Montecito Sanitary District authorizes ocean outfall inspection contract with PMG

The Montecito Sanitary District Board voted Aug. 12, 2026 to authorize the General Manager to negotiate a contract with Pacific Maritime Group, Inc. (PMG) to perform marine inspection services for the wastewater ocean outfall inspection project in an amount not to exceed $98,300, and to permit the General Manager to approve amendments up to 20% of the negotiated amount. The motion was made by Director Ohlmann and seconded by Director Rockenbach; recorded AYES were Directors Barrett, Ohlmann and Rockenbach, with Director Johnson opposed and Director Murphy absent.

The Board later agreed to reconsider that authorization. A follow-up motion by Director Johnson (seconded by Director Barrett) to instead authorize a contract not to exceed $68,900 with a 10% amendment allowance failed on a 2–2 vote (AYES: Directors Barrett and Johnson; NAYES: Directors Ohlmann and Rockenbach; ABSENT: Director Murphy). The meeting minutes record that because the reduced-authority motion failed, the original authorization (up to $98,300 and 20% amendment) remains in effect.

The action directs the General Manager to negotiate terms with PMG for the ocean outfall inspection and to carry an amendment allowance for changes in scope. The contract award is intended to secure marine inspection services to assess the District's wastewater ocean outfall; the minutes do not specify a project timeline or funding source beyond the authorized amounts. The motion text in the minutes reads in part: "Authorize the General Manager to negotiate a contract with Pacific Maritime Group, Inc. (PMG) in an amount not to exceed $98,300 to perform Marine Inspection Services for the Wastewater Ocean Outfall Inspection project; and authorize the General Manager to approve expenditures of up to twenty percent (20%) of the negotiated amount as an amendment allowance for any changes in scope of work."