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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.
Sonoma County Grand Jury
• 2023-2024
Responses to Sonoma County Civil Grand Jury Reports 2018-2019 through 2021-2022 Every year the Civil Grand Jury
⚠️ 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.
Recommendations 14
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R1Page 10Sonoma Water review and establish viable options for accelerating how Yes rapidly the highest-priority mitigation measures are being funded and implemented, by December 31, 2019. Current Status: This recommendation was addressed in the publication Regional Water Supply Resiliency.
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R2Page 11By September 30, 2021, the Sheriff’s Office develop a new Partially communications model to provide for sufficient telephone kiosks to allow the inmate population free telephone and video visitation for at least 90 minutes per week until such time as a new communication contract is in effect. Current Status: According to the Sheriff’s Office, inmates are allowed 70 minutes of phone calls per week at a cost to them of $.07 per minute. Prior to Covid, inmates were charged $.21 per minute. There are no additional telephone kiosks in place and there are no video visits.
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R3Page 9The Valley of the Moon Water District and the City of Sonoma interconnect Yes their distribution systems and establish an agreement for sharing water during emergencies by December 31, 2020. Current Status: The two agencies have connected their water distribution systems and have a plan for sharing water during emergencies.
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R4Page 9Sonoma Water, Valley of the Moon Water District, the City of Sonoma, Yes Permit Sonoma, and the California Department of General Services form an agreement by October 31, 2020, that potable water storage facilities at Sonoma Developmental Center shall remain active and available for shared access during emergencies. Current Status: This recommendation was addressed in the publication Regional Water Supply Resiliency.
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R5Page 9The Valley of the Moon Water District accelerate its program for expanding Yes well capacity and water storage by December 31, 2020. Current Status: VOMWD has added two new wells, Pedroncelli and Craig.
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R6Page 9The Valley of the Moon Water District establish specific emergency water- Yes use restrictions and communicate them to its customers by September 30, 2020. Current Status: A Water Management Plan and website have been established.
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R7Page 9By September 30, 2020, the Valley of the Moon Water District inform Yes customers annually, or when conditions change, regarding risks and deficiencies in the emergency water supply and any actions taken to mitigate them. Current Status: Information is shared with customers regularly via the website and inserts included with customer bills. SONOMA VALLEY REGIONAL WATER RESOURCES: Water for a Changing future Unresolved Recommendations and Implemented Current Status
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R8Page 15By December 31, 2022, the Board of Supervisors will consult with the No Human Resources Department to consider establishing an Ombudsperson for County employees to provide a neutral means to voice issues of concern. Current Status: The Human Resources Department responded that it plans to conduct an employee-engagement survey in 2024 to determine the best path forward.
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R11Page 20The Board of Directors direct advisory committees to develop and Yes implement a policy to keep documents and information related to their advisory role centrally located and remotely accessible, by January 31, 2023. Current Status: This was implemented in August of 2022. Documents and information are now stored electronically. In summary, the tables above give an update of the recommendations of the Civil Grand Jury reports of 2018-2019, 2019-2020, 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 that were unanswered when the follow-up reports were published. While there are still unresolved issues, this update shows the progress made after the Civil Grand Juries’ terms expired. 20
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R12Sonoma County Community Development Commission establish and Yes budget for a Youth Action Board to improve the chances of federal funding 6 through HUD’s Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program, by February 28, 2021. Current Status: A Youth Action Board and budget have been established, as noted in the Youth Action Board minutes.
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R13Page 15By December 31, 2022, the Board of Supervisors and County Partially Administrator’s Office work with the Department of Health Services executive leadership team in developing an actionable plan to address work culture issues, including retaliation, harassment and bullying. Current Status: DHS responded that it hired an equity manager in March of 2022 who was then hired away by Marin County. Recruitment is underway to fill this position. DHS developed an equity plan in December of 2022.
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R14Page 15By December 31, 2022, the Board of Supervisors direct the County Partially Administrator’s Office to work with the Department of Health Services’ executive leadership team to develop a clearly defined and actionable plan for internal communication that includes greater transparency and staff participation throughout the department. Current Status: DHS responded that it published an internal newsletter, DHS Connect, in the fall of 2022. Video clips of DHS employees were produced in November of 2023 and used in promotional material to recruit staff.
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R16Page 15By March 1, 2023, the Board of Supervisors direct the County Partially Administrator’s Office and the County Human Resources Department to develop a plan for the Board’s review and consideration whereby the County Human Resources Department has oversight authority over all satellite human resource divisions. Current Status: The Human Resources Department responded that it will work with a consultant in 2024 to develop recommendations regarding oversight of all satellite-department human resources functions. AFFORDABLE HOUSING: PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE Unresolved Recommendations and Implemented Current Status
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R19Page 13By December 31, 2021, the Department of Emergency Management Yes publicize the work of community preparedness groups such as Citizens Organized to Prepare for Emergencies, Community Emergency Response Teams, and Community Organizations Around Disasters to more effectively reach all residents about emergency alerts and warnings. Current Status: The work of community preparedness groups is publicized on a regular basis. ROHNERT PARK ELECTION DISTRICTS: Transitioning from At-Large to District-Based Elections Unresolved Recommendations and Implemented Current Status