Responses to the 2020-2021 Sonoma County Civil Grand Jury Reports Providing Continuity by Following Through on Previous

Recommendations 20

• R1

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  The Sheriff’s Office SCSO This Recommendation requires further The Grand Jury work with the Board of analysis. The SCSO is open to replacing acknowledges that this Supervisors to replace the the commission-based contract, as long as Recommendation requires current commission-based the inmate programs it supports are not further analysis and cannot be audio and video contract sacrificed. The SCSO would look to the implemented until the with Global Tel Link, using BOS to commit General Funds for these analysis is completed. a model based on the San programs so they would not be Francisco County Sheriff’s discontinued. Department, by December BOS This Recommendation requires further The Grand Jury 31, 2021. analysis. County staff will research San acknowledges that this Francisco County’s commission-free model Recommendation requires to evaluate feasibility, fiscal impact and further analysis, and that the operational impact. Upon completion of the BOS cannot implement it by analysis, the BOS will look to the Sheriff’s December 31, 2021. The GJ office to determine if the program and recognizes that the BOS will structure should be changed, and then bring direct staff to perform the a recommendation to the BOS as needed. necessary research for the analysis.
• R2

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  By September 30, SCSO This Recommendation has been partially The Grand Jury 2021, the Sheriff’s Office implemented and requires further analysis. acknowledges that this develop a new Detention staff is currently in Recommendation requires communications model to communication with GTL for additional further analysis, and that the provide for sufficient telephone kiosks and video visitation at the analysis should be completed telephone kiosks to allow MADF. The SCSO is currently offering by December 2021. The GJ the inmate population free each inmate 70 minutes of free phone calls recognizes that the SCSO has telephone and video per week. Sheriff’s staff has prepared a made changes to improve visitation for at least 90 funding request to the BOS to ensure inmate telephone access by minutes per week until such continued funding, and if provided, will offering 70 minutes of free time as a new work with GTL for more equipment as phone calls per inmate per needed. week. Continuity Responses to 2020-2021 Report 2021-2022 GJ RECOMMENDATIONS RES. RESPONSES OBSERVATIONS communication contract is in effect.
• R3

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  As required by PC § SCSO This Recommendation has been The Grand Jury 4025(e), the Sheriff’s implemented. The SCSO has been acknowledges that this BOS Office provide an annual providing an annual report to the BOS as Recommendation has been report to the Board of required by PC § 4025(e) since FY 03-04, implemented. Supervisors detailing line and will submit the report for fiscal year item revenue and expenses ending June 30, 2021 by November 30, within the Inmate Welfare 2021. Trust, beginning with the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, with the initial report due
• R4

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  The Sheriff’s Office SCSO This Recommendation will not be The Grand Jury use its $1.6 million Inmate implemented. On June 17, 2021, the SCSO acknowledges that this Welfare Trust surplus to returned to normal visiting operations. The Recommendation will not be remove all charges for SCSO also continues to provide each inmate implemented. The GJ also telephone service while in- a free 10-minute phone call per day. recognizes that the SCSO has person visitation is made changes that improve suspended, on or before inmate access to in-person September 30, 2021. visits and phone usage.
• R5

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  The Sheriff’s Office SCSO This Recommendation requires further The Grand Jury reevaluate its commissary analysis. The SCSO intends to change the acknowledges that this markup to be in line with pricing structure with an updated and Recommendation requires grocery store, as opposed to modernized commissary system based on further analysis and cannot be convenience store pricing, analysis expected to be completed in implemented until the on or before September 1, December 2021. While it is the intent of the analysis is completed in 2021. SCSO to sell hygiene supplies and December 2021. The GJ also stationery products with a 0% mark-up, recognizes the SCSO does snack items will not be priced similar to a not have the ability at the grocery store because the pricing structure MADF to purchase in bulk needs to compensate for the additional costs and store in large quantity to at the MADF (security, small storage area, obtain discount pricing. The delivery, etc.) that are not present in a MADF also incurs more grocery store setting. direct overhead costs than that of a grocery store.
• R6

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  By September 30, SCSO This Recommendation has not yet been The Grand Jury 2021, the Sheriff’s Office, implemented, but will be in the future. acknowledges that this using the reserve Inmate Prolonged interactions between inmates Recommendation will be Welfare Trust funds, from different housing areas has been implemented in the future. resume all inmate programs eliminated in order to reduce the spread of The GJ recognizes that the in existence pre-COVID, COVID-19. Detention staff will resume COVID-19 safety precautions with funding at the same pre-pandemic level programming when it is create program challenges in level once COVID related safe to do so. the MADF congregate restrictions are lifted. setting. Continuity Responses to 2020-2021 Report 2021-2022 GJ RECOMMENDATIONS RES. RESPONSES OBSERVATIONS
• R7

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  The Sheriff’s Office SCSO This Recommendation will not be The Grand Jury restructure the 10-member implemented. The Inmate Welfare Trust acknowledges that this Inmate Welfare Trust Committee provides recommendations and Recommendation will not be Committee by December direction to the Sheriff on inmate programs implemented. The GJ also 31, 2021 to include more and IWT expenditures. The SCSO is always recognizes that Penal Code § diverse representation, for open to suggestions from the community. 5006 applies only to state example, community prisons and not the MADF. members, financial analysts, social workers and educators to bring the Committee more in line with the requirements of Penal Code § 5006 regarding commission membership standards for State Prisons. Continuity Responses to 2020-2021 Report COVID-19 MITIGATION AND THE COUNTY JAIL Background: The Grand Jury investigated activities by the Court, the District Attorney and the Sheriff’s Department to reduce jail populations and lessen the likelihood of a major COVID-19 outbreak within the jail. The Sheriff’s Office made significant efforts to mitigate Covid-19 transmission throughout its detention facilities to ensure the on-going health and safety of inmates and employees. The Grand Jury recognized the success of the Sheriff’s Office in avoiding a major COVID-19 outbreak in the jail. However, some actions significantly limited the ability of inmates to communicate with family and legal representatives. Other actions limited inmates’ access to educational and recreational resources. The Grand Jury made several Recommendations aimed at restoring inmates’ rights and maintaining reduced prison populations. RES = Respondent; GJ = Sonoma County Civil Grand Jury; SCSO= Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office; DA = Sonoma County District Attorney; MADF = Main Adult Detention Facility 2021-2022 GJ RECOMMENDATIONS RES. RESPONSES OBSERVATIONS
• R8
  In the annual budget BOS This Recommendation requires further The Grand Jury acknowledges process the Sonoma County analysis. The next opportunity to allocate that this Recommendation Board of Supervisors and funding, during the annual budget process, requires further analysis and the Office of will take place in June, 2022. that the County budget is set Administration include on an annual basis. BOS will evaluation of the costs of not be able to consider laying cable or empty cable/conduit fund allocation conduit in upcoming until June 2022. RECOMMENDATIONS RES. RESPONSES OBSERVATIONS infrastructure projects by COA This Recommendation requires further The Grand Jury acknowledges December 31, 2021. analysis. The County Administrator's that this Recommendation Office will work with departments to requires further analysis. determine if funding is available for "laying cable or empty conduit in upcoming infrastructure projects" and will make appropriate recommendations to the Board of Supervisors through the normal budget hearing process.
• R9
  The Sonoma County BOS This Recommendation requires further The Grand Jury acknowledges Board of Supervisors, the EDB analysis. Though download/upload speeds that this Recommendation Economic Development and of 100/20 have been recommended by the requires further analysis and Board, and Access Sonoma ASB state as well as identified by NBNCBC as that implementation depends Broadband include in the a target, it is unlikely that formal adoption on establishment of a working implementation of any of any particular speed recommendation plan. broadband plan a clear will be made locally before a governing requirement for the structure and business plan are identified download and upload and created. It is anticipated that an update speeds of 100/20 proposed on this work would be made to the BOS in State of California Executive Order N-73-20 to be the minimal acceptable level of service
• R10
  The Sonoma County BOS This Recommendation requires further The Grand Jury acknowledges Board of Supervisors assure analysis. Though fiber optic cable or its that this Recommendation that any plan for broadband equivalent is a widely used benchmark, it requires further analysis and expansion should utilize is unlikely that the County will adopt depends on adoption of a plan. fiber optic cable formal transmission standards before a transmission or its governing structure and business plan are equivalent whenever it is identified and created. possible by November 30, 2021. EMERGENCY ALERTS AND COMMUNICATIONS Background: Wildfires and other emergency situations have threatened Sonoma County and its residents for many of the last several years. There have been losses of lives, property, and a sense of security. This Grand Jury Report centered on emergency communications. Information must be precise, accurate and continuously updated. The Jury found that significant improvements in communication policies, procedures, and practices have been made since the Tubbs fire in 2017. The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Emergency Management (DEM) have worked in conjunction with the nine cities of the county to ensure that all residents have access to good information. The Jury also noted four specific areas in which improvement was still needed. In addition, the Jury included a comprehensive listing of available resources for information, both before and in case of an emergency. This information is on pages 83-87 of the full report, which is available at any County library and online at www.sonomagrandjury.org. RES = Respondent; GJ = Sonoma County Civil Grand Jury; SCSO = Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office; DEM = Dept. of Emergency Management; CCL = City of Cloverdale; CC = City of Cotati; CH = City of Healdsburg; CP = City of Petaluma; CRP = City of Rohnert Park; CSR = City of Santa Rosa; CS = City of Sebastopol; CSO = City of Sonoma; TW = Town of Windsor; BOS = Sonoma County Board of Supervisors; SCFCA = Sonoma County Fire Chief’s Association 2021-2022 GJ RECOMMENDATIONS RES. RESPONSES OBSERVATIONS ALERTS AND WARNINGS
• R11
  By September 30, SCSO This Recommendation has been The Grand Jury acknowledges 2021, The Sheriff’s Office implemented. SCSO and DEM coordinate that this Recommendation has DEM and Department of with CALFIRE and local agencies to been implemented. Emergency Management protect local infrastructure. An example is work with the Fire protection of the Mt. Jackson site during Agencies in the County to the LNU Complex fire in 2020. define actions to take during a disaster for the SCFCA SCFCA supports and concurs with this The Grand Jury acknowledges Recommendation. that SCFCA supports this protection of all County Recommendation. communication towers/repeaters and cellular network towers.
• R12
  By December 31, DEM This Recommendation has not been The Grand Jury accepts that 2021, the Department of implemented and may not be implemented. DEM does not set safety Emergency Management DEM does not establish infrastructure requirements for commercial RECOMMENDATION RES. RESPONSES OBSERVATIONS work with cellular tower safety requirements for cellular providers, cellular providers’ providers to ensure a plan is but as partners in public safety will support infrastructure. The Jury developed to ensure their efforts. encourages DEM to facilitate defensible space standards measures that support the spirit are implemented around of this Recommendation. each tower.
• R13
  By October 31, 2021, DEM This Recommendation has not been The Grand Jury acknowledges the Department of implemented but will be implemented in that this Recommendation will Emergency Management the future. A new County Emergency be implemented by the end of update the County Management Plan is expected to be 2021, and that After Action Emergency Operations Plan submitted for review and approval by BOS Reports and Recommendations to incorporate and post on in the 4th quarter of 2021. After Action will be posted. the Department of Reports will continue to be posted on the Emergency Management DEM website. website the most up-to-date information and Recommendations from the After Action Reports since the disasters of 2017.
• R14
  By October 31, 2021, BOS This Recommendation is in the process of The Grand Jury acknowledges the Board of Supervisors being implemented. An updated plan is that this Recommendation will approve the updated County being prepared and is expected to be be implemented early in 2022. Emergency Operations submitted to BOS in the first quarter of Plan. 2022. Completion has been delayed by the need to comply with the County’s new strategic plan and a new State law dealing with community engagement and cultural considerations.
• R15
  By October 31, 2021, CC This Recommendation has been The Grand Jury acknowledges the nine cities update their implemented, although the Emergency that this Recommendation has CCL Emergency Operations Plan Operations Plan is a long-term planning been implemented. CH to incorporate the most up- document and is not necessarily an to-date information and CS appropriate site for most up to date lessons learned since the information. disasters of 2017 and post it CSO This Recommendation has not been The Grand Jury acknowledges on their websites. implemented but it will be in the future. that this Recommendation will CSR Updating is a continuing process, and the be implemented in the future. CRP Emergency Operating Plan is not CP necessarily an appropriate site for the most up to date information. TW This Recommendation has not been The Grand Jury acknowledges Implemented and may not be implemented that this Recommendation may because the Emergency Operation Plan is not be implemented. not an appropriate site for detailed information. RECOMMENDATION RES. RESPONSES OBSERVATIONS
• R16
  By September 30, DEM This Recommendation has not been The Grand Jury acknowledges 2021, Department of implemented and may not be implemented. that this Recommendation has Emergency Management The Emergency Operations Plan for Warm not been implemented because obtain from the US Army Springs Dam is available to County the Emergency Operations Plan Corps of Engineers a copy officials but subject to a non-disclosure is subject to a non-disclosure of the Emergency agreement. The Army Corps of Engineers agreement. Operations Plan for Warm must balance security concerns and public Springs Dam and safety with release of information. incorporate it into the County Emergency Operations Plan and post it on the Department of Emergency Management website.
• R17
  By December 31, DEM This Recommendation has not been The Grand Jury acknowledges 2021, Department of implemented and may not be implemented. that this Recommendation will Emergency Management, The County submits reports as part of the not be implemented because the through the San Francisco SF Bay Area Local Emergency appropriate Bay Area and State Bay Area Counties, submit Communications Committee which has not organizations are currently non- its annual Emergency Alert met since 2010; this local committee is functional. These organizations System Plan to the State controlled by the State Emergency are expected to be reconstituted. Emergency Alert System Communications Committee which has not Committee of California as met since 2011 but is being reconstituted recommended within the and will hold annual meetings. 2019 State of California Alert and Warnings Guidelines.
• R18
  By December 31, BOS This Recommendation has not been The Grand Jury acknowledges 2021, the Board of implemented and may not be implemented. that this Recommendation has Supervisors adopt a These plans are multiple and complex and not been implemented and may resolution that all major it is impractical to review and update them not be implemented because County disaster plans annually. Plans will be updated on a three annual updating is impractical. having to do with year or as needed basis. Emergencies and Emergency Preparedness be considered “Living Documents” to be reviewed and updated on an annual basis.
• R19
  By December 31, DEM This Recommendation has not been The Grand Jury acknowledges 2021, the Department of implemented but it will be implemented in that this Recommendation will Emergency Management the future. DEM supports multiple be implemented in the future publicize the work of community preparedness groups and will and that support of community community preparedness continue to do so. DEM has applied for a preparedness groups is an groups such as Citizens grant to support these efforts. ongoing process. Organized to Prepare for Emergencies, Community RECOMMENDATION RES. RESPONSES OBSERVATIONS Emergency Response Teams, and Community Organizations Around Disasters to more effectively reach all residents about emergency alerts and warnings.
• R20
  By December 31, BOS This Recommendation has not been The Grand Jury acknowledges 2021, the Board of implemented and requires further analysis. that this Recommendation Supervisors increase the The capacity of the DEM Community requires further analysis and capacity of the Department Preparedness function has been increased implementation will be part of of Emergency over the last several years. Community the budgeting process. Management’s Community Preparedness is a BOS priority and we Preparedness function in anticipate this discussion will take place order to effectively engage during budget hearings. DEM is currently the greater community in applying for federal grants, which would disaster preparedness with support preparedness efforts including groups such as Fire Safe developing Community Emergency Sonoma, neighborhood Response Teams. groups such as Citizens Organized to Prepare for Emergencies, and Community Emergency Response Teams to foster resilience.