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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.
Napa County Grand Jury
• 2017-2018
Current Jail When opened, the jail was intended to house inmates who were: 1. Awaiting court (bail) hearing;
⚠️ 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 11 findings
F1
Page 121
The new jail and Re-entry Facility construction timelines and funding have been and continue to be confusing to the public.
F2
Page 121
Funding and financial instruments for the new jail are complicated; the taxpayers are not fully informed of funding sources and the effects of the options.
F3
Page 121
The Re-entry Facility will assist inmates transitioning back to the community.
F4
Page 138
The Napa County Grand Jury finds that:
NCJH programming aligns with the current juvenile justice philosophy of rehabilitation as opposed to incarceration.
F5
Page 180
With respect to the Napa Valley Transportation report, the Board of Supervisors’ response to
F6
Page 183
The State’s severe reduction of financial support for the Napa County Fair in 2011 may have abrogated its Land Tenure Agreement with Napa County. Regardless, the Land Tenure Agreement expires in 2024. Response, Board of Supervisors: The Board of Supervisors agrees with this finding. With approval of the Agreement between NCFA and the County in 2013, it was agreed to continue fairgrounds operations so long as could be done without financial support from the County, providing the NCFA with the opportunity to find long-term sustainability solutions. It is important to note that funding was reduced from approximately $200,000 to the almost $35,000 NCFA received in 2016.
F7
Page 183
The Napa County Fair itself is in serious decline, with its continued operation in doubt. Response, Board of Supervisors: The Board of Supervisors agrees in part with this finding. Over the past 25 years, as each individual community within Napa County has developed its own 4th of July celebration, participation in the County Fair has declined. The celebration of community life through the County Fair is not in jeopardy, only the time of year it currently takes place. The NCFA continues to look at dates, duration and type of activities that encourage attendance. 168
F8
Page 184
The ancillary function of the Fairgrounds as an emergency refuge for victims of flooding, wildfires, or earthquake is important, even vital, to any future development of the Fairgrounds themselves. Response, Board of Supervisors: The Board of Supervisors agrees with this finding. The NCFA' s mission is to serve the citizens of Napa County with cultural, social, and economic benefits in times of celebration as well as need. This mission has existed for the NCFA since 2013, underscored by its significant role in the Valley Fire shelter operations. The Fairgrounds is identified as a primary evacuation center site in the County's Emergency Operations Plan (EOP). While the sheer size of the Fairgrounds was a huge bonus for the 2015 Valley Fire response, the site is a primary location due to its location rather than its size. The Valley Fire Shelter was an atypical response. The County plans for shelter operations on a much smaller scale. During previous evacuation events for Floods and Fires evacuee populations totaled less than 100 at County evacuation centers. The benefits of the Fairground location is:1) the County owns the property so approvals to use the site are not complicated; 2) large numbers of evacuees can be accommodated with support facilities; 3) animals can be accommodated at the Fairgrounds locations, unlike other County locations; and 4) Fairgrounds staff are trained in Emergency Response and their assistance and coordination proved invaluable during the Valley Fire Shelter response. If governance changes, it is currently anticipated that the Fairgrounds will continue to play an important part in the countywide emergency services plans.
F9
Page 184
The conduct of the Napa County Fairgrounds Association Board has been at times dysfunctional, with some Board members publicly complaining about lack of transparency in the Board’s financial reporting. Response, Board of Supervisors: The Board of Supervisors disagrees with this finding in part. While some NCFA members have complained, the NCFA has had its most transparent financial operation since it established a finance committee in 2012. All financial records are made available to the public. Monthly financial statements are provided to the full Association board and the agenda packets made available at each board meeting and online. The finance committee reviews the detailed financial reports quarterly and presents them for final acceptance to the full NCFA board. Financial reports are presented to the NCFA membership at its annual meeting by the finance committee chairperson. The finance committee also completes the annual Statement of Operations (annual report) for submittal to the California Department of Food and Agriculture and presents the report to the NCFA. Recently, with the rebranding of the NCFA website, it has included the NCFA audits from 2010. An independent Auditor is employed annually by the Association to perform a full audit of the Associations financial records, reporting and financial management every other year, with a complete financial review in the alternating years. The Auditors’ report and management letter are placed on the Board's agenda at a regular Board meeting for review, public input, and approval by the Board. 169
F10
Page 185
Some of the complaints expressed by the former dissenting members of the Napa County Fairgrounds Association Board have merit: complaints about golf course maintenance, managerial decision making, and a general lack of transparency. Response, Board of Supervisors: The Board of Supervisors disagrees with this finding. The golf course maintenance issue is a recent one. Public comments received from golfers from 2012-2015 praised the golf course maintenance operation. In 2016 the course experienced problems due to the drought and a damaged irrigation system; the conditions were corrected prior to the end of the year due to a concerted effort of personnel time, financial resources, and reengagement of professional consultants. The Board of Supervisors and management of the NCFA acknowledge the need for professional golf course management but lack the funds necessary to contract with such an individual or firm. Regarding transparency, current Association management brought the Board into compliance with the Brown Act beginning in 2010, including annual training of board members. Since then, the NCFA has developed a comprehensive written policy manual. All board meeting and standing committee meeting agendas are publicly noticed. Minutes and supporting documentation are made available online and at the meetings. Recently, the NCFA added additional financial reports to its website. The NCFA has never been more transparent to the public in its history than in the last7 years. .
F11
Page 185
A Joint Powers Authority (or Agreement), currently being discussed by the Board of Supervisors and the Calistoga City Council, could allow for long term contracts with concessionaires to incentivize investment in and development of Fairgrounds facilities. Response, Board of Supervisors: The Board of Supervisors agrees with this finding. Since October 2016, designated members of the Board of Supervisors and Calistoga City Council have been meeting to develop a mutually agreed upon governance model. It is anticipated that a recommendation will be discussed with the full Board of Supervisors and City Council by the end of the calendar year.
Recommendations 7
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R1Page 121Napa County Board of Supervisors direct appropriate staff to produce a dedicated, easily- accessible timeline on the County website that informs Napa County residents of the progress and funding of the jail
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R2Page 121The Board of Supervisors generate greater publicity for all proposed funding sources of financing, holding public hearings throughout the County to justify the need and rationale for the use of particular funding mechanisms
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R3Page 121The Board of Supervisors evaluate the pilot program after its conclusion on September 30, 2021.
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R4Page 186The Napa County Board of Supervisors’ plans for the Fairgrounds’ future include provisions for the Fairgrounds’ use as an emergency refuge for the victims of natural disasters in the region. Response, Board of Supervisors: The Board of Supervisors agrees with the recommendation. The County continues to include the Fairgrounds in all its emergency preparedness planning as a primary location for providing services during an emergency response. The last time the facilities were used for that purpose by Napa County was in 2015 during the Valley Fire. In addition, the NCFA supports this, as evidenced by its recommendation to the County and City concerning the proposed JPA: the Fairgrounds should continue "as a place supports (sic) emergency preparedness, response, and disaster relief" needs of the community. 2017-2018 Grand Jury Finding: This does not comply with §933.05(b); one of four responses required. 171
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R5Page 187As soon as practicable, the Napa County Board of Supervisors contract the operation of the Calistoga Raceway, the Mount St. Helena Golf Course, and the Calistoga RV Park to concessionaires knowledgeable and competent to operate those enterprises efficiently and profitably. Response, Board of Supervisors: The Board of Supervisors agrees with this recommendation. The two by two consisting of two members from the Board of Supervisors and two members from the City of Calistoga City Counsel together with the City Manager, the Interim County Executive Officer and staff will be making recommendations to the full City Council and Board of Supervisors regarding the governance and ongoing operations of the Fairgrounds. Once the governance is resolved the next step is to identify long term partnerships but between jurisdictions and possibly private industry that would result in the best utilization of the Fairgrounds with the greatest community impact and benefit. 2017-2018 Grand Jury Finding: This does not comply with §933.05(b); one of four responses required.
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R6Page 187As soon as practicable, the Napa County Board of Supervisors revise its contract with the Napa County Fairgrounds Association to focus that organization’s efforts exclusively on the funding and operation of the Napa County Fair and related community activities. Response, Board of Supervisors: The Board of Supervisors partially agrees with this recommendation. The two by two consisting of two members from the Board of Supervisors and two members from the City of Calistoga City Council together with the City Manager, the Interim County Executive Officer and staff will be making recommendations to the full City Council and Board of Supervisors regarding ongoing operations of the Fairgrounds. This will include recommendations regarding the relationship with the NCFA but may not include the ongoing operation of the Napa County Fair. 2017-2018 Grand Jury Finding: This does not comply with §933.05 (b); one of four responses required. REPORT: NAPA CHILD ABUSE HOTLINE
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R7Page 117Treasurer – Tax Collector Initial response (2013): I agree to implement this recommendation this year before the end of this year. Updated response (2017): Consistent with that response, those County employees that work under my supervision were trained on Grand Jury protocol at a November 7, 2013 staff meeting. II. Public Employment Retirement A. Recommendation No. 3 was: Develop plans to control future health care costs including the concepts advocated by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of accessing increased-deductible or higher co-pay insurance plans.
Commendations 20
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CM1 Page 125In 2004, the Napa Board of Supervisors created a Criminal Justice Committee (CJC) to assess the local criminal justice system and its effect on jail use.
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CM2 Page 125In 2007, the BOS adopts Adult Criminal Justice Master Plan, which includes
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CM3 Page 125October 2011, the Public Safety Realignment Act of 2011 resulted in low-risk felons in State facilities be remanded to local jails. Having a more serious criminal history, they brought with them a “prison mentality.”
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CM4 Page 125In 2012 and 2013, the BOS adopted a Strategic Financial Plan, which emphasized setting aside funding for a new jail. The Community Corrections Partnership (CCP) proposed the development of a new 366-bed jail facility and a 50-bed re-entry facility. 112
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CM5 Page 126Sept 2013, the county purchased 27 acres at 2300 Napa/Valley Highway, adjacent to Syar Industries, for the purpose of constructing a 72-bed re-entry facility and future jail. The Staff Secure Re-entry Facility would be staffed by Probation and run by Napa County Department of Corrections.
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CM6 Page 126October 2013, the BOS applied for SB 1002 conditional funding of $14M for design and construction of a re-entry facility. Resolution 2013-124 states county required to pay a portion of costs.
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CM7 Page 126January 2014, Napa county was awarded nearly $14M in revenue lease bonds for constructing adult criminal justice facilities.
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CM8 Page 126August 2014 South Napa earthquake caused significant damage to downtown jail. Some inmates are sent to Solano County jail. Repairs to the building are still under construction (as of this writing).
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CM9 Page 126August 2015, Napa county applied for additional $20M in state lease revenue bonds under SB 863 for jail construction. Resolution 2015-105.
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CM10 Page 126November 2015, the county is awarded partial funding of $2.8 from state lease revenue bonds.
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CM11 Page 126June 2016 Election, Napa County voters turned down the quarter-cent sales tax to provide “much of the funding” for a $103M, 256-bed jail.
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CM12 Page 126April 2017, BOS applied for SB 844 state lease revenue bond financing.
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CM13 Page 126June 2017, County officials break ground on the construction of Re-entry facility. Napa Valley Register reports facility costs are $17M with state providing $13.5M. Remaining money from the county’s General Fund and funds dedicated to criminal justice activities.
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CM14 Page 1262017/18 County staff consider ways to fund the estimated gap of $70M to pay for the new jail.
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CM15 Page 126February 2018, Napa County Department of public Works posted it was seeking statements of qualifications (SOQs) from qualified architectural firms for design services required for the construction of a new jail. Facts included in the SOQs include: 304-bed jail; completion by fall 2021; 28 beds reserved for medical/mental health; estimated project cost of $128 million. Total funding from SB 844 and SB 863 to total $22.8M with the balance of project costs funded through “cash and debt financing.” 113
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CM16 Page 127March 2018, all inmates held in Solano County Jail are returned to the completed basement section in the Hall of Justice.
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CM17 Page 127May 15, 2018, Napa County staff presents funding options to the BOS. The gap in funding is presented as $20 million. No Board approval takes place at this meeting.
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CM18 Page 127May 22, 2018, the BOS approve the funding to include excess ERAF money, issuance of COPS up to $20 M, MSA fund balance, and intent to use annual MSA revenue for the community grant program.
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CM19 Page 127Fall 2018, Re-entry facility estimated completion with occupancy within 90 days.
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CM20 Page 127September 2021 (present estimation) new jail completion. The basement in Hall of Justice to be occupied by inmates ready for court appearances. APPENDIX B Jail Tour The grand jury toured the Napa County jail facility, located in downtown Napa, on November 14, 2017. Two subsequent tours allowed jury members to access areas unavailable on the initial tour. The director of the Department of Corrections conducted each tour. In general, and by its own description on the Napa County website (©2017), “the jail is an aging and deteriorating facility and it does not have many of the important facilities and services that maximize safety and health of officers and inmates.” Damage from the August 2014 earthquake is still visible. The Napa jail inmate population on November 14 totaled 196. An additional 47 inmates were housed in Solano County’s jail as a result of the 2014 Earthquake damage. Of the 243 inmates, 200 inmates were male, 43 were female; 172 were pre-sentenced, 71 post-sentenced. Forty-two inmates were assessed as mental health inmates requiring a single cell each. The percentage of felony-convicted inmates is approximately 87 percent. Jury members requested the tour begin at the sally port entry where a new arrestee would enter, followed by the initial booking area. Correctional officers determine risk classification in this area. We observed both single and multi-inmate cells, as well as dormitory-style living areas. At least one cell had boat beds (plastic, canoe-shaped trays designed for sleeping) on the floors, a result of overcrowding. Cells and hallways were clean and mostly free of graffiti. 114 We also observed six medical cells and the medical unit staffed by California Forensic Medical Group (CFMG). On November 14, seven inmates with severe mental health issues were waiting to be transferred back to Napa State Hospital. Kitchen and laundry areas are staffed by inmates who appeared to be performing their jobs well and efficiently. The new Control Room, with a redundant system, has an expected completion of spring 2018. Inmates being transferred from the building to courtrooms travel through a tunnel, or corridor. There are clear lines of demarcation where inmates walk; red emergency call buttons are along the walls, here and in other sensitive areas of the jail. There are two visitation areas, one for inmates and their attorneys, the other for general visitation. Only the conversations between attorney and client (inmates) are unmonitored. Exercise yards are empty of exercise equipment due to safety issues. Overhead netting has been installed to prevent drones from dropping contraband into the yard. Exercise time, mandated at 1 hour per inmate per day, is challenged by the need to segregate inmates by sex or gang affiliation to avoid volatile situations. At the time of our tours, the basement was still under construction. Its estimated time for completion, which would include the return of inmates housed in Solano County, was January 2018. We found all staff we met were collegial. While sharing knowledge of inmates, they expressed respect. Inmate housing areas include: Temporary
Observations 3
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OB1 Page 128General population Protective custody Maximum security Special housing Medical unit. 115
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OB2 Page 130NAPA COUNTY GRAND JURY 2017-2018 June 14, 2018 FINAL REPORT Empty Beds: Juvenile Hall Review 116
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OB3 Page 131Empty Beds: 2017-2018 Napa County Grand Jury Juvenile Hall Review SUMMARY Rehabilitation and treatment, rather than incarceration, is the primary goal of the California juvenile justice system and has been for more than half a century. This is the focus of Napa County Juvenile Hall through its organization, management, and programming. The 2017-2018 Napa County Grand Jury toured the Juvenile Hall facility twice, each time noticing that the number of youth housed was less than 20. Since the facility is capable of housing 50 youths, the space is considerably underutilized. Many counties throughout the state find themselves in similar situations due to declining juvenile arrest and detention rates in California since 2007. Napa County officials were approached by a neighboring county about the possibility of consolidating juvenile hall operations. While this might increase cost efficiency for the municipalities, this would cause new challenges for the juveniles in residence. Specifically, moving juveniles farther away from their homes would make family visits and transportation more difficult. It would also remove them from their local educational programs. Napa ultimately dropped the idea of consolidation. It is hoped that current and future policies and initiatives may increase the utilization of Juvenile Hall. In an interview with management, the grand jury learned that the county-wide criminal justice computer system is now serving all of the member departments except Juvenile Hall. It is expected to be completed by fall of 2018. This custom-designed system will be beneficial to Juvenile Hall. The grand jury finds that the activities and services provided to Napa County Juvenile Hall youth are suited to the current juvenile justice philosophy of rehabilitation, not incarceration.
No Responses Found 2
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
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