Responses to the 2019-2020 Sonoma County Civil Grand Jury Reports Providing Continuity by Following Through on Previous

Conclusions 1

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  The 2020-2021 Sonoma County Civil Grand Jury concluded that the responses to the 2019-2020 Grand Jury Recommendations comply with the Penal Code. In addition, the Grand Jury has included its observations on the responses following pages titled: 2019-2020 Grand Jury Response Summary Chart. Within the six issued reports, the Grand Jury made 52 Findings and issued 41 Recommendations requiring responses from 19 different County and city agencies, governing boards, and two invited responses. Of the Recommendations, 63% have been or will be implemented and 17% will require further analysis. The respondents also indicated they will not implement eight of the Recommendations within the Spring Specific Plan and the Homeless Youth reports, equaling 20%. Recommendation Actions In Future Further Will Not Be Report Total Implemented Progress Implementation Analysis Implemented Spring Specific Plan 5 2 3 Sheriff-Coroner 2 1 1 Homeless Youth 14 2 5 2 5 Homeless Crisis 6 4 2 Emergency Water Shortages 8 3 3 2 Regional Water Resources 6 4 2 Total 41 12 9 5 7 8 Percent of all Recommendations > 29% 22% 12% 17% 20% 63% A copy of the full 2019-2020 Grand Jury report and responses received can be located within the County of Sonoma, Superior Court of California website. Individual Final Reports and Responses 2019-2020 2 2019-2020 Grand Jury Response Summary Chart SPRINGS SPECIFIC PLAN RES = Respondent BOS = So Co Board of Supervisors PS = Permit Sonoma SSP = Spring Specific Plan RECOMMENDATIONS RES. RESPONSES 2020-2021 GJ OBSERVATIONS R1. Permit Sonoma offer Donald PS This Recommendation will not The Grand Jury acknowledges that Street residents an official apology be implemented. Permit this Recommendation will not be for their missteps by July 1, 2020. Sonoma followed all public implemented. The Grand Jury disclosure laws and met all appreciates PS’s efforts to improve legal obligations in determining communication. the planning area for the draft SSP. R2. Permit Sonoma hold PS PS has previously implemented The Grand Jury acknowledges that substantive discussions with the this Recommendation. PS is this Recommendation has been Donald Street residents regarding committed to working with area implemented. The Grand Jury their principal concerns regarding residents as the SSP process appreciates PS’s commitment to be the SSP by July 1, 2020, or before continues. responsive to the community. finalizing the SSP, whichever comes first. R3. Permit Sonoma respond to the PS PS has implemented this The Grand Jury acknowledges that principal concerns expressed by Recommendation. To remove this Recommendation has been Donald Street neighborhood with an the Donald Street Area from the implemented. explanation as to why they can or draft SSP is a policy decision cannot accommodate the requests of that is at the discretion of the the Donald Street neighborhood Planning Commission and the residents by July 1, 2020. BOS. PS reports to the Grand Jury they have extended the public review period for the draft EIR. R4. The Grand Jury does not BOS This Recommendation will not The Grand Jury acknowledges that dictate policy, however, if be implemented because it is this Recommendation will not be accommodations cannot be reached, not warranted or reasonable. implemented. the Board of Supervisors should The BOS states that SSP consider severing Donald Street approval remains under from the SSP. development and is still in a proposal process. Interested members of the public will have opportunities to provide public input and request changes to the draft plan prior to final approval. 3 RECOMMENDATIONS RES. RESPONSES 2020-2021 GJ OBSERVATIONS R5. Permit Sonoma determine PS This Recommendation will not The Grand Jury acknowledges this where the procedures used for SSP be implemented because it is Recommendation will not be failed, and adopt revised procedures not warranted. PS does not implemented. to avoid a repetition of the agree that its public outreach oversight, with a copy of the revised procedures have failed, or that procedures sent to the Grand Jury revised procedures are by July 1, 2020. necessary. PS follows the requirements of state law. 4 SONOMA COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER’S OFFICE RES = Respondent BOS = So Co Board of Supervisors RECOMMENDATIONS RES. RESPONSES 2020-2021 GJ OBSERVATIONS R1. The Board of Supervisors, BOS This Recommendation requires The Grand Jury acknowledges that working in conjunction with the further analysis. The Coroner’s that the response requires further Sheriff’s Office and the Coroner’s office relocation depends on the analysis. The Grand Jury Office Lieutenant, identify a new final sale of the Chanate recognizes that the relocation will location for the Coroner’s Office Property. The County will depend on the sale of the Chanate and Morgue facility by December lease back the facility for a Property. In addition, the Grand 1, 2020. short term. Jury acknowledges the relocation is dependent on the BOS for project Sheriff This Recommendation has not planning and prioritization and for been implemented but will be in funding. the future. The relocation is the number one priority in the Sheriff’s Office Capital Project Request for the 2020-2025 General Government Capital Project Plan in December 2019. It is imperative that planning for a new facility begin in FY 2020-2021. R2. The Board of Supervisors BOS This Recommendation has been The Grand Jury acknowledges that budget the purchase of a new dental implemented. The Sheriff’s this recommendation has been x-ray machine for the Coroner’s Office has purchased a portable, implemented. Office for delivery by December 1, handheld dental x-ray machine 2020. with existing budgetary appropriations. 5 HOMELESS YOUTH RES = Respondent BOS = So Co Board of Supervisors CAO = County Administrator’s Office CDC = So Co Community Development Commission DHS = So Co Department of Health Services SCOE = So Co Office of Education RECOMMENDATIONS RES. RESPONSES 2020-2021 GJ OBSERVATIONS R1. The Board of Supervisors BOS This Recommendation needs The Grand Jury acknowledges that commit to reducing the number of further analysis. The Board this Recommendation requires homeless young people in Sonoma emphasizes that it has made further analysis. The Grand Jury County to functional zero within significant investments to recognizes that considerable efforts three years. develop affordable and and expenditures have been devoted permanent housing, including to this problem. However, an increase of $8 million in reduction in the number of 2020-2021. homeless youth to functional zero remains as a significant goal. R2. The Sonoma County CDC This Recommendation has not The Grand Jury acknowledges that Community Development been implemented, but will be this Recommendation will be Commission increase the number of implemented by February 28, implemented. shelter beds for homeless youth, 2021. The Commission needs keeping in mind the needs for safe new funds to pay for additional space for young people, by beds, but will work with shelter February 28, 2021. providers to allocate additional beds for youth in existing shelters. R3. Sonoma County Community CDC This Recommendation will not The Grand Jury acknowledges that Development Commission ensure be implemented because it is this Recommendation will not be that shelter beds for young people not reasonable. By February implemented. are available in all areas of the 28, 2021 the Commission will The Grand Jury recognizes the County with a homeless youth engage homeless youth to difficulty of geographic dispersion, population, by February 28, 2021. develop strategies on where the lack of year-round housing in additional shelter beds might be areas of the county, and the located. Further analysis will uncertain funding inherent in this be required to secure, fund or Recommendation. The Jury develop sheltering, whether appreciates the significant efforts temporary or permanent being expended to meet this supportive housing. In an challenge and encourages the CDC interim approach, the CDC can to consider further options. request existing providers to set aside beds for youth in areas such as South County (Petaluma), and youth beds in our winter shelters in Guerneville and Santa Rosa. 6 RECOMMENDATIONS RES. RESPONSES 2020-2021 GJ OBSERVATIONS R4. Sonoma County Department of DHS This Recommendation will not The Grand Jury acknowledges that Health Services contract with an be implemented because it is this Recommendation will not be existing in-County residential not warranted. Existing implemented. addiction treatment facility to set treatment beds are available to The Grand Jury recognizes efforts aside a small number of beds for both youth and adults, and DHS by the DHS to provide both youth, by February 28, 2021. prioritizes the development of permanent housing and treatment permanent supportive housing beds, but emphasizes the need to alternatives augmented by consider the specific problems mental health and substance characteristic of homeless youth. abuse disorder services. R5. Sonoma County Department of DHS This Recommendation will be The Grand Jury acknowledges that Health Services establish a drug implemented in the future. this Recommendation will be and alcohol program specifically implemented. By February 28, 2021, DHS designed to treat youth with Behavioral Health Division will substance abuse disorders, by complete a mapping of Sonoma February 28, 2021. County Services and SUD Service System Planning processes, including timelines. This will include development of recommendations for services needed by transition- age youth with substance use disorders. The Department expects to implement age- appropriate treatment protocols by June 30, 2021. R6. Sonoma County Department of DHS This Recommendation will not The Grand Jury acknowledges that Health Services staff a department be implemented because it is this Recommendation will not be with a sufficient number of not warranted. DHS staffing implemented. Behavioral Therapists to meet the and contract services meet The Grand Jury recognizes that demand for Medi-Cal mental health current state requirements for DHS staffing and services meet services in the homeless youth Medi-Cal Mental Health plans Medi-Cal requirements and population, by February 28, 2021. and revenues are not adequate appreciates the intention of DHS to to support new service expand services and resources in development at this time. the future. However, future system development will include programs and resources specifically tailored to the young adult population. An example mentioned is to reinstitute mobile crisis response to high school and alternative settings and through Santa Rosa Junior College. 7 RECOMMENDATIONS RES. RESPONSES 2020-2021 GJ OBSERVATIONS R7. If it is safe to do so, Sonoma DHS This Recommendation will not The Grand Jury acknowledges that County Department of Health be implemented because it is this Recommendation will not be Services set aside a small number not warranted. The Sebastopol implemented. of beds for unaccompanied youth in site has been determined to be The Grand Jury recognizes that the the new short-term mental health not suitable. A psychiatric Sebastopol site was not suitable and facility in Sebastopol, by December health facility is set to be that DHS plans to open a 31, 2020. opened in Santa Rosa in Spring, Psychiatric Health Facility in Santa 2021; this will expand capacity Rosa. The Grand Jury also in the system, and DHS sees no understands the hesitancy to set need to set aside beds aside beds for a specific population specifically for this population. if the system has sufficient capacity DHS believes the system will to meet its needs. have capacity to serve youth in need of services. R8. Sonoma County Office of SCOE This Recommendation has been The Grand Jury acknowledges that Education form a partnership with a implemented. SCOE does not this Recommendation has been local financial institution to have the authority to direct implemented. implement a financial literacy school districts to implement a The Grand Jury recognizes that program for middle and high school specific program or adopt a SCOE cannot direct school districts students, by February 28, 2021. specific curriculum, but since to implement specific programs and 2009 it has partnered with commends SCOE for its partnership Sonoma County High Schools with the Redwood Credit Union and the Redwood Credit Union and county High Schools. The to offer a free 16-hour Banking Grand Jury encourages SCOE to and Finance Academy for seek further voluntary opportunities students in grades 10-12. to foster financial literacy at both middle and high school levels. R9. Sonoma County Community CDC This Recommendation has been The Grand Jury acknowledges that Development Commission allocate implemented. It is CDC’s this Recommendation has been funds to homeless youth programs policy to allocate funding implemented. and services proportionate to the proportionate to subpopulations, size of the subpopulation in the and 2020 homelessness count most recent census data, when not data will be used in allocation otherwise constrained by of the 2020-2021 budget. The restrictions on state and federal CDC also notes that the count funds, for the FY 2021-22 budget shows a decrease in the number cycle. of homeless youth, reflecting efforts in place to reduce homelessness. 8 RECOMMENDATIONS RES. RESPONSES 2020-2021 GJ OBSERVATIONS R10. Sonoma County Department DHS This Recommendation has not The Grand Jury acknowledges that of Health Services conduct outreach been implemented, but will be this Recommendation will be to the local medical community to implemented by February 28, implemented. encourage the use of the PEARLS 2021. The Pediatric Adverse assessment tool and provide them Childhood Experiences (ACEs) information about County programs and Related Life-Events available to assist children who Screener (PEARLS) is a highly have experienced serious trauma, regarded instrument. DHS has by February 28, 2021. already actively incorporated ACEs into our Public Health Field Nursing service model. Case Managers provide health information/education and linkages to needed resources in order to positively impact the health and well-being of the most at-risk families in our community. An overview of ACES and its application to health is provided during all DHS new employee mandatory orientations. R11. Sonoma County Office of SCOE This Recommendation will not The Grand Jury acknowledges that Education, by February 28, 2021, be implemented because it is this Recommendation will not be begin monitoring the not warranted and is not implemented. However, the Grand implementation and progress of the reasonable. The SCOE does Jury encourages SCOE to support Upstream Project, in Hopkins, MN, not have the authority to direct efforts that prevent youth from and the Geelong model pilot project school districts to implement a becoming homeless. in Tukwila, WA, and consider specific program or adopt a implementing a pilot program on specific curriculum. Thus, it this model in Sonoma County. cannot implement pilot programs such as these with Sonoma County School Districts. R12. Sonoma County Community CDC This Recommendation has not The Grand Jury acknowledges that Development Commission establish been implemented but will be in this Recommendation will be and budget for a Youth Action the future. Establishment of a implemented by June 30, 2021. Board to improve the chances of Youth Action Board (YAB) as federal funding through HUD’s part of the Home Sonoma Youth Homelessness County Leadership Model has Demonstration Program, by been proposed. CDC staff will February 28, 2021. partner with youth providers to develop a YAB by June 30, 2021. 9 RECOMMENDATIONS RES. RESPONSES 2020-2021 GJ OBSERVATIONS R13. The Sonoma County Board of BOS The Recommendation requires The Grand Jury acknowledges that Supervisors and Sonoma County further analysis. The BOS this Recommendation requires Administrator’s Office identify, by expects to identify further further analysis. December 31, 2020, a stable funding sources starting with funding source to support the FY 2021-2022 budget year. sustainable programs that will The board expects to consider reduce youth homelessness to this during the 2021 spring-fall functional zero. budget discussions. CAO This Recommendation requires further analysis. The CAO response is essentially identical to the BOS response. The framework for these discussions is in place. R14. The Sonoma County Board of BOS This Recommendation will be The Grand Jury acknowledges that Supervisors and Sonoma County implemented in the future. Cost this Recommendation will be Administrator’s Office develop and identification and tracking for implemented. The Grand Jury implement, by June 30, 2021, a the homeless population will be recognizes that tracking the cost of procedure for County departments part of a larger program from services is complex and that to consistently identify and track the Strategic Plan that will tracking costs for homeless youth the cost of services provided to the allow tracking costs as a whole. services is one part of a larger work homeless population. They are looking at ways to in progress. modify the CDC dashboard to include this project level. CAO This Recommendation will be implemented in the future. The CAO response is essentially identical to the BOS response. Cost identification and tracking for the homeless population will be part of a larger program from the Strategic Plan that will allow tracking costs as a whole, and not only for homelessness programs. 10 SONOMA COUNTY HAS A HOMELESS CRISIS Res. = Respondent BOS = So Co Board of Supervisors LC = Leadership Council CDC = Community Development Commission CoC = Continuum of Care CoCB = Continuum of Care Board RECOMMENDATIONS RES. RESPONSES 2020-2021 GJ OBSERVATIONS R1. The Sonoma County Board of BOS This Recommendation has not The Grand Jury acknowledges that Supervisors direct the Leadership been implemented, but will be this Recommendation will be Council to develop policies and implemented in the future. implemented. procedures to manage the homeless Strategic planning efforts, The Grand Jury recognizes that the crisis on a Countywide and conducted in three phases and Leadership Council has been strategic basis by December 31, led by CDC and Focus disbanded and replaced by a new 2020. Strategies, are scheduled to Continuum of Care Board (CoCB). conclude before December 31, The strategic planning initiatives 2020. underway are a good start towards implementing the recommendation. A full report with It will remain for the BOS to act on recommendations, fiscal the Report’s recommendations and analysis of all locally funded adopt appropriate policies and agencies, and data analysis on procedures to manage the projects and systems will be homelessness crisis in the County. presented to both the Leadership Council and Board of Supervisors by or before December 31, 2020. R2. The Leadership Council LC In Fall 2020 the CDC The Grand Jury recognizes that the develop and implement a strategy determined that the LC had Leadership Council has been for funding appropriate shelter been improperly constituted and replaced by a new CoCB. space that addresses the needs of therefore had no authority to sub-groups within the homeless respond to the GJ Report’s community by December 31, 2021. Findings or Recommendations. They said: “We will present the Report to the re-established [Continuum of Care] Board at the earliest date practicable to address the findings and recommendations directed to the Leadership Council.” Meanwhile, the CDC (lead agency for the CoC) responds to the Report “while we work to re-establish a CoC Board.” 11 RECOMMENDATIONS RES. RESPONSES 2020-2021 GJ OBSERVATIONS (R2. Continued) This Recommendation has not As the parent agency of the LC, CDC yet been implemented, but will CDC is responding to be implemented in the future. recommendations directed at the LC. The Grand Jury acknowledges This recommendation will be that the CDC intends to implement discussed with the Leadership this Recommendation within the Council by December 2020, and context of the organizational a strategy to address this structure that emerges from the recommendation will be restructuring. developed by March 2021. It will include social distancing and other COVID-19 mitigation measures. R3. The Leadership Council adopt LC See Leadership Council The Grand Jury acknowledges that a plan to deal with homeless response to R2. the CDC intends to implement this encampment emergencies by Recommendation within the CDC This Recommendation has not December 31, 2020. context of its restructuring. yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future. The Leadership Council established an Ad Hoc Committee to make recommendations for homeless encampments. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this work has been delayed. It is anticipated that the Ad Hoc will begin this work no later than November 2020 and make recommendations to the full Leadership Council in Spring 2021. In the meantime, the County is actively using the Interim Encampment Policy and response efforts for revision and refinement. 12 RECOMMENDATIONS RES. RESPONSES 2020-2021 GJ OBSERVATIONS R4. The Sonoma County Board of BOS This Recommendation requires The Grand Jury acknowledges that Supervisors develop a funding further analysis. this Recommendation requires source for consistent and further analysis. The Grand Jury During the FY 2020-2021 predictable funding of homeless recognizes that allocating general budget hearings, the BOS programs by December 31, 2021. fund monies on an annual basis committed to funding additional fails to provide the necessary CDC staff for three years. consistency for successful planning These new positions are fully and programming. funded by the BOS and will support the work of the The Grand Jury notes that, although Homelessness unit within CDC. the BOS response references the LC, that entity has been disbanded. The Board of Supervisors (See R2 - Responses and provides funding for homeless Observations) programs and services every year. The Leadership Council has purview of funds allocated to the Continuum of Care (CoC) that assist in funding the work of the CoC to provide homeless services. We agree consistent funding is necessary: however, state and local funds can be unreliable. Additional federal or private sector funds would support the work of the CDC. 13 RECOMMENDATIONS RES. RESPONSES 2020-2021 GJ OBSERVATIONS R5. The Department of Health BOS This Recommendation requires The Grand Jury acknowledges this Services and Community further analysis. Recommendation requires further Development Commission remain analysis. The Grand Jury DHS and CDC recognize the under single leadership. recognizes that the BOS is studying benefit of operating under this issue. single leadership, which allows for improved program outcomes, better alignment of strategic direction, and efficient use of resources for both organizations. Programmatic benefits are realized by coordinating services and programs. It is clear that holistic and integrated service delivery is important to meet the needs of chronically homeless people and that administrative efficiencies are also achieved through economies of scale. The BOS has directed the County Administrator’s Office to hire a consultant who will conduct a feasibility study and recommend an appropriate organizational structure to manage the homeless work within the County. R6. The County of Sonoma Board BOS This recommendation has not The Grand Jury acknowledges that of Supervisors direct the County been implemented, but will be this Recommendation will be Administrator to develop a implemented in the future. implemented. methodology for tracking all costs The Strategic Planning process The Grand Jury recognizes that the of homeless services and programs will include a cost analysis of BOS intends to include cost across County agencies by June 30, local programs and projects, analysis in its Strategic Planning 2021. which will be included in a full process. The Grand Jury believes it report at the end of the calendar is important for County program year. Information from that managers to be able to track the report will be used, along with ongoing costs of homelessness other local project information, across all County agencies. to assist in tracking homeless services costs. 14 EMERGENCY WATER SHORTAGES IN SONOMA VALLEY RES = Respondent DGS = California Department of General Services PS = Permit Sonoma SDC = Sonoma Developmental Center SW = Sonoma Water VOM or the District = Valley of the Moon Water District RECOMMENDATIONS RES. RESPONSES 2020-2021 GJ

Observations 1

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  R1. By December 31, 2020, The DGS The state DGS, which is not The Grand Jury acknowledges Valley of the Moon Water District, legally required to respond, that the Recommendation will City of Sonoma, and Sonoma notes that the Specific Plan for not be implemented. Developmental Center initiate SDC may address facilities that cooperative planning to reduce risk support the land uses of the The Grand Jury also recognizes in emergencies, including promptly Specific Plan, including water that all of the agencies accept implementing ways to share facilities. As future water uses the need for collaboration in the existing water resources. must be vetted through the land planning process to reduce risk use planning process of the in an emergency due to the Specific Plan, it would be complexities of water agency inconsistent with state law for planning. DGS to support a separate process to address these issues. VOM The District agrees with this Recommendation. The District feels that Sonoma Water must be involved in this effort as it is currently supplying water to the SDC campus. City of This Recommendation will not Sonoma be implemented because it is not reasonable in terms of timeline or overall scope and approach. At this time the SDC receives it entire water supply through the Sonoma Aqueduct. There are no additional water resources to share at this time. The City is monitoring the progress of the SDC Specific Plan. R2. The Valley of the Moon Water VOM The District agrees with this The Grand Jury recognizes the District evaluate by November 30, Recommendation, its current District’s current issues and 2020 whether District operation of plans and priority are focused their plans to mitigate them. . Sonoma Developmental Center on rehabilitating a number of water distribution and storage local wells. Improved capacity facilities would offset deficiencies of these wells will provide the in emergency water for both Valley quickest solution to making of the Moon Water District and water available during Sonoma Developmental Center. emergencies in the short to medium term. 15 R3. The Valley of the Moon Water VOM The City and VOM agree with The Grand Jury acknowledges District and the City of Sonoma this Recommendation. Plans that this Recommendation will and interconnect their distribution are underway with the City for be implemented. There is a systems, and establish an City of the physical interconnection need to expedite this agreement for sharing water during Sonoma between the City and the Recommendation prior to the emergencies by December 31, District’s distribution systems. next fire season. 2020. Work is expected to begin on this project in the spring of 2021. R4. Sonoma Water, Valley of the DGS The State (DGS) is open to The Grand Jury acknowledges Moon Water District, the City of utilizing excess onsite tank this Recommendation requires Sonoma, Permit Sonoma, and the storage capacity on an interim further analysis. California Department of General basis for other parties to store The Grand Jury recognizes the Services form an agreement by their water for access during complexity of implementing October 31, 2020, that potable emergencies and interruptions, this Recommendation through water storage facilities at Sonoma subject to the approval of the multiple agencies. The Grand Developmental Center shall remain SWRCB (State Water Jury further recognizes the active and available for shared Resources Control Board). Water Resources Resiliency access during emergencies. VOM VOM agrees with this Plan and the SDC Specific Plan Recommendation but will address the needs of the conditions at SDC prevent the community. District’s ability to achieve the desired outcome in the short term. City of The City is monitoring the Sonoma activities of the SDC Specific Plan for when it can participate in plans for shared water access during emergencies. PS Permit Sonoma indicates this Recommendation requires further analysis. PS does not have authority or control over SDC’s potable water storage facilities. However in its role leading the SDC Specific Plan process, PS is committed to facilitate the best outcomes for the community and will evaluate emergency water use agreements as part of the planning process. 16 (R4. Continued) SW Sonoma Water does not have jurisdiction or control over the SDC’s water storage facilities. SW will continue to work on coordinated water resources planning. SW is leading the development of a Regional Water Supply Resiliency Study, anticipated to take 18-20 months to complete. R5. The Valley of the Moon Water VOM The District agrees with this The Grand Jury acknowledges District accelerate its program for Recommendation and will that this Recommendation will expanding well capacity and water continue its accelerated be implemented. The Grand storage by December 31, 2020. program for the installation of Jury recognizes and values that new wells and tanks. This is a this work is a high priority for high priority in both its Water the District. Master Plan and Strategic Plan. R6. The Valley of the Moon Water VOM VOM plans to implement this The Grand Jury acknowledges District establish specific Recommendation with the that this Recommendation will emergency water-use restrictions insertion of the Water Shortage be implemented. and communicate them to its Contingency Plan to its customers by September 30, 2020. customers on its outgoing water bills beginning September 23, 2020. In addition, the District will post on its website specific actions taken during a water shortage emergency. R7. By September 30, 2020, the VOM The District agrees with this The Grand Jury acknowledges Valley of the Moon Water District Recommendation and has that this Recommendation will inform customers annually, or created a new webpage for its be implemented. The Grand when conditions change, regarding customers about risks and Jury recognizes VOM’s efforts risks and deficiencies in the water deficiencies in the to improve communication with emergency water supply and any emergency water supply. The its customers. actions taken to mitigate them. District began notifying its customers about the new webpage on outgoing bills starting September 23, 2020. R8. Permit Sonoma establish, by PS This Recommendation has The Grand Jury acknowledges September 30, 2020, been implemented. PS is that this Recommendation has communication with water system committed to robust and been implemented. managers for the City of Sonoma, meaningful engagement with the Valley of the Moon Water these entities and other District, and Sonoma potentially affected entities as Developmental Center to inform part of the SCD Specific Plan. the SDC Specific Plan process. 17 SONOMA VALLEY REGIONAL WATER RESOURCES RES = Respondent DGS = California Department of General Services PS = Permit Sonoma SDC = Sonoma Developmental Center SW = Sonoma Water VOM or the District= Valley of the Moon Water District RECOMMENDATIONS RES. RESPONSES 2020-2021 GJ OBSERVATIONS R1. Sonoma Water, the Valley of DGS The state (DGS), which is not The Grand Jury acknowledges that the Moon Water District, the City legally required to respond, is this Recommendation will be of Sonoma and Permit Sonoma open to utilizing excess onsite implemented. The Grand Jury work with California Department of tank storage capacity on an recognizes the complexity of General Services to seek an interim basis for other parties to implementing this agreement, by October 31, 2020, store their water for access Recommendation through multiple that potable water storage facilities during emergencies and agencies. The Jury further at Sonoma Developmental Center interruptions, subject to the recognizes that the Regional Water shall remain active and available approval of the State Water Supply Resiliency Study and the for sharing water. Resources Control Board. SDC Specific Plan will provide an opportunity to address water VOM VOM agrees with this storage. recommendation but conditions at SDC prevent the District’s ability to achieve the desired outcome in the short term. City of The City is monitoring the Sonoma activities of the SDC Specific Plan and can participate actively when water options are considered. PS This Recommendation will be implemented in the future. Under the current schedule for the SDC Specific Plan process, the Water Supply Assessment (WSA) is scheduled to be prepared in 2021. It is likely that VOMWD and the City of Sonoma will be involved in its preparation. PS will communicate the final WSA to both entities as soon as it is available. 18 RECOMMENDATIONS RES. RESPONSES 2020-2021 GJ OBSERVATIONS (R1. continued) SW This Recommendation requires further analysis. Sonoma Water does not have jurisdiction or control over the SDC’s water storage facilities. SW will continue to work on coordinated water resources planning. SW is leading the development of a Regional Water Supply Resiliency Study, anticipated to take 18-20 months to complete. R2. Permit Sonoma establish, by PS This Recommendation has been The Grand Jury acknowledges that August 31, 2020, a continuing implemented. PS is committed this Recommendation has been dialog with water system managers to robust and meaningful implemented. The Grand Jury for the City of Sonoma, the Valley engagement with these and acknowledges the positive steps of the Moon Water District, and the other potentially affected taken in the spirit of this Sonoma Developmental Center to entities to inform the SDC Recommendation. inform the SDC Specific Plan. Specific Plan process and to shape its outcome. VOM The Valley of the Moon Water District agrees with this Recommendation. As of 9/2/20, the District, PS, and the City of Sonoma have engaged in meetings and ongoing discussions in order to inform the SDC Specific Plan. City of The recommendation has been Sonoma implemented. R3. Sonoma Valley water agencies PS To the extent applicable, PS The Grand Jury acknowledges that take an active role in the SDC has implemented this this Recommendation has been Specific plan process, by Recommendation. PS has implemented. The Grand Jury September 30, 2020. initiated ongoing acknowledges the participation of communications regarding the the Sonoma Valley water agencies SDC Specific Plan process and and Permit Sonoma in the SDC related issues, and will continue Specific Plan process. to support and facilitate their involvement in the planning process. 19 RECOMMENDATIONS RES. RESPONSES 2020-2021 GJ OBSERVATIONS (R3. Continued) VOM The District agrees with this Recommendation. Valley of the Moon District staff will represent VOM on the SDC Specific Plan Planning Advisory Team as well as the SDC Technical Advisory Committee for the Specific Plan. City of This Recommendation has been Sonoma implemented. The City will continue to monitor the SDC Specific Plan Process and participate as feasible and relevant to Sonoma. R4. Permit Sonoma communicate PS This Recommendation will be The Grand Jury acknowledges that the results of the Water Supply implemented in the future. The this Recommendation will be Assessment to water system Water Supply Assessment implemented. managers for the City of Sonoma (WSA) is scheduled to be and the Valley of the Moon Water prepared by 2021. The VOM District as soon as they become and City will be consulted or available. otherwise involved in the preparation of the WSA. PS will communicate the final WSA as soon as it is available. VOM The District agrees with this Recommendation. The District looks forward to reviewing the results of the WSA when it is made available. City of This Recommendation will be Sonoma implemented in the future. The City has established communication with PS so that PS can communicate the results of the WSA. 20 RECOMMENDATIONS RES. RESPONSES 2020-2021 GJ OBSERVATIONS R5. The City of Sonoma and the VOM The District agrees with this The Grand Jury acknowledges that Valley of the Moon Water District Recommendation. The District this Recommendation has been establish a mutual aid agreement and the City of Sonoma are implemented. The Grand Jury that provides for ongoing both parties to a mutual aid acknowledges the mutual aid cooperation on planning, services, agreement along with other agreement between the VOM and projects and such other entities. The City is currently the City of Sonoma has been collaborative efforts that they deem working on engineering and implemented. to be to be mutually beneficial bidding process for the physical (e.g., sharing of such resources as interconnection between the staff, equipment and emergency distribution systems. water), with a copy of the mutual City of The Recommendation has been aid agreement to be sent to the Sonoma implemented. Grand Jury by December 31, 2020. R6. The Valley of the Moon Water VOM The Recommendation has been The Grand Jury acknowledges that District and the City of Sonoma implemented. The Valley of this Recommendation has been and meet by October 31, 2020 to the Moon Water District and implemented. The Grand Jury discuss the issuance of a regional City of the City of Sonoma met in acknowledges the collaborative 2020 Urban Water Management Sonoma August to discuss combining effort in implementing the Plan rather than two separate ones. efforts for the Urban Water Recommendation. Management Plan (UWMP). They are waiting for a revised quote from the UWMP consultant to combine the work. 21 22

Agency Responses 8

Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.

No Responses Found 1

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