CITY OF PACIFICA
PARKS, BEACHES AND RECREATION COMMISSION
CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEES/COMMISSOINS PRESENTATION June 12, 2023 The Parks, Beaches and Recreation (PB&R) Commission is submitting the following as a summary of the Commission work for 2022-2023 period.
Commission Members Term Expires
Cindy Abbott, Chair 2026
Nick Lusson, Chair pro Tem 2023 (seat to be filled by Mark Torres) Stefanie Phillips 2026
James Heywood 2024
Gail Benton Shoemaker 2027
Carl Nicolari 2025
Dahlia Rodriguez 2024
Cindy Abbott, Executive Director, Sanchez Art Center, is an ocean and beach enthusiast, who sees the work of the Commission as addressing issues that are the essence of Pacifica - a small city with a population that values community engagement for all ages and the outdoor environment.
Nick Lusson has lived in the Linda Mar neighborhood of Pacifica since moving here with his wife & son in 2018. They've quickly fallen in love with the natural beauty and outdoor features as well as the small-town community lifestyle. After a long history of working at multiple levels of soccer, he is now the Athletic Director as The Olympic Club in San Francisco. He joined the commission out of belief in community service and desire to give back to his family's new home.
Stefanie Phillips is an avid surfer, mountain biker and practices yoga. She is the Director of Bond Projects /Construction for Jefferson Union High School District. She has lived in Pacifica for over 20 years and has frequented Pacifica for almost 40 years. She resides in Sharp Park.
Gail Benton Shoemaker has lived in Pacifica for 32 years. She has been a Producer for Public Television, Executive Director of Pacifica School Volunteers, and a Program Officer for AmeriCorps overseeing grants to nonprofits working with children and Seniors. Currently, she serves on the PB&R Commission, the board of a San Francisco nonprofit, and with the community organization Tree City Pacifica which organizes Arbor Day. Gail is an avid walker and greatly appreciates Pacifica’s parks and beaches.
James Heywood works as a Film Technician and Stagehand with IATSE locals 16/San Francisco and 80/Hollywood. He has 3 school age children and is a lifelong skateboarder, surfer and swimmer.
Carl Nicolari is a San Francisco native who grew up exploring the coastside. He's a member of Rockaway Beach Conservation Stewards and one of the leaders of Bay Area Hiking and Camping, which organizes many group hikes in the area. He also served on the Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Committee in San Bruno. Carl works as a Senior Program Manager at GoPro and enjoys photography and mountaineering.
Dahlia Rodriguez is a Pacifica resident and works as a Digital Marketing Specialist. She is a graduate of Sonoma State University where she majored in Business Administration and Management. She also played college soccer. Dahlia, enjoys giving back to her community, mentoring young people, and spending time outdoors.
Highlights from the past year
Work Plan
The Commission 2022-2023 work plan included:
• Surf Camp/School Policy
• Poet Laureate
• Bike Park
• Tree Appeals
• Beach Safety
• Playground Improvement Program
• Liaison Assignments
• Additional items for future discussion included: protection of marine life and sensitive environments, all abilities playground in Pacifica, park visit/field trip by commissioner and skatepark improvements.
Surf Camp/School Policy Recommendations
Council referred this work item to the PB&R Commission on June 22, 2020. The Commission created a Task Force which met monthly from February to October of 2021, the Task Force presented their recommendations to the Commission on October 27, 2021. The Commission approved the recommendations, which were adopted by the City Council on January 10, 2022.
Staff then applied with the Coastal Commission for a Coastal Development Permit (CDP) for the surf camp program. It was a long process that required many discussions, questions answered, and compromise. The collaborative process between Coastal Commission Staff, city staff, the PB&R commission, commercial surf schools, and non-profit surf camp providers resulted in the California Coastal Commission unanimously approving the new and innovative Surf Camp/School Policy. This Surf Camp/School Policy will ensure enhanced safety, ease of access, inclusiveness for all parties, and protection of the beach and beach goers. The City looks forward to implementing the program and providing an example statewide of how coastal communities can achieve diversity, equity, and inclusion goals in the recreational surfing space. The Commission will be involved in the ongoing review of the program as well as acting as the reviewing body for commercial applicants.
Poet Laureate
New Pacifica Poet Laureate, Toni Mirosevich, was chosen via the subcommittee process and was introduced in August 2022 at the Parks Beaches, and Recreation Commission Meeting. Poet Laureate Mirosevich came on a one-year term with consideration for the full-term of three years.
The commission intends to create a calendar of events in which the Poet Laureate would attend.
Bike Park
City Council approved of a concept to build a community Bike Park at the Lower Frontierland portion of the park property. The Pacifica Bike Park Coalition along with PB&R Commission Liason Phillips and city staff have been focusing efforts on fundraising. They recently met with Santa Cruz Mountain Trail Stewardship, who designs bike parks, to determine the best path forward. SCMTS has also submitted a quote to PBPC for concept design services. The PBPC has also worked with city staff to identify and submit grants for funding of design and construction.
Tree Appeals
At the May 24, 2023 meeting, The PB&R Commission heard its’ first Tree Appeal in over 2 years. Commissioners were asked to educate themselves on the new City of Pacifica Heritage Tree Ordinance. (More to come based on process experience and outcome) Beach Safety
The PB&R Commission received multiple presentations on beach safety. The commission was instrumental on assisting the selected locations for the Life Buoy/Life Ring locations. The commission also gave suggestions regarding reviving beach safety outreach which resulted in brochures being given to each of the Pacifica Hotels and Surf Shops. The commission has also given feedback on general beach safety including passive beach use, trails that mix pedestrian and bicycle traffic, and off-leash dog issues that periodically arise.
Playground Improvement Program
The PB&R Commission had several presentations for the Priority Parks Project from the City’s consultants, NCE. NCE held pop-up events at each park soliciting feedback from the public.
Staff also had an outreach table at the city’s 4th of July event. Additionally, almost 150 survey responses were received. Comments from commissioners led to some revisions that focused on including play equipment that provides opportunity for more stimulating motor skill play. The play equipment the community specifically requested on their comments from the survey, such as swings, and some fitness equipment was kept in the design. Some of the more generic items were replaced with more active play equipment. The city received 35% construction documents for review as of Jan 2023 and 65% in May 2023. After reviewing the construction documents, and walking the locations, staff determined additional trees would be added to the plans at each location. It will help with urban reforestation efforts but will also create much more inviting park spaces for years to come. In addition to the Priority Parks Projects, the PB&R Commission was able to identify and support the installation of a new play structure at the Pacifica Co-op nursey which was installed in Spring 2023.
Liason Assignments
Chair Abbott: Seniors in Action Committee/ Economic Development Committee Commissioner Phillips: Bike Park Committee
Commissioner Rodriguez: Youth Advisory Board
Commissioner Benton-Shoemaker: Library Advisory Committee Commissioner Nicolari: OSPAC
Commissioner Heywood: Bike Park/Skate Park
Special Presentations
As part of department quarterly (4x/year) updates, staff members attend Commission meetings to present highlights for each division and their programs. These presentations give the commissioners updated knowledge and details of the inner workings of the 4 main programmatic areas (Senior Services, Child Care, Aquatics, and Recreation). Commissioners are able to assess give feedback, and forward new ideas on directly to staff.
Meeting Summaries – include July 2022 – May 2023
7/27/22
Recreation Coordinator in charge of Aquatics, Anthony Schriver, provided a presentation covering spring and summer programs at Jean E. Brink Pool, while operating during a pandemic.
Department quarterly reports were also submitted and highlighted. 8/24/22
New Poet Laureate Toni Mirosevich was introduced. Priority Park Projects survey results were discussed, and input was given towards the projects The possibility and feasibility of a pilot jump house program to coincide with picnic rentals was also introduced and discussed. 10/26/22
Senior Services Supervisor, Beth Phipps, presented and gave an overview of the Senior Services Program recapping Senior Services staffing, Volunteer highlights, Program offerings, financials and funding, transportation services, community support, and both meals programs. NCE Principle Landscape Architect, Matthew Gaber gave a Priority Parks update on design changes based on commission and community feedback.
11/30/22
Introductions of new commissioners Dahlia Rodriguez and Stefanie Phillips. Proclamation for Poet Laureate Camincha Benvenutto was given. The commission discussed the history of off leash dogs in Pacifica and discussed new ideas and strategies. 12/14/22
This was a special study session meeting where new Director Bob Palacio was introduced to the PB&R Commissioners. Outgoing Director Mike Perez was able to lead the meeting and cover all outstanding issues with the commission in preparation for his end of December departure. 1/25/23
Supervisors Mindy Tiet and Tracy Gilbert presented and gave an overview of the Child Care program and services. Specific information on the overall program as well as information on specific sites was give. Horace Henshaw spoke during public comment and introduced himself to the new commissioners. Confirmation of the workplan was discussed as well as the concept of potentially adding a PB&R Master Planning process in the coming year. Commissioner Liaison Assignments were also decided.
2/22/23
Topics of discussion were Beach Safety and the Life Ring Installation project, the role and size of PB&R City-wide special events moving forward, and finally potential opportunities to assist in relationship building and supports with local service providers 3/22/23
Meeting cancelled due to severe storms and power outage at Council Chambers 4/26/23
Extensive reports were given on all workplan items including Special Programs and Events such as the return of the city Jr Olympics track meet which held its first round earlier in the day. Other updates included Surf Camp Policy, Life Buoy Station Installation, PB&R staffing, Bike Park Project, and Tree Appeals Process