Score: +6
(7/42/1)
Napa County Grand Jury
• 2018-2019
Napa County Water Quality - It's a Matter of Taste
Published: June 14, 2019
22 pages
⚠️ 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 8 findings
F1
Drinking water supplied by all Napa County municipalities meets all USEPA and State Water Resources Control Board standards and is safe to drink.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
Each Napa County municipality’s Department of Public Works explain on its City and/or Department of Public Works website, in water invoices, via social and other local media, what ongoing water quality tests are taken, where and when are they taken, and what is required if results do not meet USEPA and State standards. Each of Napa County’s five Department of Public Works should implement these actions no later than June 30, 2020.
F2
Drinking water supplied by each municipality is acknowledged by all Napa County Public Works officials to have, from time-to-time, predictable Taste and Odor (T&O) and color issues which, while not unsafe, the water-consuming public may find objectionable and a cause for concern.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
Each Napa County municipality’s Department of Public Works advise citizens of known and anticipated T&O and color issues by notices on its Department of Public Works website and within social media and news media. Each of Napa County’s five Department of Public Works should implement these actions no later than June 30, 2020.
F3
Communication of water quality testing and T&O and color issues to the public by all Napa County Public Works municipalities is inconsistent and, at times, inadequate.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
Each Napa County municipality’s Department of Public Works identify, evaluate, and estimate water treatment process improvements and longer-term capital improvement programs that could mitigate T&O and color issues in their respective water treatment operations. Each of Napa County’s Department of Public Works should implement these actions no later than June 30, 2020 for the 2021/2022 budget year.
F4
Napa County Public Works officials are aware of existing T&O and color issues and a number of municipalities are assessing and testing various treatment options for improvement, including long-term capital improvement projects.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
Each Napa County municipality’s Department of Public Works publish T&O and color quality measures and results as part of their Annual Consumer Confidence Water Quality Report provided to citizens. Each of Napa County’s Department of Public Works should implement this action in the 2019 Report published
F5
Public Works officials countywide treat T&O and color issues as less important than Federal and State regulated contaminant standards, thereby minimizing T&O and color concerns in their water treatment standards and reporting.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
Each Napa County municipality’s Department of Public Works establish a formal written complaint policy identifying how complaints should be received, processed, tracked, responded to, and reported, including a written complaint resolution notice to be issued for every complaint. Each of Napa County’s Department of Public Works should implement these actions no later than June 30, 2020.
F6
All municipalities lack formal written procedures for the handling of water quality complaints.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
Each Napa County municipality’s Department of Public Works establish a formal written communication policy identifying how to better communicate to and interact with customers in mobile home parks, gated communities, and apartment residents that are beyond the water meter. Each of Napa County’s Department of Public Works should implement these actions no later than June 30, 2020.
F7
There are large disparities in household drinking water and wastewater rates between the municipalities, with smaller up-valley cities in Napa County paying much higher costs for the same amount of residential drinking water and wastewater.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
The LAFCO Municipal Service Review of drinking water and wastewater countywide resources recommendations are due in February 2020. Each Napa County municipality’s senior municipal elected officials should review, evaluate, respond to, and where appropriate, incorporate the LAFCO MSR recommendations into each Napa County municipality’s operating and long-range plans. Each of Napa County’s senior municipal elected officials should implement these actions by no later than June 30, 2020.
F8
Residents of mobile home parks, gated communities and apartment buildings do not always receive communication about water quality or taste and odor issues – rather the owner/operator/manager of the site receives required water quality notifications and is not required to pass the notification on to individual residents.
No recommendations for this finding
Agency Responses 4
Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.
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City of American Canyon
August 29, 2019
•
12 pages
• 13 responses
•
Score: +2
(+2, 11, 0)
View Details ▾
13 responses to findings and recommendations
F1
Drinking water supplied by all Napa County municipalities meets all USEPA and State Water Resources Control Board standards and is safe to drink.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
The City agrees. As indicated by our responses during the investigation, in all cases the City meets or exceeds all established standards. F2. Drinking water supplied by each municipality is acknowledged by all Napa County Public Works officials to have, from time-to-time, predictable Taste and Odor (T&O) and color issues which, while not unsafe, the water-consuming public may find objectionable and a cause for concern. The City's Response: The City partially disagrees. The City can confirm what has been stated by other Public Works Officials. There are a number of different factors that can a...
R1
Each Napa County municipality’s Department of Public Works explain on its City and/or Department of Public Works website, in water invoices, via social and other local media, what ongoing water quality tests are taken, where and when are they taken, and what is required if results do not meet USEPA and State standards. Each of Napa County’s five Department of Public Works should implement these actions no later than June 30, 2020.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
The recommendation has been implemented. The City currently includes information such as its Customer Confidence Report (CCR) on its website at www.cityofamericancanyon.org/water and has in the past utilized social media and media releases to inform and educate its residents on water quality issues. The City commits to continuing this recommended action. The City does not provide lists of individual sample sites or individual test results since resultant data would not be meaningful information for customers. Also, as a Department of Homeland Security designated "critical infrastructure sector...
F2
Drinking water supplied by each municipality is acknowledged by all Napa County Public Works officials to have, from time-to-time, predictable Taste and Odor (T&O) and color issues which, while not unsafe, the water-consuming public may find objectionable and a cause for concern.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
The City partially disagrees. The City can confirm what has been stated by other Public Works Officials. There are a number of different factors that can affect T&O and color issues. The predictability of these factors can vary widely by season and location within the specific water system. F3. Communication of water quality testing and T&O and color issues to the public by all Napa County Public Works municipalities is inconsistent and, at times, inadequate. The City's Response: The City disagrees. The City publishes the Annual Consumer Confidence report online and issues a media release (exa...
R2
Each Napa County municipality’s Department of Public Works advise citizens of known and anticipated T&O and color issues by notices on its Department of Public Works website and within social media and news media. Each of Napa County’s five Department of Public Works should implement these actions no later than June 30, 2020.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
The recommendation has been implemented. The City has previously utilized and will continue to utilize its website at www.cityofamericancanyon.org and social media and media releases to inform and educate its residents on water quality issues. The City will continue to implement this recommended action. R3. Each Napa County municipality's Department of Public Works identify, evaluate, and estimate water treatment process improvements and longer-term capital improvement programs that could mitigate T&O and color issues in their respective water treatment operations. Each of Napa County's Depart...
F3
Communication of water quality testing and T&O and color issues to the public by all Napa County Public Works municipalities is inconsistent and, at times, inadequate.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
The City disagrees. The City publishes the Annual Consumer Confidence report online and issues a media release (examples provided). Operation (and testing) of public water distribution systems are regulated by the State of California and with one exception noted in the Report in 2017, the City has a well-maintained system which meets or exceeds State requirements. In addition, all complaints regarding water related issues are followed up by City Staff and noted in a complaint log, a member of City Staff responds to the complaint, conducts an investigation, and follows up with the responsible p...
R3
Each Napa County municipality’s Department of Public Works identify, evaluate, and estimate water treatment process improvements and longer-term capital improvement programs that could mitigate T&O and color issues in their respective water treatment operations. Each of Napa County’s Department of Public Works should implement these actions no later than June 30, 2020 for the 2021/2022 budget year.
Response: Will Implement
Score: +1
The City partially agrees. The City continually evaluates capital upgrades and new technologies every fiscal year. Some improvements can be made without significant fiscal impact while others would need significant capitalization to accomplish. As such, the City partially agrees and will evaluate improvements as a part of its planned Water Treatment Plant Master Plan effort, scheduled to take place in FY19/20 and FY20/21. It will not be completed until the LAFCO Municipal Service Review ("MSR") process and report are completed so that the City may evaluate relevant recommendations from that pr...
F4
Napa County Public Works officials are aware of existing T&O and color issues and a number of municipalities are assessing and testing various treatment options for improvement, including long-term capital improvement projects.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
The City partially agrees. Speaking only for the City system because T&O and color issues arise from several causes the City does maintain a flexible approach incorporating the best available technologies to address those situations when they occur. F5. Public Works Official's countrywide, treat T&O and color issues as less important than Federal and State regulated contaminant standards. Thereby minimizing T&O and color concerns in their water treatment standards and reporting. The City's Response: The City disagrees. Speaking only for the City system, both the City (and City Staff) treat all...
R4
Each Napa County municipality’s Department of Public Works publish T&O and color quality measures and results as part of their Annual Consumer Confidence Water Quality Report provided to citizens. Each of Napa County’s Department of Public Works should implement this action in the 2019 Report published
Response: Will Implement
Score: +1
The City disagrees. As previously observed because there are a variety of factors which create T&O and color quality - the City will continue to employ the best available technology while meeting or exceeding all required water quality standards which will have an overall beneficial impact on the system reducing the potential for the factors that cause T&O and color issues. The recommendation has not yet been implemented but will be implemented in the future by the June 30, 2020 deadline. R5. Each Napa County municipality's Department of Public Works establish a formal written complaint policy...
F5
Public Works officials countywide treat T&O and color issues as less important than Federal and State regulated contaminant standards, thereby minimizing T&O and color concerns in their water treatment standards and reporting.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
The City disagrees. Speaking only for the City system, both the City (and City Staff) treat all complaints on a time sensitive basis. T&O can be an indication of distribution system (or treatment plant) health, and other than normal operations, as such Staff responds promptly to investigate, remediate (if needed), and follow up with the responsible party on the results of the complaint. F6. All municipalities lack formal written procedures for the handling of water quality complaints. The City's Response: The City partially disagrees. Speaking for the City system, the City staff does maintain ...
R5
Each Napa County municipality’s Department of Public Works establish a formal written complaint policy identifying how complaints should be received, processed, tracked, responded to, and reported, including a written complaint resolution notice to be issued for every complaint. Each of Napa County’s Department of Public Works should implement these actions no later than June 30, 2020.
Response: Requires Analysis
Score: 0
This recommendation has been partially implemented and full implementation is expected by June 30, 2020. The City has an IOS and Android app called. See, Click Fix which has a "report it" feature allowing residents to report on a number of complaints to City Staff, including water quality complaints. The City is receptive and agrees to evaluate its current processes and to look at ways to improve the process for managing water quality complaints including development of a written formal policy. F6. Each Napa County municipality's Department of Public Works establish a formal written communicat...
F6
All municipalities lack formal written procedures for the handling of water quality complaints.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
The City partially disagrees. Speaking for the City system, the City staff does maintain a complaint log and formal policies to handle complaints. The City does not know what written procedures exist at other agencies. It should be recognized the City policies evolve, especially with respect to State regulatory standards, most of which are unfunded State mandates. F7. There are large disparities in household drinking water and wastewater rates between the municipalities, with smaller up-valley cities in Napa County paying much bigger costs for the same amount of residential drinking water and ...
F7
There are large disparities in household drinking water and wastewater rates between the municipalities, with smaller up-valley cities in Napa County paying much higher costs for the same amount of residential drinking water and wastewater.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
The City agrees. The City is informed that there are disparities but is also aware that City rates are comparable to the City of Napa. However, the City observes that water and wastewater rates are subject to multiple layers of regulation: The State Constitution Article XIII, Sections C and D) Proposition 218) that dictate that only actual costs of service are reflected in rate structures. Those costs in turn are reflective of capital facilities that are directly related to the City's urban development areas F8. Residents of mobile home parks, gated communities and apartment buildings do not a...
F8
Residents of mobile home parks, gated communities and apartment buildings do not always receive communication about water quality or taste and odor issues – rather the owner/operator/manager of the site receives required water quality notifications and is not required to pass the notification on to individual residents.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
The City does not agree. For multi-family complexes, property owners and/or managers are contacted with notices. State law requires that these notifications be passed along to individual residents within those communities by either property owner or manager. Secondary notification within 10 days is required in accordance with Health and Safety Code Section 116450(g) as follows:
SCHOOLS: Must notify school employees, students, and parents (if the students are
minors)
RESIDENTIAL RENTAL PROPERTY OWNERS OR MANAGERS (including nursing homes and
care facilities): Must notify tenants
BUSINESS P...
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City of St Helena
August 28, 2019
•
6 pages
• 15 responses
•
Score: +1
(+1, 12, 0)
View Details ▾
15 responses to findings and recommendations
F1
Drinking water supplied by all Napa County municipalities meets all USEPA and State Water Resources Control Board standards and is safe to drink.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
The City agrees with this finding. As indicated by the City's Consumer Confidence Reports, in all cases the City meets or exceeds all established standards.
F2.
Drinking water supplied by each municipality is acknowledged by all Napa County Public Works officials to have, from time-to-time, predictable Taste and Odor (T&O) and color issues which, while not unsafe, the water-consuming public may find objectionable and cause for concern. RECEIVED SEP - 6 2019 City of St. Helena • 1480 Main Street, St. Helena, CA 94574 Website: www.cityofsthelena.org Napa Superior Court <b>Court Executive Offic...
R1
Each Napa County municipality’s Department of Public Works explain on its City and/or Department of Public Works website, in water invoices, via social and other local media, what ongoing water quality tests are taken, where and when are they taken, and what is required if results do not meet USEPA and State standards. Each of Napa County’s five Department of Public Works should implement these actions no later than June 30, 2020.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
This recommendation has been implemented. The City currently includes information such as its Consumer Confidence Report the Public on Works website at: https://www.cityofsthelena.org/publicworks/page/water-reports and has in the past utilized e-news, media releases, and NIXLE alerts to inform and educate its residents on water quality issues. The City commits to continuing this recommended action.
R2.
Each Napa County municipality's Department of Public Works advise citizens of known and anticipated T&O and color issues by notices on its Department of Public Works website and within social ...
F2
Drinking water supplied by each municipality is acknowledged by all Napa County Public Works officials to have, from time-to-time, predictable Taste and Odor (T&O) and color issues which, while not unsafe, the water-consuming public may find objectionable and a cause for concern.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
The City partially disagrees with this finding. While the City has recognized T&O complaints, the complaints are not predictable. To improve T&O the City, in December 2017, began utilizing a Carbon Filtration System (CFS) when the City received a spike in T&O and color complaints. The CFS uses a bed of activated carbon to remove contaminants and impurities that cause T&O. Since the installation of the CFS, the amount of T&O complaints has reduced by 75%. The City of St. Helena also purchases water from the City of Napa via the Rutherford connection. This water does not filter through the City'...
R2
Each Napa County municipality’s Department of Public Works advise citizens of known and anticipated T&O and color issues by notices on its Department of Public Works website and within social media and news media. Each of Napa County’s five Department of Public Works should implement these actions no later than June 30, 2020.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
The recommendation has been implemented. The City has previously utilized, and will continue to utilize, its website and media releases to inform and educate its residents on water quality issues. The City commits to continuing this recommended action.
R3.
Each Napa county municipality's Department of Public Works identify, evaluate, and estimate water treatment process improvements and longer-term capital improvement programs that could mitigate T&O and color issues in their respective water treatment operations. Each of Napa County's Department of Public Works should implement these action...
F3
Communication of water quality testing and T&O and color issues to the public by all Napa County Public Works municipalities is inconsistent and, at times, inadequate.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
The City disagrees with this finding. The City publishes the Annual Consumer Confidence report online as well as monthly and weekly water reports. Operation (and testing) of public water distribution systems are heavily regulated by the State of California. The City takes great pride in operating a system which meets or exceeds the State requirements for the City's Water Distribution System. In addition, all complaints regarding water related issues are followed up by City staff and noted in a complaint log. A member of the City's Public Works department responds to the complaint, conducts and...
R3
Each Napa County municipality’s Department of Public Works identify, evaluate, and estimate water treatment process improvements and longer-term capital improvement programs that could mitigate T&O and color issues in their respective water treatment operations. Each of Napa County’s Department of Public Works should implement these actions no later than June 30, 2020 for the 2021/2022 budget year.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
The recommendation has been implemented. As noted in F2 and F4, the City implemented a Carbon Filtration System in December 2017 to address T&O. Additionally, the City annually reviews and adopts the 5-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) list which includes water 1 and wastewater projects. These projects include facility condition assessments, improvements and upgrades to systems, and feasibility studies. The City commits to continuing this recommended action.
R4.
Each Napa County municipality's Department of Public Works publish T&O and color quality measures and results as part of their...
F4
Napa County Public Works officials are aware of existing T&O and color issues and a number of municipalities are assessing and testing various treatment options for improvement, including long-term capital improvement projects.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
The City partially disagrees with this statement. The City of St. Helena is not responsible for the treatment of water for other municipalities. As stated in F2, in December 2017, the City began utilizing a CFS which eliminated much of the T&O at the City of St. Helena's Water Treatment Plant and greatly reduced complaints. It is important to note water purchased through the City of Napa does not go through the City's CFS treatment process.
F5.
Public Works official's countywide treat T&O and color issues as less important than Federal and State regulated contaminant standards, thereby minim...
R4
Each Napa County municipality’s Department of Public Works publish T&O and color quality measures and results as part of their Annual Consumer Confidence Water Quality Report provided to citizens. Each of Napa County’s Department of Public Works should implement this action in the 2019 Report published
Response: Will Implement
Score: +1
The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future by the June 30, 2020 deadline.
R5.
Each Napa County municipality's Department of Public Works establish a formal written complaint policy identifying how complaints should be received, processed,
ě August 28, 2019 Page 5 tracked, responded to, and reported, including a written complaint resolution notice to be issued for every complaint. Each of Napa County's Department of Public Works should implement this action in the 2019 Report published by June 30, 2020.
F5
Public Works officials countywide treat T&O and color issues as less important than Federal and State regulated contaminant standards, thereby minimizing T&O and color concerns in their water treatment standards and reporting.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
The City disagrees with this finding. The City (and City staff) treat all complaints with the same urgency and concern as evidenced by the complaint and response logs. T&O can be an indication of distribution system (or treatment plant)
é August 28, 2019 Page 3 health, and other than normal operations. As such, staff responds promptly to investigate, remediate (if needed), and follow-up with the responsible party on the complaint.
F6.
All municipalities lack formal written procedures for the handling of water quality complaints. Response: The City partially disagrees with this finding. The ...
R5
Each Napa County municipality’s Department of Public Works establish a formal written complaint policy identifying how complaints should be received, processed, tracked, responded to, and reported, including a written complaint resolution notice to be issued for every complaint. Each of Napa County’s Department of Public Works should implement these actions no later than June 30, 2020.
Response: Unknown
Score: 0
This recommendation has been partially implemented and full implementation is expected by June 30, 2020. The City currently follows all State mandated reporting requirements and is receptive and agrees to evaluate its current processes and look at ways to improve the process for managing water quality complaints including development of a written formal policy.
R6.
Each Napa County municipality's Department of Public Works establish a formal written communication policy identifying how to better communicate to and interact with customers in mobile home parks, gated communities, and apartment...
F6
All municipalities lack formal written procedures for the handling of water quality complaints.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
The City partially disagrees with this finding. The City does not know what written procedures exist at other agencies. The City staff does have a complaint log, but does not have a formal written policy. A written policy will be developed and implemented on, or before June 30, 2020, per the Grand Jury request.
F7.
There are large disparities in household drinking water and wastewater rates between the municipalities, with smaller up-valley cities in Napa County paying much higher costs for the same amount of residential drinking water and wastewater. Response: The City agrees with this find...
R6
Each Napa County municipality’s Department of Public Works establish a formal written communication policy identifying how to better communicate to and interact with customers in mobile home parks, gated communities, and apartment residents that are beyond the water meter. Each of Napa County’s Department of Public Works should implement these actions no later than June 30, 2020.
Response: Unknown
Score: 0
The recommendation has been partially implemented and full implementation is expected by June 30, 2020. The City currently distributes information via its website and media releases to inform and educate its residents on water quality issues. All residents (including those in mobile home park communities and apartment complexes who may not have individual meters) access to information from the City on water quality and other issues. Additionally, the City is in the process of developing a communications checklist that can include this type of communications. The City is receptive and, similar ...
F7
There are large disparities in household drinking water and wastewater rates between the municipalities, with smaller up-valley cities in Napa County paying much higher costs for the same amount of residential drinking water and wastewater.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
The City agrees with this finding. However, the City notes that water and wastewater rates are highly governed by a number of state laws. Rates cannot exceed the actual costs to deliver that service in each community based on its water supply, maintenance and operations costs, capital improvement program costs, and personnel and other costs. The rate setting process is typically on a 5year cycle and is governed by the majority protest and other procedures of Propositions 218 and 26 and their implementing state laws.
F8.
Residents of mobile home parks, gated communities and apartment building...
R7
The LAFCO Municipal Service Review of drinking water and wastewater countywide resources recommendations are due in February 2020. Each Napa County municipality’s senior municipal elected officials should review, evaluate, respond to, and where appropriate, incorporate the LAFCO MSR recommendations into each Napa County municipality’s operating and long-range plans. Each of Napa County’s senior municipal elected officials should implement these actions by no later than June 30, 2020.
Response: Requires Analysis
Score: 0
The recommendation requires further analysis as the referenced report has yet to be completed or released and is expected in February 2020. The City agrees that review and consideration of implementation of possible recommendation contained in the LAFCO Municipal Services Review (MSR) is important. As with other recommendations and reports from LAFCO, the City is committed to a thorough review and analysis of this report once it is published. However, before the City can commit to implement a course
ē August 28, 2019 Page 6 of yet unknown recommendation, it would be appropriate for the City t...
F8
Residents of mobile home parks, gated communities and apartment buildings do not always receive communication about water quality or taste and odor issues – rather the owner/operator/manager of the site receives required water quality notifications and is not required to pass the notification on to individual residents.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
The City partially disagrees with this finding. The residents of the City receive notification of all, other than normal, water operations from a variety of methods including the $t. Helena Star, e-news notifications, NIXLE, the SHINE Newsletter (a quarterly City distribution), and the City's website. This is typical for all City water customers and does not exclude the residents on any of the examples listed in F8. The City continues to work on more effective and efficient communications in all interactions with the public including the recent development of a communications checklist. Over t...
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City of St Helena
August 28, 2019
•
32 pages
• 15 responses
•
Score: +1
(+1, 8, 0)
View Details ▾
15 responses to findings and recommendations
F1
Drinking water supplied by all Napa County municipalities meets all USEPA and State Water Resources Control Board standards and is safe to drink.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
The City disagrees with this finding. The LRFF is a financial forecast and not an actuarial exercise. The results are not suspect based on the information presented in Statements of Concern (SC) SC6 through SC13.
F2.
The City's Capital Improvement Plan does not list amounts to be expended for the Water and Wastewater Enterprise projects mandated by federal, state, and local authorities. The Upper York Creek Dam, Bell Canyon Reservoir, and Wastewater projects have been on the CIP docket for many years, without beginning construction or making other material forward progress toward their compl...
R1
Each Napa County municipality’s Department of Public Works explain on its City and/or Department of Public Works website, in water invoices, via social and other local media, what ongoing water quality tests are taken, where and when are they taken, and what is required if results do not meet USEPA and State standards. Each of Napa County’s five Department of Public Works should implement these actions no later than June 30, 2020.
Response: Unknown
Score: 0
The City rejects this recommendation. With regard to engaging an actuarial firm for the LRFF see SC6 through SC13. However, City can take actions to ensure best practices in governmental financial forecasting are taking place. This can include, but is not limited to, developing a revenue and forecasting policy, documenting revenue sources in a revenue manual, achieving consensus on revenue forecasts (part of the forecasting policy), and implementing the National Advisory Council on State and Local Budgeting (NACSLB) best practices, where appropriate for St. Helena.
R2.
The City should adopt ...
F2
Drinking water supplied by each municipality is acknowledged by all Napa County Public Works officials to have, from time-to-time, predictable Taste and Odor (T&O) and color issues which, while not unsafe, the water-consuming public may find objectionable and a cause for concern.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
The City disagrees with this finding. The City's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) does list estimated amounts for each CIP project; however, the CIP does not specifically indicate which projects are mandated by federal, state, and local authorities. Additionally, in recent years there has been material progress on the Upper York Creek Dam Removal, various Bell Canyon Reservoir improvements, and Wastewater CIP projects.
F3.
The various projects facing the City place tremendous time and expertise burdens on City Staff. City Staff lacks specific expertise to manage some of these complicated dam a...
R2
Each Napa County municipality’s Department of Public Works advise citizens of known and anticipated T&O and color issues by notices on its Department of Public Works website and within social media and news media. Each of Napa County’s five Department of Public Works should implement these actions no later than June 30, 2020.
Response: Unknown
Score: 0
City staff routinely updates the City Council on critical projects. The City Council, as the governing authority, has the authority to change priorities. The suggestion that a Council member should be assigned for "project management" is not consistent with the Council/City Manager form of government chosen by the City of St. Helena. In this form of government, Council members are policy makers; they do not engage in management.
R3.
No later than the Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2020, the City should adhere to its Capital Improvement Plans.
Page 28
F3
Communication of water quality testing and T&O and color issues to the public by all Napa County Public Works municipalities is inconsistent and, at times, inadequate.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
The City disagrees with this finding. The City hires qualified outside firms, when prudent, for major projects. City Staff oversees the work of these firms.
F4.
The City has not adhered to its own Capital Improvement Plans for the previous 10 years. This is especially notable concerning how few of the major projects- listed repeatedly in the CIPs over these years-have been completed. Response: The City partially disagrees with this statement. The City has not completed some major projects that have been listed on the CIP list; however, the City has completed some significant projects and has...
R3
Each Napa County municipality’s Department of Public Works identify, evaluate, and estimate water treatment process improvements and longer-term capital improvement programs that could mitigate T&O and color issues in their respective water treatment operations. Each of Napa County’s Department of Public Works should implement these actions no later than June 30, 2020 for the 2021/2022 budget year.
Response: Unknown
Score: 0
There are many reasons, including funding availability, which can result in the deferral of CIP projects. Additionally, a current City Council, even if it agreed with the Grand Jury recommendation, cannot lawfully commit a future City Council not to deviate from an adopted CIP plan as these plans are fluid and can be adjusted as conditions or priorities change.
R4.
For the larger and more complex projects such as Bell Canyon Reservoir, Upper York Creek Dam, and the Wastewater Plant retrofit, the City should consider hiring or otherwise engaging the services of an outside project manager to o...
F4
Napa County Public Works officials are aware of existing T&O and color issues and a number of municipalities are assessing and testing various treatment options for improvement, including long-term capital improvement projects.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
The City partially disagrees with this statement. The City has not completed some major projects that have been listed on the CIP list; however, the City has completed some significant projects and has made progress on other projects. Examples include: Flood Control Project, replacement of Tank 1 with Tank 1A at Bell Canyon, installation of a new water tower at Bell Canyon, various paving projects, and installation of a new practice range for the Police Department.
F5.
The City's Water and Wastewater Enterprise rates are suspect, due to an inaccurate water and wastewater rate report. Respons...
R4
Each Napa County municipality’s Department of Public Works publish T&O and color quality measures and results as part of their Annual Consumer Confidence Water Quality Report provided to citizens. Each of Napa County’s Department of Public Works should implement this action in the 2019 Report published
Response: Unknown
Score: 0
The City currently engages in this practice of employing qualified outside firms when prudent and efficient to do so. In doing so, it evaluates its internal expertise as to whether it should or should not undertake to manage a specific project (whether larger and more complex or small).
R5.
The City should review and implement the findings in the new Water Rate study, on or before June 30, 2020, and thereafter review then-current and relevant engineering and rate studies to determine appropriate multi-tiered Water and Wastewater rates.
F5
Public Works officials countywide treat T&O and color issues as less important than Federal and State regulated contaminant standards, thereby minimizing T&O and color concerns in their water treatment standards and reporting.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
The City disagrees with this finding. The inaccuracies noted by the Grand Jury impacted the last wastewater rate increase, not the water rate increase. The methodologies for the water rate study are correct and projected revenues are tracking with projections in the rate study for water. However, issues arose in connection with the rate study, including shortages in the City's wastewater fund revenues. The City entered into a settlement agreement to resolve those issues. The City is currently under contract with an engineering firm to evaluate rate methodologies and concurrently completing an ...
R5
Each Napa County municipality’s Department of Public Works establish a formal written complaint policy identifying how complaints should be received, processed, tracked, responded to, and reported, including a written complaint resolution notice to be issued for every complaint. Each of Napa County’s Department of Public Works should implement these actions no later than June 30, 2020.
Response: Unknown
Score: 0
The City cannot prudently commit to implement findings for a rate study which has not begun. In August 2018, the City entered into an agreement with a consulting firm to conduct a water engineering and cost of service analysis. This is the first step in exploring the potential for tiered rates and beginning a new rate study. This analysis is currently underway and results should be available soon. The next step in conducting a rate study is inventorying the critical deficiencies that need addressing. This work is underway with the update of the City's comprehensive underground utilities master...
F6
All municipalities lack formal written procedures for the handling of water quality complaints.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
The City disagrees with this finding. All SHAPE Committee options to the City were included in its report, and therefore the City received all options considered by the SHAPE Committee.
F7.
On a regular basis, the City's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report has not funded the cost of deferred asset maintenance, which has left its physical assets in disrepair. Response: The City disagrees with this finding. The Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) is not a funding document like a budget. Instead the CAFR contains the audited financials from the previous fiscal year. While this report...
R6
Each Napa County municipality’s Department of Public Works establish a formal written communication policy identifying how to better communicate to and interact with customers in mobile home parks, gated communities, and apartment residents that are beyond the water meter. Each of Napa County’s Department of Public Works should implement these actions no later than June 30, 2020.
Response: Unknown
Score: 0
The City does not have water contracts with residential customers. The City's water contracts with commercial and industrial users set annual limits on water consumption with rates set at the same rate as all water consumers. To the extent that the City has a contractual basis and appropriate leverage to renegotiate these individual commercial and industrial contracts, the City will continue to explore such options on a case by case basis.
R7.
The City should follow and seriously consider the findings in the current LAFCO municipal services review, cited in the Water Quality Report by this 2...
F7
There are large disparities in household drinking water and wastewater rates between the municipalities, with smaller up-valley cities in Napa County paying much higher costs for the same amount of residential drinking water and wastewater.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
The City disagrees with this finding. The Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) is not a funding document like a budget. Instead the CAFR contains the audited financials from the previous fiscal year. While this report would show if funds were set aside for asset recapitalization, it is not a budgetary mechanism for setting aside funds. This is done through the budget process.
F8.
The cost of the City's 'City Attorney' is remarkably higher than comparable small cities in Northern California. Response: The City partially disagrees with this finding. The City acknowledges the annual att...
R7
The LAFCO Municipal Service Review of drinking water and wastewater countywide resources recommendations are due in February 2020. Each Napa County municipality’s senior municipal elected officials should review, evaluate, respond to, and where appropriate, incorporate the LAFCO MSR recommendations into each Napa County municipality’s operating and long-range plans. Each of Napa County’s senior municipal elected officials should implement these actions by no later than June 30, 2020.
Response: Requires Analysis
Score: 0
The recommendation requires further analysis as the referenced report has yet to be completed or released and is expected in February 2020. The City agrees that review and consideration of implementation of possible recommendations contained in the LAFCO Municipal Services Review (MSR) is important. As with other recommendations and reports from LAFCO, the City is committed to a thorough review and analysis of this report once it is published. However, before the City can commit to implement a course of yet unknown recommendations, the City must review, evaluate, and fully understand the scope...
F8
Residents of mobile home parks, gated communities and apartment buildings do not always receive communication about water quality or taste and odor issues – rather the owner/operator/manager of the site receives required water quality notifications and is not required to pass the notification on to individual residents.
Response: Agree
Score: +1
The City agrees with this recommendation and has already began the process as identified in Finding 8,
R12.
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Town of Yountville
August 07, 2019
•
39 pages
• 15 responses
•
Score: +2
(+3, 11, -1)
View Details ▾
15 responses to findings and recommendations
F1
Drinking water supplied by all Napa County municipalities meets all USEPA and State Water Resources Control Board standards and is safe to drink.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
The Town Agrees. As indicated by our Consumer Confidence Reports. In all cases the town meets or exceeds all established standards. F2. Drinking water supplied by each municipality is acknowledged by all Napa County Public Works officials to have, from time-to-time, predictable Taste and Odor (T&O) and color issues which, while not unsafe, the water-consuming public may find objectionable and a cause for concern. The Town's Response: The Town partially disagrees. While the Town has recognized some T&O complaints (verified in the complaint and follow up log as provided) the complaints are not p...
R1
Each Napa County municipality’s Department of Public Works explain on its City and/or Department of Public Works website, in water invoices, via social and other local media, what ongoing water quality tests are taken, where and when are they taken, and what is required if results do not meet USEPA and State standards. Each of Napa County’s five Department of Public Works should implement these actions no later than June 30, 2020.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
</b> The recommendation has been implemented. The Town currently includes information such as its Customer Confidence Report (CCR) on its website at www.townofyountville.com and has in the past utilized social media and media releases to inform and educate its residents on water quality issues. The Town commits to continuing this recommended action. The Town notes that it does not operate Rector Reservoir which is operated by the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CDVA/Veterans Home) and as the water treatment facility operator that department should also be included in sharing this in...
F2
Drinking water supplied by each municipality is acknowledged by all Napa County Public Works officials to have, from time-to-time, predictable Taste and Odor (T&O) and color issues which, while not unsafe, the water-consuming public may find objectionable and a cause for concern.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
The Town partially disagrees. While the Town has recognized some T&O complaints (verified in the complaint and follow up log as provided) the complaints are not predictable. The Town agrees that there is no cause for concern in the complaints for T&O that have been investigated and followed up on with Town staff and the person (or business) filing the complaint. The vast majority of the complaints have been about low water pressure and not T&O. It should be noted that the T&O complaints noted in the Grand Jury report On April 5, 2019 were a result of the treatment process which is an operation...
R2
Each Napa County municipality’s Department of Public Works advise citizens of known and anticipated T&O and color issues by notices on its Department of Public Works website and within social media and news media. Each of Napa County’s five Department of Public Works should implement these actions no later than June 30, 2020.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
The recommendation has been implemented. The Town has previously utilized and will continue to utilize its website at www.townofyountville.com and social media and media releases to inform and educate its residents on water quality issues. The Town commits to continuing this recommended action. The Town notes that it does not operate Rector Reservoir which is operated by the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CDVA/Veterans Home) and as the water treatment facility operator that department should also be included in sharing this information. R3. Each Napa County municipality's Departmen...
F3
Communication of water quality testing and T&O and color issues to the public by all Napa County Public Works municipalities is inconsistent and, at times, inadequate.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
The Town disagrees. The Town publishes the Annual Consumer Confidence report online and issues a media release (examples provided). Operation (and testing) of public water distribution systems are heavily regulated by the State of California. The Town takes great pride in operating a well maintained system which meets or exceeds the State requirements for the Towns Water Distribution System. In addition, all complaints regarding water related issues are followed up by town staff and noted in a complaint log (copy provided) a member of town staff responds to the complaint, conducts an investiga...
R3
Each Napa County municipality’s Department of Public Works identify, evaluate, and estimate water treatment process improvements and longer-term capital improvement programs that could mitigate T&O and color issues in their respective water treatment operations. Each of Napa County’s Department of Public Works should implement these actions no later than June 30, 2020 for the 2021/2022 budget year.
Response: Will Not Implement
Score: -1
The recommendation will not be implemented because the Town is not the operator of the water treatment plant facility at Rector Reservoir. The Town is a wholesale water customer of Rector Reservoir which is operated by the California Department Veterans Affairs (CDVA/Veterans Home). As it is not the owner or operator of Rector Reservoir and water treatment plant facility, the Town does not have jurisdiction over this facility and cannot implement this recommendation, although it does agree with the recommendation as it is consistent with the Town's own long-range capital planning and improveme...
F4
Napa County Public Works officials are aware of existing T&O and color issues and a number of municipalities are assessing and testing various treatment options for improvement, including long-term capital improvement projects.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
The Town partially disagrees. The Town is not responsible for the treatment of the water supplied to Town customers. Water Treatment operations and processing are conducted at Rector Reservoir Treatment Plant which is owned and operated by the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CDVA/Veterans Home). The Veterans Home is in the process of a project to remedy some of the past T&O issues that have been reported and are consistent with treatment and processing failures at the plant.
Page 3 F5. Public Works official's countywide treat T&O and color issues as less important than Federal and ...
R4
Each Napa County municipality’s Department of Public Works publish T&O and color quality measures and results as part of their Annual Consumer Confidence Water Quality Report provided to citizens. Each of Napa County’s Department of Public Works should implement this action in the 2019 Report published
Response: Will Implement
Score: +1
The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future by the June 30, 2020 deadline. R5. Each Napa County municipality's Department of Public Works establish a formal written complaint policy identifying how complaints should be received, processed, tracked, responded to, and reported, including a written complaint resolution notice to be issued for every complaint. Each of Napa County's Department of Public Works should implement these actions no later than June 30, 2020.
Page 5 The Town's Response: This recommendation has been partially implemented and full ...
F5
Public Works officials countywide treat T&O and color issues as less important than Federal and State regulated contaminant standards, thereby minimizing T&O and color concerns in their water treatment standards and reporting.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
The Town disagrees. The Town (and Town Staff) treat all complaints with the same urgency and concern as evidenced by the complaint, and response log provided in previous examples. T&O can be an indication of distribution system (or treatment plant) health, and other than normal operations, as such staff responds promptly to investigate, remediate (if needed), and follow up with the responsible party on the results of the complaint. F6. All municipalities lack formal written procedures for the handling of water quality complaints. The Town's Response: The Town partially disagrees. The Town does...
R5
Each Napa County municipality’s Department of Public Works establish a formal written complaint policy identifying how complaints should be received, processed, tracked, responded to, and reported, including a written complaint resolution notice to be issued for every complaint. Each of Napa County’s Department of Public Works should implement these actions no later than June 30, 2020.
Response: Requires Analysis
Score: 0
This recommendation has been partially implemented and full implementation is expected by June 30, 2020. The Town has an IOS and Android app called MYville which has a "report it" feature allowing residents to report on a number of complaints to town staff, including water quality complaints. The Town is receptive and agrees to evaluate its current processes and to look at ways to improve the process for managing water quality complaints including development of a written formal policy. R6. Each Napa County municipality's Department of Public Works establish a formal written communication poli...
F6
All municipalities lack formal written procedures for the handling of water quality complaints.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
The Town partially disagrees. The Town does not know what written procedures exist at other agencies and Rector Reservoir. The Town staff does have a complaint log but does not have a formal written policy. A written policy will be developed and implemented on, or before June 30, 2020 per the Grand Jury request. F7. There are large disparities in household drinking water and wastewater rates between the municipalities, with smaller up-valley cities in Napa County paying much higher costs for the same amount of residential drinking water and wastewater. The Town's Response: The Town agrees. How...
R6
Each Napa County municipality’s Department of Public Works establish a formal written communication policy identifying how to better communicate to and interact with customers in mobile home parks, gated communities, and apartment residents that are beyond the water meter. Each of Napa County’s Department of Public Works should implement these actions no later than June 30, 2020.
Response: Requires Analysis
Score: 0
The recommendation has been partially implemented and full implementation is expected by June 30, 2020. The Town has an IOS and Android app called MYville which has a "report it" feature and a news feature which shows current Town-provided information allowing residents (including those in mobile home park communities and apartment complexes who may have individual meters) access to information from the Town on water quality and other issues. The Town is receptive and agrees to evaluate its current processes and to look at ways to improve the process for communicating to residents beyond the w...
F7
There are large disparities in household drinking water and wastewater rates between the municipalities, with smaller up-valley cities in Napa County paying much higher costs for the same amount of residential drinking water and wastewater.
Response: Agree
Score: +1
The Town agrees. However, the Town notes that water and wastewater rates are highly governed by a number of state laws. The rates cannot exceed the actual costs to deliver that service in each community based on its water supply, maintenance and operations costs, capital improvement program costs, and personnel and other costs. The rate setting process is typically on a 5-year cycle and is governed by the majority protest and other procedures of Propositions 218 and 26 and their implementing state laws. F8. Residents of mobile home parks, gated communities and apartment buildings do not always...
R7
The LAFCO Municipal Service Review of drinking water and wastewater countywide resources recommendations are due in February 2020. Each Napa County municipality’s senior municipal elected officials should review, evaluate, respond to, and where appropriate, incorporate the LAFCO MSR recommendations into each Napa County municipality’s operating and long-range plans. Each of Napa County’s senior municipal elected officials should implement these actions by no later than June 30, 2020.
Response: Requires Analysis
Score: 0
The recommendation requires further analysis as the referenced report has yet to be completed or released and is expected in February 2020. The Town agrees that review and consideration of implementation of possible recommendations contained in the LAFCO MSR is important. As with other recommendations and reports from LAFCO, the Town is committed to a thorough review and analysis of this report once it is published in early 2020. However, before the Town can commit to implement a course of yet unknown recommendations, it would be appropriate for the Town to review, evaluate, and fully understa...
F8
Residents of mobile home parks, gated communities and apartment buildings do not always receive communication about water quality or taste and odor issues – rather the owner/operator/manager of the site receives required water quality notifications and is not required to pass the notification on to individual residents.
Response: Agree
Score: +1
The Town does not entirely agree. The residents in town receive notification of all other than normal water operations from a variety of methods- including the Yountville Sun, The Myville app which includes the current news feature and a report application as well, NIXLE Alerts and a variety of social media applications. This is typical for all town water customers and does not exclude the residents on any of the examples listed in F.8. The Town continues to work on more effective and efficient communications in all of the interactions with the public. RECOMMENDATIONS R1. Each Napa County muni...
No Responses Found 3
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.