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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.

Lake County Grand Jury • 2006-2007

Public Services Committee Reports

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Findings 51 findings

F1 Page 140
Only five Animal Control officers handle 300 to 400 calls per month.
F2 Page 140
Calls are prioritized with public safety the top priority, followed by animal safety and neglect of an animal.
F3 Page 140
All calls are either responded to, or referred to the appropriate agency.
F4 Page 140
Animal Control receives strong cooperation from federal, state, county and city agencies.
F5 Page 140
All Animal Control officers in Lake County attend the Humane Academy before starting their work in the field.
F6
Some of the training received includes − how to spot animal neglect − how to be safe when handling animals − how and when to enforce the laws and ordinances
F7 Page 140
Animal Control officers attend euthanasia courses.
F8 Page 140
Performing euthanasia is extremely emotional for the staff.
F9 Page 140
Since July 2006 euthanasia rates have dropped from 63% to 30% and animal redemption has doubled. This improvement is in part due to outreach and online and community education by Animal Control.
F10 Page 140
In April 2007, groundbreaking began on Phase I of a new shelter. The committee is pleased that a much needed new shelter will be replacing the current shelter, which is crowded and outdated. 142 2006-2007 Lake County Grand Jury Final Report Public Services Committee
F11 Page 142
As the investigation proceeded, connections were made among school personnel, law enforcement agencies, and community members.
F12 Page 142
As a result of these contacts the entities are now holding regular meetings to address actual and potential problems.
F13 Page 142
School officials are developing consistent, across-the-board pre- ventative measures, including ruling out the wearing of gang col- ors in schools, and elimination of other gang related symbols.
F14 Page 142
Law enforcement is committed to aggressive pursuit of gang re- lated crime, and the District Attorney is committed to the aggres- sive prosecution of it.
F15 Page 146
The committee found that this Emergency Preparedness training exercise was very well coordinated.
F16 Page 146
HAM operators backed up the conventional systems in case of a failure of any or part of the communications network.
F17 Page 146
Security was strong.
F18 Page 146
Over forty state, federal, county, and local entities worked to- gether, and the committee was impressed with how well this ef- fort was coordinated.
F19 Page 146
However, the committee noted that there was clearly a need to expand the ability to treat a large number of victims in a shorter period of time, should an event of this magnitude actually occur.
F20 Page 146
To address the above need, a new program called Medical Reserve Corps, has been approved for implementation in May 2007. The program will use volunteers, specially trained in basic inoculation techniques, to administer life-saving treatments in times-of-need. 148 2006-2007 Lake County Grand Jury Final Report Public Services Committee
F21 Page 148
The County Personnel Department thoroughly investigated this matter, including a review of the complainant’s performance evaluation.
F22 Page 148
A Lake County Personnel Department report was generated from their investigation.
F23 Page 148
The report indicated a need for additional management and com- munication skills training for all parties involved.
F24 Page 148
A mutual resolution has been reached that addresses the needs of all parties.
F25 Page 150
Staffing adequately meets the needs of the current hours-of- operation.
F26 Page 150
Special literacy programs are available to children and adults at all locations.
F27 Page 150
Maintenance is needed at all four of the branches and at the time of this report some repairs are complete and others are funded.
F28 Page 150
Security is not a major issue.
F29 Page 150
Staff meetings are conducted at the branch level only.
F30 Page 150
Volunteers contribute approximately 2000-hours annually.
F31 Page 150
The current hours of operation were established based on a sur- vey taken 10-years ago.
F32 Page 150
In addition to the county budget, the libraries are funded through grants and private donations.
F33 Page 152
The cemetery staff consists of a full-time Sexton and two mainte- nance employees, one full-time and one part-time.
F34 Page 152
Among the Sexton’s duties is the operation of burial equipment.
F35 Page 152
The cemetery grounds are very well maintained as are the head- stones.
F36 Page 152
The cemetery averages 110 interments annually.
F37 Page 152
Although many people volunteer to assist in maintaining the grounds, very few actually show up.
F38 Page 152
A previous Grand Jury committee recommended an employee manual. The cemetery has implemented this policy and provided a copy to the current committee.
F39 Page 152
The finances and budget preparation for the cemetery is done with high efficiency. All checks are approved by the board and all members of the board provide input for the district’s annual budget.
F40 Page 152
An outside contractor currently performs the repair of head- stones. The Sexton indicated that he is interested in attending classes for headstone repair.
F41
Vandalism is minimal. The cemetery staff maintains a positive relationship with students from a nearby school, allowing them to cross the property on their way to school.
F42 Page 152
Any person residing within the Lower Lake Cemetery District at the time of death is eligible to be interred in this cemetery. 154 2006-2007 Lake County Grand Jury Final Report Public Services Committee
F43
The cemetery’s only staff member is the manager. He lives nearby and is on-call.
F44 Page 154
The cemetery grounds are very well maintained; as are the head- stones.
F45 Page 154
The cemetery averages 12 to 18 interments annually.
F46 Page 154
At the time of the committee’s visit, Konocti Conservation Camp workers had just cleaned the grounds. They cleared brush, raked leaves and cleaned the headstones.
F47 Page 154
The cemetery district’s financial status is impressive. They have fixed assets including an 800-square foot conference building. In addition, $150 per grave is placed into an Endowment Care Pro- gram for the cemetery once it is full. They are only required to be audited bi-annually, however; they have annual audits conducted.
F48 Page 152
An outside contractor currently performs the repair of headstones.
F49 Page 152
Vandalism is minimal.
F50
The cemetery faces a water crisis. The current well produces three gallons per hour and the tanks are small.
F51 Page 154
Any person residing within the Middletown Cemetery District at the time of death is eligible to be interred in this cemetery.

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