1998 - 1999 COUNTY OF KERN GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT COUNTY OF KERN OFFICIAL SEAL The seal of the County of Kern depicts many of the major elements making up this garden spot in the southern San Joaquin Valley. The important early and long-time oil and gas industry is represented by the oil derrick. In contrast, the space shuttle represents the county’s involvement in present day air transportation and the military complex. Sun rays remind us of our plentiful sunshine so important to our agricultural and recreational activities. An outline of the county is the backdrop for a multiplicity of county agricultural, industrial, and business endeavors. The California bear stands behind scales representing equal justice to our citizens. Mountains form the background. Cattle graze beside the Kern River. The pick and shovel attest to the county’s mining industry. The railroad tracks refer to important rail activities. Our agricultural importance is represented by the grapes, citrus fruits, and bale of cotton shown on the seal. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Our deep appreciation goes to those close by who guided, encouraged, and helped us through this one year of Grand Jury service – Kay Beavers, our Court Liaison; Bernard C. Barmann, County Counsel; and Clarence Westra, Presiding Judge of the Kern County Superior Court. And there are so many others – they know who they are – who patiently answered all our questions, showed us around their facilities, and assisted us in many ways as we endeavored to fulfill our duties as jury members. The 1998-1999 Grand Jury TABLE OF CONTENTS County of Kern official seal…………………. ……………………………………….. Seal description and acknowledgements…………………………………………… Table of contents………………………………………………………………………. Foreman’s letter………………………………………………………………………… Grand Jury members…………………………………………………………………… Grand Jury photograph…………………………………………………………………. Administration / Audit Committee……… …………………………………………….. Mission statement……………………………………………………………….... General Services – Reprographics……………………………………………… County Administrative office – Administrative Analysts……………………….. General Services – Purchasing………………………………………………...… Information Technology Services……………………………………………….... General Services – Construction Services Disvision………………………..… Health / Education / Social Services…………………………………………………… Mission statement………………………………………………………………….. Hart Memorial Park / Buena Vista Recreation Area……………………………. Farm and Home Advisors Office………………………………………………….. Kern Family Health Care………………………………………………………...… Kern County Mental Health………………………………………………………… Bakersfield Association of Retarded Citizens……………………………………. Jamison Children’s Center………………………………………………………..... Department of Human Services……………………………………………………. Law / Justice Committee…………………………………………………………. Mission statement……………………………………………………………. Kern County Sheriff– Lamont Substation………………………………..... Lerdo Minimum Detention Facility………………………………………….. Lerdo Maximum / Medium Detention Facility…………………………….... McFarland Community Correctional Facility……………………………….. Kern County Sheriff – Mojave Substation………………………………..… Camp Erwin Owen…………………………………………………………..... Taft Correctional Instituition………………………………………………..... Kern County Sheriff – Buttonwillow Substation…………………………… Kern County Sheriff – Coroner / Public Administrator………………..….. Cities / Service Districts………………………………………………………...….. Mission statement…………………………………………………………….. City of Maricopa……………………………………………………………..… City of Arvin…………………………………………………………………….. City of Tehachapi………………………………………………………………. Golden Hills Community Service District…………………………………… City of Bakersfield……………………………………………………………… City of Ridgecrest…………………………………………………………….... Airports Department…………………………………………………………… Engineering and Survey Service………………………………………….... Edit Committee……………………………………………………………………… Mission statement…………………………………………………………..… Activities……………………………………………………………………….. Recruiting Committee…………………………………………………………….. Mission statement…………………………………………………………… Activities…………………………………………………………………...…. Continuity Committee……………………………………………………………… Mission statement/activities…………………………………………………. Responses to final reports………………………………………………….. Continuity report…………………………………………………………...….. Ad Hoc Committee………………………………………………………………..… Mission statement……………………………………………………………... Central District Development Agency………………………………………. Citizen complaints and indictments……………………………………………….. June 30, 1999 Honorable Clarence Westra Jr. Presiding Judge of the Superior Court 1415 Truxtun Avenue Bakersfield, California 93301 Dear Judge Westra, The Final Report of the 1998-99 Kern County Grand Jury is respectfully submitted to you for filing with the County Clerk in accordance with Section 933(a) of the California Penal Code. It contains the findings and recommendations resulting from the Grand Jury investigations carried out under Sections 919, 925, 933.1 and 933.5 of the California Penal Code. Each individual report received the concurrence of the Grand Jurors as required by Section 916 of the California Penal Code. This Grand Jury consists of 19 individuals of various backgrounds and abilities. They range in age from 44 to 81 years. For many, the preparation of a report was their first foray into the world of computers. They developed into a cohesive unit during the course of the year and undertook the task of monitoring public agencies and investigating citizen’s complaints in a positive manner. The individual expertise and perspective which each brought to the jury has helped make the Final Report both objective and positive. The support and encouragement that you have so generously given throughout the year is appreciated by all members of the Jury, especially myself. In addition, we wish to thank the Court Staff for the many instances where they aided us in administrative matters, which seemed to come up almost daily. Singling out Mr. Terry McNally, Mrs. Kay Beavers, and Mrs. Joanne Schrock in no way detracts from our appreciation of the efforts of the entire staff. The guidance and advice of County Counsel, Mr. Bernard Barmann, and Mr. Stephen Schuett has been invaluable during our tenure as Grand Jurors. They were never too busy to explain the nuances of the law to those of us not initiated in its finer points. We wish to express our thanks to Mr. Ed Jagels and his staff, who were always available when we called for assistance. A special thanks to Mr. Steve Tauzer and our prayers for a complete and speedy recovery from his health problems. Lt. Tam Hodgson, of the Bureau of Investigation for the Office of the District Attorney, has been especially helpful and is to be commended. One of the tasks undertaken by the Jury each year is the recruiting of new members for the following year. The assistance of the Kern County Fire Department in allowing us to share their space at the Kern County Fair to set up an informational booth is greatly appreciated. This year’s Jury has made a commitment to computerize our operation in order to make the preparation of the Final Report both uniform and timely. The Auditor/Controller’s office has kindly donated several of their surplus computers to the Grand Jury, greatly enhancing our capabilities. The majority of the members started the year with little or no knowledge of how to use a computer. Thanks to the patience and guidance of Miss Karri Fogle, in a sometimes-hectic training program, most are now among the “computer literate”. The various agencies and departments with which we have dealt during the past year have reinforced the perception expressed by past Grand Juries that Kern County has some of the most capable and dedicated employees to be found anywhere. On a more personal note, I wish to express my feelings about serving on the 1998-99 Grand Jury. I deem it an honor and a privilege to have served with 18 talented and selfless individuals who have taken on a momentous task and completed it. Sincerely, Robert Schilly, Foreman Kern County Grand Jury 1998-99 GRAND JURY MEMBERS PANEL Elmer M. Anderson George Howell Robert A. Schilly Shafter Bakersfield Bakersfield Frank K. Johnson Charles C. Bennett Bakersfield Thomas D. Stockton Bakersfield Glenville Norman E. Johnson Anna Cleveland Bakersfield Walter E. Swanson Bakersfield Bakersfield Harold W. Nelson MaryHelen Cordova Ridgecrest Judith E. Valenzuela Bakersfield Bakersfield Frank G. Pitts Robert Gallaher Bakersfield Robert T. B. Walker Bakersfield Bakersfield Lloyd R. Rudberg Harry J. Helsley Caliente Ferrelene Zachary Shafter Bakersfield Charles P. Schumann Bakersfield OFFICERS Foreman Robert A. Schilly Foreman Pro Tem Norman E. Johnson Secretary Ferrelene Zachary Assistant Secretary Lloyd R. Rudberg Sergeant At Arms George Howell Parliamentarian Frank G. Pitts Advisors Clarence Westra Jr.-Presiding Judge Superior Court Bernard C. Barmann-County Counsel Kay Beavers-Superior Court Liaison ADMINISTRATION & AUDIT COMMITTEE Norman E. Johnson, Chair Robert Gallaher Anna Cleveland Harry J. Helsley Frank K. Johnson MISSION STATEMENT The Administration & Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing and overseeing departments and agencies in their management and performance of operations and execution of fiscal responsibilities. This committee also addresses citizen complaints pertaining to the same areas. The committee was pleased to discover this year that the County Administration operations and policies for the most part were both well designed and well executed. The county employees the committee worked with were knowledgeable about their respective positions and very interested in any