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Extracted from Consolidated Report

This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.

Amador County Grand Jury • 2023-2024

Amador County Civil Grand Jury Final Report

Published: June 26, 2023 2 pages

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⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.

⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.

Findings 13 findings

The propane tank at Howard Park was installed in December of 2020, despite Ione City Ordinance 489 prohibiting its installation.

A permit to install the propane tank was issued without all departmental approvals.

Written policies and procedures for overseeing this public works project were not followed, which resulted in lack of adherence to state, county, and city regulations. City of Ione Propane Tank

Turnover of the City Manager Position in 2020 contributed to policies and procedures not being followed, which contributed to the propane tank installation in violation of the City Ordinance. Continued City Manager turnover resulted in further delays in correcting the violation.

The generator can be retrofitted from propane to liquid natural gas.

A secure pipeline can be trenched and connected to the generator from the existing liquid natural gas meter.

The propane tank was removed on April 18, 2023, more than two years after it was installed (December 2020) and over two years after the City Council acknowledged there was an issue (February 2021).

There was inconsistent follow-up from City staff when citizens raised concerns.

The Jail has already had days when capacity exceeded 116 (which is the capacity with the expansion) even with some inmates released early, while others who committed low-level crimes were not booked at all. 9 9 Amador County Jail

F10

After the current Jail expansion plan from SB 863, there will be no more room for future expansion on this location.

F11

Staff refused to say anything bad about their jobs, even when prompted. We observed during the tour that staff seem to like their jobs but are approaching burn out due to understaffing and expanded job duties such as janitorial tasks. It was noted in several prior Grand Jury reports that staff had a morale boost during the time of the AB 900 talk and the SB 863 expansion. However, as time passed with no expansion construction, staff vacancies have increased.

F12

The roof is over 20 years old and in need of replacement. There is a plan to get the roof fixed before the expansion project begins.

F13

The staff have been very knowledgeable and accommodating during the tour and with all of our follow-up questions.

Recommendations 5

R1

The Grand Jury recommends the City follow policies and procedures to ensure public works projects comply with state, county, and local laws.
R2

The Grand Jury recommends that any adopted policy and procedure contain a mechanism to bring the new City Manager up to date and inform him or her about all ongoing city projects.
R3

The Grand Jury recommends the City establish a system to confirm that projects are completed as intended and that they conform to City, County, and State laws and regulations.
R4

The Grand Jury recommends the City connect the generator to the existing natural gas line.
R5

The Grand Jury recommends the City establish procedures to ensure that staff prioritizes and responds to reasonable citizen complaints in a timely manner, including those complaints voiced at Council meetings.

No Responses Found 1

Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.

Ione City