Community Council pledges funds; Cambria board directs counsel to draft skatepark funding agreement

The Cambria Community Services District board moved closer to putting the Cambria Skatepark under contract after a community funding pledge narrowed a funding gap that had stalled the project.

General Manager McElhaney told the board the lowest responsive construction bid for the skatepark was $1,344,000 and that available project funds were roughly $1,680,000–$1,690,000, leaving an approximate shortfall of about $175,000 before contingencies. Staff outlined three options: award the contract and cover the gap, reject and rebid, or request a price‑hold/extension from the low bidder.

The crucial development came from a representative of the Cambria Community Council (speaker Clark), who verified balances and pledged to make up the remaining shortfall and to hold contingency funds. Clark said the Community Council had $69,312 in a maintenance fund, $623,000 in a construction fund, and $14,274 in a mechanics account and that the council would provide the roughly $170,000–$175,000 gap and a 15% contingency (about $201,600) if needed. "Our contribution has come from two sources... the anonymous donor and the investment income off the bequest," Clark said, and asked district counsel and the council attorney to review an agreement so funds are protected.

Vice President Karen Dean moved that district counsel prepare a funding agreement with the Community Council and work with a board ad hoc (President Farmer and Vice President Dean) to finalize terms; Director Scott seconded the motion. District counsel Carmel described a likely path: staff and counsel will draft deal points, circulate them to the Community Council and its attorney for review, present a funding agreement to both boards, and — if agreed — place the construction contract on an agenda for formal approval. Carmel estimated 1–4 weeks for those steps and said an August 13 meeting was a plausible target, provided there are no unanticipated delays.

Public comment at the meeting was overwhelmingly supportive: Skate Cambria volunteers, longtime residents, teachers, and parents highlighted youth benefits, volunteer fundraising and the project's community value. Several speakers recommended timely action and asked the board to minimize additional permitting delays. Some speakers also raised questions about contingency layers and the bid process; Vice President Dean and counsel explained that contractor contingency and district contingency cover different risks (contractor cost overruns vs. unforeseen site conditions), and that unused contingency funds would be returned or retained according to the funding agreement.

Motion and next steps: The board approved by unanimous roll call a motion directing counsel to draft the funding agreement with the Community Council; staff will coordinate with the council and an ad hoc of President Farmer and Vice President Dean. If legal review and both boards approve the funding agreement on the proposed timetable, the district intends to agendize the construction contract for board approval and move toward construction.