CITY OF PACIFICA
COUNCIL AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
2/24/2025
1 SUBJECT:
Receive an update and provide direction on the Draft Climate Action and Adaptation Plan
RECOMMENDED 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.
STAFF CONTACT
Elizabeth Brooks, Management Analyst II
[email protected]
Brittany Hernandez, Program Manager
[email protected]
Samantha Updegrave, Community Development Director
[email protected]
BACKGROUND
Pacifica adopted its first Climate Action Plan in July 2014, establishing a framework for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across key sectors, including energy, transportation, solid waste, and water. Since then, climate action strategies have evolved significantly due to scientific advancements, policy changes, and expanded funding opportunities for adaptation and mitigation projects.
In May 2023, the City Council established the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) Task Force by Resolution No. 50-2023 as a limited-term advisory body responsible for developing and drafting an update to the City’s climate plan, now titled the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan. The CAAP Task Force members were appointed on July 10, 2023, and began meeting in September 2023.
The CAAP Task Force was charged with developing the CAAP for City Council adoption. Per its charter, the group is responsible for:
• Defining the scope of the updated Plan.
• Analyzing the City's GHG inventory and developing an emissions forecast. • Establishing measurable targets and actionable goals for emissions reduction and climate adaptation.
• Formulating strategies, initiatives, and implementation plans to achieve those goals.
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• Developing the draft Plan, establishing reporting requirements, and preparing the document for City Council adoption.
The CAAP Task Force defined the scope of the Plan as follows: “Pacifica's commitment to sustainability is grounded in a multifaceted approach to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, focus on climate change adaptation and mitigation, and prioritize community engagement, Nature-Based Solutions (NBS), resiliency, and the overall health of Pacifica, while adhering to established state timelines and city policies. The Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) serves as our compass to not only meet but surpass GHG reduction objectives and define a resilient path for climate adaptation. It encompasses a comprehensive GHG inventory, including consumption-based analysis, and forecasts for GHG emission reductions.
Central to our strategy is active community involvement, the identification of climate adaptation and resilience measures, and the development of a comprehensive, sustainable, and climateresilient plan.” To advance its work, the CAAP Task Force established key subcommittees who met regularly and focused on specific aspects of the Plan:
• Strategy and Actions (Steering Committee)
• Writing (Document Editors)
• Research and Data Analysis
• Policies and Regulations Research
• Emissions Reduction and Energy
• Transportation and Land Use
• Community Engagement and Outreach
• Resilience and Adaptation
• Food and Consumption
These groups collectively developed implementing actions based on best practices, state regulations, scientific research, and Pacifica’s unique environmental and geographic conditions.
The CAAP Task Force evaluated current legislation and climate policies to ensure the CAAP reflects the most up-to-date climate science and regulatory framework.
Since September 2023, the CAAP Task Force has met monthly as a public body and worked extensively in subcommittees to develop a Draft CAAP that reflects regional best practices, aligns with state policies, and integrates community input. In addition to their regular meetings, the Task Force assigned liaisons to attend key regional and state-level climate action groups, including San Mateo County’s Regionally Integrated Climate Action Planning Suite (RICAPS), the CA Climate and Energy Collaborative’s Local Energy Resources Network (LERN), and ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability USA. By engaging with these organizations, the CAAP Task Force gained direct access to GHG forecasting tools, legislative updates, climate funding opportunities, and best practices from government and nonprofit partners. Each month, designated liaisons shared updates from these convenings, ensuring that the group remained informed by the most up-to-date climate science, regulatory developments, and implementation strategies.
Committed to representing the diverse perspectives and environmental concerns of Pacifica Pacifica City Council 3
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residents, the CAAP Task Force conducted widespread community engagement efforts, including community-wide surveys, targeted focus groups, and interactive public engagement at local events. These efforts enabled the Task Force to gather essential input from a broad range of voices, ensuring that the CAAP reflects the priorities and needs of the Pacifica community.
More details on the community engagement efforts of the CAAP Task Force to date can be found in Appendix B of the attached Draft CAAP (Attachment A).
Through a combination of public meetings, surveys, and targeted engagement efforts, the CAAP Task Force has worked to ensure that the plan is both ambitious in its climate goals and practical in its implementation strategies. The CAAP represents the dedicated work and vision of the CAAP Task Force, a group of committed community volunteers who have devoted significant time and effort to developing a robust, research-based plan for Pacifica’s climate future.
While the CAAP Task Force has led the development of the plan, effective support from City staff has been essential to ensuring smooth operations, facilitating public engagement, and integrating research and analysis into the planning process. To supplement existing full-time staff resources, in FY2023-24 the City invested in an 11-month CivicSpark Fellow position, providing dedicated research and administrative support at a cost of $29,450 from the General Fund. To maintain project continuity, the FY 2024-25 budget provided $45,000 for a part-time Program Manager and $30,000 for consultant assistance to refine the CAAP and support its adoption. These investments have ensured the Task Force had the necessary structure and resources to develop a well-researched, community-driven CAAP that is now ready for Council review and refinement.
Next Steps
The public comment period on the Draft CAAP is open and the City will accept written public comments via the Plan Pacifica website at www.planpacifica.org/caap until 5:00 PM on March 16, 2025.
Following the closure of the public comment period, at their next scheduled meeting, the CAAP Task Force will review and consider all public comments received, as well as incorporate any refinements based on City Council direction from this study session. The finalized draft of the CAAP, incorporating public feedback and Council guidance, will then be prepared for formal consideration and adoption by the City Council in the coming months.
Anticipated Timeline:
• Public Comment Period: February 19 - March 16, 2025
• Final Draft Preparation: Early Spring 2025
• Council Consideration & Adoption: Late Spring 2025
DISCUSSION
The Draft CAAP provides a roadmap for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, strengthening climate resilience, and guiding Pacifica toward a more environmentally sustainable future. The plan includes a comprehensive set of recommendations that focus on emission reductions, adaptation strategies, governance structures, and community Pacifica City Council 4
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engagement.
Key Recommendations from the Draft CAAP
1. Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Reduction Targets
The CAAP establishes GHG reduction goals aligned with state and regional climate commitments, specifically:
• 45% reduction from 1990 levels by 2030
• 53.2% reduction from 2005 levels by 2030
These targets reflect the City's commitment to supporting California’s carbon neutrality goals while ensuring Pacifica remains competitive for state and federal climate funding.
2. Priority Action Areas & Sector-Based Strategies
The Draft CAAP identifies key sectors where Pacifica can reduce emissions and increase resilience. These include:
• Resilience and Adaptation - Enhancing stormwater resilience, conservation measures, and the use of nature-based solutions.
• Emissions Reduction and Energy - Promoting building electrification, energy efficiency upgrades, and expanded use of renewable energy sources. • Transportation and Land Use - Expanding active transportation infrastructure, electric vehicle (EV) adoption, and transit accessibility. • Food and Consumption - Encouraging sustainable food systems, reducing food waste, and promoting local and circular consumption practices.
3. Implementation, Community Engagement, and Governance To build upon this foundation and ensure effective implementation, the following strategies are proposed:
• Sustainability Coordinator Position - Establishing a full-time staff position to oversee CAAP implementation, secure funding, and coordinate climate initiatives. • Environmental Commission - Creating a community advisory body to guide implementation, review progress, and advise on sustainability efforts. • Annual Progress Reporting - Implementing a monitoring system to track CAAP progress and report to Council and the public.
• Formalizing Youth Engagement - Ensuring young residents are actively involved in climate action planning and execution through dedicated outreach efforts. • Community Outreach & Education - Expanding public engagement through workshops, educational campaigns, and partnerships with local organizations.
As the City moves toward finalizing this plan and making it ready for adoption at a future date, there are key policy-level considerations requiring Council direction. Specifically, guidance is needed on two critical areas:
1. The administrative process, including finalizing the CAAP as an adoptable policy document and potential consultant support.
2. The structuring and prioritization of CAAP actions, ensuring that recommended measures are effectively prioritized and aligned with City resources and strategic goals.
This study session provides an opportunity for the City Council and Task Force to collaboratively Pacifica City Council 5
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review these key aspects, refine the Draft CAAP where needed, and provide direction on next steps before the plan is finalized for adoption.
Administrative Process
Finalizing the CAAP as an adoptable policy document will require additional technical support.
From the outset, technical assistance was anticipated as a necessary step to complete the Draft CAAP, and funding for this work was included in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 budget. While a portion of this budget has been allocated to community engagement consulting services, there are still remaining funds available for technical writing assistance.
The dedication of the volunteer CAAP Task Force members since September 2023 has been instrumental in shaping this plan. Their extensive research, policy development, and outreach efforts have saved the City thousands of dollars in consulting costs. The CAAP Task Force’s work to date has laid a strong foundation, and at this stage, the City has an opportunity to build upon their efforts by bringing in professional expertise to refine the document into a clear, structured, and adoptable policy document.
To achieve this, staff recommends leveraging San Mateo County’s contract with Rincon Consultants to assist with methodology refinements, structural organization, and the justification of key recommendations. This approach will ensure that the CAAP is effectively formatted for Council consideration and adoption while maximizing the City’s available resources. Council direction is requested on whether to proceed with securing consultant support to complete the CAAP and prepare it for adoption. The specific scope of work has not been confirmed with the consultant yet, but is anticipated to be within the City Manager’s approval threshold.
Structuring CAAP Actions
The Draft CAAP provides a five-year list of recommended actions, policies, and programs aimed at achieving a more sustainable Pacifica. Adoption of this CAAP commits Pacifica to taking action on climate mitigation and adaptation, ensuring that Pacifica remains a beautiful, healthy place to live, work, and play.
The Draft CAAP was formulated using a structured framework to evaluate and prioritize actions based on impact, feasibility, public support, and alignment with Pacifica’s climate goals. The evaluation reflects significant research, analysis, and deliberation by the CAAP Task Force. This evaluation approach helped narrow down potential actions and provides a strong foundation for Pacifica’s climate action strategy. The resulting list of actions represents a thoughtfully curated selection of the top industry and regional best practices for the specific needs of the Pacifica climate and community.
Given staffing and financial constraints, it is unlikely that the City can act on all proposed measures as laid out. To further refine the prioritization framework, staff recommends categorizing CAAP actions into three tiers-immediate, medium-term, and long-term-based on feasibility and resource availability. This approach builds upon the Task Force’s excellent prioritization work by adding a practical implementation timeline that considers City staffing and budget constraints.
To ensure that Pacifica’s climate efforts remain both aspirational and achievable, the Council is Pacifica City Council 6
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asked to consider whether additional prioritization is needed to ensure practical implementation and, if so, whether the proposed three-tier framework provides an appropriate structure for phased action.
To guide ranking, staff offers the following criteria for consideration:
• Climate Impact & GHG Reduction: Actions that have the highest GHG reduction potential and contribute to long-term climate resilience. • Feasibility & Cost: Actions that can be implemented within current City resources or with available funding should be prioritized over those requiring significant new investments. • Alignment with Existing City Goals: Priority should be given to actions that align with Pacifica’s Strategic Plan, General Plan, Capital Improvement Plan, and budget priorities. • Potential for Community Partnerships: Actions that can be implemented with support from residents, businesses, nonprofits, or regional agencies should be considered.
To support clear decision-making and phased implementation, staff proposes ranking the actions within each sector using the following three-tier structure, applying the criteria of Climate Impact & GHG Reduction, Feasibility & Cost, Alignment with Existing City Goals, and Potential for Community Partnerships:
• Tier 1: Immediate Actions: Actions that provide the greatest GHG reduction, align with existing City priorities, and can be implemented with existing or secured funding. These actions are highly feasible and have a strong potential for measurable progress in the near term.
• Tier 2: Medium-Term Actions: Actions that have strong GHG reduction potential but may require new resources, partnerships, or additional funding before implementation. These actions may have strong potential but require moderate levels of feasibility adjustments. • Tier 3: Long-Term or Complex Actions: Actions that require significant policy changes, major investments, or regional coordination and should be considered as future opportunities when resources and conditions allow.
This structure will allow Council and staff to quickly identify near-term, high-impact actions, while also ensuring that longer-term strategies remain part of the City’s climate planning framework.
Council direction is requested on whether to proceed with structuring the CAAP actions using this framework.
Key Questions for Consideration
1. Should the City proceed with securing consultant support to refine the CAAP as an adoptable policy document?
2. Given the volume of priority actions identified in the CAAP, does Council support further refinement of the prioritization process to ensure near-term feasibility? If so, does Council find the proposed three-tier framework appropriate, or would they prefer an alternative approach?
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
This is a study session, and the City Manager is requesting input from the City Council and CAAP Task Force. Adoption of the CAAP will occur at a future public meeting. No formal action Pacifica City Council 7
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is required at this time.
RELATION TO CITY COUNCIL GOALS AND WORK PLAN
The work of the CAAP Task Force to draft an update to the City’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan is a strategy for:
• Goal #4: Pursue Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation. • Goal #5: Broaden public communications and collaboration.
These goals align with the City Council’s Strategic Plan 2023 to 2030.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no direct fiscal impact from the joint study session. Should Council direct staff to secure consultant support to complete the CAAP and prepare it for adoption, additional funding will be required. While the specific scope of work has not yet been finalized, it is anticipated that costs will remain within the City Manager’s approval threshold, utilizing previously allocated funds from the FY 2024-25 budget.
ORIGINATED BY:
Community Development Department
ATTACHMENT LIST:
Attachment A - Draft Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (PDF)