Consolidated Final Report for Fiscal Year*

Conclusions 42

• CL1 Page 11
  The employees of the Nevada County Assessor have poor morale. There is a shortage of adequately trained personnel. The office is nearing operational paralysis and is in need of sound management, clear direction and good judgment. There may have been a loss of revenue to the county as a result of these problems.
• CL2 Page 11
  The Assessor's proposed new computer system is a waste of taxpayers' dollars. Only 60 to 70 percent complete, it could cost another estimated half-million dollars to finish. There is no blueprint for the project, dooming it to failure. If the proposed system is 5 finished sometime in the future, it will cost taxpayers many more thousands of dollars to interface it with the county's computer system and to hire additional personnel to oversee it.
• CL3 Page 12
  The lack of budgetary oversight by the Board of Supervisors and the county administrator's office, has led to uncontrolled spending by the Assessor.
• CL4 Page 13
  The placement of a single correctional officer in the medium and medium/maximum areas presents a potential security risk to both staff and inmates.
• CL5 Page 13
  The failure to fill the eight correctional officer positions appears to be placing stress and causing fatigue to the officers who are willing to perform the necessary overtime.
• CL6 Page 13
  Current salaries for correctional officers appear to present a recruitment problem. 7
• CL7 Page 14
  The correctional staff interviewed appeared well trained and professional.
• CL8 Page 14
  The lack of video monitoring in the minimum exercise area could create a security risk.
• CL9 Page 16
  The present Juvenile Hall facility is physically antiquated. The Board of Supervisors has acknowledged the urgent need for a more modern facility in order to meet the needs of Nevada County's growing juvenile problem.
• CL10 Page 16
  The Grand Jury was impressed with Mr. Carver's knowledge in the field of juvenile justice.
• CL11 Page 16
  A "caged" 4 x 4 transportation vehicle with an operational police radio is necessary for the transportation of juveniles to and from Truckee Township.
• CL12 Page 18
  The lack of assigned responsibility and authority for determining independent contractor status indicates a failure in management control and could subject the County to IRS penalties. The authority for making employee/independent contractor decisions should reside
• CL13 Page 18
  with the Auditor-Controller, not with some 30-plus department heads.
• CL14 Page 20
  The Assessor's response to the interim Grand Jury report contradicts his sworn testimony and public documents.
• CL15 Page 20
  Since the Assessor's proposed computer system should be integrated with other departments at additional cost, it seems appropriate that the Information Systems Department be involved in this effort.
• CL16 Page 21
  The lack of video monitoring devices in the courtrooms and corridors compromises safety and security to both Courthouse personnel and the public.
• CL17 Page 21
  Sergeant Butler appeared to be very knowledgeable on the Court's detention and security procedures.
• CL18 Page 21
  The absence of two correctional officer positions in the jail holding facility places added burdens on existing staff which, in turn, could compromise their overall effectiveness. 15
• CL19 Page 24
  The jail is being operated at a fairly efficient level considering the lack of staffing.
• CL20 Page 24
  The jail staff is knowledgeable of facility policy and procedures.
• CL21 Page 24
  The 12 hour shifts by the jail correctional officers appears to be excessive and may have an adverse affect on their health and morale.
• CL22 Page 24
  The security needs for both inmates and staff appear adequate.
• CL23 Page 24
  The facility commander appears to be concerned with civic community relations as well as the continued efficiency of the sub-station and jail.
• CL24 Page 27
  Donner Lake Water Company has been out of compliance with State Water Regulations for over seven years.
• CL25 Page 27
  Neither the California Department of Health Services, the Nevada County Health Department nor the owner, Del Oro Water Company, has demonstrated a sense of urgency in resolving this matter: a. The California Department of Health Services has maintained a lenient position by excusing the company for missed deadlines and non- compliance and continuing to grant it excessive time extensions to complete the new water treatment facility without fines or penalties. b. Until recently, the Nevada County Health Department played a passive role because the company fell under the jurisdiction of the State and not the County. The County did not consider the matter as a public health issue, and, in fact, has not as yet permanently filled the vacant position of Public Health Officer who could be addressing the matter on a continuing basis. 21 The Company has shown an attitude of indifference in keeping its C. customers properly informed on a timely basis that it continues to be in non-compliance. The language of the quarterly notices minimizes the potential health risk to its customers and does not comply with the State regulations mentioned in Finding 14.
• CL26 Page 31
  There is no specific proof that any individual applicant to Donner Summit was denied a sewer hook-up.
• CL27 Page 31
  There is no evidence that bulk sales were in violation of Donner Summit policies existing at the time of sales.
• CL28 Page 31
  There is no specific proof that the Donner Summit General Manager or Board members engaged in Conflict of Interest regarding the bulk sales of EDUs to ski resorts as alleged.
• CL29 Page 31
  Donner Summit sewer ordinances and Donner Summit/Sierra Lakes contracts are outdated and confusing. This has resulted in incorrect interpretation among individuals and between Donner Summit and Sierra Lakes regarding available capacity, contractual requirements and appropriate procedures.
• CL30 Page 34
  attending an event in a place of public assembly. Lack of annual fire and safety inspections may deprive the public of this important entitlement. Some of the Fire Departments have not conducted annual fire and safety
• CL31 Page 34
  inspections in places of public assembly. A single fire in a place of public assembly could adversely affect tourism within
• CL32 Page 34
  Nevada County for years to come. Annual inspections and documented follow- up inspections may reduce this risk.
• CL33 Page 36
  SJCC is a historical building of value to the community.
• CL34 Page 36
  SJCC is badly in need of repairs and upgrades.
• CL35 Page 36
  SJCC has been and continues to be out of compliance with both the building and fire codes. 30
• CL36 Page 39
  highest truancy rate, should give EJHS maximum benefit. The delay in hiring the new probation officer resulted from an
• CL37 Page 39
  apparent lack of follow up on the part of NJUHSD, the County Mental Health Department and the Probation Department. The early dismissal time (1:15PM) releases the students into the 3., community unsupervised, providing added exposure to drug and other behavioral problems. As a result of the current staffing level at EJHS, student activities are either under
• CL38 Page 39
  supervised or out of view of the staff resulting in allegations of male/female misconduct.
• CL39 Page 39
  The high rate of truancy at EJHS hampers the ability of students to "catch up" academically with their original school class. 33
• CL40 Page 42
  Respondents did not always adhere to the time frames given in the Penal Code in their responses to the Grand Jury.
• CL41 Page 42
  Some entities are not clear on how to respond to Grand Jury reports. Responses varied in their adherence to the Penal Code Section 933.05. This section requires that respondents either agree with, or disagree wholly or partially with each finding. The same section requires one of four responses to each recommendation. Responses must state: (1) the recommendation has been implemented, (2) will be implemented with a time frame, (3) requires further study (with an explanation and time frame), or (4) the recommendation will not be implemented (with an explanation).
• CL42 Page 8
  1 - The need to provide an expanded Juvenile Hall is critical and long past due. 2 - The Board of Supervisors now has the opportunity to correct the Juvenile Hall problem. 3 - The loss of the State grant of 5.4 Million Dollars will eventually shift the total construction amount to Nevada County taxpayers. The Courts could eventually mandate the corrections to the Juvenile Hall, giving the County no choice in funding this project. 4 - After inspection, the Board of Corrections has stated that the Juvenile Hall is inadequate, antiquated and under-staffed. 5 - Due to the over-population at Juvenile Hall the Courts and law enforcement have serious difficulties in dealing with juvenile delinquents.

Comments 5

• CO1 Page 26
  Under the revised compliance order, issued September 24, 1999 Del Oro Water Company was granted another extension to December 1, 2000 to provide a treatment facility that will comply with Chapter 17 of the CCR mentioned in Finding No. 4.
• CO2 Page 26
  Until such time as the water system is in full compliance with the Regulations, this Compliance Order requires that Del Oro Water Company must: a. Notify, on a quarterly basis, the State and Donner Lake Water Company customers that it remains out of compliance using mandatory language required in CCR Section 64666, and describe the Company's program and time table for complying with the Regulations. b. Collect twice-weekly samples of raw water on separate days, and report the analysis for total and fecal coliform organisms to the State on a monthly basis. c. Measure and report the turbidity of the water entering the system from the surface water intake source at four-hour intervals as required by the Regulations. 20 d. Continuously maintain a free chlorine residual minimum of 3.0 mg/l in the water entering the system from the surface water intake system. e. Maintain a chlorine residual analyzer to monitor the surface water intake source and to shut off the surface water intake source in case of a chlorinating failure. f. Adhere to the construction schedule of all facilities necessary to meet the regulations. The Company must notify the State immediately if the time schedules established by this Order will not be met and explain the reason for the delay. Failure to do so may subject the Company to additional enforcement action, including civil penalties as specified in Section 116725 of the California Health and Safety Code.
• CO3 Page 27
  A Tahoe Forest Hospital spokesman stated that the hospital has no experience on record that would attribute any reported illness directly to the drinking water supplied to Donner Lake residents by the Del Oro Water Company.
• CO4 Page 27
  A customer of the Donner Lake Water Company wrote to the State on April 10, 2000 urging the State and the Nevada County Health Department to take firm action to resolve the water quality issue. While the letter mentions 25 to 30 customer complaints, information supplied by Del Oro Water Company shows that during calendar year 1999, the California Department of Health received 18 complaints covering chlorine odor, dirty water, low pressure, and taste. Del Oro Water Company responded to each complainant..
• CO5 Page 27
  On April 26, 2000 Del Oro Water Company was notified that their quarterly notice of non-compliance to customers did not meet the requirements of CCR Title 22, Article 8, Section 64666 "Consumer Notification". Del Oro Water Company is revising their notices to bring them into compliance.

No Responses Found 2

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