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Board hears update on Camp Jones Gulch; YMCA proposes 50-50 staff-housing cost split, County share to rise about $2.8M
Summary
San Mateo County Office of Education staff and YMCA representatives told the Board that construction cost increases and a rebalanced plan for staff housing would raise the County Office’s additional contribution by about $2.8 million and move the housing share to an approximate 50-50 split.
Board members pressed YMCA representatives on May 20 over rising project costs at Camp Jones Gulch and a proposed rebalancing of who pays for staff housing.
Deputy Superintendent Kevin Bultema introduced representatives from the YMCA to report on capital improvement work at Camp Jones Gulch. Board Member Susan Alvaro said she was concerned the County Office’s share had risen and sought clarity on whether the increase she’d heard of was the full project increase or just the County Office’s portion. YMCA representatives explained that rising construction costs were a major driver and that the cost allocation for staff housing shifted from an earlier one-third/ two-thirds split to a proposed 50-50 arrangement, which increased the County Office’s additional contribution "about $2.8 million." The YMCA said it would also contribute roughly $2 million more overall and was not shifting the entire burden to the County Office.
Board members asked follow-up questions about operation costs, solar and battery plans, and fire-safety materials. YMCA representatives said the County Office does not pay ongoing camp operating costs; the new solar field will meet only a portion of the camp’s electrical needs and rooftop solar will be included on new housing units; the camp intends to rely on generators rather than large battery storage for backup; and all new buildings will use Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI)-compliant, wildfire-resistant materials and be fully sprinklered in accordance with CAL FIRE and Title 24 requirements.
Deputy Superintendent Bultema confirmed the change in housing cost-share requires a separate, amended agreement and that the Board would need to formally approve both the additional funding and the revised agreement, likely at a June meeting and during the upcoming Budget Study Session. The YMCA representatives said they were open to discussing an extension of the existing 25-year agreement to provide a longer runway for County Office investments.
No formal action was taken at the meeting; staff said they would return with an amended agreement and updated Fund 40 information for Board review and possible approval.
