- First the Oakhurst Geologic Hazard Abatement District Board (GHAD) met. There we received and discussed the annual reconnaissance report. We engage a third party to review the GHAD to identify status of the maintenance items, as well as follow up on any issues they may find.
Some of the items we discussed were the overall state of maintenance, various areas of slope movement that should continue to be monitored, some specific areas that needed remediation, and areas where residents have encroached in the GHAD.
Our consultants identified areas of significant concern. Mainly these were in areas that had evidence of movement, but where our monitoring devices have stopped working. We had previoulsy had piezometers at depths of greater than 50' below the surface which were intended to monitor if there was any movement. These are encased in a verticle PVC like pipe. Unfortunatley these pipes have sheared due to movement at some time in the past, and we can no longer monitor if movement is still occuring.
Our consultants also identified areas where underground drainage pipes have stopped working. As water in the ground is the biggest cause of earth movement, that the drains were no longer functioning in certain areas presents a risk.
The good news is that voters in the GHAD recently passed an increase in assessments to fund this work. And that work has already begun. Clearining and repairing of horizontal drains is underway, cleanup of certain V-Ditches meant to route water from the hillsides is also underway. I asked staff to come back with a holistic project plan that identifies all the major work that will occur, and when. This will not be a fast process, but by identifying all the work that needs to be done, it can be prioritized and residents can see what their tax dollars are doing.
At the regular City Council meeting,we discussed several signficant items:
- We made appointments of several residents to various committees and advisory councils, including the Trails and Landscape Committee, the Contra Costa County Advisory Council on Aging, and the Contra Costa Transportation Authority Citizens Advisory Committtee.
- We discussed the FY26 budget status and potential updates to the FY27 budget. Regarding the FY26 projection, I raised concerns about the flucuations in the budget forecasts that seemed quite volatile. At our Budget and Audit Committee meeting in Nov-25, we discussed budget revisions that would make the FY26 budget balanced. Then we met again in Mar-26, and it was stated that YTD forecast was a general fund deficit of $410K. When we met last night the year end defiict was projected to be $820K. Some of this is explainable like a shortfal in revenue, however the volatility is uncharacteristic of a City of our size.
The Council asked staff to revise the presentation materiasl so it was more clear what was happening. As a result, we took no action on FY26 or making any changes to FY27.
- We then discussed various options for the sales tax and LMD renewal we are planning on asking for in the November ballot. This iincluded the length of each, the calculation of each, and potential oversight mechanisms.
