goals.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3:
The NVTA seek new, dependable sources of funding ideas specifically for traffic congestion improvement actions by July 2018.
F4:
The Grand Jury finds that:
The NVTA needs to better utilize data and travel demand software to (a) project future transportation conditions, (b) forecast the need for and the potential effectiveness of transportation projects and infrastructure improvements, and (c) identify the impacts of land use development.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4:
The NVTA prioritize and approve future expenditures based on quantifiable and achievable short and long range goals, starting in July, 2018.
F5:
The Grand Jury finds that:
The most salient suggested actions in V2040 were made by the Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) and the Napa County Farm Bureau.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5:
The NVTA test new technologies and traffic management software starting in 2017.
F6:
The Grand Jury finds that:
The NVTA is missing opportunities to promote Napa County as a test market for transportation technology companies investing in new research and development.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6:
By January 2018, the NVTA have a plan to promote Napa County as an ideal test market for companies investing in transportation technology and market research and development. 10
Findings & Recommendations
6 findings
F1:
The employees and inmates of Napa County are at risk of physical injury due to understaffing and overcrowding at Napa County Jail. 13Napa County’s COs are eligible to retire at age 62, Solano’s at age 57. For on-the-job injuries, Napa County’s Cos receive only State Worker’s Compensation benefits; Solano’s receive up to full pay for one year per California Labor Code §4850. 12
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
The Napa County Board of Supervisors initiate talks to adopt a regional jail plan with Solano County by June 30, 2018.
F2:
The County Jail needs enhanced mental health and addiction facilities and increased counseling resources.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
The Napa County Board of Supervisors review Correctional Officer pay, benefits, and career opportunities, particularly with respect to retirement benefits.
F3:
State funding restrictions on new jail facilities inhibit the use of regional jails.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3:
The Napa County Department of Corrections be placed under the control of the Napa County Sheriff by June 30, 2019.
F4:
Correctional Officer retention is a chronic problem, resulting in high turnover and higher costs and risks.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4:
The Board of Supervisors work with County legislative representatives to eliminate funding restrictions on State supported jail construction funds.
F5:
Napa County should adopt a regional jail plan. The benefits of this arrangement are both financial and programmatic.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5:
The Board of Supervisors work with relevant County and State agencies to develop a comprehensive plan for treating mentally ill inmates. This could include a regional mental health jail facility.
F6:
There are no data to support the perception of some County officials that the Napa County jail has less serious felons than the Solano County Jail.
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Findings & Recommendations
2 findings
F1:
The time it has taken to fully install an updated video camera system at Juvenile Hall is 132 unacceptable. The Napa County Juvenile Hall staff strives to find appropriate rehabilitation options for
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
The Napa County Juvenile Hall complete the full installation of video cameras and
F2:
134 mentally ill youths in lieu of incarceration.
Findings & Recommendations
9 findings
F1:
The Grand Jury finds that:
The on-call duty rotated among all social workers and supervisors requires answering calls overnight, on holidays, and on weekends, which contributes to burnout.
F2:
The Grand Jury finds that:
Implementation of the new Crisis Stabilization Unit should result in a higher level of screening after-hours incoming calls, resulting in fewer non-appropriate calls being referred to on-call social workers and supervisors.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
During its initial six months of operation, the Department of Health and Human Services conduct a performance review of the Crisis Stabilization Unit regarding its effectiveness in handling after-hour calls to the Hotline. Results of the review to be reported to the Board of Supervisors no later than June 30, 2018.
F3:
The Grand Jury finds that:
A full and proficient staff at Child Welfare Services contributes to handling referrals sooner and promotes opportunities for staff to have more effective interactions with families. 10
F4:
The Grand Jury finds that:
The public is often hesitant to report suspected child abuse and neglect to the Hotline for fear children will be removed from their families, and therefore may not call in to voice their concerns for child safety.
F5:
The Grand Jury finds that:
Napa Health and Human Services is not active enough in informing the public regarding all aspects of the Hotline.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
Department of Health and Human Services develop a detailed plan of outreach to increase public awareness of the Hotline. This will include, but not be limited to, presentations to schools and places of worship, articles for local newspapers, and public service messages on local radio and TV stations, as well as updated written and online materials. Plan to be completed by January 31, 2018, with implementation within six months thereafter.
F6:
The Grand Jury finds that:
Technology capable of recording calls would be useful to CWS for training purposes and quality assurance.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3:
Department of Health and Human Services evaluate technology currently in use, including the ability to record calls, track staff schedules, and accommodate off-site staffing. Upgrades determined to be worthwhile and cost effective are to be included in budget requests to the Board of Supervisors for Fiscal year 2018.
F7:
The Grand Jury finds that:
Introducing technology allowing greater flexibility for CWS staff to work off-site would improve job efficiency and satisfaction.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3:
Department of Health and Human Services evaluate technology currently in use, including the ability to record calls, track staff schedules, and accommodate off-site staffing. Upgrades determined to be worthwhile and cost effective are to be included in budget requests to the Board of Supervisors for Fiscal year 2018.
F8:
The Grand Jury finds that:
After-hour calls regarding urgent child safety matters to Napa Child Welfare Workers living outside the County often result in longer response times.
F9:
The Grand Jury finds that:
The high cost of housing is a major factor resulting in many Napa Child Welfare Workers living outside the county.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4:
Napa County Board of Supervisors continue efforts to promote development of affordable housing within Napa County and show evidence of such action by means of public notice and/or documents by December 31, 2017. COMMMENDATION The Grand Jury commends Napa County Child Welfare Services for providing a culture of protection and support to the children and families of Napa. 11
Findings & Recommendations
6 findings
F1:
The Grand Jury finds that:
Current decentralized approach of parking management is cumbersome and inefficient.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
The City Council Appoint a Parking Service Manager to manage the parking system and its’ funding by June 30, 2018.
F2:
The Grand Jury finds that:
Adequate parking exists in the Downtown Area; existing parking garages are under- utilized.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
The City Manager increase parking enforcement staff and replace obsolete equipment by June 30, 2018.
F3:
The Grand Jury finds that:
Parking enforcement is hampered by outdated equipment and lack of personnel.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3:
The City Council amend the Municipal Code to make “re-parking” (block-face ordinance) in short-term spaces illegal by June 30, 2018. City of Napa, “Downtown Parking Management Plan,” 2015, 3 Yune, Howard, “Vacant Napa lot marked for future parking near downtown,” The Napa Valley Register, December 20, 2016 7
F4:
The Grand Jury finds that:
Short-term parking rules are ignored by many merchants and their employees.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4:
The City Manager update the parking plan annually to reflect new developments in the Downtown and Oxbow Districts
F5:
The Grand Jury finds that:
Parking is a problem in the Oxbow Area.
F6:
The Grand Jury finds that:
The City has not identified funding for replacement of existing garages.
Findings & Recommendations
11 findings
F1:
The Grand Jury finds that:
The Napa County Fairgrounds is a substantial asset, both to Napa County, and especially to the City of Calistoga and the surrounding northern Napa Valley community.
F2:
The Grand Jury finds that:
At the outset, the Board of Supervisors delegated the operation and maintenance of the Fairgrounds to a private, not-for-profit organization to which it provided little or no oversight and that this arrangement has never been seriously reviewed.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6:
As soon as practicable, the Napa County Board of Supervisors revise its contract with the Napa County Fairgrounds Association to focus that organization’s efforts exclusively on the funding and operation of the Napa County Fair and related community activities.
F3:
The Grand Jury finds that:
Failure to exercise proper stewardship of the Napa County Fairgrounds has been institutionalized in the behavior of all responsible for several generations.
F4:
The Grand Jury finds that:
The current Fairgrounds operations consist of the County Fair and four separate enterprises, the management and maintenance of which exceeds the expertise and resources of the Napa County Fairgrounds Association.
Related Recommendations (2)
R5:
As soon as practicable, the Napa County Board of Supervisors contract the operation of the Calistoga Raceway, the Mount St. Helena Golf Course, and the Calistoga RV Park to concessionaires knowledgeable and competent to operate those enterprises efficiently and profitably.
R6:
As soon as practicable, the Napa County Board of Supervisors revise its contract with the Napa County Fairgrounds Association to focus that organization’s efforts exclusively on the funding and operation of the Napa County Fair and related community activities.
F5:
The Grand Jury finds that:
The Napa County Fairgrounds and its buildings are in a state of chronic decay, the result of systemic lack of necessary maintenance and by at times overt neglect that has extended over most of the Fairgrounds’ existence.
F6:
The Grand Jury finds that:
The State’s severe reduction of financial support for the Napa County Fair in 2011 may have abrogated its Land Tenure Agreement with Napa County. Regardless, the Land Tenure Agreement expires in 2024.
Related Recommendations (2)
R2:
By December 31, 2017, the Napa County Board of Supervisors direct the County Executive to investigate whether any California counties with similar land tenure agreements concerning their county fairs have terminated those agreements and, if so, what consequences they experienced.
R3:
By 2020, the Napa County Board of Supervisors fully determine the implications of the agreement’s 2024 termination and set in place plans for the Fairgrounds future development and operation.
F7:
The Grand Jury finds that:
The Napa County Fair itself is in serious decline, with its continued operation in doubt.
F8:
The Grand Jury finds that:
The ancillary function of the Fairgrounds as an emergency refuge for victims of flooding, wildfires, or earthquake is important, even vital, to any future development of the Fairgrounds themselves.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4:
The Napa County Board of Supervisors’ plans for the Fairgrounds’ future include provisions for the Fairgrounds’ use as an emergency refuge for the victims of natural disasters in the region.
F9:
The Grand Jury finds that:
The conduct of the Napa County Fairgrounds Association Board has been at times dysfunctional, with some Board members publicly complaining about lack of transparency in the Board’s financial reporting.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1:
Any actions taken on renovation, development, or repurposing of the Napa County Fairgrounds involve explicit agreement between the Napa County Board of Supervisors and the City of Calistoga.
R6:
As soon as practicable, the Napa County Board of Supervisors revise its contract with the Napa County Fairgrounds Association to focus that organization’s efforts exclusively on the funding and operation of the Napa County Fair and related community activities.
F10:
The Grand Jury finds that:
Some of the complaints expressed by the former dissenting members of the Napa County Fairgrounds Association Board have merit: in particular, complaints about golf course maintenance, managerial decision making, and a general lack of transparency.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5:
As soon as practicable, the Napa County Board of Supervisors contract the operation of the Calistoga Raceway, the Mount St. Helena Golf Course, and the Calistoga RV Park to concessionaires knowledgeable and competent to operate those enterprises efficiently and profitably.
F11:
The Grand Jury finds that:
A Joint Powers Authority (or Agreement), currently being discussed by the Board of Supervisors and the Calistoga City Council, could allow for long term contracts with concessionaires to incentivize investment in and development of Fairgrounds facilities. 11