Cambria board adopts procurement integrity measures for skatepark in 3-2 vote

The Cambria Community Services District Board of Directors voted May 29 to adopt Resolution 24-2026, establishing procurement integrity measures for the Cambria Skatepark Project and directing staff to issue a bid addendum. The motion passed 3–2, with Directors Karen Dean, Tom Gray and Debra Scott voting in favor and President Harry Farmer and Director Michael Thomas voting against.

General Manager Matthew McElhenie, District Counsel Timothy Carmel and Bob Owens of law firm Rutan & Tucker summarized the proposed measures and the bid addendum before the board discussed the item. Several members of the public spoke during the record’s public comment period, including Shara Tatham, Michael Calderwood, Juli Amodei, Aaron Spohn, Chelsie Foster and Julie Tacker.

Director Tom Gray moved to adopt the resolution and direct staff to issue the attached bid addendum; Vice President Karen Dean seconded the motion. Director Michael Thomas proposed adding a recital to the resolution stating, "Whereas, Spohn Ranch has been a trusted partner to the District throughout the development of this project, and this Resolution, in no way reflects any concern the District has regarding its integrity." The minutes show the motion as passed with the board recording that the action does not preclude the CCSD from contracting with Aaron Spohn or Spohn Ranch as a consultant on the project going forward.

The resolution and addendum are intended to set procurement integrity expectations for bidders on the skatepark project. The board discussion and the recorded proposed recital indicate attention to both preserving competitive procurement procedures and acknowledging the project history with Spohn Ranch.

The next procedural step recorded in the minutes is for staff to issue the bid addendum as directed by the board. The meeting then moved to a closed session for labor negotiations under Government Code Section 54957.6.