Modoc County Grand Jury • 2008-2009

Francis W. Barclay Presiding Superior Court Judge •.' ::EastStreei\'~''Afriih\.s';;OA96'101 > •· <*

Published: June 30, 2009 26 pages

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⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.

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

Findings 10 findings

There are five crews of fifteen inmates which perform conservation work and maintain facility grounds.

This is a low risk facility, with no towers or fences. Officers do not carry firearms.

and acknowledge Recommendation • County Counsel to respond to Finding 4 and acknowledge

The inmates provide all maintenance and repairs to their equipment and vehicles. The CDCR woodshop provides signs, benches etc. to governmental and county agencies for a nominal fee.

It was stated that sixty percent of dog bites are from unvaccinated dogs and that dog licensing is of major importance.

Inmates provide a portion of office staffing.

Continuing Education is available by correspondence or on-line. Participation is done on inmates own time.

All meals are prepared and served by inmates.

The barracks and outside grounds are kept clean, orderly and in good condition by the inmates.

F10

All monetary figures shown below are provided by CDCR and Cal Fire: CDCR 2008 budget: $3,204,726 Cal Fire 2008 budget: $1,787,248 Estimated savings to California tax payers: $3,204,960 which includes road side clean up, fire breaks, campground maintenance, cemetery cleanup, community maintenance and fire hazard reduction around subdivisions and public schools. 7.77 DEVIL'S GARDEN CONSERVATION CAMP #40 - continued

Recommendations 6

R1

pursuant to California PC 933.05. COMPLAINT MODOC COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AREAS OF STUDY Modoc County Board of Supervisors (BOS) Underlying County Departments Modoc County Fire Districts ISSUES Failure to respond to Grand Jury requests GENERAL The Grand Jury is charged each year to investigate various county departments. California penal code 933(c) requires 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. METHODS OF INVESTIGATION Reviewed previous Grand Jury reports from years 2003 through 2008 · Determined response requests with responses received
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Accusations - Formal written complaints accusing a government office, official or employee of misconduct.
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Indictments - Formally charging a person with a crime. Under its review authority, the Grand Jury is specifically authorized to: Evaluate conditions of jails and detention centers within the county Investigate and report on questionable practices of such agencies or officials Request subpoenas. Modoc County Grand Jury Roster 2008-2009 Patricia Avers, Alturas Paula Copp, Adin Norvaleen Crandall, Davis Creek Rebecca Cypert, Alturas Peggy Duncan, Cedarville Marie English, Alturas Larry Estes, Alturas Don Fredrickson, Alturas Dick Greene, Alturas Karen Kendall, Canby Carol Kuhn, New Pine Creek Linda-Jean Martinez, Alturas Richard Mund, Alturas Alanna Orr, Lookout Dale Richardson, Alturas Wolfgang Sheppard, Eagleville Shirley Swallow, Canby Clarence Wager, Alturas John Zimmerman, Davis Creek Acknowledgements The 2008-2009 Grand Jury extends a special thanks to Judge Francis W. Barclay for dealing with various issues, both legal and practical. We also wish to thank District Attorney Gary Woolverton for attention and guidance on specific issues, and his great overview of non-criminal Grand Jury responsibilities. The jury recognizes Linda Ostoja, Modoc County Superior Court Executive Officer, for her professional and prompt response to Grand Jury needs. The jury extends appreciation to county and city department heads and employees for their cooperation and assistance in its investigations. The jury thanks the Modoc County Sheriff's office and staff for providing the meeting room for regular and committee meetings. Finally, we wish to thank Bruce T. Olson, American Grand Jury Foundation for presentation of his expert training program and copyright permission. Modoc County Grand Jury Activity Report The following is a list of the 2008 – 2009 Grand Jury activities: Held 16 official meetings of the full jury including 2 training session meetings (per diem and mileage claimed) Held 69 committee meetings and interviews (per diem and mileage claimed) • Traveled 8,040 miles to attend official meetings and training sessions (per diem • and mileage claimed) Traveled an additional 6,333 miles to attend committee meetings and interviews • (per diem and mileage claimed) Contributed 1,080 hours to official meetings, committee meetings and interviews • Received 9 citizen complaints o Investigated 6
R4

Will not be implemented because it is either unwarranted or unreasonable with an explanation and supporting facts. Timing of Responses to Findings and Recommendations Per Penal Code 933(c) states: "No later than 90 days after the grand jury submits a final report on the operations of any public agency, the governing body of any public agency subject to grand jury reviewing authority, shall comment to the presiding judge of the superior court on Findings and Recommendations. Every elected official or agency head for which the grand jury has responsibility shall comment to the judge of the superior court with a copy sent to the Board of Supervisors. For 45 days after the end of the term, the Grand Jury foreperson or designees shall, upon reasonable notice, be available to clarify recommendations in the report." MODOD COUNTY GRAND JURY CITIZENS COMPLAINT FORM 205 S. East Street, Alturas, CA 96101 Phone: 233-6526 Date:____ Your name: Home Address: Zip: Work Address: Zip: Telephone #:(Home)_____(Work)____
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REASON TO CONTACT THE ABOVE:
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WHAT RESULT DO YOU WANT FROM THE GRAND JURY INVESTIGATION? PLEASE ATTACH ANY CORRESPONDENCE OR SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION THAT WOULD BE PERTINENT TO THIS COMPLAINT. Among the many powers and responsibilities of the Grand Jury is the investigation of citizen complaints to assure that all branches of County government are being administered efficiently, honestly and in the best interests of it's citizens. All Complaints submitted to the grand jury will be treated in the strictest of confidence. Signature of Complainant Date GRAND JURY CITIZENS COMPLAINT FORM The undersigned hereby authorizes the Modoc County Grand Jury to disclose my identity to the person or office against whom or which I've made a complaint Date Signature

Commendations 27

CM1

Interviewed Modoc County Environmental Health Director
CM2

Interviewed Deputy Director of Public Health
CM3

Reviewed documentation
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Sheriff-Coroner interviewed by Grand Jury
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Reviewed Modoc County Coroner Procedures Manual
CM6

Parking lot congestion at Alturas Elementary School
CM7

Enrollment at outlying schools GENERAL Concern for safety of children at Alturas Elementary School due to traffic congestion, particularly when being picked up after school. Questions have been brought up regarding enrollment and future of outlying schools. METHOD OF INVESTIGATION
CM8

Interviewed Modoc Joint Unified School District (MJUSD) Superintendent
CM9

Visited Alturas Elementary School
CM10

Visited Arlington Elementary School, Canby
CM11

Financial instability and rising debt GENERAL The Modoc Medical Center (MMC) includes the hospital, Modoc Medical Clinic, Warnerview Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) and Emergency Services. A new permanent Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is in place and is diligently reviewing procedures and personnel. The new CT Scanner is in place and operational. METHODS OF INVESTIGATION
CM12

Toured MMC, Skilled Nursing Facility, Clinic and Emergency facilities.
CM13

Interviewed CEO, Chief of Staff and various department heads.
CM14

Reviewed current audited financial statement.
CM15

Monitored community support
CM16

Has the consolidation of these offices saved Modoc County money
CM17

Has the job productivity maintained the previous level of performance, or better GENERAL The Modoc County Board of Supervisors (BOS) approved the consolidation of the above positions in January 2007. A citizens' complaint was received requesting the Grand Jury investigate if this action was cost effective for the county. METHODS OF INVESTIGATION
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Interviewed complainant
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Interviewed Modoc County Auditors (2)
CM20

Reviewed various BOS documents
CM21

Reviewed various County Auditor documents
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You agree with the Findings.
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You disagree wholly or partially with the Findings, in which case, the response shall specify the portion(s) of the Finding(s) that is/are disputed, and shall include an explanation of the reasons for this disagreement. How to Report Action in Response to Recommendations
CM24

Requires further analysis or study. In such cases, the law requires a detailed outline of the analysis and time frame not to exceed six (6) months. The complete analysis or study must be submitted to the officer, director or governing board of the entity in question.
CM25

Will not be implemented because it is either unwarranted or unreasonable with an explanation and supporting facts. Timing of Responses to Findings and Recommendations Per Penal Code 933( c) states: "No later than 90 days after the grand jury submits a final report on the operations of any public agency, the governing body of any public agency subject to grand jury reviewing authority, shall comment to the presiding judge of the superior court on Findings and Recommendations. Every elected official or agency head for which the grand jury has responsibility shall comment within 60 days to the judge of the superior court with a copy sent to the Board of Supervisors. For 45 days after the end of the term, the Grand Jury foreperson or designees shall, upon reasonable notice, be available to clarify recommendations in the report." 23 MODOD COUNTY GRAND JURY CITIZENS COMPLAINT FORM 205 S. East Street, Alturas, CA 96101 Phone: 233-6526 Date: ----- Your name: ------------------------- Home Address: __________________Z ip: ___ Work Address: ________________Z ip: ___ Telephone #:(Home)_ ______( Work)_ _______
CM26

REASON TO CONTACT THE ABOVE:- ---------------
CM27

WHAT RESULT DO YOU WANT FROM THE GRAND JURY INVESTIGATION? PLEASE ATTACH ANY CORRESPONDENCE OR SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION THAT WOULD BE PERTINENT TO TIDS COMPLAINT. Among the many powers and responsibilities oft he Grand Jury is the investigation of citizen complaints to assure that all branches of County government are being administered efficiently, honestly and in the best interests ofi t's citizens. All Complaints submitted to the grand jury will be treated in the strictest of confidence. 25 Signature of Complainant Date GRAND JURY CITIZENS COMPLAINT FORM The undersigned hereby authorizes the Modoc County Grand Jury to disclose my identity to the person or office against whom or which I've made a complaint Date Signature 26

No Responses Found 1

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

County of Modoc Agency

* This report's PDF did not contain easily extractable text and required Optical Character Recognition (OCR) for analysis. There may be minor errors in the extracted findings and recommendations due to OCR limitations with scanned documents.