Water main fixes will slow Main Street traffic this week

A water main break in Cambria on October 10 will undergo repair starting Tuesday, slowing traffic on parts of Main Street.

In an online update to Cambria residents, Cambria Community Services District general manager Matthew McElhenie outlined the multi-day construction schedule and partial road closures along Main Street this week.

Day One - Tuesday, October 17:

• South Bound Lane of Main Street will be closed from 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Excavation begins to install one 10” Valve at the 90* elbow to energize the entire distribution system, except for the forty feet of transmission line perpendicularly crossing Main Street.

Day Two - Wednesday, October 18:

• North Bound Lanes of Main Street will be closed at 7:00 a.m. - TBD.
• Excavation begins to install one 10” Valve at the just repaired connection on Main. This installation replaces the 10” Tee and Valve, connecting the current system to newly relocated transmission lines. While the connection is being performed, trenching and preparation for the new line crossing Main St. occurs.

Day Two - Wednesday, October 18:

• 7:00 p.m. – 5:00 a.m. Overnight Main Street distribution system partially shut down for tie-in. The areas previously affected by the isolation for the leak will be the same locations affected by the repair.

Day Three & Four - Thursday, October 19 and Friday, October 20:

• Main Street surface restoration.

Cambria fire chief terminated

The Cambria Community Services District has terminated the employment contract of Fire Chief Justin Vincent, according to district general manager Matthew McElhenie. 

Vincent's departure, occurring less than a year into his tenure, follows a comprehensive review of fire department operations. Vincent was hired in November to replace retiring Fire Chief William Hollingsworth, according to a report by the San Luis Obispo Tribune.

The district plans to initiate a search for a new fire chief within the next six months. In the interim, Cambria Fire Department Capt. Michael Burkey will assume the role of fire chief. The decision comes amid concerns about the fire department's efficiency and its ability to clear flammable materials from undeveloped lots to reduce fire risks. 

Despite these challenges, McElhenie has assured the community of their commitment to ensuring safety and addressing the issues at hand. 

Charging station in front of Cambria Veterans Memorial Building may be moved

The general manager of the Cambria Community Services District said the organization is looking into moving a electric vehicle charging station in front of the veterans memorial building. 

The original placement of the EV station, located on the southwest side of the building, required the removal of two existing accessible parking spaces.

According to the former general manager and staff, this location was deemed optimal due to its proximity to the electrical circuit box, as well as compliance with the mandate that all public EV charging stations must be located within accessible parking spaces. 

As a result, to accommodate the removal of the two spaces, two new accessible parking spots were designated in the east side parking lot.

The move would be made possible through funding secured via a grant obtained under the auspices of the SLO County Clean Air Incentive Program, overseen by the diligent efforts of the SLO County Air Pollution Control District (APCD).

CCSD general manager to hold open-door session Wednesday

Cambria Community Services District general manager Matthew McElhenie will host an open-door session on Wednesday in the Cambria Veteran's Memorial Hall.

The public is welcome between 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. Refreshments will be available.

McElhenie said it will be an opportunity to "engage in dialogue about everything Cambria."

Some topics up for consideration by the CCSD board soon water meter upgrades, an open finance committee position, and a response to the California Coastal Commission on development permits. Here are some of the issues coming before the board, according to McElhenie.

CCSD approves water rate increase

Water and sewer rates will increase starting July 15 in Cambria.

The Cambria Community Services District rate increases were first announced May 19, 2022, and the latest increase was approved during their June 15 meeting.

The current base monthly charge is $19.42 (not including quantity charges) and will increase to $20.59 next month.

In a resolution, the board found that the increase was necessary "because the CCSD’s water and sewer utilities rely primarily on revenues from service charges to fund the costs of providing service, and therefore water and sewer rates must be set at levels adequate to fund the costs of operating and maintaining CCSD’s water, and sewer systems to support safe and reliable service."

The board said in the resolution that "the water and sewer rates to be implemented by this Resolution cover no more than the cost that CCSD incurs to provide water and sewer services as detailed in the Water, WRF and Sewer Rate analysis prepared by Bartle Wells Associates and last reviewed by the Board on March 17, 2022."

CCSD still looking for general manager

A general manager is still be sought by the Cambria Community Services District, three months after John Weigold abruplty resigned.

A banner at the top of the CCSD website advertises the open position.

"The Cambria Community Services District (CCSD) is seeking a General Manager who is a strategic thinker, has experience in budgeting, managing financial resources, personnel management and resources planning, understands the importance of communication, has a strong customer service focus and the ability to maintain cooperative working relationships among various public agencies, while managing the day-to-day operations of the District and carrying out the policies and directives of the Board."

Additionally, the board of directors is looking for community input on qualifications for the position. Residents can submit their ideas for qualifications, knowledge, education and skill sets, among others with an online form.

CCSD declares Stage 2 water shortage watch

The Cambria Community Services District Board of Directors put out a stage 2 water shortage watch with the goal of cutting water use by 20% in the small coastal town. 

At a meeting last week, the board voted 4-1, with only Harry Farmer voting against, according to a report by the San Luis Obispo Tribune. He said that a stage 2 declaration wasn't strict enough. The California Water Quality Control Board pushed Cambria to move to stage 2 of its water shortage plan. 

Rate hikes on water and sewer approved in Cambria

Hundreds of Cambria homeowners signed petitions against water and sewer rate hikes, but it wasn't enough to prevent the spike.

The Cambria Community Services District (CCSD) held a public hearing on the hikes on May 19 to get feedback from the community. The increases will boost water rates by 19.2 percent and sewer rates by 24.2 percent over the next three years, with inflationary adjustments for the next two years, according to a report by New Times.

The Cambria Community Services District approved a water and sewer rate hike that would be phased in over the next three years, but some residents aren't pleased.

The CCSD received objection forms from community members up until the hearing began, as required by Proposition 218 whenever a rate increase is on the table. More than half of consumers must sign a petition to reverse a planned hike, which for the CCSD would mean at least 1,979 petitioners.