Siskiyou County Grand Jury • 2014-2015

2014 - Grand Jury Report Final - Published by Siskiyou Daily News

24 pages Consolidated Report
Ver PDF original

Note: Missing finding numbers detected: F4, F5, F8, F9

Findings 6 findings

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help to insulate the boards from duties of Caretaker/Superintendent resulted in issues involving tree caretaker. There is no written job The Fort Jones Cemetery District does disputes that could end up in litigation. position. falling, ongoing vehicle traffic and d p jo o e b s s . c i t r i i o p n t . i o T n r ain f in o g r oc t c h u e r s so c l a e r l e y t a o k n e t r h ’ e s n pr o o t ce h d a u v r e e s. a n y written policies or F T i h n e d F in o g rt 3 Jones District has no written Finding 5 c b a e t t c l e e m ro e a te m ry in l g a n o d n s . what is believed to job description for the groundskeeper The Fort Jones Cemetery District does Recommendation 7 The District maintains a fixed asset Recommendation 1 position. The current services not have a public telephone listing. The Fort Jones Cemetery District l d i i s s t p . o T s o e o d n a t o e n e th p e i y e c h e a o v f e e o q n u l i y p m h e a n d t . t I o t T sh h o e u l F d or h t a v J e o n a e s w C ri e tt m en e te P ry o li D cy i st a ri n c d t p d r ir o e v c i t d e e d d . by the groundskeeper are self T th h e e o p u h t o si n d e e n o u f m th b e e r c i e s m o e n t l e y r y av s a h i e la d b . le on B C o o a u r n d t , y in B o c a o r n d j u o n f c t S io u n p e w rv it i h s o S rs is , k s i h y a o l u l was sold, with Board approval, to a Procedures manual that codifies the accurately determine all cemetery v e r p e x o r m o c lu f h o e n a v s t n s a e g i l e o e r i n s f a o h f l r s o a v r n a o d n l l a d u e n d t t h n e b e e o y r m w s c i o e o n r o n a v d l t i r c a i e s c f s e t . g e w T i v r i e e t i h n n e r e r p u u x o l d p l e i i e s c m n ie f d e o s n i r t t u i a . ( r r e b e y . u s , t d i n s o H c t i u p b l m l i i i m d n a a n it r e y d p t R p r o r o e ) o c s c c o e e a d u s p u r s i c r e t e e a s s s l , R W h ru i e g n h c h s i o l l e y m m t m t h h o e e e t n i c v d u a a d r t t e r a i e d o y n , n - t t v o 3 e g - r r d y o a u y d n e d d s ic o k a p e t e e e p r d a e t r a i o n i n d s R T s p h h h e o o e c u n o l e m d F n o m u p rt m e u n b b J d l e o i a s r n h t f e i o o s r a n t C h 5 c e e e m m pu e e b t t e e li r r c y y . d d i i s s t t r r i i c c t t b D r la e o n i s s u o d t n r l o u d i w c t a t i n r o i e n e r i s s n t i o a n n v r t d o e h a l e a v c s e h s s d i a i n . s t i t g s f th ac a e t i C o p n e r m o o p e f t e e r a r t l y y l away. and grounds for termination. extremely well, the duties and services provided are not recorded in any Finding 6 (continued on ) All monies received, and warrants Finding 2 fashion. The Fort Jones Cemetery The Henley Hornbrook Cemetery paid on behalf of the District are The Henley Hornbrook Cemetery Board needs to draft a thorough and up District does not have a public managed by the Siskiyou County District does not have any formal to date job description outlining the telephone listing. Contact is through Auditor’s office. written policies or procedures. groundskeeper’s duties. the employees. 8— 2013 - 2014 SISKIYOU COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT Review of the City of Weed WATCHDOG Siskiyou County Cemetery District : Administration of Community Development Block Grant Loans For the fiscal year 2012 an annual City to be legitimate this process has to occur RECOMMENDATION 6 committee members is to deal with RECOMMENDATION 13 wide independent audit, in their findings, when necessary. The Grand Jury could Requests for CDBG/EDBG loan many individuals and businesses in the City should seek assistance from noted some inadequate documentation not find retrieval of loan collateral on modifications from the borrower should City. They should disclose their financial appropriate State CDBG/EDBG RECOMMENDATION #7 Districts should take responsibility for issues were found in regards to the City EDBG loans reviewed. be accompanied by current financial activity. departments. Additional training on The Fort Jones Cemetery District is in ongoing training opportunities that Mt. Shasta Memorial CDBG program. statements/ information along with program management, loan monitoring, an ongoing property line dispute with may be available through the We tried to make an assessment of the RECOMMENDATION 3 r C e i v t i y s ed s h p o ro u j l e d c tio fo n l s l o fo w r th t e h e b us g in u e id ss e . l i T n h e e s RECOMMENDATION 9 p m r o o d c i e f d ic u a r t e io s, n s c a o n ll d a t d e e r l a i l n q r u e e tr n i t e v p a a l y , m l e o n a t n s t r h e e su n l e te ig d h b i o n r in i g s s la u n e d s o w in n v e o rs l v w in h g ic h t h re a e s appropriate authority. fairness of this program. We concluded The City needs to review its procedures requiring annual financial The City should set terms of 2 or 4 years would be beneficial. It may be helpful falling, ongoing vehicle traffic and t w h a a s t t t h o e o i v m ar p ie le d m a e n n d t a c t o io u n ld o c f a t u h s i e s c p r r i o ti g c r i a s m m a o n n d e i t f h o a n t e fo d l o lo e w s n s o C t i e t x y i s g t u , i i d t e sh li o n u e l s d . W cre h a e t n e s A ta p te e m rf e o n r t m s/ a in n f c o e r m hi a s t t i o o r n y f o ro n m th b e o r e r x o i w st e in rs g . i b n y o th rd e e C r i f t o y r o L n C a m pe e r m io b d e ic rs b t a o s i b s e . M rev em iew be e r d s f s o it r u a th ti e o n S t s a o t e h e to lp k c n o o u w ld t b h e e m C o it r y e ’ s ta c rg u e rr t e e n d t . cattle roaming on what is believed to REQUEST FOR RESPONSES in several forms. If terms change and necessary the City should retrieve loan should be reviewed along with should be appointed based on the be cemetery lands. Pursuant to Penal Code section delinquencies are not appropriately collateral on non-performing loans. possible modifications of collateral prior qualifications outlined in the City 933.05, the grand jury requests addressed then some of these loan funds to any action. CDBG/EDBG guidelines. Members REQUEST FOR RESPONSE RESPONSE TO responses as follows: simply become grants. If the City suffers FINDING 4 should also be required to file conflict of Pursuant to Penal Code section 933.05 RECOMMENDATION 7 From the following individuals: losses in the loan program it reduces The Grand Jury found little evidence of FINDING 7 interest forms on an annual basis. the Grand Jury requests responses as The Siskiyou Board of Supervisors loans to other potential borrowers. It City monitoring, regarding the The Grand Jury found that LC lacks follows from the concurs with the Grand Jury does not reflect on the City financial requirement of EDBG loans to create training and understanding regarding following governing bodies: recommendation and will offer Fort Jones Cemetery District
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c v o is n it f s u . sion that was evident during our better inclusion in the process. R A E nn C u O al M or M ie E nt N at D io A n T s I e O ss N io 1 n 1 for all City C of o d w e i t S n e e c s t s i o i n d e 9 n 2 t 9 it p ie r s o h to ib i e t n in c g o u di r s a c g l e o s f u u r l e l are not interested in giving up local T sh h o e u g ld o v b e e r n a i w ng a r b e o t d h i a e t s t i h n e d i c c o a m te m d a e b n o t v o e r In approximately half of the EDBG Council members should be required to candor in testimony in Civil Grand Jury control of their districts. response of the governing body must loans reviewed, the Grand Jury found FINDING 8 cover CDBG/EDBG Guidelines and investigations by protecting the privacy be conducted subject to the notice, concerns about the loan restructuring. RECOMMENDATION 5 The Grand Jury found varying opinions programs. and confidentiality of those who Recommendation 8 different entities, the lion’s share of and nighttime seminars are provided who serve on behalf of the citizenry, agenda and open meeting The City should review its CDBG from LC on what their responsibility is, participate in any Civil Grand Jury The Fort Jones and Henley Hornbrook which are governed by appointed to accommodate working individuals. are properly trained in their legal and requirements of the Brown Act.
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condition of the borrower. This should program activities. Clerk, the Auditor and County It is incumbent upon the Board of all Special Districts regarding their There appears to be a lack of concern by be especially true for non-performing Jury investigations by protecting the the City to pursue EDBG loan collateral. loans. Included in the guidelines is the FINDING 9 Finding 9 Counsel, provides FREE yearly Supervisors, as the appointing body fiduciary responsibilities and County privacy and confidentiality of those T pr h o e c e G d r u a r n e d o J r u r t y h r c e o s u h l o d l d n o th t a fi t n t d h e a C po it l y ic y is , r a e n s n p u o a n l s f ib in il a i n ty c i o a f l t i h n e f o b r o m rr a o t w io e n r . t T o h fu e r f n i i l s e h s L n fo o C r t m m r s e e . q m u T i b r e h e r d e s i r t d o o r f n e il o s e p t o c h o n a n s v i f e b l i i t c l e i t r t m y o f s i a a n s n t d e r L a e r s C e t F T I h N e D C I it N y G C D 13 BG/EDBG programs need S sp is e k c i i y a o l u d C i o st u r n ic ty ts su g p o p v o e rt r s n a in lm g os m t 1 a 0 n 0 y t s r u a c in h i s n p g e s c e ia m l i d n i a s r t s ri c fo t r b t o h a o r s d e s . s e B rv o i t n h g d o a n y f b o o r a r m ds o , s t t o i n in d s e u p r e e n t d h e a n t t t h sp o e se c i m al e d m is b t e ri r c s t , C on o g u o n i s n e g l p b ro a v si i s d . e s I n le d g i a v l i d a u d a v l i ce S p o e n c i a a n l w Ju h ry o i p n a v r e t s i t c i i g p a a t t i e o n i . n any Civil Grand using in this regard. For loan programs included little information of that kind. help with their implementation. 16— 2013 - 2014 SISKIYOU COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT 2013 - 2014 SISKIYOU COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT— 9 Deadwood Conservation Camp Report INTRODUCTION work of the inmate fire crews as well classification system that insures that supervised by CDCR employees. The Weed where they have played an The 2013-2014 Siskiyou County Civil as the responsibility of the fire crews no inmate shall have a history of any Camp is supervised by CDCR important role in the building, Grand Jury conducted a watchdog when they are working on a CAL sex crimes, murder, escape, arson or a employees around the clock, seven (7) maintenance and support of the investigation of the Deadwood FIRE project. CDCR employees may history of violence. All inmates are day a week. College of the Siskiyous Fire Training Conservation Camp in accordance accompany the fire crews to provide then trained at the California Center. The crews also provide fire with Penal Code Section 919(b). This security and care of the inmates while Correction Center near Susanville APPROACH prevention at the campus by clearing section of the penal code requires the they are out of camp on fire, floods or before being assigned to the On March 11, 2014 members of the brush as well as providing trail Civil Grand Jury to conduct an annual other emergencies. The inmates must Deadwood Conservation Camp. Most 2013-2014 Grand Jury toured the maintenance. inspection of every detention facility have twenty four (24) hour per day of the inmates at the Camp are serving Deadwood Conservation Camp. This within Siskiyou County. supervision while away from camp. time for alcohol, drug or property tour was lead by employees of CDCR In addition the fire crews partner with The Deadwood Conservation Camp is related crimes. The average inmate and CAL FIRE. During the course of and support ongoing projects which BACKGROUND located north of Fort Jones. serves approximately the last nine (9) the tour numerous employees as well include the Klamath National Forest, The Deadwood Conservation Camp months of their sentence at the Camp. as inmates were spoken to in order to Castle Crags State Park, Shasta Valley was established by the State of The camp is staffed by six (6) Inmates are paid for their work. The get a better understanding of the Fish and Wildlife Refuge, Siskiyou California in 1961 and opened on June Correctional Officers, one (1) majority are laborers who receive workings of the Camp. County Fairgrounds, Scott Valley 1, 1962. The camp is jointly operated Correctional Sergeant and one (1) $1.45 per day. Skilled workers can Adopt-A-Highway, local public by the California Department of Correctional Lieutenant referred to as earn up to $2.56 per day. Skilled DISCUSSION schools, cemetery districts, Siskiyou Corrections and Rehabilitation the CDCR Camp Commander. In inmates include mechanics, clerks, During the 2013 calendar year the County Fire Safe Council, the cities of (CDCR) and the California addition to the CDCR staff the camp plumbers, welders, carpenters and Deadwood Conservation Camp crews Weed, Etna, Fort Jones, Mt. Shasta Department of Forestry and Fire is also staffed by CAL FIRE with electricians. The lead cook can earn up provided a total of 133,160 hours of and Yreka, the Iron Gate and Mount Protection (CAL FIRE). The primary eight (8) Fire Crew Captains, one (1) to $3.90 per day. work to Federal, State and local Shasta fish hatcheries, the Lake mission of the camp is to provide Heavy Equipment Operator, one (1) governments for various work projects Siskiyou Recreation Area as well as inmate fire crews for fire suppression Stationary Engineer and one (1) While assigned to a crew fighting fires as well as conservation projects. In various other projects. principally in the Siskiyou County Assistant Chief referred to as the CAL or any other declared emergency an addition to these hours the inmate area. In addition to fire suppression, FIRE Division Chief. inmate may earn $1.00 per hour. All work crews provided a total of 56,960 The Deadwood Conservation Camp inmate hand crews provide a work monies earned by the inmates are hours of fire fighting time. These provides further economic benefits to force for flood control, conservation The Deadwood designated camp deposited in an inmate trust fund. figures which were compiled through the local community through local projects, and community services. In- capacity is eighty eight (88) minimum These funds can then be used to assist December 31, 2013 are estimated to vendor purchases. From July 1, 2012 camp facilities include a CAL FIRE security inmates. All inmates must their families, saved for their release have saved California taxpayers a total through June 30, 2013 CAL FIRE and vehicle shop where the inmate crews be convicted felons and male. These or used to purchase items from the of $3,974,972.00. CDCR spent in excess of $294,715.00 repair and restore State, Federal and inmates are broken down into four Camp Canteen. for goods and services from local Volunteer Fire Department vehicles. (4) fire crews of seventeen (17) men As noted earlier the Deadwood vendors. The payroll of the CDCR and There is also a CAL FIRE wood shop each for a total of sixty eight (68) In their leisure time inmates may Conservation Camp has a cabinet shop CAL FIRE camp employees that where inmates build cabinets for State, inmates. The remaining twenty (20) participate in hobby crafts, softball, which produces various wood reside in the area of Yreka and Fort Federal and local governmental inmates serve as cooks, clerks, basketball, horseshoes, reading or products as well as cabinets for Jones was in excess of $1,000,000.00. entities. grounds keepers, porters, camp other approved activities. Spiritual Federal, State and County entities. A CDCR and CAL FIRE employees also maintenance workers and skilled services are provided by community mechanics shop services CAL FIRE volunteer at local schools, youth The CDCR is responsible for the shop workers. volunteers. vehicles as well as Siskiyou County sporting events, charitable selection, supervision, care and Inmates at the Camp live in open Volunteer Fire Department vehicles. organizations, religious institutions, discipline of all inmates. CAL FIRE Inmates who are selected for the fire dormitories. They eat in a dining hall The Deadwood Camp also partners etc. maintains the camp, supervises the camps go through a CDCR staffed by inmate cooks and with The College of the Siskiyous in 10— 2013 - 2014 SISKIYOU COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT Deadwood Conservation Camp Report As of March 3, 2014, the Camp has minute. Due to the drought last year showers; a new pressure regulator has completed work projects totaling these springs only provided been placed on the dorm showers and 286.75 acres. These projects by name approximately 3 ½ gallons per minute. new 1.5 GPF valves have been are as follows: Highway 97 Brushing, With the expected continuance of dry installed on the lavatory. The camp has Siskiyou 96 Brushing, Hammond weather it may be possible that the reduced watering the lawn and Ranch Brushing, Mt Shasta FSC (2), camp could run short of water during nonessential flora; measuring devices Mt Shasta FSC 3, Soap Creek Ridge the remainder of 2014. have been placed on the holding tanks Fuel Break, Mott I-5, Siskiyou I-5 Since the passage of Assembly Bill and a drop test of the well that is now Brushing (2), Castle Crags 2012 (3), 109 (AB109) it has become harder for supplying the majority of camp water Mt Shasta Fish Hatchery (3), C.O.S. the CDCR to find and select inmates has been completed. A water flow Bear Trail, Jack (Thinning and Piling), that meet the requirements of working meter that was installed in the dorm Mott Airport, Quartz Hill Lookout, at a fire camp. In the future this may supply line to check the daily usage of Lake Siskiyou Logging, Butte Valley affect either the type of inmate sent to the dorm has dropped usage from Wildlife, Highway 89 Brushing, Cal a fire camp or the number of inmates 3500 gallons per day to below 2000 Trans I-5 Project, Big Springs eligible to be sent to a fire camp. gallons in the dormitory alone. This Elementary, Juniper Flat Fuel Break, was achieved through inmate Quartz Valley School, Cal Trans FINDINGS and recommendations awareness, low flow heads and Highway 89, Mt Shasta Fish Hatchery regulator installation. Should drought Fence, Weed Sons Ball Field and Cal FINDING #1 conditions worsen and more water is Trans Highway 97. During the course of the investigation needed then a larger pump will be it was learned that the Deadwood purchased for the well and in a worst Upcoming projects for the remainder Conservation Camp may have case scenario, water will be hauled for of 2014 include the Southeast Mt difficulty supplying adequate water holding tanks as is the case for other Shasta Fuel Break, Northeast Mt from their springs for the balance of Conservation Camps within the State. Shasta Fuel Break, Greater Weed Fuel 2014. Break, Pleasant Valley Water Tank, REQUEST FOR RESPONSES Pursuant to Penal Code section Hammond Ranch Water Tank, Juniper RECOMMENDATION #1 933.05, the grand jury requests Flat Fuel Break, Black Mountain Fuel The Deadwood Conservation Camp is responses as follows from the Reduction, South Weed Fuel Break, a valuable asset for Siskiyou County. following governing bodies: Mt Shasta Fuel Break, Meadow It is incumbent upon the Board of Restoration, Butte valley Shaded Fuel Supervisors and other appropriate Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors Break, Etna Cemetery, Weed Fuel agencies to be aware of the potential The governing bodies indicated above Reduction (2), Klamath River Fuel water shortfalls at Deadwood and should be aware that the comment or Reduction Project, Mt Shasta Fuel work in conjunction with the camp to response of the governing body must Reduction (Spring Hill), McCloud insure ongoing water services for the be conducted subject to the notice, Snow Removal, McCloud Station inmates this year. agenda and open meeting maintenance, and Weed Dogwood requirements of the Brown Act. Ridge Shaded Fuel Break. RESPONSE TO
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to Special District governance. not contain the name of any person, or now. The review should include by Siskiyou LAFCO, “under certain addition to meeting the requirements priority to attend these training When loan modification requests are facts leading to the identity of any p a in d r v o m o c l i e v n s e i s s d . t I r i f n a t t t i h h o e e n C E c i D t o y B n h t G r a a s / c C t t h o D e r s B p o G a s n s l d o ib a i n o li s t t h y a e n o r d s f m to a de n o b t y th r e e v b i o e r w ro we c r u , r t r h e e n t c ity f i a n p a p n e c a ia rs l R I m n E e fo m C r b m O e a M r t s i . M o n E s I N h t o D u s A l h d T o I u b O l e d N gi i v 8 n e c n l u t d o e a ll t h L e C ir R A E pp C ro O p M ria M te E N r D e A po T r I ti O ng N 12 should be c c i o r n c s u o m li s d t a a t n io ce n s o L f A th F e C d o is c tr o i u c l t d s. ” fo S rc h e o u th ld e o to f t p h u e b R li a c l p m h e M et . i n B g r s o , w t n h e a c d t i w st i r t i h c t r s e g a a ls rd o s a e tt s e s n io d n a s n c e e v er a y t y a e a s r. e L m a i w na s r c h p a r n e g se e n a t n ed d R R E E S C P O O M N M SE E N TO DATION 9 p th e e r s C o i n v i w l G ho r a p n r d o v Ju id ry e . s i T n h fo e r C m a a l t i i f o o n rn t i o a o lo f a n l l o o s s s s es t , o t hi t s a c x o p u a l y d e r r e du fu c n e d th s e a f m un o d u e n d t s b t o a r t r e o m w e e n r t . s T /i h n e fo l r a m ck a t o io f n t his f in ro fo m r mati t o h n e r w e h sp o o t n h s e i y b i w li o ti r e k s , f o w r, h w o h a a p t p G o N in C te ’ d s r t o h l e e m is , d ad ev m e i l n o i p s e tr d a t a io n n d m an a d d e c i a t v iz a e i n la s b l o e f to W C ee it d y . t i h n e d s e e p en d d i e s n tr t i c i t t s is w i i n sh cu m t b o e nt r e u m p a o i n n h re a s v p e o nsibi f l i i d ti u e c s i . a A ry s appo a i n n d te d Bo le a g rd a s l y go ea v r e s r n a e g f o fe c m ti a v y e ly n o g t iv e b n e th su e f f f r i e c q ie u n e t n c to y The Siskiyou Board of Supervisors S in t t a e t n e d s L e th g e is p la r t o u v r i e s io h n a s s o s f t a P t e e n d a l t h C a o t d i e t programs. should make it difficult to reach a proper and who they can go to for questions, City Council should appoint a CDBG them to address this with LAFCO many of those who serve are not well of law changes in California. concurs with the Grand Jury Section 929 prohibiting disclosure of decision. It seems that a prudent lending requests and information. . commissioner to help carry out this task rather than ignore their versed on these requirements. recommendation. The Auditor's Office witness identities to encourage full procedure is to know the financial along with giving oversight on the correspondence. Siskiyou County, through the County Recommendation 9 has provided training workshops for candor in testimony in Civil Grand
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District does not have formal written AND policies i.e. disciplinary procedures The Henley Hornbrook Cemetery The Fort Jones Cemetery District is in procedures. The caretaker operates RECOMMENDATIONS and grounds for termination. board should draft a thorough and up an ongoing property line dispute with from a handwritten sheet of rules and Adoption of these written rules would to date job description outlining the the neighboring landowners which has regulations inherited from the previous
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condition, but only shows as a footnote local jobs. The public has a right to CDBG/EDBG City guidelines. The LC assistance to the Fort Jones Cemetery The Fort Jones Cemetery District is LC members do not see or approve LC in the audit report. know how effective a major City loan would benefit if they knew the status of Board through the Public Works requested to respond to this report; program like the EDBG is on jobs and loans and the outcome of loans they meeting minutes. The City of Weed is requested to and/or Community Development recommendations 1,3,5,7,8 business revenue. approve. The LC would also benefit if respond to this report recommendations Departments by means of existing FINDINGS AND they were more included in the loan number 1 thru 13

Recommendations 6