Nevada County Grand Jury
2022-2023
Findings & Recommendations
7 findings
F1:
A largely barren hillside of highly erosive rock
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
Critical utilities embedded in Reed Avenue West Find 11
F2:
I-80 outdated drainage design negatively impacting the highly degraded hillside
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
Long-recognized pollution to Donner Lake
F3:
Polluted stormwater runoff harming the water quality of Donner Lake
Related Recommendations (1)
R3:
Ongoing maintenance and repair are critical to preserving the effectiveness of upgraded infrastructure
F4:
High risk of landslides, including those caused by earthquakes
Related Recommendations (1)
R4:
Responses due within 90 days All responses are to be addressed and sent directly to the Supervising Judge of the Grand Jury: Scott Thomsen Supervising Judge of the Grand Jury 201 Church Street Nevada City, California 95959
F5:
High volume and velocity of runoff damaging integrity of hillside roadways
F6:
The non-functioning state of lateral drainage on Reed Avenue West
F7:
Runoff threatening utility infrastructure relied on by thousands of residents An effective and lasting solution will address all these factors. Identifying and implementing so- lutions will take a consortium of local and state governments, private sector agencies and organi- zations working together. [Finding] Findings The Findings represent the Grand Jury’s conclusions based on the facts in the Discussion Section. The Findings provide the basis for the Grand Jury’s Recommendations. Links to corresponding Facts and Recommendations are provided below. The Grand Jury finds and concludes that: Find 1 While there are several sources of significant stormwater runoff into Fact 9 Donner Lake, there is no evidence of a concerted effort by Fact 16 stakeholders to address stormwater runoff in the area of this report’s focus. Rec 1 Rec 2 Find 2 Agencies, local governments, and organizations interviewed were all Fact 26 willing to contribute to a consortium convened to address the issues Fact 27 on the hillside affecting Donner Lake, area residents and visitors. Rec 1 Rec 2 Find 3 For successful strategies to be implemented, Caltrans and Lahontan Fact 5 must be part of the consortium and solution. Fact 15 Rec 1 Rec 2 Find 4 There are no entities that regularly test and report on the water Rec 4 quality of Donner Lake. Find 5 The Town of Truckee is taking a leadership role in shepherding Fact 13 town projects with an eye towards sustainability and minimizing Fact 14 negative effects on the environment. Rec 3 Find 6 Town of Truckee’s strategic interest in water quality, stormwater Fact 12 management and environmental sustainability is key to long term Fact 17 planning. Rec 3 Find 7 The pollution of this ecosystem and the health and safety risks for Fact 1 the residents of Truckee and its visitors will continue, if not Fact 2 increase, unless remediate action is taken. Atmospheric rivers that Fact 10 plagued northern California in 2022/23 will result in significant Fact 11 stormwater runoff, further damaging the hillside. Fact 12 Rec 2 Rec 3 Rec 4 Find 8 Fixing the hillside will improve the water quality of Donner Lake. Fact 4 Fact 18 Rec 3 Find 9 Inadequate infrastructure, insufficient maintenance, and neglected Fact 6 repairs could lead to disruption to utilities installed in Reed Avenue Fact 19 West and the hillside. This could result in significant health and Fact 25 safety issues to thousands of Truckee residents and visitors. Rec 3 Find 10 A new rationale exists for the Town to reevaluate its long-term Fact 24 position on Reed Avenue West maintenance and repair. Rec 3 Find 11 Issues related to the proper designation, repair and ongoing Fact 7 maintenance of Reed Avenue West are part of a larger concern. Fact 8 Rec 3
Additional Recommendations
1
Not linked to specific findings.
R14:
17 1973 Assessor Map. 10 9 10 117 119 116 10 115 182 52.52 8 50.5) LINCOLN HIGHWAY 1973 Assessor Map with handwritten corrections striking the parcel number and private road designation. Truckee's 1993 Incorporation and a Focus on Roads In large part, Truckee was successful in receiving voter approval to incorporate on the campaign promise that if tax dollars were kept locally, snow removal, road maintenance, and land use plan- ning would be improved. Kathleen Eagan, Truckee's first mayor, stated: The fundamental issues underpinning the people's desire to incorporate centered on two things: the belief that Nevada County was out of touch with interests of the Truckee community and that the county was receiving more locally generated revenue than it was delivering back in the form of services. Particular areas of dis- satisfaction were the level of service from Nevada County in snow removal, road Donner Lake - A Pearl in Peril maintenance, and land use planning. (Peacock 2021) Nevada County's Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) oversaw the Town of Truckee's incorporation in 1993. The County Board of Supervisors formalized the incorporation of Truckee by approving LAFCo resolution 92-06. That resolution specifically addressed roads: All County roads, storm drain facilities, easements, and rights-of-way within the boundaries of the new town shall be transferred to the Town and become the responsibility of the Town. That is consistent with California Street and Highway Code section 989 (amended 1991): 989.(a)(1). Upon the incorporation of a city or upon the annexation of territory to a city, all right, title and interest of the county, including the underlying fee were owned by the county, in and to any county highway within the territory involved, which had been accepted into the county road system pursuant to Section 941 shall vest in the city and shall thereupon constitute a city street. (2) All right, title, and interest of a county in and to any county highway included within territory heretofore incorporated as a city or annexed to a city is hereby determined to have vested in the city as a city street. (Information, Street and Highway Codes 941 a-d
Findings & Recommendations
7 findings
F1:
The County needs a centralized contract-management system.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
Within six months, implement a centralized contract-management system, supported by enough trained staff and up-to-date software to serve all County departments.
F2:
The County needs up-to-date software to manage contracts.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
Within three months, budget administrative costs for County expenses of managing contracts under grants that do not allocate such funds.
F3:
The County’s purchasing process is well established and effective.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3:
Within three months, improve requirements in contracts with nonprofit vendors to ensure the County’s ability to manage those contracts effectively and to ensure vendor financial responsibility and transparency.
F4:
The County needs to allocate sufficient funding to employ well-trained contract- management staff to perform oversight.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4:
Within three months Implement improved procedures for advancing contract funds.
F5:
Many County employees are qualified and capable, but because of insufficient staffing and limited collaboration among departments, the County does not exercise its right to manage and audit contracts.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5:
Within three months, require nonprofit vendors to use fund accounting.
F6:
When the County receives additional grant funds, it often extends or amends original contracts, which results in: 1. auditing becoming more difficult, 2. limiting the vendor pool available to serve the community needs, and 3. failing to routinely place new or expanded projects out for bid.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6:
Within three months, only contract with nonprofit vendors that agree to operate consistently with the Ralph M. Brown Act.
F7:
The County needs to improve vendor outreach. 8
Related Recommendations (1)
R7:
Refrain from new contract amendments or extensions unless the additional amount involved is less than $50,000.
Additional Recommendations
1
Not linked to specific findings.
R8:
Within six months, expand the outreach program to broaden the potential vendor pool. 9
Findings & Recommendations
1 findings
F1:
The Jury finds that legal, ethical and Brown Act Training, required for all Board members across the County, should address laws regarding political campaigning.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
The Jury recommends that the Nevada County Superintendent of Schools provide campaign behavior training for Trustees across all school districts, including the Nevada County Board of Education, that supplements the legal and ethical training already required.
Additional Recommendations
1
Not linked to specific findings.
R2:
The Jury recommends that Trustees in all County school districts including the Nevada County Board of Education, provide evidence of completion of campaign behavior training for Trustees that is supplemental to the legal and ethical training, already required and that evidence is disclosed to the public on school district board meeting agendas/minutes. 7