📋
Extraído del Informe Consolidado
Esta investigación fue publicada originalmente como parte de un informe consolidado más amplio que contiene múltiples investigaciones. Consulte el PDF consolidado para ver el documento completo.
Glenn County Grand Jury
• 2001-2002
Nineteen residents of Glenn County are selected after reviewing 30 to
⚠️ Aviso de traducción: Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Recommendations 32
-
R00-04Page 67When County Counsel is required to review and make comments prior to Board of Supervisor action, Counsel should have more input than “Approved As To Form”, as required in Title 4, Section 4.02.01 of the Administrative Manual. RESPONSE: County Counsel The recommendation should be directed to the Board of Supervisors. The recommendation indicates a desire for the County Counsel to participate in policy decisions instead of reviewing documents for legal sufficiency. This would be a significant change from existing practices and the job description of the County Counsel. Unless the Board of Supervisors formally directs the County Counsel to provide policy guidance in document review, the role of the County Counsel is limited to reviewing the legal sufficiency of documents. 2000-01Grand Jury Evaluation: This response avoids the issue. This recommendation should be reviewed by future Grand Juries. RESPONSE: County Counsel It may help to explain that a County Counsel works for the Board of Supervisors and is available to County department heads for legal issues that may arise affecting the County. The statement “Approved as to Form” means just that –that the contract meets the requirements as to the description for the parties to the contract; that it contains the terms under which the contract is to be performed; that where possible, it contains an indemnification clause that protects the County from liability; that the contractor has adequate insurance; and any other contract clauses that may be required for that particular contract to make it a complete, legally binding contract. It is not the task of the County Counsel to act as judge and jury and review a County contract’s subject matter and then tell the Board of Supervisors whether the County Counsel believes it should be signed. The County Counsel is not a sixth Board of Supervisor member. The County Counsel’s role is to inform the Board of Supervisors of the law and to interpret whether the Board’s decision does or does not meet the requirements of the law. However, the County Counsel only gives this input when the Board requests it. You can see that there is a substantial difference between a policy decision, i.e., should or should not the “County” do this or that, and the task of the County Counsel to “approve as to form,” which means the contract is complete and meets legal requirements. Policy decisions are not included in the County Counsel’s job description as set forth in the California Government Code. 2001-02 Grand Jury Evaluation: This Grand Jury agrees with the County Counsel’s response. The County Counsel should not take on the role of an elected Supervisor in policy developments.
-
R01-05Page 40Establish a unit within the Recorder’s Office that will restore and preserve County documents and artifacts. RESPONSE: Assessor The Recorder presently devotes approximately $5,000 per year to restore and preserve historic documents under his authority. This process is done by a private firm that specializes in restoration techniques. Thus the Recorder does have a procedure in place, but this admittedly does not address other historical documents or artifacts. RESPONSE: Board of Supervisors The Board concurs with the attached response of the Assessor, dated August 27, 2001. 2001-02 Grand Jury Evaluation: The Recorder does an enormous amount of restoring in the limited amount of money allocated to this project. However, this Grand Jury is concerned with the “other historical documents or artifacts,” that are currently being stored.
-
R01-06Page 40Designate a centralized location for storage of all restored documents and historical artifacts. RESPONSE: Board of Supervisors The Board concurs with the attached responses of the Assessor, dated August 27, 2001 and the Building Department, dated August 9, 2001. In addition, should the County budget improve in future years, the Board should consider financing this restoration process. RESPONSE: Building Department Presently, there is no open/available space for safe storage of restored documents and historical artifacts. I feel this is a matter requiring the County Facilities Planning Committee’s review. RESPONSE: Assessor/Clerk Recorder As in the recommendation above, the Recorder does have a location for those documents he is restoring, the Recorders’ vault, but I believe the Grand Jury’s intent here is for a central location for all restored documents and historical artifacts. As a County Official in charge of a variety of departments, I find merit in the Grand Jury’s recommendation. Unfortunately, the restoration process and provision of the right kind of storage facility is expensive. 2001-02 Grand Jury Evaluation: The Grand Jury agrees that the need for a centralized location is expensive. However, continued effort must be made to find a location for these historical documents and artifacts.
-
R01-07Page 41Purchase necessary scanning equipment for the proper restoration of all County documents and historical artifacts. RESPONSE: Board of Supervisors The Board concurs with the attached response of the Assessor, dated August 27, 2001. RESPONSE: Assessor/Clerk Recorder I find myself in agreement with Grand Jury on this recommendation also. We will be reviewing the possibility of starting an initial scanning process within the Micrographics Department during this next year. Allowing for budgetary and staffing constraints, we hope that this process will expand to the other offices within the County. 2001-02 Grand Jury Evaluation: The process in the Micrographics Department has been started. However, as stated before, this Grand Jury is concerned with “other historical artifacts”.
-
R01-08Page 41Consider utilizing citizen volunteers to assist in historic record and artifact preservation. RESPONSE: Board of Supervisors The Board concurs with the attached response of the Assessor, dated August 27, 2001. RESPONSE: Assessor I agree, once a process and storage facility is in place. Trained citizen volunteers could certainly assist. 2001-02 Grand Jury Evaluation: It has been recommended that the abandoned wing in the Glenn County Medical Center could be used for storage of historical documents and artifacts. There is an enormous amount of documentation that is at risk of being destroyed. It is imperative that future Grand Juries look into how the County is handling this problem. Our government officials must remember their solemn obligation to and responsibility in preserving our heritage.
-
R01-09Page 42Complete a study of the staffing requirements of the jail. Consider a further study of the salaries to make these positions more attractive thereby improving the recruitment and retention of the staff of the Sheriff’s Department and the jail staff. RESPONSE: Personnel Director In Glenn County, each individual Department Head is charged with determining the appropriate staffing levels for the operations he or she oversees. Should the Department Head request the Personnel Director’s assistance in determining the proper staffing level, this office is more than willing to help. The salary and classification study done on behalf of the County determined that the Correctional Staff was approximately 20% behind market. Since that time the County has granted raises of 14% to the correction staff with an additional 5% increase to be granted in October of this year. In July of 2002, there will be a raise of up to 4% with an additional 5% to be granted in October of 2002. Over two years the County will have increased the salary by a total of 28% in an attempt to remain competitive in attracting and retaining qualified individuals. In addition, during negotiations, the County agreed to grant Sheriff’s Corrections “Safety Retirement” in July of 2003, again in an attempt to remain competitive in the market place. Glenn County through its negotiations with the Employee’s Representation Unit has negotiated a compensation package that will keep us competitive in attracting and retaining qualified employees. RESPONSE: Board of Supervisors The Board concurs with the attached response of the Personnel Director, dated August 28, 2001. 2001-02 Grand Jury Evaluation: The recommendation is being implemented.
-
R01-10Page 42In the interests of safety and security it is again recommended that the planned improvements be expedited. RESPONSE: Sheriff 1. Security of the fenced area outside the kitchen needs to be addressed to discourage contraband and escape. This project has not been undertaken due to budgetary constraints. In addition, It is planned that some construction (an additional freezer, generator replacement and possible equipment movement) will be taking place in the area and therefore it was determined that implementation of the security project should taken place AFTER the construction projects were completed. 2. Complete all remodeling and improvements already funded as soon as possible to insure the safety of inmates, staff and community. The improvements pending will be completed, as funds are available. Some of these projects will be completed with State and Federal funds because of revenue shortfalls in the County budget. In order of priority, they have been addressed as follows:
-
R01-11Page 43Once again, and for the same reasons, a cover for the slicer must be found. RESPONSE: Sheriff This issue has been addressed and proper security measures are in place. This meat slicer is covered with a vinyl cover that is in place whenever this piece of equipment is not in use. 2001-02 Grand Jury Evaluation: Satisfactory
-
R01-12Page 44We again urge the completion of the remodeling as soon as possible, as the overcrowding is unacceptable. RESPONSE: Chief Probation Officer The construction plans are complete at the design development phase and are to be mailed to the Board of Corrections by August 22, 2001. We hope to go out to bid within sixty days and start construction before the end of the year. Major construction such as this is most complicated and often a long, drawn-out process, especially as this is a grant project. RESPONSE: Building Maintenance and Inspection Director The Jane Hahn Juvenile Hall addition is in the design development stage and in line with the Grant’s projected timetable. Construction documents will be transmitted to the Board of Corrections for comments and/or approvals in December 2001. RESPONSE: Board of Supervisors The Board concurs with the attached response of the Chief Probation Officer, dated August 21, 2001. 2001-02 Grand Jury Evaluation: Further follow up is required.
-
R01-13Page 44The windows in the cells should be sealed, as the present facility will probably still be in use during the next wet season. RESPONSE: Chief Probation Officer Plans are underway to do a total reconstruction of all existing windows as soon as possible and prior to the winter season. Buildings and Grounds are aware of and involved in this initial project. RESPONSE: Building Maintenance and Inspection Director Building and Grounds will continue to make the necessary repairs on the windows within the cells. 2001-02 Grand Jury Evaluation: Re-inspection during the rainy season is needed.
-
R01-14Page 44Transportation needs, such as maintenance and need for a larger capacity vehicle, should be investigated. RESPONSE: Chief Probation Officer During the past six months, this department has received two new vehicles from grant resources and three new vehicles through the County’s trade-in process. It is anticipated, by the time juvenile hall construction is completed, that two nine-passenger vans will be in place to provide adequate transportation. Currently, with our new vehicles in place, juvenile hall can meet its transportation needs.
-
R01-15Page 46Government entities with Glenn County should make every effort to ensure that purchases that can be credited to a point of sale within Glenn County are in fact so credited as such. This will return a portion of sales tax revenue to local jurisdictions. RESPONSE: Board of Supervisors The Board agrees with the Grand Jury’s recommendation and will make every effort to ensure that purchases are made within Glenn County where possible. 2001-02 Grand Jury Evaluation The Grand Jury accepts the Board of Supervisors response and hopes that they are in fact ensuring that purchases are made from Glenn County businesses.
-
R01-16Page 47When an inspector notes a discrepancy and the permit holder disputes the inspector’s finding, the inspector should issue a written notice to the permit holder defining the code section in violation. RESPONSE: Building Maintenance and Inspection Director Building Department Policy is to always write out the discrepancy on a “Notice of Inspection” form. The original, which includes our phone number, is left at the job site at the time of inspection and a copy is retained at the Building Department. Actual code section text is available upon request. 2001-02 Grand Jury Evaluation As long as the code section is cited with a brief narrative description, this response is acceptable.
-
R01-17Page 47Inspectors that inspect the same job site, at different times, should ensure that the subsequent decisions are consistent with prior inspection. RESPONSE: Building Maintenance and Inspection Director The duty of the Building Inspector is to ensure code compliance. On a rare occasion, the human factor gets in the way. However, if a different inspector arrives on site and notices a significant code violation, it is his/her responsibility to address the problem. Avoidance of a problem could result in County liability for property damage, personal welfare, health and safety. 2001-02 Grand Jury Evaluation The majority of citizens look for one thing in the enforcement of rules, regulations, codes and laws, that is consistency in application. If a “significant code violation” is overlooked by one inspector, but detected by another, the Grand Jury hopes that corrective action is taken to insure that it is not overlooked in the future.
-
R01-18Page 47Consider the development of a process that allows a contractor to receive a certificate of code compliance at job completion when the work performed meets all the requirements a permit was issued for. This would allow the contractor to seek payment from the customer, even if the customer had other issues that prevented the inspector from issuing a final clearance because of other code violations discovered on the job site unrelated to the work the permit was issued for. RESPONSE: Building Maintenance and Inspection Director A “Notice of Inspection” form, along with the job card (customer required to maintain on site), details approvals and/or required corrections. (See Exhibits “A” and “B” attached.) This is adequate documentation of the job status. In addition, we have drafted a letter. (See Exhibit “C” attached.) However, in the event of a code violation that may affect health and safety, a final clearance may be withheld. RESPONSE: Board of Supervisors The Board concurs with the attached response of the Building Department, dated August 9, 2001.
-
R01-19Page 53Repair the damaged roads and parking areas at the airport RESPONSE: Public Works Director On April 18, 2000, Glenn County entered into a new lease agreement (Contract #497) with Nancy’s Café at the Willows Airport. Section 26 of the lease agreement specifies the restaurant parking lot will be resurfaced at the “sole expense of Lessee…” The work will be completed by “not later than December 31, 2002”. Exhibit “A” for the contract identifies the area to be paved and is attached. The parking lot should be resurfaced by the end of the year 2002. The road repairs are still hampered by the airport budget. In fiscal year 2000-01, the Willows Airport borrowed $15,000 from the Road Fund to pay for the removal of the Airport’s underground fuel storage tank. The Willows Airport did not have sufficient revenue to pay for this required removal. These funds have not been repaid because of lack of funds. In the Spring of 2001, the Pubic Works Director requested $10,000 to meet the Airport’s on- going expenses from the Board of Supervisors because of lack of revenue. The Board of Supervisors loaned the funds to the Willows Airport Enterprise Fund. The loan also has not been repaid because of lack of funds. At the end of fiscal year 2000-2001, the Willows Airport Enterprise Fund had a balance of $95.00. As you can see the lack of funds is a constant problem, which makes the funding of even minor repairs difficult. Nancy’s Café’s lease agreement addresses resurfacing of the restaurant’s parking lot. The Airport Advisory Committee concurs that the damaged roads and parking areas of the Airport need to be repaired. The Willows Airport does not generate sufficient revenue to afford the repair work. The Public Works Staff is researching the availability of various funding resources for the Airport. The repair work will be performed when the revenue is available. RESPONSE: Board of Supervisors The Board concurs with the attached response of the Pubic Works Director, dated August 1, 2001. 2001-02 Grand Jury Evaluation These responses are accepted.
-
R01-20Page 53Heavy trucks be required to park in a designated area with signs to direct them. RESPONSE: Public Works Director Most of the heavy trucks park on the west side of Nancy’s Café. No Parking Signs are in place along the south side of State Highway 162. Trucks have been noted parking adjacent to the “No Parking” signs.
-
R01-21Page 55Inquire into more timely and productive methods of hiring procedures to reduce open vacancies. RESPONSE: Director of Health Services As stated last year, the Health Services Agency continues and will continue to work with the Personnel Department who is responsible for the timing of recruitments, notices and hiring procedures. The just completed, but not fully implemented, Classification and Salary Study, has been some help and continued efforts to keep that study from becoming outdated will be made. Regular discussions with the Personnel Director regarding improved methods for timely recruitments will continue. RESPONSE: Board of Supervisors The Board concurs with the attached response of Health Services Director, dated July 23, 2001. On September 4, 2001 the Board directed the Personnel Director to develop a proposed recruitment plan that would “decentralize” certain recruitment processes to selected county departments that should result in a more timely and productive method of recruiting and hiring. 2001-2002 Grand Jury Evaluation This is an acceptable response.
-
R01-22Page 55It is recommended that the Department conduct annual surveys of all employees for continued improvement in communication. RESPONSE: Director of Health Services Currently, lines of communication within the agency follow the chain of command and include: 1. Unit Supervisor’s weekly meeting with their Units. 2. Supervisors meeting regularly with other Unit Supervisors and administrative staff in a Management Team meeting for sharing of communications from the staff. The minutes from these meetings are made available to all staff. 3. Unscheduled attendance by upper management at Unit meeting and scheduled attendance as requested by Unit staff. 4. Monthly Resolution Group meetings with the Director, Deputy Directors and line staff without Unit Supervisors present. Line staff represent their individual units and have their questions and concerns addressed by upper management during these meetings. 5. The role set model, which allows all staff access to upper management as requested by staff. 6. Entire unit trainings with outside consultants around team building on an as required basis. For instance, a three-day team building with a two-day follow up occurred in the past 18 months and a similar event is scheduled for Drug and Alcohol staff and upper management.
-
R01-23Page 56Update Policy and Procedures Manual annually. RESPONSE: Director of Health Services The Policy and Procedures Manual is updated annually, reviewed regularly and will continue to be reviewed regularly. 2001-02 Grand Jury Evaluation This is an acceptable and clear response.
-
R01-24Page 56Develop plan to accommodate increased demand for long term plan care for our elderly. RESPONSE: Director Health Services Long term care for our elderly and other citizens continues to be a community issue as identified in the Grand Jury Report and we are very much interested in having such facilities available. We will continue to work with existing providers in attempts to bring such facilities into our community and keep abreast of grants and other opportunities for development of long-term care and other facilities in the Glenn County community. RESPONSE: Board of Supervisors The Board concurs with the attached response of Health Services Director, dated July 23, 2001. 2001-02 Grand Jury Evaluation This response is sensitive to the needs of our elderly. It is recommended that future Grand Juries follow up in this matter, as the number of elderly in need of these services is increasing.
-
R01-25Page 57City Council and staff should adhere closely to Brown Act provisions when preparing agendas, conducting meetings and making decisions. RESPONSE: City Attorney In the recently-completed Grand Jury Report for 2000-2001, the Grand Jury commented on the dismissal of the Orland City Manager and directed that a response be provided by the City Attorney and Orland City Council to the recommendation contained in the report. The following is respectfully submitted in response to the Grand Jury’s request: On March 20, 2001, the Orland City Council, acting in closed session, voted 4-1 to terminate the City Manager’s contract effective immediately. Although I was serving as City Attorney at the time, I was not in attendance at that meeting, nor was I informed in advance by any Council member of any intention by the Council to take such action. In response to the above-noted Council action, I immediately requested a special session to be held to discuss what, if any, potential litigation may arise as a result of the Council’s conduct. During the course of that meeting, the City Manager requested that he be allowed to participate, and in the course of considerable negotiations during that closed session an agreement was reached whereby the City Manager would be reinstated to his position until August 3, 2001, at which time he would conclude his employment with the City of Orland. The terms of this negotiated settlement were memorialized in a settlement agreement, which was presented at the special meeting of the City Council on March 27, 2001, in open session. Since the above events occurred, I have conducted one formal training session concerning leadership/management, which included an overview of the Council members’ responsibilities with regard to the Brown Act. In addition to the above formal training, I have maintained an ongoing dialogue with the Council members, making myself available to them to respond to specific questions pertaining to agenda items, attendance at meetings, conduct of meetings, appropriate matters to be considered in open and closed session and confidentiality of closed session information. I have provided the Council members with written material obtained from the League of California Cities, in an attempt to further familiarize them with the requirements of the open meetings law. 2001-02 Grand Jury Evaluation The City Attorney has taken the necessary steps to insure the City Council is well aware of what they can and cannot do in regard to the Brown Act. RESPONSE: City Council The City Council has been asked to respond to the recommendation contained in the 2000- 2001 Grand Jury Final Report, recommendation 01-25, which states “City Council and staff should adhere closely to Brown Act provisions when preparing agendas, conducting meetings and making decisions.” This matter was agendized and discussed in open session at the regular meeting of the Orland City Council on Tuesday, September 4, 2001, and direction was given for the City Attorney to compile comments and responses from various Council members, for presentation in this final letter to be approved by the Council at our regularly-scheduled meeting on September 17, 2001. The draft presented for consideration at that meeting was considered by members of the Council to be an inadequate response to the Grand Jury's recommendation and the mater was put over to the October 1, 2001 meeting, at which time a revised response was presented.
-
R01-26Page 59Orland City Council conduct a research into the wage scale for all officers and endeavor to bring them up to par with other communities. RESPONSE: Orland Chief of Police The three-year contract between the police officers and the City of Orland expired on June 30, 2001. The union representative for the police department has done a wage comparison as well as an actuarial study for retirement benefits that will be presented during negotiations that are about to begin. 2001-02 Grand Jury Evaluation Satisfactory
-
R01-27Page 60City or County should investigate the possibility of securing a piece of land to be used by all County Law Enforcement Agencies. It is understood that a parcel of land near Black Butte was under consideration. RESPONSE: Sheriff The Sheriff’s Office is working in conjunction with the Glenn County Office of Education on a countywide firing range. The range would be located on land owned by the Office of Education. At this time the project is in the hands of the Federal Office of Education. As soon as the finalized agreement is received from Washington, D.C. work can progress on this much-needed item. RESPONSE: Orland Police Chief Law enforcement agencies in Glenn County are working together with the Glenn County Office of Education to create a countywide range. Once a finalized agreement is received, work can progress. RESPONSE: Board of Supervisors The Board concurs with the attached response of the Glenn County Sheriff, dated August 22, 2001. 2001-02 Grand Jury Evaluation Further follow up is required on this matter.
-
R01-28Page 61Willows Police Department should embark on an extensive program to improve its image and Community Relations. Every effort should be made to demonstrate the valuable services performed by this Department and that the Department is always aware of the concerns of the citizens. RESPONSE: Willows Police Chief and the Mayor The Willows Police Department has had a 90 percent change in personnel over the last three years. Of the eight new members, including the Chief, only three are from Glenn County and one from Chico. The new officers from outside Glenn County are not known to most of the residents and may often be viewed with skepticism because they have different methods or style of handling issues. The new officers, like any new member of our community must go through the process of acquainting themselves to the community. This takes time, and the new officers, as with anyone else, must establish a circle of friends and expand outward into the community. The Department encourages officers to get out of their vehicles and interact with members of the community on other than official business. New officers in a new community can create a different image. Since the officers do not “know” everyone, the initial contacts may be misconstrued as cold or uncaring although proper and professional. The officers are encouraged to be sensitive to the individual needs, but are often met with “…when officer ______ was here he would not have done it this way.” Enforcing the law is usually an unpleasant task. When that is done by an unfamiliar face and fueled by an inaccurate media, it is easy to create the impression of an unfriendly Department. Once that has occurred, only time and perseverance by the officers will be effective in changing the mind of the community. The new officers, including those from Glenn County, are also very proactive. That, coupled with new laws that mandate arrests in some instances, may add to the perception that the Department is not community oriented. However, in reality nothing could be further from the truth. The philosophy of the men and women of the Willows Police Department can best be summarized by our Mission Statement that is the result of their collaborative efforts. “The mission of the Willows Police Department is to enhance our relationship with our community by demonstrating honesty, integrity, and professionalism in every act, thus ensuring the safety, serenity and quality of life of every individual.” The City and the Willows Police Department will continue to make every effort to establish a relationship within the community, which reflects mutual respect and confidence in our officers. 2001-02 Grand Jury Evaluation Satisfactory
-
R01-29Page 61In Officer training, reinforce the need for proper restraint on the part of an arresting Officer, safety of both parties still being the main concern. RESPONSE: Willows Police Chief and the Mayor Every officer is trained and retrained in proper control and arrest techniques to ensure the safety of the officer, the public, and the person being arrested. The California Penal Code is clear about an individual’s responsibility when being arrested:
-
R01-30Page 62Willows Police Department, as a manpower consideration, should explore the need for Reserve Officers or a VIPS program as used in neighboring communities, giving a greater visibility to the Police Department at schools and community functions. RESPONSE: Willows Police Chief and the Mayor The Grand Jury addressed part of the response to this issue in the Background section of this report on . Their inquiry when they were compiling their information was why we did not have VIPS or Reserve Officer programs. They did not address other programs that were in place. The Willows Police Department has both a Community Service Officer (CSO) and Cadet Program. The CSO and the School Resource Officer (SRO) attended most school functions during the last year in addition to teaching the DARE curriculum to all five sixth grade classes at Willows Intermediate School (WIS).
-
R01-31Page 63The need for more space is still of great concern. If a move to a larger facility is impossible then temporary, secure storage space should be sought. RESPONSE: Willows Police Chief and the Mayor This has been an issue that is based on the availability of funding and has been discussed at every level of City government for many years. Efforts are currently underway to acquire funding to build a new City Library. If that effort is successful the tentative plan is for the Police Department to relocate into the space currently occupied by the Library. The Police Department has had a couple of secure off-sight storage facilities for many years. 2001-02 Grand Jury Evaluation: Satisfactory
-
R01-32Page 63Upgrading of the computer/internet communications should be given a high priority thus making all sources of information available to the Officers of the Department. RESPONSE: Willows Police Chief and the Mayor Last fiscal year the Police Department received $100,000 from the State of California to upgrade the technology within the Department. The process of upgrading both the computer hardware and software has been ongoing since the Spring of 2000. It is expected that the entire process of upgrading the computer systems in the Department will be completed by the beginning of October 2001. The Department has had Internet capability since early March of 2001. 2001-02 Grand Jury Evaluation: Follow-up is recommended for implementation.
-
R01-33Page 64Willows Police Department, together with other Law Enforcement Agencies in Glenn County, has to share firing range facilities in other Counties. Glenn County should give consideration to this much-needed training facility for use by all law enforcement in this County. We understand that consideration had been given to a parcel of land near Black Butte. RESPONSE; Willows Police Chief and the Mayor The Willows Police Department along with the other law enforcement agencies in the County have and continue to work collaboratively on this issue. Aside from the cost, there are also safety and environmental concerns that must be met before action of any kind can be taken. Acquiring land and then developing the site are expensive propositions with little or no return. A gun range in Glenn County would be a luxury when there are many basic needs that should be met first. RESPONSE: Glenn County Sheriff The Sheriff’s Office is working in conjunction with the Glenn County Office of Education on a countywide firing range. The range would be located on land owned by the Office of Education. At this time the project is in the hands of the Federal Office of Education. As soon as the finalized agreement is received from Washington, D.C. work can progress on this much-needed item. 2001-02 Grand Jury Evaluation: Satisfactory
-
R01-34Page 65The Department Heads should formulate a policy manual of standard practices employed in the Department for the instruction of new officers following in line. RESPONSE: Orland Fire Department The Orland Fire Department Policy Manual of Standard Practice for new officers does not exist as a policy manual, but does exist in our by-laws. The chief officers are elected annually by the membership and the captains are appointed by the chiefs. The membership is divided equally between four captains who are responsible for their training. This training is for the purpose of creating engine drivers who are responsible, confident and clear thinking individuals, who at any time could be the chief by virtue of the fact that that fireman was the driver of the first truck to respond and would remain the command officer until relived by a senior firefighter or elected officer. We believe in experience and quality training to create the next officers who would ensure that this method will prevail. In situations that firefighters sometimes face, no written policy could even begin to cover. We know that when we elect officers to lead our organization, that person has the knowledge of what is expected and has the confidence and experience to safely lead during a major incident and even more important, to know when not to be the chief and when to ask for assistance from others with more experience. 2001-02 Grand Jury Evaluation: Satisfactory
-
R01-35Page 66In the interest of safety, it is recommended that the upgrade of all communications equipment be completed as soon as possible. RESPONSE: Willows Fire Department The following improvements have been or are in the process of being made: 1. A new telephone system has been approved by the City Council and will be installed by the end of August 2001. 2. We have a Nextel phone at the fire station, which affords us the ability to contact City and County agencies directly. 3. The City is upgrading the computer system, which will create networking for interdepartmental communications such as E-mail. We are also scheduled to be on line with the Internet. The latter improvements are in process 2001-02 Grand Jury Evaluation: The new telephone system has been installed. This response is satisfactory.