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Supervisors split over Fairview Corners median; AMR ambulance extension tabled for renegotiation
Summary
Supervisors debated replacing a traditionally irrigated landscape median at Fairview Corners with a low‑maintenance cobblestone/drought‑tolerant design after maintenance responsibility was found to be omitted from the development's CFD. A separate discussion over an AMR contract amendment to extend ambulance services to 2029 raised concerns about rural response times and a lack of a no‑cause termination clause; staff were directed to return June 30 with options to preserve service continuity.
Two infrastructure and service items drew extended discussion on June 23 as the San Benito County Board of Supervisors weighed maintenance obligations, fiscal exposure and emergency‑services continuity.
Fairview Corners median: Public Works presented a proposed modification to the approved frontage improvements at Fairview Corners after county staff discovered that long‑term maintenance of a traditionally landscaped median had been omitted from the subdivision's CFD (community facilities district). Because county road crews lack capacity to sustain irrigated medians, staff proposed a decorative drought‑tolerant hardscape (embedded cobblestone, decorative boulders, decomposed granite and limited drought‑tolerant plants) designed for minimal maintenance.
Supervisors disagreed on the county's role in future maintenance. Some supervisors, citing limited county maintenance staffing and frequent vandalism at existing county facilities, pushed for a minimal, low‑maintenance design to avoid new ongoing costs; others argued that a purely utilitarian design would harm neighborhood aesthetics and residents already impacted by nearby construction. Supervisor Curo urged a firm principle: "If (the) developer wants something that goes beyond the minimum... they should pay for it," and added that taxpayers should not shoulder ongoing maintenance costs. Multiple motions to require further negotiation with the developer or to secure developer funding failed to pass; the board directed staff to return June 30 with additional options and possible funding/CFD solutions.
AMR ambulance contract amendment: The board also examined an AMR contract amendment that would extend the county's sole‑source ambulance services to January 1, 2029. Supervisors raised concerns about the amendment's map of extended rural response times and the amendment's termination language: county counsel stated the current draft included a termination‑for‑cause clause only. Supervisors asked whether termination without cause or a shorter extension could be negotiated to preserve county leverage while a potential special district or other regional emergency response changes were evaluated.
County staff said the current contract expires June 30 and stressed the county needed either an extension or an interim agreement to prevent a lapse in AMR services. The board directed staff to negotiate with AMR and return on June 30 either with an extension or an agreement consistent with board direction.
What to watch: Staff will return June 30 with revised proposals for the Fairview median and the AMR contract (either a short extension or negotiated termination language). The Fairview discussion highlighted a recurring county issue: how to balance developer improvements and long‑term county maintenance obligations.
Sources: Public Works presentation by Adalfo Gonzalez; county staff comments and roll‑call discussion at the June 23 meeting.
