Yolo County Grand Jury • 2024-2025

2024-25 Yolo County Civil Grand Jury: Final Consolidated Report

Published: June 23, 2025 63 pages Consolidated Report

Ver PDF original

⚠️ Aviso de traducción: Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.

⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.

Findings 12 findings

Davis Senior High School, and Cesar Chavez and North Davis Elementary Schools have open access to the public through adjacent parks.

Teachers frequently leave their classroom doors unlocked during school hours.

Trail cameras do not provide instant communication about intruders.

DJUSD allocated $3 million dollars for fencing in 2023 but no fencing has been installed (Fencing Projects - DJUSD). -25 18 Davis Joint Unified School District (DJUSD) School Safety Implementation

The City of West Sacramento has demonstrated a proactive approach to expanding housing options for vulnerable populations through strategic investments in motels, facilitated by the passage of a dedicated sales tax. This model involves providing loans to developers and actively partnering with non-profit organizations to deliver essential supportive services within these housing facilities. This integrated approach highlights a commitment to creating tangible housing solutions. In stark contrast, Yolo County has faced significant challenges in identifying and implementing actionable housing solutions, largely due to the pervasive issue of NIMBYism ("Not in My Backyard"). This resistance acts as a substantial barrier, limiting the availability of suitable locations for developing homeless projects that are both equitably distributed and do not unduly impact existing residential or commercial areas. This inaction underscores the need for proactive community engagement and innovative strategies to overcome local opposition.

The current definition and cost structure of "affordable housing" often remain inaccessible to the majority of individuals and families experiencing homelessness. While intended to provide a pathway to stability, the actual rental rates and associated costs of many affordable housing units are still beyond the financial reach of those with little to no income, highlighting a critical disconnect between the available housing stock and the economic realities of the homeless population. This necessitates exploring alternative housing models and deeper subsidy options to truly address the housing needs of this vulnerable group.

The Fourth and Hope facility, a key resource for individuals experiencing homelessness in the Woodland area, faces significant challenges related to transportation access for its residents. Currently, adequate transportation options to connect residents with essential services, employment opportunities, and the broader community are lacking. Addressing this deficit would require a reallocation of existing funds, potentially impacting other vital programs. This highlights the need for a comprehensive assessment of transportation needs and the exploration of dedicated funding sources to ensure reliable access for residents of this crucial facility.

A persistent shortage of adequately trained and supported employees at the Fourth & Hope site is negatively impacting its effectiveness as a resource for individuals -25 32 Homelessness: Our Local American Tragedy homelessness. These staffing limitations can lead to reduced service capacity, compromised safety, and a less supportive environment, ultimately deterring individuals in need from seeking or remaining at the facility. Addressing these shortages through improved recruitment strategies, competitive compensation, enhanced training, and adequate funding is crucial to ensuring the site can effectively serve its intended purpose.

The existing shortage of mental health professionals within Yolo County significantly exacerbates the complex challenges of providing adequate mental health services to residents, particularly those experiencing homelessness. Staffing shortages within the mental health system are attributed to factors such as stringent training requirements and insufficient funding. Furthermore, recent legislative changes appear to have had a limited positive impact on increasing access to mental health care. The intersection of homelessness and mental health is critical, and addressing the systemic gaps in mental health service provision is essential for effectively supporting the well-being and long-term stability of individuals experiencing homelessness.

F10

Cities within Yolo County possess numerous parking lots, many of which are currently unused or significantly underutilized, particularly during nighttime hours and potentially even during the day. Despite this readily available infrastructure, there has been a lack of proactive exploration into the feasibility of utilizing these spaces for initiatives such as safe parking programs. Implementing safe parking, whether on a part-time (nightly) or even full-time basis, presents a tangible opportunity to alleviate the stress and safety concerns endured by individuals experiencing homelessness who are living in their vehicles and struggling to find safe and legal parking options. This could also contribute to reducing homeless vehicle presence in residential and commercial areas, addressing community concerns.

F11

Communities across Yolo County are expressing growing frustration and discontent over the perceived lack of tangible progress in addressing homelessness. A significant concern driving this dissatisfaction is the urgent need for accessible and comprehensive mental health facilities and services within the county. Residents recognize the critical and often intertwined nature of homelessness and mental health challenges, observing that a lack of adequate support acts as a -25 33 Homelessness: Our Local American Tragedy major barrier to housing stability and overall well-being. This desire extends beyond basic facilities, with communities advocating for a range of services, including crisis stabilization units, sobering centers, residential treatment programs, and robust outpatient care options. The absence of these resources is viewed as a major impediment to breaking the cycle of homelessness and fostering healthier, safer communities. This underscores the pressing need for county leadership to prioritize the development and funding of a comprehensive mental health infrastructure as an integral component of its strategy to effectively address homelessness.

F12

The multifaceted challenge of homelessness presents a significant and intricate problem that inevitably confronts every community. The growing allocation of taxpayer money to support essential services for unhoused individuals can place a considerable strain on a community's financial stability and its collective sense of compassion, requiring an increasing commitment of valuable resources to this crucial endeavor. Ultimately, it falls under the purview of county and local governmental bodies to diligently manage and monitor this critical humanitarian situation with the aim of achieving a substantial reduction in homelessness, with the aspirational goal of its near elimination in the future.

Recommendations 5

R1

Install instant communication cameras placed across the open access areas as well as on school grounds.
R2

Make it a priority for teachers to limit traffic and keep classroom doors locked whenever possible.
R3

Begin the campus fencing project.
R4

Yolo County should establish a dedicated and mobile Mental Health Outreach Team specifically trained to engage with and provide services to homeless individuals. This team would be responsible for actively seeking out individuals in need, conducting mental health assessments, providing immediate support and crisis intervention, and facilitating connections to ongoing mental health care and other essential resources.
R5

The Yolo County Board of Supervisors should consider taking a more active and collaborative leadership role in addressing homelessness countywide. This would involve providing dedicated funding, clear strategic guidance, and facilitating enhanced communication and coordination between the cities and rural areas within the county. By fostering a cohesive approach, the Board can enable the sharing of successful strategies, proactively highlight potential pitfalls in tackling this complex issue, and ultimately promote more effective and unified solutions across Yolo County. COMMENDATIONS In our investigation of homelessness in Yolo County the following programs stood out as worthy of commendation. Paul’s Place - Davis: A four-story multiuse facility came about through a collaboration between Davis Community Meals and Housing (DCMH) and Davis Opportunity Villages (DOV), the City of Davis, and its designated staff and numerous other volunteers and organizations who worked together to make it a reality. -25 35 Homelessness: Our Local American Tragedy Fourth and Hope - Woodland: Provides over 70 shelter beds for the whole region as well as 61 permanent small housing units. They have constructed and are about to open a state-of-the-art substance abuse treatment facility, “Walter’s Place”. The City of West Sacramento: Has developed a plan remodeling vacant motels for homeless living space by working closely with developers, non-profits for ongoing support and the utilization of tax money. The City of Woodland and the Yolo County Transportation District: for their joint initiative in crafting a plan to resolve the long-standing transportation challenges at the Fourth and Hope Facility on East Beamer. We anticipate and encourage the prompt implementation of this vital solution.

Conclusions 1

CL1

The 2024-25 Yolo County Grand Jury concluded that the responses to the 2022-23 Grand Jury recommendations, except as described in Appendix A, are in compliance with the Penal Code. Furthermore, the responses received to the 2023-24 Grand Jury are compliant and most of the follow-up actions have been implemented or are in the process of being accomplished. Yolo County Civil Grand Jury 2024-25 59 Continuity and Compliance Report APPENDIX A Yolo County Public Cemeteries Compliance Report KNIGHTS LANDING CEMETERY DISTRICT The 2022-23 Grand Jury Compliance Report made the following recommendation related to the Knights Landing Cemetery District: (R-7) The Knights Landing Cemetery District should establish a website by September 1, 2024. Findings by the 2024-25 Grand Jury: F-1 The Knights Landing Cemetery District is not in compliance with state law (Government Code sections 6270.6 and 53087.8) and has not established a website or adopted a hardship resolution according to Yolo Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) 2024 Website Transparency Scorecard. Recommendations by the 2024-25 Grand Jury: R-1 The 2024-25 Grand Jury recommends the Knights Landing Cemetery District establish a website or adopt a hardship resolution by January 1, 2026. R-2 The Grand Jury recommends that the trustees of the Knights Landing Cemetery District investigate available cost-saving options for the implementation of a website. Yolo LAFCO offers a website management system designed for smaller local governments that may not have enough in their budgets to implement a website. The Special District Leadership Foundation (SDLF) provides scholarship funds for special districts to create their own website. A one-page application for these funds can be found at https://www.sdlf.org/scholarships/sdlf- scholarships. The funds are granted on a first come, first served basis, and are evaluated on the 15th of the month until the funds are used for the year. COTTONWOOD CEMETERY DISTRICT The 2022-23 Grand Jury made the following recommendation related to the Cottonwood Cemetery District: (R-5) The Cottonwood Cemetery District should establish a website by January 1, 2024. Findings by the 2024-25 Grand Jury: F-1 The Cottonwood Cemetery District is not in compliance with state law (Government Code sections 6270.6 and 53087.8) and has not established a website or adopted a hardship Yolo County Civil Grand Jury 2024-25 60 Continuity and Compliance Report resolution according to Yolo Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) 2024 Website Transparency Scorecard. Recommendations by the 2024-25 Grand Jury: R-1 The 2024-25 Grand Jury recommends the Cottonwood Cemetery District establish a website or adopt a hardship resolution by January 1, 2026. R-2 The Grand Jury recommends that the trustees of the Cottonwood Cemetery District investigate available cost-saving options for the implementation of a website. Yolo LAFCO offers a website management system designed for smaller local governments that may not have enough in their budgets to implement a website. The Special District Leadership Foundation (SDLF) provides scholarship funds for special districts to create their own website. A one-page application for these funds can be found at https://www.sdlf.org/scholarships/sdlf- scholarships. The funds are granted on a first come, first served basis, and are evaluated on the 15th of the month until the funds are used for the year.

Commendations 5

CM1

Monroe Detention Facility: The facility is clean and orderly, and the care of the incarcerated persons appears humane and thoughtful. MDF staff is doing a good job despite the staffing challenges. The Grand Jury found that the programs director is passionate about his role and works tirelessly to provide incarcerated persons access to education and enrichment. The food the Grand Jury sampled was great. This is also the opinion of the incarcerated persons the Grand Jury talked to. The Yolo County recruitment website for correctional officers - https://joinycso.com/correctional-officer/ - is vibrant and informative. Updates made to the recruitment and hiring process of MDF correctional officers since the initial December 9, 2024, jail tour are commendable and will hopefully result in a quicker turnaround of qualified correctional officers going forward. Juvenile Detention Center: A commendation for the excellent educational opportunities that are provided – both high school and college curriculum. Grand Jury members learned that some of the wards are graduating from high school and college. The JDC staffing levels are good, especially with the low number of wards. Yolo County Civil Grand Jury 2024-25 16 Davis Joint Unified School District (DJUSD) School Safety Implementation 2024-25 Yolo County Civil Grand Jury Follow-up Report on the Davis Joint Unified School District (DJUSD) School Safety Implementation SUMMARY The Yolo County Grand Jury has investigated the school safety practices of DJUSD in the following terms: 2016-17, 2019-20, 2023-24, and this year, 2024-25. There is ongoing concern about protection from active shooter incidents on the school campuses. This contrasts with the Davis School Board and the Davis community’s wish to keep open campuses adjacent to City parks. The 2024-25 Yolo County Grand Jury recommends improved site cameras, with placement across open areas, with the capability for instant communication when there are intruders during school hours.
CM2

In our investigation of homelessness in Yolo County the following programs stood out as worthy of commendation. Paul’s Place - Davis: A four-story multiuse facility came about through a collaboration between Davis Community Meals and Housing (DCMH) and Davis Opportunity Villages (DOV), the City of Davis, and its designated staff and numerous other volunteers and organizations who worked together to make it a reality. Yolo County Civil Grand Jury 2024-25 35 Homelessness: Our Local American Tragedy Fourth and Hope - Woodland: Provides over 70 shelter beds for the whole region as well as 61 permanent small housing units. They have constructed and are about to open a state-of-the-art substance abuse treatment facility, “Walter’s Place”. The City of West Sacramento: Has developed a plan remodeling vacant motels for homeless living space by working closely with developers, non-profits for ongoing support and the utilization of tax money. The City of Woodland and the Yolo County Transportation District: for their joint initiative in crafting a plan to resolve the long-standing transportation challenges at the Fourth and Hope Facility on East Beamer. We anticipate and encourage the prompt implementation of this vital solution. REQUEST FOR RESPONSES The following responses are required pursuant to Penal Code sections 933 and 933.05: the Grand Jury request responses as follows withing 90 days: - Yolo County Board of Supervisors F-1, F-2 F-4, F-5, F-6, F-7, F-9, F-10, F-11, F-12 R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5 INVITED RESPONSES - Yolo County 2025–2026 Grand Jury F-12, R-1 - Yolo County Health and Human Services F-9, F-11, R-4 - City of woodland F-3, F-7, F-8, F-9, F-10, R-3, - City of Davis F-10, R-3 - City of West Sacramento F-5, F-10, R-3 Yolo County Civil Grand Jury 2024-25 36 An Investigation of Parklets on Main Street in Woodland An Investigation of Parklets on Main Street in Woodland “The road to success is dotted with many tempting parking spaces.” - Will Rogers SUMMARY The Yolo County Civil Grand Jury (Grand Jury) completed an investigation of the parklets, small outdoor structures, located on Main Street in Woodland. The investigation focused on the purpose, effectiveness, oversight, and sustainability of the Citywide Parklet Program, as well as stakeholder experiences with the program. This report was investigated based on a public concern. ACRONYMS/GLOSSARY Parklet – A small outdoor structure that converts one or more parking spaces into public seating or dining areas. Citywide Parklet Program – A City of Woodland initiative allowing businesses to use public Yolo County Civil Grand Jury 2024-25 37 An Investigation of Parklets on Main Street in Woodland parking spaces for outdoor dining. City Council – The legislative body governing the City of Woodland.
CM3

The City of Woodland is to be commended for launching an innovative program that helped local businesses remain open and thrive during challenging economic times.
CM4

There have been some structural updates to the shelter buildings such as a new HVAC system, and the addition of veterinary services superior to what was there before. Spay and neuters are done timely, and adoption parents do not need to return to the shelter for these services. The shelter was selected to participate in a “Clinic in a Can” program and $337,000 of grant funding has been approved to pilot this program for low cost spay and neuter services. The program will include a surgery suite, recovery pad, wet table, exhaust fan, and electrical repairs. The Grand Jury understands that the shelter is overwhelmed and understaffed, and we are thankful to all who contribute to the well-being of the animals at the shelter.
CM5

The 2024-25 Grand Jury understands the limited funds and resources it takes for the upkeep and administration of these cemeteries. The trustees of the cemetery districts are volunteers, and we applaud each of them for their service to the communities in which they serve.

No Responses Found 1

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

Yolo County Board of Supervisors Elected County Office