Cambria Community Council pledges to close skate park funding gap; board directs counsel to draft funding agreement

The Cambria Community Services District moved the Cambria Skatepark project forward after the Cambria Community Council pledged to close the remaining funding gap and back a contingency fund.

General Manager Matthew McElhaney told the board the lowest qualified construction bid was $1,344,000 and staff identified a funding shortfall of about $175,000 before additional construction contingencies. McElhaney advised the board on options including using district funds (staff cautioned about reserve impacts), rejecting and rebidding, or asking the low bidder to extend the bid.

A representative for the Cambria Community Council identified in the record as Mr. Clark reported the council holds multiple dedicated accounts and said the council "will provide the gap funding of $175,000" and will also back the contingency funding (the council offered to cover a 15% contingency, roughly $201,600, according to the numbers presented). He said the funds would be held by the council and that counsel would review an agreement to protect those funds before transfer.

Vice President Dean moved that district counsel prepare a funding agreement in collaboration with the community council and an ad hoc board committee (President Farmer and Vice President Dean). District counsel outlined next steps: staff and counsel will negotiate deal points with the community council and their attorney, prepare a draft funding agreement for review (one to two weeks for initial drafts was suggested), present the agreement to both boards and then place the construction contract on a board agenda once the funding agreement is in place. Counsel recommended appointing a small ad hoc committee to expedite coordination; the board designated President Farmer and Vice President Dean for that role.

Public comment was extensive and strongly supportive. Skate park advocates, parents, longtime residents and youth representatives described the project as an important recreational asset and thanked the community council for stepping up to close the funding gap. Speakers urged timely execution of the funding agreement and careful oversight of contingencies and maintenance commitments.

Vote and next steps: The board voted to direct counsel to draft the funding agreement and coordinate with the community council; the motion passed by roll call (all present voted Aye). Counsel and staff will draft the funding agreement, circulate it to the council's attorney and present the agreement to the board for formal approval; if approved, staff will agendize the construction contract for award in the coming weeks. Bids remain valid for 90 days (staff noted) and the board discussed the option to request a bid extension if necessary.

Clarifying details from the record: the community council reported held construction funds of $623,000, a maintenance account of $69,312, a mechanical account of $14,274 and additional investment income from an Edward Jones account; the council said a $175,000 shortfall and a 15% contingency would be covered by specific council-held funds and be protected by an agreement.