Inal Eport

Conclusions 1

• CL1
  MCCGJ recommends the North County Fire Protection District and Monterey Regional Fire District hire an outside consultant to do a feasibility study on consolidating the two districts. The study should investigate the current disparities in funding the fire districts, recommend short- and long-term strategic planning, and provide guidance on 26 reaching consensus. It is important that all stakeholders (fire districts, firefighters unions, LAFCO, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors, and the citizens of both districts) be involved from inception to get a workable agreement. Interviews with stakeholders indicate all parties are amendable to consolidation with thoughtful planning, steps laid out in an orderly fashion, and equity reached for all involved.

Commendations 4

• CM1
  The respondent agrees with the finding.
• CM2
  The respondent disagrees wholly or partially with the finding, in which case the response shall specify the portion of the finding that is disputed and shall include an explanation of the reasons therefor. (b) For purposes of subdivision (b) of Section 933, as to each grand jury
• CM3
  The recommendation requires further analysis, with an explanation and the scope and parameters of an analysis or study, and a timeframe for the matter to be prepared for discussion by the officer or head of the agency or department being investigated or reviewed, including the governing body of the public agency when applicable. This timeframe shall not exceed six months from the date of publication of the grand jury report.
• CM4
  The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted or is not reasonable, with an explanation therefor. xii Timeline of Responses Section 933(c) states: No later than 90 days after the grand jury submits a final report on the operations of any public agency subject to its reviewing authority, the governing body of the public agency shall comment to the presiding judge of the superior court on the findings and recommendations pertaining to matters under the control of the governing body, and every elected county officer or agency head for which the grand jury has responsibility pursuant to Section 914.1 shall comment within 60 days to the presiding judge of the superior court, with an information copy sent to the board of supervisors, on the findings and recommendation pertaining to matter under the control of that county officer or agency head any and agency or agencies which that officer or agency head supervises or controls…All of these comments and reports shall forthwith be submitted to the presiding judge of the superior court who impaneled the grand jury. Address for Delivery of Responses The Honorable Stephanie E. Hulsey Judge of the Superior Court c/o County of Monterey Civil Grand Jury Liaison 168 W. Alisal Street, 3rd Floor Salinas, CA 93901 xiii xiv SITE VISITS The isolation and quarantine in 2020 and 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, prevented the Monterey County Civil Grand Jury (MCCGJ) from doing site visits within the county. With the lifting of restrictions in 2021-2022, the MCCGJ was able to schedule tours to aid fact finding for inquiries and investigations. The jury visited the following sites: • Monterey County Elections • Monterey Regional Waste Management District • Moss Landing Harbor District--- two dock tours, one by boat and one walking • Monterey County Emergency Communications Department • Monterey County Office of Education • Lowell Farms processing plant and drying facilities • A local Cannabis cultivator farm • Monterey One Water Section 919 of the California Penal Code requires each Grand Jury to inspect all correctional facilities within the county. In this capacity, the MCCGJ visited the Level I/II State prison in Soledad (Correctional Training Facility), the Monterey County Jail (with its recently opened new addition), and the new Monterey County Juvenile Hall, which was opened in 2020. All three facilities showcased their expanding rehabilitation programs, supportive staff, and well-knit administrations. The tours were both enlightening and informative to the MCCGJ. Rehabilitation, recovery, and reintegration appeared to be the central cores for the correctional facilities in Monterey County today. The MCCGJ wants to thank all these facilities for the extensive time and effort given. xv xvi CONTINUITY AND COMPLIANCE REPORT 2012-2021 MONTEREY COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY SUMMARY The grand jury is well suited to the effective investigation of local governments because it remains an independent body, operationally separate from the entities and officials it investigates. The term of each grand jury is one year. The principal element of continuity is for a grand jury to review the responses to prior grand juries’ reports: (1) to let the community know that someone is watching, (2) to publicize the responses and give credit where credit is due or admonish an agency for non-response, and (3) to keep the public informed about the continuous nature of grand jury work. Responses can take years to implement. Thus, it takes persistence by grand juries to record and publicize these achievements. The past 10 years (2012-2021) of Monterey County Civil Grand Jury (MCCGJ) reports have been reviewed for compliance, content, and implementation. The 2021- 2022 MCCGJ sent update letters to six of 51 entities to ascertain implementation of

Agency Responses 1

Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.

No Responses Found 2

Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.