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 Regular Meeting 1 May 12, 2025
May 12, 2025 (MONDAY)
www.cityofpacifica.org
Mayor Sue Beckmeyer called the meeting to order on May 12, 2025 at 7:05 PM 7:00 PM OPEN SESSION
Call to Order
Mayor Beckmeyer called the meeting to order at 7:05 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; Michelle Kenyon, City Attorney; Yulia Carter, Asst. City Manager; Samantha Updegrave, Community Development Director; Marisol Gómez, Finance & Administrative Services Director; Scott Leslie, PB&R Director; Roland Yip, PW Dep.
Director (Field Services/Engineering); Daniel Patten, Wastewater Engineering Manager; Bill Glasgo, Police Captain; Lucy Xie, Dep. Director of Finance; Stephanie Coy, Financial Analyst; Sarah Coffey, City Clerk; Emily La, Dep. City Clerk.
Reading of Land Acknowledgment
Mayor Beckmeyer read the Land Acknowledgment.
Salute to the Flag led by Councilmember Wright
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
A. Preservation Award 2025 by the Open Space & Parkland Advisory Committee to Peter Loeb
Mayor Beckmeyer stated the first presentation is the 2025 Preservation Award from the Open Space & Parkland Advisory Committee to Peter Loeb presented by Chair Ellen Natesan.
City Council Regular Meeting 2 May 12, 2025
Peter Loeb thanked OSPAC and the City for this honor. He then shared the past history of OSPAC supporters and their accomplishments, stating that they all did this together.
Mayor pro Tem Boles stated Mr. Loeb was one of the first people she got to know in Pacifica, and she referred to a book called Legendary Locals of Pacifica in which he was featured. She felt he was a star and he inspired her, and his encouragement helped her and many others learn so much. She was grateful for his service as she felt Pacifica was a different place because of him.
Councilmember Bier stated, when she thinks of Pacifica historically, she thinks of him. She thanked him for being patient with her and helping her learn. She thanked him for all he has done for our city.
Councilmember Wright praised all the work and service Mr. Loeb did to make this a beautiful place where he wanted to lay down his roots. He stated that Mr. Loeb’s life of service has been an example to Pacifica and he thanked him for all he did for Pacifica.
Councilmember Espinosa thanked him for what he has done for protecting our open spaces and for being a teacher for many of them. She thanked him for being an advocate for our open space.
Mayor Beckmeyer echoed what everyone said. She felt what he accomplished is truly amazing and the people he has inspired, and those who worked and continue to work for Pacifica have learned from him. She thanked him and stated they are proud to be Pacificans and carry on traditions of open space and making us a beautiful and peaceful community where we work hard together. She then opened public comments.
Suzanne Moore, Pacifica, stated Mr. Loeb was one of Mother Earth’s advocates and shared her positive thoughts on his history. She stated this award was genuinely deserved and thanked OSPAC for acknowledging him.
Sue Digre, Pacifica, expressed gratitude to Mr. Loeb for his hard work and humility and thanked him for his contributions to our community and using his voice to help people speak.
Clif Lawrence and Summer Lee, Pacifica, stated Mr. Loeb was a wonderful mentor who was passionate about open space and commended his strength.
Cindy Abbott, Pacifica, stated Mr. Loeb was one of our most significant open space heroes, sharing that he was involved in so many of the City’s open space accomplishments. He also was one of the main reasons she continued protecting our open space.
Mark Hubbell, Pacifica, thanked Mr. Loeb for all his hard work and for being such a good friend.
Mayor Beckmeyer closed public comments.
B. Proclamation - National Police Week (May 11 - 17, 2025) Councilmember Bier read the proclamation honoring National Police Week.
Councilmember Bier thanked our officers for everything they do for our community and the City Council Regular Meeting 3 May 12, 2025
years of service that Captain Glasgo has given and thanked our Chief.
Councilmember Wright emphasized the feeling of security in the community because of Captain Glasgo and his coworkers and expressed his appreciation for the Police Department.
Mayor pro Tem Boles stated we are grateful to each of police officers. She stated they put their lives on the line to keep us safe. She thanked them all for their service, wisdom, and experience.
Councilmember Espinosa learned about the many things the Police Department does and she appreciated them. She knows they are protecting us and she thanked them for everything.
Mayor Beckmeyer described the constant presence and security the Police Department brings to the City. She commended all the times the officers have put their lives on the line for our community and keeping everyone up and down our coast safe.
Police Captain Glasgo stated, on behalf of Police Chief Sarasua and the entire Police Department, he would like to express their sincere gratitude for Council’s proclamation in recognition of National Police Week. He felt it was a powerful reminder of the strong partnership between their department and the community they serve, honoring the dedication and sacrifice of law enforcement offers of the past and present. He thanked them for standing with them during this important week of reflection and appreciation.
There were no public comments.
C. Proclamation - Emergency Medical Services Week (May 18 - 24, 2025) Mayor Beckmeyer read the proclamation honoring Emergency Medical Services Week.
Councilmember Wright stated he could not express enough appreciation for the work our first responders do 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. He appreciated that sense of security they provided to the community.
Councilmember Bier thanked the first responders, sharing that there have been many times when she and her family have needed the help and they have been there.
Mayor pro Tem Boles shared a personal anecdote where first responders helped her family, assessing the situation, what was needed, the appropriate care, etc. She thanked them.
Councilmember Espinosa appreciated that first responders provide the first services to the person prior to emergency care and thanked them for their dedicated work.
Mayor Beckmeyer shared a personal anecdote where first responders helped her and stated she was grateful to them and the care they give to all our community.
Battalion Chief Ryan Frederick stated it was an honor to be before them in celebrating the Emergency Medical Services Week. He stated that they are grateful to Mayor Beckmeyer, the Council and community for this proclamation which acknowledges the lifesaving work of the EMS providers every day, our paramedics, EMT dispatchers, and first responders who demonstrate courage, compassion and professionalism in the face of emergencies. He asked that they take the opportunity to not only honor the past and present achievements of EMS City Council Regular Meeting 4 May 12, 2025
providers, but also to look ahead for its continued innovation, stronger collaboration, and a future where emergency medical services continue to grow.
There were no public comments.
D. Proclamation - National Public Works Week (May 18 - 24, 2025) Mayor pro Tem Boles read the proclamation honoring National Public Works Week.
Councilmember Bier thought it was important for young people to know how important Public Works was and that it is a career pathway for them. She stated that she could not count all that Public Works does for our City, and everything they do is so important to make the City flow.
Councilmember Espinosa could not imagine all the phone calls they get about everything, such as garbage, pot holes, etc. She thanked them for keeping the City clean and in order.
Mayor pro Tem Boles stated that we could not operate without Public Works and the 60 people who make up the department. She loved the theme for the year, “People, Purpose, Presence,” recognizing each person in the vital jobs they have. She stated they all share a sense of purpose to be able to come and do this job and keep the City running every day and their presence every day is so essential.
Councilmember Wright echoed what all the Councilmembers have said and Public Works is making roads and streets safe for the public to get by. He stated that this City would not function without them and we owe them a debt of appreciation even though they operate in the background in silence and we greatly appreciate their service.
Mayor Beckmeyer stated Public Works does critical life safety work and thanked them for their hard work. She noticed their quick work throughout the City and thanked them.
PW Dep. Director Yip thanked the Mayor, Mayor pro Tem and all councilmembers and stated that it was an honor for him to accept this on behalf of the Public Works Department. He commended the certified operators, engineers, technicians, and maintenance workers for their years, and in some cases decades, of experience. Their skilled professionalism and commitment to public service is what keeps the City running smoothly day in and day out. He also shared information on the Public Works Open House event on May 28.
There were no public comments.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Beckmeyer asked if any Councilmember wanted to pull an item from the Consent Calendar. Seeing no one, she opened public comments. There were no public comments.
Councilmember Bier moved to approve the Consent Calendar; seconded by Councilmember Wright.
City Clerk Coffey took a vote by verbal roll call.
City Council Regular Meeting 5 May 12, 2025
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Mary Bier, Councilmember
SECONDER: Greg Wright, Councilmember
AYES: Beckmeyer, Boles, Bier, Espinosa, Wright
1. Approval of Disbursements for 04/01/25 through 04/30/25 PROPOSED ACTION: Receive and file the Monthly Check Register Report for the month of April 2025
2. Approval of Minutes
PROPOSED ACTION: Move to approve the minutes for the April 14, 2025 City Council Special and Regular Meeting.
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. Adopt a list of projects for Fiscal Year 2025-26 funded by SB 1: Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.
PROPOSED ACTION: Adopt the Resolution of the City Council of the City of Pacifica Adopting a list of projects for Fiscal Year 2025-26 funded by SB 1: Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.
5. Ninth Amendment to Consultant Services Agreement for On-Call Planning Services Between the City of Pacifica and Consulting Firm Good City Company PROPOSED ACTION: Move to adopt a resolution to approve the Ninth Amendment to the Agreement for Consultant Services between the City of Pacifica and Good City Company, by increasing the contract amount by $130,000 with a total amount of $802,500 and, to authorize the City Manager to execute the amendment.
6. First Amendment to Consultant Services Agreement for Professional Planning and Related Services Between the City of Pacifica and Consulting Firm MIG PROPOSED ACTION: Move to adopt a resolution to approve the First Amendment to the Agreement for Consultant Services between the City of Pacifica and MIG, Inc., by increasing the contract amount by $75,000 with a total amount of $150,000 and, to authorize the City Manager to execute the amendment.
7. Adoption of Ordinance Amending Sections 3-15.02, 3-15.03 and 3-15.08 and adding a new section 3-15.11, “Adjustment of dollar amounts to conform to Public Contract Code” within Chapter 15, “Bidding Procedures for Public Projects” of Title 3, “Finance” of the Pacifica Municipal Code relating to public bidding procedures and award of contracts for public projects.
PROPOSED ACTION: Move to waive the second reading and adopt by title only “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Pacifica Repealing and Replacing Sections 3-15.02, 3-15.03, and 3-15.08 and Adding a New Section 3-15.11, ‘Adjustment Of Dollar Amounts To Conform To Public Contract Code’ Within Chapter 15, ‘Bidding Procedures For Public Projects’ Of Title 3, ‘Finance’ Relating To Public Bidding Procedures And Award Of Contracts For Public Projects”; and finding introduction of Ordinance not City Council Regular Meeting 6 May 12, 2025
subject to review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21000, et seq. and the CEQA Guidelines (14 Cal. Code Regs. §§ 15000 et. seq.), including without limitation, Public Resources Code section 21065 and California Code of Regulations 15378.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE POSTED AGENDA
Paula Teixera, Pacifica, stated she is with Pacifica Library of San Mateo County Libraries and shared details about an ongoing citizenship class at the Sharp Park Library every Monday.
Sue Digre, Pacifica, shared her concerns about enabling citizens to be fully engaged, specifically in relation to RHNA, and emphasized the public’s voice in their own community.
Remi Tan, Pacifica, stated he keeps hearing fireworks and shared his concerns on that issue regarding safety and asking that Council consider a fireworks ban. He also shared his concerns about flights over from SFO that are getting worse.
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor pro Tem Boles thanked everyone that came out for the offshore reef presentation and encouraged people to view the resources for more information. She thanked City Manager Woodhouse for working with her to finish the grant for Stanford for the sustainable cities, which would start to put some instrumentation to understand our wave dynamics and sand movement that will help different projects in this area. She attended the Coastal Commission meeting and wanted to say some words in support of them and Chair Justin Cummings, who is our representative from Santa Cruz County. She also knew people in the community were going to say some of the comments she had made against some of the LCLUP policies and she wanted to be very careful to not influence the conversation. It was intentional but she was glad to see us moving forward.
Councilmember Bier shared that, on June 1, Pacificans Care is holding a fundraiser at Pedro Point Fire House; and on May 24, PCT is having their open house, Get Ready and Learn. She referred to the Pacifica Pride planning team and praised Lauren Smith for all her hard work.
She is looking forward to the event. She was happy to attend the offshore reef presentation.
She stated that our Mayor’s Mental Health Initiative received the Tony Hoffman Community Mental Health Services Award from the Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Commission, and she thanked everyone who attended the youth summit and supported in many ways. She recognized Eli Poblitz and Robby Bancroft for their contributions.
Councilmember Wright commended all of our planning staff, including former Director Murdock, who worked with the Coastal Commission to get our Local Coastal Land Use Plan approved.
He also acknowledged the privilege of being able to go to the Progress Seminar and had a chance to interact with all the people he met and all the things he learned which he would recommend to others.
Mayor Beckmeyer thanked staff and our community for showing up and paying attention and giving feedback on our Local Coastal Land Use Plan. She is encouraged that we had the support of an 8-1 vote and hear Coastal Commission staff speaking about the engagement they had with our staff and looking ahead to how they expect to see our interactions continue. She is looking forward to working more on the opportunities through the grant funds. What they need to do is find overlaps and work together to create that vision for Pacifica as that is what is going City Council Regular Meeting 7 May 12, 2025
to guide all the work they have going forward. She thanked everyone for their comments and efforts.
Councilmember Espinosa stated that she attended the ADU Workshop and thought it was very interesting. She encouraged anyone thinking about an ADU to learn more about it.
Councilmember Bier added, regarding the LCLUP, she was grateful for how intentional the commissioners were and she urged people to watch the meeting. She commended former Directors Tina Wehrmeister and Christian Murdock. She stated that it will be wonderful to move forward and start looking at nature-based solutions and the adaptation strategies and all the things we meant to look at while being an example for other cities.
The City Council wished City Attorney Kenyon a happy birthday.
STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
City Manager Woodhouse stated that the City’s new ADU webpage has an ADU plans gallery which provides new tools in terms of streamlining, ADU permitting, plans available to save money, etc. It is a great step forward regarding ADUs, and the City has a progress report on ADUs that have been built in Pacifica. He briefly referred to the LCLUP and wanted to acknowledge Community Development Director Updegrave for her work, as well as all of the planning staff. It was a great learning and growing opportunity for other planning staff that were filling in the interim. He also acknowledged the important contributions of the City Attorney’s Office through this whole process. He felt it was a huge milestone, not just for Pacifica, but statewide as well. He also shared information on the City Council’s governance training to take place later that week.
Mayor Beckmeyer called for a break and then reconvened the meeting. She also mentioned that May 15 is Bike to Wherever Day.
PUBLIC HEARINGS - NONE.
CONSIDERATION
8. Fiscal Year 2025-26 Base Budget and Introduction of the 2025-30 Capital Improvement Program.
PROPOSED ACTION: Accept the report and provide feedback and direction on the proposed Fiscal Year 2025-26 Base Budget, and introduction of the FY 2025-30 Capital Improvement Program.
City Manager Woodhouse, Asst. City Manager Carter, Finance & Admin. Services Director Gómez, PW Dep. Director Yip, and WW Engineering Manager Patten presented the staff report.
Councilmember Wright asked what “at existing staffing levels” means.
Asst. City Manager Carter stated that it means that the base budget includes exactly the same number of staff in positions that is in the current year’s budget (no addition to the second level).
Councilmember Wright asked how does that relate for a city our size.
Asst. City Manager Carter believed, in previous study sessions, we reported some of the City Council Regular Meeting 8 May 12, 2025
previous studies that have been done and Pacifica is historically lower-staffed than other agencies of our size. She stated that we are still down 21% (about 36 positions).
Councilmember Wright asked are we paying them the average market rate.
Asst. City Manager Carter stated no, the average City staff is below market, some more significant than others.
Councilmember Wright asked if it was up to 33% below market.
Asst. City Manager Carter stated it ranges by different classifications and positions from 5% below market all the way to 33% at the lowest.
Councilmember Wright asked, if we were to budget an average level of staff getting an average amount of pay, what would our structural deficit roughly be.
Asst. City Manager Carter stated staff would require additional studies for that number. She stated that the base budget does not include all the staffing, budget, and CIP needs. She stated it would be a multi-million number.
Councilmember Wright stated he did some rough calculations and came up with about $10-$12 million short. He stated to impress upon others what he considers to be an important priority but this needs to address our renewable funding at the appropriate time. He asked City Manager Woodhouse about the appropriate time to address that.
City Manager Woodhouse stated that Council can start during this budget process and, if they go back to Council’s Strategic Planning process, they had information he presented to frame the downward spiral challenge that the City has and how important looking years into the future for Pacifica’s financial sustainability is.
Councilmember Wright thinks it is very important as we all deserve that same level of service that the average city gets and our staff does more with less than any other City out there. He asked Public Works if the solar panel changes affect the rate that we are going to pay for electricity at all or going to be lateral.
WW Engineering Manager Patten stated that the solar project would only replace some of the existing panels at the plant. He stated that the additional energy would get consumed by the equipment on site.
Councilmember Wright asked if we will stay at the same rate.
WW Engineering Manager Patten stated these panels will likely be owned and operated by the City and would not be an external utility.
Councilmember Wright stated he owns his own panels at home and, if he were to work on them, it would change his rate.
WW Engineering Manager Patten stated right now the panels offset potentially between 10% and 15% of our total energy used. He is hoping that the project will pay itself off in the very near future, but we still need to do the study.
City Council Regular Meeting 9 May 12, 2025
Councilmember Wright appreciated the effort to be energy-conscious. He asked the City Manager about Vehicle License Fee (VLF) In-Lieu Funds.
City Manager Woodhouse stated the State’s backfill for VLF in-lieu was not in the Governor’s first budget. Given the State’s newer challenges, some of which are related to the fires in Southern California and federal funding influences, he is not optimistic about that inclusion in later budgets. However, on the advocacy side, we have had some optimistic news about how our legislators have been working on this topic. He cannot say definitively whether the backfill will be in there for this year, which covers the shortfall of the amount from two years ago (estimated at $2.3 million). He stated that the budget strategy to plan on reserves to fill that will sort out this issue, but last year, at this time, we were also pessimistic about whether the backfill was going to be in there and it ended up being in there. He stated that there was a lot of difficult work that went on in Sacramento to make that happen and they are hoping for the same this year.
Councilmember Wright thanked them for all the hard work on a well-done presentation.
Mayor pro Tem Boles stated that we used to put some of the ERAF in the Disaster Accounting Fund and half in the housing fund, more or less, minus the donations to non-profits. She asked how much we spent from the Disaster Accounting Fund on disaster projects roughly.
Asst. City Manager Carter stated the Council’s policy was to allocate extra ERAF 50/50 between Housing Action Fund and Disaster Accounting Fund; last year it was $1.6 million in both funds and that is what we put in the General Fund. For the actuals from FY 2023-24, what was expended from the fund was $2.3 million.
City Manager Woodhouse stated that perhaps $1 million of that amount might have been towards the Beach Boulevard Infrastructure Resiliency Project, as there was a breach or two of the sea wall that was emergency funding and perhaps roof repair.
Asst. City Manager Carter stated that it looks like it was a transfer.
City Manager Woodhouse stated that Fund 38, the Disaster Accounting Fund, is used for those emergencies, but it is also strategically used each year for proactive work to prevent emergencies.
Mayor pro Tem Boles stated that is why she is concerned, if we are not putting money in this year and trying to figure out how much is a good amount in case we do have a disaster.
Asst. City Manager Carter clarified that, at the base budget level, the projected fund balance in the Disaster Accounting Fund is $6.6 million.
Mayor pro Tem Boles stated that we cannot continue not funding it.
Asst. City Manager Carter stated she is correct and that is what we tried to make clear in the staff report that allocating excess ERAF in the General Fund is not the sustained strategy longterm.
Mayor pro Tem Boles agreed, and that is what is concerning. She stated, besides salaries, we have many other expenses we have to try to come up with. She asked if the excess ERAF is something staff wants input on in terms of other non-profits at this time or would that be City Council Regular Meeting 10 May 12, 2025
discussed.
Asst. City Manager Carter stated that we would like to get their input. She stated, as mentioned by Finance & Admin. Services Director Gómez, we brought it back to the status quo because the Council voted last time for two allocations being one-time; but if the Council wishes to continue funding them or change the allocation for the non-profits, we would like their input today.
Mayor pro Tem Boles stated that, in the last couple of years, we have been investing on the wastewater treatment plant and she knows it is coming toward the end of its life. She asked if we see some of those expenses dwindling down.
WW Engineering Manager Patten stated that now we have the EV project as the largest project we have had since the plant itself was constructed and the Headworks project will also likely be a similar scale. After that, there will be constant repair of pumps, blowers, equipment, etc. that are being used all the time. He assumed probably in about three years, it will be extraordinarily busy both in resources. He can see those having taken care of the major items.
Mayor pro Tem Boles shared information on the sewer lateral replacement, especially for residents in Rockaway and Vallemar, where we are doing the work in the streets. She asked how much was used last year for sewer lateral replacement.
WW Engineering Manager Patten stated we had about $50,000 budgeted somewhere in that range. As part of the Vallemar project, we will be having several public meetings to educate the residents on the project and to provide information on lateral grant program.
Mayor pro Tem Boles appreciated staff working on sewers and easements. She knows, a year or two ago, there turned out to be one sewer main under a building, and she asked if there are any more of those issues that staff are aware of now.
WW Engineering Manager Patten could not conclusively say that there are not any. He hoped to identify some of the easements projects which are labor-intensive and impact residents to fix those problems.
Councilmember Espinosa asked how much the permit is if you need to replace the sewer lateral.
WW Engineering Manager Patten stated complete replacement can range from $10,000 to $20,000. He stated that he does not know the total cost of the permit off the top of his head.
Councilmember Espinosa asked how much the grant for replacement was.
WW Engineering Manager Patten stated that the lateral grants are typically $3,000.
Mayor Beckmeyer asked if the amount we are proposing in this budget to satisfy is $200,000.
WW Engineering Manager Patten answered affirmatively.
Mayor pro Tem Boles stated that there is a balance of $480,000 so there is $680,000 available.
She stated that it is one of the questions when staff come back to Council of if we want to increase the incentive if we are finding that people are not taking advantage of the $3,000.
City Council Regular Meeting 11 May 12, 2025
Councilmember Bier asked for clarification about the Crespi to Anza Equalization Project.
WW Engineering Manager Patten stated that there is a windup pump that gets pumped out of the Equalization Basin, goes down Crespi Boulevard, under the bike path along the dunes, and connects into another line that goes under Lot D to Lot A and then into Linda Mar Pump Station.
He stated that the southern section of the pipeline was replaced several years ago, and the northern portion that is under the sand dunes is similar age, similar construction. Therefore, the thought is to be more proactive and replace it before there is an issue, as this is a sensitive area for habitat and public use. We will be looking at potential alternatives, minimizing the impact to the habitat and public.
Mayor Beckmeyer asked if he was speaking of the Snowy Plover habitat on that side.
WW Engineering Manager Patten answered affirmatively.
Mayor Beckmeyer stated that we are talking about the budget for it, but in preparing to do that kind of work, she asked if there was an environmental element, such as nesting times.
WW Engineering Manager Patten agreed, stating these are the exact things we want to look at first and consider what the options are for replacing it, i.e. habitat for Snowy Plover, several species of native plants, etc.
Mayor Beckmeyer referred to packet page 133, Attachment 4, and asked what the purpose of “other previously approved active CIP” list was. She asked if it is to enumerate the things we have done or are we saying these are things we are not planning to fund in the FY 2025-26.
She mentioned that there was an edit where it says “non-discretionary ongoing projects not requesting FY 25-2 funding”. She asked if we are saying that we are not funding this list.
PW Dep. Director Yip stated that was correct as we are not requesting FY 25-26 funding for those projects, i.e. Beach Boulevard Infrastructure Resiliency Project. We have a couple of grant applications going in to the Department of Boating and Waterways, which those staff reports have requested for some local match with those grants. He stated it is not that these projects are not moving forward, but that we do not need funding at this time because it has been previously allocated with last year’s budgeting.
Mayor Beckmeyer stated that we should assume the same for the rest of the list, i.e. not requesting funding because they are funded or because we do not have the capacity to do the work.
PW Dep. Director Yip stated that the full CIP report will have a form for every single project, and you will be able to see in those forms for which projects how much budget has been allocated already and when we anticipate more funding to come into the project. He stated that the ones that do not have funding are on packet page 135 and that is the unfunded capital projects.
Those are the ones that cannot start unless we allocate funding onto those projects.
Mayor pro Tem Boles asked if the forms for each project with the CIP would come to Council later.
Asst. City Manager Carter stated the whole budget will be presented together before the adoption. The June 23 meeting is when we will see the actual proposed documents.
City Council Regular Meeting 12 May 12, 2025
Mayor pro Tem Boles referred to the Disaster Accounting Fund and the grant for the Beach Boulevard Infrastructure Resiliency project that may be awarded in June; if we get that, we have to come up with $1.3 million as a matching fund for that at that time.
PW Dep. Director Yip answered affirmatively. Staff will have to come back to execute the agreements and, at that time, Council will decide if they want to allocate Disaster Accounting Fund for the local match. He stated that there are two grants, one for Phase 2B from last year for the environmental documentation and the most recent one for Phase 2C for the completion design and for permitting. Both will be brought back when we have the executed agreement for approval.
Mayor pro Tem Boles stated that is a significant amount potentially coming out of Fund 38.
Mayor Beckmeyer opened public comments.
Clif Lawrence, Pacifica, asked how the City plans to handle an expected recession and how will that affect our budget.
Remi Tan, Pacifica, asked how activities in the federal government will affect the budget and he mentioned needing more revenue streams, such as hotel development.
Mayor Beckmeyer closed public comments.
Councilmember Bier followed up on the question about recession.
Asst. City Manager Carter stated that the numbers before Council today is the base budget only. Typically, if we were to talk about significant enhancement to services, she stated it was a prudent strategy to test what will happen and how sustainable it is with a recession. Doing this kind of analysis in the past, typically we review 2-4 previous recessions and see how the City responded to those, capture those assumptions and see if the revenues and expenditures will fall and whether it is a sustainable way to enhance the services. She stated that this is not what is on the agenda today as we will continue with the status quo base budget with the revenues and expenditures as they are today.
Mayor Beckmeyer stated there is an expected reduction in temporary occupancy tax related to the forthcoming changes and the impact of the Short-Term Rental ordinance that will be coming to Council for final approval soon. She stated that, in FY 25-26, we anticipate $620,000 less than our revised budget amount for this fiscal year.
Asst. City Manager Carter answered affirmatively.
Mayor Beckmeyer asked if the County Assessor’s Office will release the update on the assessment or the projected tax revenues after July 1.
Finance & Admin. Services Director Gómez answered affirmatively. After July 1, they review for additional CPI about the 2% base projection we have in the budget now and we will review what those projections look like, given the exemptions or any corrections over the previous year that they include in there to see if we should adjust our budget at the year.
Mayor Beckmeyer asked if it is typically right after or sometime in the coming months after July City Council Regular Meeting 13 May 12, 2025
1. Finance & Admin. Services Director Gómez believed it is sometime in the coming months of July.
Mayor Beckmeyer referred to the CIP for replacing 30,000 linear feet of sewer mains in Rockaway and Vallemar and asked if we have an approximate timing on that.
WW Engineering Manager Patten stated now the project is in the middle of design and parts of it could be bid out by the last quarter of the year. The worst case would be early next year.
Mayor Beckmeyer stated, in the course of doing that, she recognizes that the purpose of the design staff is doing is for the sewer mains that go down the street but, at the same time as we just finished up work in Linda Mar, we had a community meeting, there was a postcard, community outreach, and in that analysis, she asked if there is any way of estimating, i.e. how many of those dwelling units we anticipate would need to be looking at doing their lateral or, conversely, data that shows 25% have been done within the last ten years or so.
WW Engineering Manager Patten stated that we should have some data from some records of laterals have been replaced within the last few years. He stated that is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the City and he anticipates there are a number that need replacement.
Mayor Beckmeyer mentioned recently in Linda Mar in the last few weeks, work was done and the feedback she got from the community was wishing they had known it was happening so they could have done their lateral at the time. She is thinking, as that time approaches, about community outreach through public meetings, Council meetings, PCT, social media, etc.
Councilmember Espinosa stated that, when they are doing the repavement, if they do the sewer lateral, it costs more money if the road has been repaved. If they do it before or within that time, it will be cheaper.
Mayor Beckmeyer agreed. She stated that we asked that before when the list of streets in the FY25-26 slurry seal, etc. was on consent and we need to think of ways of publicizing that, too.
Mayor pro Tem Boles asked if we sent out postcards.
Mayor Beckmeyer stated that is very expensive.
Mayor pro Tem Boles stated this is two neighborhoods and we have money in that fund.
WW Engineering Manager Patten stated that the postcards sent out for the lower Linda Mar project were affordable. Rockaway Beach and Vallemar have similar number of residents and he assumes we can send out several postcards. He knows the advantage of the Vallemar and Rockaway Beach is they have NextDoor communities, whereas, in the lower Linda Mar neighborhood, it would have been a challenge to target just the residents that were in the work area. He stated that is not an issue we will have with these two neighborhoods and we will be reaching out to Council and any recommended neighborhood groups.
Mayor Beckmeyer stated staff mentioned the $4.5 million Ultraviolet Disinfection System Upgrade with the Wastewater Treatment Plant and she asked if another is forthcoming.
City Council Regular Meeting 14 May 12, 2025
WW Engineering Manager Patten stated the UV project is currently in construction and the next project is the Headworks Project which we anticipate to be a similar size, although we are still in the analysis stage of the design and looking at several alternatives. Once the alternatives are selected, we will need the plant objectives for treatment, i.e. operability, maintainability, constructability, etc. and we will select it and have a more accurate estimate.
Mayor Beckmeyer asked if that will be in FY 25-26 or FY 26-27.
WW Engineering Manager Patten stated it is probably too soon, but the major construction will still be over the next several years.
Mayor Beckmeyer asked if it is also on the order of $4 million or maybe more.
WW Engineering Manager Patten stated, with the information we have now, that is a good estimate, although he hopes to have a better number in a few months.
Mayor Beckmeyer looked forward to cutting the ribbon on the UV upgrade in October.
Mayor pro Tem Boles asked why the San Pedro Creek TDML testing (total daily maximum load) for bacterial testing in the creek and at San Pedro Beach for sewage in particular types of bacteria was in the wastewater budget.
PW Dep. Director Yip stated wastewater was included to pay for some of the TMDL testing because of the sewer lateral leaks and infiltration now is happening that contributed to some of the bacteria in the San Pedro Creek.
Mayor pro Tem Boles stated these studies are set to conclude at the end of the year but to date bacteria levels have not improved and the funding is primarily through property-related fees.
She asked, if we wanted to continue the program since the issue has not been resolved, if it is something we can extend or something that rolls off automatically on property taxes.
PW Dep. Director Yip stated, because it is assessed with parcel taxes, the fees for the NPDS parcel tax will continue to come in. In terms of what the water board will do at the conclusion of this year, we do not know; if they say that we have to continue to do testing, then we will need to continue the testing and add a contract back to Council for approval for additional funding for additional testing.
Mayor pro Tem Boles states she would love a presentation about what the RCD has learned.
Mayor Beckmeyer and Councilmember Bier agreed to agendize a presentation from RCD.
Mayor Beckmeyer asked, when we get ready for someone to go before the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Control Board sometime this year, how does that work.
PW Dep. Director Yip stated that his understanding is that RCD represents many agencies and they will be the ones leading the efforts and, in terms of them presenting to our Council with presentation, that can be done.
Mayor pro Tem Boles referred to excess ERAF and suggested $5,000 for Coast Pride again.
There was Council consensus.
City Council Regular Meeting 15 May 12, 2025
Mayor pro Tem Boles stated staff said there was currently $557,000 left of potential excess ERAF for Council priorities and would like us not to spend all that.
Mayor Beckmeyer thinks the City Manager will bring the budget recommendation forward.
City Manager Woodhouse stated that regarding uncontrollable economic impacts, that is why we have other protective reserves as well. The Disaster Accounting Fund is a particular fund, not a reserve for these economic emergencies, one of which we identified related to our VLF inlieu. He stated that is what those other prudent reserves exist for. He stated that the question will be, until we get into the details from the departments, there are requests that are going to come that are critical to implementing particular strategies that have been identified in the Strategic Plan and we have to evaluate those on how can we afford those. The $500,000 of excess ERAF will be the discussion point and a decision point for Council is do we not fund some of these other strategies in order for that money to go back into the General Fund or go to the Disaster Accounting Fund or the Housing Action Fund, if there is any left over. He stated that is a priority setting for Council.
Mayor pro Tem Boles assumed that would be at the next meeting.
City Manager Woodhouse answered affirmatively.
Mayor Beckmeyer proposed that we consider some funding for Fog Fest.
Councilmember Bier agreed.
Mayor pro Tem Boles stated it was a significant amount last year as we wrote off some expenses and then gave more. She stated that last year they were not an organized non-profit.
She asked if we have an update on how they are doing. She stated it would be nice to have a presentation and a request.
Mayor Beckmeyer agreed and wanted to note that she is interested in some funding for Fog Fest.
Councilmember Wright thought it was appropriate to budget for the same thing they did last year and then specify that at the appropriate time.
Mayor Beckmeyer asked if he was saying $25,000.
Councilmember Wright stated just a budgetary placeholder.
City Manager Woodhouse stated that he did not have any information today about Fog Fest status or what their funding needs might be and he would need to inquire and hear from them.
He stated that there is the question from last year about sponsorship and fundraising work. He stated that we may want to withhold our decision about funding to see how that goes.
Mayor pro Tem Boles mentioned the only capital improvements we have taken out is $50,000 for all of the City’s capital improvements and it would be giving half of that without any presentation.
Councilmember Bier mentioned she would follow up on the status of sponsorships with Fog City Council Regular Meeting 16 May 12, 2025
Fest.
Mayor Beckmeyer asked what the City Manager’s preference would be.
City Manager Woodhouse recommended that Council has indicated openness to assisting again this year but leave it at that and we find out more information from Fog Fest of what they are doing, what they have planned for all of their fundraising and sponsorship raising work, etc.
Council does not need to make a decision until later in June and we can find out information in the meantime and request that information from them and we can be prepared with that. Fog Fest can also speak at the hearing.
Mayor Beckmeyer concluded that it is staff’s function.
City Manager Woodhouse agreed and added Council is not committing to giving a specific amount of money and therefore avoiding the disincentive component to it.
Mayor Beckmeyer understood. She also wanted to speak about the bridge in Rockaway that has been closed and it looked like we are applying for a $357,000 grant for repair and replacement.
City Manager Woodhouse agreed, adding that he believes we have already submitted the preapplication for the Coastal Conservancy for the Rockaway Bridge. He stated that this is a bridge in the coastal zone that is part of the coastal trail that crosses a seasonal creek. It is a safety project as it is not safe for it to be open for the public. He stated that it is an extremely complex and expensive project. It is also the type of project that is precisely what fits into our coastal assets, infrastructure, access improvements, etc. piece of the LCLUP and furthers all of the mission in the coastal zone and coastal access. It is a promising project for grant funding and, unfortunately, these take time. His recommendation would be that we need to go for grant money for this and, if we do not get the grant money, then we can revisit it. He appreciated the patience of the community.
Mayor Beckmeyer asked if it was presently in our CIP as an unfunded project.
PW Dep. Director Yip stated we have not included it in the list, but we can include it in the report.
Mayor Beckmeyer agreed about it fitting in with our coastal adaptation plans and our coastal management plan under the LCLUP and we need to add it, whatever the funding source.
Mayor pro Tem Boles stated she has seen questions from the public but it is on our radar. She asked if that was completely the City’s responsibility, not part of mitigation access from another adjacent project.
PW Dep. Director Yip believed it is the City’s responsibility.
Mayor Beckmeyer thanked staff for the presentation.
Finance & Admin. Services Director Gómez recognized Dep. Finance Director Lucy Xie and Financial Analyst Stephanie Coy who contributed to the budget.
City Council Regular Meeting 17 May 12, 2025
RESULT: NO VOTE REQUIRED
9. Appointments to the Beautification Advisory Committee; Measure Y Citizens' Oversight Committee; Open Space and Parkland Advisory Committee; and Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission
PROPOSED ACTION: Move to appoint
A) one (1) applicant to the Beautification Advisory Committee for a partial term to expire March 2027;
B) up to three (3) applicants to the Measure Y Citizens' Oversight Committee for full 4- year terms to expire May 2029;
C) three (3) applicants to the Open Space and Parkland Advisory Committee for full 4- year terms to expire May 2029; and
D) one (1) applicant to the Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission for a full 4-year term to expire May 2029.
City Clerk Coffey presented the staff report.
Mayor Beckmeyer opened public comments.
Sue Digre, Pacifica, noticed one of the OSPAC applicants was a developer who has come before the committee presenting a project for development and shared concerns about possible recusal of that applicant, if appointed, for agendized topics.
Remi Tan, Pacifica, supported Aaron Reif for reappointment on OSPAC and shared positive thoughts on his contributions thus far. He also supported Mark Hubbell for appointment on OSPAC as he has been an advocate of open space. He echoed the same concerns as Sue Digre regarding the developer applicant.
Mayor Beckmeyer closed public comments.
Mayor pro Tem Boles moved to appoint Taylor Seabaugh to the Beautification Advisory Committee for a partial term expiring in March 2027; seconded by Councilmember Bier.
APPOINTMENT TO THE BEAUTIFICATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE:
Taylor Seabaugh (partial term to expire March 2027)
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Christine Boles, Mayor pro Tem
SECONDER: Mary Bier, Councilmember
AYES: Beckmeyer, Boles, Bier, Espinosa, Wright
Councilmember Wright moved to re-appoint David Griesbach and Nicholas Humann to full terms expiring May 2029 and appoint Carrie Schimizzi to a full term expiring May 2029 to the Measure Y Citizens’ Oversight Committee; seconded by Councilmember Bier.
City Council Regular Meeting 18 May 12, 2025
APPOINTMENTS TO THE MEASURE Y CITIZENS’ OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE:
David Griesbach (full term to expire May 2029)
Nicholas Humann (full term to expire May 2029)
Carrie Schimizzi (full term to expire May 2029)
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Greg Wright, Councilmember
SECONDER: Mary Bier, Councilmember
AYES: Beckmeyer, Boles, Bier, Espinosa, Wright
Councilmember Wright moved to re-appoint Aaron Reif to a full term expiring May 2029 and appoint Mark Hubbell and Erica Woll to full terms expiring May 2029 to the Open Space and Parkland Advisory Committee; seconded by Councilmember Espinosa.
APPOINTMENTS TO THE OPEN SPACE AND PARKLAND ADVISORY COMMITTEE:
Aaron Reif (full term to expire May 2029)
Mark Hubbell (full term to expire May 2029)
Erica Woll (full term to expire May 2029)
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Greg Wright, Councilmember
SECONDER: Mayra Espinosa, Councilmember
AYES: Beckmeyer, Boles, Bier, Espinosa, Wright
Councilmember Espinosa moved to appoint Michael Watkins to the Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission for a full term expiring in May 2029; seconded by Mayor Beckmeyer.
APPOINTMENT TO THE PARKS, BEACHES & RECREATION COMMISSION:
Michael Watkins (full term to expire May 2029)
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Mayra Espinosa, Councilmember
SECONDER: Sue Beckmeyer, Mayor
AYES: Beckmeyer, Boles, Bier, Espinosa, Wright
ADJOURN
Mayor Beckmeyer adjourned the meeting at 10:50 p.m.
Transcribed by Barbara Medina, Public Meeting Stenographer.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sarah Coffey, City Clerk
APPROVED AS AMENDED: 5 - 0; 6/9/2025
__________________________
Christine Boles, Mayor pro Tem