CITY OF PACIFICA
COUNCIL AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
3/25/2024
1 SUBJECT:
Update to authorizing resolution for Open Space & Parkland Advisory Committee (OSPAC).
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Adopt the attached resolution to update the authorizing resolution for the Open Space & Parkland Advisory Committee (OSPAC) and to rescind the prior authorizing resolution (City Council Resolution No. 44-2015).
STAFF CONTACT:
Christian Murdock, AICP, Planning Director
(650) 738-7341
[email protected]
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
The City Council’s Priority Work Plan for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-23 included Item No. 13 – Review City Commission and Committee Charters. Staff’s efforts on this item started in the third quarter of FY 2022-23 and have continued into FY 2023-24. The following is a brief outline of efforts on this work plan item both generally and specific to consideration of the “charter” (i.e., authorizing resolution) for the Open Space and Parkland Advisory Committee (OSPAC):
• April 11, 2022: Adoption of FY 2022-23 Priority Work Plan. This action established a review of all commission and committee charters as a priority for the City Council. • March 27, 2023: City Council discussion and direction on order of commission/committee reviews and approach to gathering information from commission/committee members about their work.
• April 10, 2023: City Council creation of an ad hoc subcommittee to work on the review of commission/committee charters. The ad hoc subcommittee, consisting of Councilmembers Bier and Bigstyck, assisted staff with the creation of survey questions for the OSPAC members to gauge their responses on various topics related to their work.
• July 17, 2023: Consistent with the City Council ad hoc subcommittee’s input, staff launched an online survey to seek individual OSPAC member input. • July 19, 2023: Discussion of collective survey questions by committee members at the monthly OSPAC meeting.
• August 16, 2023: OSPAC vote on draft resolution (i.e., charter) for City Council consideration.
• August 28, 2023: Joint study session of City Council and OSPAC to discuss survey results and draft resolution voted on by OSPAC on August 16, 2023. • January 17 and February 21, 2024: OSPAC meetings to consider and request City Council approval of an updated draft authorizing resolution.
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I. OSPAC’s Requested Modifications to Its Charter
Following the joint study session with City Council and OSPAC on August 28, 2023, the OSPAC met on January 17, 2024, to consider revisions made by staff to incorporate City Council feedback to the draft resolution endorsed by OSPAC on August 16, 2023. During deliberation some committee members expressed concern that the proposed resolution omitted important advisory topics such as trail connectivity, biodiversity, and habitat protection, and that additional time was needed in order better compare and evaluate the changes proposed by staff to the draft authorizing resolution OSPAC had previously transmitted to City Council. Ultimately, OSPAC continued its consideration to February 21, 2024.
In advance of the February 21 meeting, a subcommittee of OSPAC focused on the authorizing resolution update met to carefully study the revised draft resolution presented by staff on January 17. The subcommittee transmitted a revised draft resolution with additional revisions to staff on January 21, 2024. Staff evaluated the proposed revisions from the subcommittee, determined that most were substantially compliant with the prior City Council guidance from the joint study session, and made certain further edits to fully align the final revised draft resolution with the City Council’s guidance.
Staff presented the final revised draft resolution to OSPAC on February 21, 2024. The OSPAC voted 6-0 (with one absence and two vacant seats) to request City Council approval of the draft resolution included as Attachment A in the form presented by staff, without modifications.
II. City Council Action Requested & City Manager Recommendation The City Manager requests City Council action to adopt the draft resolution included as Attachment A. Adoption of the draft resolution in Attachment A would rescind OSPAC’s current authorizing resolution (City Council Resolution No. 44-2015) and replace it with the adopted resolution. City Council adoption of the draft resolution included in Attachment A would complete the City Council’s review and update of the authorizing resolution for OSPAC.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION:
The recommended authorizing resolution is the product of a focused public and OSPAC engagement process. No alternative action has been identified.
RELATION TO CITY COUNCIL GOALS AND WORK PLAN:
The OSPAC authorizing resolution update is consistent with the following item(s) in the Counciladopted Strategic Plan and Priority Work Plan for FY 2023-24:
• Goal 5: Broaden public communications and collaboration. o Previously-initiated projects: Review and update commission/committee authorizing resolutions.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No direct fiscal impact.
ORIGINATED BY:
Planning Department
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ATTACHMENT LIST:
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RESOLUTION NO. __________
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PACIFICA ADOPTING A
NEW AUTHORIZING RESOLUTION FOR THE OPEN SPACE AND PARKLAND ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 44- 2015.
WHEREAS, Resolution No. 44-2015 of the City Council of the City of Pacifica (“Authorizing Resolution”) established the Open Space and Parkland Advisory Committee (“OSPAC”) subject to the criteria contained therein; and WHEREAS, open spaces, parklands, prominent hills, ridgelines, bluffs, beaches, recreational opportunities, and viewsheds are fundamental to Pacifica’s essence. The beauty, character, ecology, history, and quality of life afforded by these natural features provides residents and visitors alike with mental and physical health benefits and contributes to Pacifica’s economy; and
WHEREAS, the Open Spaces and Parklands of Pacifica support a unique coastal flora and fauna that require intact and connected habitats to thrive; and WHEREAS, equitable access to open spaces and parklands is an important component of addressing systemic injustices and inequalities; and WHEREAS, the City Council and OSPAC held a joint study session to review the Authorizing Resolution and consider whether revisions were necessary on August 28, 2023.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the OSPAC shall continue to operate and will be comprised of nine (9) members selected by the Council from the community at large; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the OSPAC shall operate consistent with the duties, responsibilities, goals, and objectives as stated in this Resolution, and shall operate consistently with the City of Pacifica Municipal Code and City of Pacifica Commission and Committee Handbook as both may be periodically amended by the City Council; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, while some of the recommended actions of the Open Space Task Force Report (“OSTF Report”) have been completed, the OSTF Report should remain the basic reference for the OSPAC; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the OSPAC shall advise the City Council on issues pertaining to open space and parklands, including advisement on issues of equity, access, safety, trail connectivity, biodiversity and habitat protection, economics, scenic beauty, and effects on adjacent neighborhoods. The OSPAC is uniquely qualified to engage the public, to provide valuable recommendations on these topics, and provide input in a community forum to safeguard the benefits of open spaces and parklands for current and future generations; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the OSPAC shall advise the City Council on: (1) The Policy and Procedures of the National Park Service ("NPS") as they relate to areas of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (“GGNRA”) within the City of Pacifica and adjacent communities; (2) Issues surrounding the transfer of ownership of Cattle Hill and the Pedro Point Pacifica City Council 5
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Headlands to the NPS or other suitable long-term land stewards; (3) Access to and operation of the San Mateo County Parks in and around the City of Pacifica including the San Pedro Valley County Park and the Devil's Slide Trail County Park; (4) Access to and operation of lands owned by the California Coastal Conservancy; (5) Access to and improvement and operation of open space lands owned or controlled by the City of Pacifica; and (6) Ways in which these areas can contribute to the economy of the City; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the OSPAC may assist City staff with identifying sources of funding (e.g., grants, bond or parcel tax measures or community fund raising resources) for open space preservation, acquisition, enhancement, and maintenance; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the OSPAC may plan and undertake periodic trail improvement social “work days” for trails located on City-owned property in full coordination with the City Manager; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the OSPAC may conduct an annual retreat, within the City, to improve organizational capacity and team building when determined necessary by the Chair of OSPAC, in full coordination with the City Manager and subject to available City funding and staff support for the OSPAC; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, during a future annual review of implementation of the General Plan the City Council will consider whether a General Plan amendment that formally connects the recommendations contained in the OSTF Report to one or more elements in the City’s General Plan is appropriate to ensure a mechanism exists for formal consideration of the OSTF Report in City decision making including development review; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the OSPAC support staff shall prepare a written staff report describing projects (including maps, site plan, number of units, and related key details of the project relevant to OSPAC) proposed on sites listed in the Open Space Task Force report and summarizing the project’s relationship to the site description in the OSTF Report. Support staff shall present this staff report at the first OSPAC meeting practicable following submission of the application; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the OSPAC may advise applicants on properties listed in the OSTF Report if such applicants voluntarily agree to present their projects to the OSPAC.
Recommendations of the committee will be solely advisory. The OSPAC shall be authorized to draft invitation letters that Planning Department staff shall furnish to applicants for projects on properties listed in the OSTF Report, which shall outline the positive outcomes that may result from an application presentation to receive advisory feedback from the OSPAC. OSPAC support staff shall send the OSPAC’s invitation letters as early as practicable in the project review process to maximize the potential for applicants to consider OSPAC’s recommendations before reaching later stages in the project review process; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the OSPAC may from time to time be required to engage and collaborate with City Staff, other City Committees, City Commissions, and Pacifica’s Land Trust in furtherance of its authorized activities; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution is intended to supersede the Authorizing Resolution in its entirety and Resolution No. 44-2015 is hereby rescinded. • • • • •
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Pacifica, California, held on the 25th day of March 2024.
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AYES, Councilmembers:
NOES, Councilmembers:
ABSENT, Councilmembers:
ABSTAIN, Councilmembers:
_____________________________
Sue Vaterlaus, Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
________________________ _____________________________
Sarah Coffey, City Clerk Michelle Kenyon, City Attorney