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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.
⚠️ 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 3 findings
F1
Page 103
The new facility is functional and when finished will be adequate. Mental Health Services is utilizing every inch of space. The new carpeting, furniture and dividers have yet to arrive for the work stations. At this time, one large room is utilized and needs to have dividers installed to reduce the noise and provide privacy. The personnel were very professional, informative and pleasant.
F2
Page 103
Mental Health Services has separated the Adult and Children’s Divisions so that the children and adults do not enter through the same door. This separation helps the traumatized children. http://www.co.lake.ca.us/generalinformation/grandjury/report0203/mentalhealth.html (1 of 2)4/17/2007 3:08:01 PM County of Lake - 2002/2003 Grand Jury Report -Grand Jury Site Visits- Mental Health Services
F3
Page 104
If Mental Health Services determines the need for committing mentally ill patients, the department has only 12-13 hours to find a suitable facility. They may need to go as far as San Diego. Mental Health Services has recently acquired a licensed residential facility of six beds in the City of Clearlake, which is full at all times. However, they have to bring those patients into the Health Facility in Lakeport for daily counseling. Mental Health Services is working to have counseling done in the licensed residential facility so the patients do not have to make the daily trip from one facility to the other. The new facility only costs $85.00 a day compared to $1,000 a day in long term locked facilities. 4. 4. Another project Mental Health Services has initiated is getting patients into rehabilitation programs that help them find work.
Recommendations 16
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R1Page 118The Grand Jury recommends that management and leadership training be available to the Director of Animal Control. In addition, continuing department functions should be staffed with permanent positions. Visits to other Animal Control Departments were recommended as well so that the Director can observe how other Departments function. Response: Please refer to the response from Animal Control Director, Denise Johnson, dated August 14, 2003, and the memorandum dated August 22, 2003, from County Administrative Officer, Kelly Cox. The Board agrees with the Grand Jury’s recommendation.
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R2Page 118The Grand Jury recommends that the Board of Supervisors establish regular meetings with the Animal Control Director, the Shelter Manager and the Program Director and make routine visits to the Shelter to observe its operation. Response: Please refer to the response from the Animal Control Director. The Board of Supervisors concurs with the Director in that communication appears to have improved greatly between the two parties. The Board of Supervisors finds the quarterly reports provided by the Animal Control Director to be quite helpful. Formal meetings between the Board of Supervisors and the Animal Control Director will occur on an as needed basis.
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R3Page 118The Grand Jury recommends that the Animal Control Advisory Board assist in the creation of a Mission Statement for the Department. Response: Please refer to the response from the Animal Control Director. The Board agrees with this recommendation and is pleased that the Director has made the creation of both a Mission Statement and a Work Plan a priority for this calendar year. Hon. David W. Herrick Re: Response to 02-03 Grand Jury Report September 9, 2003
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R4Page 119The Grand Jury recommends that the Policies and Procedures Manual for the Animal Control Department be updated annually and copies made available at the Department and at the Shelter. Each employee should be required to read the manual and document that they have done so. Response: Please refer to the response from the Animal Control Director. The Board of Supervisors agrees with the Grand Jury’s recommendation and is pleased that the Director anticipates completion of this document
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R5Page 119The Grand Jury recommends that Department staff scan new impounds for microchip devices, as it is mandated by the Hayden Bill. Technical training may need to be provided to staff in order to accomplish this. Response: Please refer to the response from the Animal Control Director. The Board of Supervisors is pleased that the Animal Control Director has verified that the Department has been scanning incoming animals for microchip devices since July 1, 2003, and all animals before euthanasia since August of 2002.
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R6Page 117The Board of Supervisors should seek additional applicants for District Board seats by publishing a notice of vacancy in the Middletown Times Star and the Lake County Record Bee. Appointed members should be elected by the voters within the District. Response: The Board of Supervisors agrees with the Grand Jury’s recommendation to publish notices of District Board vacancies in the Middletown Times Star and Lake County Record Bee. According to County Counsel, State law does not provide for the option of elected boards of a public cemetery district, as it requires the Board of Supervisors to appoint the board members. Legislation would be required in order to have elected members. Hon. David W. Herrick Re: Response to 02-03 Grand Jury Report September 9, 2003
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R7Page 119The Grand Jury recommends that during regular business hours, kennels and cages should be clean and all staff should be dressed appropriately. Response: Please refer to the response from the Animal Control Director. The Board of Supervisors agrees with this recommendation.
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R8Page 119The Grand Jury recommends that the practice of euthanasia be either outsourced or that psychological counseling be offered on a regular basis to Animal Control Officers and kennel staff. Hon. David W. Herrick Re: Response to 02-03 Grand Jury Report September 9, 2003 Response: Please refer to the response from the Animal Control Director. The Board of Supervisors is supportive of exploring all options in regards to the practice of euthanasia. The Board is pleased that the new Director has conveyed an attitude of compassion toward any and all animals which are housed at the shelter. Public outreach through workshops and a newly created website are currently being utilized to increase adoption rates and, therefore, lower euthanasia rates.
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R9Page 120The Grand Jury recommends that staff from the District Attorney’s Office formally train Animal Control Officers on the proper completion of Abuse/Neglect Referral Forms. Response: Please refer to the response from the Animal Control Director. The Board of Supervisors agrees with this recommendation and believes that training by the District Attorney’s Office could be beneficial to the Animal Control Officers in regards to the completion of abuse and neglect referral forms.
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R10Page 120The Grand Jury recommends that protocols be put in place for effective temperament testing and behavioral modification techniques so that increased and positive adoption placements would be possible. Response: Please refer to the response from the Animal Control Director. The Board is pleased that there appears to be the beginning of a system in place for temperament testing and that, if funding allows, formal training for staff may take place in 2004.
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R11Page 118The Board of Supervisors should stay on top of the District’s fiscal condition and step in to prevent further erosion of assets. Response: As an independent special district, the Board of Supervisors has little control over the district’s fiscal condition. However, the Board supports the Auditor-Controller’s past efforts to warn the District Board regarding the District’s fiscal condition and we will do whatever is reasonably possible to support other efforts to stabilize the District’s finances and operations. B. Lake County Animal Control
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R12Page 120The Grand Jury recommends that once the Animal Control Department is fully staffed, the Clearlake area needs the attention of two full-time Officers. The Grand Jury also recommends that the County explore available external public funding such as from H.U.D. grants. Response: Please refer to the response from the Animal Control Director. The Board of Supervisors concurs with the Director in that the City of Clearlake is ultimately responsible for making formal requests for additional Animal Control services, since the Hon. David W. Herrick Re: Response to 02-03 Grand Jury Report September 9, 2003 City is required to pay for those services. The County will provide whatever level of services the City desires and is able to fund. The Board has displayed its commitment to increased services for the welfare of all Lake County animals through the funding set aside for a new Animal Services facility.
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R13Page 121The Grand Jury recommends that the Auditor-Controller’s Office assume the billing of the City of Lakeport and the City of Clearlake for services provided by the Animal Control Department. Response: Please refer to the response from the Animal Control Director. The Board agrees with the Animal Control Director in that the billing for services to the City of Lakeport and the City of Clearlake should continue to remain the responsibility of the Animal Control Department, as they deal with the Cities directly regarding the existing annual contracts.
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R14Page 121The Grand Jury recommends that the County Purchasing Division be utilized to procure supplies for the Shelter as foods and other items may be purchased at a reduced cost when bought in large quantities. Response: Please refer to the response from the Animal Control Director. The Board of Supervisors agrees with this recommendation and supports the Animal Control Director’s efforts to pursue the procurement of low cost kibble for the shelter through special programs.
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R15Page 121The Grand Jury recommends that the Animal Control Director devise a fail-safe procedure to avoid tragedies such as the loss of two adoptable animals who were in a very hot Animal Control truck for hours and allegedly expired due to the excessive heat. Further, all Animal Control trucks that provide transportation for animals should be equipped with air-conditioning units which continue to function after the ignition is shut off. Response: Please refer to the response from the Animal Control Director which disputes the incident reported by the Grand Jury. The Board of Supervisors has approved the purchase of new cooling units for all service trucks.
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R16Page 121The Grand Jury recommends that the 2003/2004 Grand Jury, and all subsequent Grand Juries, inspect the Animal Control facilities on an annual basis, interview staff at the facility and prepare a report addressing the current state of the Department and the animals. Response: Please refer to the response from the Animal Control Director. The Board Hon. David W. Herrick Re: Response to 02-03 Grand Jury Report September 9, 2003 agrees with this recommendation. C. Lake County Audit Committee