Nevada 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 (15)
Findings & Recommendations
4 findings
F1:
There are many different reasons for people to be homeless including mental illness, substance abuse, unemployment, under-employment, physical disabilities and sometimes, choice.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
The County should complete the selection of a Housing Resource Manager to coordinate efforts to provide housing and services for homeless people in the County. (F1, F2, F3, and F4)
F2:
There is a need for coordination of County departmental efforts with those of non-profit organizations within the County to provide assistance to people who are homeless.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1:
The County should complete the selection of a Housing Resource Manager to coordinate efforts to provide housing and services for homeless people in the County. (F1, F2, F3, and F4)
R3:
The Housing Resource Manager should be given the task of working with all stakeholders to provide a seamless delivery of services to homeless people. (F2 and F4)
F3:
There is a need for more affordable housing in the County.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1:
The County should complete the selection of a Housing Resource Manager to coordinate efforts to provide housing and services for homeless people in the County. (F1, F2, F3, and F4)
R2:
The Housing Resource Manager should be given the task of working with all stakeholders in finding ways to allow for the creation of more affordable housing in the County. (F3)
F4:
There is a need for wraparound services that meet the needs of people who are homeless.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1:
The County should complete the selection of a Housing Resource Manager to coordinate efforts to provide housing and services for homeless people in the County. (F1, F2, F3, and F4)
R3:
The Housing Resource Manager should be given the task of working with all stakeholders to provide a seamless delivery of services to homeless people. (F2 and F4)
Findings & Recommendations
7 findings
F1:
Although tree mortality in Nevada County is not yet at the catastrophic rate experienced by the ten counties to the south, it is up to the citizens of our county to be watchful and promptly deal with any observed infestations.
Related Recommendations (2)
R2:
The individual school districts should select teachers to act as leaders in the process of forming Professional Learning Communities in the areas of English Language Arts and Mathematics. (F1 and F2)
R4:
These leaders should establish working relationships with their peers allowing them to freely share their ideas, plans, and the results of their instruction. (F1, F2 and F4)
F2:
Numerous agencies are providing information and resources to ameliorate the bark beetle problem.
Related Recommendations (2)
R2:
The individual school districts should select teachers to act as leaders in the process of forming Professional Learning Communities in the areas of English Language Arts and Mathematics. (F1 and F2)
R4:
These leaders should establish working relationships with their peers allowing them to freely share their ideas, plans, and the results of their instruction. (F1, F2 and F4)
F3:
There is no coordinated effort underway to get all of the stakeholders to participate, review and recommend changes to forest management practices currently in place.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3:
The Nevada County Superintendent of Schools and staff should provide training to these leaders. (F3)
F4:
There is a lack of communication and collaboration between the two comprehensive high schools and their feeder elementary districts concerning expectations for entering ninth graders.
Related Recommendations (2)
R4:
These leaders should establish working relationships with their peers allowing them to freely share their ideas, plans, and the results of their instruction. (F1, F2 and F4)
R5:
The Nevada Joint Union High School District should develop a process in collaboration with the elementary districts to more clearly identify the expectations for entering ninth graders. (F4)
F5:
Having two comprehensive high schools using different mathematics pathways may negatively impact the ability for students to transfer between the schools.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6:
The Nevada Joint Union High School District should adopt one mathematics pathway to be used by both of the comprehensive high schools in the district. (F5, 6, and 7)
F6:
Having two comprehensive high schools using different mathematics pathways may negatively impact students in the feeder schools in their ability to master the State Standards.
F7:
While the State allows different pathways in the teaching of mathematics, students in the County would be better served by the adoption of a common pathway.
Additional Recommendations
1
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
Residents of Nevada County are encouraged to take advantage of the services described herein.
Findings & Recommendations
6 findings
F1:
Adherence to the requirement for a complete inventory upon a change of evidence technician or supervisor: The Grass Valley Police Department has and will continue to adhere to this requirement. Audits will be diligently scheduled upon the change of an evidence technician or evidence supervisor. These audits will include a 100% inventory of all firearms, money, and narcotics. These audits were performed in 2012 and 2015 upon the change of evidence technicians, and again in 2016 upon the appointment of a new Chief of Police.
F2:
Random spot inventories need to be performed and documented:
F3:
Inventories of firearms, narcotics, and money must be conducted on at least a quarterly basis: The random spot inventories conducted by the evidence sergeant and captain have and will continue to include checking of firearms, narcotics, and money. These random spot inventories will be conducted quarterly at a minimum.
F4:
External audits must be conducted on a biennial basis at a minimum:
F5:
Most of the Supervisors believe ethics refers to the Form 700 filings required from elected officials each year by the FPPC. Response to Finding F5 Disagree. The annual Form 700 filing is required by the California Government Code Section 87200 as a means for judicial, elected and appointed officials to publicly disclose certain economic interests. The Board understands that ethics laws extend beyond the Form 700 to encompass a comprehensive and complex array of issues ranging from Open Meetings Law (the “Brown Act”), public contracting, due process, perquisites and other official acts to codes of conduct when we are off-duty as well. Current Status Regarding Finding F5 The Jury recognizes that the ethics training the Supervisors receive does cover much more than just the Form 700 requirements and accepts their statement.
F7:
The Order and Decorum lacks sufficient guidance to Supervisors in assisting them in their personal decision making on questions of recusal. Response to Finding F7 Partially agree. Because the Board members receive focused ethics training that meets the legal requirements of AB 1234, the Order and Decorum is not intended for that purpose. Instead, it is designed to provide general guidance on the conduct of meetings. However, item #13 of the Order and Decorum does seek to address the matter of abstention and recusal. As indicated in Responses R2 and R3 below, the Board will consider revisions to this document during its annual workshop in January 2017.
Findings & Recommendations
3 findings
F1:
Although tree mortality in Nevada County is not yet at the catastrophic rate experienced by the ten counties to the south, it is up to the citizens of our county to be watchful and promptly deal with any observed infestations.
F2:
Numerous agencies are providing information and resources to ameliorate the bark beetle problem.
F3:
There is no coordinated effort underway to get all of the stakeholders to participate, review and recommend changes to forest management practices currently in place.
Additional Recommendations
1
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
Residents of Nevada County are encouraged to take advantage of the services described herein.
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Findings & Recommendations
7 findings
F1:
The failure of the school districts within the County to identify teacher leaders and coordinate teacher collaboration and articulation negatively impacts student opportunity.
Related Recommendations (3)
R1:
The superintendents from each district should come together and set communication and collaboration guidelines for teachers including the coordination of time for this communication and collaboration. (F1 and F4)
R2:
The individual school districts should select teachers to act as leaders in the process of forming Professional Learning Communities in the areas of English Language Arts and Mathematics. (F1 and F2)
R4:
These leaders should establish working relationships with their peers allowing them to freely share their ideas, plans, and the results of their instruction. (F1, F2 and F4)
F2:
There is an apparent lack of Professional Learning Communities in the areas of English Language Arts and Mathematics in the nine school districts in the County.
Related Recommendations (2)
R2:
The individual school districts should select teachers to act as leaders in the process of forming Professional Learning Communities in the areas of English Language Arts and Mathematics. (F1 and F2)
R4:
These leaders should establish working relationships with their peers allowing them to freely share their ideas, plans, and the results of their instruction. (F1, F2 and F4)
F3:
The failure of NCOE to train and support teachers in the nine school districts within the County in teacher leadership and the formation of functioning Professional Learning Communities negatively impacts student opportunity.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3:
The Nevada County Superintendent of Schools and staff should provide training to these leaders. (F3)
F4:
There is a lack of communication and collaboration between the two comprehensive high schools and their feeder elementary districts concerning expectations for entering ninth graders.
Related Recommendations (3)
R1:
The superintendents from each district should come together and set communication and collaboration guidelines for teachers including the coordination of time for this communication and collaboration. (F1 and F4)
R4:
These leaders should establish working relationships with their peers allowing them to freely share their ideas, plans, and the results of their instruction. (F1, F2 and F4)
R5:
The Nevada Joint Union High School District should develop a process in collaboration with the elementary districts to more clearly identify the expectations for entering ninth graders. (F4)
F5:
Having two comprehensive high schools using different mathematics pathways may negatively impact the ability for students to transfer between the schools.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6:
The Nevada Joint Union High School District should adopt one mathematics pathway to be used by both of the comprehensive high schools in the district. (F5, 6, and 7)
F6:
Having two comprehensive high schools using different mathematics pathways may negatively impact students in the feeder schools in their ability to master the State Standards. Cooperation and Coordination Among the School Districts in Nevada County pages
F7:
While the State allows different pathways in the teaching of mathematics, students in the County would be better served by the adoption of a common pathway.
Findings & Recommendations
7 findings
F1:
As a result of the 2008 recession the Higgins District suffered an approximate 30% loss of revenue which severely hampered operations of the Higgins District.
F2:
The failure of the three tax measures, for a variety of reasons, resulted in reduction of staffing and services for the Higgins District. Contributing to those failures were the lack of sufficient information given to the public and the public’s confusion as to the purpose of the SRA fee. Also contributing was the failure of the hired consultant to meet the deadline to file a rebuttal to a strong local opposition group that published misinformation about some of the facts of the tax measure.
Related Recommendations (3)
R1:
Educate the district as to the purpose of the Cal Fire SRA fee. (F2)
R2:
Develop an understanding of all financial responsibilities including all reports and budgets. (F2 and F3)
R3:
Revisit the need for an increase in the existing special tax. (F2)
F3:
The Board demonstrated that they did not understand their fiscal responsibilities or fully understand Higgins District financial reports.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
Develop an understanding of all financial responsibilities including all reports and budgets. (F2 and F3)
F4:
The lack of strategic planning affected the Board’s ability to meet its responsibilities.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4:
Develop long-range strategic plans to address budgeting and provision of adequate fire services to the district. (F4)
F5:
The Amador Contract is a vital element in the operations of the Higgins District.
F6:
The Board’s failure to create standing committees resulted in the formation of ad hoc committees not open to the public. Committee results were not documented.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5:
Form standing committees to replace outdated ad hoc committees. (F6)
F7:
Ineffective communication to the community, including the outdated website and other community outreach, contributed to the failure of the tax measures and lack of candidates for the Board.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6:
Continue efforts to improve their community outreach, professionalism, and fiscal responsibility. (F7)
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Findings & Recommendations
7 findings
F1:
Body Worn Cameras have been shown to improve officer-to-citizen interactions and safety.
F2:
Body Worn Cameras have been shown to reduce citizen complaints.
F3:
Body Worn Cameras provide more clarification of contested incidents between officer and civilian.
F4:
Body Worn Cameras appear to provide some measure of crowd control and mitigation.
F5:
Body Worn Cameras reduce time and legal expense in investigating complaints against officers.
F8:
The Nevada County Sheriff's Office has expressed a desire not to deploy Body Worn Cameras at this time.
F9:
lnteragency communication concerning Body Worn Camera deployment, techniques, policies, and operating procedures has been shown to improve overall results. Response to Findings F1 through F9 by the NCSO The NCSO agreed with all nine of the above findings.
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Findings & Recommendations
2 findings
F5:
Most of the Supervisors believe ethics refers to the Form 700 filings required from elected officials each year by the FPPC. Response to Finding F5 Disagree. The annual Form 700 filing is required by the California Government Code Section 87200 as a means for judicial, elected and appointed officials to publicly disclose certain economic interests. The Board understands that ethics laws extend beyond the Form 700 to encompass a comprehensive and complex array of issues ranging from Open Meetings Law (the “Brown Act”), public contracting, due process, perquisites and other official acts to codes of conduct when we are off-duty as well. Report on Responses to the 2015-2016 Nevada County Grand Jury pages Current Status Regarding Finding F5 The Jury recognizes that the ethics training the Supervisors receive does cover much more than just the Form 700 requirements and accepts their statement.
F7:
The Order and Decorum lacks sufficient guidance to Supervisors in assisting them in their personal decision making on questions of recusal. Response to Finding F7 Partially agree. Because the Board members receive focused ethics training that meets the legal requirements of AB 1234, the Order and Decorum is not intended for that purpose. Instead, it is designed to provide general guidance on the conduct of meetings. However, item #13 of the Order and Decorum does seek to address the matter of abstention and recusal. As indicated in Responses R2 and R3 below, the Board will consider revisions to this document during its annual workshop in January 2017. Report on Responses to the 2015-2016 Nevada County Grand Jury pages
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Additional Recommendations
1
Not linked to specific findings.
R7:
The following describes our implemented actions related to each of them: 1. Adherence to the requirement for a complete inventory upon a change of evidence technician or supervisor: The Grass Valley Police Department has and will continue to adhere to this requirement. Audits will be diligently scheduled upon the change of an evidence technician or evidence supervisor. These audits will include a 100% inventory of all firearms, money, and narcotics. These audits were performed in 2012 and 2015 upon the change of evidence technicians, and again in 2016 upon the appointment of a new Chief of Police. 2. Random spot inventories need to be performed and documented: Although random “spot inventories” are performed on a regular basis by the evidence sergeant and Captain, they have not been consistently documented. GVPD has initiated a protocol for capturing and documenting these spot inventories. The evidence sergeant will keep and maintain the records of his audit and inventory activity and it will be available to the Captain, Chief of Police, or an independent auditor upon request. 3. Inventories of firearms, narcotics, and money must be conducted on at least a quarterly basis: The random spot inventories conducted by the evidence sergeant and captain have and will continue to include checking of firearms, narcotics, and money. These random spot inventories will be conducted quarterly at a minimum. 4. External audits must be conducted on a biennial basis at a minimum: External audits have been and will continue to be conducted on a biennial basis. Current GVPD Status GVPD has fully complied with
Findings & Recommendations
3 findings
F1:
The video monitor in the control room currently being used to monitor the numerous camera sources at the Holding Facility is too small. This makes the job of monitoring all of the video sources unnecessarily difficult.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office should make an investment in a larger monitor for the control center of the Nevada County Superior Court Holding Facility.
F2:
A camera monitoring the outside of the main entrance to the courthouse would increase security. It would allow COs in the control room and the guards at the main entrance to observe potential problems.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office should install a camera to allow observation of the exterior area approaching the main entrance to the courthouse.
F3:
All detention facilities administered by the NCSO are understaffed. This results in excessive overtime.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3:
Video from this exterior camera should be fed to both the control center and a monitor observable by the screening guard.
Additional Recommendations
1
Not linked to specific findings.
R4:
The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office should increase staffing to authorized levels.
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Findings & Recommendations
3 findings
F1:
Although County law enforcement did not meet POST training requirements, they are now taking training requirements seriously and should be commended for making the training of County peace officers a priority.
F2:
A camera monitoring the outside of the main entrance to the courthouse would increase security. It would allow COs in the control room and the guards at the main entrance to observe potential problems.
F3:
All detention facilities administered by the NCSO are understaffed. This results in excessive overtime.
Additional Recommendations
4
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office should make an investment in a larger monitor for the control center of the Nevada County Superior Court Holding Facility.
R2:
The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office should install a camera to allow observation of the exterior area approaching the main entrance to the courthouse.
R3:
Video from this exterior camera should be fed to both the control center and a monitor observable by the screening guard.
R4:
The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office should increase staffing to authorized levels.
Quick View
Full Details →
Findings & Recommendations
7 findings
F1:
Body Worn Cameras have been shown to improve officer-to-citizen interactions and safety.
F2:
Body Worn Cameras have been shown to reduce citizen complaints.
F3:
Body Worn Cameras provide more clarification of contested incidents between officer and civilian.
F4:
Body Worn Cameras appear to provide some measure of crowd control and mitigation.
F5:
Body Worn Cameras reduce time and legal expense in investigating complaints against officers.
F8:
The Nevada County Sheriff's Office has expressed a desire not to deploy Body Worn Cameras at this time.
F9:
lnteragency communication concerning Body Worn Camera deployment, techniques, policies, and operating procedures has been shown to improve overall results. Response to Findings F1 through F9 by the NCSO The NCSO agreed with all nine of the above findings.
Findings & Recommendations
1 findings
F1:
There are many different reasons for people to be homeless including mental illness, substance abuse, unemployment, under-employment, physical disabilities and sometimes, choice.
Findings & Recommendations
3 findings
F2:
There is a need for coordination of County departmental efforts with those of non-profit organizations within the County to provide assistance to people who are homeless.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1:
The County should complete the selection of a Housing Resource Manager to coordinate efforts to provide housing and services for homeless people in the County. (F1, F2, F3, and F4)
R3:
The Housing Resource Manager should be given the task of working with all stakeholders to provide a seamless delivery of services to homeless people. (F2 and F4)
F3:
There is a need for more affordable housing in the County.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1:
The County should complete the selection of a Housing Resource Manager to coordinate efforts to provide housing and services for homeless people in the County. (F1, F2, F3, and F4)
R2:
The Housing Resource Manager should be given the task of working with all stakeholders in finding ways to allow for the creation of more affordable housing in the County. (F3)
F4:
There is a need for wraparound services that meet the needs of people who are homeless.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1:
The County should complete the selection of a Housing Resource Manager to coordinate efforts to provide housing and services for homeless people in the County. (F1, F2, F3, and F4)
R3:
The Housing Resource Manager should be given the task of working with all stakeholders to provide a seamless delivery of services to homeless people. (F2 and F4)
Findings & Recommendations
6 findings
F1:
Adherence to the requirement for a complete inventory upon a change of evidence technician or supervisor: The Grass Valley Police Department has and will continue to adhere to this requirement. Audits will be diligently scheduled upon the change of an evidence technician or evidence supervisor. These audits will include a 100% inventory of all firearms, money, and narcotics. These audits were performed in 2012 and 2015 upon the change of evidence technicians, and again in 2016 upon the appointment of a new Chief of Police.
F2:
Random spot inventories need to be performed and documented: Although random “spot inventories” are performed on a regular basis by the evidence sergeant and Captain, they have not been consistently documented. GVPD has initiated a protocol for capturing and documenting these spot inventories. The evidence sergeant will keep and maintain the records of his audit and inventory activity and it will be available to the Captain, Chief of Police, or an independent auditor upon request.
F3:
Inventories of firearms, narcotics, and money must be conducted on at least a quarterly basis: The random spot inventories conducted by the evidence sergeant and captain have and will continue to include checking of firearms, narcotics, and money. These random spot inventories will be conducted quarterly at a minimum.
F4:
External audits must be conducted on a biennial basis at a minimum: External audits have been and will continue to be conducted on a biennial basis. Current GVPD Status GVPD has fully complied with recommendation R7. A complete inventory was conducted in April of 2016. Documentation of random spot inventories and quarterly firearm, narcotics, and money inventories is being maintained in digital format. An external audit was conducted in April of 2016. Response to Recommendation R7 by TPD The recommendation has been partially implemented but will not be fully implemented. As indicated in Finding #6, the Truckee Police Department currently complies with the
F5:
Most of the Supervisors believe ethics refers to the Form 700 filings required from elected officials each year by the FPPC. Response to Finding F5 Disagree. The annual Form 700 filing is required by the California Government Code Section 87200 as a means for judicial, elected and appointed officials to publicly disclose certain economic interests. The Board understands that ethics laws extend beyond the Form 700 to encompass a comprehensive and complex array of issues ranging from Open Meetings Law (the “Brown Act”), public contracting, due process, perquisites and other official acts to codes of conduct when we are off-duty as well. Current Status Regarding Finding F5 The Jury recognizes that the ethics training the Supervisors receive does cover much more than just the Form 700 requirements and accepts their statement.
F7:
The Order and Decorum lacks sufficient guidance to Supervisors in assisting them in their personal decision making on questions of recusal. Response to Finding F7 Partially agree. Because the Board members receive focused ethics training that meets the legal requirements of AB 1234, the Order and Decorum is not intended for that purpose. Instead, it is designed to provide general guidance on the conduct of meetings. However, item #13 of the Order and Decorum does seek to address the matter of abstention and recusal. As indicated in Responses R2 and R3 below, the Board will consider revisions to this document during its annual workshop in January 2017.