Siskiyou County Grand Jury
2017-2018
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Findings & Recommendations
5 findings
F2:
There is no mention of the public law li brary in any informational materials or on the public library website. Therefore, the general public is unaware of the law library's existence and its possible benefits to those who require legal assistance.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
At the very least, a brochure should be created to outline public law library information and the Siskiyou County Public Library web page should be updated to include information about the public law library by the end of the year.
F3:
There is no central area to house the pu blic law library, effectively making the law library difficult to use.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3:
The Public Law Library should be housed in one clearly designated area of the Yreka branch of the Public Library inunediately. 3
F4:
The collection is not easily accessi ble to the public and not all staff or volunteers are familiar with its location. Therefore the law library collection paid for by the board of law library trustees is invisible to the public.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4:
Volunteers at the Yreka Branch Library should be trained regarding the location and use of the Public Law Library. They should be able to direct the public to the designated space. This training should be completed immediately. RS. Instructions for use of the computer databases and access to passwords should be made readily available to the public.
F5:
While online databases are available, there are no instructions or passwords posted to facilitate public use, causing the databases to be inaccessible to the pu bl ic.
F6:
Whi le attorneys regularl y volunteer and assist the public in using the law library, there is little pu blicity regardi ng this service, which is the only way the public is currently able to access the law l ibrary collections.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6:
Volunteers at the Yreka Branch Library should be trained immediately to give information as to attorney availability at the law library.
Findings & Recommendations
6 findings
F1:
Camp residents and CDCR and CAL FIRE staff demonstrated Pride in the Deadwood Conversation Camp environment.
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R1:
To the staff and inmates of Deadwood Conservation Camp: keep up the good work!
F2:
Additional sources of revenue would be required by county, state, special districts and local governments to provide current community services without the efforts of Deadwood inmates.
F3:
In the absence of the Deadwood inmate firefighters, government agencies would have to hire professional firefighters at a significant additional cost to replace their services.
F4:
Those state prison and Deadwood CAL FIRE employees, who live in Siskiyou County, contribute to the local economy.
F5:
Deadwood Camp operation purchases contribute to the local economy.
F6:
Deadwood Conservation Camp remains an asset to Siskiyou County.
Findings and recommendations not yet extracted.
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Findings & Recommendations
8 findings
F1:
The Montague City Council was seated in accordance with the recommendation of Siskiyou County Counsel.
F2:
One or more documented serial meetings took place in violation of the Brown Act.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
The Council should undergo periodic Brown Act training to ensure it is well versed in the Act and the limits the Act imposes on the use of emails, texting or phone calls among members regarding city business.
F3:
There is no orientation of new city council members.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3:
The City should establish an orientation training program for new and incumbent city council members which should take effect before the next election cycle.
F4:
There is an incomplete Policy and Procedures manual.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4:
The City should complete its Policy and Procedures manual by January 2018. 5
F5:
There is no written documentation of job duties or responsibilities for either staff or council members.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5:
The recommended orientation (R3) and the Policy and Procedures Manual (R5) need to clearly define the duties and expectations for City Council members, the City Clerk’s position and all other positions at the city by January 2018.
F6:
Because more than one city council member gives instructions to city staff and the instructions are not consistent, the result is ineffective communication and expectations between City Council members and city staff.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6:
The City Council should clearly define responsibilities in managing staff.
F7:
There is no established chain of command between the City Council and staff members.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7:
While all city staff is responsible to the board as a whole, the City Council should generate an organizational chart, with each staff position reporting to a single council member. Policy should be decided by the Council, but should be communicated to staff via one person.
F8:
The lack of orientation and training has resulted in confusion and inconsistent communication between staff and council members.
Related Recommendations (1)
R8:
The City Council members should immediately avail themselves of online, free or low cost training programs concerning conduct, decorum and the governing of civic meetings.
Findings & Recommendations
5 findings
F1:
The City of Yreka entered into a search for a new police station having no short or long- range comprehensive plan.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
In order to minimize future conflict regarding large projects, the City Council should complete its comprehensive citywide strategic plan by the end of 2017.
F2:
The City entered into a search for a new police station with no defined budget.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
Before beginning future projects, the City should insure that a budget is in place.
F3:
Only recently was City staff assigned the responsibility to oversee finding solutions to police station relocation issues.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3:
The City should provide direction and designate responsibility for project management to specific individuals at the start of every project. 4
F4:
In March 2017, the City Council voted to reopen the bid process for remodeling the property at 1400 Fairlane Road.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4:
Again, the City should provide direction and designate responsibility for project management to specific individuals at the start of every project.
F5:
The City, in conjunction with the Economic Development Council, has begun the process of creating a comprehensive city-wide strategic plan.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5:
The City is to be commended for initiating steps for a comprehensive citywide strategic plan, and we encourage a speedy completion of the plan.
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Findings & Recommendations
5 findings
F2:
There appears to be conflict and confusion regarding the donation, retention and circulation of library materials.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
The definition of what is, and is not, in the library system's collection and how donations will be handled should be discussed and the current MOU amended to state the resulting policies accurately by year’s end.
F3:
Procedures and payment for background checks are handled differently at each branch and most involve the volunteer being required to pay for their own background check.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3:
Under an amended MOU, the County should pay the background checks required by the County for staff/volunteers working in any branch.
F4:
Although each branch is required to have two computers for network communications, there is unequal access to effective commm1ications across branches as a result of non-standard computer equipment.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4:
Under an amended MOU between the county library and communities, the two com- putters which branches are required to provide should be the responsibility of the County and should be purchased by the County, along with required software and upgrades. A replacement schedule should be created so all the computers do not have to be replaced in one year but through a five-year replacement schedule.
F5:
There is inadequate funding for new books, which will need to be addressed when the Boles Fire insurance funds are exhausted.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5:
The county should increase available funding to buy new materials when the Boles Fire Insurance money is depleted.
F6:
The Distribution Center has not been applying for available grants, which the branch libraries are unable to apply for due to their non-governmental status. 5
Related Recommendations (1)
R6:
More emphasis should be placed on obtaining funds for branches through grants applied for by the Distribution Center. These could assist individual branches to meet financial needs.
Findings & Recommendations
2 findings
F1:
The City of Montague has had minimal success enforcing ordinances regarding property cleanup.
F2:
The City of Montague has failed to investigate other resources to assist with code enforcement.
Additional Recommendations
2
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
City of Montague officials need to enforce the existing property abatement codes.
R2:
The City of Montague should contact other agencies to determine if any type of code enforcement assistance is available. For example, area fire agencies could be contacted to see if abandoned properties might be used for firefighter training.
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Findings & Recommendations
6 findings
F1:
Some boards are not aware of or in compliance with and procedures, no written by-laws, small population base AB1234 ethics training. Pursuant to Penal Code section 933.05, the grand jury to draw upon for prospective board members, changing requests responses as follows: demographics and one or more board members with an
F2:
District board vacancies are difficult to fill due to the agenda not in the district’s best interest. absence of a succession plan. INVITED RESPONSES The effective board works together to accomplish the
F3:
Training sessions offered by County agencies for the mission adopted by the district. Board responsibilities Board of Supervisors to respond to R1, R3-R7 benefit of district board members are not well attended. include: 1. Determine the district’s basic purpose F4. Training sessions offered by County agencies, the Reports issued by the Grand Jury do not identify individuals County Clerk, County Counsel, and the Auditor, do not interviewed. Penal Code section 929 requires that reports of the Grand 2. Oversee operations include management functions and responsibilities. Jury not contain the name of any person or facts leading to the identity of any person who provides information to the Grand Jury. 3. Review and ensure compliance with all applicable
F4:
Review and correct budget and audit issues
F5:
There appears to be limited coordination among county laws and regulations agencies providing education and training for district board members. 4. Review and correct budget and audit issues APPENDIX 5. Formulate and approve strategic plans F6. The prohibitive cost of financial audits consumes a large portion of some district budgets. Additional sources of information on special districts: 6. Approve major contracts and expenses California Special Districts Association
F7:
Proposed AB2613 is designed to alleviate some of the 7. Insure board continuity by maintaining minutes http://www.csda.org/ burden regarding financial audit costs for some of the and documentation of board proceedings districts. California Association of Local Agency Formation 8. Ensure there is a written policies and procedures Commission (CALAFCO) http://www.calafco.org/ manual F8. Public meeting requirements, as defined by the Brown Assembly Bill 1234 Act, are not being fully complied with by all of the special 9. Ensure that all employees receive a written districts. http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bi performance review annually
Additional Recommendations
3
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
The Board of Supervisors should instruct County conflicts, while allowing for discussion. The chair http://www.calafco.org/Assembly Bill 2613 Counsel to ensure that all special district boards are aware also clearly defines each member’s role and of AB1234 ethics training requirements. documents any committee duties. The chair either http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bi is, or designates, a spokesperson to regularly
R2:
District boards must develop a set of procedures, ll_id=200520060AB2613 communicate with the district’s citizens and the including plans to fill vacancies as they occur. press. http://www.thefirstamendment.org/Brown-Act-Brochure-
R3:
The Board of Supervisors should direct those offices DEC-03.pdf 11. Formulate a plan to recruit new prospective currently providing training for special district board members, and has a mentoring program to orient members to develop a comprehensive curriculum to be http://oag.ca.gov/ethics and prepare new members for their upcoming role. offered in one session, on a weekday with alternate sessions offered during non-working hours. http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bi Districts that seem to have difficulty in filling board ll_id=200520060AB1234 vacancies exhibit some of the following characteristics: R4. The Board of Supervisors should direct those offices currently providing training for special district board • Districts are rural and less densely populated members to develop a comprehensive curriculum to be 1 CSDA (California Special District Association) fact sheet. •Communication between the boards and its offered in one session, on a weekday with alternate sessions constituents is lacking offered during non-working hours. CSDA (California Special District Association) fact sheet. 2015 - 2016 SISKIYOU COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT— 7
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Additional Recommendations
1
Not linked to specific findings.
R2:
The Civil Grand Jury is are also difficult to obtain. recommending the Board of Supervisors assist Next Step as Currently, Next Step funding needed during the application of $242,264 (FY 2015- process for Drug Medi-Cal 2016) is received through certification. state and federal sources. These funds are referred to as Substance Abuse Prevention • Recruiting and retaining trained, qualified clinicians and Treatment (SAPT) funds. Everyone receives treatment and psychiatrists. The AOD program has five providers R3. The Civil Grand Jury is recommending the Board of whether or not she is able to pay. Next Step currently uses a who share time with Next Step. Funds for one and a Supervisors assist Next Step and Behavioral Health Services sliding scale fee to determine payment. Many of those in the half providers are shown in the Next Step budget. Next to explore the possibility of providing transitional and/or Next Step program are not able to pay, or even pay a minimal Step is sharing resources with Behavioral Health, detox housing for women in Siskiyou County upon request. charge. including the services of one psychiatrist.