Napa County Grand Jury
2022-2023
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 (7)
Findings & Recommendations
8 findings
F1:
Napa County officials do not know the number, location, or capacity of groundwater wells and storage tanks in the County.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1:
By December 31, 2023, the Board of Supervisors will fill current gaps in groundwater usage data by expanding groundwater monitoring in key locations and initiate and enforce procedures to enhance data collection from agricultural and residential users.
R5:
By June 30, 2024, the Napa PBES research and communicate to the GSA the number of new or upgraded wells, their output, and the number of storage tanks. 10 <b>REQUIRED RESPONSES</b> Pursuant to Penal Code sections 933 and 933.05, the Grand Jury requests responses as follows: Napa County Board of Supervisors, F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7, F8, R1, R2, R3 • Napa County Planning, Building and Environmental Services Department, F1, •
F2:
Despite the 2022-2023 storms, drought is still a concern in Napa County. <sup>14</sup> Napa County Groundwater Sustainability Annual Report - Water Year 2021 (published in 2022) 15 2014-2015 Grand Jury Report <sup>16</sup> County staff interview <sup>17</sup> County staff interview <sup>18</sup> See Glossary <sup>19</sup> LAFCO Municipal Service Review (2020) 9
F3:
Napa County does not have an umbrella water agency to coordinate, oversee, and set policy for its 14 public and 20 private water districts.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
By June 30, 2024, the Board of Supervisors in conjunction with all 14 public and 20 private water districts consider creating a single County-wide agency to oversee groundwater management.
F4:
Groundwater over pumping can lead to land subsidence, salt water intrusion, decreased water quality, and depletion of aquifers.
F5:
Education of vineyard and winery owners, vineyard managers, farmworkers, wine production employees, landscapers, and residential users, is critical for improved groundwater management.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3:
By December 31, 2023, the Board of Supervisors will create and implement a plan to increase awareness of groundwater preservation strategies through the education of winery and vineyard owners and managers, farmworkers, landscapers, and residential users.
F6:
Government, wine industry, and environmental groups do not consistently collaborate on groundwater management issues.
F7:
The County permitting process is inconsistent, inefficient, and confusing to applicants seeking groundwater well permits.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4:
By June 30, 2024, the Napa County Planning Department will enable more effective communication with applicants during the permitting process.
F8:
The GSA has only just begun to address groundwater issues via the GSP. However, most public and private groups and agencies feel the plan needs to be implemented as soon as possible.
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Findings & Recommendations
4 findings
F1:
The overall staffing for NCJH has been reduced by 14% rather than 25%. The NCJH has based its staffing levels on Title 15 requirements and other factors, and anticipates increasing staff.
F2:
The New Horizons Academy program has been discontinued and a new camp program is in development.
F3:
The Shared Vision consulting firm is currently identifying resources for youths in Napa County and plans to report back with specific recommendations for program development for NCJH. The survey should include measures for program efficacy and evaluation.
F4:
The NCJH is in discussions with the Napa County Library to increase reading resources and services in the NCJH library for the youth. COMMENDATIONS 1. The Napa Grand Jury commends the NCJH for managing the Covid-19 pandemic with minimal cases. REQUEST FOR RESPONSES The following responses are required pursuant to Penal Code sections 933 and 933.05: From the following county officials within 90 days: Board of Supervisors: F1, F2, F3, F4 • The following unelected local government officials are invited to respond within 90 days: The Napa County Chief Probation Officer: F1, F2, F3, F4 Superintendent, Napa County Juvenile Hall: F1, F2, F3, F4 Reports issued by the Grand Jury do not identify individuals interviewed. Penal Code section 929 requires that reports of the Grand Jury not contain the name of any person or facts leading to the identity of any person who provides information to the Grand Jury.
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Findings & Recommendations
5 findings
F1:
Napa County has insufficient network bandwidth for the increasing use of video conferencing, document imaging, and large file management.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
By June 1, 2024, the Napa County CEO articulate a vision for digital government that facilitates cross department collaboration, community engagement and enhances government productivity.
F2:
In at least one instance a County developed application took longer to implement and was more difficult to maintain than a packaged application.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
Starting with the 2024-2025 budget cycle, the Napa County CEO adopt an annual IT Strategic Plan that includes multi-year objectives and investments in data integration, infrastructure, communication, and digitization.
F3:
Multiple departments would benefit from a common data management system as part of the County infrastructure.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3:
By June 1, 2024, the Napa County CEO should initiate a project to implement a common data management system in order to share information across departments and applications.
F4:
The County's focus on annual and department-level budgeting makes planning and adoption of longer term infrastructure and application development projects more difficult.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4:
By December 1, 2023, the Napa County CEO should consider a policy that new proprietary (County developed) applications be deployed by exception only.
F5:
There is not a comprehensive County-wide strategy on IT infrastructure or applications.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5:
By December 1, 2023, the Napa County CEO should consider a policy that existing proprietary applications be replaced by packaged applications. 5 <b>Commendation</b> Napa County ITS is effective in implementing application systems and enhancements on behalf of separate departmental needs. This effectiveness includes project management and support. <b>Required Responses</b> The following responses are required pursuant to Penal Code sections 933 and 933.05. Board of Supervisors: F1, F2, F3, F4, F5. R1, R2, R3, R4, R5. • <b>Invited Responses</b> Chief Information Officer F1, F2, F3, F4, F5. R1, R2, R3, R4, R5. • Chief Operations Officer F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5. • Reports issued by the Grand Jury do not identify individuals interviewed. Penal Code section 929 requires that reports of the Grand Jury not contain the name of any person or facts leading to the identity of any person who provides information to the Grand Jury. 6
Findings & Recommendations
9 findings
F1:
The mental health crisis needs of Napa County are not being fully met, despite the existence of the CSU and Mobile Response Team and the efforts of their teams.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
By December 1, 2023, HHS quantify the needed additional mental health crisis beds to meet the County's mental health crisis needs and implement a plan to secure them.
F2:
The CSU's capacity constraints and exclusionary policies limit the CSU's ability to treat all individuals in need of mental health crisis services.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
By December 1, 2023, HHS establish a capability for individuals in need of detox to be directly treated at a detox facility and not the CSU.
F3:
The CSU capacity to treat individuals in mental health crises is reduced by clients being treated that more appropriately need detox services.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3:
By December 1, 2023, HHS establish a capability and policy such that individuals who are in a mental health crisis and medically stable only be treated at regional facilities where they can receive mental health treatment.
F4:
Individuals in mental health crises on a 5150 hold who cannot get into the CSU are usually diverted to the Emergency Department of the Queen of the Valley Medical Center which is not staffed or designed to provide comprehensive mental health crisis treatment.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4:
By October 1, 2023, HHS take leadership to coordinate all regional resources to provide a more comprehensive and integrated capability for treating individuals in a mental health crisis. Providers minimally to be included are Providence Queen of the Valley Medical Center, Adventist Saint Helena Hospital/Adventist Health Vallejo Center for Behavioral Health, CSU, law enforcement, and California State Hospital - Napa.
F5:
Individuals in mental health crises who are diverted to the Emergency Department of the 9 Queen of the Valley Medical Center reduce the hospital's capacity to treat medical emergencies.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5:
By October 1, 2023, HHS designate one or more appropriate Providence professionals the authority to lift a 5150 hold at the Queen of the Valley Medical Center.
F6:
Individuals in a mental health crisis often also have substance abuse, medical, and/or homelessness issues. County services to meet these needs are fragmented resulting in individuals often not getting the services they need.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6:
HHS publish in their Annual Report metrics on mental health crises in Napa County, which minimally includes the number of all 5150s, individuals treated by the MRT and CSU, and individuals diverted and excluded from the CSU.
F7:
The Mobile Response Team is often unavailable for mental health crises that occur outside normal business hours, resulting in the overuse of law enforcement, the CSU and the Queen of the Valley Medical Center Emergency Department.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7:
By December 1, 2023, HHS establish a plan for 24/7 staffing for either the Mobile Response Team or embedded resources within law enforcement.
F8:
Data on mental health crises in Napa County made available to the Jury was fragmented and incomplete.
Related Recommendations (1)
R8:
By June 30, 2024 contract renewal date for the Crestwood Contract, HHS ensure the contract is an accurate reflection of duties and performance required.
F9:
The Crestwood contract is not an accurate representation of the duties being performed, and the performance outcome metrics don't align with the reporting required by the funding grant.
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Findings & Recommendations
3 findings
F1:
TheNapaCounty Jail lacksadequateprogramming, especiallyfor long-term incarcerated persons. NowthattheCovid-19State of Emergencyhasbeen lifted(March 2023),it isnot reasonableto waitfor thenewjailto providebroaderprograms for incarceratedpersons.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
TheNapa CountyGrandJury recommendsthat theDirector ofCorrections increase programs for IPs byDecember 31,2023.If thespaceconstraints arealimitation, thejury recommendsNCJincrease onlineprograms.
F2:
Womenarenot offered equitableworkopportunities at theNapa CountyJail.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
TheNapa CountyGrandJury recommendsthat theDirector ofCorrections implement work opportunitiesfor women byDecember31,2023.
F3:
There-entryfacilityis notcurrentlyusedand islikelynotgoing tobeused for itsintended purpose.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3:
TheNapa CountyGrandJury recommendsthat theBoardof Supervisors continuetowork diligently with theStatetofind andimplement along termsolutionfor theuse ofthe re-entry facilityand providequarterlyupdatesto thepublic until alongtermsolutionis implemented.
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Findings & Recommendations
8 findings
F1:
The current structure of the volunteer monthly stipend does not reward the volunteers who respond to multiple calls.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
By December 1, 2023, the Board of Supervisors develop a plan that calls for the volunteer's monthly stipend to be replaced with a Paid Per Call system.
F2:
The operational model for how volunteers are used in support of the Napa County Fire Department is ineffective because it does not hold volunteers accountable for not responding to emergency calls.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
By December 1, 2023 the Board of Supervisors establish a committee of volunteer firefighters, paid staff from the Napa County Fire Department, and members of the community to develop a new operational model that places more emphasis in responding to larger fires in a surge capacity. The new model would classify the volunteers as reserve firefighters.
F3:
The low response rate from the Soda Canyon Volunteer Fire Station compromises its effectiveness to provide reliable fire protective service.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3:
By December 1, 2023 the Board of Supervisors authorize the Napa County Fire Department to relocate and consolidate the volunteers assigned to the Soda Canyon Volunteer Fire Station to the Napa County Fire Department's paid fire station #25 on Monticello Road. The relocation and consolidation includes moving the remaining fire apparatus equipment from the Soda Canyon Volunteer Fire Station to the paid station #25.
F4:
Napa County does not have a dedicated web page or program for the purpose of recruiting new volunteers from a broader group of potential applicants.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4:
By December 1, 2023, the Napa County Deputy Fire Chief, in conjunction with the Volunteer Fire Chiefs, establish a County-wide dedicated web page for the purpose of providing information to the public about the volunteer firefighter program in Napa County. The information must include a mission statement, the minimum requirements to become a volunteer firefighter, and the level of training necessary to meet state-mandated fire and safety regulations.
F5:
The Board of Supervisors representative for the Fire Service Advisory Committee has not changed in four years, creating a lack of representation from all five Supervisory Districts.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5:
By September 30, 2023 the Board of Supervisors representative to the Fire Services Advisory Committee will be appointed on a yearly cycle with each supervisor serving on a rotating basis.
F6:
The selection process and criteria for the position of Volunteer Fire Chief is not standardized under state-mandated industrial guidelines.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6:
By December 1, 2023 the Napa County Deputy Fire Chief adopt and enforce the selection criteria for the position of Volunteer Fire Chief that follows state-mandated guidelines.
F7:
The volunteers do not have a liaison officer to act as a spokesperson between them and the Napa County Fire Department, resulting in miscommunication and misunderstandings between both groups.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7:
By December 1, 2023 the Board of Supervisors reinstate the volunteer liaison position with a retired firefighter.
F8:
The volunteer firefighters have morale problems resulting from a perceived lack of appreciation by the Board of Supervisors and the Napa County Fire Department.
Related Recommendations (1)
R8:
By December 1, 2023 the Board of Supervisors and the Napa County Deputy Fire Chief coordinate with the local media to publish a feature article for the general public highlighting the successes of the volunteer program.
* This report's PDF did not contain easily extractable text and required Optical Character Recognition (OCR) for analysis. There may be minor errors in the extracted findings and recommendations due to OCR limitations with scanned documents.