Dear Cambrians,

We hope this message finds you well. We are incredibly proud to share some commendable news about the dedication and hard work of our Cambria Fire Department. In the last week, our firefighters have gone above and beyond their call of duty by working overtime to inspect all vacant parcels in Cambria. Their commitment to our community’s safety and well-being has been truly inspiring. Several firefighters came in off-duty to support these crucial efforts, demonstrating their unwavering dedication and community spirit.

We sincerely thank our fire department for their tireless work and extraordinary efforts. Their thorough inspections are vital in ensuring the safety of our community, particularly during this fire season. This achievement is a testament to what we can accomplish working together. We are grateful for the cooperation of our residents and property owners, and we encourage everyone to continue supporting our fire department in its mission to keep Cambria safe.

Weed Abatement Inspection Results:

The deadline for weed abatement has passed, and our team has completed inspections of all parcels within the district. Unfortunately, 296 parcels did not meet the required standards and failed the inspection.

Next Steps:

On July 25th, the Board will hold a special meeting to declare these parcels a public nuisance. Following this declaration, our contractor will begin the weed abatement process on July 26th. This action is essential to ensure the safety and well-being of our community, especially during the fire season.

Important Dates to Remember:

• July 25th: Board meeting to declare non-compliant parcels a public nuisance.
• July 26th: The weed abatement process begins on non-compliant parcels.

How You Can Help:

If your parcel has been identified as non-compliant, you can still abate the parcel before the 26th, and you will only be charged the administrative fee. Our contractor will mark the parcel as “done by owner” (DBO). We appreciate your cooperation in promptly addressing this matter. For any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me or the Fire Chief via email: mmcelhenie@cambriacsd.org or mburkey@cambriacsd.org.

We thank all property owners who have complied with the weed abatement requirements and appreciate everyone’s efforts to maintain our community's safety and beauty.

Administration & Finance Departments

Integrated Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Program - Adaptation Planning Grant Program Round 2

Unfortunately, on July 15, 2024, I received a call from ICARP, who complimented me on how well the application submittal was. Unfortunately, due to the state's budget deficit, they decided not to fund the Round 2 grant. 

New CCSD Administration Office Payment Box

On Sunday, July 7, 2024, we discovered that our payment drop box at the CCSD Administration office parking lot had been broken into, and payments may have been stolen. On July 15, 2024, we installed a new payment drop box at the CCSD Administration office parking lot.

Utility Billing Customer Portal

It’s important to remember that signing up to use the new utility billing customer portal is free. However, customers who wish to make credit or debit card payments on the portal will be charged a flat 3.70% fee. Residents  already enrolled in our Autopay Program (Direct Debit) via their bank account, do not need to re-enroll on this site. They will still have all the other great benefits by creating a utility billing customer portal. The customer portal autopay enrollment feature is another option available for credit/debit cards only. Signing up for autopay through this site will include a convenience fee of 3.70% for every transaction.

The existing autopay program (Direct Debit) does not charge a fee. The Direct Debit program only offers bank draft from a checking or savings account. Residents can find the “Direct Debit” form our website and submit requests to frontdesk@cambriacsd.org.

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

A construction permit will be submitted to the SLO County Department of Planning and Building in August. Section 106 efforts have been completed, and no historic properties have been identified. Per the consultation results, the Northern Chumash Tribal Council has requested Native American monitoring. 

East Ranch Restroom

The Public Restroom Company has provided an anticipated building delivery date of late January. Staff is currently seeking bids for the site preparation and building installation work.

Maintenance Technician Recruitment 

The Cambria Community Services District is currently accepting applications for one vacancy in the Facilities & Resources Department for the Maintenance Technician position. This recruitment is open until the needs of the District are met. For more information, please visit our website.

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.

Message from the Fire Chief: Evacuations and Emergency Preparedness

In an effort to continue and clarify our evacuation and emergency preparedness conversation, it is crucial to address the importance of being prepared for emergencies and potential evacuations. While our emergency responders are dedicated to assisting you during these critical times, it is important to understand that the ultimate responsibility for your safety lies with you.

Every individual must take proactive steps to ensure they are prepared and ready to evacuate if necessary. This includes having an emergency plan, packing a go-bag with essential items, and staying informed about current situations through reliable sources.

Please be aware that our assistance is dependent on the availability of resources, and we cannot guarantee aid to everyone during an emergency. Therefore, it is imperative that each person and family prepares adequately to protect themselves.

Your safety is our top priority, and we are here to support you to the best of our abilities. However, in an emergency, the best way to ensure your safety is to be prepared and take immediate action when necessary.

For the most up-to-date information on emergency preparedness, please visit ReadySLO.org.

Note: The Evacuation Assistance program is designed for individuals who are independently living but unable to evacuate themselves during an emergency due to a disability or medical need.  Individuals on the list must still make evacuation plans, if possible, with family, friends, and/or neighbors because first responders will not be able to help as quickly as family, friends, and/or neighbors can.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Meet the Fire Chief

We regret to inform you that our Fire Chief, Michael Burkey, will be unable to attend the monthly Meet the Fire Chief on July 22, 2024, due to his commitment to attend an important training course that coincides with the meeting time. This course provides hands-on training, and the topics include codes, standards, and local amendments, site-plan review, building construction and characteristics, fire protection equipment, multi-family occupancies, commercial buildings, and drinking/dining facilities. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Cambria CSD Fire Department 2024 Fire Hazard Fuel Reduction Program (FHFRP)

July 15, 2024, was the deadline to abate and remove the hazardous fuels and vegetation for properties requiring abatement. On July 25, 2024, the CCSD will hold a Public Hearing to order the abatement of Public Nuisance for the Fire Hazard Fuel Reduction Program.

Free Chipping for Cambria Residents

The Fire Safe Council of San Luis Obispo County has provided grant funding to contract chipping crews, with support from the Cambria Fire Safe Focus Group. A chipping team will chip vegetation on your property, helping to make your home and the community safer. This is a free event for Cambria area residents.  All material must be ready for chipping no later than Saturday, July 20, 2024. Sign-up forms & flagging tape can be picked up at the Cambria CSD Fire Station, located at 2850 Burton Drive, or you can download the flyer and sign-up sheet on our website.

Evacuation Assistance Program 

On Thursday, July 11, 2024, Fire Chief Michael Burkey provided the CCSD Board of Directors with an update on the Countywide Evacuation Plan and Cambria's Fire Prevention Plan and answered questions regarding the evacuation assistance form. This form is crucial for those who may need extra help during an evacuation, ensuring that everyone receives the necessary support.

We encourage all community members to listen to the recording on the website. Your safety is our top priority, and being informed and prepared is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones.

The Evacuation Assistance Program is for independent-living individuals in San Luis Obispo County with disabilities or medical needs who would need assistance evacuating in an emergency.  Individuals on the list should still make evacuation plans, if possible, with family, friends, and/or neighbors because first responders will not be able to help as quickly as family, friends, and/or neighbors can. Eligible individuals are those who are independent living but unable to evacuate themselves due to a disability or medical need. Please do not wait until an evacuation order is issued. If you would like to be added to the Evacuation Assistance List, please complete and mail in an Evacuation Assistance Card by visiting https://www.prepareslo.org/en/evacuation-assistance.aspx#Step-2-Complete-the-Request-Card.

Wildfire Action Plan

By preparing your home and property for wildfire, and knowing what to do if evacuation is necessary, you can dramatically increase your safety and the survivability of your home. It is your responsibility to prepare yourself, your family, and your home for when wildfire strikes. The attached Wildfire Action Plan illustrates the importance of creating and maintaining Defensible Space and hardening your home by retrofitting it with ignition-resistant or noncombustible materials to protect against the threat of flying embers, direct flame contact, and radiant heat exposure. It also provides information about the preparations and precautions to make in order to evacuate early and safely. For more information, please click here.

Water & Wastewater Departments

New Utilities Department Employee

Eric Johnson joined us as the Administrative Technician II—Support to Utilities Department Manager. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Radio, Film, and TV from Columbia College in Chicago, Illinois. We are ecstatic to have him join the Utilities Department. Welcome, Eric! 

San Simeon Water Line & Effluent Line Well Field Transmission Lines

On April 15, 2024, the staff gave a project update presentation to the Resources and Infrastructure Committee.

Stuart Street Tank Project

On April 15, 2024, the staff gave a presentation to the Resources and Infrastructure Committee on the updates to the project.

Water Meter Replacement Program

A project mobilization meeting was held in late June to organize billing integration and automatic data transfer between Badger Meter, Inc. and Tyler Technologies. 1,700 water meter registers have been delivered. Water staff have created a list of properties for the first batch of installations, which will be done in-house.

CCSD Board Meetings

July 11, 2024, Regular Board Meeting Update 

For a more detailed Board meeting transcript, go to https://www.cambriacsd.org/2024-07-11-board-meeting.

• The Board of Directors appointed Dennis Dudzik to fill the vacant seat on the Resources & Infrastructure Committee
• The Board of Directors approved an extension of the Peoples' Self-Help Housing ("PSHH") Schoolhouse Lane Project Intent to Serve Letter
• The Board of Directors received an update regarding the Countywide Evacuation Plan and Cambria's Fire Prevention Plan
• The Board of Directors approved a Settlement Agreement with Coast Unified School District Regarding the Acquisition of a Permanent SR4 Well, Pipeline, and Access Easement, subject to minor modifications to the legal description as approved by the General manager and district counsel and authorized the general manager to execute the agreement

July 18, 2024, Regular Board Meeting Update 

For a more detailed Board meeting transcript, go to https://www.cambriacsd.org/2024-07-18-board-meeting.

• The Board of Directors adopted Resolution 22-2024 declaring equipment surplus and authorized sale by the General Manager
• The Board of Directors approved the CCSD-Owned Vehicle Policy and adopted Resolution 23-2024 approving the same

Upcoming August Board Meeting Items (subject to change):

• Discussion and consideration of updates to Standing Committee Bylaws
• Discussion regarding Board Meeting and Standing Committee Meeting length and schedules for the calendar year 2025
• Receive and File the Investment Report for the Quarter Ended June 30, 2024
• Public Hearing to discuss and consider adoption of a Resolution approving the final CCSD Budget for Fiscal Year 2024/2025 and reserve for encumbrances Fiscal Year 2023/2024
• Receive and file the Fourth Quarter Budget Report for FY 2023/24
• Discussion and consideration of approval of Consultant Services Agreement for preparation of  construction drawings for the Cambria Skatepark

On Monday, July 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. I will be available all day except from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. We will provide coffee and snacks, and 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