Yuba County Grand Jury
2009-2010
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Findings & Recommendations
3 findings
F1:
The Bond Oversight Committee has not fully assumed all aspects of its oversight authority and responsibilities.
F2:
California EC § 15278(a) requires that the Bond Oversight Committee act independently to actively monitor the expenditures of the bond funds by the District and advise the public of the information examined. Based on interviews and information, the Marysville Joint Unified School District Bond Oversight Committee does not appear to be acting independently of 2009-2010 Yuba County Grand Jury Final Report the District. Most members of the Bond Oversight Committee have erroneously indicated that a District employee is the Chairperson.
F3:
The Bond Oversight Committee was established in July 2006, with five of the current members appointed at that time. Based on EC § 15282(a), the term limit is two years with one extension; therefore, those five members will complete their terms in July 2010. A written process for replacing members of the Bond Oversight Committee should be timely established.
Additional Recommendations
3
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
The members of the Bond Oversight Committee should assume full responsibility for bond oversight, independent of influence from the Marysville Joint Unified School District. In addition, the BOC should: Establish a training program from an outside source Require the auditor to provide specific summations that enables it to ensure that funds have only been expended for projects specifically authorized by voter approval Issue annual reports on their activities and findings, including a review of each project approved by the voters Ensure that taxpayers are timely informed of meetings and provide contact information, including phone numbers and email addresses of Committee members Ensure that the annual report is available on the Bond Oversight Committee’s website as required in the EC
R2:
The Bond Oversight Committee should ensure they are acting independently of the Marysville Joint Unified School District and limit the involvement of District employees to only being available for comment and clarification. In addition, the Committee should: Appoint a Chairperson from the Committee to facilitate the meetings Establish bylaws, possibly consulting bylaws from other BOC committees for ideas Set its own agenda Run its own meetings Issue its own reports
R3:
The Board of Trustees needs to establish a process for recruiting and replacing members of the Bond Oversight Committee. The criteria should include an application process with the following: Active members of the required organizations Desired skill sets Persons that are willing to actively represent the interests of taxpayers Grand Jury Recommendation: The 2010-2011 Grand Jury should perform a follow-up investigation to ensure replacement of the Bond Oversight Committee members have been appropriately completed. PASSED and ADOPTED by the Yuba County Grand Jury on the 18th day of May, 2010.
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Findings & Recommendations
5 findings
F1:
The First Five Yuba needs to continue developing ways to advertise and promote available programs, so all eligible children and families can benefit.
F2:
Missing shower curtains in the female unit
F3:
Scratches on the cell doors and windows
F4:
Puddles of water on the floor in the shower area in the SHU
F5:
Drywall damage in the multi-purpose room The tour followed the process of ward intake. All wards are brought into a holding cell prior to booking. This booking facility has a new computer system called “Youth Track.” It is a comprehensive system that includes a photograph, a physical description, and criminal 2009-2010 Yuba County Grand Jury Final Report history of the ward. During booking, a search is completed; if no records are found, a new file is created. The Committee was given a demonstration of the system’s capabilities and reviewed information that had been input. The system has saved time and has enabled the facility to go paperless, which helps to save money. During the intake process the wards are checked for parasites, lice and scabies. The ward is then offered a shower. The staff evaluates each ward for medical needs and places the ward in an appropriate area of the facility. If staff feels the ward is in need of immediate care, medical staff is notified. Each ward is given a self-appraisal test to check for behavior problems, such as depressive or suicidal tendencies, with the results being forwarded to a therapist. The ward is then allowed up to two phone calls; one to a parent/guardian and the second to a lawyer. The primary objective of the Camp is community protection and the redirection of delinquent behaviors. The philosophy of the Camp program is to assist each juvenile and their family in developing a sense of achievement and personal responsibility through exposure and mastery of a wide variety of experiences. Comprehensive services are provided to both residents and their families. The Camp provides a 90-day or 210-day program, along with aftercare support provided by Yuba and Sutter Probation Departments. The 210-day program includes a furlough period allowing the minor and their family to adjust to and prepare for the minor’s return home. Both programs require a 30-day review hearing before the Juvenile Court Judge. Non- compliance can result in termination from the program, extending the stay, or returning to the Juvenile Hall Facility. Exceptional behavior may allow a minor to complete the extended program in as little as 150 days. The Camp includes specialized programs with elements to help the wards become a better individual. These programs include: Anger management Negotiating and resolving conflict Drug awareness/recovery Life skills Victim awareness Building assets Physical training Family services Mental health counseling Education and construction technology The camp also participated in 37 community service work projects in 2009, a total of 1830 hours, including the Peach Festival, Ellis Lake Clean-Up, Old Fire House, as well as many other civic activities. In addition, the wards at both the Hall and the Camp are taught by positive reinforcement using a point system. Each day begins with 0 points and each ward can earn up to 100 2009-2010 Yuba County Grand Jury Final Report
Additional Recommendations
5
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
None PASSED and ADOPTED by the Yuba County Grand Jury on the 18th day of March, 2010.
R2:
Missing shower curtains in the female unit
R3:
Scratches on the cell doors and windows
R4:
Puddles of water on the floor in the shower area in the SHU
R5:
Drywall damage in the multi-purpose room The tour followed the process of ward intake. All wards are brought into a holding cell prior to booking. This booking facility has a new computer system called “Youth Track.” It is a comprehensive system that includes a photograph, a physical description, and criminal 2009-2010 Yuba County Grand Jury Final Report history of the ward. During booking, a search is completed; if no records are found, a new file is created. The Committee was given a demonstration of the system’s capabilities and reviewed information that had been input. The system has saved time and has enabled the facility to go paperless, which helps to save money. During the intake process the wards are checked for parasites, lice and scabies. The ward is then offered a shower. The staff evaluates each ward for medical needs and places the ward in an appropriate area of the facility. If staff feels the ward is in need of immediate care, medical staff is notified. Each ward is given a self-appraisal test to check for behavior problems, such as depressive or suicidal tendencies, with the results being forwarded to a therapist. The ward is then allowed up to two phone calls; one to a parent/guardian and the second to a lawyer. The primary objective of the Camp is community protection and the redirection of delinquent behaviors. The philosophy of the Camp program is to assist each juvenile and their family in developing a sense of achievement and personal responsibility through exposure and mastery of a wide variety of experiences. Comprehensive services are provided to both residents and their families. The Camp provides a 90-day or 210-day program, along with aftercare support provided by Yuba and Sutter Probation Departments. The 210-day program includes a furlough period allowing the minor and their family to adjust to and prepare for the minor’s return home. Both programs require a 30-day review hearing before the Juvenile Court Judge. Non- compliance can result in termination from the program, extending the stay, or returning to the Juvenile Hall Facility. Exceptional behavior may allow a minor to complete the extended program in as little as 150 days. The Camp includes specialized programs with elements to help the wards become a better individual. These programs include: Anger management Negotiating and resolving conflict Drug awareness/recovery Life skills Victim awareness Building assets Physical training Family services Mental health counseling Education and construction technology The camp also participated in 37 community service work projects in 2009, a total of 1830 hours, including the Peach Festival, Ellis Lake Clean-Up, Old Fire House, as well as many other civic activities. In addition, the wards at both the Hall and the Camp are taught by positive reinforcement using a point system. Each day begins with 0 points and each ward can earn up to 100 2009-2010 Yuba County Grand Jury Final Report
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Findings & Recommendations
4 findings
F1:
The Committee found some maintenance issues that may result in safety concerns including: water on the floor in the SHU, inadequate camera coverage, and wards not wearing safety goggles while doing woodworking.
F2:
It appears that the procedures for the personnel (staff and inmates) working in the laundry facility are not being followed. Training for inmates working in this area needs to be improved. The following problems were observed by this committee: a. Laundry inmate workers were observed eating in the laundry room. b. Laundry inmate workers were not wearing gloves or aprons (though they were available) while processing the laundry. c. Inmates were locked in the laundry room while working. d. Inmates are still not offered Hepatitis B vaccinations as required by OSHA Regulation (29 CFR, § 1910.1030) and Cal OSHA (Title 8, § 5193.) These issues were raised by the 2008-2009 Grand Jury who received the following response from the Sheriff: “The County Health Officer was already in the process of getting free Hepatitis B/Hepatitis A vaccine for all of our inmates.” This Grand Jury believes that the same conditions appear to still exist and still present safety concerns.
F3:
The laundry area was built for a smaller jail. Though it meets CCR Title 15 requirements, it requires extended shifts to ensure clean laundry is provided to all inmates. These issues were raised by the 2008-2009 Grand Jury with the following response by received from the Sheriff, “We partially disagree with this finding. The laundry area was moved to its current location during the jail expansion in 1994/1995. The laundry was previously located in the part of the space currently occupied by the jail kitchen, which was also expended in 1994/1995.” It is noted that the duct work in the laundry room has large holes, which could result in chemical inhalation by inmate workers. The laundry room also has exposed electrical wiring, an unsafe condition. These conditions raise safety concerns that need to be addressed.
F4:
Female inmates are not offered vocational training in electrical or carpentry, nor are they offered to work in the kitchen. The male inmates are not offered life-skills training or offered to work in the laundry area. These issues were raised by the 2008-2009 Grand Jury with the following response received from the Sheriff: “Part of the Jail’s mission is to prepare prisoners mentally and physically for their successful reintegration into the community. Optional vocational training is offered to inmates. It is not feasible operationally or financially to expand programs and offer equal training to both male and female inmates. There is no requirement to do so.” These issues still remain and are a concern to the 2009-2010 Grand Jury.
Additional Recommendations
4
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
Review maintenance concerns and safety requirements and establish a method to resolve issues promptly. PASSED and ADOPTED by the Yuba County Grand Jury on the 7th day of April, 2010.
R2:
Provide training to inmate workers for exposure situations and provide an area for eating and drinking. The Jail must document that laundry personnel were offered Hepatitis B vaccinations in accordance with OSHA Regulation (29 CFR, § 1910.1030),
R3:
Establish a plan to replace or increase the size of the laundry to maintain the CCR Title 15 requirements, as well as the needs of the inmates. Repair duct work in the laundry room and cover exposed electrical wiring.
R4:
Make all training and job duties available to all inmates. PASSED and ADOPTED by the Yuba County Grand Jury on the 7th day of April, 2010.
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Findings & Recommendations
2 findings
F1:
The City of Marysville appears to be paying the Contractor an amount for basic services that is “probably $100 too high” by the admission of the Contractor. Based on the further admissions of the Contractor that the excess amounts are really to “go toward the resource costs of website development,” it appears that the City may be paying for the ”resources” identified in the body of the contract as “donated.” Another concern of this Committee is that the terms of the contract require that the Contractor hold a Marysville business license and both the City and the Contractor admit that the Contractor does not have the required license.
F2:
The residents of the City of Marysville would likely benefit from the opportunity to access more information and /documents from the City ‘s website.
Additional Recommendations
2
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
To ensure that the City is receiving sufficient value for the monies it is expending, the City needs to amend the contract terms that relate to the payment for basic services to ensure that they are not too high.
R2:
The City needs to explore resources for updating and expanding the information that it provides through its website. If/when resources are available, the entire agenda packet 2009-2010 Yuba County Grand Jury Final Report
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Findings & Recommendations
7 findings
F1:
Human remains and personal property reportedly have been removed from Marysville City Cemetery.
F2:
The Marysville Cemetery Commission, established in 1992, is required to have a comprehensive plan for the maintenance and protection of the Cemetery and rules and regulations for transaction of business, per Marysville Municipal Code (2.70.)
F3:
Cemeteries contain unique local history and exposure to the local history can enhance the educational experiences and community pride for youth of our community and potentially increase respect for our cemeteries and lessen incidents of vandalism.
F4:
A budgeted amount of $5,000 a year does not allow for any capital improvements required at the Marysville City Cemetery.
F5:
A picnic table and concrete slab has been inappropriately placed over an individual’s grave.
F6:
The Cemetery has electrical wires and water irrigation lines within the same trench.
F7:
Utility bills for the Marysville City Cemetery appear high, considering the limited usage.
Additional Recommendations
7
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
Improve the oversight procedures for the Marysville City Cemetery. 2009-2010 Yuba County Grand Jury Final Report
R2:
The Marysville City Council should establish a deadline for the completion of the plan and rules and regulations. The plan should include the following: Capital improvements Low growing ground cover throughout the grounds to eliminate the need for mowing Improved security to allow the public to come and go at will
R3:
The City Council should establish a program to work with local schools incorporating “Cemetery Studies” into school lessons.
R4:
The Marysville Cemetery Commission should form alliances with local organizations to write grants for capital improvements. Also, more community outreach is needed to allow interested individuals, organizations and business owners in Marysville to donate tax-deductible materials, services and time to this worthy project.
R5:
Remove picnic table and concrete slab.
R6:
Have a licensed electrician review and determine the legal requirements and advise the City what work is needed to bring the cemetery grounds to code. 2009-2010 Yuba County Grand Jury Final Report
R7:
The City of Marysville should request the Maintenance Department investigate the utility bill issues. PASSED and ADOPTED by the Yuba County Grand Jury on the 28th day of April, 2010.