Davis Branch Library

Recommendations 54

• R15
  In February 2004, the Yolo County Board of Supervisors, 2003 at the request of petitioning complainants resolved (with Yolo County Flood Control & Water Conservation District the avowed cooperation of the Executive Director) to Rules and Regulations (amended 1999) fully and decisively address the issues raised by Housing Authority personnel and residents. The following are Yolo County Housing among the actions recommended by the County Adminis- Authority tration Officer, submitted to and approved by the Board of Supervisors: A. That the Board refer the allegations of intimidation, REASON FOR REVIEW manipulation, and verbal abuse by the Housing Au- thority Executive Director back to the Housing Au- In response to repeated citizen complaints regarding the Yolo County Housing Authority (Housing Authority) Execu- thority Commission for reconciliation and resolution. tive Director's personnel and management practices, as well B. That the Board recommend the Housing Authority as Housing Authority residents' complaints of intimidation adopt the County Value of "Doing Right By People." and verbal abuse, the Grand Jury initiated an investigation. C. That the Board recommend the Housing Authority Similar complaints were submitted to the Yolo County Board consider hiring a mediator to resolve the uncertainties, of Supervisors (BOS), the Housing Authority Commissioners, confusion, and conflict between residents and also be- the Teamsters Union and others. The complaints culminated tween residents and the Executive Director. in citizens voicing their complaints to the BOS during the D. That the Board recommend the Housing Authority and public comment portion of mid-year meetings. In view of Executive Director consider filling the vacant Resident the BOS's February 17, 2004 adoption of a resolution to Initiative Coordinator position(s) as soon as feasible. fully address the issues raised and their adoption of a number E. That the Board recommend the Housing Authority and of recommendations (see below), the Grand Jury elected not Executive Director support the resident organization to investigate further. called "Hopes and Dreams" in updating and clarify- ing the organization's by-laws so there is improved
• R40
  At the time of the Grand Jury's visit there were 135 (REVIEWS: Yolo County Juvenile Hall- employees at the jail and 82 are correctional officers continued on next page) 15 2003-2004 YOLO COUNTY GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT has the responsibility for the project. County for minors who are charged with violation of the C. The new Juvenile Hall will be constructed in Wood- law or who have violated conditions of probation. land at the corner of County Road 102 and Gibson Members of the Grand Jury toured Yolo County Juvenile Hall on November 11, 2003. The tour was conducted by a Road. D. The cost is estimated to be $12.6 million of which, supervising detention officer who readily responded to all $7.5 million is funded by a grant from the Board of inquiries concerning current policies and procedures, and Corrections. The remainder will be funded through provided requested copies of forms currently in use (including the Development Impact Fees. Parental Authorization, Intake Health Screening, and a recent- E. Lionakis Beaumont Design Group is the architect. ly revised Rules Infraction Sheet). The tour included all F. The general contractor is Broward & Sons. sections of Juvenile Hall with particular attention paid to G. A public ground breaking ceremony was held on intake procedures, court appearances, and the practices March 16, 2004. relative to housing, health care, nutrition, sanitation, educa- H. The anticipated completion and date of occupancy is tion and recreational activities. On-duty staff members and July 2005. nursing personnel were observed and interviewed. Educa- tional and health care issues were discussed. Three juveniles RECOMMENDATIONS were privately interviewed. Additionally, the Grand Jury was provided with copies The supervisors and staff should be commended for 04 - 17 of the report of the September 2003 Board of Corrections maintaining a high degree of professionalism and inspection, and information from the County Administrative perceived efficiency despite the antiquated and over- Office. crowded conditions. Opened in 1976, Juvenile Hall was expanded in 1996. 04 - 18 All agencies, departments, and involved personnel The facility has a Board of Corrections Bed Rated Capacity should exert every effort to assure that the antici- of 30, however, in consideration of the measures taken to pated Juvenile Hall completion and occupancy date mitigate the crowded living conditions, the Board of Correc- is realized, that appropriate facility-specific policies tions has, since January 2000 deemed "...the facility to be and procedures are developed prior to occupancy, a suitable place for the confinement of minors while crowded." and that a smooth transition is made. A new 90-bed facility has been in the planning stages for Juvenile Hall administrators and staff should pay 04-19 years. particular attention to maintaining a high degree of facility and equipment maintenance during the final
• R57
  If the suspect requires emergency medical care he/she is brought to Woodland Memorial Hospital, Sutter Davis Hospital or in the case of West Sacramento, to the UCD Medical Center in Sacramento.
• R58
  Officers accompanying suspects to the hospital emer- 18 i 2003-2004 YOLO COUNTY GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT
• R03-01
  The County should establish clear, definitive pro- and audit work described in the above responses are adequate cedures for evaluating requests for disbursements to ensure accountability of the Special Fund. We will audit from this Fund to eliminate improper use. the expenditures for the period January 1, 1999 to June 30, Auditor-Controller's Response: The recommendation has 2001 and from February 1, 2003 to June 30, 2003 and issue been implemented. My office has documented the criteria a separate report on the results of our audit. We are nearing used by the Auditor-Controller staff to review and approve completion of the audit for the period 2/1/03-6/30/03, but claims submitted by County departments, provided a copy have yet to audit the prior period 1/1/99-6/30/01. to the Sheriff, and met with him to discuss how the criteria
• R03-02
  The Office of the Yolo County Auditor-Controller Sheriff's Response: Recommendation partially implemented. shall audit the Fund and its records quarterly. Guidelines for expenditures of these funds is subject to Auditor-Controller's Response: The recommendation has interpretation; after careful scrutiny of the records, restitution been implemented. We have recommended and the Sheriff was made for $345.04 for Truman Club meetings, the Demo- has agreed to submit vouchers supporting the expenditures cratic Bean Feed, the Rosenberg September Fest, and flowers made from previously disbursed funds for audit prior to for the Sheriff's wife. No other restitutions will be made. requesting another disbursement from the special appro-
• R03-03
  The Yolo county Auditor-Controller shall arrange for fornia. an audit of the Fund and its records from January Sheriff's Response: After meeting with Deputy Attorney 1999 to the present time and an annual audit of the General Tanaka, County Auditor-Controller Newens and Fund thereafter by an external independent auditor or representatives from the Auditor's staff, it was determined by an appropriate agency of the State of California. that an independent audit would not be conducted. Auditor-Controller's Response: The recommendation is not being implemented. Because there is no supporting case law and due to the relatively minor amount of the Sheriff's special (APPENDIX: Responses to the 2002-2003 Grand Jury appropriation, no state agency would be willing to audit the Report-continued on next page) 19
• R03-04
  The Sheriff shall make restitution to the County apply to the special funds controlled by him. We also recom- General Fund of all amounts expended for purposes mended to the Sheriff that the funds designated by the Board not consistent with the spirit of Government Code of Supervisors be accounted for in a separate budget unit to Sections 29430-29440. They include but are not provide greater visibility. The Sheriff decided not to imple- limited to: ment it.
• R03-05
  The Sheriff shall make restitution by 12/31/03 in an priations. We expect to audit the expended funds every three amount to be determined by the external independent to six months and issue a report on the result of our audit. auditor or appropriate agency of the State of Cali-
• R03-06
  The YCHA should contract with a reputable facili- plans, before 12/31/03. tator to provide training in the next six months on:
• R03-07
  YCHA employees should use their union representa- Board has adopted a policy to create a School Climate tion rather than the Grand Jury to deal with personnel Committee at each school; these committees will first meet issues. in October, 2003. YCHA Board Response: This recommendation is not ad- GRAND JURY Response: The School District's efforts to dressed to YCHA but to its employees represented by a union. encourage respect for others and the acceptance of responsi- Therefore, it is not appropriate for YCHA to respond. How- bility have been broadly publicized in the local newspapers, ever, if the recommendation is implemented by the employ- school newsletters and public forums. The District's initiation ees and their union, there will be more timely resolution of of corrective measures as well as the Board's establishing a employees' concerns. Employees working through their half-time position for a coordinator of "school climate Union will be more efficient and effective in resolving per- activities" are acknowledged and commended. A timely sonnel problems than complaining to an outside agency. report, following completion of this school year, to the School
• R03-08
  The YCHA Board of Commissioners should require Board as to each school site's compliance with the review, the Executive Director to set human resource goals revision, and adoption of its site-specific Safe School Plan for the next year (e.g., reducing the number of is strongly encouraged. employee complaints, reducing/eliminating the use of provisional hiring, increasing the number of per- City of Woodland Department of sonnel problems handled satisfactorily by middle Public Works management). A report should be submitted to the
• R03-09
  in the local newspaper informing the public of start report to the Yolo County Board of Supervisors at and completion dates for all construction projects that the beginning of FY 2004-2005 on the status of human relations within the agency, as well as evi- exceed two months in length. City Response: the City of Woodland has reevaluated its dence of accomplishments in its program-related policy regarding communication of project status to the public mission and goals, citing ways in which those accom- and is publishing notices and posting signs as recommended plishments carry out the stated goals of the Board of at construction sites with significant public impact or interest. Supervisors (see BOS Minutes, 4/15/03). YCHA Board Response: This recommendation requires Yolo County Jails further analysis, and will be a topic of discussion during consultations with the BOS during FY 2003-2004.
• R03-10
  The DJUSD should require each school within the (including foreseeable increases in jail population) District to review and revise its existing Safe School Plan to comply with the requirements of §35294.2 (APPENDIX: Responses to the 2002-2003 Grand Jury of the Education Code, including a public adoption Report-continued on next page) process, before December 31, 2003. 20
• R03-11
  The DJUSD should continue to play an active role · Conflict management and team building for the in community efforts and programs that will dis- Executive Director and key management staff, and courage unacceptable behavior by students. · Appropriate work place behavior for the entire DJUSD Response: The District will continue to enforce its management and staff. disciplinary code of conduct for unacceptable behavior as YCHA Board Response: Recommendations will be imple- defined in the Standards for Student Behavior handbook, and mented during the 2003-2004 fiscal year. will continue internal and community efforts to further promote self-respect and respect toward others. The School
• R03-12
  The City of Woodland should be more aggressive in Board at the end of Fiscal Year 2003-2004 docu- its monitoring of contractors to ensure that the work menting the extent to which the goals have been met. is performed in a timely manner, minimizing incon- YCHA Board Response: The general thrust of this recom- venience to the public. mendation will be implemented by its annual evaluation of City Response: The City of Woodland concurs. the Executive Director's performance.
• R03-13
  The City of Woodland should post signs and notices The YCHA Board of Commissioners should present a
• R03-14
  The Board of Supervisors should authorize and the Sheriff's Department should conduct in-house studies Davis Joint Unified School District to determine: · Whether it is more cost-effective to house inmates
• R03-15
  The Sheriff's Department should replace the carpet- compassion of the Supervising Deputy Coroner and her staff ing and repair the cracks in the cement flooring. in providing coroner services. The Board would also like to Sheriff's Response: There is a plan for carpet replacement thank the Sheriff and his management team for their leader- in the Monroe Center. Central Services Division has been ship in supporting this vital community service. actively making improvements to the facility. Both main line Sheriff's Response: The Supervising Deputy Coroner and housing units have received carpeting during August, 2003. her staff have been praised verbally and in written form by the Sheriff-Coroner.
• R03-16
  The Sheriff's Department should expand or relocate the laundry room and purchase an additional washer City Police Departments and dryer to accommodate the anticipated increase in the use of those services. The Sheriff should study the feasibility of creating
• R03-17
  The Board of Supervisors should do what is neces- on what is most efficient and economical from the sary to assure that the new facility is completed in perspective of the residents and taxpayers of the 2004. BOS Response: The Board concurs with the Grand Jury belief that the new juvenile hall should be opened as quickly (APPENDIX: Responses to the 2002-2003 Grand Jury Report-continued on next page) as possible. Due to the lengthy period of time needed for 21
• R03-18
  A physician should be on call at all times. If a newly qualified indigent inmates and making home deten- admitted youngster is known to be taking medication, tion to qualified prisoners attending drug treatment the contract physician should be contacted immedi- programs would pay for itself by reducing the need ately to assure that medications are not interrupted to pay other counties to house prisoners. and are properly administered. · Whether part-time provisional appointments to fill Probation Department Response: California Forensic Med- staff vacancies (e.g. a cook) would be cost-effec- ical Group provides a licensed physician to be on call twenty- tive compared to paying overtime. four hours a day. In the event that medication is received for Sheriff's Response: The Sheriff's Department has been and a minor and there is no medical staff on site, the medication is currently working closely with the County Administrator's will be forwarded to the on-going nurse to be evaluated and Office to determine the most cost efficient method of housing dispensed on his/her next visit to the Juvenile Hall. If the inmates either in county, out of county or home detention. minor is in need of his/her medication prior to the return of Also being investigated is the need to increase the capacity medical staff, a call will be placed to the Monroe Detention of the Monroe Center and when the appropriate time for Facility's Medical Unit where they will send a nurse to the expansion will be. Video arraignment is also being researched Juvenile Hall to evaluate and administer the medication. If to determine the possible impacts on other County depart- they are not able to send a nurse, a call will be placed to the ments. Once these impacts are identified, the Sheriff is on-call licensed physician. prepared to move forward with video arraignment. The Supervising Detention Officer's Response: Same as Proba- Sheriff's Department has recently hired three provisional tion Department response. employees and has used extra help employees to reduce vacancies. Yolo County Coroner BOS Response: The Board concurs with the Sheriff's re- sponse in investigating alternatives for managing the jail
• R03-19
  The Supervising Deputy Coroner and her staff should facility and operations. Staff is currently studying alternatives be commended for the excellence of their manage- for housing an increasing jail population, including the ment capabilities and public service. construction of an additional jail pod. BOS Response: The Board commends and recognizes the outstanding professionalism, consummate expertise and
• R03-20
  Sheriff's Response: As part of the planning for the County's and operating a shuttle service that would take cus- new Juvenile Hall, upgrades of the Sheriff's laundry equip- tody of prisoners on request from any participating ment will be made to keep up with the increase. community in Yolo County, and transport them to the Monroe Detention Center, or, if necessary, to a Yolo County Juvenile Hall local hospital and then to the Center. The study's conclusions and recommendations should be based
• R03-21
  The Sheriff's Department should modify the county's interoperability among all emergency services includ- computer-based information/ communication system ing Sheriff's Department, city police departments, as needed to make it interoperable with the systems fire departments, health department, and YCCESA. installed and operated by the cities of Winters, Wood- YCCESA Response: The Executive Director, the JPA Board land, Davis and West Sacramento. and the OES Manager agree that interoperability between Sheriff's Response: The Sheriff's Department does not communications systems enhances response and safety. While currently have a computer-based information/communication various frequencies are used by multiple jurisdictions, inter- system. The Sheriff is currently negotiating purchase of a operability is available and utilized in our central dispatch Records Management System and Correction Management center in conjunction with established field command systems System that will interface with the above described systems (e.g. Incident Command System). The Agency will continue and the Sheriff's systems. to monitor and remain abreast of any evolving radio com-
• R03-22
  The Sheriff's Department should consult with the munication technology which may enhance our current administrator of the courts and other appropriate system. persons to identify proper courses of action needed
• R03-23
  The Sheriff's Department should also explore inter- YCCESA Response: The Executive Director and the JPA operability with the state Office of Emergency Ser- Board agree that the safety of the facility is critical. Sandbags, vices and Yolo County Communications Emergency plastic, water pumps and other protective measures are Service Agency. readily available for use should the need arise. Additionally, Sheriff's Response: Same as response to Recommendation an alternate site for 9-1-1 telephone answering is located 03-21. and maintained in the City of Davis.
• R03-24
  The county should engage in flood prevention and partment communications complex. mitigation efforts of all reasonable kinds, including BOS Response: The Board disagrees. The Board supports obtaining needed permits for and participating active- the current YCCESA facilities master planning effort, which ly in local and regional flood control programs. is not based on a perceived threat of severe flooding. In BOS Response: The Board agrees the county and all other April 2002 FEMA designated the area around the YCCESA public agencies within Yolo County should engage in flood facility a special flood hazard (AE) area; until a land survey prevention and mitigation efforts of all reasonable kinds, and is funded and completed, there is no accurate method of has directed the County Administrative Officer and the appro- estimating the potential depth of floodwaters in the YCCESA priate county department heads to keep the Board informed area. and to represent the county accordingly. YCCESA Response: The Executive Director and the JPA Yolo County Flood Control and Board agree that flood protection is a matter for all public Water Conservation District agencies within the County, and YCCESA stands ready to assist and respond to all Yolo County flood issues.
• R03-25
  Color-coded vests should be provided to identify the presence and position of each level of the Incident (APPENDIX: Responses to the 2002-2003 Grand Jury Command System at emergency scenes. Report-continued on next page) 22
• R03-26
  The county's emergency communications systems should be modified and/or enhanced to achieve
• R03-27
  As a short-term protection from flooding, the earthen to extend interoperability to the courts. berm that now protects YCCESA on three sides Sheriff's Response: Same as response to Recommendation should be extended around the fourth side and com- 03-21. pleted before the next flood season.
• R03-28
  The County should consider the longer-term measure Yolo County Communications Emergency of moving YCCESA's communications systems to Service Agency higher ground, e.g. the new Woodland Police Depart- ment communications complex or the Sheriff's De-
• R03-29
  The District Board of Directors, in selecting a new
• R03-30
  The District Board of Directors should identify ap- [See report in this document (2003-04 Final Report).] propriate personnel management training, requiring Title 1 . . . 23
• R03-31
  The 2003-04 Grand Jury should review the District to monitor progress toward improved staff morale.
• R04-01
  The Yolo County Assessor should develop a time contracts. sheet that reflects the appraisers' hours. The General Manager was hired by the YCFC &WCD in RESPONDENTS (INVESTIGATIONS: Yolo County Flood Control & Water Conservation District-continued on next page) Yolo County Assessor 5
• R04-02
  Set a schedule for regular, on-going safety training. A laptop computer system is used to document water usage and record billings. The District bills users for the RESPONDENTS water. The system has been phased in and all reports indicate Board of Directors, Yolo County Flood Control and satisfaction from users and overall improvement in the Water Conservation District: system. Recommendation 04-02 The Board tours the facilities annually. The Board has an in-house engineer and an outside analyst to help identify SOURCES infrastructure problems and solutions. Among the challenges Persons Interviewed facing the District is funding for general maintenance of The General Manager canals and equipment and the District is looking into applying The Assistant General Manager for grants. The Board of Directors A supervisor is assigned the responsibility for developing Documents Examined the maintenance program for weed abatement and the use of Confidential Employee Data herbicides is controlled by the County Agriculture Office. - Years of employment The District has two licensed weed abatement applicators
• R04-03
  The Board of Supervisors, the Yolo County Housing citizen complaints following a series of investigative articles Authority Board of Commissioners and the Execu- appearing in the Sacramento Bee beginning September 2003, tive Director of the Yolo County Housing Authority (available at www.sacbee.com). The Bee's on-going series should review their initial authorizing statutes and identifies alleged improprieties and/or misconduct in the subsequent amendments to properly delineate their formation and operation of the California Administrative level of authority, scope of responsibility and over- Services Authority (CASA), a joint powers authority, formed sight functions. by the Sacramento City Unified School District (SCUSD) The Board of Supervisors, the Yolo County Housing
• R04-04
  and the Yolo County Office of Education (YCOE). A Grand Authority Board of Commissioners and the Execu- Jury's term of office is fixed at one year and this report tive Director of Yolo County Housing Authority reflects work through the publication deadline of April 30, should decisively address all unresolved issues. 2004. The consequences of ongoing work by the California The Board of Supervisors should schedule progress
• R04-05
  Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS), Social reports as a quarterly "agenda item" of the Board of Security Administration (SSA), SCUSD and YCOE are not Supervisors meetings included in this report because the results are not yet avail- Failing timely and significant resolution of these
• R04-06
  able. issues, the Board of Supervisors should consider contracting for an independent consultant's "per- BACKGROUND formance audit" and/or contacting Housing and CASA is a governmental joint powers authority (JPA) Urban Development (HUD) to provide training, formed in June 2000 to provide administrative services to model operating plans and program reviews for the school districts and to establish a cost neutral, alternative Housing Authority. benefits system for nonrepresented classified employees of SCUSD and YCOE. YCOE was recruited by CASA pro- RESPONDENTS moters and joined primarily for the CASA benefits program. The CASA program was designed to provide enhanced Yolo County Board of Supervisors: benefits to its employees at the same cost that SCUSD and Finding 13, 14, 15, 16; YCOE would otherwise incur if the participating employees Recommendation 04-03, 04-04, 04-05, 04-06 were covered under the CalPERS program. The stated pur- Yolo County Housing Authority Board of Commissioners: pose of the enhanced benefits was to attract and retain high Finding 13, 14, 15, 16; quality administrators for the member agencies. To participate Recommendation 04-03, 04-04 in CASA, an employee takes an unpaid leave of absence Yolo County Housing Authority, Executive Director: from his or her member agency and simultaneously CASA Finding 13, 15; hires the employee and contracts the employee's services Recommendation 04-03, 04-04 back to his/her former employer. YCOE has 14 contract employees participating in CASA compared with 101 CASA SOURCES participants who are current or former employees of SCUSD. Grand Jury Reports: 1999-2003 Many issues of improprieties and/or misconduct were YCHA responses to Grand Jury Reports: 1999-2003 raised before the SCUSD Board of Education. As a result Articles from Daily Democrat: 2003-2004 they commissioned MGT of America (MGT) to conduct a Articles from Davis Enterprise: 2003-2004 performance audit of CASA. MGT reported its findings to Letters of complaint from employees concerning management the SCUSD Board of Education in December 2003. The MGT practices/personnel issues. report, containing recommendations and responses are available Letters of complaint from residents and/or tenant organi- at www.scusd.edu. zations. Letters from residents and/or tenant organizations supporting (INVESTIGATIONS: Yolo County Office of Education- continued on next page) the YCHA Executive Director. 8
• R04-07
  04-10, 04-11 mediately authorize resources and personnel to the YCOE Superintendent: Yolo County Auditor-Controller to perform a review Finding 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22; of financial and administrative controls and practices Recommendation 04-08, 04-09, 04-10, 04-11 at the YCOE. This review should be coordinated with other agencies who may institute similar audits SOURCES so as not to be duplicative. Once completed, the Board of Supervisors should consider recommenda- Persons Interviewed tions, take appropriate action, monitor implemen- YCOE Superintendent tation of recommended action and make this in- Deputy Superintendent Member of the YCOE Board formation public. A former YCOE designated representative to CASA The YCOE Superintendent should submit a written
• R04-08
  status report by September 30, 2004 to the YCOE Documents Examined Board of Education detailing all inquiries or com- Newspaper coverage munications with CalPERS, the SSA, and/or any MGT report other governmental authorities, including the State CASA promotion materials Superintendent of Public Instruction, regarding CASA formation documents including: YCOE's involvement in CASA. Subsequently, a The Joint Powers Agreement and by-laws status report should be made no less frequently than Operating Agreement between CASA and YCOE every calendar quarter, advising of all developments, CASA audit reports changes in personnel or operations, and/or remedies CASA employee handbook taken related to this matter. The YCOE Superin- CASA minutes tendent should also include in this quarterly status YCOE Board minutes report all costs, charges, penalties, or claims incurred Meetings Attended or settlements reached relating to this matter. December 16, 2003 Special Meeting of the SCUSD when The YCOE Superintendent should also assess and
• R04-09
  the MGT report was presented. report to the Board of Education how these addi- tional costs, if any, may impact the YCOE's budget, identifying programs and/or staffing positions af- fected thereby and include this information in the quarterly report recommended in above item 04-08. These reports should be made available to the public by the YCOE Board of Education and a copy mailed to the Yolo County Grand Jury. The YCOE Board should develop, and make public,
• R04-10
  policies to monitor on-going contractual obligations to assure compliance with objectives established at the time the contract is entered. The YCOE Board should review all YCOE current contracts wherein the Board's concurrence or approval was required to assess whether the contract objectives are being met. The YCOE should, without delay, seek appropriate
• R04-11
  legal advice relative to their CASA obligations, options and liability. The 2004-2005 Grand Jury should monitor this
• R04-12
  matter to its conclusion and investigate further as it deems advisable. 11
• R04-13
  sionalism and should be commended for its efforts. REASON FOR REVIEW The California Penal Code authorizes the Grand Jury to RESPONDENTS review and inspect the jails and all related facilities annually. The Board of Supervisors BACKGROUND SOURCES A tour of the Coroner's Office was conducted on March Supervising Deputy Coroner 8, 2004. The office, under the supervision of the Supervising Deputy Coroner Deputy Coroner, investigates all sudden, violent or suspicious deaths. Yolo County Fire FINDINGS Departments and Districts 26. The office currently has a staff of 10 employees con- sisting of four investigators, four interns, one supervisor REASON FOR REVIEW and one clerical support. Two staff members are certified: one, a Registered Diplomat and one, a Board Certified As part of our duty as Grand Jurors, a review of the Fellow with the American Board of Medicolegal Death following local city fire departments and rural fire protection Investigators. The four interns rotate shifts so that only districts was conducted: Capay Fire Protection District, one intern is working each day. The duration of the Clarksburg Fire Protection District, Davis City Fire Depart- student internships is one year; however, the office has ment, Dunnigan Fire Protection District, Elkhorn Fire Pro- the option of offering an invitation for qualified interns tection District, Esparto Fire Protection District, Knights to extend their tenure to two years. Landing Fire Protection District, Madison Fire Protection 27. Although staffing levels have remained fixed and work- District, No-Mans Land Fire Protection District, West Plain- load has steadily increased, the turnover rate is very low. field Fire Protection District, West Sacramento City Fire Vacancies are infrequent and the hiring process for both Department, Willow Oak Fire Protection District, Winters staff and interns is very competitive. The most recent Fire Protection District, Woodland City Fire Department, Yolo opening yielded approximately 180 applications. Fire Protection District and Zamora Fire Protection District. 28. All investigators are peace officers and receive training in PC 832 (Arrests, Search & Seizure and Firearms), BACKGROUND Coroner's Academy, Homicide Investigation, Fingerprint The differences among fire departments/districts stem Identification and Blood Spatter Analysis. from precedent and available resources to meet the needs of 29. The total number of coroner death investigations in the their respective communities. Most of the fire districts are past 10 years has increased from 456 to 736 annually classified as "dependent districts," meaning that the Fire which represents a 61% increase. Although this is a District Commissioners are appointed by the Board of Super- substantial increase in workload, it should be noted that visors. In No-Mans Land Fire Protection District, the Board requisite forensic procedures declined by 36% during of Supervisors serves as the Fire District Commissioners. this same time period. Staff attributes the decline to The Yolo Fire Protection District is not a dependent district thorough and detailed investigations as well as advanced and their commissioners are chosen through the election training. process. In most of the fire districts in Yolo County, the fire 30. This year it is estimated that the caseload will approach chief is elected by the volunteer firefighters except in Yolo, 800 investigations and approximately 12.5% will require where the fire chief is appointed by the commissioners. In a forensic autopsy. Madison, the volunteer firefighters submit their choice for 31. All forensic examinations are performed by board certi- fire chief to the commissioners. In the cities of Davis and fied forensic pathologists. West Sacramento, the fire chief is chosen by the City Man- 32. There are 12 certified pathologists in the state of Cali- ager. fornia and four work with the county. None of the fire districts interviewed reported any con- 33. The Coroner's Office, faced with the challenge of an cerns or complaints about the response time to fires and escalating workload with static staffing levels, has proven resourceful and efficient in their daily operations. (REVIEWS: Yolo County Fire Departments and Districts-continued on next page) . 13
• R04-14
  The Yolo County Board of Supervisors should sup- outside the district. The No-Mans Land Rural Fire Protection port the use of Development Impact Fees to maintain District was disbanded in June 2002 and the Yolo County fire services. Board of Supervisors serve as the Board of Directors for the 04 - 15 The Yolo County Board of Supervisors should pro- District. The Davis Fire Department provides fire protection vide additional resources as needed to all fire dis- services for No-Mans land. tricts for grant writing assistance. Funding issues are a common concern among fire dis- RESPONDENTS tricts. Worker's Compensation and other insurance costs continue to rise, taking a bigger chunk of the districts' annual The Board of Supervisors budget, which in turn takes away from needed capitol im- SOURCES provements. Fire districts bear the costs resulting from service calls for accidents or grass and vegetation fires unless the Persons Interviewed cost can be billed to the individual or the individual's insurer. Fire Chief for Capay Fire Protection District Maintaining and updating of equipment is costly though the Fire Chief for City of Davis Fire Department fire districts defray the costs by providing basic maintenance Fire Chief for Clarksburg Fire Protection District themselves. The fire districts are seeking grants to help pay Fire Chief for Dunnigan Fire Protection District for the costs of replacing equipment, but writing grants is Fire Chief for Elkhorn Fire Protection District time-consuming and the districts do not have full time grant Assistant Fire Chief for Elkhorn Fire Protection District writers. Fire Chief for Esparto Fire Protection District Rural fire districts receive a portion of property tax Secretary for the Esparto Fire Department assessment funds and some receive additional allocations Fire Chief for Knights Landing Fire Protection District from special assessments or other sources. City fire depart- Fire Chief for Madison Fire Protection District ments are funded mainly from the general fund. Fire de- Fire Chief for West Plainfield Fire Protection District partments and districts are audited regularly. Beyond the Lieutenant for the West Plainfield Fire Department value of having fire districts protect property and provide West Plainfield Board of Commissioners emergency aid, fire districts serve their communities in other West Plainfield Volunteer Firefighter ways as well. Fund raisers for various community needs are Division Chief for West Sacramento Fire Department a common thread of social service provided by local fire Fire Chief for Willow Oak Fire Protection District districts. Steak frys, pancake breakfasts, and bean feeds, have Two fulltime Firefighters from Willow Oak Fire District all been hosted by fire districts. "Filling the Boot" for Volunteers from Willow Oak Fire District community needs is another way fire districts give back for Fire Chief for Winters Fire Protection District the betterment of Yolo County. Yolo County is fortunate to Fire Chief for Woodland Fire Department have the dedicated citizen volunteers and professional fire Fire Chief for Yolo Fire Protection District fighters that provide the needed service to all citizens of the Fire Chief for Zamora Fire Protection District County. Fire Marshall for City of Davis Fire Department Numerous other volunteers FINDINGS 1 34. All but three fire districts are comprised of volunteer (REVIEWS- firefighters. continued on next page) . 14
• R04-16
  Currently, an assessment is being conducted to determine the feasibility of conducting a full-scale All inmates are evaluated mentally and physically upon study about relocating or expanding the current jail. arrival. Inmates are clothed, housed, fed and provided medi- This assessment should be completed as quickly as cal care as needed. Inmates have access to telephones (collect possible. calls only). The telephone service providers contract with the jail through the bidding process to provide this service. RESPONDENTS Overcrowding of the facility has continued since 2002. The Yolo County Sheriff: facility is understaffed due to budget cuts and difficulty hiring Finding 40, 42 new correctional officers. Both of these situations have Yolo County Administrative Officer: caused considerable stress on the officers due to the resulting, Finding 41, 43; sometimes mandatory overtime. The overcrowding has re- Recommendation 04-16 sulted in two different remedies:
• R04-19
  years. particular attention to maintaining a high degree of facility and equipment maintenance during the final FINDINGS months of occupancy of the present Juvenile Hall. 44. The supervisors and observed staff seemed very knowl- edgeable, capable, attentive, and caring despite the som- RESPONDENTS ber tone and strict discipline imposed on the residents. Yolo County Juvenile Hall Superintendent: 45. The members of the Grand Jury were impressed with Finding 46, 47, 48; the demonstrated professionalism. Recommendation 04-17, 04-18, 04-19 46. The facility is old and not well designed for its current Chief Probation Officer: needs; however, it was very clean and efforts to keep it Recommendation 04-17, 04-18, 04-19 in reasonable repair were apparent. Manager, County Administrative Office, Central Services 47. The facility is overcrowded, with occupancy regularly Division: exceeding 40. A classroom is converted to a futon- Recommendation 04-18, 04-19 furnished sleeping facility each night. Yolo County Administrative Officer: 48. Other than concerns about overcrowding, the Board of Finding 46, 49; Corrections' September inspection found the facility in Recommendation 04-18, 04-19 compliance with all applicable codes. Yolo County Board of Supervisors: 49. Acknowledgedly needed since the late 1990's a new, Recommendation 04-17, 04-18, 04-19 podular 90-bed Juvenile Hall is well on the way to becoming a reality. Inquiry to the County Administrative SOURCES Office provided the following information relative to the Persons Interviewed construction of the new Juvenile Hall (JH): Supervising Officer, Juvenile Hall A. The Central Services Division of the County Adminis- trative Office has the primary responsibility for all Juvenile Hall construction. (REVIEWS: Yolo County Juvenile Hall- B. The Manager, Facilities Services and Capital Programs continued on next page) 16 .
• R04-20
  A formal and written study about a shuttle service Sacramento for the next year would eliminate the reim- to transport suspects to the Yolo County Jail should bursement. be undertaken by the Sheriff's office and County Woodland police officers patrol approximately 12.2 square Administration Office and submitted to the Board miles. Woodland Police Department has 64 sworn officers, of Supervisors. including all ranks and currently 63 positions are filled. The
• R04-21
  The study recommended above should result in a Chief of Police was appointed 18 months ago. There are 23 report available to the public by the end of fiscal non-sworn positions in the classifications of community year 2004-2005. service officers, crime prevention specialists, crime analysts,
• R04-22
  Invite all Yolo County law enforcement departments management analysts and administrative secretary. to participate in the study. Woodland Police Department uses part-time retired police officers as court liaisons. The use of court liaisons instead RESPONDENTS of fulltime officers results in substantial savings to the department. The court liaisons are not paid by Woodland Yolo County Sheriff: Police Department. West Sacramento coordinates the program Finding 52, 55; and bills the participating cities. Current figures indicate that Recommendation 04-20, 04-21, 04-22 during the 2003 fiscal year, using retired police officers saved Yolo County Administrative Officer: the city approximately $77,733. Finding 52, 56; Recommendation 04-20, 4-21, 04-22 FINDINGS Board of Supervisors: Recommendation 04-22, 04-22 50. The city police departments are dedicated law enforce- Davis Chief of Police: ment agencies. Finding 52, 53, 54, 55, 58, 59 51. City police department personnel who were interviewed West Sacramento Chief of Police: were cooperative, eager to discuss their jobs and responsi- Finding 52, 53, 54, 55, 58, 59 bilities and appeared to have a high level of morale. Winters Chief of Police: 52. The use of Court Liaison Officers saves money by limiting Finding 52, 53, 55, 57, 58, 59 the amount of overtime required of officers to appear in Woodland Chief of Police: court. Finding 52, 53, 55, 57, 58, 59 53. After booking, suspects are transported to the Yolo County Jail. 54. With the exception of the Winters and Woodland Police Departments there still appears to be concern over the time and cost of transporting suspects from the city jail to the county jail. 55. It appears that the method of transporting of suspects to the county jail still needs to be improved because taking an officer off the streets to transport a suspect reduces the effectiveness of that agency during that time period. 56. Though the 2002-03 Grand Jury made a recommendation that a study be made about a shuttle service to transport suspects to the county jail, no written report or study has been produced. 57. If the suspect requires emergency medical care he/she is brought to Woodland Memorial Hospital, Sutter Davis Hospital or in the case of West Sacramento, to the UCD Medical Center in Sacramento. 58. Officers accompanying suspects to the hospital emer- 18 i