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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.

Score: 0 (0/20/0)

Santa Cruz County Grand Jury • 2023-2024

Santa Cruz County Local Roads

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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 and Recommendations 11 findings

F1 Page 24

Underfunding the road and culvert maintenance work on the 586 miles of County

No recommendations for this finding

F2 Page 24

Due to the large shortfall in funding, Santa Cruz County Department of Public

No recommendations for this finding

F3 Page 24

The County road maintenance strategy differs by Supervisorial District leading to

No recommendations for this finding

F4 Page 24

Storms of 2017 and 2023 caused significant road failures. Contributing factors

No recommendations for this finding

F5 Page 24

The County of Santa Cruz has failed to ask unincorporated County voters to

Related Recommendations (1)

Page 53

This effort will begin in Fiscal Year 2024-25. Required Response from the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors Santa Cruz County Local Roads Due by September 3, 2024 Page 19 of 21 44 Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury R7. The Grand Jury recommends that the County Board of Supervisors continue to prioritize a minimum of 10% of Measure K funds to repair roads in the County with a PCI of 25 or less by December 31, 2024. (F10, F11) __ HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED – summarize what has been done HAS NOT YET BEEN IMPLEMENTED BUT WILL BE IN THE FUTURE – __ summarize what will be done and the timeframe REQUIRES FURTHER ANALYSIS – explain the scope and timeframe __ (not to exceed six months) _X_ WILL NOT BE IMPLEMENTED – explain why Required response explanation, summary, and timeframe: The Board evaluates and sets County prioritizes through the annual budget process. This process allocates the County’s scarce resources across many competing demands such as addressing homelessness, providing affordable housing, maintaining public safety and the many mandated services the County must provide. The Board has programmed $1 million of Measure K in Fiscal Year 2024-25 for road repairs. Any further investment will be recommended by Public Works to follow best management practices. Required Response from the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors Santa Cruz County Local Roads Due by September 3, 2024 Page 20 of 21 2023-2024 Consolidated Final Report with

F6 Page 24

The County of Santa Cruz has failed to perform resurfacing maintenance on

No recommendations for this finding

F7 Page 24

Santa Cruz County's neglect of unincorporated local roads for many decades has

No recommendations for this finding

F8 Page 24

The County prioritizes preventive maintenance of roads in fair to good condition

No recommendations for this finding

F9 Page 24

The most recent LAFCO and County reports fail to provide detailed accounting of

No recommendations for this finding

F10 Page 24

Minor progress has been made in seeking and securing additional funding

No recommendations for this finding

F11 Page 25

Measure K funds go directly into the General Fund and road maintenance

No recommendations for this finding

Additional Recommendations 7

These recommendations are not explicitly linked to specific findings.

R1
Page 25

The Grand Jury recommends that the DPW complete a public report by
R2
Page 25

The Grand Jury recommends that the Board of Supervisors increase annual
R3
Page 25

The Grand Jury recommends that the DPW supply information to LAFCO
R4
Page 25

The Grand Jury recommends that LAFCO issue a new County Service Area
R6
Page 25

The Grand Jury recommends that the County Board of Supervisors take steps
R7
Page 25

The Grand Jury recommends that the County Board of Supervisors continue to
R8
Page 25

The Grand Jury recommends that the DPW formalize its policy of abandoning

Agency Responses 7

Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.

Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors

September 21, 2023 • 24 pages • 5 responses • Score: 0 (+0, 4, 0) View Details ▾

PDF

5 responses to findings and recommendations

A hybrid approach is administered to support both broad-based service programs and smaller “Targeted Impact” models. _X_ AGREE __ PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree):

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

AGREE __ PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): Required Response from the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors Page 3 of 22 F2.

There is good diversity of eligible applicants: Non-profit 501(c)(3) agencies, federally recognized tribal entities, and public education agencies. _X_ AGREE __ PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree):

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

. The Code Compliance Department of the Planning Department does not have quality assurance systems in place to evaluate their own performance and effectiveness, which contributes to lack of accountability and lack of credibility and public confidence. __ AGREE _x_ PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): The Code Compliance Section tracks complaints by type, and on an annual basis presents each Board member with a summary of the number and type of complaints that have come in, how many were found valid, how many were resolved without cita...

The program is well coordinated, with County and City staff partnering to review and award for all tiers. The City focused their funding on programs serving primarily City residents. _X_ AGREE __ PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree):

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

. At the present time the Planning Department has limited access for the public. It is frustrating to the public to be unable to readily communicate with the staff required to assist in dealings with building, planning, and code compliance matters. __ AGREE _x_ PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): The Planning Division is open weekdays from 8 AM to 5 PM, with the public counter open to the public by appointment Monday through Thursday mornings from 8 AM until noon. To optimize customer service, appointments are available in-person, by ...

A clear outline of the RFP is available to the applicants, with an understanding of the awards process and the tier level they fall under. _X_ AGREE __ PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree):

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

. There is a persistent public perception of inconsistent interpretation of code. The building and other various codes are complex and difficult to understand. When misinformation is communicated and portions of projects must be redone, it leads to time and money loss as well as frustration. __ AGREE _x_ PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): The regulations can be complex, and members of the public are encouraged to work with Planning staff prior to submitting their development project permit applications. (Note that the building code i...

The County and City provides a comprehensive review of the process which allows the applicants an opportunity to ask questions of clarity if needed. _X_ AGREE __ PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE

Response: Unknown Score: 0

, the County has standard practices for addressing personal relationships, and the Board does not believe revisions are needed to Santa Cruz County Code Chapter 3.40 Conflicts of Interest and Incompatible Activities. Required Response from the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors Page 21 of 22 R12. The Board of Supervisors and Community Development and Infrastructure Department Management should focus on the organizational culture within the planning department and refocus the culture in a way that fosters public trust. (F7) __ HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED - summarize what has been done HAS NOT YET...

Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors

September 12, 2023 • 29 pages • 5 responses • Score: 0 (+0, 5, 0) View Details ▾

PDF

5 responses to findings and recommendations

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

. The County Personnel Department has been slow to respond to the chronic understaffing in the Behavioral Health Division. It has not put measures into place to speed up the hiring process or to create competitive salaries and incentives for the non-medical personnel who staff the BHD positions. Nor have they created connections with nearby universities to groom a clinical workforce. This causes unnecessary delays in hiring mental health professionals. __ AGREE __ PARTIALLY DISAGREE _x_ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): In fall 2021, the County Personnel...

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

. Both the Personnel Department and the Behavioral Health Division do not have enough analysts to allow an adequate review of their programs and systems, including analyzing the County's hiring process. This makes it difficult for them to improve services. __ AGREE __ PARTIALLY DISAGREE _x_ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): As noted above, the County added staff to assist with HSA recruitment. This team made a number of improvements to recruitment and hiring processes. While we do not accept that the County has not sufficiently budgeted enough staff to p...

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

. The Crisis Stabilization Program (CSP) has been diverting patients experiencing a mental health crisis to hospital emergency departments too frequently, delaying diagnosis, delaying treatment, and placing an extra burden on the emergency departments, which are already overcrowded. The emergency departments then become responsible for finding an inpatient facility for patients who cannot be safely discharged to outpatient care, which further stretches limited resources. _x_ AGREE __ PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): While staffed b...

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

. The limited hours that the Mobile Emergency Response Team and Mobile Emergency Response Team for Youth operate interfere with a timely assessment of patients in a mental health crisis, negatively impacting patient care. __ AGREE _x_ PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): The Mobile Emergency Response Team (MERT) and the Mobile Emergency Response Team for Youth (MERTY) are part of the overall crisis continuum and were not designed to be the sole source for crisis response and transportation in Santa Cruz County. BHD provides a range of ...

The County and City provides a comprehensive review of the process which allows the applicants an opportunity to ask questions of clarity if needed. _X_ AGREE __ PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

. An inadequate number of beds at the Psychiatric Healthcare Facility (PHF) results in the practice of sending patients out of county, which negatively impacts the patient's care, and is expensive for the Behavioral Health Division. __ AGREE _x_ PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): While the PHF services and inpatient care out of county are expensive levels of care, it's possible that increasing services at lower levels of care, including residential and partial hospitalization, may reduce the need for additional PHF beds. As noted abo...

Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors

September 05, 2023 • 14 pages • 3 responses • Score: 0 (+0, 3, 0) View Details ▾

PDF

3 responses to findings and recommendations

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

AGREE __ PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): Honoring Commitments to the Public Due by September 5, 2023 Page 3 of 12 F2.

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

. The safe and secure operation of the County Jail remains vulnerable during an unexpected power outage. __ AGREE __ PARTIALLY DISAGREE _x_ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): The Main Jail is capable of safely functioning in the event of a power outage. Honoring Commitments to the Public Due by September 5, 2023 Page 5 of 12 F5. The adoption of multi-year plans by both the City and County of Santa Cruz offer the public some assurance that locations can be found within the County where homeless services will be provided. _x_ AGREE __ PARTIALLY DISAGREE __...

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

. The adoption of multi-year plans by both the City and County of Santa Cruz offer the public some assurance that locations can be found within the County where homeless services will be provided. _x_ AGREE __ PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): Honoring Commitments to the Public Due by September 5, 2023 Page 6 of 12 F9. Data security is an important issue, including the security of voter registration data and it is unknown if measures have been taken in this area. __ AGREE _x_ PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (req...

Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors

August 31, 2023 • 16 pages • 2 responses • Score: 0 (+0, 1, 0) View Details ▾

PDF

2 responses to findings and recommendations

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

. The County of Santa Cruz has identified several sites for higher density housing, identified sites along transportation corridors for housing and changed zoning laws to allow more mixed-use developments, however in the past several years, few low income homes have been built or approved. __ AGREE _x_ PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): The Grand Jury's report does not include the latest 5th Cycle Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) status submitted to the State in April 2023. The updated status, which added the units permitted ...

The County and City provides a comprehensive review of the process which allows the applicants an opportunity to ask questions of clarity if needed. _X_ AGREE __ PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE

Response: Unknown Score: 0

In addition, the County has forged strong partnerships with various non-profit affordable housing developers and other public agencies, including local cities in some cases, and/or the countywide Housing Authority, resulting in the construction of many affordable housing developments over the past 40 or more years. Some of the more recently built projects include Pippin Orchards Phases I and II in the Watsonville area, Aptos Blue and Canterbury Park in Aptos, and St. Stephens, 1520 Capitola Road (Bienestar Plaza), and Rodeo Creek Court in Live Oak. Where possible, the County has pursued partne...

Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors

August 23, 2023 • 18 pages • 5 responses • Score: 0 (+0, 5, 0) View Details ▾

PDF

5 responses to findings and recommendations

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

the Sheriff's Office. _x_ AGREE __ PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): Envisioning the Future of our Jails Due by August 23, 2023 Page 3 of 16 F2.

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

. Keeping women who do not need to be in a high security facility in the Main Jail is clearly detrimental to their mental health, and to their chances of staying out of jail once released. __ AGREE _x_ PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): The Board of Supervisors agrees with the Sheriff's assessment. The Blaine Street Women's Jail is more conducive to programming and a better overall environment. However, mental health and recidivism are more complex issues and cannot be reduced to merely the environment in which one is housed while in...

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

. Reopening Blaine Street and the second unit at Rountree would give the Sheriff's Office much more scope to balance the jail population between the three facilities and would allow some inmates from the Main Jail to move to Rountree and take advantage of the programming available there. _x_ AGREE __ PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): Envisioning the Future of our Jails Due by August 23, 2023 Page 6 of 16 F5. Lack of programming at the Main Jail is bad for inmate welfare, both their mental health while on the inside, and their abili...

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

the programming available there. _x_ AGREE __ PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): Envisioning the Future of our Jails Due by August 23, 2023 Page 6 of 16 F5.

The County and City provides a comprehensive review of the process which allows the applicants an opportunity to ask questions of clarity if needed. _X_ AGREE __ PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

. Programs such as those run by the Public Defender's Office and CAFES that reduce recidivism are effective because they give former inmates the mental health and/or substance abuse treatments they need, as well as case management and supportive housing. _x_ AGREE __ PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): Envisioning the Future of our Jails Due by August 23, 2023 Page 8 of 16 F7. Lack of continuing care for released inmates, most especially those with mental illness, SUD and/or who will be homeless after release, significantly contribut...

Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors

August 16, 2023 • 10 pages • 2 responses • Score: 0 (+0, 2, 0) View Details ▾

PDF

2 responses to findings and recommendations

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

. Santa Cruz County does not have a sufficiently detailed Incident Response Plan, indicating they would not be prepared to respond rapidly and effectively in the event of a cyber incident. _x_ AGREE __ PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): In 2019, the County developed an Incident Response Plan for Cyber events and is working on establishing a more formal Cybersecurity Plan that addresses emerging threats and responses. The County is coordinating with the four cities and SCR911 to develop a regional plan that can be modified for the ind...

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

. Santa Cruz County participates in multiple information sharing groups at regional and state levels, although it has only minimal interaction with the cities across Santa Cruz County, degrading their ability to fully understand regional vulnerabilities. __ AGREE _x_ PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): The County has reached out in the past to inform cities of Cybersecurity resources, such as the Northern California Regional Intelligence Center and Urban Areas Security Initiative Program. A more formal information sharing has been est...

Santa Cruz County Director of Personnel

October 08, 2023 • 1 pages View Details ▾

PDF