2021-2022 Glenn County Final Civil Grand Jury Report.

Note: Missing finding numbers detected: F8, F10, F11, F12

Commendations 30

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  None From the following governing bodies:
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  None Invited responses:
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  Glenn County Probation Department
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  Tehama County Juvenile Hall Administration DISCLAIMER: At the time of the investigation, there were not any Civil Grand Jury mem- bers recused from this investigation. Penal Code section §929 requires that reports of the Civil Grand Jury not contain the name of any person or facts leading to the identity of any person who provides information to the Civil Grand Jury. Glenn County 2021-2022 Civil Grand Jury Report are posted at Page — 66 — of 115 2021-2022 Glenn County Civil Grand Jury Report | Juvenile Hall Attachment 1—Maxine Singer Youth Guidance Center—Page 1 P a g e — Page — 67 — of 115 67 — Glenn County 2021-2022 Civil Grand Jury Report Grand Jury Reports are posted # at https://www.countyofglenn.net/dept/grand-jury/welcome # # 2021-2022 Glenn County Grand Jury Report | If you want to change the future, you must change what you're doing in the present. Mark Twain a g e — Page — 68 — of 11 5 68 — Glenn County 2021-2022 Civil Grand Jury Report Grand Jury Reports are posted # at https://www.countyofglenn.net/dept/grand-jury/welcome # # 2021-2022 Glenn County Civil Grand Jury Report | Animal Control Town and Country Humane Rescue ANIMAL CONTROL and the COST OF DOING BUSINESS The investigation began as a procedural check of the Animal Control Department and the regulations they must follow. Some discrepancies were found based on public interviews. Glenn County 2021-2022 Civil Grand Jury Report are posted at Page — 69 — of 115 2021-2022 Glenn County Civil Grand Jury Report | Animal Control Animal Control and the cost of doing business The public needs to have a clear and precise schedule of fees and charges from Animal Control. SUMMARY: The Glenn County Sheriff's Office is responsible for the county wide service of the Animal Control Department. Personnel heading the department is the Sergeant-in-Command. The Under Sheriff is notified to act if there are sudden problems. The Animal Control Department is ultimately under the Sheriff’s command. Animal Control Officers cover approximately 1,327 square miles in Glenn County providing Animal Control services. PURPOSE: To investigate the fees for handling dead ani- mals, rodents and other pests due to alleged con- versations with local community members. COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS: During a conversation with community mem- bers, it was found that there is a discrepancy of fees charged for various services offered by the Animal Control Department. The first discussion alleged that the Animal Control Officer charged a larger fee than is stated on the fee chart for picking up a dead bat in their home. The question arises: (1) What are the scheduled fees from Animal Control? (2) Fees for picking up a stray dog were different each time the Animal Control Officer was called for assistance in different areas of the County. Why do the fees change?
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  Where are strays taken and what are the fees charged by the shelter for housing the animals?
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  How long are stray animals kept in the shelter?
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  Are emergency shelters available?
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  Who determines if the strays are euthanized?
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  What are the fees charged for licensing pets?
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  When do the owners need to license their pets and get Rabies shots?
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  Which animals must be licensed and vaccinated?
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  Will Glenn County offer vaccination clinics? Glenn County 2021-2022 Civil Grand Jury Report are posted at Page — 70 — of 115 2021-2022 Glenn County Civil Grand Jury Report | Animal Control BACKGROUND: The Animal Control Department at one time was an independent county entity that had five offic- ers including a Head of Department. In 2005 the Animal Control Department was moved into the Sheriff’s Department. This was a monetary decision by the Board of Supervisors. The staff shared positions to cover both the Sheriff’s office and the workings of Animal Control. It was reported that at the time of the turnover to the Sheriff’s department, neither the Sheriff nor his staff were trained in the procedures and operations of Animal Control. METHODOLOGY:
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  Animal Control Department from leadership to those with boots on the ground
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  Animal shelters staff
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  County residents Documents Reviewed:
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  Policies and procedures
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  State Codes DISCUSSION: Conversations were held with Animal Control Officers providing services in Glenn County in- cluding members of the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office, the Glenn County Office of Emergency Services, and Burnham Veterinary Clinic. Burnham Veterinary Clinic in Willows is contracted to provide a large variety of services to Glenn County Animal Control and Town and Country Hu- mane Rescue. Currently, there are two Animal Control Officers in Glenn County. Animals picked up by Animal Control Officers are taken to and held at Burnham’s Veterinary Clinic until picked up by their owners or taken to animal shelters. When interviewed, it was reported that Burnham’s Veterinary Clinic has not euthanized adoptable animals for more than six years. According to procedures, if a captured dog is deemed vicious, it can be euthanized if the animal is proven to be a hazard to public safety. Town and Country will take adoptable animals from Burnham’s Veterinary Clinic. Besides Town and Country Humane Rescue, other rescue agencies are willing to find and place animals that are deemed adoptable. Both Tehama and Colusa Counties offer adoptions to Glenn County animals. Glenn County 2021-2022 Civil Grand Jury Report are posted at Page — 71 — of 115 2021-2022 Glenn County Civil Grand Jury Report | Animal Control Euthanized Animals Carcasses from Animal Control are placed in freezers located at the property of Burnham Veteri- nary Clinic. When freezers are full, the Animal Control Officer will take a load of carcasses to Neil Road in Butte County for disposal. This location is Butte Counties dump site. Burnham Veterinary Clinic has two freezers which contain small diseased animals. Glenn County recently signed a new contract with Burnham Veterinary Clinic to update the many issues involving animal control (See contract below). Stray Animals When picking up a stray dog, it was reported that different fees were charged to the animal owner or to the person reporting to Animal Control. It was stated that the attending officer would report a fee at their discretion. It was alleged that when the charge ticket was turned into the Animal Control Office, the ticket would not be corrected with the Fee Schedule price causing again a discrepancy. When Animal Control or residents trap stray cats and dogs, they are immediately taken to Burnham Veterinary for vaccinations, neutering/spaying, and health check before adoption. Town and Country will take animals that are non-aggressive, and ready to be adopted. Lift Gate During the interview with an animal control officer, it was stated that the Animal Control trucks should have a lift gate installed to lift heavy animals. Currently, officers need to drop the tail-gait, pick up the animal and lift them over the tailgate to put them in the con- tainment cage. The cost to update the tailgate would be approxi- mately $5,000 per truck. It was reported that many large animals transported weigh approximately 75 to 100 pounds. Master Schedule of Fees, Charges and Recovered Costs Residents from Willows, Orland, and Hamilton City reported that fees for Animal Control services varied. The first case allegedly reported the cost to pick up a dead bat was $75.00. Another person interviewed stated a dead bat was picked up at a cost of $35.00. In asking the Animal Control staff about the cost of picking up a dead bat, they reported that there is no cost for picking up a bat. The charge is for the testing of the rodent for disease by Butte County Health. The third person stated they found a dead bat outside their fenced yard. When calling an Animal Control Officer for removal, they were advised to pick up the bat with a paper towel, wrap it and place it in a zip-lock bag and toss it in the trash. During a phone conversation with Waste Management, they verified that this is the correct way to dispose of a deceased bat. Glenn County 2021-2022 Civil Grand Jury Report are posted at Page — 72 — of 115 2021-2022 Glenn County Civil Grand Jury Report | Animal Control If a live bat is found in a resident’s home or in their immediate yard, Animal Control should be alerted to pick it up at a cost of $75.00 according to the Animal Control officer. The staff manager stated it is $25.00, but if a person cannot afford to pay the fees, they will waive the cost. To trap a feral cat, as per the fee schedule, the trap rental is $20.00 plus $1.00 per day. A citizen allegedly reported that to trap a feral cat the cost for using the County’s trap rental was $20.00, and $2.00 rental per day. It was also allegedly stated that there is a $35.00 fee for trapping each animal which is inconsistent with their Fee Schedule chart. (See chart below) Feral cats are considered free roaming animals, not considered as pets. Because of this, Animal Control will not come out to pick up adult feral cats unless a county resident traps the cats. Kittens will be picked up at the discretion of the Animal Control Officer. It can be difficult to find foster agencies, especially in peak kitten season when shelters become overcrowded. Current fees on the Glenn County Website are unclear as to being for pet or feral cats. Promoting public awareness of spaying and neutering is recommended as well as costs and fees for feral cat pick up. All animals that receive vaccination for rabies and health care, that are over six months old, must be licensed in our county. Cats do not need a license, but it is encouraged to have them vaccinated against Rabies and Cat Fever. The Master Schedule of Fees, Charges, and Recovered Costs were given to the Grand Jury by Animal Control as of September 2021. Fee Schedule Fee Amount New Fee Amount Previous 2021-2022 Animal Adoption Dog/Cat (altered/Unaltered) Adopted by Veteran $0 No Charge Dog/Cat (Altered) $0 $30.00 Dog/Cat (Unaltered) $70.00 $0 Non-specified animals Public/Private sale $0 Actual Cost Disposal of Dead Animals Dogs $20.00 $0 Cats $10.00 $0 Non-specified animals Actual Cost $0 Feeding and Boarding Actual contractual cost or if none as listed below: Dog/Cat $4.00 to $6.00 per day $12.50 Puppies and Kittens (each) up to 4-months of age $0 $10.00 Horse, mule, bovine, burro, sheep, goat, swine $3.00 per day $10.00 Fowl $0 $4.50 Exotics - depending on species $0 $10.00 Glenn County 2021-2022 Civil Grand Jury Report are posted at Page — 73 — of 115 2021-2022 Glenn County Civil Grand Jury Report | Animal Control Fee Schedule Fee Amount New Fee Amount Previous 2021-2022 Redemption Charges Dog— 1st impound per owner in 12 month period $40.00 2nd impound per owner in 12 months period $65.00 3rd impound per owner in 12 months period $90.00 Cat $25.00 Horse, mule bovine, burro, sheep, goat, swine $30.00 (Per animal, plus time spent to capture and haul at $15.00 per hour, $25.00 per overtime man hour) Licensing Spayed/neutered (under 1 year of age or first rabies $12.00 15.00 vaccination - 1 year. Non/spayed and unaltered - 1 year $25.00 30.00 Spayed or neutered - 3 year $25.00 $30.00 Non/spayed or altered - 3 year $50.00 $60.00 Stock/working pack (3-5 dogs) - 1 year $50.00 Hunting Pack (3 -5 dogs) - 1 year $50.00 Out of County license-honored ½ normal fee Duplicate license $4.00 $5.00 Penalty per dog $15.00 $10.00 Kennel (5 - 20 dogs) $100.00 Kennel (20 - 50 dogs) $200.00 Kennel (50 - or more dogs) $300.00 K-9 dogs owned by public law enforcement agency No Fee Observation Boarding Cost & Dog/cat and all other animals Vet Fees $12.50 per day Euthanasia Fees Dogs-per animal (5 ml of serum; $2 per ml over 5 $25.00 ml.; 300 per Aggressive Animal) Cats $25.00 Puppies and Kittens-up to 4-months of age pursu- $10.00 ant to authorization by Animal Control Director or Deputy — Smaller/younger fee reduced per size Pick up Service (Live Animals disposal) Dog Cat $50.00 Non-specified animal $25.00 Glenn County 2021-2022 Civil Grand Jury Report are posted at Page — 74 — of 115 2021-2022 Glenn County Civil Grand Jury Report | Animal Control Fee Schedule Fee Amount New Fee Amount Previous 2021-2022 Cat Trap Actual Cost $2.00 $20 dollars deposit plus $1.00 a day Treatment Fees: Veterinarian Costs pursu- Sick/Injured Animals ant to authorization by Animal Control Director or Deputy Miscellaneous fees Investigative Examination Veterinarian Costs pursu- ant to authorization by Animal Control Director or Deputy Court Testimony Fee Per Hour Disaster Plan A copy of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office, Office of Emergency Services and North Valley Animal Disaster Group was given to the Grand Jury. (See attached) The goal is to provide lifesaving services for animals impacted by a disaster. Animals in an emergency or disaster are taken to the Glenn County Fairgrounds, the Sheriff’s Posse Ring, or anyone with the capacity to house disaster evacuation animals. North Valley Ani- mal Disaster Group is a volunteer organization that when activated, by the Sheriff or Deputy Di- rector of Operations of Emergency Services provides volunteers, kennels, water containers for horses/livestock, horse hay, feed bags and bio-hazard foot bath stations for humans. They work in tandem with the Sheriff's Office. The Need of a Dog Park Several citizens interviewed asked about the need for a dog park. It was stated that for this to be successful, dog owners using the facility must be prepared and able to pick up their animal’s drop- pings, be vaccinated for Rabies, and that only non-threatening dogs use the park. FINDINGS: RECOMMENDATIONS: F1—Animal Control Trucks do not have lift R1—It is recommended that Animal Control gates to lift a captured animal into the cage on the investigate the costs and install lift gates on trucks. Glenn County 2021-2022 Civil Grand Jury Report are posted at Page — 75 — of 115 2021-2022 Glenn County Civil Grand Jury Report | Animal Control all Animal Control trucks bed by September 30, 2022 F2—Stated charges for dead or alive bats as well R2— It is recommended that the Animal Con- as dog and cat fees charged were found to be in- trol Officers follow their Fee Schedule contin- consistent with the Animal Control Fee Sched- uously. ule. F3—Due to the Animal Control being stationed R3—It is recommended that the Fee Schedule in Willows, the Fee Schedule needs to have listed be adjusted to include mileage fees when pick- cost appropriate animal pick-up fees. ing up animals outside of Willows city limits by September 30, 2022. F4—Current fees on the Glenn County Website R4—It is recommended that the Glenn County are unclear as to being for domestic or feral cats. Animal Control clarify the current fees listed for domestic or feral cats on the website by September 30, 2022. F5—Local vaccination clinics have not been held R5—It is recommended that Glenn County since COVID-19. publicize and hold regular vaccination clinics throughout the year and every year thereafter. REQUEST FOR RESPONSES: Pursuant to Penal Code section §933.05, the Civil Grand Jury requests responses as follows: From the following individuals: Animal Control/Sheriff Department — All
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  From the following governing bodies: Board of Supervisors — All
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  Burnham Veterinary DISCLAIMER: At the time of the investigation, there were not any Civil Grand Jury mem- bers recused from this investigation. Penal Code section §929 requires that reports of the Civil Grand Jury not contain the name of any person or facts leading to the identity of any person who provides information to the Civil Grand Jury. Glenn County 2021-2022 Civil Grand Jury Report are posted at Page — 76 — of 115 2021-2022 Glenn County Civil Grand Jury Report | Animal Control Attachment 1—Animal Control — Policy #818 Glenn County 2021-2022 Civil Grand Jury Reports are posted at Page — 77 — of 115 2021-2022 Glenn County Civil Grand Jury Report | Animal Control Attachment 1—Animal Control — Policy #818—Page 2 Glenn County 2021-2022 Civil Grand Jury Reports are posted at Page — 78 — of 115 2021-2022 Glenn County Civil Grand Jury Report | Animal Control Attachment 2—Animal Control—Contract Report —Page 1 Glenn County 2021-2022 Civil Grand Jury Reports are posted at Page — 79 — of 115 2021-2022 Glenn County Civil Grand Jury Report | Animal Control Attachment 2—Animal Control—Independent Contractor Agreement —Page 1 Glenn County 2021-2022 Civil Grand Jury Reports are posted at Page — 80 — of 115 2021-2022 Glenn County Civil Grand Jury Report | Animal Control Attachment 2—Animal Control—Contract Report —Page 2 Glenn County 2021-2022 Civil Grand Jury Reports are posted at Page — 81 — of 115 2021-2022 Glenn County Civil Grand Jury Report | Animal Control Attachment 2—Animal Control—Contract Report —Page 3 Glenn County 2021-2022 Civil Grand Jury Reports are posted at Page — 82 — of 115 2021-2022 Glenn County Civil Grand Jury Report | Animal Control Attachment 2—Animal Control—Contract Report —Page 4 Glenn County 2021-2022 Civil Grand Jury Reports are posted at Page — 83 — of 115 2021-2022 Glenn County Civil Grand Jury Report | Animal Control Attachment 2—Animal Control—Contract Report —Page 5 Glenn County 2021-2022 Civil Grand Jury Reports are posted at Page — 84 — of 115 2021-2022 Glenn County Civil Grand Jury Report | Animal Control Attachment 2—Animal Control—Contract Report —Page 6 Glenn County 2021-2022 Civil Grand Jury Reports are posted at Page — 85 — of 115 2021-2022 Glenn County Civil Grand Jury Report | Animal Control Attachment 2—Animal Control—Contract Report —Page 7 Glenn County 2021-2022 Civil Grand Jury Reports are posted at Page — 86 — of 115 2021-2022 Glenn County Civil Grand Jury Report | Animal Control Attachment 2—Animal Control—Contract Report —Page 8 Glenn County 2021-2022 Civil Grand Jury Reports are posted at Page — 87 — of 115 2021-2022 Glenn County Civil Grand Jury Report | Animal Control Attachment 2—Animal Control—Contract Report —Page 9 Glenn County 2021-2022 Civil Grand Jury Reports are posted at Page — 88 — of 115 2021-2022 Glenn County Civil Grand Jury Report | Animal Control Attachment 3—Exhibit A to Agreement between Burnham Veterinary Clinic—Scope of Services—Page 1 Glenn County 2021-2022 Civil Grand Jury Reports are posted at Page — 89 — of 115 2021-2022 Glenn County Civil Grand Jury Report | Animal Control Attachment 3—Exhibit A to Agreement between Burnham Veterinary Clinic—Scope of Services—Page 2 Glenn County 2021-2022 Civil Grand Jury Reports are posted at Page — 90 — of 115 2021-2022 Glenn County Civil Grand Jury Report | Animal Control Attachment 3—Exhibit A to Agreement between Burnham Veterinary Clinic—Scope of Services—Page 3 Glenn County 2021-2022 Civil Grand Jury Reports are posted at Page — 91 — of 115 2021-2022 Glenn County Civil Grand Jury Report | Animal Control Attachment 4 —Fee Schedule — Page 1 Glenn County 2021-2022 Civil Grand Jury Reports are posted at Page — 92 — of 115 2021-2022 Glenn County Civil Grand Jury Report | Animal Control Attachment 4 —Fee Schedule — Page 2 Glenn County 2021-2022 Civil Grand Jury Reports are posted at Page — 93 — of 115 2021-2022 Glenn County Civil Grand Jury Report "All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom justice honor duty mercy hope. Winston Churchill Glenn County 2021-2022 Civil Grand Jury Reports are posted at Page — 94 — of 115
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  2021-2022 Glenn County Civil Grand Jury Report | Glenn County Elections GLENN COUNTY ELECTIONS REPORT Glenn County Election Department has gone through many changes in their procedures due to COVID-19. Voting by mail is the new norm. Glenn County 2021-2022 Civil Grand Jury Report are posted at Page — 95 — of 115
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  2021-2022 Glenn County Civil Grand Jury Report | Glenn County Elections Election will change with the times SUMMARY: The voting election process has primarily been changed to vote-by-mail bal- lots. Based on letters and articles published by former Secretary of State, Alex Padilla reports that mail-in ballots will be continued to be used in the future. Traditional precincts will continue to be open to the public on election day. PURPOSE: A request was made by the 2020-2021 Civil Grand Jury to follow-up on the Glenn County Elec- tions Department to ensure the Department is following State laws and local procedures. GLOSSARY: SB — Senate Bill SB 523 Conditional Registration— “Conditional Voter Registration” means a properly executed affida- vit of registration that is delivered by the registrant to the county elections official during the 14 days immediately preceding an election or on election day and which may be deemed effective pursuant to this article after the elections official processes the affidavit, determines the registrant’s eligibility to register, and validates the registrant’s information. Provisional Ballot — Ballots cast by voters who believe they are registered to vote even though their names are not on the official voter registration list at the polling place, the voter did not receive their ballot in the mail or did not have their ballot with them at the polling place. These ballots must be confirmed before counting. BACKGROUND: The population of Glenn County is 28,917 and has 14,299 registered voters. The Election staff reported that 80 percent (11,445) of registered voters voted during the 2020 elections. During the 2020 General Election there were 10,774 ballots returned by mail; 506 voters voted at polling precincts; and 165 conditional ballots. The total hours processing ballots were 492.2 hours. Elec- tions staff accepted vote-by-mail ballots that were postmarked the day of the election. METHODOLOGY: Interviewed Elections staff Researched Election California Code of Regulations Section §12172.5 Government Code Sections §10 and §2170-§2173 Elections Code §3019. Researched Elections SB 523 — Mail-in ballots Glenn County 2021-2022 Civil Grand Jury Report are posted at Page — 96 — of 115
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  2021-2022 Glenn County Civil Grand Jury Report | Glenn County Elections Secretary of State Alex Padilla memo dated January 2, 2020, to County Elections Officers instruct- ing handling vote-by-mail. (See Attached) DISCUSSION: Due to not having any responses requested by the 2020-2021 Civil Grand Jury from the Elections Department, the 2021-2022 Civil Grand Jury felt that clarification and more information was needed. Discussions took place with Election staff to assist in the confusion left by the 2020-2021 Report. See the chart below of “2020-2021 Findings” and “2021-2022 Responses from the Elec- tions staff.” 2020-2021 Findings Per Final Report 2021-2022 Responses from the Elections Staff F1—"Glenn County Elections Office was R1—When discussing this finding with the Elec- potentially violating CA State Law by refus- tion staff, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Civil ing entry to the Grand Jury.” Grand Jury had access to watching the process of counting ballots by looking through the plastic barrier hung in the lobby. The counting room, to the side of the lobby, is extremely small, not al- lowing space for additional observers. The Head of Department is aware of the laws and codes that direct the election process. F2—"Because we were not permitted in the R2—See response above. elections office where election activities Only county election employees can be in the were being conducted there was no way we small counting room at one time. There needs to could confirm that what was being con- be two or more staff with the ballots at all times. veyed to us as best practices in view of Usually there are three or four staff members in Covid19 was what was being done.” the counting room with the ballots. The counting room is not connected to the internet, phones, or any outside electronic services. F3—“There are a minimum of three times R3—The only time these ballots were removed when each ballot was moved from a secure from the counting room was to capture signatures room and brought back out for processing and counting of ballots that were run through the before finally being transported to the scanners and also reviewing of conditional bal- glassed-in counting room for tabulation.” lots. F4—“The counting machines are able to R4—The Elections staff verified the Findings to process 4,000 votes per hour. This Elections be correct. Office Staff processes and counts ballots in Glenn County 2021-2022 Civil Grand Jury Report are posted at Page — 97 — of 115
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  2021-2022 Glenn County Civil Grand Jury Report | Glenn County Elections 2020-2021 Findings Per Final Report 2021-2022 Responses from the Elections Staff batches of fifty (50) as it is believed to be easier to find and resolve errors with smaller batches.” F5—“There are 14,632 registered voters in R5—According to the Elections clerk, there are Glenn County.” 14,299 current registered voters compared to the 14,632 voters for the 2020 general election. The difference may be due to attrition. F6—“When a voter enters the polling place R6—This is the correct process due to COVID- (maximum of four at any given time) they 19 restrictions. are directed to a window to explain their needs (register to vote, vote, or change their voting preference from mail in to in person or vice versa). If registering to vote they complete their application and are given an orange ballot. Orange ballots do not go into the machine for counting but are placed in a stack to be counted at the end of the ballot tabulations process.” F7—“The ballot machine will reject any du- R7—Besides duplicate ballots, the voting ma- plicate vote.” chine will also reject ballots that have been de- faced, torn or unreadable. F8—“Sendy Perez told us that the voting R8—The process was to clean the common areas machine was to be cleaned and sanitized be- along with the machines after each use. There tween users and any ink pens used by voters were finger guards provided to not have actual were to be discarded. In the time that we touching with the machines. Due to the high vol- were there (approximately 90”, each team of ume of voters in and out of the Elections room, two teams spending between 40-55” there) cleaning surfaces were not cleaned as planned. the voting machine was not cleansed, and All cleaning supplies were made available for in- the counter was only wiped once. dividuals to clean prior to the use of the machines. F9— “Signs pointing potential voters to the R9— In Willows, the voting sign is placed di- correct location were deficient with only rectly in front of Memorial Hall (south side of the one sign located about 500 feet North of the hall) next to the flagpole, before where the steps location in Willows.” begin. In Orland voting signs were posted outside Glenn County 2021-2022 Civil Grand Jury Report are posted at Page — 98 — of 115
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  2021-2022 Glenn County Civil Grand Jury Report | Glenn County Elections occurring to the official ballots. The counting room is extremely small and does not allow for extra persons. Now that COVID-19 is not a deterrent, a person can watch the process from inside the office behind the counting room window. The counting room in the Elections Office is not connected to the Internet, Bluetooth, or any other electrical device receiving services. This way the counting machine is secure from any software invasion. Voter fraud is eliminated by the scanning machine and the pole workers checking for duplicate ballots and signature verification. Election officials bundle the ballot envelopes in a stack of 50 for signature verification. They are scanned by taking a picture of the signature on the envelope using the election software-based scanner. A staff member views the signature on the envelope to their voter registration card. This scanner counts the ballots that are ran through providing a printout of total ballots at the end of the counting process. The machine will “kick out” a signature that does not match, the ballot is dam- aged or shows a “-2” suffix. The (-2) refers to the elector receiving a second ballot due to a request from the Election Clerk. Those ballots are then put aside until all ballots have been ran through and counted. The machine rejected ballots are hand verified and counted adding them to the total ballot count that was reported by the scanner. Once the vote-by-mail ballot envelopes are opened, they are separated from the actual ballot. They are again bundled into stacks of 50 and returned to the secure locked ballot box. The Board of Supervisors approved and signed a contract with Dominion to rent the equipment and software updates that will expire in 2026. The contract includes all equipment repair and warranties. The term of the contract is for eight-years. Glenn County Elections began using Do- minion in 2016 with the machines being updated yearly. Before the election, a representative from Dominion updates and attends the election process to handle any issues that occur during the voting process. It was reported during the interview that the Dominion software in the voting machines have been accurate without any issues. The Elections staff performed a hand count that resulted with the same final total as produced by the Dominion software. The Election office has six mobile printers that are placed at precincts. The mobile printers have the ability to print out ballots for voters that forgot to bring in their ballot, their ballot was damaged or destroyed, or the voter is from another county. The out-of-county voter would be required to show proof of residence. The machines are able to print any voter ballot within the State of Cali- fornia. It was reported that 80 percent of vote-by-mail ballots were received during the recall election. The former Secretary of State stated that all future voting will be vote-by-mail. The precinct will always have in-person voter opportunities. In Orland, drop-in ballot boxes are located at Success Center and City Hall/Police Department. The Willows drop-in boxes are in front of the Elections Department on the sidewalk. Drop-In ballot boxes contain a security bag with an identification number, a lock, and are picked up every day at 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. in Willows. They are placed 14-days before the election. There are two Glenn County 2021-2022 Civil Grand Jury Report are posted at Page — 10 0 — of 115
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  2021-2022 Glenn County Civil Grand Jury Report | Glenn County Elections volunteer Rovers that pick-up the ballots from the Orland Drop-in boxes. The drop-in boxes also contain a security bag, identification number, and a lock. The two volunteer Rovers that pick up the ballot bag from the Orland area are volunteers or staff workers. In Orland the time is incon- sistent as they ask past volunteer Rovers with experience to drive the ballots from Orland to Wil- lows. To change an address a person can re-register by completing an address change form with the Elections office. Address changes can always be made at the polling precincts and through the Department of Motor Vehicles at the time of vehicle registration. Each voter must have a physical address. A homeless person can register by putting in the corner streets he frequents. In discus- sions with the election staff, Glenn County does not have any homeless voting requests. Old ballots are kept for 22 months in a secure storage area. They are then shredded by a secure shredding company. FINDINGS: RECOMMENDATIONS: F1—It was found that small community areas, R1—It is recommended the Elections Office such as Capay, Lake, and Plaza do not have an investigates placement of a secure ballot drop- opportunity for drop-in ballot boxes. box in these small community areas during each election. F2—It was found the cleaning of voting ma- R2—It is recommended that the cleaning of chines was inconsistent during the election. Alt- voting machines be consistent at all times in hough there were cleaning wipes and hand sani- precincts during each election. tizers for voters to wipe down the machines, the machines were not regularly disinfected for COVID-19. F3—It was found that Community voting infor- R3—It is recommended that Election staff in- mation and locations were sparse to the public. form the Glenn County voters of voting areas, such as precinct and drop boxes via newspa- per, Facebook and/or Twitter before each election. F4—The Election Clerk also holds the lead po- R4—It is recommended that the four positions sitions of Assessor, County Clerk and Recorder. be separated into two different entities to The Elections Clerk is an elected position while avoid conflicts within the four areas during the Assessor, County Clerk and Recorder are ap- each election. pointed positions. A combination of these posi- tions could create a conflict of interest. Glenn County 2021-2022 Civil Grand Jury Report are posted at Page — 10 1 — of 115
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  2021-2022 Glenn County Civil Grand Jury Report | Glenn County Elections COMMENDATION: The Election staff is commended for their service and dedication to Glenn County and their openness to the Glenn County Civil Grand Jury during the investigation. REQUEST FOR RESPONSES: Pursuant to Penal Code sections §933 and §933.05, the Civil Grand Jury Requests Responses from the following agency within 90 days: From the following individuals (60 days to respond):
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  Elections Clerk, respond to the following recommendations — All recommendations From the following governing bodies (within 90 days to respond):
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  Board of Supervisors, respond to the following recommendations. — R4 DISCLAIMER —At the time of the investigation, there were not any Civil Grand Jury members recused from this investigation. Penal Code section §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 Civil Grand Jury. Glenn County 2021-2022 Civil Grand Jury Report are posted at Page — 10 2 — of 115
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  2021-2022 Glenn County Civil Grand Jury Report | Glenn County Elections Attachment 1 —Letter from Alex Padilla — Page 1 A P LEX ADILLA | SECRETARY OF STATE | STATE OF CALIFOR- NIAELECTIONS DIVISION 1500 11th Street, 5th Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814 | Tel 916.657.2166 | Fax 916.653.3214 | www.sos.ca.gov January 2, 2020 County Clerk/Registrar of Voters (CC/ROV) Memorandum # 20002 TO: All County Clerks/Registrars of Voters FROM: /s/ Jana M. Lean Chief, Elections Division RE: Presidential Primary: Vote-by-Mail Ballots: Mismatched Signatures and Unsigned Ballots Effective January 1, 2020, Elections Code section 3019 was amended by Senate Bill (SB) 523 (Chap- ter 568 of the Statutes of 2019) to create identical notice and cure periods for both signature mis- matches on vote-by-mail ballot identification envelopes and unsigned vote-by-mail ballot identifica- tion envelopes. Additionally, SB 523 added a translation requirement regarding both sets of notices and added a pro- vision to Section 2194 regarding confidential voter registration information as it pertains to voters who had signature mismatches or who did not sign a vote-by-mail ballot identification envelope. Mismatched Signatures A minimum of eight days prior to certification of the election, the elections official shall provide notice and instructions to all voters identified as having mismatched signatures. (Elec. Code, § 3019, subd. (d)(1).) This 8-day notice period was not amended by SB 523. The notice to the voters must indicate that they have the opportunity to verify their signatures no later than 5 p.m. two days prior to the certification of the election. (Elec. Code, § 3019, subd. (d)(1).) This 2-day-prior-to-certification cure period was not amended by SB 523. The instructions to the voters, contained in Section 3019, subdivision (d)(2), was altered slightly by SB 523. The attachment to this CCROV contains a revised courtesy sample of a Signature Verification Statement. County elections officials shall not reject a vote-by-mail ballot for the reason of a mismatched signatures if the elections official receives a completed Signature Verification Statement no later than 5 p.m. two days prior to the certification of the election, or the voter before the close of polls on election day, completes and submits a Signature Verification Statement to a polling lo- cation within the county or a ballot drop-off location and the signatures compare with what is on Glenn County 2021-2022 Civil Grand Jury Report are posted at Page — 10 3 — of 115
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  2021-2022 Glenn County Civil Grand Jury Report | Glenn County Elections Attachment — Letter from Alex Padilla — Page 3 Confidential Voter Registration Information SB 523 also added subdivision (f) to Elections Code section 2194 relating to voters whose signa- tures on their vote-by-mail ballot identification envelope did not match their signatures on file and voters who did not sign their vote-by-mail ballot identification envelope: Notwithstanding any other law, information regarding voters who did not sign a vote by mail ballot identification envelope or whose signature on the vote by mail ballot identifi- cation envelope did not match the voter’s signature on file shall be treated as confidential voter registration information pursuant to this section and Section 6254.4 of the Govern- ment Code. This information shall not be disclosed to any person except as provided in this section. Any disclosure of this information shall be accompanied by a notice to the recipient regarding Sections 18109 and 18540. Voter information provided pursuant to this subdivision shall be updated daily, include the name of the voter, and be provided in a searchable electronic format. To view the full text of SB 523 see the attachment to this CCROV or visit http://leginfo.legisla- ture.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200SB523 If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Rachelle Delucchi at [email protected] or (916) 695-1565. Thank you.

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