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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.

Humboldt County Grand Jury • 2005-2006

Although most Probation Officers manage at least one and a half times of what would be considered a case load

Published: November 22, 2006 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 16 findings

F1 Page 20

Obsolete items left over from when the airport facility was under the control of the U.S. Government present a degree of hazard and liability.

F2 Page 20

The Arcata/Eureka Airport’s principal emergency response vehicle is thirty years old.

F3 Page 22

Develop formalized Customer Service Program, with annual customer service training and periodic collection of customer service feedback/surveys. Substantially completed.

F4 Page 22

Establish 1 24-hour Call-Back Policy. Fully implemented.

F5 Page 22

Establish a Permit Tracking System. A pilot program is underway.

F6 Page 22

Reformat Planning Commission Report and Agenda. Substantially completed.

F7 Page 22

Expand the Use of Applicant-Attended Scoping Meetings. In progress.

F8 Page 22

Identify Back-Up Staff Assignments. Substantially completed.

F9 Page 22

Implement Complaint Handling System. Implemented.

F10 Page 22

Increase Permit Processing Productivity. In progress.

F11 Page 22

Create Application Processing Guides. Eight of 11 planned brochures are completed and are available on the department’s website.

F12 Page 22

Re-engineer Permit Process to Decrease Timeframes. In progress.

F13 Page 22

Improve Permit Processing Staff Training (technical, administrative, legal). In progress, will be an ongoing process.

F14 Page 22

Implement Customer-Service-Related Performance Measures. Parameters are now being tracked by the department.

F15 Page 22

Front Counter “Express Lane”. In progress.

F16 Page 22

Increase staffing levels to improve permit process performance. In progress. The Board of Supervisors is committed to improving the permit application process, and will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the initiatives and their resultant impacts on customer satisfaction. Finding 2: Many parcels of land in Humboldt County are of “suspect” legality under California’s Subdivision Map Act. CDS does not proactively attempt to rectify this problem by contacting the owners of these “suspect” properties. Response from Director of Community Development Services: The Community Development Services Department agrees with this finding.

Recommendations 16

R1
Page 20

The Grand Jury recommends the Board of Supervisors and County Department of Aviation personnel appeal to the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers for the removal of all “left-over” government material from the airport. Response to Airport Manager to Findings and Recommendations 1: I agree with the Grand Jury findings and have been working with the following to establish implementation dates: • Mr. Dan Larkin of the Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services for removal of the surplus/obsolete circa 1950 X-ray machine, mobile emergency generators and other Civil Defense equipment that has been parked on and around the airport for over forty years. It is my understanding that OES is in the process of removing the items and the Aviation Division will request a removal date of September 1, 2006. • Mr. Jerry Vincent who manages the Formerly Used Defense Site program for the US Army Corp of Engineers, is working with the County to remove tanks and other items left behind by the military at Arcata/Eureka Airport. An action timeline on this issue is based on federal funding. Mr. Vincent has been very responsive and met with the airport a number of times this past year and is dedicated to completing the clean up at ACV. • The Sheriff’s Department will be asked to remove the safe
R2
Page 20

The Grand Jury strongly recommends the Board of Supervisors and County Department of Aviation management determine if there is a need to replace or upgrade the airport’s emergency response vehicles. Response from Airport Manager to Findings and Recommendations 2: I agree with the Grand Jury finding that the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) Vehicle needs to be replaced and the County has been working with the Federal Aviation Administration to establish implementation by: • Completing an Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grant application for FAA to replace the existing ARFF vehicle. A new vehicle costs approximately $800,000 and is AIP grant eligible. The Grant application will be completed by April 1, 2006. • Being prepared to provide the 5% sponsor match through the Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) program #8. This was established on April 1, 2006. • Understanding AIP Grant funding for this depends on the availability of discretionary AIP funds. A timeline for purchase cannot be determined, however, FAA is aware of the need for a new ARFF truck. Response from Board of Supervisors to all Findings and Recommendations The respondents agree with the findings. The Board of Supervisors is pleased that the obsolete equipment is scheduled for removal, and strongly supports the Aviation Division’s application for federal Airport Improvement Program funds to replace the Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicle. Grand Jury Report #2006-PW-02 Department of Community Development Services (CDS) Planning Division Executive Summary: The 2006 Grand Jury of Humboldt County received several citizen complaints concerning aspects of the county’s Department of Community Development Services (CDS) operations. The Grand Jury was introduced to a large, specialized, and complex county agency during its investigation. CDS is divided into three main divisions; building, planning, and economic development. Most of the complaints received dealt with problems in the planning division, consequently the Grand Jury focused its attention on this area.
R3
Page 20

Develop formalized Customer Service Program, with annual customer service training and periodic collection of customer service feedback/surveys. Substantially completed.
R4
Page 20

Establish 1 24-hour Call-Back Policy. Fully implemented.
R5
Page 20

Establish a Permit Tracking System. A pilot program is underway.
R6
Page 20

Reformat Planning Commission Report and Agenda. Substantially completed.
R7
Page 20

Expand the Use of Applicant-Attended Scoping Meetings. In progress.
R8
Page 20

Identify Back-Up Staff Assignments. Substantially completed.
R9
Page 20

Implement Complaint Handling System. Implemented.
R10
Page 20

Increase Permit Processing Productivity. In progress.
R11
Page 20

Create Application Processing Guides. Eight of 11 planned brochures are completed and are available on the department’s website.
R12
Page 20

Re-engineer Permit Process to Decrease Timeframes. In progress.
R13
Page 20

Improve Permit Processing Staff Training (technical, administrative, legal). In progress, will be an ongoing process.
R14
Page 20

Implement Customer-Service-Related Performance Measures. Parameters are now being tracked by the department.
R15
Page 20

Front Counter “Express Lane”. In progress.
R16
Page 20

Increase staffing levels to improve permit process performance. In progress. The Board of Supervisors is committed to improving the permit application process, and will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the initiatives and their resultant impacts on customer satisfaction.