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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
• 2015-2016
Iv. Review of Responses to the 2014-15 Grand Jury Report on Management of Groundwater and Recycled Water
⚠️ 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 3 findings
F1
Page 43
The Public Works Department is maintaining county facilities in a way that provides county employees and citizens with clean, safe, and pleasant buildings in which to conduct the county’s business.
F2
Page 43
The Public Works and Information Technology Services Departments did a masterful job of earthquake recovery. Over 400 people where relocated to temporary spaces and were back in operation in only two days. Except for the historic courthouse and the Hall of 29 Justice, which both incurred significant structural damage, earthquake repairs were completed in little over a year. The Public Works Department took the opportunity to include building system upgrades and maintenance items while the impacted spaces were vacant. The displaced departments, except the ones housed in the historic courthouse and the Hall of Justice, were smoothly and efficiently moved back to their permanent spaces as the renovations were completed.
F3
Page 44
RFPs for maintenance contracts for critical building systems were not sent out on time, allowing the existing contracts to expire on July 1, 2015 without renewal or replacement. Although a basic level of inspection and testing was done by county maintenance personnel and some inspection and repair work was done by vendors on a purchase order by purchase order basis, the inspection regimen by third party experts on HVAC equipment, elevators, and emergency power generators was suspended with the expiration of the maintenance contracts on July 1, 2015. Elevator inspections continued on a month-to-month basis until October 31, 2015, but were suspended thereafter. The lack of regular thorough inspection and testing by third party specialists could lead to the increased risk of failure of this critical equipment when it is needed most.
Recommendations 8
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R1Page 23By December 31, 2015, the Napa County Public Works Department to develop contingency plan, approved by the Board of Supervisors, that lays out the major steps to be taken in the event of severe drought conditions. Board of Supervisors’ Response: The recommendation will be implemented in the context of the Alternative Groundwater Sustainability Plan, due to the State between June 30, 2016 and January 1, 2017.
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R2Page 23By June 30, 2016, The Napa County Public Works Department to require major groundwater users to meter and report their water usage on a quarterly basis to ensure all well owners are following prescribed usage rates. Board of Supervisors’ Response: The recommendation requires further analysis. This recommendation will be considered in the context of the Alternative Groundwater Sustainability Plan, due to the State between June 30, 2016 and January 1, 2017. Development of the plan will include significant outreach to and input from the public. The Board of Supervisors will consider and determine the necessary amount of metering and reporting in the context of this public discussion.
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R3Page 23By June 30, 2016, the Napa County Public Works Department to adopt policies to encourage all other groundwater users to meter and monitor their well water usage. Board of Supervisors’ Response: The recommendation requires further analysis. This recommendation will be considered in the context of the Alternative Groundwater Sustainability Plan, due to the State between June 30, 2016 and January 1, 2017. Development of the plan will include significant outreach to and input from the public. The Board of Supervisors will consider and determine the necessary amount of metering and reporting in the context of this public discussion. 2. RECYCLED WATER
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R4Page 24The Napa Sanitation District should immediately begin exploring additional opportunities to expand its wastewater storage and infrastructure capacity through funds that may be available from the passage of California Proposition 1, the $7.1 Billion “Water Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014.” Napa Sanitation District Board of Directors Response: This recommendation is currently being implemented. The District is a founding member of the North Bay Water Reuse Authority, which was formed to help communities in Marin, Sonoma and Napa County to develop recycled water projects, complete the environmental analysis and studies required, and find federal and state funding support for the projects. The District is currently studying the development of new and expanded recycled water storage as part of the NBWRA's current "Phase 2" study. This work will culminate in the necessary analysis, community outreach and reports that are required under NEPA and CEQA to obtain any federal or state grant support, including Proposition 1 funding. Once the environmental studies are completed, the District intends to apply for federal and state grants, including Proposition I funding, to support expansion of recycled water storage and infrastructure capacity projects.
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R5Page 24By June 30, 2016, the Napa Sanitation District and the City of Napa Water Department should begin negotiations to extend the current agreement that requires the sanitation district to reimburse the water department for lost revenue when a city water customer converts to recycled water. Napa Sanitation District Board of Directors Response: As discussed above, the District and City of Napa staffs have already held preliminary discussions on extension of the service agreement. The District will actively seek an agreement that promotes recycled water use and that provides for the conversion of sites irrigated with potable water to recycled water where appropriate and feasible. City of Napa Response: This recommendation has been implemented. The City and NSD have had communications over the past year regarding the potential to expand the service area covered by the agreement to include Silverado Middle School and Tulocay Cemetery. As noted above, 10 these discussions will require an extension of the term of the current agreement. The City remains open to continuing those discussions with NSD to extend the term of the current agreement, and negotiate necessary amendments to the agreement as a part of that negotiation.
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R6Page 25By December 31, 2015, the Napa Sanitation District and the City of Napa Water Department should begin working with local officials, lobbying groups, and trade associations to persuade the State to fund the conversion of Napa State Hospital to recycled water for its irrigation purposes. Napa Sanitation District Board of Directors Response: The District has worked with local representatives of Napa State Hospital, as well as the State's Department of Mental Health and State Department of General Services, to assist in the Hospitals conversion from potable water to recycled water for irrigation. District staff has also worked with local and state elected officials to seek support for the conversion to recycled water. The District and the City have also worked cooperatively to provide information and support necessary for conversion. The District will continue to provide support necessary to assist the State in the conversion of its property to recycled water for irrigation purposes. City of Napa Response: This recommendation has been implemented. The City has been supportive of the State Hospital conversion to recycled water for many years. On multiple occasions, City staff has worked with NSD to calculate the amount of reimbursement to the City for the conversion so that local officials could meet with State Hospital representative. -13 of the City's 2010 Urban Water Management Plan (submitted to the State) specifies that the City will continue to support the expansion of NSD recycled water for irrigation by fulfilling the agreement for recycled water with NSD and supporting the conversion of Napa State Hospital. V. REVIEW OF RESPONSES TO THE 2014-15 GRAND JURY REPORT ON NAPA COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT
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R7Page 35" Accepted; recommendation will be implemented
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R8Page 35" Not accepted; issue requires further analysis Groundwater R1 Board of Supervisors Accepted; will be implemented in context of State plan, due in 2016