CITY OF PACIFICA
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Council Chambers
2212 Beach Blvd
Pacifica, CA 94044
Mayor Tygarjas Bigstyck
Mayor pro Tem Sue Vaterlaus
Councilmember Sue Beckmeyer
Councilmember Mary Bier
Councilmember Christine Boles
City Council Regular Meeting 1 April 10, 2023
SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETING
April 10, 2023 (MONDAY)
www.cityofpacifica.org
Mayor Tygarjas Bigstyck called the meeting to order on April 10, 2023 at 5:15 PM 5:15 PM - CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Bigstyck called the meeting to order at 5:15 p.m. 00a. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation- Initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9: (One potential case) 00b. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS - Government Code section 54957.6 - Agency designated representatives: Timothy Davis, Mark Wilson, Rachel Balchum of Burke, Williams, and Sorenson; Employee organizations: Fire Battalion Chiefs, IAFF Local 2400; Fire Fighters, IAFF Local 240; Management Unit, Teamsters Local 350 ; Miscellaneous Employee, Teamster Local 856; Pacifica Police Officers Association; Police Mgmnt (PPMA) & Police Supervisors (PPSA); Wastewater Treatment Plant Teamsters Local 856 7:00 PM OPEN SESSION
Call to Order
Mayor Bigstyck reconvened the meeting at 7:01 p.m.
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Tygarjas Bigstyck Mayor Present
Sue Vaterlaus Mayor pro Tem Present
Sue Beckmeyer Councilmember Present
Mary Bier Councilmember Present
Christine Boles Councilmember Present
City Clerk Coffey took a verbal roll call.
Staff Present: Kevin Woodhouse, City Manager; Michelle Kenyon, City Attorney; Yulia Carter, Asst. City Manager; Lisa Petersen, PW Director; Christian Murdock, Planning Director; Chris City Council Regular Meeting 2 April 10, 2023
Clements, Acting Police Chief; Lucy Xie, Dep. Finance Director; Roland Yip, PW Dep. DirectorField Services/Engineering; Maria Aguilar, PW Dep. Director-Wastewater; Nelson Schlater, Engineering Manager-Wastewater; Bob Palacio, PB&R Director; Jason Bustria, IT Analyst; Sarah Coffey, City Clerk, Emily La, Dep. City Clerk.
Reading of Land Acknowledgment
Mayor Bigstyck read the Land Acknowledgment.
Salute to the Flag led by Councilmember Beckmeyer
Closed Session Report
City Attorney Kenyon stated there was no reportable action.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
A. Legislative Update - Congresswoman Anna Eshoo
Congresswoman Anna Eshoo stated that she was happy to be with all the community and was proud to represent Pacifica. She referred to the redistricting and was thrilled about that. She mentioned she joined the Mayor, Councilmember Beckmeyer, City Manager Woodhouse and staff, along with Kevin Mullin, for a tour of the city to learn about all the city’s infrastructure needs along the coast, such as the pier, etc. They talked about the city’s work with the Army Corp of Engineers, including studies for two projects that will begin this year to address coastal erosion and beach nourishment along the shoreline. She knows the city is counting on these to build the momentum for a larger study of the shoreline. She supported this project. She had her annual meeting with the Corp of Engineers in Washington, DC, and was very firm about Pacifica’s needs and having them addressed. She stated that the Corp informed her that they were changing how they conduct their cost benefit analysis for coastal protection projects to better account for impacts to lower income communities and they believe this change will directly benefit Pacifica. She stated that she will continue to support Pacifica in moving things forward. With this new year and new Congress, her top legislative priority will be to work with Pacifica keep moving the city’s projects forward. She wants to continue to build on the successes of the first two years of Biden’s administration with landmark legislation that was passed. She stated that the inflation reduction act to lower the cost of health insurance and prescription drugs is in place, and thankfully, most Californians who enroll in private health insurance to cover California are eligible for a comprehensive health plan with is a huge achievement, adding that seniors on Medicare will have their insulin costs capped at $35 a month, as well as free CDC recommended vaccines. She mentioned all the positive things Congress is doing to also address climate change. She encouraged everyone to learn more about specific tax credits available. She referred to other bills that have been passed to provide critical funding and if they have any questions, they can contact her staff, mentioning several of the city’s requests and she will follow up on the processes to completion. She thanked Pacifica for supporting her and her staff. She concluded that she will be working with the city diligently.
Mayor Bigstyck thanked her for being with them at this time and for representing our city.
Mayor pro Tem Vaterlaus thanked her for all her support, currently and in the past when she helped us even though she wasn’t representing us, and now that she represents us, she looks forward to working with her even more.
City Council Regular Meeting 3 April 10, 2023
Councilmember Beckmeyer echoed her comments, adding that she wanted to commend her staff for their willingness to understand and help us in our ongoing needs; she looks forward to working with her and her staff and thanks her for her support. She agreed with her that there are long term problems in Pacifica and having her in our corner is terrific.
Congresswoman Eshoo thanked her, especially for the positive comments on her staff.
Councilmember Boles appreciated the opportunity to meet with her, mentioning that they briefly met when both were campaigning during the elections and had a good discussion about affordable housing. She thought she was a compassionate person who cares about the communities and she was looking forward to working with her.
Councilmember Bier thanked her for all her work for us and with us, and appreciated that she always treats her like her equal. She has been thinking about her and how things are going, adding that she is a kind and warm woman, but also fierce; they appreciate it as they need it in a representative and she thanked her for that.
Congresswoman Eshoo thanked her. She stated that we are partners, which is the way she views the job of representatives, i.e., to make life better for people and each generation makes it better. She stated that there are many challenges but she looks at challenges as an opportunity and she looks forward to getting these things done. Regarding staff, she wanted to add that City Manager Woodhouse is highly respected and her staff worked with him when he was in Mountain View and she thanked him for his leadership as well.
Mayor Bigstyck thought Councilmember Beckmeyer expressed it so well in mentioning that, even before she was our representative, she was fighting for us alongside Jackie Speier; Congresswoman Eshoo was able to pick up where she was because of already being there with her to help us, particularly from her advocacy on our behalf as we navigate difficult circumstances, such as sea level rise.
Congresswoman Eshoo mentioned working with Kevin Mullin and the benefits when they work together. She wanted to thank him for being a wonderful partner and they are thrilled to have him in the House and she will always help him also.
Mayor Bigstyck thanked her, adding that he has been representing us for a long time and it is good to be united in working together and hopefully it will trickle up. He then opened up for public comments.
Lynn Adams, Pacifica, thanked her for keeping sea level rise at the top of her work and thanked her for sending a representative to the Earth Day VIP tour and celebration. They look forward to having her representative working with them. She asked how they can help her reduce the amount of single use plastic which is a contribution to pollution and sea level rise.
Congresswoman Eshoo thanked her and all advocates as that is how we get things done. She stated that she thought Congress was a pro-active institution and now she knows it is a reactive institution and it is people in the community that rise up in their advocacy who play a very important role in getting things done in our country and she stated she will be knocking at her door.
Irene Lee, Pacifica, stated she was curious about the major change the Corp of Engineers was doing to change the benefit cost ratio for environmental studies and projects.
City Council Regular Meeting 4 April 10, 2023
Congresswoman Eshoo stated this is a new way to address how they do their cost benefit analysis as, previously, they didn’t take into account the impacts to lower income communities and that was going to play into increasing the opportunities for Pacifica so she considers it a real plus. She stated that it will benefit Pacifica and other communities in terms of the average income in the community and the approval of projects will be very helpful.
Mayor Bigstyck thanked her for her representation.
Congresswoman Eshoo thanked him and each councilmember, adding that she loved being with them. They will be starting up the townhall meetings and she will let us know the dates as Pacifica is at the top of her list and she looks forward to speaking directly to Pacificans who can ask her whatever they want at the hour long meeting. She thanked Council for their public service and she was proud to be their partner in that work.
Mayor Bigstyck stated that they were so grateful to have her.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Boles noted that she has a conflict of interest on Item 7. She spoke with the City Attorney and it was okay to stay in the room if the item is not pulled, but if it is, she is happy to step down.
Mayor Bigstyck opened up public comments.
Marj Davis, Pacifica, stated she is reading a statement by Summer Lee addressing Item #7 regarding the recession of the Vista Mar project approval because of the city’s failure to perform an EIR, stating her concerns regarding the project.
Jim Kremer, Pacifica, stated he was speaking on Item #7, and expressed his approval and thoughts on Council reversing the decision on the Vista Mar project.
Irene Lee, Pacifica, stated she was speaking on item #7 and supported needing a full EIR, expressing her thoughts and concerns on the project.
Denise Leonardi, Pacifica, stated she is speaking on Item #7, and supported Council supporting the rescinding of the Vista Mar project, sharing her concerns on the project.
Mayor Bigstyck closed public comments.
In response to Councilmember Boles’ edits and City Attorney guidance, City Clerk Coffey reiterated that, on page 34 of minutes, paragraph 7, they were changing the word “communities” to “amenities” and strike the second part of paragraph on page 35 after the comma.
Mayor pro Tem Vaterlaus amended her motion to approve the consent calendar as amended.
Councilmember Beckmeyer seconded the motion.
City Clerk Coffey stated the vote for the consent calendar with Item #2 as amended except for Item #7 is a unanimous vote, 5-0; Item #7 is a vote 4-0 with Councilmember Boles abstaining.
City Council Regular Meeting 5 April 10, 2023
CONSENT ITEMS #1, #2 AS AMENDED, 3-6, AND 8
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Sue Vaterlaus, Mayor pro Tem
SECONDER: Sue Beckmeyer, Councilmember
AYES: Bigstyck, Vaterlaus, Beckmeyer, Bier, Boles
CONSENT ITEM #7 (INCLUDED WITH CONSENT CALENDAR)
RESULT: ADOPTED [4-0]
MOVER: Sue Vaterlaus, Mayor pro Tem
SECONDER: Sue Beckmeyer, Councilmember
AYES: Bigstyck, Vaterlaus, Beckmeyer, Bier
ABSTAIN: Boles
1. Approval of Disbursements for Dated 3/01/23 through 3/31/23.
PROPOSED ACTION: Receive and file the Monthly Check Register Report for the month of March 2023
2. Approval of Minutes
PROPOSED ACTION: Move to approve the minutes of the City Council Special and Regular Meeting held on March 27, 2023.
3. Continuation of Proclamation of Local Emergency of the Pacifica Coastline from Westline Drive to the End of Beach Boulevard.
PROPOSED ACTION: Accept report and make a determination that conditions of local emergency continue to exist within the Pacifica Coastline from Westline Drive to the end of Beach Boulevard.
4. Continuation of Proclamation of Local Emergency at the Anza Pump Station.
PROPOSED ACTION: Accept Report and Make a Determination that Conditions of Local Emergency Continue to Exist at the Anza Pump Station at the Pacifica State Beach.
5. Continuation of Proclamation of Local Emergency related to December 2022/January 2023 Winter Storm Events
PROPOSED ACTION: Accept report and make a determination that conditions of local emergency continue to exist related to the December 2022 / January 2023 Winter Storm Events.
6. Agreement to Purchase UV Disinfection Equipment for the Calera Creek Water Recycling Plant
PROPOSED ACTION: Adopt a Resolution to authorize the City Manager to execute a Purchase Agreement with Trojan Technologies in the amount of $1,136,603.75 in connection to the Ultraviolet Disinfection Replacement Project (P034); approve budget authority in the amount of $1,250,264.13 which includes 10% contingency in the amount of $113,660.38; authorize the City Manager to execute all documents related to the project equipment purchase.
City Council Regular Meeting 6 April 10, 2023
7. Rescission of City Council Resolution No. 70-2020 and Planning Commission Resolution No. 2020-017 for the Vista Mar Development Project located on the east side of Monterey Road approximately 250 feet southeast of the Monterey Road and Hickey Boulevard intersection (APN 009-381-010).
PROPOSED ACTION: Move to adopt a Resolution to rescind, set aside and deem null and void City Council Resolution No. 70-2020 and Planning Commission Resolution No. 2020-017, which adopted the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (“IS/MND”) and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (“MMRP”) and approved Site Development Permit PSD-714-02, Use Permit UP-904-02, Tentative Subdivision Map SUB-204-02, Heritage Tree Removal Authorization and Logging Operation Approval (File No. 2002-001) for a residential development on an approximately 53,000-SF (1.217 Acres) undeveloped lot on the east side of Monterey Road and Hickey Boulevard Intersection (APN 009-381-010) known as the “Vista Mar Project.”
8. Sharp Park Priority Development Area Pedestrian Improvement Project City/County Association of Governments Funding Agreement
PROPOSED ACTION: Adopt the Resolution entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Pacifica Approving the Funding Agreement (“Agreement”) between the City/County Association of Governments of San Mateo County a Joint Powers Agency whose members include the County of San Mateo and the twenty incorporated cities and towns within San Mateo County (C/CAG) and the City of Pacifica” and Authorize the City Manager to sign the Agreement
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE POSTED AGENDA
Lynn Adams, Pacifica, thanked Council and staff, shared her positive thoughts on the weather and then shared condolences to John Flin whose wife, Jeri Flinn, has passed away. She was the first Pacific Beach Coalition president and was a big contribution to their success. She addressed the date for city clean up on April 22 and invited all to participate followed by a celebration on the beach and a VIP Tour and gave details.
Daniel Beckman, Pacifica, stated he wanted to share his thoughts and concerns about Esplanade regarding safety issues for those living on that street.
Danielle Lacampagne stated she is a member of Citizens for San Mateo Gun Buy Back, and she presented information on an anonymous gun buyback in San Mateo County on May 6 in South San Francisco and stated the City Clerk will print some flyers for Pacificans with the information. She shared data from previous buybacks.
Irene Lee, Pacifica, stated that she appreciated having Zoom option for participation as she cannot attend in person due to health reasons, and asked if other meetings for issues asking for public input can have the Zoom option.
Mayor Bigstyck asked the City Manager if he can have Public Works look into the condition of the street lights on Esplanade and he would like to be updated on the nearest ability and if they can have the gun buyback event on Connect with Pacifica.
City Clerk Coffey stated that the gun buyback flyer is being promoted in Connect with Pacifica and they have printed flyers in the back of the room for anyone in the audience.
City Council Regular Meeting 7 April 10, 2023
Mayor Bigstyck suggested the City Manager address during staff communications if they can have Zoom for the Manor Overcrossing meeting.
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Councilmember Bier attended the Coast Pride Board meeting and they are planning Pride events in Pescadero, Half Moon Bay and Pacifica. They will also have a regional safety meeting as part of the planning process for those events to have a regional approach to have law enforcement. They had the Pacifica Pride planning meeting for the June 3 event. The parade will go down Palmetto and many businesses will be participating and they will be having a dual fundraising event on April 16. She stated it is fun and innovative and looking forward to that. She stated PCT Open House is on April 15. She suggested that the public come to see all the great things that PCT provides for our community. She stated that they will be having a strategic planning meeting on April 11. They had a Pacifica Collaborative meeting and through that they have been talking about unity and love and what it means to combat hate in our community. The members of the Collaborative will be participating in a lot of events happening, such as Earth Day, and thanked Lynn Adams for that event which she thought was a point of unity in coming together for our planet, in addition to Peace Week in September.
Councilmember Boles attended the Peninsula Clean Energy training for new board members and it was good to understand their process, operation, etc. She asked them about grid reliability and shared their frustration with PG&E despite their staff shortages. She stated that Peninsula Clean Energy is doing a lot to help us move toward electrification and they know it is difficult for some in the communities and are working to expand their programs. They said there is enough power for electrification. Because things have become so efficient, it is adding just a small 1% change to the demands on the grid. She sees a lot of misinformation and so thought it is important to communicate. She attended the San Mateo County Sustainability Awards with Mayor Bigstyck which was honoring projects that are leaders in sustainability and electrification.
She met with the Pacific Beach Coalition about Earth Day plans and stated the theme was thanking all volunteers and they have been spreading into other cities in the county where they do regular beach cleanups. She stated most of the councilmembers got to serve dinner for the volunteers of the senior program. She found it fun to learn about all the various programs, etc.
She attended the Airport Roundtable meeting and learned that some of the increased noise is during the storms and wind patterns change and flights come through here. She stated that, until the end of May, the airport has closed two of the runways and the departures are funneling through here more. She felt it was good to keep the complaints going to let them know. She stated that they are continuing to work on getting a noise 101 seminar to educate them about what they can do and be involved in making it better. She was approached by the Pacifica Land Trust and has been talking with some of their leaders as well as the City Manager for grants.
She stated that it is initial planning to look at possibilities and a lot is about community building and outreach and educating us on what can be done.
Mayor pro Tem Vaterlaus attended the city class on the Brown Act and reporting income. She attended the senior appreciation dinner that they served. She attended a Leadership Summit conference with CalCities regarding the conference they are going to this week to meet with legislators. She thanked Lynn Adams, as every day is earth day and it is important.
Councilmember Beckmeyer attended the Brown Act and Ethics training and she thought it was important to be very mindful of what it is to have the public business done in the public and take into account that there a few items that are appropriate for closed session, but we need to do our business here in the council meetings. She stated the Pride meeting was productive. She City Council Regular Meeting 8 April 10, 2023
missed the Beautification Advisory Committee meeting because she was out of town. She is looking forward to how they are going to announce the Beautification Awards.
Mayor Bigstyck began with remembering the war in Ukraine. He attended a morning Rotary Club meeting where he spoke on what the city is doing in terms of climate action planning. He attended a master plan update for Filoli, which is a national public land trust and a beautiful estate with gardens. They are planning to upgrade the entirety of the site over a several year phase which was interesting. He attended the Sustainable San Mateo County awards dinner with Councilmember Boles. He stated that there was a meet and greet he attended with David Hochschild, California Energy Commission chair, along with members of Peninsula Clean Energy, updating him on what PCE is doing which was an informative and helpful meeting. He attended the CalCities planning meeting for the leadership summit. He enjoyed the volunteer appreciation dinner and loved serving them. He attended a Public Works appreciation bowling event; he felt there was no adequate way to say thank you to that PW team but it was fun to enjoy the event with them. He attended Beth Phipps’ retirement breakfast, which was a good way to send her off. He had a brief one on one meeting with Josh Becker later and he found out Thursday is his birthday; he said now, on behalf of Pacifica, Happy early Birthday, Senator Becker. He took a meeting later that day with Mila Zelkha who is the District Director for Assemblyman Mark Berman in a meet and greet session to know her better and helping her to know Pacifica better. On Sunday, he was invited by Tom Nibbe of Holy Cross Lutheran to attend the Easter sunrise service at the Sweeny Ridge Discovery site. He was looking forward to the Earth Day celebration on the 22nd. He stated that there will be a Boys and Girls Club Lobster Boil fundraiser on the upcoming Friday. He stated that, at the City Democrats meeting on Saturday, Jackie Speier will be talking about her non-profit initiative. He referred to Councilmember Bier mentioning the PCT Open House from 1:00 to 5:00 on April 15th. He hoped they will have the final goalsetting on April 11
th as well as strategic planning from 6:00 to
10:00.
STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
City Manager Woodhouse stated he had the privilege of serving at the great senior volunteers lunch event; he emphasized that the seniors program with the help of volunteers served over 80,000 meals on wheels last year and 40,000 congregate lunches were served, which is an astounding number that program provides to seniors in need. He updated ongoing commission and committee recruitments as well as part 2 of the strategic planning session the following day.
He also stated the Manor Overcrossing Project community meeting is on April 18 and, regarding a question on the format, it is only an in person meeting as the city only has the capacity to do hybrid meetings for Planning and City Council meetings that are filmed by PCT and have staff support. He added that the community meeting is an open house format where the consultant will give an initial presentation which will be made public on the website following the meeting, and basically an open house for the community to ask questions of the consultant, but no broadcast or hybrid.
Mayor Bigstyck called a break then reconvened the meeting.
PUBLIC HEARINGS - NONE.
CONSIDERATION
9. Fiscal Year 2023-24 Budget Planning Process, Timeline, Long-Term Financial Forecast, Summary of Future Challenges.
City Council Regular Meeting 9 April 10, 2023
PROPOSED ACTION: Accept the report and provide feedback and additional policy direction for preparation of the FY2023-24 Budget.
Asst. City Manager Carter presented the staff report.
Mayor Bigstyck thanked her for all the hard work that goes into creating a budget for a city.
Councilmember Beckmeyer asked, in the course of presenting the CIP budget the next time, if there will be a chart or information about what our investments from the General Fund have been over the last few years because she stated that, for a city of our size, $1 million would be the norm. She felt it would be helpful to her to have some context for that.
Asst. City Manager Carter responded affirmatively.
Councilmember Boles stated that she was looking at the Public Works website and we have a CIP that identifies projects for a certain number of years. She asked if the projects that are in that document still there for this year.
Asst. City Manager Carter stated that, when they look at the CIP budget, they look over fiveyear period but they fund it for one year at a time. What is coming to Council in May will be recommended funding levels for fiscal year 2023-24; throughout the process, some things may shift a little bit so not necessarily a duplication of the book they see on the website. She stated that Public Works is working on the budget development process now and they will see how the current environment will shift some of the priorities and it will change over the last year.
Councilmember Boles stated that some of the CIP is in sewer funds that are separate from the General Fund.
Asst. City Manager Carter stated that the CIP program will have old projects regardless of whether they are funded. Even though they have a separate funding level, they still take a lot of work and effort; thus, priorities need to be defined.
Councilmember Boles knows there is a lot of interest in the community in doing a short-term rental review of the ordinance, which is one thing on the overall list that they will be looking at, but they can’t make a decision as to what capacity they have as there are a lot of different avenues that are asking for that same sum of money.
Asst. City Manager Carter stated that part of it will be in strategic planning discussion tomorrow.
Mayor Bigstyck opened public comment and, seeing no one, closed public comment.
Councilmember Bier asked for clarification on the $650,000 from Measure Y.
City Manager Woodhouse thought it was just representing their estimate about revenue incoming and not allocated to anything, just estimating that amount of revenue from April through June 2023.
Asst. City Manager Carter agreed. They are projected to receive this money.
Councilmember Boles asked for clarification about, in that same line item, a capital transfer of City Council Regular Meeting 10 April 10, 2023
$655,000.
Asst. City Manager Carter stated that it was the budget transfer for the year, i.e., how much General Fund pays toward the CIP program this fiscal year and it has nothing to do with the Measure Y fund. If they approve this budget, there would be no change to the midyear budget.
Mayor Bigstyck stated that, while discussing Measure Y, they were looking down the barrel of a $2.7 million structural deficit and, because Pacifican voters were far thinking enough to approve Measure Y, we will be able to maintain our city services and, as we go through this budget planning session through June, demonstrate how that is going to keep us afloat. He thanked staff for bringing it to the attention of Council to put it to the voters and he thanked the voters for ensuring that Pacifica will not have that structural deficit.
Councilmember Boles stated one of her main concerns is staffing, including salaries and number of staff. She asked if we are looking at other opportunities for increasing staff productivity, such as software changes or reclassification of when staff needed to do certain accounting, and improving efficiency so the same staff could do the work in less amount of time.
Asst. City Manager Carter stated that they are always looking at service improvement level.
The ERP project has been on the city’s radar for about five years and every year they allocate the funding toward the CIP to take it on, but due to all the challenges, there was no capacity to start this huge project. They are looking at service improvements and service enhancements.
They will see how they can improve and optimize our service deliveries.
Councilmember Bier asked if they will have an opportunity to talk about the contract services and exactly what our money is paying for to have a clear view of all the contracted services.
She asks because people have been talking about an arborist and that has been a concern in the community. Her district has a million trees that are not very healthy and is also a concern of hers. Because she isn’t sure what all the contract services are, she would like to see a full picture on that.
Councilmember Boles stated, on that item, they received a written public comment that indicated that the city used to have a staff arborist who retired, and she doesn’t know if a formal decision has been made to not hire a permanent person in that position.
City Manager Woodhouse stated, regarding a summary of contract services, he would be happy to bring together what they can. He stated it was important to recognize that it is not just contracted staff but all of the various contracts, projects, etc. In terms of an arborist, that falls into the category of staffing levels and the tension that exists between our current staffing levels and enhancing services with new staff and the cost of those. Regarding any staffing recommendations, they can provide that analysis, adding that it often is more efficient to use contract services in some cases and not in others. That is a case-by-case analysis that is necessary. He stated that they had a staff member in Public Works who retired who technically wasn’t an arborist but was doing those duties. His position has been filled, and PW Director Petersen can clarify that the city is using contract arborist services which they think, in this case, is the most efficient way to proceed.
Councilmember Beckmeyer asked PW Director Petersen if there is a way to clarify the qualifications and certification an individual may hold versus the name of the position that the city has as a designated position. She stated that sometimes people serve different functions and she wanted clarity on that as it has a longer history.
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PW Director Petersen stated, from a big picture perspective of the city, they have a Superintendent of Parks and they did have someone within that position who on his own volition and not supported by the city became an arborist. Once he became an arborist, he was asked to do a lot of extra tasks related to arbor services. It was a certification he got on his own volition and the position does not require it. That position has been filled and no one who had applied for that position had an arborist certification.
Councilmember Beckmeyer asked for more details regarding position control and position presentation.
Asst. City Manager Carter stated they will be presenting the base budget report on May 8 and that will tell Council exactly how many positions are included in the base budget, adding that it will be exactly the same number of positions now. She stated that any additional positions, classes, or changes in the position control will be brought to Council as part of budget recommendations; that would be the service level change to be approved.
Mayor pro Tem Vaterlaus saw that they budgeted $88,000 a long way out on excess ERAF and they are threatening every year to not give us excess ERA. She asked if there was a reason why they keep it in our budget.
City Manager Woodhouse stated that the $88,000 reflects the policy from Council to provide funding to our non-governmental organizations and that policy is contingent on receiving at least that amount in excess ERAF. If in any given year they didn’t receive that amount of excess ERAF funding, our funding to NGO’s would be in question. The balance of excess ERAF currently is, by Council policy, generally allocated to Fund 38, Disaster Accounting Fund for coastal emergencies.
Councilmember Boles stated she had a question about pension liabilities. She thought in last year’s budget, they put a few hundred thousand into that, and she read that they should be putting in $3.8 million this year, which they don’t have. She asked what implications that has.
Asst. City Manager Carter stated, as far as pension liability, we do pay some pension liability because CalPERS is charging for a portion of the pension liability in addition to the normal cost.
She stated that, what they discussed last year during the budget development process was an additional policy to fund unfunded pension liabilities long term, to be processed by a contractor.
The minimum policy level was $167,000, and that is what was included in the budget and that money will be put aside to the irrevocable trust to continue addressing this liability or the money will be counted towards the unfunded liability. She stated the base budget will include the same policy level decision. If Council wants to decide to add to the budget option to change this, that will become an enhancement to the service.
Councilmember Boles asked if the $167,000 as a minimum does anything to their longstanding deficit.
Asst. City Manager Carter stated that it does, as it counts towards their long-term financial obligations. They invest this money with PARS. It is a city asset and they will set it aside for the purpose and it will be counted for the unfunded liability.
Councilmember Boles asked what our total approximate unfunded pension liabilities. She assumed it was higher than the $3.8 million.
City Council Regular Meeting 12 April 10, 2023
Asst. City Manager Carter agreed, stating the $3.8 million represents a certain percent of the total unfunded liability. She added that, when they talk about unfunded liability, it was important to realize that this is the future liability and it is not payable in any given time this time or in five years. She stated that they will talk more about it as they close the year and update the number. She will make sure they include some section in the next report.
Councilmember Beckmeyer thanked Councilmember Boles for asking those questions, as former Councilmember O’Neill had a great command of all the pension issues and would give explanations, ask questions, and lead conversations. On listening to her questions, she was thinking of the Brown Act: as they hear it every year, it makes a lot more sense each time. She asked Asst. City Manager Carter if she could include that, i.e., give them the color around that issue as she felt it bears repeating every year to educate all of them as it is a long future commitment and they’re trying to do a budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Understanding all those nuances and challenging issues is helpful.
City Manager Woodhouse stated that they will provide more information and elaboration on liability issues. As they are talking about it, he wanted to provide that high level viewpoint and challenge on it. He stated that they know it’s efficient and prudent to set up the trust fund as they can afford to put money into it and save the money because it helps our future liability and our financial condition for expenses into the future that we need. He stated that the policy challenge is finding that money to afford to put away. The personal finance example is, if you aren’t making enough money to cover your ongoing house expenses or living expenses and food, you probably aren’t putting money away for your retirement. He stated that this is the local government version in a simplified way. If they can find one-time dollars in any given year to put into the PARS Trust Fund, they would like to do that. It has often been a budget strategy recommendation he has made over the years, to set up the fund, try to put a little bit of money into it, and hopefully can keep that trend going. He stated that they have a lot of budget challenges this coming year.
Mayor Bigstyck thanked staff.
RESULT: NO VOTE REQUIRED
10. Appointment of Ad Hoc Subcommittee related to Commission/Committee Charter Review Process and Timeline for Review of Commission/Committee Charters PROPOSED ACTION:
1. Consider appointing a two-councilmember limited-term ad hoc subcommittee to develop survey questions for Commissions/Committees as part of their charter review process; and
2. Confirm the timeline for review of Commission/Committee charters, including whether or when to consider formation of any new Commissions/Committees.
City Manager Woodhouse presented the staff report.
Mayor Bigstyck opened public comments.
Kimberly Finale, Pacifica, stated she heard younger generation citizens speak up and she stated that we all need to listen to them to protect our city and world from climate change, and other environmental issues to make it a better place for all to live and thrive and encouraged City Council Regular Meeting 13 April 10, 2023
Council to form a new Youth Advisory Committee.
Monica Meagher, Pacifica, stated she has been a Pacifican for almost ten years, worked with Sustainability and Energy for Justice and, understanding staff has a lot on their plate, she urged Council to find the time to figure out what it will take to create the Environment and Sustainability Committee as soon as possible as this is an urgent issue and she would be willing to join it.
Mayor Bigstyck closed public comments. He referred to a discussion at a previous meeting about taking one at a time. This list might be quicker than they discussed, and he asked City Manager if that would work better in terms staff time to take to do it or consider slowing things.
City Manager stated, if Council is interested in elongating the timelines, that is welcome from the staff resource perspective. He stated that one aspect of designing this way is to say they want to accomplish the work by the end of a certain date. They may each have their own timeline and may overlap. Each commission and committee involves staff liaisons from different departments, such as for September 2023 BAC, EDC and EPSC. He stated that the city manager’s office is involved in all of them, but the actual staff liaison is in different departments and balances the workload. He stated that, if there is a more forgiving timeline the Council wants to approve, that is welcome.
Mayor Bigstyck thought the conversation they had the last time was that they can take an easy pace to not overburden staff.
Councilmember Bier hoped that, by gathering information from our committees and commissions, they would have the data to show that some are perfectly happy with their charters and don’t want to review them. She wanted to find out about their experience and how they see them moving forward; thus, the piece about hearing from them is important to show the timeline based on answers received.
Mayor Bigstyck thought, based on what she was saying, it sounds as the appropriate time to flesh out a timeline would be after they receive initial feedback.
Councilmember Bier stated that is what she thinks, i.e., to receive feedback from all of them.
Mayor Bigstyck asked if there was a consensus.
Councilmember Boles is okay with that, but she wondered about OSPAC as they have been waiting for a long time.
Councilmember Bier thought that would be the first one.
Mayor Bigstyck thought OSPAC and LAC are specifically called out as being a pressing need.
After that, he and Councilmember Bier want to get an initial read on everybody before figuring out the next steps.
Councilmember Bier asked what Council thinks.
Councilmember Beckmeyer agrees with her thoughts now and agreed when she brought it up previously. She thought there were a couple of structural things that are challenging about LAC specifically and the LAC and EDC in terms of how the positions are called out and required City Council Regular Meeting 14 April 10, 2023
because of the way it is written, such as certain groups having a seat on those committees.
Mayor pro Tem Vaterlaus gave an example of having someone from the Chamber sitting on EDC.
Councilmember Beckmeyer stated Mayor pro Tem Vaterlaus knows that from the EDC standpoint because of having served on it for a long time. She stated that they are making it work, but it effectively comes down to one less person on these committees than they think there is because they are not coming and can’t in some cases based on when meetings are scheduled due to a conflict with other obligations. She stated that the mechanical aspect is separate from the philosophical and practical feedback they want to get from the members. On looking at this timeline, she wonders if she is willing to wait until the end of September to address the EDC staffing issue.
Councilmember Boles stated she doesn’t know those issues but thinks the EDC is probably one of the key committees on looking at the budget. She thought bumping them up earlier to review that might be beneficial. She added that all of these committees have a Council liaison and they are there to listen. She stated that the only one that is not is the Planning Commission. She wondered if they might want to have a temporary Councilmember listening for the discussions with the Planning Commission and didn’t know if it is legal.
City Attorney Kenyon stated that they should not have a liaison to the Planning Commission because, if that liaison member is hearing a land use item that is going to appealed to Council, there is a question about whether or not that liaison member is conflicted out. She didn’t say they would be definitively, but it is an issue they would have to explore; it creates more questions that need answers and that would be the caution for Council in considering that.
Councilmember Boles thought the meeting to discuss their Commission could happen when there is not something else on the agenda.
City Attorney Kenyon stated that a meeting on a particular topic that is not a land use item would be appropriate.
Councilmember Boles assumed a Councilmember could be there to listen about their charter.
City Attorney Kenyon thought they were going to have joint study sessions where there would be discussion between the two bodies. She stated that, with liaison members, it is hard to know what their role is, such as are they an adjunct member of the body, there to solicit input, there to provide input. She stated that she and the City Manager have talked about that before. She thought, in creating a new liaison, she would not call them a liaison.
Councilmember Boles wasn’t thinking anything long term, but as these conversations are happening with questions established by our ad hoc committee.
City Attorney Kenyon believes that was the reason why there is no liaison to the Planning Commission in general.
Mayor Bigstyck thought that was the purpose of our ad hoc for this item, i.e., ultimately a liaison notwithstanding for any given commission or committee, it is the chair that is going to be leading that conversation. If the Council liaison is there, he thought they could be tapped for helpful information at any given moment, as often a commission or committee will ask if they can tell City Council Regular Meeting 15 April 10, 2023
them about some specific topics, and they might turn to one of them and ask for clarification on any particular thing but largely that is the reason why they are trying to create this ad hoc that will articulate what those parameters for discussion are and ultimately they can hand it off to any chair regardless of a liaison presence or not so the chair can lead the discussion. He referred to City Attorney’s comments on Planning and understood the sensitivity of land use.
City Manager Woodhouse referred to the discussion of liaisons at the March 27 meeting, and there was a list of other administrative matters related to commissions and committees and, after review of the charters, they can visit it. The topic of liaisons and what is the actual role and purpose of a liaison was one point to be visited. He heard the comments of starting with survey questions to commissions and committees to get them early in the process to hear back. He thought one of the most recent charter revisions was for the Economic Development Committee, and they took the extra step of Council approval of their work plan. He thought they could ask EDC if they are okay with their structure, charter and event planning, etc. There needs to be one structural change about the representation that makes up EDC so they don’t have quorum problems for their meetings. He thought, if the surveys are done early before June for all the committees and commissions could elicit that question, they could tackle that one-off as a short item with them.
Mayor pro Tem Vaterlaus added that with the Youth Advisory Board, climate committee, sustainability committee, Fog Fest Committee, etc., she doesn’t know that they have the bandwidth to do all that. She thought they may have to stay separate committees for a while.
Councilmember Beckmeyer stated that they have received public comment on that from a former chair who has been on the committee for a long time. She values that input and would propose that they have some fact-finding and an opportunity to hear from the director of PB&R around his intentions with the Youth Advisory Council. She stated that it had to go on hiatus because of COVID-19, and the public comment they heard was so inspiring about youth and their urgency to be engaged. Councilmembers are telling versus listening, guiding versus letting them lead, and she thought those were interesting perspectives. She would want to hear a lot about the plans with the Youth Advisory Board now and where it’s going before they decide they need one. She thought they may have an opportunity in place to grow what we already have.
She thought environmental and sustainability are another issue.
Councilmember Bier appreciated the public comment, and professionally she leads youth councils and do youth-led research; they tell us what they want to work on and what is affecting them and what they are passionate about, which was her point in bringing up the Youth Advisory Board. She knows the young people she works with really want their voices heard, more than just being there on the side. She realizes that it takes a lot of staff time, referring to a seat on PB&R that was never filled, but she appreciates the opportunity to talk about it and learn from the director about his plans. She thinks the youth are ready to have their voices heard and to be civically engaged and she thinks it is Council’s responsibility to make sure it happens.
She didn’t know if that was the best fit at the moment, but to find out, they need to get the information and hear from them and everyone else.
Mayor Bigstyck agreed. He got an article from a community member about how youth used to be more engaged in Council activity and he thought that was a helpful idea to hear from our youth think about the decisions Council is making and weighing in on them, as they are ultimately trying to do right by them.
Councilmember Bier thought there might be another vehicle to get regular input from them.
City Council Regular Meeting 16 April 10, 2023
Councilmember Boles asked if there was an age-wise restriction for young people applying to be on Commissions, such as could a high school student apply.
City Manager Woodhouse stated that PB&R Director Palacio had a lot of experience with the youth committee in San Mateo and can provide information, maybe related to an age criteria.
He stated that Council’s goal at this meeting is not discussing as to whether to do this or not but raise the question of when would Council want more information back as there is a lot of detail about the current Youth Advisory Board does, which is not a Brown Act committee. If there was a group directed by the board, that would be a Brown Act committee and is a different thing. He asked what the advisory capacity that Council wants and directs our committees and commissions to provide them advice on.
PB&R Director Palacio reminded Council that there are 15-18 members on the Youth Advisory Board and is surging. He stated that they are impressive people. He offered that, if they are to be held to the Brown Act, etc., it is going to be very difficult for them to do many of the things they do, planning events or activities. He stated that it would be very difficult for them. There are constraints that come with making them that formal body. There are downsides and pros as well. He asked that they make sure, when they survey them, they have all the information to understand what it would mean to formalize them in that way and put those constraints as mentioned earlier that they must follow, and they need to be very conscious. He didn’t think it was a best practice to formalize a committee of young people who want to put on activities and events, etc. He stated that it doesn’t preclude them from talking about government and exposing them to government and bringing them here and having conversations and asking the questions at their regular meetings and getting feedback from them. They have an active PB&R Commissioner Rodriguez who attends all their meetings and is doing a terrific job as a liaison in giving them some of those experiences. He felt there were different ways to do it and he would want to give them that information up front so they had enough information to make the call on the pros and cons of that whole thing. They can make that decision and give them the information as well so they can give feedback that would be most useful.
Councilmember Bier appreciated that, adding that her groups do not have the Brown Act restrictions, but just groups of high school students who can talk to their school board at any point in time and make recommendations. She appreciated his input.
Mayor pro Tem Vaterlaus thought it made sense to her also.
Councilmember Boles knows adults who have left Commissions because of Brown Act provisions as it makes things difficult. She advocated for the Sustainability/Climate Committee.
She stated they discussed having that discussion as part of the Climate Action Plan, which she thought was coming up at the next Council meeting.
City Manager Woodhouse stated that they are working towards the initial study session about the Climate Action Plan update for the April 24 City Council meeting. He didn’t know about talking about whether to form a committee at that point as this is the kickoff to understand the scope of the update process and set forth the timeline. He thought all the research and information analysis about what staff time impacts would be, the benefits, cons, etc., would be a future goal during that update process.
Councilmember Boles stated that the Climate Action Plan was a good kickoff for that committee.
She thought we have a passionate community, and it would be easy to fill those positions and City Council Regular Meeting 17 April 10, 2023
help the city as we have a small sustainability staff now. She mentioned, and thought City Manager Woodhouse was looking into it, the possibility of getting an intern for 11 months for much less than a staff person and that person could be the liaison without needing a full-time fully paid staff person. She hopes that is something to consider. She knows it is a committee that a lot of other cities in the Bay Area have long-term. She was willing to read other cities’ charters to see what is defined and bring some good examples for us if that is helpful.
Mayor Bigstyck asked if there were any other commissions or ideas floating around to make sure staff understands before they move into the ad hoc discussion.
Councilmember Bier thought not more than the ones already discussed.
Mayor Bigstyck thought Councilmember Bier expressed a great desire to be on the ad hoc committee.
Councilmember Bier responded affirmatively. She stated that they need to balance the passion with grounding.
Mayor Bigstyck heard her, and a member of the community recommended that he might serve on the ad hoc as well. He was open to other suggestions if anyone would like to work with Councilmember Bier, but if not, he was happy to work with her.
Councilmember Beckmeyer moved that Council form an Ad Hoc Subcommittee on the subject of committees and commissions and the members be Mary Bier and Tygarjas Bigstyck; seconded by Councilmember Boles.
Mayor Bigstyck stated that, through conversation, they gave a substantial amount of feedback that the second point was asking for, and he asked if they need more clarification, a motion, a conversation they haven’t had yet.
City Manager Woodhouse stated, regarding timelines, he heard that to tackle the LAC and OSPAC charters and work on that will commence with the goal before the end of June. They will need survey questions to follow the process which the Ad Hoc Committee will take that as their first order of work for those two committees and, perhaps for the EDC, but the goal of developing the survey questions is some questions for all the committees and also individualized committee/commission questions. They won’t determine the timeline for the remainder of the committees/commissions until they get that initial feedback from the committees/commissions. He stated that while they have the goal of these timelines by the end of June for LAC and OSPAC, those are aspirational goals and will determine the timeline for the remainder. He stated the formation of a climate committee will be at some point during the deliberations about the Climate Plan update. He hasn’t heard input on whether Council is interested in the formation of a youth committee and when all of the information and analysis about that would need to be brought back to Council and whether it is urgent or if there is an evolution period for the newly formed YAB to be more involved and informed about Council matters in addition to event planning, but they remain as a non-Brown Act advisory board formed by the PB&R department.
Mayor Bigstyck thought, with the Youth Advisory, maybe the questions they develop will be for the current Youth Advisory and go from there based on that feedback as to which direction they might take. He got agreement from Councilmember Bier, and asked the City Manager if that makes sense. He then concluded that they have consensus across the board on everything City Council Regular Meeting 18 April 10, 2023
being discussed. He asked if the City Manager has what he needs.
City Manager Woodhouse responded affirmatively.
Appoint Mary Bier and Tygarjas Bigstyck to an Ad-Hoc Subcommittee on Committees/Commissions
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Sue Beckmeyer, Councilmember
SECONDER: Christine Boles, Councilmember
AYES: Bigstyck, Vaterlaus, Beckmeyer, Bier, Boles
ADJOURN
Mayor Bigstyck adjourned the meeting at 9:56 p.m., in memory of Jeri Flinn, the first president of Pacifica Beach Coalition.
Transcribed by Barbara Medina, Public Meeting Stenographer.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sarah Coffey, City Clerk
APPROVED AS AMENDED: 5 - 0; 4/24/2023
__________________________
Tygarjas Bigstyck, Mayor