INDIVIDUAL OSPAC MEMBER ONLINE SURVEY RESPONSES
JULY-AUGUST 2023
The City Council is also interested in learning how individual members of committees/commissions feel about their experience. The following questions are for individual committee member input and can either be discussed and provided at OSPAC’s July meeting, or provided separately and directly to staff for compilation into the staff report in preparation for the August 28th joint study session.
1. How do you feel about your work on the OSPAC?
• Committee has accomplished some good work but hopefully Committee will be more involved with City Council and developments with a new mandate. The present one is outdated plus much of the work completed. Committee meetings could be space for community involvement with auto link or zoom.
• It feels like a good way to participate in the community. • It is a great group of people, I would like to do more, my work schedule limits my attendance at times.
• It is a lot of fun but not always meaningful. I enjoy the people and am passionate about the topic, but the current charter/authorizing resolution is so limited in scope that OSPAC is not a particularly effective committee at the moment. • The work we do can be challenging, but also rewarding. It's an honor to be able to represent the cities Open Spaces as we have some of the best in the entire Bay Area. • It's been very interesting. I have learned a lot, especially about the planning process.
2. How do you feel like you could make a greater contribution on the OSPAC? • Enhanced leadership could expand collaboration and be an example to members to participate more. The committee members as well as chairs. [A portion of this response has been omitted, and remainder lightly edited, to preserve confidentiality] • I value how I am contributing now.
• Supporting more of the trail maintenance work days and interacting with other open space agencies regarding OSPAC Task Force parcel stewardship • OSPAC needs to be given a charter and authority that allows its members to contribute more meaningfully to Pacifica and City Council. Open space is an essential component of the character and economic value of Pacifica and should not be taken for granted. These lands require funding and thoughtful management to continue to provide these values to the residents of Pacifica. Pacifica owns open spaces that are vulnerable to fire, landslides, degradation through neglect, unmanaged recreational use, and risks to recreational users and associated risk of lawsuit. It would behoove Pacifica to invest in a process to turn these lands over to entities like GGNRA or San Mateo County Parks.
However, GGNRA and SMCP have expressed reservations because of the condition of these properties and lack of long-term funding. These are issues that could be addressed – there are grants available through CalFire for example for fuels reduction projects (fuels and eucalyptus were the primary reason SMCP was reluctant to take on Pedro Point Headlands many years ago and is likely still a significant consideration). If authorized to do so, OSPAC could lead discussions with GGNRA and SMCP and learn under what conditions they would accept these properties and then seek grant funding to address shortcomings.
• Becoming more familiar and/or updating the Open Space Task Force Report • We need to connect with applicants sooner in the planning process. Now they are so vested (fiscally and emotionally) they aren't listening.
3. Do you feel able to express your opinions and beliefs as a member of OSPAC? • Most of the time.
• Yes.
• A different leadership structure would be more inclusive and equitable to all members and would lead to more participation by our talented members who seem to hold back now. More collaboration and encouragement to share ideas and thoughts.
Collaboration.
• Yes.
• Somewhat. The extremely limited scope of the OSPAC resolution means that for the most part OSPAC is not allowed to provide input on the sorts of matters that are relevant to Open Space and Parklands in Pacifica.
• In a limited way, yes, however we are substantially limited by our current charter in terms of topics we can advise Council on. In particular, it would make a lot of sense to have OSPAC be an official and required participant in the application process for development proposals that are referenced in the Pacifica Open Space Task Force Report. At the moment, the public comes to OSPAC to express their concerns about development proposals expecting that OSPAC is able to provide input to Council.
However, we cannot. This situation is confusing for the public and leads to quite a lot of frustration.
4. Are there any ways you believe OSPAC’s meetings could be structured or operate more efficiently?
• Answers above. Plus a quarterly meeting of all members to discuss work of the committee without City leadership or City employees and to get to know each other. • Arrange tables to not have our backs to the public during meetings. • At times, better time-keeping to keep on target schedule • No – I think 9 is a good number for OSPAC and monthly meetings are fine.
Subcommittees are essential to keeping work moving forward. • A virtual option could perhaps make it more inclusive • I'd like the planning liaison report to go into more detail and discussion.
5. Do you feel like you received sufficient onboarding and initial training to function effectively as a commission/committee member?
• No. Maybe pairing of a seated member with the new member, "big sister/brother" to answer questions, give background and create a comfort level to share within the committee etc.
• The Brown Act training was very helpful. I feel more comfortable understanding the rules.
• Could have been more thorough onboarding.
• Yes
• Yes
• Yes
6. What would help you to fully bring your voice to the table? • I feel like I can now.
• A deeper understanding of the Task Force report current state of play of parcels • A new charter that is more relevant to the significant challenges relevant to Open Space in Pacifica.
• More time to prep for meetings items on the agenda beforehand. Sometimes we may not know what is happening at a meeting until at least few days before. • Not sure. Not just my voice but to create an atmosphere where all members feel comfortable to express ideas for Committee work and projects they believe we should pursue within our mandate. What are their interests, why did they join, etc. • Some members speak more than others. I would like more committee members to come prepared before the meetings. [A portion of this response has been lightly edited to preserve confidentiality]
7. What role do you feel the City Council liaison should play to make OSPAC most effective?
• Create an atmosphere of creativity, collaboration and support of the work committee ideas/work/potential projects. More approval and appreciation, we are all volunteers . • The liaison dynamic seems great now, sharing updates. • Continue to express areas where the city seeks support that OSPAC can directly assist with
• Continue to represent us to Council and update OSPAC on Council's priorities. • I think it’s great that the liaison brings back information from the City Council. • I like where we are. It would be good to have some more presence at the workdays.