Board approves $2M sole‑source soil contract for Blosser Ranch, adopts Level Two development fee of $17.17/sq ft

The Santa Maria‑Bonita School District board on May 13 approved several action items that move construction and planning ahead for current Measure K/T projects and set a new local development fee rate.

The board approved a sole‑source agreement with Speed Oils Tool Service Inc. for procurement and delivery of field dirt for the Blosser Ranch school Measure K project. District staff said the source supplies roughly 100,000 cubic yards of fill material, has previously been tested on school construction projects, and is located about eight miles from the site. Staff estimated the procurement at about $2 million and described hauling logistics — roughly 12–15 trucks working 8–10 hours a day for six to ten weeks — to bring the fill onto site. "We're looking for about 100,000 cubic yards of fill material for the Measure K project," staff said, adding that the fill is on the project's critical path and will be tested to project specifications prior to use.

Board members asked whether the sole‑source designation meant there were no other bidders. Staff replied that district staff and local contractors searched for suppliers and that, given the required quantity and specifications, this source was the only identified supplier; staff estimated comparable market prices at roughly $18–$22 per cubic yard and said the negotiated price would be near $19 per cubic yard.

In a separate action, the board adopted Resolution 25‑19 to impose Level Two development fees under Government Code §65995. District staff explained the fee calculation: using local enrollment data and student yield rates (about 0.28 students per new home), staff projected 990 new homes in the five‑year planning window that would generate about 279 students. Using estimated land and construction costs, staff calculated a Level Two fee of $17.17 per square foot, representing the district’s nexus to the anticipated new‑home student yield. The public hearing on the fee had no comments; the board adopted the resolution by roll call.

The board also approved a renewal contract with WestEd to continue professional learning community (PLC) coaching and a trainer‑of‑trainers model. Staff noted the contract packet had been revised late in the process: an earlier slide listed $54,000; the revised packet showed $449,000 and one site was removed from the contract the day before the meeting. District staff said they withdrew the one site, and the board approved the revised contract as presented.

Votes at a glance: the Level Two development fee resolution passed on a recorded roll call with board members voting in favor; the sole‑source agreement and the WestEd support contract were approved by motion (transcript records the motions as passed; specific roll‑call tallies for those motions are not fully recorded in the public transcript). Public comment earlier in the meeting included calls from a community member to reconsider Measure K spending priorities and to repair existing facilities rather than focus on new construction.

Next steps: staff will proceed with required soil testing and stockpiling for the Blosser Ranch project, implement fee collection per the adopted resolution, and complete the WestEd contract onboarding per the revised packet.