Cambria board adopts procurement changes for Main Street skate park and directs bid addendum

The Cambria Community Services District board voted 3–2 to adopt Resolution 24-2026 on a motion that directs staff to issue a bid addendum for the Main Street skate-park procurement that reduces liquidated damages from $3,000 per day to $1,500 per day and extends the bid deadline to June 22, 2026.

The action, moved by Director Gray and seconded by Vice President Dean with a friendly amendment recognizing the long-term role of Spahn Ranch in the project, responded to contractor concerns raised at a mandatory pre-bid meeting that the project specifications included proprietary or brand-specific language tied to a single designer. District counsel told the board those features risked creating a de facto design-build or sole-source condition that could trigger bid protests and litigation.

Board members and staff said the addendum is intended to clarify that specifications are performance-based and to allow equivalent products and qualified installers so more contractors can bid. District counsel and outside counsel from Rutan & Tucker explained the legal stakes: a successful bidder protest or a lawsuit could delay the project and increase costs. Outside counsel also advised that including the project designer as a subcontractor on the bid documents could raise conflict-of-interest issues under state law; counsel said separate, non-bid consultant arrangements could be acceptable.

The debate centered on balancing legal risk and competition against preserving the involvement of the designer, Spahn Ranch. Director Thomas, citing an engineering review, identified specific plan sheets that reference Spahn Ranch proprietary products, certified installers and limits on reproduction of drawings; he recommended narrower corrective edits rather than what he called a "nuclear option." Supporters of the resolution countered that the proposed addendum was a limited, defensible fix to protect the district and preserve competitive bidding.

During public comment, multiple residents and project volunteers urged flexibility so that Aaron Spahn or Spahn Ranch could continue to contribute to the project in some fashion; several speakers also emphasized the community importance of the skate park. Spahn spoke, denying that the documents were intended to create a sole source and saying alternates and "or equal" language were permissible, while also explaining technical reasons (site fill constraints) for specifying precast elements.

On the roll call, the board recorded: Gray — Aye; Thomas — No; Dean — Aye; Scott — Yes; Farmer — No. The motion carried 3–2. The resolution text and the addendum direct staff to revise the bid documents, lower the liquidated-damage rate to $1,500 per day, and extend the bid closing to 06/22/2026 to encourage broader participation and reduce protest risk. Staff said they will present bidders for selection around July 16 but said they will attempt to move earlier if legal review allows.

The board also added language clarifying that adoption of the resolution and issuance of the addendum does not preclude the district from separately contracting with Aaron Spahn or Spahn Ranch for consultant services outside the formal bid process.