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Extracted from Consolidated Report

This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.

Nevada County Grand Jury • 2013-2014

Panhandlers, Vagrants, and Transients –

3 pages
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Note: Missing finding numbers detected: F8, F11, F15, F16, F17, F18

Findings 13 findings

F1
Grass Valley Charter School property conditions expose students, teachers, staff, parents and visitors attending school facilities to dangerous health and safety issues. Disagree: We do not have any credible evidence to substantiate this finding. One of a school district governing board's major responsibilities is to provide healthful, safe and adequate facilities that enhance the instructional program. While we are deeply concerned about the health and safety of all the students in Nevada County, it is not required, nor is it appropriate for the county superintendent of schools to inspect the facilities of any school district that is not identified in deciles 1 to 3 of the Academic Performance Index by the California Department of Education. That responsibility is with each individual school district and local governing board. California Education Code 1240 (c) (J) states that the county superintendent of schools shall visit and examine each school in his or her county at reasonable intervals to observe its operation and learn of its pl·oblems. It has been the practice of this county superintendent of schools to visit the schools in the county at reasonable intervals. Although the Grass Valley School District does not have any schools that have been identified in deciles 1 to 3 of the Academic Performance index by the California Department of Education, for those schools which are so identified, Education Code 1240 (c) (J) requires the county superintendent to submit an annual report regarding the status of the following circumstances:
F2
The problems with PVTs will continue to increase until city and county leaders seriously address the problem. Partially Agree. The statement "the problems with PVTs will continue to increase" is based on perception, not data. The data shows that the number of homeless individuals in our community has actually decreased slightly since 2009. Data collected is a ((Point-in-Time Homeless Persons Count" following data collection criteria of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The data collection provides a count of sheltered and unsheltered homeless persons. Counts are further broken down into subpopulation categories including counts of persons who are chronically homeless, persons with severe mental illness, chronic substance abusers, Veterans, persons with HIV/AIDS, and victims of domestic violence. The number of persons on General Assista nce aid has aIso decreased in the last five years. Typically, homeless populations are subcategorized by "families, individuals, youth, veterans, and the chronically homeless" because of the unique experiences and challenges that each of these groups face. It is important to note, the County has received reports that homeless services provided by local non-profit providers have increased. County programs are designed to target the root causes of homelessness through assisting individuals as they are released from jail or on probation, and through providing housing, job training, substance abuse treatment, medication management and coordinated case management. These programs are significantly less expensive than the inevitable alternatives (hospitalization or jail). Additional resources for these programs would improve effectiveness. However some individuals will continue to choose a "homeless" lifestyle and for the most part, these individuals do not engage in criminal behavior. 1
F3
It is only a matter of time until a health incident or serious fire occurs in one of the illegal camps. Partially Agree. The report focuses on a sub-population called Panhandlers, Vagrants and Transients. However, homeless individuals who inhabit encampments are not necessarily the same sub-populations. We agree that encampments are not safe for those who live there and do pose a risk to the greater community, but this is a different issue than panhandling as it is estimated that only 40-60% of panhandlers are actually homeless. In addition, only 44% of homeless people are "unsheltered" and therefore might live in an encampment and only 12% are unsheltered and chronically homeless. Research shows that most residents of homeless encampments say they would prefer to live in a more conventional way with their own room and a job, however a significant number are addicted to drugs or alcohol, and/or are mentally ill. Specialty trained staff, through a County contract, visit encampments regularly to check on known mentally ill individuals and encourage them to participate in County services. Although CalFire estimates that 90% of all wildfires in California are caused by humans, campfires (recreational or otherwise) only accounted for 4% of wildfires in Nevada County in 2012.
F4
The extent to which students who have not passed the high school exit examination by the end of grade] 2 are informed that they are entitled to receive intensive instruction and services for up to two consecutive academic years after completion of grade 12
F5
The extent to which pupils who have elected to receive intensive instruction and services are being served
F6
Enforcement actions authorized by law and/or codes, which are the responsibility of city and county agencies, are woefully lacking in their consistency and continuity of effort. Disagree. All complaints received regarding properties located within unincorporated areas are investigated by Nevada County Code Compliance. A majority of the complaints received deal with trespass issues which are not enforceable by the Community Development Agency or the Code Compliance Division.
F7
Since NCCFD is failing financially, LAFCo could review and approve changes of organization, reorganization, or consolidation. Partially Agree The Board of Supervisors does not have direct knowledge of the NCCFD financial situation and cannot confirm whether or not the District is failing financially. However, the Board agrees that LAFCo has the authority to review and approve changes of organization, reorganization, or consolidation. B. RESPONSES TO RECOMMENDATIONS
F9
Mixed jurisdictions and agency responsibilities can complicate enforcement efforts. Agree.
F10
Very few city and county agencies accurately track incidents or costs associated with PVTs. Agree. The Department of Social Services tracks the number and cost of services for General Assistance and nutritional assistance to individuals, who are homeless. In addition, Behavior-al Health tracks the costs of providing housing and mental health treatment services to its clients, who may be homeless. Numerous cost studies have shown that providing shelter and basic services to the homeless population is significantly less expensive than the inevitable alternative: hospitalization, emergency medical treatment, prison/jail. Although the Grand Jury's definition of "transient and vagrant" does not stipulate an amount of time associated with that definition, the annual Homeless Count includes surveying homeless individuals and tracks the length of time individuals have been in Nevada County. For example, in 2013 of the 141 completed surveys, only ten responden ts indicated they had resided in Nevada County for less than one year and only one individual indicated they were "just passing through." In contrast, 74 individuals 2 indicated they have been in the county their whole lives or more than 5 years up to. Many statistics are maintained on homeless and low income populations; however the term "Panhandlers, Vagrants, and Transients (PVT)" is not a term the County uses and is not a stand-alone tracked category.
F12
CC has the responsibility and the tools necessary to remedy the sub-standard conditions found in PVT encampments, but does not enforce these statutes. Disagree. The Code Compliance Division responds to complaints and is not authorized to independently act to remedy violations of the Codes. When a complaint is flied, and a violation is verified, the Code Compliance Division works with the property owner to rectify or eliminate the violation.
F13
The four fire agencies, NCCFD, GVFD, PVFPD and NCFD serving the vast majority of western Nevada County will soon be without fire chiefs, the highest level of management, creating an opportune time to explore reorganization. The PVFPD disagrees partially with the finding. PVFPD has participated in discussions, but any reorganization would not be pursued if the same level of service were not provided to the District nor if costs were to increase.
F14
An inter-jurisdictional task force with members from city and county law enforcement and fire, probation, code compliance, environmental health, homeless advocates, the chambers of commerce, and interested citizens should be able to come up with a plan, using existing laws and codes for resolving the situation with the PVTs. Partially Agree. Thus far, no community in the country has found a long term solution to dealing with the issues related to homelessness. However, existing efforts include: 1. The Homeless Resource Council of the Sierras' ongoing workgroup, the Nevada County Coordinating Council, meets monthly in Nevada County. The group consists of homeless advocates, non-profit leaders, mental health professionals, and county staff (HHSA) to address homeless outreach/ intake/assessment, prevention of housing loss, rapid re-housing, emergency shelter, transitional housing, permanent housing, and supportive housing. 2. Coordination between law Enforcement and Social Services exists through Eligibility Worker visits to the Wayne Brown Correctional facility and Probation offices to assist recently released individuals and probationers to apply for Medi-Cal. Life skills and financial planning classes are offered to these groups as well as an evidence based practice to improve self-sufficiency skills and reduce recidivism rates. 3. The Community Development Agency routinely coordinates with the Sheriffs Office and other county departments to enforce existing codes and regulations. 3 ~ B. RESPONSES TO RECOMMENDATIONS
F19
The Jury showed the Superintendent current photographs illustrating hazardous conditions in Nevada County schools. Findings Fi. Grass Valley Charter School property conditions expose students, teachers, staff, parents and visitors attending school facilities to dangerous health and safety issues. Fi. Bell Hill Academy property conditions expose students, teachers, staff, parents and visitors attending school facilities to dangerous health and safety issues. Fi. These hazardous conditions are endangering the health and safety of students, teachers, staff, parents and visitors because no one has taken responsibility for repair even though administrators and the Board of Trustees have been notified in writing. Fi. Mold not properly removed continues to pose an inherent danger to students, teachers, staff, parents, and visitors. Fi. Repairs have been done without benefit of required State oversight placing anyone entering these facilities at risk. Fi. Inadequate inspections have placed students, teachers, staff, parents and visitors attending school facilities in danger. Lack of detail in observing and accurately reporting sub-standard and dangerous conditions are obvious even to a lay person and should have been reported by experts hired by GVSD. Fi. Because GVSD officials created a MSDS book with unnecessary and inappropriate information, this places first responders at risk during emergencies as well as students, teachers, staff, parents, and visitors attending school facilities if immediate first aid is needed to be applied while awaiting medical care. Recommendations R. The Nevada County Superintendent of Schools should direct staff to adhere to the requirements of their office including: • conducting required site visits, • verifying SARC reports for accuracy, • complying with requirements mandated by Eliezer Williams et al v. State of California et al (2000). R. The GVSD Board of Trustees should direct the Superintendent to review existing contracts with construction consultants to determine if there is a bad-faith clause and demand a refund because hazardous conditions were not repaired. R. The GVSD Board of Trustees should direct the Superintendent to review the contracts for work on Grass Valley Charter School and Bell Hill Academy to remove mold, mildew and rot from these sites and verify the work was done according to contract. R. The GVSD Board of Trustees should verify all this work performed was state approved, inspected, and complies with codes concerning safe schools. R. The Grass Valley School District Board of Trustees should direct the Superintendent to update each MSDS Book to reflect site specific hazards. /// /// /// /// /// /// /// /// /// /// Responses Nevada County Superintendent of Schools: Findings 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 Recommendation 1 Due Date: August 30, 2014 Grass Valley School District Board of Trustees: Findings 1, 2, 3, 4 5, and 6 Recommendations: 2, 3, 4, and 5 Due Date: September 30, 2014 #3 #4 “MSDS” book. 1 ½ inches thick. Includes all chemical MSDS sheets. The use of this document is for WHAT IS ON SITE for use by emergency responders. #07 #08 WORK SHOP. Non-Rated cabinet with flammable chemicals. No CAUTION sign posted on outside. In case of fire, this is in one of the main EXIT routes. Grass Valley Charter School #17 - Rotted support. #18 Live electric box within play equipment area. #41 Broken electric conduit at ground level is at risk for high flooding from the adjacent Veteran’s Hall parking lot. Bell Hill Academy: #51 - Siding is separating from wall structure. This is evidence of water penetration to interior of wall structure. # 57 Rot at foundation. #61 Mold repairs were not done correctly. #62 Mold repairs were not done correctly. #63 Mold repairs were not done correctly. #67 Mold repairs were not done correctly. #85 - Siding is separating from wall Roof flashing on pipe is absent, structure. This is evidence of water allowing water to enter building. penetration to interior of wall structure. #86 Frayed and broken insulation used to carry 110 volts of electric power. This exposes the live wires to elements. Note also the routing is under the roofing material, no anchors to keep the wires from pulling away. #87 MAIN BUILDING Roof – conduit supported by 4.x, untreated blocks. The blocks rest directly on the roof material. Needed are Roof Pads to absorb movement between the 4x4 and the roof coating. #97 Rain Gutter drains water; in immediate area of live electric power. None of the drains routed roof water AWAY from the structures. HOlLY A. HERMANSEN, SUPERINTENDENT 11 2 NEVADA CITY HIGHWAY Nevada County NEVADA CITY, CA 95959 Superintendent of Schools 530-478-6400 ' fox 530-478-6410 August 26, 2014 The Honorable Thomas M. Anderson Presiding Judge of the Grand Jury Nevada County Superior Court 210 Church Street Nevada City, CA 95959 Dear Judge Anderson, This letter serves as the response from the Nevada County Superintendent of Schools on the findings and recommendations of the June 30, 2014 Grand Jury Report on the subject of "Grass Valley School District Unsafe Facilities?" for purposes of readability, we have shown our responses in bold. FINDINGS: 1. Grass Valley Charter School property conditions expose students, teachers, staff, parents and visitors attending school facilities to dangerous health and safety issues.

Recommendations 11

No Responses Found 1

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

Grass Valley Elementary School District School District