CITY OF PACIFICA
COUNCIL AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
3/28/2024
1 SUBJECT:
A Resolution Authorizing the Submittal of Applications to the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways Grants
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Adopt a resolution authorizing the submittal of applications to the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways Shoreline Erosion Control and Public Beach Restoration Programs.
STAFF CONTACT:
Roland Yip, Deputy Director of Public Works, City Engineer (650) 738-3771
[email protected]
Lisa Petersen P.E., Director of Public Works
650-738-3767
[email protected]
BACKGROUND:
The City of Pacifica has been working to move forward two key coastal projects in Pacifica that will require grant funding to complete. These projects include the Beach Boulevard Infrastructure Resiliency Project (BBIRP) and the United States Army Corp General Investigation of the Pacifica coastline.
BBIRP Project
The BBIRP is a multi-phase City led project that aims to create a multi-benefit solution to the Beach Boulevard corridor in historic West Sharp Park. The Beach Boulevard Seawall and Promenade spans from just north of Paloma Drive to the southern terminus near Clarendon Drive and the Sharp Park levee. Since the construction of the seawalls, there have been numerous failures of the north wall. During times of high tides and big swells, wave action overtops the seawall sending water clear across Beach Boulevard, affecting public safety by causing road closures, localized flooding, and property damage. With the frequency and magnitude of failures increasing, combined with sea level rise outlook, it appeared critical to begin planning for replacement and adaptation of this area, which may include the reconstruction of the promenade area.
The City has been working to advance the BBIRP project, with a more recent action of the Council occurring on November 28, 2022, when the City Council approved an amendment with GHD, Inc. (coastal engineers) to begin the second phase of the Beach Boulevard Infrastructure Resiliency Project (BBIRP). More specifically, the approval was for the first subphase of Phase 2, titled Phase 2a - preliminary project design. The subphase began the preliminary design of the hybrid concept approved by the City Council on June 9, 2021, following public input that included a seawall, rock scour apron, and beach nourishment. Phase 2a will advance the Pacifica City Council 2
March 28, 2024
shoreline protection concept, approved by City Council in Phase 1, through preliminary design development resulting in a well-defined Project supported with analyses, drawings, and visualizations suitable for community outreach meetings to share information on the Project and solicit feedback on specific Project features. The City is nearly complete with this phase and needs to begin Phase 2b, the environmental documentation phase. This next phase of the project is required for the project to continue to move forward and obtain required environmental approvals.
General Investigation
The City has been requesting a General Investigation with USACE along its coastline since 2020 in hopes for a similar outcome as the City and County of San Francisco received with their shoreline issues. The City was granted a CAP 103 study in 2023 to mitigate coastal storm damage along a small unarmored portion of Esplanade Avenue at 380 Esplanade. In 2023, the City and USACE kicked off the CAP 103 study along Esplanade Avenue. This CAP 103 Study is a steppingstone towards gaining support from the Army Corp of Engineers for a comprehensive federal study of all of Pacifica’s shoreline, known as a General Investigation study.
DISCUSSION:
The California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) is accepting grant applications for both the Waterways Shoreline Erosion Control and Public Beach Restoration Programs for potential funding in the State’s fiscal year 2025/26 budget. The Shoreline Erosion Control Program assists in the planning and construction of all types of beach erosion control and shoreline stabilization measures, including hard structures like seawalls. This program is authorized in statute by Harbors and Navigation Code sections 65-67.4 and can fund up to 50 percent of nonfederal project costs. A second grant program from DBW, The Public Beach Restoration Program, can assist in the planning and construction of engineered placement of sand on the beach or in the nearshore environment, and can also be used to fund a General Investigation study. This program is authorized in statute by Harbors and Navigation Code sections 69.5-69.9 and can fund up to 85 percent of nonfederal project costs at nonstate beaches.
Staff submitted a grant application for Phase 2b (Environmental Documentation) on the Beach Boulevard Infrastructure Resiliency Project (BBIRP) for the DWB Shoreline Erosion Control Program for a grant of $2.5M, and submitted the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) General Investigation Study for the DWB Public Beach Restoration Program grant for $1.5M. City required matching funds are discussed in the Fiscal Section of this report. The grant application management was handled by consultants. It recently came to staff’s attention that a resolution authorizing the submittal of applications by the City Council is required by DBW. As this information came to light following the publishing of the March 26, 2024, Council Agenda and the grants are due by April 1, 2024, a special meeting was required to obtain Council’s approval.
The City Manager recommends the Council adopt a resolution authorizing the submittal of an application to the California State Parks Division Department Boating and Waterways Shoreline Erosion Control and Public Beach Restoration Programs.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION:
Council may choose not to adopt the resolution. However, not doing so will make the Pacifica City Council 3
March 28, 2024
City ineligible to receive California State Parks Division Department of Boating funds.
RELATION TO CITY COUNCIL GOALS AND WORK PLAN:
• Improve and steward City infrastructure, streets, and facilities: Adopting the resolution will make the funds available to progress the Beach Boulevard Infrastructure Resiliency Project and the USACE studies.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Adopting the resolution commits the City to provide the required matching funds of $1,250,000 for the Shoreline Erosion Control Program, and $225,000 for the Public Beach Restoration Program, if the grants are awarded. The City's matching funds would come from the Disaster Accounting Fund (Fund 38).
ORIGINATED BY:
Public Works
ATTACHMENT LIST:
Pacifica City Council 4
March 28, 2024
RESOLUTION NO. _____
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF PACIFICA AUTHORIZING THE SUBMITTAL OF GRANT
APPLICATIONS TO THE CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS DIVISION OF BOATING AND WATERWAYS FOR AN ARMY CORP OF ENGINEERS GENERAL STUDY OF PACIFICA’S COASTLINE AND BEACH BLVD. INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCY PROJECT (BBIRP) WHEREAS, Sections 65 through 67.4 of the Harbors and Navigation Code authorize the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) to do the following:
study erosion problems; act as shore protection advisor to all agencies of government; and plan, design and construct protective works when funds are provided by the Legislature. In addition, Sections 69.5-69.9 of the Harbors and Navigation Code authorize DBW to pursue and promote federal and local partnerships to restore, enhance, and nourish publicly owned beaches through the cost-effective engineered placement of sand on the beach or in the nearshore environment; and
WHEREAS, DBW is accepting grant applications for shoreline erosion control projects and public beach restoration projects; and
WHEREAS, the City of Pacifica has experienced extraordinary erosion along its shoreline and seeks the assistance of the US Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a General Study for shore protection; and
WHEREAS, the City of Pacifica began the Beach Blvd. Infrastructure Resiliency Project for coastline projection by seeking funding to complete appropriate studies, design, and environmental review; and
WHEREAS, The purpose of these grants is to protect and identify the feasibility of protecting essential public infrastructure along the City’s shoreline.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Pacifica formally approves the submittal of requests for grant funding from DBW for an Army Corp of Engineers General Study of Pacifica’s coastline and BBIRP project.
• • • • •
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a special meeting of the Pacifica City Council held on this 28th day of March 2024, by the following vote:
AYES, Councilmembers:
NOES, Councilmembers:
ABSENT, Councilmembers:
ABSTAIN, Councilmembers:
CITY OF PACIFICA
_________________________________
Sue Vaterlaus, Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______________________________ _________________________________ Sarah Coffey, City Clerk Michelle Kenyon, City Attorney