⚠️ Aviso de traducción: Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings 21 findings
F1
The 2x2 meetings were held to disseminate information regarding the RJUHSD conditions of approval of the lunch contract in advance of the EUSD Board meeting.
F2
EUSD understood that there would be no contract if there were any dissenting Board votes or any negative comments made at the EUSD public board meeting at which the EUSD-RJUHSD school lunch contract was considered.
F3
The presence of a common Board member at all 2x2 briefing meetings between EUSD staff and one other Board member is a violation of the serial meeting provisions of the Brown Act. Conclusion Each informational meeting contained only two members of the five-member board. Therefore, there was no meeting as defined in Government Code § 54952.2(a). In other words, there was no majority. The Grand Jury finds that having a common Board member in all of the informational meetings is the type of serial meeting Government Code § 54952.2(b) addresses. -2015 Final Report
F4
There is disagreement among some fire and water districts as to who actually owns the fire hydrants in some jurisdictions. Some water district personnel interviewed -2015 Final Report that the hydrants are owned by the fire department, while some fire department personnel indicated that hydrants are owned by the water agencies.
F5
Improperly functioning fire hydrants are a threat to public health and safety.
F6
Despite the lack of standardization, the Grand Jury did not identify any area in which hydrants are not kept operational.
F7
The local water and fire districts seem to work well together to see that hydrants are maintained.
F8
Some water and fire districts serving a given geographic area have entered into formal written agreements.
F9
In some areas, there are less formal agreements between the fire and water agencies' respective management teams.
F10
Generally, the fire district does inspection and light maintenance and the water districts do the heavier maintenance and repairs. Staff seemed to think that that arrangement makes sense in that it takes advantage of the skills of each agency's employees.
F11
The Grand Jury did not find any specific inadequacies in the operation of fire hydrants.
F12
All entities have adequate policies on contracting and bidding. Management and Administration of Policies Facts Training policies and practices, both initial and recurring, vary. All operational policies apply to elected officials as well as employees. Not all policies were current and in writing. • Not all policies were organized and indexed. • Only Placer County has internal auditors on staff. • Roseville does not have an internal auditor but is considering adding this role. • Colfax has a policy and a complaint form for whistleblower reports. All others rely on Federal Law protecting whistleblowers but do not have a policy or form for written whistleblower reports. Findings
F13
Policies are not being updated in a timely fashion.
F14
Some, but not all, policies identified the original date of issue or date of review.
F15
Issuance dates, recurring reviews and approvals of operational policies were only completed by Placer County, Colfax and Roseville. Other entities revised policies on an "as necessary" basis.
F16
Complete standardized numbered policies were only available from Placer County and Roseville.
F17
Initial training on operational policies is completed for newly elected officials and new employees in a variety of ways.
F18
Recurring training policies can be improved.
F19
Management of technology innovations requires an inter-disciplinary approach.
F20
On-going internal auditing serves to monitor internal controls and minimize non- compliance and abuse. The addition of internal auditors would be valuable for the larger cities.
F21
Providing forms for employees to submit whistleblower reports in writing would be of value. -2015 Final Report Conclusions The Grand Jury's review of the operating policies of the county and cities indicates they are appropriate. There are actions that the Grand Jury would consider best practices that should be instilled. Current policies apply equally to elected officials, appointed management and employees. Significant variability exists in the level of detail included in the operating policies of the county and various cities. As the size of the government entity and number of employees increases, more reliance is placed on managerial control.
Recommendations 14
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R1Informational 2x2 meetings between EUSD staff and Board of Trustee members should never include a common Board member present at all the meetings.
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R2The EUSD staff should arrange an annual training seminar on the Brown Act provisions for all Board members and executive staff.
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R3The CSEC develop human trafficking awareness programs to educate parents and children, with a special emphasis on foster parents and foster children.
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R4Cell phone policies be documented.
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R5Computer and internet policies be documented.
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R6Technology policies include computer, tablet, internet and email use.
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R7Consideration should be given to the development of a Technology Resources Policy including a schedule of reviews and employee acknowledgements.
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R8Consideration be given to procuring cyber security insurance.
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R9Require that employees on a recurring schedule verify that they understand and acknowledge, by signature, operational policies and any changes thereto.
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R10A whistleblower policy and reporting form be developed.
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R11Consideration be given to adding one or more internal auditors to staff. - Recommendations Recommendations
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R12Assign responsibility for the cracks in the concrete flooring and repair them. South Placer Minimum Security Facility Recommendations:
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R13Provide more opportunity for work hours for the female inmates. -2015 Final Report Auburn Main Jail Recommendations:
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R14Repair the numerous, on-going ceiling water leak problems inside the facility.
Conclusions 10
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CL1Each informational meeting contained only two members of the five-member board. Therefore, there was no meeting as defined in Government Code § 54952.2(a). In other words, there was no majority. The Grand Jury finds that having a common Board member in all of the informational meetings is the type of serial meeting Government Code § 54952.2(b) addresses. Placer County Grand Jury 2014-2015 Final Report
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CL2Although Placer County does have instances of human trafficking, it is not on the scale of larger areas within California. The Grand Jury would like to commend Placer County Children's System of Care and its partners in developing the CSEC task force. Although CSEC is a new task force, their research, services, and partnerships with other county services appear promising. Continued training for all County officials working with families is crucial for CSEC to fully realize its potential to identify risky situations, enforce the extensive laws already in place and to best assess and fulfill the needs of the victims. Placer County Grand Jury 2014-2015 Final Report
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CL3The Grand Jury's review of the operating policies of the county and cities indicates they are appropriate. There are actions that the Grand Jury would consider best practices that should be instilled. Current policies apply equally to elected officials, appointed management and employees. Significant variability exists in the level of detail included in the operating policies of the county and various cities. As the size of the government entity and number of employees increases, more reliance is placed on managerial control.
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CL4In ten years of attempting to address the homeless situation, Placer County has not produced a permanent solution to this compelling issue. In September 2014, the BOS commissioned a study to identify the needs of the homeless in Placer County. The results of the study were presented to the Board of Supervisors on April 7, 2015. However, in December 2014, the homeless population needed immediate shelter due to inclement weather. At the time of this writing, the BOS gave approval for a temporary shelter on the DeWitt campus with a temporary conditional use permit for ninety (90) days. The need for a permanent solution remains. Through the good work of Right Hand Auburn, Volunteers of America and others, it appears that tangible work on a temporary housing solution for the homeless has begun. The Grand Jury commends these organizations for stepping up to assist our homeless citizens by providing a safe, warm place to stay. The Grand Jury acknowledges the BOS for their actions on this matter and, in particular, the county staff for their expedited efforts. Placer County Grand Jury 2014-2015 Final Report
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CL5The Board of Supervisors and county staff need to reconsider their response to 2013-2014 Grand Jury Final Report with reference to applicable Penal Code section(s). The focus should be on the necessity for a five-year plan to meet the needs of a growing older and disabled population in the county. Placer County Grand Jury 2014-2015 Final Report
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CL6The Grand Jury was generally satisfied with the operation of the Auburn Police Department facility, although there were some health and cleanliness concerns. Placer County Grand Jury 2014-2015 Final Report
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CL7All Placer County jails and holding cells are well-managed and maintained, in spite of the recent significant legislative challenges. While the State has allocated some funds to the counties to help defray the costs of realignment, the impact highlights the degree to which additional services need to be added. The need to increase staff at both main jails is critical and should be a county budget priority. Placer County Grand Jury 2014-2015 Final Report
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CL8The Grand Jury found the JDF to be clean, well maintained, and well-staffed with trained personnel. Placer County Grand Jury 2014-2015 Final Report
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CL9The Rocklin city jail and holding cells appeared to be well-managed and maintained by staff.
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CL10This jail continues to serve a valuable use to local police providing a unique program (SPP) for low-level non-violent offenders that continue to utilize the cells. These detainees check in and out of the jail at varying times through a specific designated outside entrance. The jails and holding cells are well-managed and maintained by staff. The Grand Jury concludes that the Roseville jail performs an important function in this community.
* 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.