[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6542690,"mediaKeyId","5907306-719b409315322b0216613a489ddbf08b","parentId",5907306,"title","San Luis Obispo County approves temporary bridge at Chiquetti Crossing after safety, farming concerns","audioSeconds",2889,"startMs",303000,"endMs",3192000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5907306-719b409315322b0216613a489ddbf08b&start=303&end=3192","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5907306-719b409315322b0216613a489ddbf08b/thumbnail_303000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6542690/San-Luis-Obispo-County/California/San-Luis-Obispo-County-approves-temporary-bridge-at-Chiquetti-Crossing-after-safety-farming-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6542690-46926489fdff9d9aaba74550a2d9fe05/orig.mp4?Expires=1776553471&Signature=G00F7T-43JaVj2AkV7~626zgB~s7n9zXWfNbuQAbrjuLFbucDIwPbw9JD9m0cbL3e9cTnnpofAg8E0WWQQnaTkmfFKcKJUD79JaAL6OMIQB1oil1HzB2T04yDez-jW3HpJTKABerES~966pUBwM40S6UetRNf3RiNwvT5zuz8SzpqmWZIJlH1tC6fPo7Hy2gclIQAGKe0Hf1clFlchmYbUhm-397Ywjnjs8dPxYqCkv0TSQORkAtXrHNslGadc9sYVnBEp0GKyffn5ljB~ZTB0h3IwpMJxGw06JGMCwnYjYVpQ~ZrDeiPV88LKzq0Lnepc4vz~skd-9j73pTt9KVcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","San Luis Obispo County, CA","date","2025-10-07T00:00:00Z","article","The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors approved a contract on Oct. 8 to install a temporary bridge at Chiquetti Crossing, voting 3–2 to award a contractor to place and later remove a temporary span while the county pursues a permanent replacement.

Supporters told the board the closure of the existing crossing has created safety risks for school traffic, emergency response delays and significant disruptions for local farms. “This is way more than that. This is a huge safety problem,” said Tom Ikeda, a third-generation farmer who farms on both sides of the crossing.

The board approved what staff described as a single-installation, single-removal contract with an estimated cost of $656,000; staff said the temporary structure would be installed after the rainy season in spring (roughly March–April) and removed before the next rainy season (November–December) if high flows threatened it. County Public Works Deputy Director John Waddell told supervisors the permanent replacement is expected to cost about $8–9 million and is on track for construction in 2027. “It is about, 8 or $9,000,000 … we’re working through FEMA. It has been approved as a project,” Waddell said.

Why it mattered: Residents and farmers described lengthy detours, school-traffic backups and near-collisions that they said worsened after the crossing washout. Speakers said agricultural trucks and slow-moving equipment are being forced onto narrow alternate roads where sight lines and turning radii are poor. “I think it is necessary, to go ahead and move forward with the, the temporary bridge,” said Supervisor John Paulding during debate.

Opponents on the board argued the temporary fix is expensive for relatively short service time and could divert funds from other road maintenance. “I cannot support the temporary bridge,” Supervisor [first name] Pashong said, citing fiscal concerns and the county’s broader road needs. Supervisors who opposed the contract warned the bridge would be in place about eight to nine months a year and could require removal for high-flow events.

Staff and community details: Public Works said the contract covers one installation and one removal; the temporary span is not designed to survive high winter creek flows and would likely be removed for severe storms. Staff told the board the temporary bridge is intended to be used during parts of the next two years while environmental review and design continue on the permanent project. Speakers described prior temporary work: residents said an earlier temporary crossing lasted several years before washing out, and they urged a stronger near-permanent fix. Several farmers and other residents said increased traffic on Harris Bridge and Branch Mill Road since the crossing closure has led to more accidents and near-misses.

What the vote did: The motion to award the base bid for the temporary bridge passed on a roll call with Supervisors Gibson, Paulding and Chair Ortiz-Legg voting yes, and Supervisors Pashong and Moreno voting no. Supporters said the temporary bridge will reduce immediate risk to people, schoolchildren and farm traffic while a permanent solution is built.

What happens next: If the contract proceeds, installation is planned for spring after rainy-season flows recede; staff said the temporary span would likely remain in place for about eight to nine months in a given year and would be taken out if storms are forecast that threaten it. Public Works is pursuing federal reimbursement for the permanent bridge through FEMA’s large-project process; staff described the permanent bridge as a multi-year project expected to be built in 2027 once environmental reviews and funding obligations are complete.

Clarifying details: Staff estimated the permanent replacement at about $8–9 million. The temporary contract awarded covers one installation and one removal; staff estimated the temporary bridge would be installed in spring and removed before the wet season (roughly November–December). Supporters said previous temporary work had remained in place for several years; staff said the newly awarded temporary span would not be designed to withstand major winter creek flows and thus would require removal under some storm forecasts.

Residents and officials requested continued oversight of timeline and funding, and asked staff to return with updates as the temporary installation proceeds and as FEMA funding is pursued.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Supervisors","oneSentenceSummary","The Board of Supervisors approved a $656,000 contract to install a temporary bridge at Chiquetti Crossing, a measure backers say will ease safety and farm-transport problems while a permanent replacement—estimated at $8–9 million—is pursued for 2027. The vote was 3–2.","taxTitle","San Luis Obispo County, California","taxId",4844,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6542681,"Board resolutions and items: domestic-violence awareness, apprenticeship week, hiring exception, and Pier Avenue study",795,9299000,10094000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5907306-719b409315322b0216613a489ddbf08b&start=9299&end=10094","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5907306-719b409315322b0216613a489ddbf08b/thumbnail_9299000.jpg","/articles/6542681/San-Luis-Obispo-County/California/Board-resolutions-and-items-domestic-violence-awareness-apprenticeship-week-hiring-exception-and-Pier-Avenue-study","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6542681-bb587739df5b032f0c3e7ee5683720c3/orig.mp4?Expires=1776553471&Signature=ecvVRPqzE8tVj5YG7akzaLFnVkknjIWMfPIloeOZl7hIfk4H9lVA6vAnoCu6T5gZP0JhMGU0TEclTwK-qlgt6U0six0QM~086VZrRjbKSQaLP3PicMljVTP6jwSZn7IRXFc~0WoGUkGcGBtYoc1REvlHgdqArVHmMKgQTUeIoahQ08BHhSyH39umFjcYYfctstD7xlOKpKmB2aNUm81tITjJ1Vqai2XUVTwbkIg65J7Wkwl7I2LlCkoGIIIrgTAQrAFlg8q0lOVskIhEVYJLtIhDz71sX769G6ElwbZjcmh7TDAVxApGkM1nVWdR4n9qRDdxGdvoK5M8pF~Icj83dA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors took several unanimous or routine actions on Oct. 8 in addition to the Chiquetti Crossing vote.

Intimate Partner Violence Awareness Month (Item 18): The board adopted a resolution designating October as San Luis Obispo County Intimate Partner Violence Awareness Month. The resolution notes local service statistics — Lumina Alliance reported answering approximately 2,827 crisis calls and providing shelter and therapy services last year — and recognized the county District Attorney’s victim-witness assistance work. The board received remarks from Jennifer Adams, CEO of Lumina Alliance, and from the District Attorney’s victim-witness staff. The resolution was adopted by voice vote.

San Luis Obispo County Apprenticeship Week (Item 19): The board approved a resolution recognizing County Apprenticeship Week from Oct. 13–19 and highlighted an apprenticeship forum and job fair scheduled for Oct. 15. Dawn Belanger of the Workforce Development Board and local trades representatives described multi-craft pre-apprenticeship training (MC3) and local apprenticeship pipelines; one recent cohort graduated 20 participants. The proclamation was adopted by the board.

Temporary rehire for juvenile hall nurse practitioner (Item 21): The board approved a request from the Health Agency to certify the immediate temporary rehiring of Christine Cowan, a recently retired nurse practitioner at the Juvenile Services Center, before the typical 180-day waiting period under the county pension rules. Staff said Cowan provides essential clinical care, on-call coverage and supervision of RN staff at the facility; the board approved the exception so her services can continue while recruitment proceeds.

Pier Avenue multimodal corridor study (Item 23): Public Works presented the Pier Avenue multimodal corridor study for the Oceano corridor (State Route 1 to the state park). The study lays out phased improvements: Phase 1 (striping, signing and formalized parking) to align with a pavement resurfacing project planned for 2026; Phase 2 (curb extensions/bulb-outs); and Phase 3 (a Class I path requiring substantial bridge work). The board directed staff to consider the study in future circulation plans, development review and capital projects and accepted the study for future use.

Appointments to special districts (Consent items 3–5): The board approved several appointments to special districts per the elections code process after candidates filed declarations of candidacy and no election was required. The items passed with one recorded abstention on the roll call.

Votes at a glance:
- Item 18 (Intimate Partner Violence Awareness Month): adopted (unanimous)
- Item 19 (Apprenticeship Week proclamation): adopted (unanimous)
- Item 21 (Temporary rehiring of nurse practitioner Christine Cowan): adopted (unanimous)
- Item 23 (Pier Avenue multimodal corridor study — receive and file): adopted (unanimous)
- Items 3–5 (appointments to special districts): approved (recorded abstention on roll call)

Speakers and staff noted that several of these items — particularly the Pier Avenue study and apprenticeship initiatives — will be advanced through departmental planning and funding work in the coming months.","At the Oct. 8 meeting the Board of Supervisors adopted proclamations recognizing Intimate Partner Violence Awareness Month and San Luis Obispo County Apprenticeship Week; approved a temporary rehiring in the Health Agency; accepted a multimodal corridor study for Pier Avenue; and confirmed several special-district appointments.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6542686,"Board approves reorganization: county moves toward CEO-style model, folds Central Services into Administrative Office",3213,6066000,9279000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5907306-719b409315322b0216613a489ddbf08b&start=6066&end=9279","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5907306-719b409315322b0216613a489ddbf08b/thumbnail_6066000.jpg","/articles/6542686/San-Luis-Obispo-County/California/Board-approves-reorganization-county-moves-toward-CEO-style-model-folds-Central-Services-into-Administrative-Office","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6542686-7e07db3a788c16117af4f7fee2c7b446/orig.mp4?Expires=1776553471&Signature=AEl9DUro6Rvh2V51oIfJKyxXX-~gi10dNFe-dkgelCElv4YYUE6r6CPyfmX6~3wm1DGiBBWpSiri-7~KJE9yIajxcNXWj4ezO~Gpj7Aqgg43JZZHhKMLLITS6G5mN5mUSJ9ulmsVwt7bfQF1eOBbVACyiTG8nNl7hMjVSeNqGSu-Zjc84HQaNC8j34seuM~6iMWGZnIFzAugHCGlsdbtqGxV2nzdxKqsmbdg83wKMxpszEAYnMlDNhjX7hJqLX73l8olDl0Ndl5KYR99ypjbuE7PZtVuZWlxf~tuqLqHzaXVkiLAIj~WsxKg2dfhDBsZmJwqo4pG95uh1ooqPtkvFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors voted Oct. 8 to reorganize the county’s executive functions and fold the Central Services department into the County Administrative Office, a shift staff said will improve coordination, strategic planning and communications.

The board approved a resolution that (1) transitions the county from its current County Administrative Officer (CAO) model toward a CEO-style organizational approach, (2) reorganizes Central Services into the Administrative Office, and (3) amends the county’s position allocation lists to add 1 full-time equivalent assistant county administrative officer while graying out one division manager slot and deleting the Central Services director position.

Administrative Officer Matt Pontes told the board the reorganization groups related divisions under three assistant county administrative officers — municipal services, health and human services, and internal support — to increase alignment between board priorities and department operations. Pontes said the change is intended to help the county track board direction, improve cross-department communications and provide additional capacity for strategic initiatives.

“Transitioning to the CEO model fully increases alignment and accountability with the board, my office, and the departments,” Pontes said during the presentation. The plan also asks HR to standardize communications-related classifications and launch improved internal processes for circulating information across departments.

Discussion among supervisors ranged from support for added capacity to requests for an early study session to set clear board expectations and responsibilities. Supervisor Gibson said the success of any model depends on the board and county leadership agreeing on roles and expectations: “For any of these models to work ... it’s gonna require a clear understanding of our roles, responsibilities, and our expectations,” he said.

The board voted 5–0 to approve the measures. Supervisor Prashon moved the staff recommendation and Supervisor Paulding seconded. Staff said some ordinance and classification changes will follow in the coming months to align titles and duties with the new structure.

What happens next: The county will implement the position changes and create the ACO roles; HR will review communications classifications and a staff-led group will pursue a phased effort to standardize public information practices across departments. Staff indicated they will return with the ordinance and classification edits needed to formalize the structure.","Supervisors voted unanimously to reorganize the county administrative structure, adding an assistant county administrative officer and moving Central Services into the Administrative Office. The change is intended to improve coordination, strategic planning and communications across departments.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

San Luis Obispo County approves temporary bridge at Chiquetti Crossing after safety, farming concerns

Board resolutions and items: domestic-violence awareness, apprenticeship week, hiring exception, and Pier Avenue study

Board approves reorganization: county moves toward CEO-style model, folds Central Services into Administrative Office