Dear Cambrians, 

As the holiday season is upon us, I want to extend warm wishes to our incredible community members. This time of year is not just about festivities and celebrations but also about coming together as a community, appreciating our shared values, and spreading joy to all. In the spirit of Christmas, let us reflect on the beauty of kindness, compassion, and the joy of supporting one another. Our community has consistently shown resilience, generosity, and a spirit of togetherness, making it a truly special place to belong. May this holiday season bring peace, love, and connection with those who matter most. Let's continue fostering a sense of unity, understanding, and goodwill beyond the festive season. As we close this year and look forward to the new one, let's carry the spirit of community into every endeavor, knowing that we can create positive change and make our community an even better place for all.

I wish you a Merry Christmas filled with joy and a New Year brimming with hope and prosperity.

Administration & Finance Departments

District staff created a page on the website for current contracts, agreements, and grants. The link is https://www.cambriacsd.org/district-project-updates.

District Policy & Fee Schedule Updates

Municipal Resource Group, LLC has finalized the Payment & Compensation Plan for the Management & Confidential Employees Group. This will be brought to the Board of Directors for review and consideration in January 2024.

The General Manager, Administrative Department Manager, and Confidential Administrative Assistant continue working with Liebert, Cassidy, and Whitmore (LCW) on updating the District's Personnel Policies, Procedures, and Rules, which haven't been updated since 1987.

The General Manager, Administrative Department Manager, and Confidential Administrative Assistant continue working with Bartle Wells & Associates to update the District's fee schedule, which has not been updated since 2013. Ms. Fritz and Mrs. Dodson will meet with Chief Burkey next week to discuss the District's fire fee schedule updates.

Electronic Payment Service & Utility Access Portal

On November 16, 2023, the Board of Directors approved providing an electronic payment service and utility access portal through Tyler Technologies. The Administrative Services Manager and Confidential Administrative Assistant are working with Tyler Technologies to implement the electronic payment service function and utility access portal. Mrs. Dodson completed and submitted the Payment Processing Instructions and Guidelines document to Tyler this week. We expect the project to be completed by Spring 2024.

Administration Office Closures

The CCSD administration office will be closed for Christmas Day on Monday, December 25, 2023. Please contact the CCSD's 24-hour main line at (805) 927-6223 for all Water and Wastewater emergency services. The office will reopen on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. 

The CCSD administration office will be closed on Monday, January 1, 2024, in observance of New Year's Day. Please contact the CCSD's 24-hour main line at (805) 927-6223 for all Water and Wastewater emergency services. The office will reopen on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. 

Administration Office Hours

The Cambria Community Services District Administration Office is open Monday - Thursday and every other Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or by appointment. The Administration Office is closed for lunch daily from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. If you have questions or need to schedule an appointment, please get in touch with the Administration Office at 805-927-6223.

Facilities & Resources Department

To submit general inquiries, or to report any issues on the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve, public restrooms, Cambria Dog Park, or to schedule a meeting with Facilities and Resources Manager Aguirre, please submit your inquiries or concerns here: https://www.cambriacsd.org/contact-facilities-resources-c617054.

Employee Updates

Martin Garcia will be resigning from his position effective December 26, 2023. He has been a valuable asset to our organization, contributing his skills and expertise as a Maintenance Technician for the Facilities & Resources Department since 2018. He has consistently demonstrated dedication and professionalism during his time with us. We wish him well in his future endeavors. 

Maintenance Technician Recruitment

The District held interviews last week for the vacant Maintenance Technician positions and issued two conditional offers of employment letters for the Maintenance Technician position. 

EV Charging Station Relocation

On November 9, 2023, the Board of Directors approved the location of the new electric vehicle charging station. Thoma Electric is reviewing the building plans and submitting the final permit for construction to the County of San Luis Obispo. Work will commence as soon as the permitting is completed with the County.

Cambria Skatepark

California State Parks Recommends $35.6M for Land and Water Conservation Funds, in which Cambria Community Services District, Has Been Selected as One of Sixteen Projects to Proceed with Post-Selection Federal Requirements to Create a New Skatepark Facility

12/4/2023 Press Release

We are happy to announce that the Cambria Community Services District (CCSD) has been selected as one of the sixteen projects to proceed with post-selection federal requirements to create a new skatepark facility. The grant would fund $600,000 to create a new skatepark facility with a seating section with a shade structure, landscaping, a parking lot, and a restroom stall. State Parks evaluated more than 79 LWCF applications totaling $154 million for the available $35.6 million in the application cycle. Today's recommended applicants will proceed with post-selection federal requirements prior to the projects being forwarded to NPS for review and federal funding approval.

The project will construct approximately 6,000 square feet of undulating concrete deck designed for skateboarding. This area will feature a mix of street and transition features that will support skaters with various interests, abilities, and characteristics that welcome other skatepark-friendly activities like riding scooters, bicycles, roller skates/blades, or even specialty wheelchairs. The development will also include constructing a seating section with a shade structure, landscaping, a parking lot, and a restroom stall.

Building a new skatepark at this location will restore a critical public asset and recreational opportunity lost when the old park was removed and is a high priority for the community of Cambria. Beyond building a skatepark, this project will create a youth-friendly space in Cambria where people of all backgrounds and skill levels can gather and connect.

Following NPS approval, grantees will participate in a mandatory grant administration workshop, receive grant contracts from State Parks, and begin work to complete their projects.

San Luis Obispo County Tourism Business Improvement District Cambria Skatepark Grant

The General Manager and Confidential Administrative Assistant applied for a grant for $4,750 in LFA infrastructure and beautification funding, which would be used to help fund the construction of the bathroom at the Cambria Skatepark. 

East Ranch Restroom

On December 7, 2023, the Board of Directors approved the Intent to Serve Letter for the public bathroom facility at the East Fiscalini Ranch Park and approved a change to the Community Park Master Plan to allow the Board-approved water-serving restroom design. The project is in process at the planning level with the County.

Cambria Fire Department

Meet Interim Fire Chief

On Monday, January 22, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Interim Chief Burkey will work out of the Cambria Veterans' Memorial Hall again and would love to meet you and hear your thoughts on anything related to the Cambria Fire Department. 

Contact Interim Fire Chief

To submit general inquiries or to schedule a meeting with Interim Chief Burkey, please submit your inquiries or concerns here: https://www.cambriacsd.org/contact-fire-chief.

Fire Captain EMT Recruitment Update

Craig Brooks accepted an offer of employment for the Fire Captain position. He worked as a Reserve Firefighter for the Cambria Fire Department from 2019 to 2021. He will be sworn in at the January 11, 2024, board meeting.

Firefighter Paramedic Recruitment

The District is accepting applications for the Firefighter Paramedic position, and the recruitment remains open until the needs of the District are met. To apply, please visit https://www.cambriacsd.org/firefighter-paramedic-recruitment.

Cambria Fire Department Fire Policy Manual & Daily Training Bulletins with Supplemental Publication Service and Fire Operations Procedures

On December 7, 2023, the District executed a Master Service Agreement with Lexipol. Lexipol was founded by public safety experts who saw a need for a better, safer way to run a public safety agency. The Lexipol team comprises professionals with expertise in public safety law, policy, state and federal accreditation, training, mental and physical wellness, and grants.  Lexipol's legal and content development teams continuously review state and federal laws and regulations, court decisions, and evolving best practices. When needed, they create new and updated policies and provide them to the Cambria Fire Department, making it simple and efficient to keep your policy content up to date.

Genasys Protect 

The Cambria Fire Department announced the implementation of Genasys Protect last month, which aims to prepare residents and businesses for emergencies or evacuations before an event occurs. Interim Chief Burkey and Mrs. Dodson ordered "Know Your Zone" magnets, and they are expected to arrive by tomorrow.

Genasys Protect works by breaking the entire community into Zones, and each zone has a corresponding number on the map. A resident only needs to know their Zone identification number for evacuation and repopulation purposes. During an emergency, the Zone number will be provided along with clear evacuation instructions and emergency information. Genasys Protect will provide traffic in real-time, identify where evacuation centers will be located, and use the latest emergency information provided by incident commanders on the scene as the emergency event unfolds. Be prepared for the next natural disaster by KNOWING YOUR ZONE. 

Know Your Zone in 5 Easy Steps:

1. Visit protect.genasys.com – type your address in the search bar or use your current address. 
2. Click on the highlighted zone and locate the number listed in the zone description panel. 
3. Write your zone down and place it somewhere easily accessible by everyone in your house. 
4. Click on Subscribe to Alerts to stay updated in case of an emergency.
5. Explore the information provided in your zone's description panel and bookmark any useful links provided. 

More information will be provided as we continue to roll out this exciting new program for Cambria. Cambrians are encouraged to download the Genasys Protect application on your smartphone, enter your address, and save your zone.  If you need more information, or if you are having trouble downloading the application or need assistance locating your Zone, please contact Interim Fire Chief Burkey or come to the "Meet the Interim Fire Chief" on Monday, January 22, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and we would be happy to assist you. 

Winter Storm Preparation

Cambria residents can fill up sandbags at the Cambria Dog Park parking lot at 2021 Rodeo Grounds Road and Lampton Park at the corner of Lampton and Windsor.

Bring your sandbags and a shovel. Sandbags are available at most local hardware stores but not at the Cambria Fire Department. For additional information about emergency preparedness in Cambria, click here.

Water & Wastewater Departments

Coastal Development Permit

As of December 6th, SWCA has completed 90% of a draft project description. Once completed, staff will review the project description to address any additional information that may need to be included. Utilities Staff is also reviewing info hold questions and preparing a completion matrix for County staff.  They are also working with the Instream Flow Study consultant to respond to questions from the Technical Advisory Committee (T.A.C.) and other shareholders. Utilities staff and consultants have a follow-up meeting scheduled with SLO County Planning on January 30, where they intend to deliver project components, the completion matrix, and the CDP project description.

Stuart Street Tank Construction

In January 2024, the Board of Directors will discuss and consider approving a contract with MKN & Associates, Inc., for engineering design and bid/construction phase services for the replacement of the Stuart Street Tanks.

San Simeon Well 3

On December 14, 2023, the Board of Directors approved a Public Works Contract with 3rd Gen Pump & Well for replacing the San Simeon Well 3 (SS3) pump and adopted Resolution 61-2023 for a budget adjustment of $48,000. 

San Simeon Water Line & Effluent Line Well Field Transmission Lines

As of the end of December, 13.6% of the work has been completed and 12.3% invoiced.

The Preliminary Design Report is a couple of weeks behind schedule due to the receipt of Geotech results.

Instream Flow Study (IFS) & Adaptive Management Plan (AMP)

The Instream Flow Study (IFS) aims to do more analysis on Van Gordon Creek, incorporate comments and groundwater modeling, and develop resource protections. IFS consultant biologists visited the creek while it was flowing in June, went through the watershed, looked at the habitat, and collected photos. The consultant is reviewing groundwater reports to see how they concern Warren Wells and Van Gordon Creek and will put together a comment matrix for all comments addressing all concerns. The consultant is in the process of making IFS revisions promptly for the District's review.

We look forward to creative discussions concerning topics such as habitat restoration of the Title 27 pond and WRF mitigation.

Zero Liquid Discharge

The Department of Energy has approved Global Water Innovations (GWI) tasks and timelines, the final step needed for grant clearance. A working pilot is being constructed while the awarding of funding is being anticipated.

Water Meter Replacement Program

Utility staff finally received ten Nicor Antennae with Orion cellular programming to commence the long-awaited pilot program. All devices have been installed and are communicating data effectively. Contract processing is nearly complete. The scope of work has been completed and finalized by counsel while insurance requirements are being completed.

Per CCSD Municipal Code 4.04.130, “It shall be the consumer's duty to keep the space around the water meter free from obstruction that would interfere with access to the same by the district employees. If the consumer fails to provide property access to the meter after twenty-four (24) hours’ notice, the district may perform the necessary work and shall charge the cost to the consumer”.

The District would like to refrain from pursuing action under the municipal code; as such, we appreciate your help keeping your meters free from obstruction.

Water Distribution

The Leimert booster station roof was re-roofed. During the final storm event of the season, high winds caused a leak that allowed water to enter and short out the Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) for the standby generator. The roof was addressed, but had many other issues with other leaks around other skylights. Currently, all issues with the roof have been resolved.  An electrical contractor came in and installed a new ATS. The ATS will automatically handle any power disruption and allow power to remain constant at the booster station through backup power generation. One final contractor came in to validate the installation and change settings on the ATS to allow for flawless transitioning between the generator and PG&E power.

5500 Heath Lane Wastewater Treatment Plan Road Surface Upgrades

Grading and repaving of Heath Lane have been completed, and the utility covers adjusted to grade.

Status of the Wastewater SST Project

Mrs. Dodson created a Wastewater SST Project information page on the website. It is available here: https://www.cambriacsd.org/wastewater-sst-projects.

Standing Committee Updates

The Finance, Parks, Recreation & Open Space (PROS), Policy, and Resources & Infrastructure Committees adopted their 2024 regular meeting schedules, which are posted below. 

2024 Finance Committee Regular Meeting Schedule

2024 Policy Committee Regular Meeting Schedule

2024 PROS Committee Regular Meeting Schedule

December 14, 2023, Board Meeting Update 

For a more detailed Board meeting transcript, go to https://slo-span.org/meeting/ccsd_20231214/audio.

• The Board of Directors provided Vice President Scott with additional revisions to Policy 1040.2 Regarding Response to Correspondence to the Board and Policy 3230 CCSD Operating Principles Policy and eliminated Policy B-02-2018.
• The Board of Directors adopted the Budget Policy revisions recommended by the Staff and Finance Committee.
• The Board of Directors approved a Public Works Contract with 3rd Gen Pump & Well for replacing the San Simeon Well 3 (SS3) pump and adopted Resolution 61-2023 for a budget adjustment of $48,000. 
• The Board of Directors approved an Agreement for Consultant Services with Civil Design Studio for the preparation of an Emergency Access Feasibility Study.

Upcoming January Board Meeting Items (subject to change):

• Discussion and consideration to direct staff and District Counsel to review the Board and Standing Committee Bylaws
• Discussion and consideration to update the Standing Committee membership application form
• Discussion and consideration of an annual review of the Affordable Housing Unit Allocation
• Discussion and consideration of update of the Capital Improvement Project (CIP) lists
• Discussion and consideration to approve a contract with MKN & Associates, Inc., for engineering design and bid/construction phase services for the replacement of the Stuart Street tanks
• Discussion and consideration of the status of Ad Hoc Committees
• Consideration of Adoption of a resolution updating the assignment of banking powers for Cambria Community Services District
• Discussion and consideration regarding Response to Correspondence to the Board Policy
  1040.2

Upcoming CCSD Strategic Planning Meetings

• On February 8, 2024, the Board of Directors will receive community input for the Strategic Plan SWOT (internal strengths, internal weaknesses, external opportunities, and external threats).
• On February 26, 2024, the Board of Directors will discuss and consider the Strategic Plan status report and update and receive community input for the Strategic Plan.
• On Monday, March 4, 2024, the Board of Directors will hold an adjourned Special meeting to facilitate a workshop to update the Cambria Community Services District's Strategic Plan update and set a date for the next Strategic Planning workshop. Mr. Dick Clark will facilitate the workshop.

On Monday, January 22, 2024, from 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., I will work out of the Cambria Veterans' Memorial Hall. I would love to meet interested community members and hear your thoughts. We will provide coffee, snacks, and the ability to engage in dialogue about everything Cambria.

As always, I welcome your feedback and ideas. If you have any concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me or any of our management team.

Thank you again for your support; I am at your service. 

Matthew McElhenie