Yolo cOuNT Y GRANd JuRYP

Recommendations 20

• R10-01
  Improve traffic enforcement and warning signage along SR 16 and casino feeder roads. Finance and administration
• R10-02
  Continue to work with Caltrans and the YDWN F-6 The county is adhering to the terms, though not to hasten plans for SR 16 relief between I-505 the spirit, of the MOU with regard to distribution and Brooks, or identify alternate route(s) to of the ACTM funds. Considerable negative alleviate traffic. impacts remain along the SR 16 corridor. 10-03 Work with the YDWN to establish an employee F-7 The county’s decision to place a moratorium program to subsidize public transportation passes on ACTM funding for community projects is to help reduce the number of cars going to the appropriate for two important reasons: (1) the casino. county’s highest priority is core functions rather law enforcement, emergency Services, that mitigation for a small segment of the county, and (2) the mitigation funds’ allocation method public Safety is flawed and needs to be changed before more
• R10-04
  Pursue greater contribution from the YDWN to funds are spent. eliminate the existing funding gap created by F-8 The BOS did not exercise prudent oversight criminal activity attributed to the casino. concerning conflict of interest issues with ACTM recommendations and the inappropriate award to Finance and administration New Seasons development. 10-05 Before more ACTM funds are granted, develop F-9 The influence of Esparto-based organizations allocation guidelines that will ensure fairness, and individuals is evident in the funding that transparency, and accountability. Consult with went to Esparto compared to other areas in the financial and legal professionals within county Valley. government to assist in developing the guidelines. F-10 Minutes of the Tribe-Council 2x2 meetings were 10-06 The first priorities when mitigation funds become not taken. available again should be residents between I-505 and I-5 plus the City of Woodland, along with Growth in land Holdings Valley communities that have not yet received F-11 YDWN land holdings have tripled and assessed attention. valuations of fee land have increased more than 10-07 When meetings resume, initiate taking minutes at six fold since the casino opened in 2004. Tribe-Council 2x2 meeting to ensure accounta- F-12 All but 1.5 of the 5,580.2 acres acquired since bility and transparency. 15 2009/2010 Yolo CountY Grand JurY Final report Growth in land Holdings Yolo County department of
• R10-08
  Monitor and participate in the national debate employment and Social Services regarding fee-to-trust conversions with an eye toward ensuring that Yolo County maintains its SuMMarY tax base and enhances the rural, agrarian nature of Capay Valley. The Grand Jury investigated the Department of Employment and Social Services in response to a complaint alleging mismanagement, favoritism, and CoMMentS fraud. The Grand Jury received witness testimony and The Grand Jury thanks and sends its appreciation reviewed documentation. The Grand Jury found ques- to Yolo County employees for devoting many hours tion able practices with regard to timekeeping, pay for researching information and responding to multiple data non-work related activities, lay-off and promotion, em- requests. ployee evaluations, and pursuing client fraud.
• R10-09
  Follow proper procedures for recording XTE (Find ings F-1, F-4 through F-8; Recommendations and XTO. 10-12 through 10-15)
• R10-10
  Conduct an audit regarding DESS use of XTE. • Yolo County Auditor (Findings F-2 and F-5; Recom-
• R10-11
  Stop allowing paid work time for non-work mendation 10-12) activities. From the following individual:
• R10-12
  Enforce the written rules for cellular phone use • Director, Department of Employment and Social and telecommuting. Services (Findings F-6 through F-10; Recommenda-
• R10-13
  Enforce HR and BOS policy listing at-will tions 10-11, 10-12, 10-14 and 10-15) employees.
• R10-14
  Enforce MQ requirements listed in county job descriptions before approving the hiring of employees (whether new hires, transfers, or promotions). HR should not allow individual departments to make changes to the requirements without BOS approval.
• R10-15
  Conduct employee performance evaluations as required by County policy.
• R10-16
  Perform a cost-benefit analysis regarding fraud amount exclusions and amend the MOU to establish policy. CoMMentS Given the number of layoffs over the past few months, the low morale at DESS is not surprising. Many of the layoffs and budget reductions come in critical areas (such as Women, Infants, and Children and Child Welfare Services). However, the top down management of DESS, which does not include or even elicit input from affected staff, contributes significantly to the low morale. The ELT’s efforts to raise morale — such as putting on special events or lunches — seem to be ineffective because only selected staff members are allowed to participate. Even during a time of low morale, using county time for non-work related activities is inappropriate. The Grand Jury notes that the BOS has revised the at-will position list as of March 23, 2010, which 19 2009/2010 Yolo CountY Grand JurY Final report Yolo County Housing authority Yolo is of the utmost importance.” (Resolution 09-06). One of YCHA’s purposes is to provide safe and affordable housing for low income, senior and other disadvantaged SuMMarY residents. The Grand Jury investigated the Yolo County Hous- RSM is comprised of two independent living facil- ing Authority in response to a citizen’s complaint. The ities for senior and disabled citizens who receive federal agency did not address a very serious complaint on housing assistance, 66 units in all. It is adjacent to and the part of an elderly resident regarding tenant safety. shares management with Las Casitas that provides 73 Also, there were shortcomings in the emergency pull units for federally-assisted families. The county man- cord system, which cannot be relied on to ensure safety ages the units and is subject to federal, state, and county for the elderly and disabled. The Grand Jury found the administrative rules and guidelines. Yolo County Housing Authority violated its mandate to The on-site property manager oversees tenant selec- ensure tenant safety. tion and orientation, rent calculations, budget admin- istration, and the work of the two facilities’ support staff. reaSon For inveStiGation The program supervisor works among YCHA sites to California Penal Code Section 925 authorizes the direct daily operation, monitor work of subordinates, Grand Jury to investigate all branches of county coordinate resident activities, and oversee inspections. government to be assured they are being administered The office is staffed four days a week, 8 AM to 5 PM. efficiently, honestly, and in the best interests of its YCHA staff do not respond to medical emergencies or citizens. An investigation of the Yolo County Housing tenant alarms; residents must contact 9-1-1 or identify Authority (YCHA) was conducted in response to a other assistance in such cases. YCHA maintains an 800 citizen’s complaint regarding resident safety at its West number for after-hours emergency repairs. Sacramento senior housing site, Riverbend Senior YCHA has a written grievance procedure for “dis- Manor (RSM), on Cummings and Lighthouse Drive. putes which a tenant may have with respect to a Housing The complaint focused on the failure of management to Authority action or failure to act in accordance with deal with a disruptive tenant who re peatedly brandished the individual tenant’s lease or PHA regulations which a gun, peeped through windows, exposed himself, used adversely affect the individual.” The YCHA Residential threatening and abusive language, and screamed and Lease Agreement permits lease termination if a tenant howled throughout the night. There was also concern creates a safety hazard: “YCHA shall give written about the well-being of a minor who lived with the notice of the proposed termination of the lease (in a) disruptive adult and reportedly was his caregiver. reasonable amount of time, not to exceed 30 days, when the health or safety of other tenants or the employees … aCtionS taKen (is involved).” However, staff indicated the typical use of The Grand Jury interviewed four YCHA staff and the grievance procedure is during the course of proposed two RSM residents. In addition, the Grand Jury reviewed termination of tenant lease and not to resolve for tenant- YCHA policies, job descriptions, written procedures to-tenant complaints. available to tenants relevant to tenant safety and griev- YCHA has an “Incident Documentation Form” ances, and results of recent YCHA unit emergency through which tenants make written complaints about pull cord inspections performed by an outside firm any issue they wish. There are no written policies on (November 2009 and February 2010). During their visits, YCHA’s responsibilities once it receives a completed the Grand Jury performed visual inspections of the site “Incident” form. Staff stated their procedure is to review exterior, walkways, common areas, and investigated and respond to the report according to their opinion safety conditions of living units at RSM. Time did not of the severity of the issue. Incident reports on tenant permit a review of YCHA emergency preparedness plans safety may be forwarded to YCHA senior management for senior and disabled residents. by supervisory staff if they consider the matter severe. In this instance, the complainant submitted multiple WHat tHe JurY deterMined incident reports, over the course of four or more months, The Yolo County Board of Supervisors created regarding the disruptive tenant. The complainant did a Risk Control Policy Statement for YCHA in 2008, not use the official YCHA form, but reports contained stating “the safety and well being of the residents and the essential information. No action was taken by the employees of the Housing Authority of the County of YCHA. Staff acknowledged complaints were simply 20 2009/2010 Yolo CountY Grand JurY Final report read and filed. Eventually, the troubled tenant moved the system is operating correctly, and whether due to a medical crisis. alarms are detected and responded to by others. With regard to other safety conditions in the living F-4 The job descriptions of staff who have direct units at RSM, building exteriors are equipped with Knox oversight of housing projects do not adequately boxes that hold unit keys for emergency personnel. address tenant safety. Nineteen impediments to foot and wheelchair travel F-5 Supervisory staff have not ensured compliance were noted during YCHA’s November 2009 inspection. with established policies and procedures regard- These and three other impediments noted by the Grand ing responsiveness to tenant complaints. Jury have been corrected. Living units for seniors and the disabled are reCoMMendationS equipped with emergency pull cords in bedrooms and
• R10-17
  Enforce eviction procedures to remove tenants bathrooms. The cords are to be pulled in case residents who pose significant physical safety hazards to need emergency assistance and cannot use a telephone. themselves or other tenants, in accordance with Pulling the cord is supposed to activate an exterior light federal, state, and local laws. and a siren to alert others for the need of emergency assistance. The Grand Jury could not confirm that this 10-18 Enhance the emergency pull cord system to system is operational. ensure that emergency alarms actively notify The Grand Jury received conflicting information an on-duty responder. Coordinate planning with from staff regarding how the critically-important pull tenant council to ensure the new system is cords worked, e.g., what alarms might be activated sufficient, but not intrusive to tenant privacy. and whether alarms might automatically notify first When on-site, staff should respond to pull cord responders. Despite a lack of clarity as to how the pull alarms. cord systems operate, staff seems to assume that the 10-19 Include tenant safety in job descriptions, in clud- system works. As noted above, staff do not respond to ing those for senior management, and incor- pull cord alarms. porate disciplinary measures for staff who fail to Inspectors are hired by YCHA to periodically inspect identify or act on tenant safety problems. the units, and the most recent inspection included the 10-20 Promote monitoring and awareness regarding pull cords. Maintenance workers accompany inspectors tenant safety issues. Reporting should be coordi- either to make repairs on-the-spot or prepare work nated with tenant councils to promote accuracy orders. The February inspection revealed that cords in and completeness. about one-third of the units were not accessible, either
• R10-21
  Institute annual training sessions on safety and blocked by furniture or tied up too high to be reached by emergency preparedness for the entire staff and a person on the floor. tenants. The review of the job descriptions revealed that neither of those for the two supervisory positions that CoMMentS have the most day-to-day-contact with and oversight of The Grand Jury is particularly concerned about the the tenants (Real Estate Housing Services Supervisor state of the senior and disabled residents’ alarms at RSM and Housing Specialist II or Project Manager) contained because it is in an area well-known for gang activities. any specific statement regarding their roles in tenant For this reason, the Grand Jury urges YCHA to enhance safety. surveillance and safety measures at this site. FindinGS
• R10-23
  Provide mesh wash sacks to detainees so they may keep track of clothing originally allocated WHat tHe JurY deterMined to them, and to give the detainee a sense of ownership and self respect. The jail’s maximum capacity is 455 inmates – 313 at the Monroe facility and 142 at the adjacent Leinberger
• R10-26
  That the City Attorney advise the City Council 17% of all money collected. The remaining funds go on the legality of the program. to WFD. As of the writing of this report, FRUSA has
• R10-27
  That a fiscal analysis be made to determine collected 90% of the invoices they have submitted. If the whether or not the program is cost effective. insurance company denies the claim, FRUSA does not
• R10-28
  That the WFD use an open bid process for pursue payment. companies performing similar services. The following are examples of how the billing works. If a suspected explosive device were located at a
• R10-29
  Adopt and use the School-wide Information freezer. In addition to the three sites in Esparto, the System throughout the district. kitchen facility is designed to serve the Madison Contin-
• R10-30
  Install security cameras outside and inside at uation School. Custom food containers can be delivered YAEC. by van to these sites. The middle school is a large quadrangle of single-