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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.

Santa Cruz County Grand Jury • 2020-2021

Covid-19 The 2020-2021 Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury is publishing its

Published: June 29, 2021 66 pages

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⚠️ 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.

Findings and Recommendations 9 findings

F1 Page 22

The Health Services Agency of Santa Cruz County’s web page listing COVID-19 testing sites does not adequately help residents find an appropriate testing site to fit their needs.

Related Recommendations (1)

Page 23

Within the next 3 months the Health Services Agency of Santa Cruz County should revise its web pages to help people find a testing site suitable to their requirements. Listing sites without characterizations is not sufficient. (F1)

F2 Page 22

The Health Services Agency of Santa Cruz County’s Save Lives Santa Cruz County webpages do not adequately publicize and inform the public of the critical work that is being done, nor do they reflect the crisis the county has gone through.

Related Recommendations (3)

Page 23

Within the next 3 months the Health Services Agency of Santa Cruz County should publicize the Save Lives Santa Cruz initiative beyond what is currently on their website. For example, they should publish the Save Lives weekly operational review for the public to see the behind the scenes work that is happening. (F2)

Page 23

Within the next 3 months the Health Services Agency of Santa Cruz County should prepare weekly highlights from the Save Lives periodic reports for public consumption. (F2, F4)

Page 23

Within the next 3 months the Health Services Agency of Santa Cruz County should provide a regularly scheduled and recorded video report available to the public on the county website. (F2, F4)

F3 Page 22

Establishing the COVID-19 testing laboratory at University of California at Santa Cruz is a great example of cooperation among the university and public agencies in the county. The laboratory has received considerable attention but the cooperative effort among the County Public Health Division, Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County and UCSC has not. Chasing the Pandemic Published June 4, 2021 2020-2021 Consolidated Final Report 23

Related Recommendations (2)

Page 23

Within the next 3 months the Health Service Agency of Santa Cruz County should create a press release detailing the support that was provided for the UCSC Laboratory. (F3)

Page 54

In the next six months, the City Council should produce a detailed plan and accounting of how the federal and state homeless funds are used. (F3)

F4 Page 23

The Santa Cruz County Public Health Division is staffed by well trained, skilled and knowledgeable professionals who applied that talent to help protect the residents of Santa Cruz County during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Related Recommendations (3)

Page 23

Within the next 3 months the Health Services Agency of Santa Cruz County should prepare weekly highlights from the Save Lives periodic reports for public consumption. (F2, F4)

Page 23

Within the next 3 months the Health Services Agency of Santa Cruz County should provide a regularly scheduled and recorded video report available to the public on the county website. (F2, F4)

Page 54

In the next three months, the City Manager should establish a procedure for conducting regular quarterly surveys of the number and location of the City’s unhoused population to more effectively manage fire risks in WUI areas. (F4)

F5 Page 53

Based on the amount of debate and public concern about fire safety of eucalyptus, the Fire Department has done insufficient outreach on this topic.

No recommendations for this finding

F6 Page 53

There are still WUI neighborhoods without a Firewise group. Firewise groups decrease the risk of fire in WUI areas through public education about protecting property and vegetation management.

No recommendations for this finding

F7 Page 53

The City of Santa Cruz doesn’t do enough to show that they are limited in what they can do to remove encampments along highways as this property is owned by Caltrans and under state law.

Related Recommendations (2)

Page 54

In the next three months, the City Manager should notify the public that Caltrans is responsible for the removal of all encampments along state highways. (F7)

R10

Page 54

Continually, the City Council should engage state offices to be more involved in encampment situations. This should be with all homeless encampments on Caltrans property and not just for highway widening projects. (F7)

F8 Page 53

The 10% across the board budget cuts do not match priorities of the City.

Related Recommendations (1)

Page 54

Before the budget cycle, the City Manager should revisit budget priorities. (F8)

F9 Page 53

The holding in Martin v. City of Boise limited the City’s ability to enforce existing ordinances. TOLO was a carefully crafted attempt to manage fire risks from entrenched encampments. Wildfire Threat to the City of Santa Cruz Published June 4, 2021 54 Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury

No recommendations for this finding

Conclusions 7

CL1

We found that the Public Health officials in the county government are experienced professionals who met high expectations and, acting early and wisely, did mitigate the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic by promoting testing and tracing in Santa Cruz County. The county instituted a pandemic crisis management initiative called “Save Lives Santa Cruz County,” much like a crisis center established during a wildfire to coordinate the effort of the wide range of agencies each independently doing their part to blunt the effects of the pandemic.
CL2

Changing climate trends have increased fire risks in the City’s WUI areas. Together with an increase in the number of encampments, this has placed a higher demand on the City’s resources. This is happening during a time that the City's budget is shrinking due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There is consensus across the City departments that homeless encampments present a significant risk of wildfires, as well as a risk to public health and safety. After a tremendous expenditure of human capital and opportunity cost, the City has more recently taken steps to organize around this problem and address it proactively. We find it important that they continue this work in a transparent manner.
CL3

The PVUSD Board of Trustees approved a plan to close all district schools for two weeks beginning on March 16, 2020. The District moved quickly, putting previously thought-out plans in place that provided for distance learning and a path for communicating with students, teachers, and families. PVUSD is to be applauded for its agile and broad response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the first five days after the schools shut down the district furnished the students with computers and internet access. Teachers and students received training in distance learning. Critical social services were provided to families. PVUSD can learn from the immediate and commendable actions taken to put distance learning in place. This is the time to evaluate what worked and what didn’t. Classes look different as safety measures are established and there are new concerns as students and teachers have returned to the classroom. PVUSD services need to be provided as the community heals from COVID-19, especially to those most vulnerable and difficult to locate in its District. Distance Learning … PVUSD Published June 17, 2021 Page 5 of 11 66 Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury
CL4

Based on everything learned in this investigation we believe that it is critically important that everything be done to assure the health and safety of jail staff and inmates alike, and to go the extra mile to compensate for the reported structural deficiencies of the Main Jail. This paramount need includes the SO and the General Services Department making every effort to prioritize maintaining the necessary equipment and systems and upgrading them when necessary as expeditiously as possible. This need includes assuring that the Correction’s Policy Manual is current, and that necessary amendments be adopted to better control inmates’ access to potentially dangerous items. This need includes providing the Corrections Bureau with sufficient personnel to both fully staff the facility and reduce the dependence on mandatory overtime that is detrimental to both morale and efficiency. Last, but certainly not least, we believe that it is essential and in the public interest to improve oversight by adoption of a Sheriffs Oversight Board or Inspector General as authorized by Government Code § 25303.7. The Grand Jury strongly recommends that the issue be brought up before the Board of Supervisors. If the Board won't adopt it, put it on the ballot and let the voters decide.
CL5

From limited allowable activities during the last decade, local government leadership is having to make many decisions about sudden availability of a constellation of potential newly allowed roles they can perform. They are faced with a huge array of sources of funding to pursue.[15] [16] [26] [27] [28] [29] The circumstances that erupted in 2020 could not have been anticipated before 2020. The plan has not been replaced or updated to reflect any changes since 2015, let alone the major funding and regulatory shifts since 2020. The world-wide COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences provided unanticipated opportunities along with the death and disruption it brought.[15] [16] Figuring out which opportunities to pursue, and how far the county can commit itself to each opportunity is by itself quite a challenge, but one that our county’s leadership must address.
CL6

The CAC is not in a position to develop its own online posting software or modify the existing statewide software to accommodate public posting, especially if each notice requires research and modification of its content.[12] [20] Research suggests the DPR is in the beginning stages of gathering public input this summer on advance public notice of pesticide use.[35] Some growers may be interested in, and comfortable with, electronic entry. Some growers may be concerned that advance public notice might elicit negative reactions.[36] The public has expressed an interest in access to advance notices of pesticide application.[10] [14] [31] The CAC must answer these concerns. Setting up a pilot program to engage selected growers could help establish a method to provide the public with advance notice, provided the applications submitted use locations that could be easily located on a map. A pilot program could help provide useful feedback to the DPR and determine whether advance public posting of pesticide use is feasible.
CL7

The County has met its commitments as stated in its responses to the Grand Jury’s Report. Honoring Commitments to the Public Published June 29, 2021 Page 19 of 30 196 Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury

Commendations 59

CM1

2017-2018 Grand Jury Reports and Responses webpage. Accessed May 19,
CM2

San Lorenzo Water District Board. August 22, 2018. “SLVWD BoD-Approved Response to 2017-18 Grand Jury Report.” Accessed May 24, 2021. http://www.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/Portals/0/County/GrandJury/GJ2018_final/SLVW DAndThePublic_BoD_Response.pdf
CM3

Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors. August 30, 2018. “Board of Supervisors Response: Data-Driven Budgeting: New Ways to Get Better Results.” Accessed May 13, 2021. http://www.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/Portals/0/County/GrandJury/GJ2018_final/DataDr ivenBudgeting_BoS_Response.pdf
CM4

Santa Cruz County Administrative Officer. August 8, 2018. “Respond to the Findings and Recommendations Specified in the Report Titled Data-Driven Budgeting New Ways To Get Better Results.” Accessed May 13, 2021. http://www.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/Portals/0/County/GrandJury/GJ2018_final/DataDr ivenBudgeting_CAO_Response.pdf Honoring Commitments to the Public Published June 29, 2021 Page 21 of 30 198 Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury
CM5

Director, Santa Cruz County Human Services Department. September 27, 2018. “Santa Cruz County Human Services Department Response.” Accessed May 13,
CM6

Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors. September 27, 2018. “Board of Supervisors Response: These are Our Children: Responding to Youth Homelessness in Santa Cruz County.” Accessed May 13, 2021. http://www.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/Portals/0/County/GrandJury/GJ2018_final/These AreOurChildren_BoS_Response.pdf
CM7

Santa Cruz County Administrative Officer. September 27, 2018. “Santa Cruz County Administrative Officer Response.” Accessed May 13, 2021. http://www.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/Portals/0/County/GrandJury/GJ2018_final/These AreOurChildren_CAO_Response.pdf
CM8

Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors. September 19, 2018. “Board of Supervisors Response: Our Public Defender System: Anticipating Structural Change.” Accessed May 13, 2021. http://www.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/Portals/0/County/GrandJury/GJ2018_final/Public Defender_BoS_Response.pdf
CM9

Santa Cruz County Administrative Officer. September 27, 2018. “FW: Response Packets: Our Public Defender System - Anticipating Structural Change.” Accessed May 13, 2021. http://www.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/Portals/0/County/GrandJury/GJ2018_final/Public Defender_CAO_Response.pdf San Lorenzo Valley Water District - Encouraging the Flow of Information to the Public 20. 2018-19 Grand Jury. June 24, 2019. 2017-2018 Consolidated Final Report and Responses, page 2, Accessed May 14, 2021. http://www.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/Portals/0/County/GrandJury/GJ2018_final/SCCG J2017-18ConsolidatedResponses.pdf#page=4
CM10

Lompico Assessment District Oversight Committee (LADOC). June 2020. Lompico Assessment District Annual Report 2019. Accessed April 27, 2021. https://www.slvwd.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif1176/f/uploads/ladoc_2019_annual_repo rt.pdf
CM11

Gail Mahood. March 11, 2021. “R1 – February 2021 Status update,” page 1 in Response to Correspondence from Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury dated February 8, 2021. Accessed April 27, 2021. https://www.slvwd.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif1176/f/uploads/grand_jury_response_3.1 1.21.pdf#page=1 Honoring Commitments to the Public Published June 29, 2021 Page 22 of 30 2020-2021 Consolidated Final Report 199
CM12

Gail Mahood. March 11, 2021. “R2 – February 2021 Status update,” page 2 in Response to Correspondence from Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury dated February 8, 2021. Accessed April 27, 2021. https://www.slvwd.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif1176/f/uploads/grand_jury_response_3.1 1.21.pdf#page=2
CM13

LADOC. 2019. “Charter Writing Workshop for LADOC Monday, January 28, 2019,” page 43 in Response to Correspondence from Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury dated February 8, 2021. Accessed April 27, 2021. https://www.slvwd.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif1176/f/uploads/grand_jury_response_3.1 1.21.pdf#page=43
CM14

LADOC. 2019. “.Greetings Lompico Assessment District Customers,” pages 112-113 in Response to Correspondence from Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury dated February 8, 2021. Accessed on April 27, 2021. https://www.slvwd.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif1176/f/uploads/grand_jury_response_3.1 1.21.pdf#page=111
CM15

Lompico Assessment District Committee Charter. Accessed May 6, 2021. https://www.slvwd.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif1176/f/uploads/ladoc_charter.pdf
CM16

Gail Mahood. March 11, 2021. “R4 – February 2021 Status update,” page 3 in Response to Correspondence from Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury dated February 8, 2021. Accessed April 27, 2021. https://www.slvwd.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif1176/f/uploads/grand_jury_response_3.1 1.21.pdf#page=3
CM17

Board of Directors, SLVWD. January 23, 2019. SPECIAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS SAN LORENZO VALLEY WATER DISTRICT MINUTES. Accessed May 19, 2021. https://www.slvwd.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif1176/f/minutes/specialbod_meeting_miut es_1.23.19.pdf
CM18

Nossaman LLP. January 7, 2021. “Memorandum to SLVWD Board of Directors re. Brown Act Training,” pages 199-226 in Response to Correspondence from Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury dated February 8, 2021. Accessed May 19,
CM19

LADOC. January 7, 2021. “MINUTES BOARD OF DIRECTORS SAN LORENZO VALLEY WATER DISTRICT.” Accessed May 19, 2021. https://www.slvwd.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif1176/f/minutes/bod_meeting.minutes.1.7 .21.pdf
CM20

Community Television of Santa Cruz County (CTV) website. date unknown. Click the SLVWD button and select a meeting date from the menu in the top right corner of the video player. Accessed June 8, 2021. http://communitytv.org/watch/government-demand/ Honoring Commitments to the Public Published June 29, 2021 Page 23 of 30 200 Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury
CM21

LADOC. July 20, 2020. “SPECIAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS SAN LORENZO VALLEY WATER DISTRICT AGENDA July 22, 2020,” pages 115-146 in Response to Correspondence from Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury dated February 8, 2021. Accessed April 27, 2021. https://www.slvwd.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif1176/f/uploads/grand_jury_response_3.1 1.21.pdf#page=114
CM22

LADOC. October 30, 2020. “.BOARD OF DIRECTORS SAN LORENZO VALLEY WATER DISTRICT AGENDA NOVEMBER 5, 2020,” pages 148-158 in Response to Correspondence from Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury dated February 8,
CM23

Vision Santa Cruz website. 2021. “2019–2021 Operational Plan.” Accessed April 28, 2021. https://www.santacruzcounty.us/VisionSantaCruz/OperationalPlan.aspx
CM24

Santa Cruz County. 2019. ”2019-21 Operational Plan: OPERATIONAL PLAN OVERVIEW,” pages 7-14. Accessed February 12, 2021. https://sccounty01.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/Operational_Plan_2019-21/Operational_P lan_2019-21_complete.pdf#page=13
CM25

Board of Supervisors. August 30, 2018. “Response: Data-Driven Budgeting: New Ways to Get Better Results.” Accessed May 21, 2021. http://www.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/Portals/0/County/GrandJury/GJ2018_final/DataDr ivenBudgeting_BoS_Response.pdf 38. 2017-18 Grand Jury. June 7, 2018. “Data-Driven Budgeting, New Ways to Get Better Results,” page 8. Accessed May 21, 2021. http://www.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/Portals/0/County/GrandJury/GJ2018_final/DataDr ivenBudgeting.pdf#page=8
CM26

Santa Cruz County Parks Department website. 2021. “Strategic Plan.” Accessed April 28, 2021. https://www.scparks.com/Home/Parks/StrategicPlan.aspx
CM27

Santa Cruz County Parks Department. August 6, 2018. “SANTA CRUZ COUNTY PARKS STRATEGIC PLAN FINAL.” Accessed April 28, 2021. https://www.scparks.com/Portals/12/pdfs/strategic%20plan/FinalStrategicPlan_A ug6_email.pdf
CM28

Vision Santa Cruz website. 2021. “2019-21 Operational Plan ‘Smart Park’.” Accessed May 21, 2021. https://www.santacruzcounty.us/VisionSantaCruz/OperationalPlan/TabId/6186/PI D/11027/SearchID/11758/cfs/True/Default.aspx?sscfid_34=smart+park
CM29

Santa Cruz County. 2019. ”2019-21 Operational Plan: PARKS, OPEN SPACE & CULTURAL SERVICES,” pages 177–180. Accessed May 25, 2021. https://sccounty01.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/Operational_Plan_2019-21/Operational_P lan_2019-21_complete.pdf#page=183
CM30

Santa Cruz County. 2019. ”2019-21 Operational Plan: PROBATION OBJECTIVES & KEY STEPS,” pages 203–206. Accessed May 25, 2021. https://sccounty01.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/Operational_Plan_2019-21/Operational_P lan_2019-21_complete.pdf#page=209
CM31

Vision Santa Cruz website. 2021. “2019-21 Operational Plan ‘Probation’.” Accessed May 27, 2021. https://www.santacruzcounty.us/VisionSantaCruz/OperationalPlan/TabId/6186/PI D/11027/SearchID/11758/cfs/True/sscfid_34/probation/Default.aspx
CM32

Santa Cruz County. 2019. ”2019-21 Operational Plan: OPERATIONAL PLAN OVERVIEW.” Accessed February 2, 2021. https://sccounty01.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/Operational_Plan_2019-21/Operational_P lan_2019-21_complete.pdf
CM33

Santa Cruz County. 2019. ”2019-21 Operational Plan: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT,” pages 117–118. Accessed May 27, 2021. https://sccounty01.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/Operational_Plan_2019-21/Operational_P lan_2019-21_complete.pdf#page=123
CM34

Vision Santa Cruz website. 2021. “2019-21 Operational Plan 'program budgeting’.” Accessed May 27, 2021. https://www.santacruzcounty.us/VisionSantaCruz/OperationalPlan/TabId/6186/PI D/11027/SearchID/11758/cfs/True/Default.aspx?sscfid_34=program+budgeting Honoring Commitments to the Public Published June 29, 2021 Page 25 of 30 202 Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury These Are Our Children – Responding to Youth Homelessness in Santa Cruz County 50. 2018-19 Grand Jury. June 24, 2019. 2017-2018 Consolidated Final Report with Responses, page 2, Accessed May 14, 2021. http://www.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/Portals/0/County/GrandJury/GJ2018_final/SCCG J2017-18ConsolidatedResponses.pdf#page=4
CM35

Applied Survey Research (ASR). 2017. “Santa Cruz County 2017 Homeless Census and Survey,” p21. Accessed May 3, 2021. http://www.sccoplanning.com/portals/2/SantaCruzCounty_HomelessReport_2017 _FINAL.pdf#page=23 52. 2017-18 Grand Jury. June 19, 2018. “These Are Our Children: Responding to Youth Homelessness in Santa Cruz County.” Accessed May 16, 2021. http://www.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/Portals/0/County/GrandJury/GJ2018_final/These AreOurChildren.pdf#page=13
CM36

Santa Cruz County Human Services Department. September 27, 2018. “These Are Our Children - Responding to Youth Homelessness in Santa Cruz County.” Accessed May 20, 2021. https://www.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/Portals/0/County/GrandJury/GJ2018_final/These AreOurChildren_HSD_Response.pdf
CM37

Document received by Grand Jury document request.
CM38

US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). February 2021. “HUD Exchange: Leveraging YHDP Funding - Lessons from Santa Cruz, CA.” Accessed May 3, 2021. https://www.hudexchange.info/resource/6267/leveraging-yhdp-funding-lessons-fr om-santa-cruz-ca/
CM39

Jessica A. York. November 19, 2020. “Santa Cruz County launches new homeless-focused office,” Santa Cruz Sentinel. Accessed May 3, 2021. https://www.santacruzsentinel.com/2020/11/19/santa-cruz-county-launches-new- homeless-focused-office/
CM40

Lorena Torres-Alvarez. December 2019. “Serving Youth in Santa Cruz County,” DigitalCommons@CSUMB. Accessed May 3, 2021. https://digitalcommons.csumb.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1622&context=cap s_thes_all
CM41

Encompass Community Services website. 2021. “TAY (TRANSITION AGE YOUTH).” Accessed May 3, 2021. https://www.encompasscs.org/transition_age_youth
CM42

Santa Cruz County Human Services Department website. Date unknown. “Family and Children's Services Division.” Accessed May 3, 2021. https://santacruzhumanservices.org/FamilyChildren Honoring Commitments to the Public Published June 29, 2021 Page 26 of 30 2020-2021 Consolidated Final Report 203 Our Public Defender System – Anticipating Structural Change 60. 2018-19 Grand Jury. June 24, 2019. 2017-2018 Consolidated Final Report with Responses, page 3, Accessed May 14, 2021. http://www.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/Portals/0/County/GrandJury/GJ2018_final/SCCG J2017-18ConsolidatedResponses.pdf#page=5 61. 2017-2018 Grand Jury Report. June 21, 2018. “Our Public Defender System: Anticipating Structural Change,” page 8. Accessed April 30, 2021. http://www.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/Portals/0/County/GrandJury/GJ2018_final/Public Defender.pdf#page=8
CM43

Board of Supervisors. September 19, 2018. “Response: Our Public Defender System: Anticipating Structural Change,” pages 6-7. Accessed April 30, 2021. http://www.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/Portals/0/County/GrandJury/GJ2018_final/Public Defender_BoS_Response.pdf#page=6
CM44

Santa Cruz County. 2019. ”2019-21 Operational Plan: COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OBJECTIVES & KEY STEPS,” page 118. Accessed May 22, 2021. https://sccounty01.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/Operational_Plan_2019-21/Operational_P lan_2019-21_complete.pdf#page=124
CM45

The Sixth Amendment Center. September, 2020. ”The Right to Counsel in Santa Cruz, California: Evaluation of Trial Level Indigent Representation Services.” Accessed April 30, 2021. https://sixthamendment.org/6AC/6AC_ca_santacruzcountyreport_2020.pdf
CM46

Presiding Judge Paul P. Burdick. October 5, 2020. Letter to Supervisor Greg Caput, et al. (Document received by Grand Jury)
CM47

Assistant Presiding Judge Timothy Volkmann. September 8, 2020. Letter to Carlos Palacios, CAO of Santa Cruz County. (Document received by Grand Jury)
CM48

Carlos Palacios, CAO. date not given. “Agenda Item Submittal: Public Defender Organizational Review,” pages 62-255 in Santa Cruz Board of Supervisors October 6, 2020 Agenda Packet. Accessed June 10, 2021. http://santacruzcountyca.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=1&ID=1457&In line=True&#page=62
CM49

Carlos Palacios, CAO. date not given. “Agenda Item Submittal: Public Defender Ordinance and Process Update,” pages 95-102 in Santa Cruz Board of Supervisors November 10, 2020 Agenda Packet. Accessed April 30, 2021. http://santacruzcountyca.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=1&ID=1463&In line=True&#page=95 Honoring Commitments to the Public Published June 29, 2021 Page 27 of 30 204 Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury
CM50

Board of Supervisors. December 8, 2020. “PROCEEDINGS OF THE COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ BOARD OF SUPERVISORS November 10, 2020 ACTION SUMMARY MINUTES,” page 4. Accessed April 30, 2021. http://santacruzcountyca.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=15&ID=1992&I nline=True&#page=4
CM51

Board of Supervisors. November 17, 2020. “Ordinance No. 5357 ORDINANCE ADDING CHAPTER 2.13 TO THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY CODE TO ESTABLISH THE PUBLIC DEFENDER’S OFFICE AND THE POSITION OF PUBLIC DEFENDER.” Accessed April 30, 2021. https://www.codepublishing.com/CA/SantaCruzCounty/ords/ORD-5357.pdf
CM52

Carlos Palacios. date not given. “Agenda Item Submittal: Public Defender Transition Plan,” pages 19-35 of Santa Cruz Board of Supervisors March 23, 2021 Agenda Packet. Accessed April 30, 2021. http://santacruzcountyca.iqm2.com/citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=1&ID=1484&Inl ine=True&#page=19
CM53

Jessica A. York. March 24, 2021. “Santa Cruz County public defense launch plan laid out,” Santa Cruz Sentinel. Accessed April 30, 2021. https://www.santacruzsentinel.com/2021/03/23/santa-cruz-county-public-defense -launch-plan-laid-out/
CM54

Grand Jury documents Honoring Commitments to the Public Published June 29, 2021 Page 28 of 30 2020-2021 Consolidated Final Report 205 Appendix A – Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury Response Packet Instructions for 2017–2018[74] Instructions for Respondents: Individual Honoring Commitments to the Public Published June 29, 2021 Page 29 of 30 206 Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury Instructions for Respondents: Board or Commission Honoring Commitments to the Public Published June 29, 2021 Page 30 of 30
CM55

C1. The Public Health officials in Santa Cruz County reacted early and effectively to reduce the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The professionals were well prepared to respond quickly. (F4) C2. The University of California at Santa Cruz Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory established a COVID-19 testing facility to make short turnaround testing available for the underserved in Santa Cruz County. (F3) C3. The Santa Cruz Community Foundation and the Santa Cruz County Public Health Division teamed with the UCSC Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory to establish a commercial COVID-19 testing laboratory and provided funding and advice. (F3)
CM56

C1. The Fire Department has worked creatively with City IT staff to use technology to better manage risks. C2. The Police Department conducted a count of the unhoused population of Santa Cruz, providing the first detailed, city-led reporting on the situation.
CM57

C1. PVUSD rose to the occasion to meet the needs of teachers, students and families during the pandemic. Resources including training, internet access, food, clothing, housing, and mental health services were provided; communication was prioritized. C2. There is expanded internet connectivity now in the Watsonville/Pajaro area due to the efforts of PVUSD, Cruzio, and Equal Access Santa Cruz County.. C3. There is increased collaboration among agencies that provide services and support, including Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance, the Santa Cruz County Office of Education, and PVUSD.
CM58

C1. The Grand Jury commends the Sheriff, the Sheriff’s Office, and the Chief Deputy of the Corrections Bureau for their aggressive, efficient, and entirely successful actions that prevented any outbreak of COVID-19 in the inmate population. C2. The Grand Jury commends the Sheriff, the Sheriff’s Office and the Chief Deputy of the Corrections Bureau for adopting innovative programs designed to promote reentry and reduce recidivism. C3. The Grand Jury commends the Sheriff, the Sheriff’s Office and the Chief Deputy of the Corrections Bureau for fully cooperating with our investigation and providing requested documents and information.
CM59

C1. The County Office of Response, Recovery, & Resilience has done an excellent job of providing information and resources on the website. C2. The County Office of Response, Recovery, & Resilience has developed an excellent capability for expediting permitting and rebuilding.