Grand Jury

Commendations 10

• CM1
  C1. We compliment the administration and staff on their endeavors. 6 DEL NORTE COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT, 2012-2013 CITY OF CRESCENT CITY ADMINISTRATION, PUBLIC WORKS, & MOU Summary The City of Crescent City has faced many challenges during the current economic downturn. The 2012-2013 Del Norte County Grand Jury City Committee decided to ask how the City was weathering those challenges. Members of the Committee were also aware of the succession of City Managers in the last decade. We also requested numerous City documents which were promptly supplied for our review. In addition to City Administration, we decided to request a tour of the Waste Water Treatment plant since no Grand Jury had toured the plant since it opened. In addition to the plant, we also toured the City Corporation Yard and the various components of the Water and Sewer System throughout the City and County. We became well-versed in the problems the City has with many projects needing completion and not enough revenue to complete them. We appreciate the efforts of the current City Manager to take a strategic approach and complete five-year plans for the City in some areas in order to anticipate capital expenses and prepare in advance for what can be projected as much as possible. These plans have not been done before for Crescent City operations. We also see the City undertaking some major projects including the Second Street Sewer Project which is being funded by a $1.2 million grant. The Beachfront Park Master Plan was also recently completed and approved. The City recently raised water and sewer rates and is about to undergo a rate study of future rates. We did find that there are several areas of concern due to sizeable annual revenue losses, or what may be missed opportunities to reduce costs or bring in additional revenue. Our recommendations throughout this report reflect our hope that the City will look at some of its assets and liabilities and make a concerted effort to study additional ways to save revenue, rather than rely necessarily on raising rates as the primary answer to ongoing costs. We would like to emphasize the fact that we were amazed at how much the teams of City employees accomplish with often so few resources and reductions in staffing. Furthermore we must comment on the spirit in which they perform their jobs. Our interviews and tours introduced us to some of the most dedicated and hardworking individuals we have ever met and gave us great pride in the quality of employees performing functions at all levels of the City. We cannot recommend enough that these employees should be recognized on an ongoing basis for their contributions, and everything should be done to compensate them as much as possible for their service. There are several agreements in which the City is engaged at the present time. The Memo of Understanding between the City and the County of Del Norte is an important document and could spell out additional areas that the two entities could collaborate for cost savings and building good will between the parties. 7 We started out wanting to educate ourselves about City operations behind closed doors. We feel that we succeeded in that goal and are hoping we can pass some of the information we learned to local residents. We also made our recommendations based on observations which may lead to creative approaches or solutions. We encourage the City Council to become actively involved in considering our Findings and Recommendations as a starting point for some dialogue and goal setting at the City Council level, and as a way of educating and involving the public about some important issues and possible projects that are facing City government. I. City Hall and City Administration
• CM2
  C1. The longevity of some City employees and the overall dedication and spirit of teamwork among employees cannot be acknowledged enough. C2. The recent implementation of online bill paying for Sewer and Water bills has been a very positive step in applying technology to ease operations. C3. The Beachfront Park Master Plan is an excellent step in making the City more tourist friendly and allowing the City to implement parts of the plan in phases and seek grant funding. C4. The two Five-Year Plans (General Fund and Water/Sewer) are excellent steps in helping the City anticipate future needs and make decisions in a broader context. C5. The staff at City Hall does amazing work under poor conditions in cramped quarters with little work and storage space. II. Public Works
• CM3
  C1. Staff members working for Public Works are among the most dedicated workers we have ever encountered. We cannot thank them enough for conscientious performance above and beyond the call of duty at all hours of day and night and in all-weather to keep the vast array of Public Works equipment and operations functioning. They personify teamwork at its best. C2. The decision to hire a consultant to oversee the WWTP has resulted in definite advances in applying the existing technology, as well as refining internal operations and organization and supporting staff. B. Corporation Yard The City of Crescent City Public Works Department has multi-faceted responsibilities which include 23 miles of roads in downtown, 5 downtown parking lots, 750 street lights, 55 acres of public land, 7 public restrooms, and over 85 vehicles. The Water System includes 4,500 water connections, 2,300 valves, and 492 hydrants along 60 miles of water mains. The Sewer System includes 3,850 sewer connections and 20 lift stations along 51 miles of sewer lines servicing the City and Community Service Areas. Annually 54,000 water meters are read. There are 8 municipal facilities as well as a Waste Water Treatment Plant, Laboratory and Multiple Water Facilities. The Corporation Yard for the City of Crescent City is located on 10th Street behind the Flynn Center. The crew from the Corporation Yard is responsible for maintenance and special projects associated with the above listed City systems. Scheduled maintenance includes street lights, restrooms, parks, sidewalks, roads, sewer and water lines, lawns, and vehicles. Special projects that have been undertaken by the crew include the rebuilding of a Parks Dump Truck, the Corporation Yard Facelift, and Installation of a WWTP Chemical Storage Tank. The crew also assisted with the El Patio Motel Burn, replaced a Primary WWTP Clarifier and rehabilitated Elk Valley and Harbor Water System Lift Stations. They build Pedestrian Access Ramps in our sidewalks as well as completing the Pedestrian Access Improvements at Beachfront Park. They removed trees and were responsible for removing Tsunami Landing. They are also the Emergency response team for malfunctions and emergencies. Among other things they are the people who go out in a storm in the middle of the night with rain and wind blowing sideways to repair a lift station or alleviate a flooding problem. The Corporation Yard houses all of the equipment necessary for them to do their jobs; from auto shop tools to carpentry tools to heavy equipment to trash cans to innumerable parts and supplies. The Corporation Yard is an impressive, clean and well-organized facility that mirrors the skill and dedication of an extraordinary team. 15
• CM4
  16 C1. The Public Works crew cannot be recognized enough for performing Herculean tasks under difficult conditions for comparatively little pay than they could earn in another setting. C2. Not only are the team members highly effective at doing their jobs but they perform with a sense of camaraderie and teamwork that is enviable. III. Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Crescent City and the County of Del Norte Summary The current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the County of Del Norte and the City of Crescent City is a step in the right direction of cooperation between the two entities, reducing duplication of services and increasing cost savings. Recent actions on the part of the City seem to be a step backwards in the process. This committee would urge preservation and possible expansion of the MOU in the best interests of our community.
• CM5
  C10. The Sheriff and staff are to be commended for what they do with the limited amount of funding. 23 DEL NORTE COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT, 2012-2013 JUVENILE HALL Summary On September 19, 2012, four members of the 2012/2013 Del Norte County Grand Jury met with the Supervising Deputy Probation Officer II at the Del Norte County Juvenile Hall, in accordance with the California Grand Jury’s Mandate to conduct annual visits to the county detention facilities.
• CM6
  C1. The Probation Department is to be commended in separating the services provided for juveniles from those of adults. 25 DEL NORTE COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT, 2012-2013 DEL NORTE COUNTY MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH CRESCENT CITY
• CM7
  C1. The County Chief Administrative Officer should be commended for his positive and open attitude about looking at ways for the County and the City to maintain current cooperative efforts and explore ways of expanding those efforts through future discussions.
• CM8
  C1. The Office of Emergency Services is commended for creating from scratch a community wide, resident focused, gold standard emergency preparedness program. C2. We also recognize OES’ ability to obtain grant funding to support community wide preparedness and training. 31 DEL NORTE COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT, 2012-2013 DEL NORTE COUNTY RECREATION DEPARTMENT Summary On February 25, 2013, Del Norte County Grand Jury met with Recreation Coordinator John Horner for a regular department review. Earlier, on November 14, 2012, Del Norte County Grand Jury met with County Administrator Jay Sarina, as he supervises the Recreation Coordinator. Del Norte County has operated a recreation programs for the general public for years, typically as an employee’s part time duties. Six years ago, John Horner was hired full time to coordinate all aspects of the various recreation programs. The Recreation Department is part of the Administration Department. In fiscal year 2012-13, the Recreation Department budget was $233,011.00, with just under 25% of the budget raised through recreation fees, vending sales, and sponsorships. The remainder of the budget comes from the county general fund.
• CM9
  C1. The 2012-2013 Del Norte County Grand Jury recognizes Recreation Coordinator John Horner for his dedication to local sports & recreation, and recognizes the growth in public participation in such programs over the past six years while Mr. Horner has been Coordinator. 34 DEL NORTE COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT, 2012-2013 KLAMATH FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT Summary The Klamath Fire Protection District is comprised of 12 Volunteer Firefighters, of whom three are also Emergency Medical Technicians, a Chief who receives a small stipend, and a Board of Directors. The Board is comprised of five members, one position currently unfilled, and Board members are also eligible to receive a small stipend. The department has a Command Center, unmanned, used for meetings and training, and three fire stations. Station #33 is in the Glen, #34 is the Redwood Station and #35 is the Hunter Creek Station. Each station is equipped with a fire pumper truck and a rescue truck. Hunter Creek has a non-operational water tanker truck. This vehicle should be available to provide the fire trucks with fire suppressing water when hydrants are not available; 60-70% of the area is without hydrants. Redwood Station has a utility trailer with a compressor to replenish firefighter’s emergency breathing tanks. Most vehicles are of 70’s and 80’s vintage and in need of replacement. The purchase of a water tanker is of major importance for life and property safety. The overall impression of the physical stations was disorganized, messy and cluttered. Equipment and supplies were strewn on the floors and counter tops at all three stations. In addition, there was no visible posted inventory of equipment and supplies that was on hand at each station. Monies spent on the remodel of the Command Center should have been put to better use for vehicle repair and replacement.
• CM10
  C1. The people of Klamath who volunteer and continue to support the Klamath Fire department and attend meetings. C2. The members of the Klamath Fire Auxiliary who continue to help Klamath Fire and the Community. C3. The Del Norte Board of Supervisor who was consulted by the Grand Jury, and who spent time and energy going over the concerns and pledging support for solutions. 39 DEL NORTE COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT, 2012-2013 PELICAN BAY STATE PRISON Summary On May 6, 2013, four members of the 2012-2013 Del Norte County Grand Jury made a scheduled visit to Pelican Bay State Prison. The Grand Jury members were given a thorough tour of the prison by the Public Information Officer. When finished with the tour, jury members met with the Chief Deputy Warden to ask all remaining questions they had about Pelican Bay State Prison.