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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.

Imperial County Grand Jury • 2010-2011

of Investigation Imperial Irrigation District (iid)

Published: June 06, 2011 88 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 14 findings

The surveillance panel in the front area is still broken as was reported by the 2009/2010 Grand Jury. However, $95,000 has been budgeted and approved for replacement. This should be completed this year.

The modesty panels noted to be missing in the 2009/2010 Grand Jury report have been repaired or replaced.

Juvenile Hall was clean, but somewhat shabby.

Books were used to prop doors open in the back part of the facility.

The WPD facility is inadequate for the work a law enforcement agency needs to fully do the job needed. There is no room in the facility for interviewing suspects or witnesses, and files should be secured in a separate room.

Once the improvement and connections between Highways 86 and 111 are complete, increased traffic may become a traffic safety issue for the City of Westmorland and the police department. There is presently only a four-way stop at the center of town on Highway 86.

The Grand Jury would like to thank Mr. Kelley and the legal staff at the IID for their detailed response to the jury’s questions. We found the IID under Mr. Kelley’s direction to be cooperative and supportive of the Grand Jury. We commend Mr. Kelly and his staff for their openness and willingness to assist the Grand Jury in the execution of their duties.

The Grand Jury observed that the IID has made clear improvements in its campaign to prevent illegal dumping.

CUSD does not as of the time of this report have a permanent superintendent.

F10

The committee found that the Black Box Theater at Calexico High School was not completed as stated in the response to the 2009-2010 Grand Jury Report.

F11

The district personnel charged with the implementation of the bond did not follow the guidelines of Measure J.

F12

The recommendations made by TSS were not followed.

F13

Measure J projects were not all completed.

F14

Documents were produced in a timely manner .

Recommendations 14

R1

Follow up to be sure the surveillance panel is repaired. The ICJH Committee suggests that the population would be better served by using the back part of the facility where surveillance is functioning.
R2

No recommendation regarding modesty panels. Work has been completed.
R3

We felt that a little paint and counter top repair would make a much better appearance. Ceilings also needed painting.
R4

The ICJH Committee suggests that door stoppers be used to hold doors open and books be put back on the shelves. Response Required: A response is required of the ICJH of the publication date of this report. 2010 – 2011 Imperial County Civil Grand Jury Final Report of Findings Subject of Investigation: Centinela State Prison (CEN) Date of Investigation: September 7, 2010 Justification: California State Law mandates that the Civil Grand Jury will inspect all prison and jail facilities on a yearly basis. Background: California State Prison is operated by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. CEN is a Level III / Level IV Institution.
R5

The WPD should work with the City of Westmorland and consider if it is feasible to have a joint public safety building in conjunction with the fire department, or consider if there would be another location better suited to the needs of a law enforcement agency. There may be assisting funds available for a combined building not available to the smaller department.
R6

The WPD should work with the City of Westmorland and the State of California to determine if the installation of traffic lights would increase safety. Response Required: A response is required of the WPD of the publication date of this report. 2010-2011 Imperial County Civil Grand Jury Final Report of Findings Subject of Investigation: El Centro Regional Medical Center (ECRMC) Justification: In the exercise of this function of government accountability, the Civil Grand Jury has elected to review the operations and policies of ECRMC. Background: ECRMC is a City owned hospital performing inpatient, outpatient and emergency medical services. This is the first study done on the hospital.
R7

The IID continues to work with all future Grand Juries as well as they had with this one.
R8

The Grand Jury continues to recommend the IID consider partnering with the County of Imperial in a public awareness campaign to prevent illegal dumping which is a concern for both the IID and Imperial County. Response required: No response is required. 2010-2011 Imperial County Civil Grand Jury Final Report of Findings Subject of Investigation: Calexico Unified School District (CUSD) Justification: The CUSD is included in the routine matrix of Civil Grand Jury (CGJ) oversight. The 2009- 2010 Civil Grand Jury specifically recommended that the 2010-2011 Civil Grand Jury revisit certain lines of inquiry it had begun during the previous matrix investigation. We elected to do so after reading their recommendations. Background: The CUSD was investigated at the recommendation of the 2009-2010 Civil Grand Jury. This is a follow up. Investigation: Due to numerous interval changes, the committee interviewed three administrators. The previous Superintendent was interviewed in January 2011. In addition, two consecutive Acting Superintendents were subsequently interviewed in the following months. While meeting with the CUSD Superintendent in January 2011, she stated she was unsure of the responses that were sent to the previous Grand Jury. During the committee’s meeting with the first Acting Superintendent, she explained a plan to address immediate issues of the CUSD. In addition, she established short and long term goals for the district. The next Acting Superintendent was interviewed and appears to have taken over the responsibilities of that position, using resources available to make a positive change. CUSD received a grant to complete the Black Box Theater at Calexico High School.
R9

The Civil Grand Jury recommends that CUSD hire a permanent superintendent in a timely manner.
R10

It is also our recommendation that the Black Box Theater be completed. Response Required: A response is required of CUSD of the publication date of this report. 2010 – 2011 Imperial County Civil Grand Jury Final Report Of Findings Subject of Investigation The Calexico Unified School District (CUSD) and its compliance with Measure J requirements Justification: The Imperial County Civil Grand Jury (ICCGJ) uncovered irregularities during the 2009- 2010 investigation of the CUSD. This led to a more focused investigation of Measure J requirements. Background: The citizens of Calexico voted for Measure J. Measure J was a way to provide funds for capital improvements on various projects in the Calexico Unified School District. Investigation: A committee of the ICCGJ reviewed Measure J documents. The committee also interviewed several participants in CUSD’s administering of Measure J implementation. Requests for documents proved to be problematic. This may have been due to the transition in CUSD leadership. Some documents were not made available in time to contribute to this investigation. Audits were completed by Total School Solutions (TSS), who made recommendations. The recommendations by TSS for the regular Citizens Oversight Committee meetings and minutes were not complied with.
R11

CUSD Board members must regularly and systematically review requirements for expenditure of taxpayer funds. Board members must hold employees accountable.
R12

CUSD needs to follow recommendations made by the audit team to ensure compliance with the Measure J projects bond.
R13

CUSD should complete Measure J projects.
R14

CUSD must make public documents available. Therefore, CUSD needs to develop a procedure for producing documents within 48 hours. Response Required: A response is required of CUSD of the publication date of this report. 2010-2011 Imperial County Civil Grand Jury: Final Report of Findings Subject of Investigation: Lack of Parking for County Employees Near County Administration Center Justification: Citizen Complaint Background: The complaint stated that the number of available parking spaces in the designated county parking lots is inadequate and not conductive for the efficiency of county employees and its taxpayers. Investigation: The Civil Grand Jury’s investigation showed that there is very little parking available for employees and citizens to use immediately adjacent to the buildings where the majority of the employees work. The agencies in the area stagger their work starting times and lunch times, which helps somewhat. As does the fact that many schedules have either Monday or Friday as designated days off. The Grand Jury Committee was advised that county employees are parking on the street and moving their cars every two hours. The Grand Jury does not, however, condone parking on the street and going out to move the car every two hours. This disrupts the working day and amounts to an hour or so of paid time off for each of the employees who are parking on the street. Approximately 8-10 employees are involved in moving cars on the street on any given day. At $10/ hour, x 10 employees, x 200 days per year that is approximately $20,000 per year cost to the taxpayers. When we discussed with the complainants the possibility of parking in the lot behind the Wells Fargo Bank they felt that was a viable solution since it is only 2 blocks from the workplace.