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 Special Meeting 1 November 13, 2023
SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETING
November 13, 2023 (MONDAY)
www.cityofpacifica.org
Mayor Tygarjas Bigstyck called the meeting to order on November 13, 2023 at 5:00 PM 5:00 PM - CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Bigstyck called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m., stating that all councilmembers were present, and announced that the Council would meet in Closed Session. 00a. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS. Government Code section 54957.6.
Agency designated representatives: Michelle Kenyon, City Attorney; and Unrepresented employee: Kevin Woodhouse, City Manager.
00b. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION. Government Code section 54957.
Title: City Manager.
6:00 PM - OPEN SESSION
Call to Order
Mayor Bigstyck reconvened the meeting at 6:07 p.m.
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Tygarjas Bigstyck Mayor Present
Sue Vaterlaus Mayor pro Tem Present
Sue Beckmeyer Councilmember Remote
Mary Bier Councilmember Present
Christine Boles Councilmember Present
City Clerk Coffey took a verbal roll call of City Council. She stated that Councilmember Beckmeyer is participating remotely pursuant to Government Code Section 54953 which allows remote participation for Just Cause.
Councilmember Beckmeyer confirmed she was requesting participation under the Just Cause City Council Special Meeting 2 November 13, 2023
provision. She stated that it is due to a contagious illness that prevents in-person participation and that no one was in the room with her.
City Clerk Coffey added that no vote is required due to her remote participation due to Just Cause and she is required to participate remotely through both audio and video technology and any vote at this meeting will be conducted by a roll call of Council.
Staff Present: Kevin Woodhouse, City Manager; Michelle Kenyon, City Attorney; Lisa Petersen, PW Director; Yulia Carter, Asst. City Manager; Christian Murdock, Planning Director; Maria Sarasua, Police Chief; Bob Palacio, PB&R Director; Louis Sun, PW Dep. Director-Wastewater Div.; Roland Yip, PW Dep. Director-Field Services/Engineering; Raymund Donguines, Sr. Civil Engineer; Maria Aguilar, Retiring PW WW Dep. Director; Stefanie Cervantes, Sr. Planner; Sarah Coffey, City Clerk; Emily La, Dep. City Clerk.
Reading of Land Acknowledgment
Mayor Bigstyck read the Land Acknowledgment.
Mayor Bigstyck led the Salute to the Flag.
Closed Session Report
City Attorney Kenyon stated there was no reportable action.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
A. Proclamation - Maria Aguilar
Mayor Bigstyck read a proclamation honoring the retirement of Maria Aguilar, PW Dep. Director of Wastewater Division.
Councilmember Bier thanked her for her years of service to Pacifica, and they will miss her.
Mayor pro Tem Vaterlaus thought it was amazing for an employee who has been here for 23 years and a tribute to her and everyone she worked with to have stayed so long.
Councilmember Boles stated that she met her about a year ago when she toured the wastewater plant and was impressed with her as she has a passion for their work with very technical experience; she is an example for the next generation and hopefully all the girls are watching and see what they can become as well. She acknowledged her legacy for what she did, such as the skate park, etc. She hopes she enjoys her well-deserved retirement.
Councilmember Beckmeyer thanked her for her service to the community, especially last year when she saw her careful and thoughtful responses to community members with significant challenges in their neighborhood. She commends her for her technical expertise but also for her humanity and ability to connect with people.
Mayor Bigstyck added that on visiting the plant he always felt welcomed by her and she made it feel like his home. He stated that is not easily replaced and they will miss her humanity as well as professionalism. He invited PW Director Petersen to speak.
PW Director Petersen thought she has been a great inspiration to them in Wastewater and they City Council Special Meeting 3 November 13, 2023
could not have done anything without her during those last big storms. They felt fortunate to have her and she has contributed an unbelievable amount to the city. She thanked her for all her help and appreciated her being a part of their team.
Maria Aguilar was grateful and in awe for this proclamation, and she felt their generosity and friendship allowed her to accomplish her goals and provide the best she could for Pacifica. She is proud of everything her PW team accomplished, not just in Wastewater Division, considering all the obstacles they had to overcome and will never forget. She will miss this amazing environment and her colleagues who stood by her and helped her to become who she is now and looks forward to her future personal endeavors.
B. Proclamation - Pacifica United Against Hate Week Nov. 12 - 18, 2023 Mayor Bigstyck read a proclamation honoring Pacifica United Against Hate Week.
Mayor pro Tem Vaterlaus mentioned that they have the posters of Pacifica United Against Hate, but they also have the new posters that say Pacifica Stands United in Love.
Councilmember Boles stated this last week she learned about the Platinum Rule. She found information on what some other religions talk about in terms of hate and how we relate to other people. She said that Confucianism says “do not do to others what you do not want them to do to you”; Hinduism says “this is the sum of duty to not do to others what would cause pain if done to you”; and Buddhism says “hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful”. She then mentioned that the prophet Jesus in the New Testament said “do unto others as you would have others do unto you” which she thought was more of a positive act. She then referred to the posters which are against hate but also for love. She stated that the new Platinum Rule says “treat others as they would like to be treated”. She stated that it takes away the perception that this is about you and how you want to be treated and imposing that on someone else, as it means getting to know someone else to know how they would want to be treated.
She thought that is the goal they aspire to.
Councilmember Beckmeyer thanked Councilmember Boles as she thought it was powerful and interesting to hear. She stated that when the notion of love and city governance was first brought forward, independent of the action they are taking now with this proclamation, during their goal setting a few years ago, she recalls thinking that there was a place for love but she didn’t think city governance was where she would put it, but she then grew to embrace the idea and stand by it and incorporate it into everything she thinks about regarding the city. She thanked Stacey McLaughlin for bringing this forward and she is proud when she sees our signs as we are stepping forward in uniting in love. She thanked the City Manager for getting the posters going and thanked them for the proclamation.
Councilmember Bier thinks we have so much to be proud of in our city, such as Pacifica Peace People who work so hard to spread the word of peace and the Sanchez Art Center which brings the beauty of art to our community and are working on a project for a more peaceful and just community. She stated that we need to be able to come together in love, lead with love, and take care of each other and ourselves. She mentioned bringing the prompt to Oceana students on what kindness means to them and they had a lot of different ideas, such as creating a place of kindness where we can break bread and eat together. She concluded that Pacifica is a beautiful place and is proud that it is the only home she has known.
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Mayor Bigstyck stated that her words inspired him to recall when he visited Israel and was brought to a Palestinian home and the first thing they did was greet them with food. He was also reminded of Portola-Ohlone Heritage Day, including the history where natives greeted the missionaries with food. He referred to PCTV’s recording of the event "Racisms Impact: A Community Conversation" with the Pacifica Peace People and others. He thanked Cindy Abbott for the cards she provided to Council and community. He stated, when the city brought the idea of doing their work in love, he thought it was how we heal our process and create policies in the best interest of all parties in the community. He referred to a native poet, John Trudell, and he was impacted by his words about not fighting the bad guys but help the good guys. It made him appreciate the wording of Pacifica Stands in Love more, as well as Pacifica stands for compassion or Pacifica stands for peace. He then opened public comments.
Cindy Abbott, Pacifica, stated she was the executive director at Sanchez Art Center and stated that hate incidents have been on the rise over the past several years, impacting too many almost everywhere as they feel threatened and unwelcome. She referred to an increase of incidents of hate and mentioned the various organizations that Councilmember Bier coordinated to work on the response. She stated that the Sanchez Art Center has received partial grant funding and support from Pacificans Care, as well as in partnership with local organizations joining in for a variety of creative activities intending to bring people together in kindness. They want to recognize that today is World Kindness Day. They were sharing cards with photographs of Pacifican homes and inspirational reminders that the value of kindness is greater than anything else one can give and these acts can have a tremendous impact.
Delia McGrath, Pacifica, thanked everyone present as well as viewing from afar, and stated she was representing Pacifica Peace People who were present in love and read their resolution No. 1 calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, then spent the rest of her time in a moment of silence.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Bier requested to pull Item No. 13.
Mayor Bigstyck asked if any other councilmember wanted to pull an item.
Councilmember Boles stated she had questions on some items.
Mayor Bigstyck stated that they are pulling Item No. 13. There were no speakers for public comment on Consent Calendar and he closed public comment for Consent items.
Councilmember Boles stated there was a portion of the minutes on page 48 missing: She had pointed out a discrepancy about the current fire maps in the LCLUP and said she preferred the current fire map.
City Clerk Coffey suggested revising the minutes to include the additional sentence:
"Councilmember Boles prefers the current fire map."
Councilmember Boles stated that is all it needs. She then referred to the quarterly financial report and asked if they have any information on why the transit occupancy taxes dropped 21% from the same period last year.
Asst. City Manager Carter stated that it looks like, in the quarter one of the previous year, they had some additional receipts from the prior period so it is not a fair representation of the City Council Special Meeting 5 November 13, 2023
revenues. What they see in quarter one of the current fiscal year represents two months of the quarter for the current fiscal year; the previous year has some additional allocations from the prior year STR receipts. She stated it is accounting for the previous year.
Councilmember Boles referred to the pavement resurfacing project and asked if they had an additional budget for construction management and inspection beyond the consultant’s contract.
She also asked if there is a warranty for the work on the streets in Manor.
City Manager Woodhouse clarified this is the acceptance of the previous project, not the one that just finished.
Councilmember Boles understood now.
City Manager Woodhouse thought it may not be that clear in the report when it refers to the fiscal year. He stated that Mr. Donguines can elaborate.
Councilmember Boles stated that she may not need to ask the questions now because they relate to the more current project in Manor.
City Manager Woodhouse understood.
Sr. Civil Engineer Donguines stated the CM budget in the notice of completion is exactly what Council authorized when awarding the contract, and there are no additional funds required.
Councilmember Boles referred to Item No. 14 about the Caltrans signs and thought it was exciting to get new signs that say business districts in certain places. It didn’t mention Sharp Park and she knows the business owners were hoping that they could get signage on the freeway for the business district there, and she was curious why it wasn’t included.
City Manager Woodhouse thought Dep. Director Yip has more detail about, as there was a whole collection of requests they made to Caltrans.
PW Dep. Director Yip stated that they did make a request for the exit signs within the Sharp Park area. The southbound signs going into the Sharp Park area are overhead signs and this Caltrans project is only for the roadway signs, so that sign cannot be modified as part of this project. The northbound exit sign can be modified and it will be modified as part of a separate project with one of Caltrans' maintenance crews.
Councilmember Boles asked if it might happen soon.
PW Dep. Director Yip stated that one may take a little bit longer to do because Caltrans is limited with their staffing at the moment.
Mayor pro Tem Vaterlaus asked if they are going to correct their errors on the signs, as there are several errors on signs, i.e., Rockaway and Pacifica Manor.
City Manager Woodhouse stated that those errors were just brought to his attention and they are trying to verify what they are. He stated that the scope of this sign project doesn’t include correction to other existing signs, but they can talk to Caltrans.
Mayor pro Tem Vaterlaus stated that they are new.
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City Manager Woodhouse stated, if these are the new signs, they need more information. He didn’t believe they were related to the request that they made, but they will verify that.
Mayor pro Tem Vaterlaus moved to approve the consent agenda (excluding Item 13) with a modification to the minutes; seconded by Councilmember Boles.
City Clerk Coffey took a vote by verbal roll call.
CONSENT CALENDAR (ITEMS #1 – 12, 14 – 16) EXCLUDING ITEM #13 RESULT: ADOPTED AS AMENDED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Sue Vaterlaus, Mayor pro Tem
SECONDER: Christine Boles, Councilmember
AYES: Bigstyck, Vaterlaus, Beckmeyer, Bier, Boles
1. Approval of Disbursements for 10/01/23 through 10/31/23.
PROPOSED ACTION: Receive and file the Monthly Check Register Report for the month of October 2023
2. Approval of Minutes
PROPOSED ACTION: Move to approve the minutes for the following: (1) October 9, 2023 for the Special and Regular Meeting of the City Council; (2) October 16, 2023 for the Joint Study Session of the City Council and Planning Commission; and (3) October 23, 2023 for the Special and Regular Meeting of the City Council.
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. Cancellation of December 27, 2023 City Council Meeting PROPOSED ACTION: Move to approve cancellation of the December 27, 2023 regular City Council meeting.
6. Quarterly Financial Report for the Quarter ending September 30, 2023.
PROPOSED ACTION: Review and accept the Quarterly Financial Report for the Quarter ending September 30, 2023.
7. Quarterly Treasurer’s Reports for the quarter ending September 30, 2023.
PROPOSED ACTION: Review and accept the Quarterly Treasurer’s Reports for the quarter ending September 30, 2023.
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8. Resolution to Approve New Principal Civil Engineer Job Classification and Salary Schedule
PROPOSED ACTION: Adopt a resolution approving a new Principal Civil Engineer Job Classification and Salary Schedule to allow for flexible recruitment within the Engineering series, and authorize the City Manager to execute a side letter for the new class to be recognized by Teamsters Management 350 Unit.
9. Notice of Completion of the FY 2022-23 Pavement Resurfacing Project PROPOSED ACTION: Move to Adopt the Resolution of the City Council of the City of Pacifica accepting completion and directing the City Manager to file Notice of Completion for the FY 2022-23 Pavement Resurfacing Project; and authorize the City Manager to release the retention funds to the contractor.
10. Storm Drain Easement Deed between 943 and 951 Anza Drive.
PROPOSED ACTION: Adopt a Resolution Approving and Authorizing the City Manager to accept, on behalf of the City, the Storm Drain Easement Deed from the Tsan Living Trust & Hatch Living Trust and Kathleen Marie Curran and James McGarry for approximately 150 linear feet of public storm drain along the property line between 943 and 951 Anza Drive.
11. Resolution Authorizing Task Order No. 1 with Hazen and Sawyer, Inc. under the On-Call Electrical Engineering Services Master Consultant Agreement for Engineering Design Services for the Rockaway Pump Station Rehabilitation and Repair Project PROPOSED ACTION: Move to Approve a Resolution Authorizing Task Order No. 1 with Hazen and Sawyer, Inc. under the On-Call Electrical Engineering Services Master Consultant Agreement in the amount of $66,600 for the Rockaway Pump Station Rehabilitation and Repair Project; Approve budget authority in the amount of $9,990 which includes 15% contingency in the amount of $76,590; and Authorize the City Manager to execute all documents related to the project.
12. Adopt Resolution Authorizing Application and Administration of CalRecycle Grants PROPOSED ACTION: Adopt the Resolution entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Pacifica Authorizing Submittal of Individual Grant Applications for all CalRecycle Grants for which the City of Pacifica is Eligible.”
13. On-Call Certified Arborist Services
PROPOSED ACTION: Adopt a Resolution approving the Consultant Services Agreement between the City of Pacifica and Dudek for On-Call Certified Arborist Services in the amount of $300,000 for three-years and authorize the City Manager to execute all documents related to the On-Call Certified Arborist Services.
Agenda Item #13 Discussion:
PW Director Petersen introduced Jeremy Cohen from Dudek. She gave a brief report and stated she is able to answer any questions.
Councilmember Boles asked if they would be working with one person who would get to know Pacifica and our various issues.
City Council Special Meeting 8 November 13, 2023
PW Director Petersen responded affirmatively, stating that would be Jeremy Cohen from Dudek.
Councilmember Boles concluded that other people are as needed if he is on vacation or not available.
PW Director Petersen responded affirmatively, adding that they will have some ability to pull somebody else in.
Councilmember Boles stated that she saw the contract was for $100,000 per year maximum and asked if tree appeals were included as part of the scope of work. She stated that, because they are permit-related, can they pay more hourly if they need to for the contractor.
PW Director Petersen stated that, ultimately, they are going to be able to ask Dudek to do anything related to trees that we need. The other benefit to having a company that is a little larger is that they have a lot of expertise within their group, including reviewing ordinances that may need to be streamlined and tailored more to the community.
Councilmember Boles concluded that we could go beyond the $100,000.
PW Director Petersen agreed.
Councilmember Boles asked if they would be at appeal hearings.
PW Director Petersen stated that they will be doing that as well and, as mentioned to Council previously, they are hoping that ultimately this is going to be cost recovery so we should be getting money as building permits get approved and development applications get approved, and people pay the fees related to the tree fee.
Councilmember Boles saw that the contract is for three years and we are going through a lot in trying to understand the Tree Ordinance and what we need in Pacifica. She stated that there did not seem to be a penalty for early termination.
PW Director Petersen stated that there is no penalty if they decide that it is not working out for the city and the city could back out of the contract.
Councilmember Bier stated that she pulled the item as she was very concerned about hiring people who can create a relationship with our community. She understands the general idea of the contract, but her question is if there is going to be room within the contract for them to be able to visit the people on Minerva who are very concerned about their trees and come up with a plan. She asked if there is room to meet with Tree City Pacifica and address concerns.
PW Director Petersen referred to the Minerva discussion, stating that PW is involved in that conversation with the residents, and they want to have an arborist on staff who will be able to help us with those conversations. She clarified that city arborists do not go out and write reports related to private trees for private property owners. The Public Works Director from Pacific Grove also confirmed that their arborist does not and cannot go out and assess private trees on people’s private property to give them a report on risk. She stated that it is similar to anybody who is doing anything on private property, as they cannot use public funds to go in there and determine what somebody’s geotechnical report should be for a building; they would not go on private property and write a risk analysis for their private tree. She stated that is City Council Special Meeting 9 November 13, 2023
typical throughout cities and there is also a liability issue for them to be taking on private property ownership issues.
Councilmember Bier stated she had another question about the tree canopy and asked if we will get some assistance in increasing our tree canopy.
PW Director Petersen stated that they are going to be having a much bigger conversation about our urban forest. Part of coming up with that tree canopy and tree canopy needs is related to a calculation and assessment that we have to do. She agreed that it would be in the phase 2.
Councilmember Bier stated that there were a list of questions that came from Tree City Pacifica and she wanted to make sure that Tree City Pacifica understands that the city does have answers to all their questions.
PW Director Petersen stated she is here and is happy to have conversations with anybody who has questions.
Councilmember Beckmeyer thanked PW Director Petersen for making that statement about what is appropriate for a city arborist or an arborist under contract with the city to be doing with regard to private property and private trees versus the scope of work. She thought there was fundamental confusion or misunderstanding about that and about the idea of a city arborist and the scope of a city arborist’s work. She stated the issue of separating private property issues from public funding is key. She thought, for the sake of people asking questions about the arborist’s services being scoped in this item and in general, she appreciated clarification of those issues.
PW Director Petersen thought that specifically in Pacifica, it is confusing because we happen to have had a person on staff who played a different role for a long time but was not a city arborist.
She was interested and intrigued when she first heard people talking about having our city arborist to do risk assessments on private trees, but it has never been that way in any city where she ever worked and there was a liability issue so they would tell the city arborist to not make judgments. She reached out to a couple of different arborists in different cities and nobody had heard of this before. She understands why it was confusing, specifically in Pacifica, but something they would need to keep reiterating so people understand it. She stated that they want to be here to help people but there is a line between the public and private areas as it is a gift of public funds.
Mayor pro Tem Vaterlaus thanked her for the clarification.
Mayor Bigstyck opened public comments.
Cindy Abbott, Pacifica, appreciated the clarification from staff about the contract and she wanted to share that she still has some concerns about an approach as Pacifica has a lot of trees and she referred to three appeals that came before different commissions and Council regarding trees and expressed her concerns about the city’s approach going forward.
Gail Benton Shoemaker, Pacifica, was speaking as a member of Tree City Pacifica, and shared their research that most cities had arborists on staff and shared her thoughts and suggestions on this issue regarding Pacifica in the past and presently.
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Paul Totah, Pacifica, was speaking on behalf of Tree City Pacifica, and thanked staff and Council who attended the Arbor Day event. He then shared his thoughts and suggestions on this issue.
Ted Bisson, Pacifica, referred to the agenda packet regarding the job of the arborist and shared his thoughts on the issue.
Sandy Ayers, Pacifica, is a member of Tree City Pacifica and a landscape architect, and stated that they have been a broken record for the last three years, etc., regarding getting a certified arborist, and shared their thoughts on the issue.
Nomi Harper, Pacifica, stated she loves trees, and has been here before to talk about them, and shared her thoughts on helping with this issue.
Mayor Bigstyck closed public comments. He believes they are doing everything they can to listen but are taking it a bit more incrementally and trying to process it as best they can. He echoed his Councilmembers in thanking city staff for the clarification that was given. He asked if Jeremy Cohen of Dudek could meet with Tree City Pacifica for an initial meeting as it might go a long way if they get to meet the new arborist.
PW Director Petersen stated her goal would be to introduce the new arborist and they can figure out how they do that, as they want to show this new face with those who will likely be interacting with staff and they can figure out a way to have interaction or introduction.
Councilmember Boles referred to the redundancy issue, and as we implement the new tree policy, staff will be looking for ways to save money so they reduce processes and tree fees.
She stated that, regarding to redundancy, some cities have a list of approved arborists. She thought they could consider that in the future. She appreciated Jeremy Cohen being here and she thought building that relationship will be important. She appreciated that PW staff has tried to find an individual arborist. She thought this was a good compromise of finding a primary person and a firm that can supply extra help as needed. She was in favor of giving this a go and they can revisit it if they find issues.
Councilmember Bier looks forward to their conversations about our urban forest moving forward.
Mayor pro Tem Vaterlaus was looking forward to a person who gives us information on the safety of trees, not just a person who says yes all the time but who gives us a true picture.
Councilmember Beckmeyer stated that, when reading the public comments, they are often drawn to the example of Pacific Grove, and in doing research, she noted that it isn’t about the population of the city in human but in trees. She looked at square miles of city, and Pacific Grove is smaller than Pacifica and they have a part-time arborist. She felt we were doing the best we can, and she hopes everyone appreciates that they are people of good will and trying the best they can to accommodate and respond to the request from the community regarding trees. She appreciated Sandy Ayers’ comments as those are some of the issues we are dealing with. She appreciated the time Council has spent on this and staff and community as well as it reflects on how much it means to everyone.
Mayor Bigstyck reiterated his appreciation of staff especially with an item that is going to be a conversation for a long time.
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Councilmember Bier moved to adopt the resolution approving the Consultant Services Agreement between the City of Pacifica and Dudek for On-Call Certified Arborist Services in the amount of $300,000 for three years and authorize the City Manager to execute all documents related to the On-Call Certified Arborist Services; seconded by Mayor pro Tem Vaterlaus.
City Clerk Coffey took a vote by verbal roll call.
AGENDA ITEM #13
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Mary Bier, Councilmember
SECONDER: Sue Vaterlaus, Mayor pro Tem
AYES: Bigstyck, Vaterlaus, Beckmeyer, Bier, Boles
14. Resolution of the City Council of the City of Pacifica Requesting California State Highway Sign Changes by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) on Coast Highway 1 to Indicate Commercial Business Districts PROPOSED ACTION: Move to adopt a resolution requesting California State Highway sign changes by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) on Coast Highway 1 to indicate commercial business districts.
15. Resolution approving the professional services agreement between the City of Pacifica and the Lew Edwards Group for revenue measure analysis and strategy development.
PROPOSED ACTION: Approve a resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a consulting services agreement with the Lew Edwards Group for revenue measure analysis and strategy development at the not-to-exceed cost of $80,000.
16. Adoption of an Ordinance Amending Section 4-16.03(c)(1)(ii) (Windows and window coverings) of Chapter 16 of Title 4 (Cannabis Public Safety Licenses) of the Pacifica Municipal Code relating to storefront window size requirements for cannabis operations.
Recommended California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) status: Exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3).
PROPOSED ACTION: Move to waive the second reading and adopt by title only the Ordinance entitled “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Pacifica Amending Section 4-16.03(c)(1)(ii) (Windows and window coverings) of Chapter 16 of Title 4 (Cannabis Public Safety Licenses) of the Pacifica Municipal Code and Finding Adoption of the Ordinance Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).”
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE POSTED AGENDA
Nomi Harper, Pacifica, stated she opened her property tax bill and was shocked at the itemized charges, specifically the sewer tax. She added in response to a question regarding city trees and private trees that, if the middle of that tree is 5 feet from the city curb, that is a city tree. She shared that she had a tree that used to be considered a city tree and after a few decades it was her tree.
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Ted Bisson, Pacifica, referred to his discussion of a conflict of interest at the last meeting regarding a removal of a protected tree near his home, and he shared the process of the problem and made a resolution suggestion.
Anita Rees, Pacifica Resource Center, shared the Resource Center’s operating times, and mentioned the holiday programs, as well as other program updates, such as Safe Parking Program, etc., ending with their support of everyone including those subjected to hate.
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor pro Tem Vaterlaus attended Smart Coast California which was working on local coastal plans throughout the state. She went to Council of Cities and saw a brand-new library and Council Chambers in South San Francisco. She attended the services for Judy Heldberg and attended Pacifica’s Halloween event at the Community Center. She attended the city employee Halloween lunch, the Ohlone-Portola Day, and the EV Expo. She walked by the bioswales and saw what they were doing at Cabrillo to clean out the bioswales. She also tried to plant a tree.
Councilmember Boles thanked Tree City Pacifica as it was a wonderful event. She met with the County Housing office to talk about emergency shelters and affordable housing, trying to understand the county process and possible grant opportunities for us. She stated that we can go use South San Francisco library and their Makerspace. She suggested they go check out the library and come back with ideas to work on our libraries. She thanked PB&R staff for the Halloween event. She had a full day of San Mateo County leadership training and the focus this month was on education. They specifically talked about community schools, with a great example in Oakland; there are social services at the school for students and parents, as a lot of lower income people have a hard time in going to get services but they are going to the schools anyway and it is a more holistic way to take care of a whole child and make sure the family is getting the support they need. She also got to have lunch with Kalimah Salahuddin of the Jefferson Union High School District board and was great as they were talking about our partnership. She stated that there is a great podcast called Nice White Parents about parents in schools. She met with constituents on the Local Coastal Plan update and met with some coastal scientists and engineers who are trying to understand our policies.
Councilmember Bier was out of state for a family emergency. She was part of HEART, but unfortunately they have not been able to make a quorum which is a problem. They can hopefully figure it out and change the meeting date as it is an important board. They are going to start planning for next year’s Pride celebrations with a meeting coming up this week.
Councilmember Beckmeyer stated that her health problems have caused her to miss a lot of Halloween related activities as well as not being presently with them at this time. She will defer her report to the next meeting if there is something important she needs to share.
Mayor Bigstyck wished veterans a happy belated Veteran’s Day and thanked them for their service. He met with Margi Power on the San Mateo County Leadership Council, and he had a LAFCO meeting around the Broadmoor Police Protection District. He stated East Palo Alto is holding a special meeting about the sanitary sewer district on November 15, and for LAFCO, that is going to be a big deal meeting. He attended the Peninsula Clean Energy meeting, and they talked about the solar billing plan which is the answer to the net billing tariff. They had an update about our diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility policy, in which we are implementing 43 actions and they heard about where those actions are in process. They had a strategic plan update. They heard about the Council of Cities in SSF where they have a new City Council Special Meeting 13 November 13, 2023
Council Chambers, parks and rec space, and library. He attended the ribbon cutting in South San Francisco the next day where Jackie Speier was attending, along with Congressman Kevin Mullin. That evening, he enjoyed the Halloween spectacular. He had a PCE surplus funds committee meeting, and they are trying to figure out the best way to apply those funds and they will be voting on it as a full board. He taped a couple of episodes of The Mayor’s Office, one with Assemblymember Marc Berman will be aired, and one about diversity with Councilmember Maurice Goodman of Millbrae and Vice Mayor Mark Nagales of South San Francisco. He referred to the Halloween lunch at the Moose on Halloween Day, the Portola-Ohlone Heritage Day and hike on November 4, and the EV Expo. He attended Assemblymember Marc Berman’s campaign kickoff. He stated there was a Right to Read documentary held in Redwood City at the Fox Theatre, an offer given to them by the Board members of the San Mateo County Library JPA. He attended an MTC webinar on toll freeways. He stated that nobody who attended thought this was a good idea and MTC seemed to be of the mind that it is the only way we can pay for our roads. He attended the PRC Board meeting November 8 and they are looking for warehouse space. There was an update on the fundraiser of Palmapalooza that they enjoyed in September and was apparently successful. He was part of a Zoom webinar, an update for mayors run by the state department on what is going on in Israel, and it was helpful for him in understanding what our country is doing for matters in Israel. On Arbor Day, which was also Veteran’s Day, he was planting a tree in a peaceful manner on a beautiful day. Last, on November 13, the Peninsula Division of CalCities had their Leadership Board Meeting and he is now on the Legislative Action Committee serving with the Leadership Board Peninsula Division along with Councilmember Vicki Veenker from Palo Alto. He then referred to the question Nomi Harper had about sewer fees, and asked if staff wished to say something which he thought would be helpful.
STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
City Manager Woodhouse stated that it has been a busy few weeks, and he has just one announcement, regarding the annual review of the wastewater enterprise fund sewer fees; he would make some points and the speaker could speak with PW Director Petersen or any councilmembers, who can go more in depth. City Manager Woodhouse stated that an important distinction is that it is a fee-based system, not a tax, and it gets assessed through the property tax rolls in Pacifica and the fee is annually a calculated set percentage through an annual public hearing process, and every five years it is summarized. He estimates a 3-5% increase this year. It was not a specific fee increase related to the Beach Boulevard Infrastructure Resiliency Project, but the wastewater system citywide. He stated the one exciting announcement he wanted to highlight is that the week before last they found out that, for the second year in a row, they achieved the Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for our Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. It is the gold standard for a national recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting. He congratulated Asst. City Manager Carter who also serves as our Financing Administrative Services Director and Deputy Finance Director Lucy Xie and the entire finance team for achieving that for a second year in a row.
Mayor Bigstyck congratulated Ms. Carter and Ms. Xie, stating they are blessed to have them on our team and it is amazing news.
City Council Special Meeting 14 November 13, 2023
PUBLIC HEARINGS - NONE.
CONSIDERATION - NONE. (SEE SEPARATE STUDY SESSION AGENDA)
ADJOURN
Mayor Bigstyck adjourned the regular meeting at 8:02 PM.
Transcribed by Barbara Medina, Public Meeting Stenographer.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sarah Coffey, City Clerk
APPROVED: 5 - 0; 12/11/2023
__________________________
Tygarjas Bigstyck, Mayor