Stanislaus County Grand Jury • 2013-2014 • Agency Response

Board of Supervisors Stanislaus William O'Brien, 1st District Vito Chiesa, 2nd District Terry Withrow, 3rd District*

Published: September 17, 2014 11 pages
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Findings and Recommendations 11 findings

F1
The car allowance in not income, therefore does not increase the Director's retirement account. Regarding the issue of overpayment, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development has a cap on how much a Director can make. The Director's salary is below the cap. The Director is in charge of seven other counties, as well. This compliant was found to be unsubstantiated. Response: No response.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The SCCGJ recommends that the Sheriff, in consultation with the County Chief Executive Officer (CEO), establish a specific written policy defining the use of Sheriff Department resources, such as helicopters, for "non- law enforcement" activities. Response: The Board of Supervisors disagrees with this recommendation. A written policy regulating the Use of County Vehicles, Aircraft and Other Transportation Equipment was adopted by the Board of Supervisors on September 13, 2005. Certain activities, which may not be considered a direct law enforcement activity, could be considered a non-direct law enforcement activity in that they further the mission of the Sheriff's Department and create a variety of positive benefits for the law enforcement community. The Board of Supervisors allows some limited flexibility to the elected Sheriff in determining what are proper law enforcement activities. Consideration and Approval of Response to the 2013-2014 Stanislaus County Civil Grand Jury Final Report
F2
Although the union did not have a contract, they were given a 2 % pay increase, which was half a percent less than they had been seeking. The pay increases that managers received were due to an added work load after a fourth manager left and that position wasn't filled. The three remaining mangers were given additional duties to make up for the loss of the fourth manager. This complaint was found to be unsubstantiated. Response: The County is not the employer of record and therefore would not have oversight or involvement in labor negotiations between the Authority and the Labor Association representing employees of the Housing Authority.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
The SCCGJ recommends the policy allowing the use of the Sheriff's Department helicopter for non-law enforcement activities must include written approval that requires the concurrence of two senior members within the Sheriff's Department, or one member of the Sheriff's Department and the CEO's office. Such approval should be processed in advance of the non-law enforcement activity. Response: The Board of Supervisors disagrees with this recommendation. While the review and concurrence of other senior members of the organization could provide guidance to the Sheriff, the elected Sheriff is ultimately directly accountable to the Public and the Board of Supervisors regarding the performance of the activities of his department. Stanislaus County Jail Facilities Inspection Case # 14-21GJ The Stanislaus County Civil Grand Jury finds the following: Overall Findings:
F3
The HA's Attorney negotiated on behalf of the HA with regards to the Director's employment contract. The attorney represented the HA, not the Director. This complaint was found to be unsubstantiated. Response: The Board of Supervisors has no involvement in the negotiations for the HA Director's employment contract. Consideration and Approval of Response to the 2013-2014 Stanislaus County Civil Grand Jury Final Report
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
Replace burned out bulbs in exit signs and repair leaks and water damage. Response: The Board of Supervisors agrees with the Sheriff's response. The Board supports maintenance of County facilities and allocates funds for these purposes to ensure that aging facilities are well maintained and operational.
F4
The trips and events in question are training conventions that various HA sanctioned associations host for the national housing authorities. The conventions are designed to give commissioners and directors useful information that should be taken back to the local HA divisions. This complaint was found to be unsubstantiated. Response: The Board of Supervisors agrees that attending training conventions is beneficial for the commissioners of the HA.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
Recommend that new plans for a combined downtown jail/courthouse facility be designed for longer term housing. Response: The Board of Supervisors does not support this finding. The State of California has moved forward with location selection and design of a new courthouse without new or expanded jail facilities. Thus, the County then made significant plans to expand the County's Public Safety Center with new and replacement adult detention facilities. The County is not responsible for the design and construction of a new Courthouse.
F5
Evidence supports that the HA did in fact violate the Brown Act. At a rescheduled meeting, this SCCGJ committee witnessed firsthand the HA's process for such an event. The HA had posted the notice to reschedule the public meeting on their website and inside the lobby of the HA building. This posting was not visible to those arriving to the meeting, which was scheduled for after business hours. Response: The Board of Supervisors agrees that the HA must adhere to the requirements of the Brown Act.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
The HA should post all notices required by the Brown Act on the outside window of the HA lobby. This will allow the public to see any changes. Response: The Board of Supervisors agrees with this recommendation.
F6
The use of temporary employees is governed by the US Department of HUD and the union contracts in place at the HA. Although the HA does use temporary employees to its advantage, there was no evidence that the HA had violated any laws. This complaint was found to be unsubstantiated. Response: The County is not the employer of record and therefore would not have oversight or involvement of labor contracts between the Authority and the Labor Association representing employees of the Housing Authority.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
Recommend to increase recruiting efforts to fill present and future staff positions. Response: The Board of Supervisors agrees with the finding. Consideration and Approval of Response to the 2013-2014 Stanislaus County Civil Grand Jury Final Report Public Safety Center:
F7
It was confirmed through several sources, and the Director, that there was a manager who did bring a pet to work. Response: The Board of Supervisors has no direct knowledge of this matter and therefore cannot respond.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
The HA should change its policy to not allow pets in the HA building. Response: The Board of Supervisors agrees with this recommendation.
F8
The HA has now assigned a manager to make the deposits. Both the Director and the Financial Manager made the change as a result of safety concerns. Response: The Board agrees that appropriate financial practices should be implemented and followed.
Related Recommendations (1)
R8
None. Probation Department/Juvenile Institutions:
F9
Although the HA building was secure and employee files were locked each night, the client files were not. Anyone with access into the building could steal personal information found in the files. File storage rooms also did not have a keyed lock for access. Consideration and Approval of Response to the 2013-2014 Stanislaus County Civil Grand Jury Final Report Response: The Board agrees that appropriate security for client file storage should be implemented. Civil Grand Jury 2013-14 Case #14-03C - Housing Authority of Stanislaus County The Stanislaus County Civil Grand Jury recommends the following:
Related Recommendations (1)
R9
The HA should change its policy about the handling of clients' personal information to include the requirement that clients' files be kept in a locked vault or locked filing cabinets at all times. Response: The Board of Supervisors agrees with this recommendation. Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department Helicopter - Case #14-04C The Stanislaus County Civil Grand Jury finds the following:
F10
The facility is clean and well maintained, and staffed with personnel who are highly motivated to help juvenile inmates. The SCCGJ was very impressed with the current staff. Response: The Board of Supervisors agrees with the finding and appreciates the Grand Jury recognition of the facility and outstanding staff.
No recommendations for this finding
F11
Current vocational programs are outstanding and very educational. Response: The Board of Supervisors agrees with the finding. Stanislaus County Jail Facilities Inspection Case # 14-21GJ The Stanislaus County Civil Grand Jury recommendations the following:
Related Recommendations (1)
R11
None. POLICY ISSUE: Pursuant to California law, the Board of Supervisors must respond to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court no later than 90 days after submittal of the Final Report of the Civil Grand Jury. Adoption of this response meets this requirement. STAFFING IMPACTS: County Departments that are subjects of the Grand Jury Reports are required to prepare a response to the findings and recommendations of the Grand Jury. Existing staff has prepared the recommended response. CONTACT PERSON: Stan Risen, Chief Executive Officer Telephone: (209) 525-6333. Patricia Hill Thomas, Chief Operations Officer Telephone: (209) 525-6333. . .

* This report's PDF did not contain easily extractable text and required Optical Character Recognition (OCR) for analysis. There may be minor errors in the extracted findings and recommendations due to OCR limitations with scanned documents.