June 8, 2023
Final Reports
San Mateo Courts - Civil Grand Jury

1999 Final Report: 1998 Response Summaries:
Special Districts/Cities

1998 Recommendation Response by Agency Action by 1999 Grand Jury
Coastside County Water District
Recommendation 50:

CCWD Board should, by fiscal year 1999-2000, improve their public relations and assure that the staff has current up-to-date information available.
The District accepted the recommendation, and by July 1, 1999, current copies of regulations, the Rate and Fee Schedule, Water Supply Evaluation Report, and the report of the outside auditors were available to the public. The 1999 Grand Jury accepts the changes as meeting the recommendation.
Recommendation 51:
CCWD should improve the publication "General Regulations Regarding Water Service" by eliminating ambiguity and loop holes, defining "exceptional cases" for connection transfers, and clearly explain priority and non-priority uses. CCWD should develop a simplified one-page check list and use the booklet for more detailed information.
The District accepted the recommendation in part. Because of the complexity of the District policies, it is difficult to simplify the "General Regulations Regarding Water Service"; however, no complaints about the transfer policy have been received this year by the Board or General Manager. The District has developed checklists for (1) obtaining service, (2) transferring "regular" connections, and (3) conversions of priority to non- priority connections. The 1999 Grand Jury accepts the changes as meeting the intention of the recommendation.
Recommendation 52: CCWD should, by fiscal year 1999-2000, develop a consistent method of allocating new water connections which does not give preferential bias to potential users. Because the Grand Jury did not include examples of bias in the report, the District is unable to make changes. However, in the past, the allocation of connections was regarded as fair, and the recommendation will not be implemented at this time. The 1999 Grand Jury suggests that the 2000 Grand Jury checks on the number of complaints on allocations of connections.
Half Moon Bay - Point Montara Fire Protection Districts
Recommendation 53:

The Board of Directors of the HMB FPD should ensure firms contracting to perform weed abatement understand what are permissible practices and closely monitor their performance.
The recommendation has been implemented. Additional staff has been retained to instruct contractors in proper procedures and to inspect completed work. The response is acceptable.
Recommendation 54:
The Board of Directors of the HMB FPD should state its response time objectives for urban areas and rural areas.
The recommendation has been implemented and is published in the "Fire Protection Services Agreement" between the HMBFPD and PMFPD. The response is acceptable.
Recommendation 55:
The Boards of Directors of the HMBFPD and the PMFPD should begin a process that will fully merge both Districts which would maximize cost savings.
The Boards disagree with the recommendation because they have already entered into an agreement to improve the level of service to both Districts and to provide Paramedic Firefighters. The 2000 Grand Jury may wish to monitor this agreement.
SamTrans Long Range Planning
Recommendation 56:

The SamTrans Long Range (Strategic) Plan should explore the use of new, innovative technologies not entirely dependent on fossil fuels. It should also direct its representatives to the MTC and Joint Powers Authority to advocate a more comprehensive two-stage plan addressing this issue.
The SamTrans Board is in fundamental agreement with this recommendation. SamTrans has in the past and is currently exploring regional and industry-wide strategies to meet federal and state-mandated emission standards. The 2000 Grand Jury may wish to review the Strategic Plan and monitor the progress on this recommendation.
Recommendation 57:
If studies prove positive, it is recommended to the SamTrans Board, the Transportation Authority, and the CCAG Board that BART's extension to the southern bayside border of San Mateo County be a part of the SamTrans Long Range Plan and their representatives to the SamTrans Board be instructed to include this extension in their plan. Otherwise, alternative mass transit systems including a high speed railway should be considered.
The SamTrans Board is in fundamental agreement with this recommendation. The Strategic Plan will address these issues. The 2000 Grand Jury may wish to review the Strategic Plan and monitor the progress on this recommendation.
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