Score: +17 (17/0/0)

Mendocino County Grand Jury • 2009-2010

A Report on the City of Willits

Published: May 13, 2010 3 pages

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⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.

⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.

Findings and Recommendations 13 findings

The City Council receives mandatory annual training in the Brown Act, ethics, and sexual harassment. Leadership and boardsmanship training is at the discretion of each City Council Member.

Related Recommendations (1)

City Council members make leadership and board training mandatory for new or re-elected council members. On-line training is available at a minimal cost. (Finding 1)

The City does not pay for retirees’ health care. The Cal-PERS retirement system is used.

No recommendations for this finding

Seven of the City’s employees retired early in December, 2009. The incentive to retire was an offer of two years of paid health care coverage.

Related Recommendations (1)

the positions of the Public Works Director and the Water Plant Supervisor be filled. (Finding 3-4)

The Director of Public Works and the Water Treatment Plant Supervisor positions were vacated due to early retirement. The responsibilities for both positions are under the direction of the City Manager.

Related Recommendations (1)

the positions of the Public Works Director and the Water Plant Supervisor be filled. (Finding 3-4)

All City employees deferred their cost of living raises in July, 2009.

No recommendations for this finding

City Council members get a $50/month stipend, recently reduced from $150/month. They continue to receive City funded health care coverage.

Related Recommendations (1)

City Council members reinstate their stipend when the economy improves. (Finding 6)

Infiltration of surface water into the sewer system is six to eight times greater during a storm.

Related Recommendations (1)

the reduction of ground water infiltration into the sewer system continues to be a priority to extend the life of the system, to contain costs, and comply with government regulations. (Finding 7-8)

The City recently purchased a camera equipped truck to check for ground water infiltration into the waste water system.

Related Recommendations (1)

the reduction of ground water infiltration into the sewer system continues to be a priority to extend the life of the system, to contain costs, and comply with government regulations. (Finding 7-8)

There is no emergency water connection between the City and Brooktrails Township.

Related Recommendations (1)

the City create an emergency water intertie with Brooktrails Township. (Finding 9)

F10

Morris and Centennial Reservoirs are the primary sources of water for the City.

Related Recommendations (1)

the City seek grant funding to raise the height of the Morris Dam to increase reservoir capacity. (Finding 10-11)

F11

In January 2010, a study was released stating that the Morris Dam had been certified safe by the State and “good for at least another 80 years”, and that the height of the dam can be raised an additional 20 feet.

Related Recommendations (1)

the City seek grant funding to raise the height of the Morris Dam to increase reservoir capacity. (Finding 10-11)

F12

City Ordinance §12.36.020, “Prohibited Activities“, prohibits sleeping overnight in a recreational vehicle, (RV), anywhere within City limits without a permit.

Related Recommendations (1)

the Recreational Vehicle Ordinance be revised to exclude the requirement for permits to allow overnight stays in RVs, of less than 48 hours, on private property. (Finding 12)

F13

Shrubbery and trees on street corners block visibility to drivers and pedestrians and continue to be a safety hazard.

Related Recommendations (1)

the City enforce the safety ordinance that requires shrubbery and trees on street corners be trimmed by property owners. (Finding 13)

Agency Responses 4

Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.

City of Willits Code Enforcement

June 24, 2010 • 3 pages • 4 responses • Score: +4 (+4, 0, 0) View Details ▾

PDF

4 responses to findings and recommendations

the Recreational Vehicle Ordinance be revised to exclude the requirement for permits to allow overnight stays in RVs, of less than 48 hours, on private property. (Finding 12)

Response: Will Implement

Scheduled: As soon as economic recovery allows us to backfill some of our vacant staff positions and free up my time Score: +1

As soon as economic recovery allows us to backfill some of our vacant staff positions and free up my time I will be working on a revision or this ordinance.

the City enforce the safety ordinance that requires shrubbery and trees on street corners be trimmed by property owners. (Finding 13)

Response: Will Implement

Scheduled: When we have the time to address it Score: +1

My response to Recommendations number 8 is similar to my response to Recommendation number 7 in that the City Manager, the Community Development Director and myself fully intend to revise this ordinance when we have the time to address it

F12

City Ordinance §12.36.020, “Prohibited Activities“, prohibits sleeping overnight in a recreational vehicle, (RV), anywhere within City limits without a permit.

Response: Agree Score: +1

Findings number 12 is correct.

F13

Shrubbery and trees on street corners block visibility to drivers and pedestrians and continue to be a safety hazard.

Response: Agree Score: +1

Findings number 13 is also correct.

City of Willits Code Enforcement

June 24, 2010 • 3 pages View Details ▾

PDF

City of Willits Code Enforcement

May 14, 2010 • 3 pages • 21 responses • Score: +13 (+13, 0, 0) View Details ▾

PDF

21 responses to findings and recommendations

The City Council receives mandatory annual training in the Brown Act, ethics, and sexual harassment. Leadership and boardsmanship training is at the discretion of each City Council Member.

Response: Agree Score: +1

I agree with all your findings as stated.

City Council members make leadership and board training mandatory for new or re-elected council members. On-line training is available at a minimal cost. (Finding 1)

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

I enthusiastically agree with all of your recommendations

The City does not pay for retirees’ health care. The Cal-PERS retirement system is used.

Response: Agree Score: +1

I agree with all your findings as stated.

the positions of the Public Works Director and the Water Plant Supervisor be filled. (Finding 3-4)

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

I enthusiastically agree with all of your recommendations

Seven of the City’s employees retired early in December, 2009. The incentive to retire was an offer of two years of paid health care coverage.

Response: Agree Score: +1

I agree with all your findings as stated.

City Council members reinstate their stipend when the economy improves. (Finding 6)

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

Recommendation #3, I would like to qualify this by requiring that the Council reinstate staff's cost of living and merit increases before they reinstate their full stipend.

Response: Agree Score: +1

I agree with all your findings as stated.

the reduction of ground water infiltration into the sewer system continues to be a priority to extend the life of the system, to contain costs, and comply with government regulations. (Finding 7-8)

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

I enthusiastically agree with all of your recommendations

All City employees deferred their cost of living raises in July, 2009.

Response: Agree Score: +1

I agree with all your findings as stated.

the City create an emergency water intertie with Brooktrails Township. (Finding 9)

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

I enthusiastically agree with all of your recommendations

City Council members get a $50/month stipend, recently reduced from $150/month. They continue to receive City funded health care coverage.

Response: Agree Score: +1

I agree with all your findings as stated.

the City seek grant funding to raise the height of the Morris Dam to increase reservoir capacity. (Finding 10-11)

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

Recommendation # 6, I believe a twenty foot increase in the height of Morris dam will be an extreme expense and not warranted. The engineer's recommendation was a ten foot extension which would meet our requirements for the foreseeable future and is a project we could afford without burdening the City with bond payments that would carry on for generations.

Infiltration of surface water into the sewer system is six to eight times greater during a storm.

Response: Agree Score: +1

I agree with all your findings as stated.

the Recreational Vehicle Ordinance be revised to exclude the requirement for permits to allow overnight stays in RVs, of less than 48 hours, on private property. (Finding 12)

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

I enthusiastically agree with all of your recommendations

The City recently purchased a camera equipped truck to check for ground water infiltration into the waste water system.

Response: Agree Score: +1

I agree with all your findings as stated.

the City enforce the safety ordinance that requires shrubbery and trees on street corners be trimmed by property owners. (Finding 13)

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

I enthusiastically agree with all of your recommendations

There is no emergency water connection between the City and Brooktrails Township.

Response: Agree Score: +1

I agree with all your findings as stated.

F10

Morris and Centennial Reservoirs are the primary sources of water for the City.

Response: Agree Score: +1

I agree with all your findings as stated.

F11

Response: Agree Score: +1

I agree with all your findings as stated.

F12

City Ordinance §12.36.020, “Prohibited Activities“, prohibits sleeping overnight in a recreational vehicle, (RV), anywhere within City limits without a permit.

Response: Agree Score: +1

I agree with all your findings as stated.

F13

Shrubbery and trees on street corners block visibility to drivers and pedestrians and continue to be a safety hazard.

Response: Agree Score: +1

I agree with all your findings as stated.

City of Willits Police Department

June 03, 2010 • 4 pages • 21 responses View Details ▾

PDF

21 responses to findings and recommendations

The City Council receives mandatory annual training in the Brown Act, ethics, and sexual harassment. Leadership and boardsmanship training is at the discretion of each City Council Member.

Response: Unknown Score: 0

City Council members make leadership and board training mandatory for new or re-elected council members. On-line training is available at a minimal cost. (Finding 1)

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

The City does not pay for retirees’ health care. The Cal-PERS retirement system is used.

Response: Unknown Score: 0

the positions of the Public Works Director and the Water Plant Supervisor be filled. (Finding 3-4)

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

Seven of the City’s employees retired early in December, 2009. The incentive to retire was an offer of two years of paid health care coverage.

Response: Unknown Score: 0

City Council members reinstate their stipend when the economy improves. (Finding 6)

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

Response: Unknown Score: 0

the reduction of ground water infiltration into the sewer system continues to be a priority to extend the life of the system, to contain costs, and comply with government regulations. (Finding 7-8)

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

All City employees deferred their cost of living raises in July, 2009.

Response: Unknown Score: 0

the City create an emergency water intertie with Brooktrails Township. (Finding 9)

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

City Council members get a $50/month stipend, recently reduced from $150/month. They continue to receive City funded health care coverage.

Response: Unknown Score: 0

the City seek grant funding to raise the height of the Morris Dam to increase reservoir capacity. (Finding 10-11)

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

Infiltration of surface water into the sewer system is six to eight times greater during a storm.

Response: Unknown Score: 0

the Recreational Vehicle Ordinance be revised to exclude the requirement for permits to allow overnight stays in RVs, of less than 48 hours, on private property. (Finding 12)

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

The City recently purchased a camera equipped truck to check for ground water infiltration into the waste water system.

Response: Unknown Score: 0

the City enforce the safety ordinance that requires shrubbery and trees on street corners be trimmed by property owners. (Finding 13)

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

There is no emergency water connection between the City and Brooktrails Township.

Response: Unknown Score: 0

F10

Morris and Centennial Reservoirs are the primary sources of water for the City.

Response: Unknown Score: 0

F11

Response: Unknown Score: 0

F12

City Ordinance §12.36.020, “Prohibited Activities“, prohibits sleeping overnight in a recreational vehicle, (RV), anywhere within City limits without a permit.

Response: Unknown Score: 0

F13

Shrubbery and trees on street corners block visibility to drivers and pedestrians and continue to be a safety hazard.

Response: Unknown Score: 0

No Responses Found 1

Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.

Mendocino County Board of Supervisors Elected County Office