HomeMy WebLinkAbout1/13/2026 Item 6i, Floyd and Boerman - Staff Agenda CorrespondenceCity of San Luis Obispo, Council Memorandum
City of San Luis Obispo
Council Agenda Correspondence
DATE: January 13, 2026
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: Aaron Floyd – Public Works and Utilities Director
Prepared By: Mychal Boerman – Utilities Deputy Director – Water
VIA: Whitney McDonald, City Manager
SUBJECT: ITEM 6i – APPROVAL OF A REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT WITH THE
COUNTY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO FOR THE SALINAS DAM FEASIBILITY
STUDY
Staff received the following question regarding item 6i – Approval of a Reimbursement
Agreement with the County of San Luis Obispo for the Salinas Dam Feasibility Study. The
question is below with staff’s response shown in italics:
1) It is anticipated that the City’s portion of the study will be $396,736 with a
not-to-exceed amount of $600,000 and a total City budget of $700,000.
Available project budget is almost double what is needed, and $100,000 more
than the City’s maximum required commitment. Can you please clarify the
need to leave this full amount designated?
The County, who is the lead agency for the project, anticipates that as the study
commences and the consultant and stakeholders dig in into the details of dam
disposition, the complexity of the project could potentially grow beyond what is
currently identified by the consultant. For this reason, staff have identified the need
to leave the full budget of $700,000 designated for the project, and why staff are
requesting authorization for up to $600,000. Based on City staff coordination with
the County, potential expansion of scope and associated costs would not be
altogether unexpected on a project of this nature since disposition of a federal dam
is complicated and an area in which staff do not have prior experience. If
authorized by Council, any funds beyond the $396,736 would be specifically
requested via a documented change order, with associated scope and budget.
Upon completion of the project, the remaining balance of $100,000, or more
depending on project costs, will be transferred to a “Completed Projects” account
and subsequently transferred into the Water Fund’s fund balance at the closing of
the fiscal year. This is the standard accounting process that is used when water
projects have more project budget available than is needed after a project has
been completed.