Grand Jury Report #2006-jl-12 Hoopa Sheriff’s Substation and Holding Facility Finding 1: The Grand Jury finds that

Recommendations 16

• R1
  The Grand Jury has no recommendation on this matter. Grand Jury Report #2006-AF-01 Asset Forfeiture Executive Summary: The Grand Jury of Humboldt County made inquiries regarding the distribution of funds received from the sale of asset forfeitures. These funds are distributed to the County and occur as a result of crime related action taken against individuals, or groups of residents, of Humboldt County. • No Response is required. Grand Jury Report #2006-AF-02 County Elections Department Executive Summary: The Grand Jury recognizes that one of the most important functions of County government is to insure fair and accurate elections – the backbone of our representative democracy. Concerns from the public led Congress to pass the “Help America Vote Act” (HAVA) and California voters to pass Proposition 41, the “Voting Modernization Bond Act” in 2002. These actions suggested to the Grand Jury that it review the Humboldt County Election Department’s procedures and determine the impact, if any, these legislative changes will have on future election practice. Therefore, members of the Grand Jury monitored all phases of the November 2005 Special Election, interviewed Election Department personnel and participated in the pre-election Logic and Accuracy Observer Panel. • No response is required. Grand Jury Report #2006-HS-01 County Veterans Service Office Executive Summary: The County Veterans Service Office (CVSO) was established by the Board of Supervisors of Humboldt County to assist veterans and their dependents in obtaining benefits from federal, state and local agencies administering programs for veterans. The CVSO staff consists of a Veterans Service Officer and a Veterans Service Representative. The CVSO also works in cooperation with other veteran’s organizations within the county and state. The CVSO is fulfilling its mission to the veterans of Humboldt County. • No response is required. Grand Jury Report #2006-HS-02 Humboldt Senior Resource Center Executive Summary: The Humboldt Senior Resource Center is a non-profit organization which provides numerous services to the community’s senior citizens, including Dial-a-Ride, a firewood program, senior home repair, a job bank, a senior nutrition program, Adult Day Health Services, an Alzheimer’s Resource Center, and ombudsman services. The Senior Resource Center is committed to collaboration with other agencies in both private and public sectors. • No response is required. Grand Jury Report # 2006-HS-03 Mental Health Services to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility Executive Summary: The Grand Jury received information that the mental health services being provided to the inmates in the Humboldt County Correctional Facility (HCCF) were not meeting the facility’s expectations or the inmate’s needs. The information alleged the lack of sufficient mental health services at the HCCF was having an adverse effect upon correctional staff and inmates. The Grand Jury was further provided testimony that there exists some degree of inconsistency in mental health treatment to inmates due to a rotating system of doctors, each with their own method of patient management. The Grand Jury’s subsequent investigation revealed a significant difference between the services that the Mental Health Branch, Department of Health & Human Services, had set forth in its policies to provide to the HCCF, and the services they were actually providing.
• R2
  The Grand Jury recommends that a dedicated 911 line be installed on the exterior of the facility. Response from Sheriff’s Office: The recommendation requires further analysis to determine the feasibility and cost to install an exterior line. A feasibility study will be done within the next sixty to ninety days.
• R3
  The Grand Jury recommends either the installation of an alarm system, or that evidence should not be stored at the facility. Response from Sheriff’s Office: The recommendation is being implemented. Since the only court held in Garberville is for traffic matters, items of evidence have no need to be maintained at the Garberville Station. All items of evidence will now be transported and booked and held at our Eureka Main Station Evidence/Property Storage facility.
• R4
  The Grand Jury recommends these photographs be removed from public view. . Response from Sheriff’s Office: The recommendation was implemented several months ago based o an internal audit/inspection prior to the Grand Jury’s release of their findings. Grand Jury Reports #2006-JL-14 Sheriff’s Evidence Yard • No response is required. Grand Jury Report #2006-JL-15 Sheriff’s Evidence Room
• R5
  Establish a Permit Tracking System. A pilot program is underway.
• R6
  Reformat Planning Commission Report and Agenda. Substantially completed.
• R7
  Expand the Use of Applicant-Attended Scoping Meetings. In progress.
• R8
  Identify Back-Up Staff Assignments. Substantially completed.
• R9
  Implement Complaint Handling System. Implemented.
• R10
  Increase Permit Processing Productivity. In progress.
• R11
  Create Application Processing Guides. Eight of 11 planned brochures are completed and are available on the department’s website.
• R12
  Re-engineer Permit Process to Decrease Timeframes. In progress.
• R13
  Improve Permit Processing Staff Training (technical, administrative, legal). In progress, will be an ongoing process.
• R14
  Implement Customer-Service-Related Performance Measures. Parameters are now being tracked by the department.
• R15
  Front Counter “Express Lane”. In progress.
• R16
  Increase staffing levels to improve permit process performance. In progress. The Board of Supervisors is committed to improving the permit application process, and will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the initiatives and their resultant impacts on customer satisfaction.