REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
January 27, 2026
FROM
MOE YOUSIF, Interim Director, Project and Facilities Management Department
BEAHTA R. DAVIS, Director, Regional Parks Department
SUBJECT
Title
Continuation of Emergency for Roof Repairs and Water Damage Remediation at Calico Ghost Town Regional Park
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Continue the finding, first made by the Board of Supervisors on January 13, 2026, that there is substantial evidence that immediate action is needed to prevent or mitigate the threat to property and public health posed by an unprecedented storm occurring on November 14 through November 16, 2025, that caused water damage to the roof and interior areas of multiple buildings located at Calico Ghost Town Regional Park, including the structures known as Lil’s Saloon, Dorsey’s Dog House, Calico Rock and Gift Shop, Calico Candle Shop, Print Shop, Calico Coffee, Tea, and Pottery Shop, and Mystery Shack, which has resulted in imminent risk of failure of the roofs, roof structures, and interior ceilings of historical buildings and constitutes an emergency pursuant to Public Contract Code sections 22035 and 22050, and that this emergency will not permit the delay resulting from a formal competitive solicitation of bids to procure materials and construction services (Four votes required).
(Presenter: Moe Yousif, Interim Director, 387-5000)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of additional Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The Calico Roof Leak Remediation and Repairs Project (WBSE 10.10.1977) has a total project budget of $598,918 as approved by the Board of Supervisors (Board) on January 13, 2026 (Item No. 42). No budget adjustments are requested at this time but upon receipt of the contractor’s bid, Project and Facilities Management Department (PFMD) will return to the Board for consideration for the necessary budget adjustments to fully fund the Project. Any remaining funding difference is anticipated to be funded by the Community Service Upgrades Reserve.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Calico Ghost Town Regional Park (Calico) in Yermo is a premier destination attraction in the High Desert, attracting visitors from our local communities and from around the world. Calico showcases the historical and recreational significance of both the High Desert region and San Bernardino County through its preserved historical buildings and attractions, themed events, camping, and outdoor activities. Calico also generates substantial revenue to the Regional Parks Department through concessionaire-operated business located in the County-owned historical buildings.
The Capital Improvement Program Project No. 25-231 (WBSE 10.10.1863) was approved by the Board on June 10, 2025 (Item No. 104). As part of this Project, PFMD was evaluating design and constructability challenges associated with the unique roofs of several historic structures, including Lil’s Saloon, Dorsey’s Dog House, Calico Rock and Gift Shop, and the Calico Candle Shop. However, during this evaluation, an extraordinary rain event from November 14 through November 16, 2025, inundated the already compromised roofs, resulting in significant water intrusion and creating an imminent risk of roof and structural failure. The rainfall caused substantial interior damage, including ceiling deterioration to the Print shop and soil erosion that blocked access to the Mystery Shack, and mud intrusion into the Pottery Shop. With the continued threat of additional rainfall, immediate action is required to replace the roofs, repair structural and interior damage, and implement erosion control measures to prevent further deterioration, thereby necessitating the Calico Roof Leak Remediation and Repairs Project (WBSE 10.10.1977) to incorporate this additional scope of work.
On January 13, 2026 (Item No. 42), the Board found there is substantial evidence that immediate action is needed to prevent or mitigate the threat to life, health, property and essential public services posed by the extensive water damage to roofs and buildings at Calico Ghost Town, which constituted an emergency pursuant to Public Contract Code section 22050, requiring immediate action.
Further, the Board adopted Resolution No. 2026-02 authorizing the Chief Executive Officer to direct the Purchasing Agent to issue purchase orders and/or execute contracts, in a total amount not to exceed $598,918, for any emergency remediation, construction and modifications of internal and external structures related to the Project and found that the issuance of these purchase orders and/or contracts is necessary to respond to this emergency pursuant to Public Contract Code sections 22035 and 22050.
PROCUREMENT
PFMD solicited contractors in the Barstow area and held a mandatory site walk on December 18, 2025, and reviewed the scope of work with the attending contractor. Bids for the complete scope of work were due on January 8, 2026. PFMD continues to evaluate the emergency and scope of work to complete the roof replacement, interior repairs, and erosion mitigation measures.
Once a contractor is identified, PFMD will prepare a contract to be approved by the Chief Executive Officer and then signed by the chosen contractor. A purchase order will then be requested and finalized by the Purchasing Department to engage the architect, engineer and/or contractor to provide the required construction services.
Emergencies related to Public Contract Code sections 22035 and 22050, once ordered, must be affirmed at each subsequent meeting until terminated.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Daniel Pasek, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on January 7, 2026; Purchasing (Ariel Gill, Supervising Buyer, 387-2070) on January 8, 2026; Regional Parks (Beahta R. Davis, Director, 387-2340) on January 7, 2026; Project and Facilities Management (Sarah Riley, Chief of Project Management, 387-5115) on January 8, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Elias Dueñas, Administrative Analyst, 387-4052, and Yael Verduzco, Principal Administrative Analyst, 387-5285) on January 9, 2026.