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Findings and Recommendations 10 findings
F1
The Community Development Department and Environmental Health Division staff that were interviewed were professional, knowledgeable, friendly and conveyed an in-depth knowledge of their job responsibilities and duties.
No recommendations for this finding
F2
The Environmental Health Division consists of one Senior Environmental Health Specialist, one Environmental Health Specialist and a part-time clerk. The Environmental Health Specialist position has been vacant since October 2019. The Community Development Department is actively canvassing to fill the vacant position.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
Ensure the Environmental Health Division has sufficient and qualified staffing to provide necessary services to the public in a timely manner. Review and compare current Environmental Health Specialist salaries with similar counties to ensure qualified candidates can be hired and retained. Update the Environmental Health Division website to provide detailed
F3
The Community Development Department and Environmental Health Division operate under the general policy direction of the Del Norte County Board of Supervisors.
No recommendations for this finding
F4
It is the policy and responsibility of the Environmental Health Division to inspect/investigate residential health and safety complaints, such as serious rodent infestations and mold issues. The Environmental Health Division responds to complaints by both homeowners and tenants. Complaint forms are available at the Environmental Health Division office.
No recommendations for this finding
F5
During 2019, the Community Development Department received and investigated ten complaints involving residential health and safety issues. One complaint was investigated by the Environmental Health Specialist and nine of the complaints were investigated by the Code Enforcement Officer in consultation with the Environmental Health Specialist. In one instance, a complainant alleged an employee of the Environmental Health Division stated they were prohibited by the Board of Supervisors from inspecting/investigating health and safety issues involving landlord/tenant disputes.
No recommendations for this finding
F6
A former Environmental Health Division employee operated under the belief that the Board of Supervisors did not want the Environmental Health Division to become involved in landlord-tenant disputes concerning residential health and safety issues. The employee operated under that belief for approximately ten years. The Grand Jury was unable to interview the former employee to obtain further information.
No recommendations for this finding
F7
Current Environmental Health Division employees were aware of their responsibility to inspect/investigate residential health and safety complaints.
No recommendations for this finding
F8
The Grand Jury found no evidence that the current Board of Supervisors directed the Environmental Health Division to not become involved in landlord-tenant disputes concerning residential health and safety issues.
No recommendations for this finding
F9
The Grand Jury was unable to determine if any former member(s) of the Board of Supervisors directed Environmental Health Division employee(s) to not become involved in landlord-tenant disputes concerning residential health and safety issues.
No recommendations for this finding
F10
The Environmental Health Division has a web page on the Del Norte County government website. The Grand Jury found that the website lacks detailed information about the division's mission, responsibilities, resources and forms. The Community Development Department's "Goals and Objectives for 2019/2020" statement listed one of it's goals as, "Continue to add and update Environmental Health information on the County website."
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
information about their mission, services, responsibilities, resources and forms. Include downloadable forms, as well as links to applicable county and state codes, regulations, ordnances and laws. 2019-2020 Del Norte County Grand Jury SPECIAL DISTRICT INVESTIGATION
Commendations 4
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CM1The SRCSD Staff and the SRCSD Board of Directors are to be commended for their efforts in modernizing the Smith River water supply including the completion of the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) System and installation of backup generators to ensure a reliable water supply during power outages. REQUEST FOR RESPONSES Smith River Community Services District Board of Directors BIBLIOGRAPHY Correspondence from the Mitchell Law Firm dated November 8, 2019 Correspondence from SRCSD dated October 15, 2019 California Civil Code @ leginfo.legislative.ca.gov The Brown Act @ oag.ca.gov SRCSD Municipal Review and sphere of Influence Update @ www.delnortelafco.org SRCSD Board of Directors Policy Manuel SRCSD Resolutions/Agendas Water System Emergency Generator Project @ northcoastresourcepartnership.org DISCLAIMER The report is issued by the 2019-2020 Del Norte County Grand Jury (DNCGJ). No members of the grand jury volunteered to recuse themselves due to a perceived conflict of interest. The primary function of the DNCGJ is to provide unbiased oversight and to investigate complaints from citizens about the operations of county and city government, school districts and special districts, as required by law. The grand jury is one means to inform citizens that government is operation efficiently and in an ethical, honest manner. The grand jury investigates policies and procedures and makes recommendations to improve local governmental operations. It has no power to enforce its recommendations. It only informs citizens about some of the legislative and administrative work of their local governments. All grand jury investigations and reports are approved by at least 60% supermajority vote of the entire grand jury panel. 2019/2020 Del Norte County Grand Jury California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Pelican Bay State Prison SUMMARY On 9/17/2019, 4 Grand Jury Detention Committee members and 1 additional Grand Jury Member conducted a scheduled site visitation to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), Pelican Bay State Prison (PBSP) in accordance with Penal Code section 919(b) that states: "the Grand Jury shall inquire into the condition and management of the public prisons within the county".
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CM2The Commander and Staff were very knowledgeable and capable in all areas of jail procedures. 2019/2020 Del Norte County Grand Jury ALDER CAMP REPORT - CAMP 20 SUMMARY The California Penal Code mandates that the Grand Jury inspect County detention facilities annually. The 2019-2020 Grand Jury conducted a physical inspection of Alder Camp #20 on December 10, 2020. A total of four jury members performed the inspection. During the inspection, the Grand Jury observed that personnel were welcoming and prepared to allow a thorough inspection of the entire facility and grounds. CDCR CAMP HISTORY AND BACKGROUND The Alder Conservation Camp was opened in April 1961. The Camp is jointly operated by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL-FIRE). The Camps primary mission is to provide inmate firefighting crews for fire suppression activities in the Humboldt-Del Norte Ranger Unit Areas. In addition to fire suppression, inmate hand crews provide a work force for conservation and community service projects in the local area. In-camp, Alder' has a CALFIRE Saw- Mill and Wood Shop which produce lumber and wood products for tax supported governmental agencies. The CDCR is responsible for the selection, supervision, well-being and discipline of the inmates. CALFIRE maintains the camp, supervises the work of inmate fire crews, and is responsible for custody of the inmate while on their daily CALFIRE project activities. CDCR staff may accompany the inmate fire crew when they respond out of the local area to provide for inmate security, care, and custody when no on emergency assignments to fires and other emergencies. Inmates must have 24 hour per day direct supervision while on work projects and while assigned to emergencies.
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CM3C1: The staff and inmates are to be commended for their ongoing commitment the Camps primary mission which is to provide inmate firefighting crews for fire suppression activities in the Humboldt-Del Norte Ranger Unit Areas. In addition to fire suppression, inmate hand crews provide a workforce for conservation and community service projects in the local area. Aadam Trask God-15 Incle Thom Hutzell T. there Ray Sherwin Ray Chewer STEVE HESTER SHEET Bustona alles- Burbara Allen JOHN KUBICK JC 9 Mense MIRCHAEL WESCA The Harad Sheila Restad JOHN H. DEGLER 2 HD RAY MARTELL
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CM4Ray Sherwin Ray Shew LISA W. Kramin Tracke llione Brian Benson JOHN OLSON
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