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ADOPT RESPONSE TO THE 2014-2015 CIVIL GRAND JURY REPORT FOR SOUTH STOCKTON QUAILITY OF LIFE, CASE NO. 1414
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt by motion action the City Council’s Response to the 2014-2015 Civil Grand Jury Report for Investigating Case No. 1414 relating to South Stockton; direct the City Manager to sign the response on behalf of the City Council and to transmit the response to the Presiding Judge of the San Joaquin County Superior Court.
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Summary
The 2014-2015 Civil Grand Jury Report Investigation Case No. 1414 included findings and recommendations related to the South Stockton community. The report was issued on May 13, 2015 (Attachment A). California Penal Code Sections 933 and 933.05 requires a response to the Presiding Judge of San Joaquin County Superior Court by August 11, 2015 to comply with the 90-days allotted to the City as a response time. A letter has been prepared for Council consideration that is responsive to the investigation (Attachment B).
DISCUSSION
Background
Civil grand juries were established by the Constitution of the State of California. They conduct investigations and publish reports. Agencies cited in the reports are required to respond to the findings and recommendations of the report.
In May 2015, the City received notice that the 2014-2015 Grand Jury had conducted an investigation related to South Stockton, which included interviews with community members and City staff.
On May 13, 2015, the final report was published publicly and the City was given 90-days to address the findings and recommendations assigned by the Grand Jury for response.
Present Situation
Pursuant to California Penal Code sections 933 and 933.05, a written response has been prepared for submittal to the Presiding Judge of the Superior (Attachment B). The findings of the report were organized into four sections: 1) demographics, 2) housing and Code Enforcement, 3) crime, and 4) City funding. In summary, the findings and recommendations call out the socio-economic challenges faced in South Stockton, the need for code enforcement actions to address housing, concerns related to violent crime and police staffing and a perceived lack of resources committed by the City to South Stockton.
The City’s overall response to the findings and recommendations is agreement that there are significant needs in South Stockton. However, the City’s response also reflects the many efforts that have been made to improve quality of life in South Stockton. In addition, the City’s response points out several broad statements made in the findings that lack detail or supporting data. The City is not in a position to comment on many of these statements given their broad and general nature. Furthermore, the City points out in its response that the quality of life of South Stockton is a complex theme for which multiple government agencies and community organizations are responsible, as well as the responsibility of the community itself.
The City of Stockton is deeply committed to serving South Stockton. In recent years, the City has consistently dedicated resources and staffing to address needs in South Stockton. The City will continue to make these efforts as well as strategically targeted efforts such as the South Stockton Promise Zone to continue making progress towards improving the quality of life in South Stockton.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
There is no financial impact in submitting this response letter to the Presiding Judge of the San Joaquin Superior Court. In addition, it is anticipated that the City’s actions in response to this Grand Jury report will be carried out within existing resources.
Attachment A - 2014-2015 Grand Jury Report - Case No. 1414 - South Stockton Quality of Life
Attachment B - Response Letter - Grand Jury Case No. 1414