Calaveras County Grand Jury • 2019-2020

Calaveras County Grand Jury Report 2019-2020

Published: January 04, 2021 68 pages Consolidated Report

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⚠️ 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 10 findings

The 2018-2019 CCGJ inadvertently included language suggesting that certain entities were required to respond to various reports, as opposed to being invited to respond.

The most frequent reason for a non-compliant response was the lack of stated timeframe for the completion of further analysis or implementation.

Multiple actions taken by the BOS in the 2020 fiscal year were prompted to some degree by Calaveras County Grand Jury Report findings and recommendations.

While an extensive interdepartmental Emergency Operations Plan does exist, the OES does not operate with an office-level Policy and Procedure Manual to guide employee conduct and maintain consistent practices in the event of personnel change.

There are insufficient accommodations in the feral/intake room to properly house the number of animals brought to the shelter throughout the year.

Limited public engagement with the AS shelter diminishes community awareness of the challenges facing AS staff and the animals in their care.

There is no clearly labeled direct link on the AS webpage to the FOCAS donation page which would facilitate public donations for AS.

There is minimal AS partnership with non-profits other than FOCAS.

AS developed a foster program in October 2018. The program has not been implemented due to a lack of consensus among County agencies regarding County exposure to liability.

F10

Lack of enforcement of the dog license ordinance in Calaveras County reduces the ability of the County to ensure that dog owners maintain current rabies vaccinations for their animals creating a public safety risk, as well as reduces revenues to the County.

Recommendations 10

R1

The CCGJ recommends that beginning June 2021, the BOS make annual proclamations at their first meeting in June declaring Address Identification Month and urge County residents to ensure their properties are identified in adherence to California Fire Code §505.1.
R2

The Grand Jury recommends that Governing boards and elected officials who have been asked to respond to Grand Jury reports carefully review California Penal Code §933.05 to ensure that timeframes are provided when recommendations require further analysis or will be implemented at a future date. Responses: None.
R3

None. REFERENCE SOURCES · California Penal Code §933.05 · California Grand Jurors’ Association website, www.cgja.org Reports issued by the Grand Jury do not identify individuals interviewed. Penal Code §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.
R4

The CCGJ recommends the OES complete a Policy and Procedure Manual by December 31, 2020. Invited Responses · Director of Office of Emergency Services
R5

The Calaveras County Grand Jury recommends the AEMA request and the BOS provide funding for additional accommodations
R6

The Calaveras County Grand Jury recommends that by April 30, 2021 the Calaveras County Assessor’s Office work in conjunction with the Calaveras County Human Resources & Risk Management Office to develop a recruitment/ retention plan in order to attract and retain qualified applicants.
R7

The Calaveras County Grand Jury recommends that AS add a direct link on the AS homepage to the FOCAS donation page, as well as add enticing verbiage,
R8

The Calaveras County Grand Jury recommends that AS partner more robustly with the non-profit sector
R9

The Calaveras County Grand Jury recommends a foster program be implemented
R10

The Calaveras County Grand Jury recommends that AS develop a media campaign by February 1, 2021, to educate the public about the County Ordinance regarding dog licensing.

Commendations 31

CM1

Morlan, Dakota, “Is the Mother Lode ready for coronavirus?”, Calaveras Enterprise, http://www.calaverasenterprise.com/news/article_334754e8-6583-11ea-8eda- eb2492590904.html, posted March 13, 2020.
CM2

Office of Emergency Services Website https://oes.calaverasgov.us
CM3

Office of Emergency Services Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/CalaverasOES/
CM4

https://www.fire.ca.gov/media/5511/top20_destruction.pdf
CM5

Code Compliance forms, https://codecompliance.calaverasgov.us/Forms 21 Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury Calaveras County Detention Centers October 14, 2020 22 SUMMARY The Calaveras County Grand Jury is required by law to inquire into the condition and management of the detention centers within the County on an annual basis per California Penal Code §916(b). Calaveras County has two adult detention centers, the Calaveras County Jail and Vallecito Conservation Camp. The Calaveras County Jail was built six years ago and is well maintained. On multiple visits, the Grand Jury noted the facility appeared clean, safe, and secure. The jail is managed by a dedicated, professional staff. Vallecito Adult Conservation Camp CC#1 is a correctional facility located in Calaveras County with a capacity for 110 inmates. The Calaveras County Grand Jury inspection of the Camp found it to be clean, organized, with well-maintained grounds. The Calaveras County Grand Jury found that the inmates at both facilities are treated with respect and dignity. Physical and mental health care are a priority. The Calaveras County Grand Jury asked both the Vallecito Conservation Camp CC#1 and the Calaveras County Jail if they have COVID-19 protocols in place, and both do.
CM6

Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office Website (https://sheriff.calaverasgov.us/)
CM7

Board of State and Community Corrections (www.bscc.ca.gov)
CM8

Inmate Aid (https://www.inmateaid.com/)
CM9

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/) 26 Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury ANIMAL SERVICES October 15, 2020 27 SUMMARY The Grand Jury decision to investigate the Animal Services Department was in accordance with California Penal Code §925 which states in part “… investigations may be conducted on some selective basis each year.” It was determined that the Animal Services shelter continues to be inadequate, understaffed, unsanitary, underfunded, overcrowded, unappealing, in dire need of repair, and lacking in adequate outdoor facilities. A new shelter needs to be built within the next two years on County owned acreage as recommended by the Board of Supervisors. Until a new facility is in place, the existing shelter needs to undergo a total rebranding. An updated marketing strategy will be more inviting to County residents, volunteers and staff.
CM10

FOCAS (www.focasweb.com)
CM11

County Ordinance, Title 6 – ANIMALS, Chapter 6.1.020 (www.animal.calaverasgov.us)
CM12

County Ordinance, Title 6 – ANIMALS, Chapter 6.14.020 (www.animal.calaverasgov.us)
CM13

BOS agenda for the meeting on Tuesday, February 18, 2020 (www.calaverasgov.us)
CM14

ASPCA (ASPCApro.org/asv)
CM15

Calaveras Enterprise, Dakota Morgan, “Love During Lockdown”, March 26, 2020 (www.calaverasenterprise.com)
CM16

ABC7News.com, Eric Thomas, “Animal Shelters in Need of Temporary Homes for Pets During COVID-19 Pandemic”, San Francisco, March 19, 2020
CM17

New York Times, Sandra E. Garcia, “Stuck at Home, Americans Turn to Foster Pets for Companionship”, March 19, 2020 (www.nytimes.com)
CM18

Fox 40 News, Kristi Gross, “Animal Shelters Feeling Strain of COVID-19 Impact” (www.fox40.com)
CM19

1999-2000 CCGJ Final Report
CM20

2001-2002 CCGJ Final Report
CM21

2005-2006 CCGJ Final Report
CM22

2006-2007 CCGJ Final Report
CM23

2007-2008 CCGJ Final Report
CM24

2008-2009 CCGJ Final Report
CM25

2009-2010 CCGJ Final Report
CM26

2010-2011 CCGJ Final Report
CM27

2011-2012 CCGJ Final Report
CM28

2014-2015 CCGJ Final Report
CM29

2015-2016 CCGJ Final Report
CM30

2017-2018 CCGJ Final Report
CM31

2018-2019 CCGJ Final Report 36 Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury VETERANS SERVICES October 21, 2020 Photo by: https://wallacebursonassociation.weebly.com/ 37 SUMMARY The 2019-2020 Calaveras County Grand Jury investigated the resources available at the Veterans Services Office in Valley Springs pursuant to Penal Code §925. The investigation revealed that Calaveras County veterans do receive competent services including assistance in filling out applications, referrals to appropriate resources, help with solving problems with the Department of Veterans Affairs, and follow-ups to make sure the veteran receives the proper services. The investigation also revealed the need for an outreach office in Angels Camp.

No Responses Found 1

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

Calaveras County Board of Supervisors Elected County Office