While 2009 was an extraordinary time with respect to the economy, Sacramento County remains vital and dedicated to providing the highest quality of service available – and I want to share with you a number of success stories that occurred last year of particular interest to North County residents.
Combating Home Care Fraud
Sacramento County currently is leading the way with a multi-agency task force charged with investigating fraud in the rapidly growing in-home care program that is funded with federal, state and county tax dollars.
The program's intent is to allow the elderly and disabled people to remain at home with the help of caregivers rather than placing them in nursing homes, which can cost five times more in public money.
The goals of this program are laudable but the Board of Supervisors was informed earlier this year that Sacramento County has seen the costs and caseloads of the program increase dramatically. The Grand Jury raised the issue of fraud in a report last year.
Our local program is ranked among the highest in cases per capita and authorized hours to service providers of any metropolitan county in the state of California. In June the Board authorized District Attorney Jan Scully to establish a special fraud task force to prevent, detect, investigate and -- most importantly -- prosecute in-home care fraud.
A week before Thanksgiving the District Attorney announced the arrest of 12 people in Sacramento County who are accused of defrauding the program or other social services. The 12 are accused of taking more than $352,400.
It makes sense to detect fraud earlier and cut funds off sooner to perpetrators of fraud to ensure program funds go to people truly in need, not to people trying to scam the system.
The task force has a toll-free number and e-mail address to report suspected fraud. If you have information, please call (866) 410-4040 or email ihhsfraud@sacda.org.
Covered Up and Closed
Two Auburn Boulevard businesses that formerly featured adult live theater closed down in 2009 at their own choosing following actions taken by Sacramento County.
For many years The Embers and The Body Shop in the Old Foothill Farms area both operated adult live theater at commercial locations on the boulevard in violation of zoning code provisions prohibiting their operation in any location outside an industrially zoned area. At my insistence Sacramento County sought to enforce the provisions of its zoning code against theses businesses. The issue went to court and Judge Connelly found in favor of the County in November 2008. Following that ruling the two businesses continued to operate but purportedly with the dancers covered pending appeal of that decision.
Following the successful ruling by the court, the Board of Supervisors proceeded in March 2009 to enact an ordinance limiting physical conduct (e.g., lap dancing) only to locations zoned to permit legally regulated adult entertainment. After that ordinance was adopted, The Embers and The Body Shop decided to cease operations.
The old Regency Adult Theater on Watt Avenue in North Highlands was subject to similar enforcement which resulted in a settlement and its ultimate closing. The building was torn down and in August 2009 the site became home to a Golden Corral Restaurant, which offers a much more family-friendly atmosphere.
Also subject to the County's action was the total nude entertainment establishment City Limits, which also fought the County along with the Body Shop and Embers. City Limits cited certain first amendment constitutional arguments. A settlement was reached with City Limits prior to Judge Connelly’s ruling and under a stipulated judgment between the County and City Limits the business is allowed to operate through August 13, 2015. Please be assured that end date has been noted on the County’s calendar.
New Animal Shelter
In the fall Sacramento County’s new animal shelter opened providing a state-of-the-art facility to serve the needs of homeless and abandoned pets. The center replaces the 40-year old antiquated site that was expensive to operate and maintain – and not very animal friendly.
Located at 3839 Bradshaw Road, the new facility is the central destination for residents to take care of all their pet needs, learn about issues affecting animals and a place to celebrate the bond between people and their pets.
The center was designed by George Miers & Associates, an architectural firm that works with the Humane Society of the United States.
The new facility is on a 5-acre parcel, just steps away from the old shelter which truly resembled a “dog pound.” The shelter includes an outdoor exercise area for dogs, a spacious livestock area, an adoption center and a pet “get acquainted” area to set the stage for an adoption match. In addition, there is a public dog park.
Staff reports the improved surroundings also are having a positive affect on adoptions with noted increases -- probably as a result of creating a pleasant environment to connect the public with the animals.
Anyone can adopt an animal from the County shelter regardless whether you live in the unincorporated area or not because the goal is to have that abandoned animal become someone’s pet in a welcoming home.
The new center operates five days per week including weekends. Hours Wednesday through Friday are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed Monday and Tuesday.
Red Light Cameras Installed
New enhanced digital red light photo enforcement cameras were installed in 2009 at three Arden Arcade intersections: Arden Way and Watt Avenue; Fair Oaks Boulevard and Watt; and Howe Avenue and Hurley Way. Two intersections along Madison Avenue at Sunrise Boulevard as well as at Date Avenue also received the new photo devices.
Increased traffic safety is the number one priority of the county’s Red Light Photo Enforcement Program. There has been as much as a 76% reduction in red-light related crashes at the photo enforced intersections in the city and county since the implementation of the program. Furthermore, there has been a 28% reduction in red-light running related crashes at all signal-controlled intersections in the city and county of Sacramento.
New Light Rail Bridge eases Traffic Congestion
In 2009 the bottleneck on Watt Avenue near Folsom Boulevard was fixed making it a whole lot easier now for motorists because Sacramento Regional Transit District’s light rail trains are able to use the new bridge over the busy roadway.
Built under the supervision of the County’s Department of Transportation, the new bridge became operational last February. Previously RT’s trains had to use at-grade tracks that ran directly across Watt Avenue which necessitated halting traffic movement.
During current peak commute hours there are four east bound and four west bound light rail trains crossing Watt Avenue per hour. When crossings were done at-grade level, it was causing 7.5 minutes of blocking delay per hour. Those delays were eliminated when the trains began using the bridge.
Insect Free Zone
In 2003 the Foothill Farms area was deemed infested by the Glassy-winged Sharpshooter (GWSS) following the insect’s discovery in the Rancho Cordova area in 2000. While not harmful to humans, this pest can spread devastating bacteria to grapevines, almonds, alfalfa and stone fruit.
Thanks to the efforts of Sacramento County’s Agricultural Commissioner performing consistent trapping services and visual surveys the GWSS’ local prominence is no more! In December 2009 the California Department of Food and Agriculture Pierce’s Disease Control Program concluded the insect had been eradicated in Sacramento County – no time too soon for neighborhood gardeners thinking about next season’s bounty.
Happy 2010
Best Wishes in the New Year.
Susan Peters serves on the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors representing the Third District, which includes the communities of Foothill Farms, Carmichael and Arden Arcade. She can be reached at susanpeters@saccounty.net.