CITY OF PACIFICA
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Council Chambers
2212 Beach Blvd
Pacifica, CA 94044
Mayor Sue Beckmeyer
Mayor pro Tem Christine Boles
Councilmember Mary Bier
Councilmember Mayra Espinosa
Councilmember Greg Wright
City Council Joint Study Session 1 February 24, 2025
JOINT STUDY SESSION
CITY COUNCIL AND CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION TASK FORCE February 24, 2025 (MONDAY) – 5:00 PM
www.cityofpacifica.org
Mayor Sue Beckmeyer called the joint study session to order on February 24, 2025 at 5:04 PM 5:00 PM - JOINT STUDY SESSION CITY COUNCIL AND CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION
TASK FORCE
Call to Order
Mayor Beckmeyer called the joint study session to order at 5:04 p.m.
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Sue Beckmeyer Mayor Present
Christine Boles Mayor pro Tem Present
Mary Bier Councilmember Present
Mayra Espinosa Councilmember Present
Greg Wright Councilmember Present
City Clerk Coffey took a verbal roll call.
Staff Present: Kevin Woodhouse, City Manager; Denise Bazzano, Asst. City Attorney; Samantha Updegrave, Community Development Director; Elizabeth Brooks, Mgmt. Analyst; Brittany Hernandez, Program Manager; Sarah Coffey, City Clerk; Emily La, Dep. City Clerk.
CAAP members: Monica Meagher, Chair; Kai Martin, Vice Chair; Maria Barr; Kimberly Finale; Margo Meiman; Rick Nahass; Dave Plumb; Carl Schwab; Nancy Tierney.
Reading of Land Acknowledgment
Mayor Beckmeyer read the Land Acknowledgment.
Salute to the Flag led by Councilmember Espinosa
City Council Joint Study Session 2 February 24, 2025
CONSIDERATION
1. Receive an update and provide direction on the Draft Climate Action and Adaptation Plan
PROPOSED ACTION:
1. Receive an update on the Draft Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, and
2. Provide direction and feedback to Climate Action and Adaptation Plan Task Force members and staff for final draft preparation and future council consideration.
Monica Meagher, Chair of Climate Action & Adaptation Task Force, presented the report.
Mgmt. Analyst Brooks continued the presentation of the staff report. She concluded with two questions for Council to answer: 1) Can the City continue with the consultant? and 2) Does further prioritization of the actions seem appropriate to Council and, if so, does a three-tier framework work for Council?
Mayor pro Tem Boles asked about CAAP reviewing the past Climate Action Plan and its targets and asked if there were things the City did that were helpful.
Chair Meagher stated the switch to Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE) made the biggest impact, and some of the efficiency measures with the new Civic Center building had an impact.
Task Force Member Meiman reviewed E1.1 through E3.2 of the CAAP Draft.
Councilmember Bier asked if it was possible to combine E1.5, E1.6, and E1.7.
Task Force Member Meiman stated that E1.5 has to do with construction materials for new construction (but may consider retrofit), E1.6 is about new construction and new buildings, and E1.7 would be about people retrofitting their houses, so it may be possible.
Councilmember Wright asked, regarding E1.7, how CAAP addresses handling the challenge of fixed income seniors and high costs associated with changing heat pumps, and do we have the current infrastructure from a distribution perspective to handle this load.
Task Force Member Meiman stated programs from Peninsula Clean Energy have incomequalified programs, as well as high potential of additional funding from other sources. She stated, according to Peninsula Clean Energy’s rate of adoption, they will be able to match the grid with the electrification needed.
Councilmember Espinosa asked how much it would cost to change for electrification, and do they think the cost of electricity will go up or will it be similar to what people are paying for gas.
Task Force Member Meiman stated it is a tough question to answer regarding utility bills as both electricity prices and gas prices are changing all the time.
Mayor pro Tem Boles asked how each Action was prioritized.
Vice Chair Martin stated that all the time frames are best practices and may take a long time.
Mayor pro Tem Boles referred to E1.2 and asked that they explain the zoning change requirement for where heat pumps can be placed.
City Council Joint Study Session 3 February 24, 2025
Task Force Member Meiman stated that it comes from the Ideas Bank of Sustainable San Mateo County and it may be an area that could allow for easier permitting.
Vice Chair Martin stated the Task Force tried to consider what is feasible or not. Ultimately they envisioned the Environmental Commission working with City staff to figure out what is commercially, technologically, and operationally feasible.
Mayor pro Tem Boles stated she would like to add encouraging people to do deep remodels.
Councilmember Wright asked, regarding E3 and gray water, what the Task Force thought about plumbing and landscaping for buildings to set up so there can be an easy connect to purple pipes.
Mayor pro Tem Boles stated that we have some coordination with the Water District there.
Vice Chair Martin thought it would be a good thing to put that up for consideration.
Mayor pro Tem Boles stated that, without the purple pipe, people can do laundry to landscape without permits and adding that as an educational item.
Task Force Member Schwab reviewed T1.1 through T4.2 of the CAAP Draft.
Mayor pro Tem Boles thought it would be helpful to break out the number of EV charging stations between private development and public.
Councilmember Wright asked about bike charging stations.
Task Force Member Schwab stated that is something they might be looking at more directly.
Councilmember Bier thought there were connections that can be made for future funding.
Councilmember Wright added connecting the coastal trail and I-35 and Skyline College. He also asked about carports and charging stations.
Task Force Member Schwab stated they planned to install 16 chargers across the Civic Center, utility yard, PW yard, and sewage treatment plant, which are mostly intended for City vehicles.
He also stated one of the goals in the T1 section encourages more bus routes, which would help justify the expense of putting in more frequent routes.
Mayor Beckmeyer stated the summary goal still says “reduce driving trips by 25% by 2030” instead of 32%. She thought “[S]” should be added to the “G” and “H” in T2.
Mayor pro Tem Boles was excited to see T1.1. She stated that figuring out our needs and what people will use could be part of that Transportation Demand Management Plan.
Task Force Member Nahass stated half the people in their surveys said transportation to BART is an issue and you have to have a plan in order to get funding. If we have a high-quality transit stop, it incentivizes developers and mitigates some CEQA requirements for developers.
Mayor pro Tem Boles stated it is important for greenhouse gas emissions, all the new housing City Council Joint Study Session 4 February 24, 2025
we will build, and our tourist revenue.
Task Force Member Finale reviewed F1.1 through F2.5 of the CAAP Draft.
Mayor pro Tem Boles asked if there could be some incentives instead of requirements for F2.3, adding hiring local workers and thinking about decisions that may result in a lower price.
Task Force Member Finale stated a resource website could provide opportunity and selection of local work and materials. She added that there are multiple spaces in the Bay Area for buying materials that have come from other homes that have been dismantled.
Mayor pro Tem Boles added if there can be an education program with people doing remodels to look at deconstruction, which may be more expensive than demolition but offers tax credits.
Vice Chair Martin reviewed TR1.1 through T3.2 of the CAAP Draft.
Councilmember Wright asked for their thoughts on a potential commercial parking spot tree ordinance (e.g. for every 12 spaces, you need to have a tree), new construction and rainwater harvesting, cool roof efficiency standards, a study to make sure our rainfall or dew collection is sufficient through the year to support green roofs, and any public education for defensible space programs.
Vice Chair Martin stated that it depends on the species for green roof consideration, but it is limited. He added that in some cases, people use gray water to do their rainwater. He also stated that Allstate and USAA are offering educational programs regarding defensible space and fire protection / hardening, which would be part of a public outreach campaign.
Councilmember Wright stated we should have that in an informational resource for people. He also thought it would be nice to work with PG&E to underground our infrastructure.
Mayor pro Tem Boles added Thrive Rise may be a resource. She suggested looking at the library and Community Center as climate resilience centers.
Councilmember Bier stated her work with Tree City Pacifica has 30% tree canopy goal.
Vice Chair Martin stated, after consultation, 25% was more realistic for the tree canopy goal.
Councilmember Bier and Mayor pro Tem Boles added Sustainable San Mateo County has an app that helps with trees and prioritizing looking at canopies and disadvantaged communities.
Mayor pro Tem Boles added that she would like to include OSPAC in R2.10. She stated that, in some cases, it is not good to plant trees on landslide areas but especially not native.
Mayor Beckmeyer suggested “native stabilizing vegetation” instead of “shrubs and trees”.
Councilmember Wright asked what kind of resource our community has for selecting what kind of trees to grow to accomplish the tree canopy without interfering with some of our other goals.
Vice Chair Martin stated the City could put together a list of recommended species based on different parts of the City, which has been done in other cities.
City Council Joint Study Session 5 February 24, 2025
Mayor pro Tem Boles stated he mentioned CAAP received the public comment from the Pacifica Land Trust about their grant.
Chair Meagher stated they are working with Pacifica Land Trust on updating language in one of these actions.
Mayor pro Tem Boles referred to the micro grids and stated one of Clean Energy’s goals is to continue working with them on neighborhood-based resiliency.
Task Force Members Tierney and Finale reviewed C1.1 through C3.5 of the CAAP Draft.
Mayor pro Tem Boles thinks the formation of the Environmental committee is important to see the work through. She asked for feedback from them on the CivicWell fellow and if it was possible that the staff person could be someone like that and then a smaller portion of time from City staff.
Mgmt. Analyst Brooks stated the CivicSpark Program was exemplary and affordable; between her and our CivicSpark fellow, it has allowed her as a paid full-time staff to feasibly support this.
Vice Chair Martin thought there were challenges with breaks in service and continuity. He thinks it is a great way to amplify what the City can do for a low cost, but it does not get rid of the need to have a dedicated resource, even if half-time.
Chair Meagher thought it could be a good option for setting up the Environmental Commission and there are grants out there that include money for staff time.
Mayor Beckmeyer noticed the items under C2 and C3 were repeated, which should be updated.
Councilmember Bier stated that in C2.2, there is an opportunity to regroup our Joint Articulation meeting with the School District and Water District; in C2.4, to work with Pacifica Resource Center (PRC) as well as Pacifica Gardens; and in C3.5, to work with Emergency Preparedness and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).
Mayor pro Tem Boles suggested having more outreach and more youth in the schools involved.
Mayor Beckmeyer opened public comments.
Gail Benton Shoemaker, Pacifica, asked Council to support the Plan on behalf of Tree City Pacifica. She supported the 25% tree canopy goal and the four actions listed under canopy goal but asked not to move forward with the three-tier ranking of the Plan.
Suzanne Moore, Pacifica, supported the formation of the Environmental Commission and community input on the Plan. She also encouraged the City to work with the Ramaytush Ohlone people.
Sam Casillas, Pacifica, stated the Pacifica Land Trust had received a grant from the Coastal Conservancy to undertake the Pacifica Coastal Resiliency Opportunity Study. He recommended that the Study be integrated into the CAAP when completed by the end of 2025.
Sue Digre, Pacifica, appreciated the Plan including the opportunity for more public involvement, transportation improvements, and youth involvement.
City Council Joint Study Session 6 February 24, 2025
Calvin Chan, Pacifica, Youth Advisory Board member and Youth Climate Action & Adaptation Task Force Chair, encouraged more youth participation and recommended the City partner with schools and youth organizations as outreach.
Dashiell Leeds, Pacifica, stated he is the Conservation Coordinator for the Sierra Club Loma Prieta chapter and stated that they support this Plan. He spoke in favor of the Environmental Commission, Youth Environmental Commission, Sustainability Coordinator, nature-based solutions, and tree canopy goal.
Cindy Abbott, Pacifica, spoke in favor of their recommendations, including the Environmental Commission. She stated that three-tier ranking may not need further focus at this time.
Mayor Beckmeyer closed public comment.
Councilmember Wright asked what is the best way to contact the CAAP Task Force.
Mgmt. Analyst Brooks shared information on the CAAP Task Force’s meetings and website.
Mayor pro Tem Boles is in favor of the committee and staffing, depending on funding. She agreed with some of the public comments that we do not need to prioritize things now.
Councilmember Espinosa stated she will be working hard on electrification, clean energy, and community outreach, as we can do all of this together.
Councilmember Bier thinks there should be a commission and favored youth involvement.
Mayor Beckmeyer echoed Council’s appreciation.
City Manager Woodhouse stated we need clear direction from the majority of Council regarding the two questions: 1) Should the City proceed with securing consultant support to complete the CAAP report? and 2) Given the volume and breadth of priority actions in the CAAP, does Council want to offer some framework and refinement and prioritization of them before the report comes back to Council for final adoption? He stated what is not being considered at this meeting is direction about formation of a commission, additional staff position, etc., which need to be considered in the context of the entire City’s budget development process deliberation.
Mayor Beckmeyer understood and asked for the CAAP Task Force’s feedback.
Chair Meagher stated they are asking Rincon to go beyond what they are providing for the rest of the County and there might be an additional cost for that regarding finalizing the CAAP Draft.
The Task Force is aligned with the City on the recommendation to obtain that assistance.
Mayor pro Tem Boles asked the City Manager if there is some money left over from the discussion of how much we are estimating for the RICAP.
Mgmt. Analyst Brooks stated that we do not have a finalized scope of work that we can review with Rincon yet but we are estimating that it will be within the City Manager’s spending authority.
There was Council consensus to support continuing with the contractor and not moving forward with the tiered approach.
City Council Joint Study Session 7 February 24, 2025
RESULT: NO VOTE REQUIRED
ADJOURN
Mayor Beckmeyer adjourned the joint study session at 7:12 p.m.
Transcribed by Barbara Medina, Public Meeting Stenographer.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sarah Coffey, City Clerk
APPROVED: 5 - 0; 3/24/2025
__________________________
Sue Beckmeyer, Mayor