The council tonight is set to officially respond to a 2008
report from the San Benito County Civil Grand Jury, a copy of which
the city contends it did not have until recently when it requested
one. The council tonight is set to officially respond to a 2008
report from the San Benito County Civil Grand Jury, a copy of which
the city contends it did not have until recently when it requested
one.
The council tonight is set to officially respond to a 2008 report from the San Benito County Civil Grand Jury, a copy of which the city contends it did not have until recently when it requested one.
State law requires municipalities to respond to the local civil grand jury, which submitted its report in September. The city in a staff report to the council noted how it had no record of receiving the report and, after an inquiry about the response, sought to obtain one. The only portion needing a response includes recommendations about the Hollister Animal Shelter, and the council Monday is to review those items before a prospective approval.
The list of conclusions in the grand jury’s investigation included such complaints as the shelter not being opened during all advertised times, incomplete information on the website about what to do when finding stray dogs, a lacking program to recruit volunteers, staffing deficiencies and poor drainage in the dog room.
The city and police department, which oversees animal control, agreed with all of the findings. Hollister does not, however, have to follow through on the recommendations, but must show its leaders reviewed them.
Regarding the access during open hours, the city noted it could not be implemented due to staffing issues.
For the website, the city pointed out it plans to implement the recommendation no later than July 1.
A stronger volunteer recruitment program already has been implemented, according to the report, while the number of volunteers has grown to 13, about double the figure during the investigation.
And the staffing problem cannot be addressed due to city finances, according to the report.
The council is scheduled to consider the response at the 6:30 p.m. meeting Monday.
