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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.

Yolo County Grand Jury • 2018-2019

A Report for the Citizens of Yolo County, California Arcade Arroz

Published: June 28, 2019 6 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 18 findings

The quality and quantity of work performed by RD 537 and RD 900 met all expectations and requirements by oversight agencies for local maintaining agencies.

Whether RD 537 and RD 900 consolidate or remain separate, transparency and information for the public could be improved and expanded.

Over the last four years, RD 537 and 900, City, and YLAFCo failed to effectively collaborate and communicate.

Both reclamation districts and the City had ample opportunity to reach out to one another in numerous ways to improve communication and solve issues concerning their common goals.

YLAFCo removed the recommendation that allows for the more common option of reclamation district consolidation from the Final MSR/SOI for RD 537 and 900 for unknown reasons.

WSAFCA could better serve the citizens of the City with a larger board and the inclusion of a public member, similar to the approach taken with similar flood protection entities in other nearby counties.

It is unclear if WSAFCA can remain intact under the City’s proposals for a reclamation district governance change.

It is unclear and untested if the City’s General Fund is shielded from liability in a major flood event if the City Council becomes the board of the two local maintaining agencies.

YLAFCo did not fully examine the potential cost savings or issue of liability before recommending in the Final MSR/SOI the singular option of the reclamation districts becoming subsidiaries of the City.

F10

YLAFCo has no internal procedure to trigger an independent, third-party examination into topics such as costs resulting from a governance change when the proposals are clearly contentious or unique. In addition, there is no mechanism to pay for such an examination.

F11

Creating a governance change for a landowner district is fully within the authority of YLAFCo. However, YLAFCo knew its MSR decision came with “potentially significant ramifications,” yet did so in contrast to its mission statement and stated best practices. YLAFCo did not create the appearance of exercising due diligence in meeting its responsibilities to the community.

F12

YLAFCo took much longer than the five years mandated by LAFCo law to publish an MSR/SOI for Yolo County reclamation districts (13 years) and the City (eight years). This allowed mistrust and disagreements to fester. Flood Management in the Urban Environment

F13

Although Yolo County had flood issue committees or working groups in the past, the County has no such active committees now.

F14

Outside recreational time was minimal and could be augmented through the existing incentive program. Additional outside time can be obtained by holding certain classes outside, such as meditation or group therapy.

F15

There is a consensus that uncertainty about length of detainment and post- detainment placement creates anxiety in the youth.

F16

Youth lack access to therapists who are independent of ORR and thus are unable to speak freely about problems and obtain counsel without fear that the information will be used by ORR against them.

F17

The JDF is focusing more on high ratios of detention officers to youths, instead of hiring clinicians appropriate for assisting traumatized youth.

F18

Traumatized youth are continuously exposed to art that may trigger bad memories and result in anxiety.

Recommendations 15

R1

By December 31, 2019, each reclamation district website should highlight its purpose, history, and the important work done or planned, in order to improve transparency.
R2

By October 1, 2019, General Managers for RD 537 and RD 900 should have regularly scheduled formal meetings (minimally quarterly) with the City Manager to discuss joint directives and goals.
R3

By February 1, 2022, YLAFCo should revisit and publish the MSR/SOI for RD 537 and 900 earlier than scheduled to ensure whatever final decision in governance is made, the result is not detrimental to the functioning of flood protection.
R4

By January 1, 2020, increase the size of the WSAFCA Board from three to seven members and include a public member.
R5

By January 1, 2020, YLAFCo should create an internal procedure/policy to conduct an independent, third-party examination when confronted by an extremely impactful or unique issue on topics such as costs and liability, before any final recommendation is made by the YLAFCo Commission. Reliance on opinions paid for by affected parties should only be one basis for consideration. This new procedure/policy ensures due diligence, best practices, and is in the public’s best interest.
R6

By January 1, 2020, YLAFCo should ensure a mechanism exists, if legally feasible, for funding independent, third-party examinations when considering impactful or unique proposals (such as billing the affected or impacted parties).
R7

By January 1, 2020, the Board of Supervisors should lead the creation of a multi- agency and stakeholder flood committee or working group to facilitate collaboration among all Yolo County communities on all flood topics, plan for global warming flood changes, and present these discussions to the citizens. Since two Yolo County Supervisors are YLAFCo commissioners, those supervisors should present the formation of this committee to the full board.
R8

By January 1, 2020, the JDF should provide youth with therapists independent of ORR to enable youth to speak freely about their problems and obtain counsel without fear that normal teenage emotional problems are criminalized and used as justification for continued confinement.
R9

By October 1, 2019, the JDF should provide youth with a means for anonymously submitting complaints independent of detention officers, including by computer.
R10

By January 1, 2020, the JDF should enact procedures to mandate attendance of behavioral therapists during post use-of-force incidents to allow feedback at a critical time when they could coach detention officers on potentially better methods to de-escalate such situations.
R11

By January 1, 2020, the Board of Supervisors should convene an independent interdisciplinary group to ensure youths’ privacy and to improve environmental conditions at the JDF.
R12

By January 1, 2020, the Probation Department should consider posting its policy and procedures manual and the JDF’s Youth Handbook on the Yolo County website. The County should thereafter keep updated versions on the website, and provide a means for the public to freely offer suggestions for improvement.
R13

By January 1, 2020, Yolo County should provide a procedure that allows non-ORR related health workers access to youth for mental health treatment, which allows youth to freely discuss their problems without fear that their medical condition is criminalized.
R14

By January 1, 2020, Yolo County should allow access to ORR youth by its medical advisory committee, the Yolo County Health Council, to ensure youth are being properly treated.
R15

Because few local and ORR youths are being detained in the JDF, and one pod is empty, it should be considered for use as the transitional adult facility proposed by the probation department to enable continued funding of the JDF by the ORR.

Conclusions 1

CL1

Yolo County Grand Jury Final Report, 2017-2018. June 30, 2018. https://www.yolocounty.org/home/showdocument?id=50696 2018-2019 Yolo County Grand Jury 88

Commendations 2

CM1

The Grand Jury commends Yolo County and HHSA for submitting an Implementation Plan to participate in the DMC-ODS Pilot Program. Yolo County and its providers are committed to improving SUD care.
CM2

The Grand Jury commends Sci-Tech for its focus on science, use of technology to enhance learning, and the dedication of its staff. Furthermore, we commend Sci-Tech for its attention to building relationships, good communication, hard work, and instilling the joy of learning. These are lessons for a lifetime.