Title
a. Receive a preliminary response to Board Referral 2024.18 (Alejo) to seek targeted grant funding and identify a timeline for the build out of the remaining space at the Juvenile Hall facility including vocational services, laundry, kitchen/dining, treatment and related equipment space.
b. Consider recommendations on addition of the Juvenile Hall Build Out Project to the Capital Improvement Program and completion of the referral.
c. Provide direction to staff as appropriate.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Receive a preliminary response to Board Referral 2024.18 to seek targeted grant funding and identify a timeline for the build out of the remaining space at the Juvenile Hall facility including vocational services, laundry, kitchen/dining, treatment and related equipment space.
b. Consider recommendations on addition of the Juvenile Hall Build Out Project to the Capital Improvement Program and completion of the referral.
c. Provide direction to staff as appropriate.
Referral Summary
Board Referral 2024.18 requests that staff seek targeted grant funding and identify a timeline for the build out of the remaining space at the Juvenile Hall facility including vocational services, laundry, kitchen/dining, treatment, and related equipment space.
Project Description:
Staff have identified three items requiring response to BOS referral 2024.18:
1. Seek targeted grant funding and identify a timeline for the build out of the remaining space at the Juvenile Hall facility (to house populations currently housed at both Juvenile Hall and Youth Center).
2. Evaluate the possible relationship with Rancho Cielo as/or the Monterey County Office of Education to provide vocational training programs for incarcerated juveniles.
3. Review feasibility of Youth Center facility (970 Circle Drive property) repurposing.
Item 1: Grant Funding for Juvenile Hall
Public Works, Facilities and Parks (PWFP) staff reached out to contacts at Board of Community Corrections (BSCC) and California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) requesting information on any current or future construction funding. Both BSCC and CDCR confirmed there are no current or future planned funding opportunities for detention facility construction. PWFP staff also checked grant funding opportunities available on the BSCC website. As of December 2024, only three grant programs were available: a. community-based organizations to deliver reentry services, b. Indian tribes to investigate and solve cases involving missing or murdered indigenous people, and c. violence prevention programs. As the lead agency for BSCC grants, PWFP staff looks to Probation as the subject matter expert and lead in tracking targeted grant funding. Probation contacted the CAO Legislative Office and were advised that that County no longer has a designated staff person or consultant that is responsible for locating or managing grant opportunities. It was advised that the Legislative team can be made aware that the County is actively searching for funding and State contacts can be alerted to notify the County should such funding become available.
To ensure the New Juvenile Hall buildout continues to be given consideration, PWFP staff recommend a Capital Improvement Program (CIP) project be added to the annual CIP report. The scope would generally consist of buildout of the Juvenile Hall High Security building and Kitchen/Laundry/Storage building originally planned as part of the New Juvenile Hall Project 8811. Probation staff will include any updates on financing opportunities in the CIP project updates.
Should the Board decide to pursue non-state, federal or other funding to complete this project, programming and design work could begin to better determine what facility elements could be fit onto the existing site, or what site expansion may be required to fully incorporate services and administration currently housed at 970 Circle DriveYouth Center. Probation concurs with this recommendation and supports the addition of the Juvenile Hall buildout project to the Capital Improvement Program.
Item 2: Rancho Cielo/MCOE Training Programs
The Probation Department has an established relationship with Rancho Cielo, MCOE and several community-based organizations (CBOs) to provide a robust array of vocational training programs for justice involved youth that include Agreements with Rancho Cielo for job readiness and placement, vocational training, paid work experience, and employment support services; PEP - Prison Education Program; Hartnell College Rising Scholars Program; Pine Grove Conservation Camp; Paxton Patterson Program - College and Career Ready Labs; Toyota Materials Handling - Fork Lift Training Program; Food Handling (FH)Permit Certification Program; and Gladeo System - MCOE (Attachment A).
Additionally, if a youth is referred to vocational training and granted furlough by the Courts, Probation assists with training funds and transportation. Last year, one youth was enrolled in Barber School in Gilroy and another enrolled in the Welding Program at Hartnell College. The Probation Department has optimized the availability of services to youth under its care and continues to research, seek out and engage in agreements and opportunities for future vocational opportunities for in-custody and justice involved youth.
Item 3: Feasibility of Repurposing 970 Circle Drive Site
PWFP is conducting a facilities master plan exercise, which will include consideration of potential alternate uses for the 970 Circle Drive site. This exercise is ongoing with a final report expected in late summer 2025. PWFP will present a final report to the Board of Supervisors which will include an evaluation of this site and options for future uses. PWPF recommends that this portion of the referral be addressed as part of the facilities master plan which will provide the requested information. Further, any proposal for the repurposing of the site would have to include a feasible relocation of the Youth Center to an appropriate facility as approved by the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC).
Estimated Project Cost:
Most of the work on the facilities master plan exercise is already underway by PWFP with a report expected late summer 2025. No additional costs beyond the current project budget are expected to be incurred at this time. If additional master planning detail is desired beyond the current master plan scope of work, additional consultant and staff funding will be required.
The Probation Department has recently updated the Capital Improvement Project List and database to add a placeholder New Juvenile Hall Buildout project worksheet. Additional department resources not currently budgeted will be required to draft the scope of work for the New Juvenile Hall Buildout, add another project for consideration, and provide CIP updates.
The Probation Department has already established long term relationships with Rancho Cielo, MCOE and several community-based organizations (CBOs)to provide vocational training programs for justice involved youth, with annual contracts being renewed this upcoming fiscal year as part of ongoing operations. There are no additional costs associated with this portion of the request.
Staffing Level Estimate:
Additional time of County staff would be required for research and analysis to draft the Scope of Work for the new proposed CIP Project for the New Juvenile Hall Buildout. If CIP is added, Probation staff would provide any updates on financing opportunities in the CIP project updates.
Departmental Challenges:
There are no identified current or future planned funding opportunities for detention facility construction at the State or local levels. Higher level educational and vocational opportunities are challenging due to in-custody sentences, needed approval by the Courts for furlough, and the willingness of educational agencies to offer enrollment to these students.
Recommendations:
Consider the referral response complete based on the responses and actions outlined in this report: The Probation Department will add a Juvenile Hall Buildout project to the annual CIP to track any available grant funds.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
? Economic Development: Through collaboration, strengthen economic development to ensure a diversified and healthy economy.
? Administration: Promote an organization that practices efficient and effective resource management and is recognized for responsiveness, strong customer orientation, accountability, and transparency.
? Health & Human Services: Improve health and quality of life through County supported policies, programs, and services; promoting access to equitable opportunities for healthy choices and healthy environments in collaboration with communities.
? Infrastructure: Plan and develop a sustainable, physical infrastructure that improves the quality of life for County residents and supports economic development results.
? Public Safety: Create a safe environment for people to achieve their potential, leading businesses, and communities to thrive and grow by reducing violent crimes as well as crimes in general
Prepared by: Wendi Reed, Management Analyst III, ext. 3985
Approved by: Jose Ramirez, Chief Probation Officer, ext. 3913
Attachments:
Preliminary Analysis Report
Attachment A
Board Referral No. 2024.18