Recommenda Tion(s):

Additional Recommendations 9

These recommendations are not explicitly linked to specific findings.

• R1
  Specifics such as fees per unit of service need to be included in all contracts along with a means to regularly monitor compliance and expenditures. Draft Response from Board of Supervisors: The recommendation will not be implemented in all contracts, for the reasons specified in the response from County Counsel. See also Attachments 2 and 3.
• R2
  County Counsel should ensure that each county contract include provisions for a specific county department to be accountable in a measurable way and include a provision for a specific department to have oversight responsibility for the contract. Draft Response from Board of Supervisors: The recommendation will not be implemented, as detailed in the response from County Counsel. See also Attachments 2 and 3.
• R3
  The County must assure that county departments adequately track contract expirations, so that a competitive bid process or at least negotiations can be initiated in time to insure cost-effective services without a break. Draft Response from Board of Supervisors: The recommendation has been implemented. As noted above, the Board went out to bid for animal shelter services twice prior to June 2002, and could not attract a responsible bidder. Because there was no other entity interested in providing cost-effective animal shelter services, the County decided to build a publicly owned and operated animal care facility. The final contract with Sequoia Humane Society (SHS) was very expensive and regrettably, per the SHS proposal, a take it or leave it option. The County assumed animal shelter services on July 1, 2004. See also Attachment 2. Attachment 1 2 Grand Jury Report #2005-CD-01 An Investigation into the First Time Home Buyer and Housing Rehabilitation Programs in the City of Rio Dell EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The Grand Jury finds that the First Time Home Buyer and Housing Rehabilitation Programs are not being adequately monitored by the City of Rio Dell. In July 2002, the city entered into a contract with state and federal agencies to establish a revolving loan fund of $500,000 to be loaned to low-income families to purchase a first home. The funds were also available for home rehabilitation loans. The loans are to be repaid to make the funds available for others. Although the contract states specific responsibilities for all parties, the City failed to meet the contractual responsibilities. The City contracted with Redwood Community Action Agency to administer the funds and manage the projects for a fee. The City Council authorized three First Time Home Buyer loans, one a combination of both the First Time Home Buyer and Housing Rehabilitation programs. Problems with this combination project became apparent very soon. Alarming structural and safety issues were ignored in favor of superficial cosmetic repairs. An investigation by the Grand Jury revealed that the program was not being monitored. For example, termite and structural reports were not being appropriately analyzed and corrective action was not taken. Serious health and safety issues were not addressed. Construction was done without an approved set of plans or a permit. The contract specifically requires both. While it is understandable that the small city finds it necessary to contract for the services of a project manager, it is essential for the city to maintain supervision of this third party. The Grand Jury recommends that the City of Rio Dell meet its oversight responsibilities as well as establish and implement procedures which will assure that health and safety issues take precedence in all home purchases and rehabilitation projects using public funds. WHO SHALL RESPOND: (cid:190) Rio Dell City Council shall respond to Findings and Recommendations 1, 2, 3, and 4 (cid:190) Rio Dell City Manager shall respond to Findings and Recommendations 1, 2, 3, and 4
• R4
  The Grand Jury recommends that the City Council, the City Manager, and appropriate staff periodically review these projects and maintain proper records as required by the contract. If it is necessary to hire an outside agency to administer project, a representative of that agency should report regularly to the City Council and the City Manager. Oversight of these projects must be a priority.
• R5
  The Grand Jury recommends that MCSD adopt a plan to reduce and eventually eliminate the debt owed by recreation and park funds to the water and sewer fund.
• R6
  The Grand Jury recommends that members of the Board of Directors take special training for board members of non-profit organizations. Training is available free or at minimal cost from both Humboldt Area Foundation and College of the Redwoods.
• R7
  The Grand Jury recommends that either the sponsoring agency (Big Lagoon Union Elementary District) or the Humboldt County Office of Education exercise vigilant oversight regarding the credentials held by teachers assigned to be the primary teachers of the core high school courses of English, Math, History, and Science.
• R8
  The Grand Jury recommends the DA refrain from firing Deputy DAs – except for cause - unless comparable replacement prosecutors are identified and are willing to work in Humboldt County.
• R10
  The Grand Jury recommends that the DA require that when a serious felony case is plea-bargained, the Prosecutor shall request the Court to order that the reasons for the plea bargain be reflected in the court minutes of the case. This will make the information readily available to the public and the media.