Calaveras County Grand Jury • 2019-2020

Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury the Grand Jury Report Card Responses to the 2018-2019 Grand Jury Report October 7,

Published: October 07, 2020 49 pages
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Findings and Recommendations 14 findings

F1
The 2018-2019 CCGJ inadvertently included language suggesting that certain entities were required to respond to various reports, as opposed to being invited to respond.
No recommendations for this finding
F2
The most frequent reason for a non-compliant response was the lack of stated timeframe for the completion of further analysis or implementation.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
The CCGJ recommends that Governing boards and elected officials who have been asked to respond to CCGJ reports carefully review California Penal Code §933.05 to ensure that timeframes are provided when recommendations require further analysis or will be implemented at a future date. Respondents: None
F3
Multiple actions taken by the BOS in the 2020 fiscal year were prompted to some degree by CCGJ Report findings and recommendations.
No recommendations for this finding
F4
Currently, revenue collected by ACS goes directly into the BOS Disagree The Board of Supervisors disagreed with this finding. County General Fund instead of enhancing the ACS budget, CAO Disagree TFuhned Cso furonmty Aaddompitnioisntrsa atnivde oOtfhfeicre sro duisracegsre geedn ewriathte tdh iisn ACS limiting funds available for their specific needs. Disagree fFiened irnegv.e Fnuuned gso feros mdi raedcotplyt iionntos tahned Aonthimera ls oSeurrvciecse s budget and not the General Fund. In fact, fee revenue covers only a small percentage of the department’s annual costs. In Fiscal Year 2018-19, for example, total revenue from fees, EMA/ACS penalties and charges for services ($61,326) funded only 9.6% of Animal Services costs ($638,633). So it is clear that the General Fund is not benefiting from revenue collected by Animal Services. RESPONSES TO CCGJ FINDINGS ANIMAL CONTROL SERVICES Required Respondent 2017 Responses # Findings (Governing Body 2017 Response Text (Agree/Disagree) / Elected Official)
No recommendations for this finding
F5
A partnership with the Humane Society, based on a 2016 Partially disagree. While a partnership with the Calaveras Humane Society preliminary memorandum of understanding (MOU) to build a (CHS) for development of a new shelter would have 6.93 acres, jointly operated Animal Shelter, fell through. The potentially been an optimal solution, a variety of issues Humane Society Board lost faith in the County's ability to left unanswered by the preliminary MOU were not provide a yearly funding amount of the existing ACS. There addressed in the proposed "final" MOU. Final distribution was a slower than expected progress on the ACS discussions of costs and funding were issues that were discussed, but which is the reason for the ACS deal falling through. This they were not the primary focal point of negotiation prior should have never happened. The partnership MOU should to CHS deciding to withdraw from the process. have moved forward in a timely manner. A partnership with Questions still needing to be clarified included: (1) Would the Humane Society would have streamlined services and CHS take possession and responsibility for all animals expenses for a new facility. brought into the shelter after the required holding period or just ones desirable for adoption?; (2) Would the responsibility for euthanizing animals fall entirely on Director of CCACS staff or could duty be shared by the partners?; (3) Environmental What should be the process for resolving disputes? The Health (DOEH) issue of dispute resolution needed to be addressed. CHS also noted that: (1) Significant progress has been made by CCACS in the management and rehoming of animals received at the shelter reducing the urgency in fund raising for a new shared shelter: and (2) Starting with a smaller adoption center would allow CHS to gain experience in sheltering animals on a smaller scale, rather than immediately taking on the entire sheltering operation for the county. CCACS continues to maintain a positive working relationship with CHS overall and remains open to exploring new avenues for collaboration and partnership. Calaveras Answered by DOEH. County Animal Control RESPONSES TO CCGJ FINDINGS ANIMAL CONTROL SERVICES Required Respondent 2017 Responses # Findings (Governing Body 2017 Response Text (Agree/Disagree) / Elected Official) Fully agree. Agree with the finding. Calaveras County Human Resources Department (CCHRD) Partially disagree. The negotiations on a jointly operated shelter was terminated by the Humane Society. While not directly involved in the negotiations, the CCBOS was made aware that a deal was terminated by the Humane Society by the negotiating party. The progress of the negotiations was hampered by turnover in both the Environmental Calaveras Management Agency and County Administration, which County Board necessitated some parties having to get up to speed on of Supervisors prior discussion. While the preliminary MOU outlined the (BOS) duties and responsibilities of both the County and the Humane Society, there remained a number of areas that needed to be clarified, including questions on what the shared staffing would be and which animals would be the responsibility of the County and which would be the responsibility of the Humane Society.
No recommendations for this finding
F6
In researching past Grand Jury reports this year's Grand Jury Fully agree. Funding remains a challenge and CCACS will continue to Director of found that a new facility has been recommended to the work toward establishment of a new shelter. Environmental Board of Supervisors for nearly 20 years. Health (DOEH) RESPONSES TO CCGJ FINDINGS ANIMAL CONTROL SERVICES Required Respondent 2017 Responses # Findings (Governing Body 2017 Response Text (Agree/Disagree) / Elected Official) Answered by DOEH. Calaveras County Animal Control Services (CCACS) Calaveras Fully agree. The CCBOS agrees with the finding. County Board of Supervisors (CCBOS)
No recommendations for this finding
F7
Instead of enforcing the animal laws, the priority of CCACS Partially disagree. CCACS staffing level is adequate when all positions are has been more on the day-to-day care of animals due to the filled, but there has been a significant turnover in staff lack of staffing. For example, the level of compliance in and staff who have taken extended leave, making it obtaining domestic pet licensing is at approximately 22%. Director of difficult to operate 7 days a week. Addressing the office The Grand Jury finds this is an area where revenue could be Environmental coverage issue, providing staff with the tools needed to generated with proper staffing. Health (DOEH) do their job in the field, streamlining the online licensing In addition, there is inadequate staffing overall to meet the renewal process, and actively managing staff priorities daily services and operational needs. The shortage of should have an immediate positive impact on licensing qualified staff lowers the efficiency, effectiveness and revenue. productivity of the department including reduced morale. Answered by DOEH. Calaveras County Animal Control Services (ACS)
No recommendations for this finding
F8
During our tour at CCACS on February 1, 2018 there was Fully agree. The department will explore this alternative with the Director of mention of considering an outside agency to conduct a County Administrative Officer and CCBOS this fiscal year Environmental feasibility study to create a ballot measure for increasing the and will implement it based on the outcome of this Health (DOEH) CCACS budget. analysis. Calaveras Answered by DOEH. County Animal Control Services (ACS) RESPONSES TO CCGJ FINDINGS ANIMAL CONTROL SERVICES Required Respondent 2017 Responses # Findings (Governing Body 2017 Response Text (Agree/Disagree) / Elected Official) Calaveras Fully agree. Per the report from the DOEH, Department staff did County Board mention there being an interest in contracting with an of Supervisors outside organization to assist in a ballot measure to (BOS) construct a new animal shelter.
No recommendations for this finding
F9
The current vehicles are in poor condition, inadequate and Fully agree. Replacement of aging equipment is a priority. Director of not functional for the CCACS' needs. One has very high Environmental mileage (over 100,000 miles), and one is currently out of Health (DOEH) service. All vehicles, when received, have been used vehicles and not designed for animal control according to interviewed Calaveras Fully agree. The CCBOS agrees with this finding. representatives. At the February 1, 2018 CCACS meeting, the County Board Grand Jury was informed the CCBOS allotted $40,000 to of Supervisors purchase a new specialized vehicle. (BOS)
No recommendations for this finding
F10
There are industry standards established such as found in Fully agree. Development of policies and procedures for assuring best Director of "Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters", 2010, management practices for animal shelter operations will Environmental or similar guidelines. be a major focus for the CCACS Manager the first half of Health (DOEH) this fiscal year. Answered by DOEH. Calaveras County Animal Control Services (ACS) Calaveras Fully agree. The CCBOS agrees with this finding. County Board of Supervisors (BOS)
No recommendations for this finding
F11
The CCACS does have a web site and in addition uses Calaveras Answered by DOEH.Development of enhanced website presence and Facebook as a social media source. County Animal utilization of social media platforms, consistent with Control county web-security requirements, will be an objective for Services (ACS) the second half of this fiscal year. RESPONSES TO CCGJ FINDINGS ANIMAL CONTROL SERVICES Required Respondent 2017 Responses # Findings (Governing Body 2017 Response Text (Agree/Disagree) / Elected Official)
No recommendations for this finding
F12
Clear policy and procedures are in place and strictly followed DOEH responded - fuWllhy idlei spaoglrieciee.s and procedures were presented to the by staff and volunteers. Day-to-day operations are Grand Jury, many are outdated and not readily available performed at a high standard under sub-standard conditions None to staff. Comprehensive policies and procedures are without adequate facilities and equipment. urgently needed and will be a high priority for the new Animal Services Manager.
No recommendations for this finding
F13
The nonprofit Friends of the Calaveras Animal Shelter DOEH responded - fuFOllyC aAgSr peero.vides invaluable assistance to CCACS in terms of (FOCAS) has provided funds to the CCACS and has donated financial assistance and volunteer help. FOCAS members equipment and volunteer hours to help keep the CCACS None are tremendously dedicated to all aspects of animal effective. welfare and the work performed by CCACS.
No recommendations for this finding
F14
The CCACS has a ninety percent (90%) no-kill rate. DOEH responded - fuThllyis a ngor-ekeil.l rate applies to dogs at the shelter and is the result of the hard work of staff and volunteers in providing animals with medical treatment, socialization, None and a variety of placement options, including adoption out of other centers and rescue groups. RESPONSES TO CGJ RECOMMENDATIONS ANIMAL CONTROL SERVICES Required Respondent # Recommendations (Governing Body / 2017 Responses (implementation) 2017 Response Text Elected Official)
No recommendations for this finding

Additional Recommendations 9

These recommendations are not explicitly linked to specific findings.