About Cambria

There are a couple of new posts over on AboutCCSD.com this week. Expenditures and Wish Lists, not to mention a report on MTBE by the Regional Water Quality Control Board. Go Check it out!

From a brief document from the Arlington Forum with some useful tips and help for leaders wanting to encourage genuine involvement in the decisions and direction of their communities:

When citizens talk about what works in terms of civic engagement, they focus less on formal structures and processes and more on actual experiences—how individuals work together and treat each other, regardless of the setting.
This means that successful civic engagement is not like carefully following a recipe. In fact, a formulaic process can ring hollow to those who participate, making people feel as though they were just “window dressing.” What transforms “going through the motions” into the kind of civic
engagement that builds relationships and strengthens communities is careful and sustained attention to three touchstones: civic conversation,
“inreach,” and civic governance.

Civic Conversation—broad-based discussions among diverse groups and institutions that reach the core of
community values, direction, and well-being.

Inreach—organizations reaching inside to build and strengthen civic relationships among those who are working within and with those organizations. Civic Governance—initiative and responsibility for community problems, actions, and solutions shared by a wide range of citizens.
Civic engagement at its best nurtures civic conversation, pays attention to inreach, and leads toward civic governance.

Civic Governance—initiative and responsibility for community problems, actions, and solutions shared by a wide range of citizens.
Civic engagement at its best nurtures civic conversation, pays attention to inreach, and leads toward civic governance.

Download the full document here.

This just in: a CCSD agenda for a January 8, 2009 meeting. Only item of business: Public Hearing to Adopt Resolution 01-2009 Rescinding Water and Sewer Rate Adjustment for Fiscal Years 2008/2009 and 2009/2010. Thank you, President Sanders.  I will be at the meeting – scheduled for Thursday January 8, 2009 at 12:30pm at the Vets Hall.

Full agenda is below.

I. OPENING
A. Call to Order
B. Pledge of Allegiance
C. Establishment of Quorum
D. Election of Officers
II. SPECIAL MEETING HEARING
A. Public Hearing to Adopt Resolution 01-2009 Rescinding Water and Sewer Rate
Adjustment for Fiscal Years 2008/2009 and 2009/2010
ROLL CALL VOTE
III. PUBLIC COMMENT
IV. ADJOURN

Cambria’s Fire Department is offering another C.E.R.T. training this coming February. The Community Emergency Response Team (aka CERT) training is a 20-hour “hands-on” course that teaches individuals to be better prepared in the event of a major disaster, and to form into effective
neighborhood teams to assist others. In the CERT training class you will learn about how and when to turn off your Utilities; Firefighting skills;
Medical skills; Hazardous Materials & Terrorism awareness; light Search and Rescue techniques; and most importantly, you’ll learn SELF
RELIANCE.

Anyone interested is asked to call the Fire Department (6240) to register before February 18, 2009.  The fee for the 5 evening course is $40.00, which includes materials.  This time the course will be held at 6pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays over 3 weeks – beginning Thursday, February 19, 2009.  Visit the CCSD website for more information and a flyer.

When I started this site a little over a year ago, I hoped to provide a resource for Cambrians, a place to find and share information, mostly about the CCSD or related issues. Since the one year anniversary, I have worked on broadening the scope of information to other things “about Cambria” – life here is much more than the issues facing the District and the people it serves. I’ve recently added a “classified ad” page and am working on including menus from Cambria’s great restaurants (including the one advertised on the right.)
I’ve been fortunate to be able to spend a great deal of time reading and gathering information and writing over the past year. My business clients and the financial support from a few thoughtful Cambrians (and my husband) has made it possible for me to dedicate so much time to this endeavor possible. A heartfelt, sincere thank you to everyone who has supported me – financially or emotionally – and to everyone who has found this site useful, helpful or thought-provoking enough to visit on a regular basis. I intend to keep working on this project indefinitely(along with AboutCCSD.com) because I believe that an informed community is the foundation for an able and healthy community. I feel very strongly that the information should be easily accessible and free to anyone interested in learning. Maintaining this resource isn’t free, however. Over the last year I’ve added a growing assortment of ways you can help support AboutCambria.com.
The first way, my top preference, to support this site is by contributing to the information by writing a post. Twenty-four of you have written for this site and I’d love to see more – especially as we broaden the conversation beyond the water issue and the CSD. This is a place to share information, not get graded on your word choice or punctuation. I am RETIRED from teaching English, so you’re safe from the red pen and grammar corrections (most of the time.)
For those of you who want something for your donation, consider one of the stylish items available in the “About Cambria” shop. A portion of each sale goes toward the maintenance of the site. Get a journal with a 93428 CA license plate printed on the cover – or any number of other items, including shirts, caps and even a clock.
Another easy way to support the work here includes clicking the gold guy at the bottom of each post to donate an amount of your choosing through paypal. Your donation is processed securely and instantly by paypal.
I welcome advertisements from local businesses. Contact me for the latest visitor numbers and a rate card. You’ll be amazed at how reasonable the cost is.
The newest way to help out this broke web maven is the understated and easy to click “Subscribe” button on the right-hand side of each page. Subscribing to AboutCambria.com is one of the easiest ways to provide a small, recurring monthly donation for the continued well-being of this site. A subscription is only $9.27 a month for one year. (The $934.28 annual subscription is still under development.) Paypal handles the secure automatic payment process. You don’t have to have a paypal account and stopping the recurring payments is very straightforward, should you decide to withdraw support or (heaven forbid) AboutCambria.com ceases publication.
I’m acutely aware that the financial seas aren’t just rough and know a plea for financial support isn’t well-timed. But if it were better fiscal times, I probably wouldn’t be asking.
If you have any questions about anything in this post call or email me. Heck, call or email me anyway! I’d like to hear from more of you – about Cambria and Cambrians!
And thanks for continuing to visit and read AboutCambria.com.

Yesterday’s CCSD meeting wasn’t short (they adjourned to closed session at 5:00), but it was a refreshing change from the tense and combative  meetings of the last eight months. I missed the first half-hour, so I missed the swearing in and early parts of the meeting. When I walked in, the Board was hearing the manager’s report, including hearing from the district engineer about the desalination project and from Jim Adams about the seriously low well levels at the  San Simeon wells. Director Greg Sanders was acting President for the meeting and ran it smoothly and professionally. After they had approved the consent agenda, we took a short break before launching into the hearing and regular business.

What follows is an abbreviated version of the most important outcomes of the meeting. (For a more detailed view, watch the meeting on Channel 21 Friday or Saturday or visit www.AboutCCSD.com tomorrow.

There will be no surcharges (for now), but there will be a message on the bills that go out on January 10 cautioning Cambrians surcharges could be imminent if the rain doesn’t continue to recharge the aquifer.

After receiving the report of capital improvements and outlay projects the Board agreed to have the Utilities committee (with Directors Chaldecott and DeMicco) review the information and work on prioritizing the projects and the finance committee (Directors Clift and MacKinnon) reviewing how much funding could be made available for those projects. The Board also agreed to a special meeting (tentatively on January 15) at which they would hear from the committees about their findings and determine how to guide the district forward.

The Board didn’t address rescinding the rate increase directly, but did indicate they must review the possible impacts to the budget and left open the possibility of adding the item to the agenda at the special meeting in early January. And although they brushed against the fiscal issues of the rate increase uncertainty, there was no discussion of what I consider to be the more important issue raised by the rate increase: the extremely sloppy and disrespectful way the counting was undertaken – from eliminating protests for questionable reasons to errors in counting that continued even after the results had been certified. Each and every rate increase from here on out will have to go through the Prop 218 process. The Board should immediately address the standards and procedures for the counting process, so we never again have even a question of improper or unfair treatment of Cambrian’s constitutional right to oppose taxes fees and assessments.

This was just the first meeting, but it looks like there is now a Board of Directors intent on hearing from and listening to the community as well as the staff. Cambrians must respect this and encourage it by paying attention and speaking up – communication is, after all, a two way street.

What is missing from the CCSD’s agenda for Monday?  Discussion of and action on the rate increase. From the General Manager’s point of view, it makes sense. The issue has been decided, the protest failed. Anyone still carrying on about it is just a sore loser out for revenge.

In a viewpoint buried deep on page 19 of this week’s Cambrian, Mary Webb lays bare some of the reasons why this issue isn’t going away quietly:

• the lack of clear procedures for the 218 process,
• the protest numbers being quietly revised in September,
• the fact that the district did not have the authority to invalidate protests based on signatures,
• the notarized statements from disenfranchised voters delivered to the CCSD in September.

Any or all of these factors would change the outcome. For me, it hasn’t been about the extra money tacked onto my bill each month – its the flagrant  disrespect for the democratic system and the law that offends me. I had hope that without litigation the Board would do the right thing and toss the whole thing and start fresh with a new proposal. One that only includes a 10-15% increase. One that has a written process for counting.  There was so much confusion during the last rates debacle that only ONE number out of all the CERTIFIED totals was even correct. It’s a perfect excuse for a “do-over.” Many of the people I have spoken to about the protests of this summer and last fall understand an increase is indeed needed. Nearly all of them would not protest this charmed proposal. The CCSD would have its  increased revenue, Cambrians would really feel they’d been heard and the state Constitution would remain intact.

In November, Cambrians spoke loud and clear in choosing new directors – DeMicco and MacKinnon both campaigned on more transparency and a need to communicate with the community and build trust. But that will have to wait until at least next month. Why?

The new board will not be able to take any action on the rates (or the loan) because it is not on the agenda. State laws protecting citizen’s rights to attend and comment at public meetings requires that any decisions that will be made by an elected board be published at least 3 days in advance of the meeting – so people can attend and be somewhat prepared to comment intelligently (or at least more informed than they might otherwise be.)

At its most useful, government is essentially a mechanism by which neighbors can pool their resources to develop infrastructure, like roads and sewer and water systems, and to provide services, like fire protection, that would otherwise be impractical for us each to provide ourselves. Our elected leaders must expertly pilot the ship toward the community’s vision for the future. What our elected leaders must do is balance the needs, wishes and realities of financial limitations to give us the best services and facilities we can afford….as a community. Sometimes the choices are difficult or unpopular, which is why it’s crucial that leaders can be trusted to act in the best interests of the community.

They are expected to plan for the long term well-being of the community while overseeing the district manager’s job of dealing with difficulties on a daily basis. The added pressures of limited water, no direct control of land use and a well-educated, strong-willed public can (and do) exhaust everyone involved. So nap this weekend and come give one more dollop of energy to the CCSD meeting Monday  (December 15). Then it’ll be about 6 and a half weeks until the CCSD meets again. Come greet the new Board members. Be heard.

I leave off with this precise thought:

“To some degree it matters who’s in office, but it matters more how much pressure they’re under from the public.” – Noam Chomksy

Wow! I am so impressed with the job Linn’s Restaurant and Catering did last night at our annual “Cambria Couples Christmas Dinner and Dance.” These young men, Aaron Linn, Derek Child and Brian Clark, came dressed all in black. They arrived early, helped us set up, then unloaded and began preparing the dinner well before any of our members or guests arrived. They cooked, served and quietly went about their business. They delivered the hor d’oeuvres and the dinners quickly and professionally. They uncorked the wine and kept our wine and water glasses filled. The entire evening they were attentive, courteous and friendly. And the food was delicious! Afterwards they sent us home and cleaned up, which was more than any of us expected. It was like fine dining at a five star restaurant, but at the Joslyn Center.

I heard nothing but compliments and thank you’s from the people who attended. If the attitude and work ethic of these young men is typical of the generation coming up, then the future of Cambria is in good hands indeed.

I’d also like to thank Shirley and Tom Christian and Zella and Carl Reed for the invitations, table set up, nametags and the other work they did. I especially want to thank Steve Gryte, who handled the reservations, contracts, bought the wine and kept us in the black!

Our band, led by Brett Mitchell, played lively tunes that allowed us to dance off the calories we ingested. Brett and his band complimented the wonderful meals we enjoyed all year, playing dance music attune with the theme of the evening.

Finally, I would like to thank Peggy Christianson and Steve Gryte, who ably taught our ballroom dance lessons this year. They were assisted by our next year’s president, Brian Griffin and his lovely wife Dale. All these people made my job this past year very easy.

Sincerely,

Michael Nielson, Outgoing President
Cambria Couples Dance Club

This post was submitted by mnielson.

If you haven’t already enjoyed Boni’s Tacos, Saturday and Sunday will be your last chance until next January. Boni’s has two locations – on weekends you can find them parked at Main Street and Burton from 11am until they sell out and in Tin City on weekdays from 11am-3pm.
When I visited yesterday, I saw the sign notifying all that Boni’s will be closed from December 15 through January 9, 2009. You can still get your fix by visiting the catering truck this weekend – my favorite is the veggie burrito (with delicious beans, rice, cheese and pineapple filling) and the potato tacquitos. As a vegetarian, I can’t speak for the meat dishes, but friends have given everything they’ve had a thumbs up. Boni’s is available for catering, too. Here’s the menu:
Enjoy your vacation, guys! I’ll be there on the 10th!

The next CCSD meeting will be held on this coming Monday (December 15) at 12:30 at the Vet’s Hall. According to the Agenda (posted on the CCSD website), the new directors will be sworn in at the start of the meeting. Here’s the schedule of discussion:

4. SPECIAL REPORTS

A. SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT REPORT

5. MANAGER’S AND BOARD REPORTS

A. Manager’s Report

B. MEMBER AND COMMITTEE REPORTS

6. CONSENT AGENDA

All matters on the consent calendar are to be approved by one motion. If Directors wish to discuss a consent item other than simple clarifying questions, a request for removal may be made. Such items are pulled for separate discussion and action after the consent calendar as a whole is acted upon.

A. Approve Expenditures For Month Of November 2008

B. Adopt Resolution 41-2008 Approving a 1-Year Lease Extension with Cambria Village Square Shopping Center for the CCSD Administrative Offices for the Period of November 1, 2008, through October 31, 2009

C. Adopt Resolution 42-2008 Reporting the Payment of Member Contributions to the California Public Employees’ Retirement System

D. Adopt Resolution 44-2008 Approving Fiscal Year 2007/2008 Transfers from General Fund Reserves for Water and Wastewater Capital Improvement Program Expenditures

7. HEARINGS AND APPEALS

A. Public Hearing to Adopt Resolution 43-2008 Implementing Water Conservation Surcharge Rates, effective January 1, 2009

8. REGULAR BUSINESS

A. Receive Report on Capital Improvement Program and Capital Outlay Priorities, Including Financing Options

B. Consider Cen Cal Development’s Request for Modification of Intent to Serve to Allow for Temporary Assignment to CCSD APN 013.151.045.

C. Request for Waiver of Disconnect/Reconnect Fee, Mr. and Mrs. Rice, 2220 Ardath Drive, Cambria

D. Adopt 2009 CCSD Regular Board Meeting Schedule

9. PUBLIC COMMENT

Members of the public wishing to address the Board on any non-actionable item not listed on the agenda (items one through five) and within the jurisdiction of the Cambria CSD may do so when recognized by the President. Public comments during this and other portions of the agenda will be limited to 3 minutes per
person.

10. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION, 1316 Tamson Drive, Suite 204, Cambria

A. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION pursuant to periodic performance evaluation as required by employment contract. Title: General Manager

B. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LIGIGATION Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 54956.9 (1 matter)

Next post: What’s not on the agenda….