Dear Cambrians,

I hope this message finds you well. As we head into the weekend, may this Easter bring you moments of reflection, gratitude, and togetherness with your loved ones. We wish you a holiday filled with abundant blessings, “egg-citing” adventures, and a weekend full of happiness! Happy Easter. 

Administration & Finance Departments

New Finance Department Employee

We are happy to announce that Rachelle Benjamin was recently hired as the Administrative Technician III - Accounts Payable in the Finance Department. She brings a wealth of experience in accounting, billing, contract management, and organization management. We are ecstatic to have her join our team. Welcome, Rachelle!

Facilities & Resources Department

Contact Facilities & Resources Manager

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.

Cambria Skatepark

District staff awarded and signed a contract for completing Section 106 surveying to a consultant. The process is expected to take 12-16 weeks. This should be the last regulatory requirement due. The County's completion of the planning permit is anticipated by the end of April. 

East Ranch Restroom

The building review of the project application was approved on 2/29/24. Planning is currently reviewing the project, and it was due for completion by 3/27/24. The final review will be conducted in early April.  

EV Charging Station Relocation

The EV Charging Station relocation installation is complete, and staff is working on permission to operate and activate with the ChargePoint vendor. Thoma Electric will be restriping the American Legion and EV Charging Station parking spots.  

Cambria Fire Department

Contact Fire Chief

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

Meet Fire Chief

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

Storm Preparation

The weather forecast for the Cambria area over the next few days includes rainy conditions, high winds, and potential high surf. On Friday, rain is expected with windy conditions and gusts up to 45 mph. Saturday will bring showers and possibly thunderstorms, with breezy conditions and gusts up to 30 mph. There may be a slight chance of showers on Sunday, with mostly sunny skies expected.
To stay safe during inclement weather, residents are advised to:
1. Secure loose outdoor items such as patio furniture and garbage cans to prevent them from becoming projectiles in high winds.
2. Avoid driving through flooded areas and obey road closure signs.
3. Stay indoors during thunderstorms and away from windows.
4. Be cautious near coastal areas due to potentially high surf and rip currents.
It’s essential to stay informed about changing weather conditions and follow any guidance or warnings issued by local authorities.

As always, your Cambria Fire Department stands ready to respond and ensure the safety of our community. Your safety is our priority, so please take these steps seriously and help us keep you and our community safe!

Each year, the Cambria CSD Fire Department conducts a Fire Hazard Fuel Reduction Program (FHFRP) to abate vegetation and hazardous wildland fire fuels. The FHFRP is carried out pursuant to the authority contained in Government Code Sections 61100(d) and (t) and Health and Safety Code Sections 14875 et seq. and is initiated by the CCSD Board of Directors adoption of a resolution declaring the vegetation and hazardous wildland fire fuels on the identified properties to be a public nuisance. In this respect, it should be noted that the definition of “weeds” in Health and Safety Code Section 14875 includes “Dry grass, stubble, brush, litter, or other flammable material which endangers the public safety by creating a fire hazard.”  

This annual requirement is an effort to reduce the fire hazard caused by the accumulation of combustible materials on vacant parcels. Keep in mind that the forest helps define Cambria, and it is important that we reduce the fire hazard without destroying its ability to regenerate. Make every effort to protect seedlings, young native trees, ferns, and bushes by marking them prior to cutting. Property owners are required to clear all combustible vegetation and/or debris from their property by the deadline of July 15, 2024.

To receive updates from the Cambria CSD Fire Department on the 2024 Fire Hazard Fuel Reduction Program (FHFRP) or any Fire Department-related news, click the "join our mailing list" icon at the bottom of any page and subscribe to Cambria CSD Fire Department News & Updates and follow the Cambria CSD Fire Department on Instagram and Facebook.

On April 11, 2024, the Cambria Community Services District (“CCSD”) Board of Directors will consider approval of a resolution declaring that noxious, dangerous, seasonal, and/or recurring weeds were growing upon or in front of your property and, more particularly described in said Resolution and that the same constitute a public nuisance which must be abated by the removal of said noxious, dangerous, seasonal and/or recurring weeds; otherwise, they will be removed and the nuisance abated by the CCSD Fire Department authorities, in which case the cost of such removal shall be assessed upon the lots and lands from which or in front of which such weeds are removed and such cost will constitute a lien upon such lots or lands until paid. Reference is hereby made to said Resolution for further particulars.

On May 9, 2024, the Cambria Community Services District (“CCSD”) Board of Directors will award the Fire Hazard Fuel Reduction Program Agreement to the selected contractor.

On July 25, 2024, the Cambria Community Services District (“CCSD”) Board of Directors will hold a Public Hearing ordering the abatement of Public Nuisance for the Fire Hazard Fuel Reduction Program.

The following are guidelines to help you comply:

• Remove combustible construction materials and trash from the property.
• Trim weeds and annual grasses to 4 inches in height. Avoid exposing bare soil or creating a situation that would encourage erosion.
• All downed trees and rounds or dead limbs within 30 feet of any structure must be removed. Tree stumps fallen over shall be cut and retain no more than six feet of the log within this 30-foot zone.
• All downed trees beyond 30 feet from any structure 12 inches in diameter or greater may remain on the parcel. However, the entire trunk must be completely on the ground. Materials less than 12 inches in diameter shall be cut and removed from the property.
• All standing dead trees that pose a safety risk to improved property and/or infrastructure shall be removed.
• Remove ladder vegetation from under trees and shrubs, maintaining 6 feet of vertical clearance for trees greater than 20 feet in height.
• All Poison Oak, Scotch/Irish/French or other broom-type plants, Pampas grass, Jubata grass, and (Crocosmia) also known as Fire Weed, shall be removed. Isolated specimens may be left with greater than ten (10) feet separation, and all dead material removed. 

The owner of record of the property at the time of notification is responsible for the clearance of the parcel. Property owners having clearance done by local contractors will need to work closely with their contractor to ensure your parcel gets inspected by the CCSD Fire Department. Those parcels not in compliance by the July 15, 2024, deadline will be placed on a list to be abated by the CCSD’s contractor. The cost for abatement for each parcel includes the contractor’s charge for services, plus a $100.00 administrative charge if paid within 90 days of receiving a bill or a $200.00 administrative charge if paid later. The CCSD is not responsible for the contractor’s charges. 

The Cambria CSD and the Cambria Fire Department do not endorse any specific contractor or agency, are not responsible for the work performed or the fees charged by these contractors, and assume no responsibility or liability for both satisfactory and/or non-satisfactory work conducted by these contractors. Below is a list of contractors provided to the property owners of Cambria as a public service for their convenience.

The Cambria CSD Fire Department will inspect your parcel(s) to ensure compliance with the FHFRP ordinance. Parcels not cleared by the deadline will be placed on the CCSD contract list, and all associated costs and fees will be billed directly to you.   

For more information on the 2024 Fire Hazard Fuel Reduction Program (FHFRP), please click here.

Water & Wastewater Departments

Coastal Development Permit (CDP)

District staff met with consultant Gus Yates in mid-March to clarify groundwater modeling data and results from the 2022 report for use in the project description. Correspondence with the Coastal Commission and Tom Luster is ongoing. We look forward to returning the final draft to the Board for a public hearing and then formally submitting our CDP application. 

Stuart Street Tank Project

On January 11, 2024, the Board of Directors approved an Agreement for Consultant Services with MKN & Associates, Inc., for engineering design and bid/construction phase services to replace the Stuart Street Tanks. 

The design for the new welded steel tanks is underway. Site surveys have taken place, and permitting is on track for completion by June. Other structural and geological assessments are being considered.  

The existing tank foundations need to meet current California Building Code standards.  Both foundations must be replaced with new, deeper foundations. A meeting is scheduled with Leah Tighe, Project Coordinator for the EPA, to discuss the small “technical corrections” needed. 

San Simeon Water Line & Effluent Line Well Field Transmission Lines

District staff has recently received approval from the Resources & Infrastructure Committee for Alignment #3 and will bring this before the Board of Directors for consideration on April 11, 2024. The staff and district consultants are awaiting a response from State Parks, which has indicated that they will assist with permitting and environmental compliance. 

Environmental consultants are still on schedule for wetland delineation, and botanical surveys will begin the first week in April. A final evaluation of both items will be completed in May.  Areas being surveyed are the alignments 3 and 4. Staging areas for construction have been identified. Geophysical work is being performed in lieu of physical boring in the wetland.  

District staff will meet with Cannon again on April 15, 2024. 

Water Meter Replacement Program

Procurement for the initial purchase of 1,700-meter register endpoints has occurred. District staff is looking at an arrival date of May 17, 2024, and the vendor provided a stated lead time of forty days. Staff looks forward to beginning installations while the RFP for installation is circulated. 

March 21, 2024, Regular Board Meeting Update 

For a more detailed Board meeting transcript, go to https://slo-span.org/meeting/ccsd_20240321/.

• The Board of Directors decided to postpone the General Manager's performance evaluation to November 14, 2024.
• The Board of Directors adopted Resolution 03-2024, adopting a records retention schedule and authorizing the destruction of certain agency records and rescinding Resolution 06-2000.
• The Board of Directors approved using the Capital Improvement Project (CIP) List format that was included in the agenda packet.
• The Board of Directors provided additional revisions to Policy 1045 Legal Counsel and Auditor Policy.
• The Board of Directors approved an Agreement for Contractor Services to replace the San Simeon Well 3 (SS3) pump.
• The Board of Directors approved a Consultant Services Agreement with TruePani, Inc. to develop a water service line materials inventory and assist with lead service line reporting requirements.

Upcoming April Board Meeting Items (subject to change):

• Consideration to adopt a Resolution declaring a public nuisance for the annual Fire Hazard Fuel Reduction Program
• Consideration to adopt a Resolution declaring vehicle surplus and authorizing sale by the General Manager
• Public Hearing to receive community input on the draft Project Description for the Water
  Reclamation Facility Coastal Development Permit Application, and direct staff to file the draft Project Description to the County of San Luis Obispo Department of Planning and Building Staff for final evaluation, input, and direction
• Discussion and consideration to fix Water and Wastewater Standby or Availability Charges as provided in Government Code 61124(b) and consideration of adoption of a Resolution fixing Water and Wastewater Standby or Availability Charges for Fiscal Year 2024/2025
• Discussion and consideration of the alignment alternatives for the San Simeon Well Field Water Transmission Main and Secondary Effluent Line Replacement Project
• Discussion and consideration of proposal for Cambria Rotary Peace Garden display at the Cambria Veterans' Memorial Hall Parking lot
• Discussion and consideration of an Agreement between Cambria Community Services District and Friends of the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve regarding the Fiscalini Ranch Linking Boardwalk Project
• Discussion and consideration regarding relocation of the East Ranch restroom
• Update the CCSD Board of Directors regarding the Countywide Evacuation Plan and Cambria's Fire Prevention Plan
• Introduction of a Civil Administrative Citation Ordinance 01-2024 for violation of CCSD Ordinances and Regulations
• Receive and file a report by Monte Soto for the fire evacuation route
• Discussion and consideration of the report and recommendations of the Finance Standing Committee Revenue Enhancement in the General Fund
• Receive and file the Independent Auditor's Report for Fiscal Year 2022/23
• Discussion and consideration regarding the Reserve Policy

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