Dear Cambrians,

We are pleased to share some exciting news regarding our ongoing efforts to enhance the sustainability and resilience of our water resources. After considerable planning, collaboration, and dedication, we have successfully submitted the Coastal Development Permit (CDP) application for the Water Reclamation Facility and the San Simeon Creek Instream Flows Assessment to include Van Gordan Creek to the County of San Luis Obispo. The link to the report can be found here: https://www.cambriacsd.org/san-simeon-creek-van-gordon-creek-instream-flows-assessment.

This marks a major milestone in our mission to secure Cambria's reliable and sustainable water supply. The Water Reclamation Facility is a key component of our long-term water management strategy. This project is essential in ensuring that our community remains resilient to water challenges, including droughts and climate change.

This journey is long from over. We expect an information hold while we update our Adaptive Management Plan (AMP) with our consultants. However, in consultation with the County planners, they agreed that submitting the application was the correct choice while they worked with us through the permitting process. In September, we will bring forward a scope change that will allow our consultant (SWCA) to begin working on several updates, including the AMP, EIR Addendum, Compliance memo, and Policy Consistency Analysis.

We recognize that this success would not have been possible without the support and input of our community. We sincerely thank everyone who participated in public meetings, provided feedback, and worked alongside us to make this a reality. Your engagement has been invaluable, and we are committed to keeping you informed as we move forward with the permitting phases. The Coastal Development Permit submission is only the beginning of the next chapter in this project. We will continue to work closely with local and state agencies to ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements while advancing this critical project.

As always, we welcome your questions, comments, and ongoing participation. Together, we can build a more sustainable future for Cambria. Thank you for your continued support.

Administration & Finance Departments

Transparency Certificate of Excellence Awarded to Cambria Community Services District

On August 12, 2024, the Special District Leadership Foundation (SDLF) awarded Cambria Community Services District the District Transparency Certificate of Excellence in recognition of its outstanding efforts to promote transparency and good governance. To receive the award, Cambria Community Services District demonstrated the completion of essential governance transparency requirements, including conducting ethics training for all board members, properly conducting open and public meetings, and filing financial transactions and compensation reports to the State Controller in a timely manner. For more information, please visit our website.

Cambria Community Services District Administrative Office Relocation

Effective November 4, 2024, the CCSD administrative office's new address will be:

2150 Main Street #1-B

Cambria, CA 93428

Key Details:

• Current Office Closure Dates at 1316 Tamsen Street, Suite 201: October 28, 2024, through November 1, 2024
• New Office Opening Date at 2150 Main Street, Suite #1-B: November 4, 2024
• New Administrative Office Address: 2150 Main Street, #1-B, Cambria, CA 93428
• Mailing Address: PO Box 65 Cambria, CA 93428 (no change)

During the transition period of October 28, 2024, through November 1, 2024, there might be brief interruptions in our services. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding and patience. Our phone numbers and email addresses will remain the same, and you can continue to reach us at:

• Phone: (805) 927-6223
• Website: www.cambriacsd.org 

We look forward to welcoming you to our new office and continuing to serve you with the same dedication and care. If you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

CCSD Administration Office Closed Monday, September 2, 2024

The CCSD administration office will be closed on Monday, September 2, 2024, in observance of Labor Day. For all Water and Wastewater emergency services, please contact the CCSD's 24-hour main line at (805) 927-6223. The office will reopen on Tuesday, September 3, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. 

Facilities & Resources Department

Cambria Skatepark Request for Proposal (RFP) for Cambria Skate Park 100% Design Project “Skate Cambria” 

The Cambria Community Services District is requesting proposals from qualified professional design firms for the design of a skate park project (hereinafter referred to as “Project”). The intent of the Project is for the firm to provide complete design services (including community outreach, refinement of the existing conceptual design, final design, construction plans, specifications, and engineering cost estimates for the final design) for a 5,500 square foot skate park at 1001 Main Street, to the Cambria Community Service District standards on a portion of an approximately 1.4-acre parcel (Assessor’s Parcel Number [APN] 013-101-072) in the unincorporated community of Cambria in San Luis Obispo County, California. Please click here for more information.

Creeks to Coast Cleanup

Let's all work together to keep our waterways and parks clean and protect the beautiful natural environment of SLO County. Join the cleanup on Saturday, September 21st, from 9 am to 12 pm at one of many locations around SLO County - a part of a statewide and even international cleanup day! Register to participate in one of our many SLO County locations for ECOSLO's annual Creeks to Coast Cleanup by clicking here.

Cambria Fire Department

Meet the Fire Chief

On Monday, August 26, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Fire Chief Michael Burkey will be working out of the Cambria Veterans' Memorial Hall and would love to meet you and hear your thoughts on anything related to the Cambria Fire Department. 

Cambria CSD Fire Department 2024 Fire Hazard Fuel Reduction Program (FHFRP)

On July 26, 2024, Paradise Tree Service started clearing parcels placed on the Contract Abatement List. They will complete parcel clearing by August 26, 2024.

The Fire Safe Council Secured a $3.1M Grant for Wildfire Prevention in SLO County

The San Luis Obispo County Fire Safe Council has secured a $3,112,344 grant from CAL FIRE’s California Climate Investments (CCI) Program, marking a significant step forward in wildfire prevention. This grant will support a collaborative project involving multiple organizations to enhance wildfire protection across 19 projects in nine Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) communities throughout the County. Cambria is one of those areas in which 166,580 dollars have been allocated for 2025 for weed abatement of all the CCSD-owned parcels.  (The amounts for the following years have yet to be determined.)  This is a huge win for the community, and we are forever grateful to The Fire Safe Council and The Cambria Fire Safe Focus Group for their outstanding dedication to Cambria. 

Water & Wastewater Departments

What Not to Flush

When customers flush items not meant for the wastewater collection system, they create blockages that require expensive equipment and staff time to address. Blockages in the wastewater system can also contribute to Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSO), which result in fines from regulatory agencies. Please do your part to keep our system blockage-free, and do not treat your toilet like a trash can.

Are you flushing any of the items listed in the chart below? Read on to find out and change your habits today!

Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG)

Now that our collection system maintenance is fully operational, we would like to remind our community to keep the FOG out! By FOG, we mean Fats, Oils, and Grease. These are some of the most common causes of sewer system blockage across the nation and it’s true for our community as well. FOGs can come from our food service establishments, but “harmless” amounts of oil washed down the sink from our residential customers can amount to an accumulation of problems to our aging sewer collection system. Even though our Code[1] prohibits FOG discharge in our sewer system in excess of 100 mg/L (about 1/16 of a teaspoon per liter of water), we believe these simple reminders will help tremendously.

To help prevent sewer blockages, please properly dispose of fats, oils, and grease by following these simple practices:

• Do not pour cooking oil, greasy food, dairy products, or salad dressing down the drain.
• Use strainers in the sink drains to catch food scraps and other solids.
• Do not use hot water and soap to try to wash grease down the drain. It will eventually cool and harden in the sewer lines.
• Pour cooled grease into a disposable container, cover with a tight-fitting lid and place in your freezer. Once contents are frozen, toss in the garbage.
• Mix cooking oils with absorbent material such as coffee grounds or cat litter. Place in tight lidded container and dispose in garbage.
• Wipe or scrape food particles from pots, pans and dishes into the trash can prior to placing them in the dishwasher or sink. (This also saves water by skipping the rinse!)
• Wipe excess fats and grease from pans with a dry paper towel and toss it in the garbage.

These tips will prevent grease blockage that could lead to sewage spills which could harm property and the environment.

For those in the food service establishments, please follow these same guidelines and continue to maintain your grease traps. Thank you ahead of time for your cooperation.

[1] CCSD Municipal Code 5.04.170.B

Stuart Street Tanks

Staff submitted a Notice of Determination and an Addendum to the Initial Study—Mitigated Negative Declaration, which, simply put, states that a project will not create significant environmental harm or that environmental impact has been mitigated to a less-than-significant level. The 300-page document was received and stamped by the County Clerk Recorders Office. 

The District consultant has completed and submitted 90% of the drawing plan set for the Utilities and Engineering staff review, which will be submitted in the final week of August. Due to the new footprint of the replacement tanks and the increased scope of the project, a full CDP is required. District consultants will submit the documents for County and Coastal Commission evaluation. A 3–4-month review period is anticipated. The Staff looks forward to breaking ground on the replacement project in the first quarter of 2025.

CCSD Board Meetings

August 15, 2024, Regular Board Meeting Update 

For a more detailed Board meeting transcript, visit our website.

• The Board of Directors held a Public Hearing and adopted Resolution 27-2024, approving the Final CCSD Budget for Fiscal Year 2024/2025 and Reserve for Encumbrances Fiscal Year 2023/2024
• The Board of Directors received and filed the Investment Report for the Quarter Ended June 30, 2024, and the Fourth Quarter Budget Report for FY 2023/24

Upcoming September Board Meeting Items (subject to change):

• Discussion and consideration of Strategic Plan update
• Discussion and consideration of accepting the Transfer Station for the San Simeon Creek Streamgage at Palmer Flats from the San Luis Obispo Flood Control and Water Conservation District
• Discussion and consideration of amendment to Consultant Services Agreement with SWCA for assistance with WRF CDP Application and adoption of a Resolution amending the Fiscal Year 2024/2025 Final Budget
• Discussion and consideration of updates to Board and Standing Committee Bylaws
• Discussion and consideration to approve a Landowner Access Agreement regarding access to and use of real property in order to implement a habitat restoration project for the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve
• Consideration to approve an amendment to the General Manager Position Description
• Consideration to approve a Resolution authorizing an agreement with Umpqua Bank for the Commercial Card Program
• Discussion and consideration of accepting a grant from San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District for the installation of eight DC electric vehicle fast chargers
• Discussion and consideration of approval of the Zero Liquid Discharge Pilot Testing Program
• Discussion and consideration of approval of Consultant Services Agreement with a vendor for preparation of plans and specifications for the Cambria Skatepark

On Monday, August 26, 2024, from 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., I will be working out of the Cambria Veterans' Memorial Hall and would love to meet you and hear your thoughts on everything, Cambria. We will provide coffee and snacks, and as always, we welcome your feedback and ideas.

If you have any concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me or any of our management team.

Thank you again for your support; I am at your service. 

Matthew McElhenie