Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council authorizes staff to advertise bids for Los Osos Phase 1 and pre‑order site amenities amid public debate over funding and lawsuits
Summary
City staff outlined the Los Osos Phase 1 scope and budget; council voted 4–0 to approve plans and authorize bidding and long‑lead purchases. Public commenters both supported proceeding and urged caution — one resident cited a pending lawsuit and questioned bond spending and the Stein Mart purchase.
Staff presented the Los Osos Phase 1 (CIP 336) staff report and recommended approval of plans and specifications, authorization to advertise for bids, and purchase orders for long‑lead site amenities. The staff summary listed line‑item amounts for recommended pre‑orders: prefabricated restroom building to Public Restroom Company (not to exceed $299,510); office/concession building to Public Restroom Company (not to exceed $805,114); security lighting poles to Amaron Pole Products (not to exceed $70,844); lighting fixtures to LYNX Lighting & Controls (not to exceed $84,409.10); and main electrical switchgear to CED Electric (not to exceed $67,002.03). Staff said the project funding total was $19,000,000 (bonds sold in 2021), expenses to date $1,573,017.14, purchase of the Stein Mart building and land $11,900,000, current encumbrances $340,023, and remaining budget roughly $5,155,973; site amenity recommendations total $1,326,879.10 plus an anticipated $330,000 utility connection, leaving about $3.5 million in remaining budget.
During public comment Pam Smith urged moving forward to bring restaurants and night‑life to the city center; Robert Britton and Robert Breton urged advancing the project after long public engagement. Kathy Schlicht raised concerns that CC&Rs had been violated, cited a pending lawsuit with an August 2025 jury trial date, and questioned the use of bond proceeds and the Stein Mart purchase. Staff responded the environmental paperwork for Phase 1 had been processed (notice of exemption filed for the phase 1 area and urban alley) and the manager said the team had completed necessary steps. Councilmember Bucknam moved the item and Mayor Kelly seconded; the motion passed with four yes votes and Mayor Pro Tem Riche absent.
