An Inquiry Into the Vector Control District with a Focus on Readiness for West Nile Virus

Note: Missing finding numbers detected: F2003

Conclusions 1

• CL1 Page 6
  The Grand Jury concluded its inquiry satisfied that the Santa Clara County’s Vector Control District has a well developed plan to meet the threat of the West Nile Virus. Vector Control deserves recognition for a past job well done and public support for both a more visible presence on decision-making boards that might have an impact on vector issues and strengthened enforcement authority. Finding I Vector Control’s input is important to two current projects, the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration and the Cal Trans placement of storm water collection devices. If not designed properly, each of these projects could lead to an increase in the county’s mosquito population. Recommendation I The Grand Jury recommends that the Board of Supervisors, as Vector Control’s Board of Trustees, should establish a policy of promoting Vector Control’s participation in projects that impact the county’s vector population. This includes not only local projects, but also regional, state and even national activities that have local ramifications for vector populations. 6 Finding II Vector Control currently lacks the authority to issue administrative citations for public nuisances that pose an immediate threat to health and safety. Contra Costa County’s Vector Control District provides a good model for achieving that authority. Recommendation II The Grand Jury recommends that Vector Control petition the cities and towns in Santa Clara County for the authority to issue administrative citations for public nuisances that pose an immediate threat to health and safety. Contra Costa County’s recently instituted system provides a model that might be adapted for use in Santa Clara County. PASSED and ADOPTED by the Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury on this 18th day of March 2004. ____________________________________ Richard H. Woodward Foreperson 7 References Documents The Grand Jury obtained the following documents, many undated, from the District Managers of the Santa Clara County and Contra Costa County Vector Control Districts and from the Public Health Officer of Santa Clara County. Administrative Citation Procedures, Contra Costa County, January 30, 2003, DRAFT. Authorizing Contra Costa County Mosquito and Vector Control District Field Employees to Issue Administrative Citations Relative to Public Nuisances and to Abate Such Nuisances, January 27, 2003, DRAFT. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Stormwater Management and Vector Breeding Habitats.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “West Nile Virus: Statistics, Surveillance and Control.” Initial Santa Clara County Mosquito-Borne Virus Surveillance and Response Plan, September, 2002. Physician Alert, West Nile Virus publication. Santa Clara County Vector Control District Overview Santa Clara County Vector Control District Audit Report, June 30, 2003. Santa Clara County Vector Control Assessment, Final Engineer’s Report, July 30, 1996 Suggested Language Concerning Nuisance for Inclusion in City Ordinances, Contra Costa County, January 30, 2003, DRAFT. “The Dark Side of Stormwater Management: Disease Vectors Associated with Structural BMPs,” Stormwater. “Stormwater, BMPs and Vectors: The Impact of BMP Construction on Local Public Health Agencies,” Stormwater. 8 Interviews District Manager of Santa Clara County Vector Control District, November 13, 2003, January 28, 2004 and February 9, 2004. District Manager of Contra Costa County Vector Control District, November 18, 2003. Public Health Officer, November 18, 2003. 9

No Responses Found 2

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