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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.

Amador County Grand Jury • 2013-2014

Mule Creek State Prison Inspection

Published: June 21, 2013 187 pages Consolidated Report
View PDF View Full Original

Note: Missing finding numbers detected: F14, F18, F19, F20, F22, F23, F24

Findings and Recommendations 20 findings

F1
County department heads, especially for those departments not normally involved with construction, frequently lack construction experience and expertise, space needs and architectural design, and/or real property cost/benefit analysis skills.
No recommendations for this finding
F2
There are no written policies and procedures in to direct staff in acquiring property either by lease or by purchase.
No recommendations for this finding
F3
A set of procedures in place could have overridden the lack of experience of the negotiating team and BOS members.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
It is imperative that the Sheriff and County Board of Supervisors find a way to build a new and modern facility. This will provide Amador County with a safe and secure working environment for its COs and a safe and secure place for incarceration and rehabilitation of individuals who commit crimes within the community. (Findings 3, 5, 6) Superior Court Holding Facility Inspection In conjunction with inspecting the ACJ, the Grand Jury also inspected and reviewed the Amador County Superior Court holding facility on January 28, 2014. The court facility was completed in 2007 and has a maximum capacity of 29 inmates. This includes 6 holding cells and 1 attorney- client cell. COs maintain security of inmates during court hearings as well as during transport to and from the court facility. It is the bailiffs’ responsibility to provide security at the court facility and to protect the judge, court staff, and audience. It was observed that the intake procedure is secure, the holding cells were clean, and the inmates were visible at all times. Procedures are currently in place to ensure that staff will respond quickly and appropriately to any threat or emergency. BSCC inspects the court holding facility every other year for compliance with Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations. The most recent inspection was conducted in November, 2013. BSCC reported that the facility was in total compliance. There are no findings and recommendations for this facility.
F4
With the increase of square footage over the HHS departmental needs, the County has sub-let the extra space to cover costs. While the Grand Jury feels all entities in HHS are a benefit to the community, not all entities are paying at the primary rate of the base lease.
No recommendations for this finding
F5
The lease costs of $7,144,200 (over 5 years) were traded for $400,000 (immediate) in cash. (see letter, Appendix A)
No recommendations for this finding
F6
No County official, auditor, or controller has the official assignment to review fiscal commitments of the County prior to adoption and/or approval by the BOS.
No recommendations for this finding
F7
There is no policy to perform a financial cost-benefit analysis prior to BOS approval.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
Where appropriate, Bylaws should include specific language relating to the consequences when Bylaws are not followed. (Finding 7) __________________________________________________
F8
Members of the BOS relied on staff to develop needs, space configurations, terms of the leases, and did not perform any due diligence on their own.
No recommendations for this finding
F9
There is no policy or procedure that addresses monies received from an individual or company as a gift, donation, grant or “valuable consideration” by the County.
No recommendations for this finding
F10
The problems and complexities in negotiating leases of property are not limited to the County. A neighboring county has drafted policies and procedures to address these issues. (Appendix E)
Related Recommendations (2)
R7
The Grand Jury, as an interested party in the violations occurring with the Brown Act, is demanding that the Board “cure and correct” the actions it has taken in violation of the Brown Act per GC §54960.1 and avoid these violations in the future. (Finding 10)
R8
The contract for legal counsel services should include meeting agenda review and approval prior to the posting of the agenda to avoid Brown Act violations on a fixed fee rate and not an hourly rate. (Finding 10, 11)
F11
The contract for legal counsel includes “board governance” in the scope of work, however, absent from Board activity is any meaningful input from legal counsel regarding their monthly meetings.
No recommendations for this finding
F12
EST. COST IN STATE HIGHWAY RIGHT-OF-WAY FUNDING SOURCE(S) FEDERAL STATE LOCAL PRIVATE
No recommendations for this finding
F13
PRODUCT TYPE DIAMETER VOLTAGE / PSIG 14.CALTRANS' PROJECT CODE PIPES
No recommendations for this finding
F15
Double Permit Parent Permit Number _______________________________________ Applicant's Reference Number / Utility Work Order Number _______________________________________
No recommendations for this finding
F16
Have your plans been reviewed by another Caltrans branch? NO YES (If "YES") Who?____________________
No recommendations for this finding
F17
Completely describe work to be done within STATE highway right-of-way : Attach 6 complete sets ofplans (folded to 8.5" x 11"), and any applicable specifications, calculations, maps, etc. All dimensions shall be in U.S. Customary (English) Units. 18.Is a city, county, or other agency involved in the approval of this project? YES (If "YES", check type of project and attach environmental documentation and conditions of approval. ) COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT BUILDING GRADING OTHER _______________________________________________________________ CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT NEGATIVE DECLARATION ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT OTHER _____________________________ NO (If "NO", please check the category below which best describes the project, and complete of this application.) DRIVEWAY OR ROAD APPROACH, RECONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE, OR RESURFACING FENCE PUBLIC UTILITY MODIFICATIONS, EXTENSIONS, HOOKUPS MAILBOX FLAGS, SIGNS, BANNERS, DECORATIONS, PARADES AND CELEBRATIONS EROSION CONTROL LANDSCAPING OTHER ______________________________________________________________________________ 19.Will this project cause a substantial change in the significance of a historical resource (45 years or older), or cultural resource? YES NO (If "YES", provide a description) 20.Is this project on an existing highway or street where the activity involves removal of a scenic resource including a significant tree or stand of trees, a rock outcropping or a historic building? YES NO (If "YES", provide a description)
No recommendations for this finding
F21
Is work being done on applicant's property? YES NO (If "YES", attach site and grading plans.) ADA NOTICE:For individuals with sensory disabilities, this document is available in alternate formats. For information, call (916) 654–6410, TTY 711, or write to Records and Forms Management, 11_2_0 _N_ S_tre_e_t, _M_S_–_89_, _Sa_c_ra_m_en_to_,_ C_A_ 9_58_1_4_.__________________________________ STATE OF CALIFORNIA • DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION STANDARD ENCROACHMENT PERMIT APPLICATION PERMIT NO. TR-0100 (REV.07/2007) 22.Will this proposed project require the disturbance of soil? YES NO If "YES", estimate the area within State Highway right-of-way in square feet AND acres: _____________________ (ft2) AND ______________________ (acres) estimate the area outside of State Highway right-of-way in square feet AND acres: ______________________ (ft2) AND _____________________ (acres) 23.Will this proposed project require dewatering? YES NO If "YES", estimate total gallons AND gallons/month.__________________________ (gallons) AND __________________________ (gallons/month) SOURCE*: STORM WATER NON-STORM WATER (*See Caltrans SWMP for definitions of non-storm water discharge: http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/env/stormwater/index.htm ) 24.How will any storm water or ground water be disposed of from within or near the limits of this proposed project? Storm Drain System Combined Sewer / Storm System Storm Water Retention Basin Other (explain): _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CLAUSES PRIOR TO SIGNING THIS ENCROACHMENT PERMIT APPLICATION. The applicant, understands and herein agrees that an encroachment permit can be denied, and/or a bond required for non- payment of prior or present encroachment permit fees. Encroachment Permit fees may still be due when an application is withdrawn or denied, and that a denial may be appealed, in accordance with the California Streets and Highways Code, Section 671.5. All work shall be done in accordance with Caltrans rules and regulations subject to inspection and approval. The applicant, understands and herein agrees to the general provisions, special provisions and conditions of the encroachment permit, and to indemnify and hold harmless the State, its officers, directors, agents, employees and each of them (Indemnitees) from and against any and all claims, demands, causes of action, damages, costs, expenses, actual attorneys’ fees, judgments, losses and liabilities of every kind and nature whatsoever (Claims) arising out of or in connection with the issuance and/or use of this encroachment permit and the placement and subsequent operation and maintenance of said encroachment for: 1) bodily injury and/or death to persons including but not limited to the Applicant, the State and its officers, directors, agents and employees, the Indemnities, and the public; and 2) damage to property of anyone. Except as provided by law, the indemnification provisions stated above shall apply regardless of the existence or degree of fault of Indemnities. The Applicant, however, shall not be obligated to indemnify Indemnities for Claims arising from the sole negligence and willful misconduct of State, its officers, directors, agents or employees. An encroachment permit is not a property right and does not transfer with the property to a new owner DISCHARGES OF STORM WATER AND NON-STORM WATER: Work within State Highway right-of-way shall be conducted in compliance with all applicable requirements of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued to the Department of Transportation (Department), to govern the discharge of storm water and non-storm water from its properties. Work shall also be in compliance with all other applicable Federal, State and Local laws and regulations, and with the Department’s Encroachment Permits Manual and encroachment permit. Compliance with the Departments NPDES permit requires amongst other things, the preparation and submission of a Storm Water Pollution Protection Plan (SWPPP), or a Water Pollution Control Program (WPCP), and the approval of same by the appropriate reviewing authority prior to the start of any work. Information on the requirements may also be reviewed on the Department's Construction Website at: http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/construc/stormwater
No recommendations for this finding
F25
NAME of APPLICANT or ORGANIZATION (Print or Type) E-MAIL ADDRESS ADDRESS of APPLICANT or ORGANIZATION WHERE PERMIT IS TO BE MAILED (Include City and Zip Code) PHONE NUMBER FAX NUMBER
No recommendations for this finding
F26
NAME of AUTHORIZED AGENT / ENGINEER (Print or Type) IS LETTER OF AUTHORIZATION ATTACHED?E-MAIL ADDRESS YES NO ADDRESS of AUTHORIZED AGENT / ENGINEER (Include City and Zip Code) PHONE NUMBER FAX NUMBER
No recommendations for this finding
F27
SIGNATURE of APPLICANT or AUTHORIZED AGENT 28. PRINT OR TYPE NAME 29.TITLE 30. DATE STATE OF CALIFORNIA • DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION STANDARD ENCROACHMENT PERMIT APPLICATION PERMIT NO. TR-0100 (REV. 07/2007) WORK ORDER/REFERENCE NUMBER FEE CALCULATION -- FOR CALTRANS USE CASH CREDIT CARD NAME ON CARD ____________________________ PHONE NUMBER _________________ CHECK NUMBER _________ NAME ON CHECK ___________________________ PHONE NUMBER _________________ EXEMPT PROJECT CODE __ __ __ __ __ __ DEFERRED BILLING (Utility) CALCULATED BY (1) (2) REVIEW 1. FEE / DEPOSIT DATE 2. FEE / DEPOSIT DATE TOTAL FEE / DEPOSIT 1. _______ HOURS @ $________ * $______________ $______________ 2. _______ HOURS @ $________ * $______________ $______________ INSPECTION 1. FEE / DEPOSIT DATE 2. FEE / DEPOSIT DATE TOTAL FEE / DEPOSIT $______________ 1. _______ HOURS @ $________ * $______________ 2. _______ HOURS @ $________ * $______________ $______________ FIELD WORK _________ HOURS @ $________ * $______________ $______________ $______________ DEPOSIT DATE DEPOSIT DATE DEPOSIT EQUIPMENT & MATERIALS $______________ $______________ $______________ CASH DEPOSIT IN LIEU OF BOND $______________ $______________ $______________ TOTAL COLLECTED $______________ $______________ CASHIER'S INITIALS ______________ ______________ $______________ * The Standard Hourly Rate is set annually by HQ Encroachment Permits. District Office staff do not have authority to modify this rate. DATE AMOUNT PERFORMANCE BOND $ DATE AMOUNT PAYMENT BOND $ AMOUNT LIABILITY INSURANCE REQUIRED? YES NO $ STATE OF CALIFORNIA • DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION STANDARD ENCROACHMENT PERMIT APPLICATION PERMIT NO. TR-0100 (REV. 07/2007) INSTRUCTIONS for completing This page needs to be completed when the proposed project DOES NOT involve a City, County or other public agency. Your answers to these questions will assist departmental staff in identifying any physical, biological, social or economic resources that may be affected by your proposed project within the State highway right-of-way and to determine which type of environmental studies may be required to approve your application for an encroachment permit. It is the applicant's responsibility for the production of all required environmental documentation and supporting studies and in some cases this may be costly and time-consuming. If possible, attach photographs of the location of the proposed project. Please answer these questions to the best of your ability. Provide a description of any "YES" answers (type, name, number, etc.)
No recommendations for this finding

Additional Recommendations 4

These recommendations are not explicitly linked to specific findings.