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 August 25, 2025
SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETING
August 25, 2025 (MONDAY)
www.cityofpacifica.org
Mayor pro Tem Christine Boles called the meeting to order on August 25, 2025 at 6:06 PM 6:00 PM OPEN SESSION
Call to Order
Mayor pro Tem Boles called the meeting to order at 6:06 p.m.
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Sue Beckmeyer Mayor Late 6:44 PM
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; Maria Sarasua, Police Chief; Scott Leslie, PB&R Director; Melissa Tigbao, PW Director; Louis Sun, PW Dep. Director-Wastewater Div.; Roland Yip, PW Dep. Director-Engineering; Daniel Patten, Wastewater Engineering Manager; Sarah Coffey, City Clerk; Emily La, Dep. City Clerk.
Reading of Land Acknowledgment
Mayor pro Tem Boles read the Land Acknowledgment.
Salute to the Flag led by Mayor pro Tem Boles
City Council Regular Meeting 2 August 25, 2025
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
A. Proclamation: Suicide Prevention Month - September 2025 Councilmember Bier read a proclamation honoring Suicide Prevention Month.
Michael Lim stated he is on the Behavioral Health Commission and is present on behalf of the San Mateo County Suicide Prevention Committee. He thanked Pacifica for joining other San Mateo cities in honoring Suicide Prevention Month and working on this problem.
Violet Schueller stated she attended Oceana High School and was present on behalf of the Youth Action Board to share their support for this important effort to prevent suicides by supporting those in need of help. She shared her thoughts on their goals to be there to support them in their time of need and encouraging them to take the steps they need to save themselves or a loved one, including attending upcoming events and offering resources and help in the Bay Area. She thanked Pacifica for honoring Suicide Prevention Month this September.
Councilmember Wright stated this was an important issue and thanked them.
Councilmember Bier felt it was important to hear each other and not be afraid to say the word “suicide” and to reach out to those in need and not be afraid to ask them if they need help. She felt the message Ms. Schueller conveyed will give others the courage to help those in need and she looked forward to getting to know her. She also thanked Mr. Lim for all the work he does in all the roles he fills throughout the County.
Councilmember Espinosa felt the most important factor is communication. It is important to openly share how we feel and know about help and resources. She thanked them so much.
Mayor pro Tem Boles appreciated their efforts to take away the stigma of suicide and being afraid to ask for help. She thanked Ms. Schueller for being a voice for youth in this difficult time.
There were no public comments.
B. Proclamation: National Preparedness Month - September 2025 Mayor pro Tem Boles read a proclamation honoring National Preparedness Month.
Battalion Chief Nick Gracia stated NCFA always encourages the public to talk to the firefighters and ask any questions they have. He stated we have great crews at the two stations looking out for the community and staying ahead of the curve with their training program. He thanked City Council for the recognition.
Councilmember Wright wanted to express his appreciation for the Fire Department being the armor that protects our community and keeps us safe. He feels safer for that and thanked him for that.
Councilmember Bier appreciated learning more with all the information NCFA put out in our community. She felt that getting to know the firefighters over the past few years has been a gift for her and it is like family. She appreciates all the information and all their kindness.
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Councilmember Espinosa thanked them for their service. She met with the Fire Department and learned all they do for the community. She thought we need to put out more for people to get the information to be prepared before something happens.
Mayor pro Tem Boles thanked them for all they do to help our community be prepared. She shared information about CERT and the Map Your Neighborhood program by the Police Department. She felt the more we learn how to be self-reliant takes away some of the burden on the Fire and Police staff so they can concentrate on the big disasters, and we appreciate them being there for both big and little disasters.
Battalion Chief Gracia stated NCFA is working on a software program that maps out an evacuation plan so they can plan with real time data what it would look like if they have to evacuate any of the three communities they serve.
There were no public comments.
C. Special Presentation by San Mateo County Resource Conservation District (RCD) and Linda Mar Water Quality Coalition
PW Dep. Director Yip began the presentation by talking about the San Pedro Creek and Pacifica State Beach’s total maximum daily load (TMDL). He detailed ways to protect our water, including mention of a consent agenda item dealing with water monitoring requirements. He then passed it over to the San Mateo County Resource Conservation District.
Kellyx Nelson, Executive Director of San Mateo County Resource Conservation District, briefly explained what the Resource Conservation District (RCD) is and what they do regarding water quality, forest, health and wildlife and work across public and private lands in many cities in San Mateo County and they have been partnering with Pacifica for decades.
Clifton Herrmann, Water Quality Specialist of San Mateo County Resource Conservation District, stated they engage in programs throughout the community, and he shared water quality monitoring results in San Pedro Creek watershed. He stated that the RCD measures bacteria in the creek to find out how much bacteria is in the sample as well as microbial source tracking (MST) to see what kind of animal the source is coming from (e.g. human, horse or dog). They go out for samples four times during each season, wet and dry, and results are the average within season and each season tells them different things about sources and land use. He shared detailed results of their monitoring. He mentioned a test site identified as COSD, a storm drain at Seville and Oviedo Ct which drains into Crespi Canal, in which they consistently see human-associated bacteria at that site. They have been working with City staff to apply for grants to address that issue. He concluded that monitoring results show that human waste is very focused at certain sites, but for dog waste it appears to be more sporadic across the watershed. He appreciated the effort put forth by Public Works and they are committed to working together to keep our community safer.
Mayor pro Tem Boles asked if the gray squares on the presentation signifies what they have not tested and if the sites may have shifted in their testing over time.
Mr. Herrmann stated they have added sites over time. They try to keep them consistent so they can do the long term comparisons, but in some cases when they find an area they want to be investigating more, they will shift resources over to that area. He also shared the information about joining the First Flush Training, the longest water quality running program in the State.
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PW Wastewater Dep. Director Sun began his portion of the presentation, sharing some of the work PW has done over the years in Linda Mar Valley, and this year has been a productive year for them. He stated that the Lower Linda Mar Sewer Rehabilitation Program is on track for completion this fall, and the equalization basin has been proven to be valuable, especially during wet weather. He also shared PW involvement in reduction of pet waste.
John Keener, President of the Linda Mar Water Quality Coalition, stated that every year Linda Mar Beach is listed as one of five most polluted beaches in the State which is almost entirely due to pollution from San Pedro Creek which goes into the ocean at Linda Mar Beach. He explained the processes they follow to keep track of the pollution in the creek. He stated that they are trying to get definitive information on what is polluting the creek and have begun doing quantitative PCR testing and reported on their processes. They recommended beach goers not surf near the entrance of the creek and not let children play in the creek and what to do to help them if they are exposed to dangerous bacteria.
Mayor pro Tem Boles opened public comments.
Kimberly Finale, Pacifica, thanked the RCD and Linda Mar Water Quality Coalition for their presentations and Pacifica for focusing their resources on this issue in protecting the City. She does what she can to help keep the beaches clean, adding that she was sure many members of the community do not know about what they do to try to make our beaches as healthy as possible.
Greg Gahagan, Pacifica, asked how many sewer laterals have been replaced and what percentage that is.
Mayor pro Tem Boles closed public comment.
PW Dep. Director Sun stated, based on his experience, we are looking at 20% of the sewer laterals being replaced in Linda Mar Valley.
Mayor Beckmeyer asked, for comparability, is it possible to go back to 2015.
PW Dep. Director Sun responded affirmatively.
Mayor pro Tem Boles reopened public comment.
Geneva Chan, Pacifica, stated she is a student at Terra Nova High School and is a Junior Class President. She referred to the water quality in Linda Mar. She stated that if there was an outreach program, the students would love to get involved as it is a very important issue.
Mayor pro Tem Boles closed public comments.
Councilmember Espinosa wondered if we have signage notifying parents that kids should not be playing in the creek and in Linda Mar Beach what areas they should not be getting into the water.
PW Dep. Director Yip stated that we have signage across the beach explaining where they should not be in the water.
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Councilmember Wright wondered if the tests can distinguish between coyotes and dogs.
Water Quality Specialist Herrmann stated that this is a science that is nuanced and evolving and the principal investigator at the lab genetic lab that runs those tests told them that it can be different watershed to watershed. He stated that there are different kinds of activity across the creek.
Councilmember Wright asked what is the best way to get ahold of them for additional questions.
Water Quality Specialist Herrmann shared his email and RCD recently published their report that presents all of the data at this meeting and more.
Councilmember Wright asked if there has any analysis been done with any of the watersheds to see where it is coming from and how are they mitigating that runoff.
Executive Director Nelson stated there is not one approach that tells the whole story. They are interested in where there are chronic issues of bacteria. By monitoring up and down the creek and watersheds over time and in different ways and being current with the evolving science, they have been able to focus on where they see the chronic problems and the most opportunity for remediation. With the chronic problems, they mean not just large amounts of bacteria, but bacteria associated with pathogens that could get people sick.
Councilmember Wright asked if there is a potential for getting a quantitative analysis of how much is for what.
Water Quality Specialist Herrmann stated one of the challenges with that genetic testing is that you cannot compare quantitatively dog concentration to horse concentration. He stated that, within one location, they can compare dog to dog or human to human; when you do that, you are able to quantitatively compare that at one site they had more human than at another site.
That is something they recommended in their report to help hone in on the sources of human bacteria, using that approach and treating it like a quantitative test.
Water Quality Coalition Director Nelson stated these microbial source tracking tests are developed individually for different animals. Just like a test you get from the doctor quantifying something in your blood to something else in your blood, they are not comparable but different tests, which is the same with the genetic testing of these bacteria.
Councilmember Wright asked what is the lag time between getting the work accomplished that might be a source to when they see results.
Executive Director Nelson stated that one of the things about bacterial science is that it is messy. She stated that there are a lot of variables on the landscape and it is multi-variant, complex, evolving science. She stated that is why it is important for the Coalition to go out regularly and frequently over time to look at trends. For how long after you make an intervention do you see a result, it may be a lot of things over time and it may be, even if they control everything that is controllable, you may see a spike in bacteria over time with wildlife, but we can move forward controlling everything they can control.
Councilmember Wright thanked her, Public Works, and their volunteers.
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Councilmember Bier thanked them for the presentation and reiterated the generous offer by Terra Nova’s junior class president, Geneva Chan; she thought it would be wonderful if RCD could connect with her and she can share information with her school community.
Mayor Beckmeyer understood the need to control or attempt to control things, but she also wants to understand if there is any measurement to look at bird feces in the bacteria. She stated we have a lot of tree canopy in the vicinity of the creek and in Pacifica, and she always wondered about that impact and how we measure that even though we cannot do anything about it.
Executive Director Nelson stated she has asked about this also, and she thinks there is something we can do with MST for birds. She stated this scope of work was developed by the Water Quality Control Board and there were strong human inputs in the Crespi Canal upstream of the beach.
Water Quality Specialist Herrmann stated in 2023, they did a special study on the beach itself which did include some testing on bird sources. The Water Board TMDL had some allowable exceedances based on the reference watershed. He stated that there might be some value in exploring wildlife input further.
Water Quality Coalition Director Nelson stated there is not a known cross reactivity for humans now. The Water Board that is regulating with the City with TMDL is not regulating an amount that they consider uncontrollable; the City is not being held accountable to control those things that are already included in some of their estimates.
President Keener stated that they will be testing for birds and deer and may have an answer on that next year. He stated those are not controllable sources or human sources and the real problem to address first is how much of this is human.
Mayo pro Tem Boles stated that RCD talked about the Crespi Canal and that they were applying for grants for the City. She asked what they are seeing there and what the problems might be.
Executive Director Nelson said they see chronic inputs there and what is happening in the main part of the stream and the canal has a lot of concrete that is not permeable surface. If there was an opportunity to work along that whole length and turn it into something with natural filtrations, that could be a possibility that it could reduce the bacteria going into the main stem of the creek. They applied for a coastal resiliency grant and some funding as it is an equity and justice related issue. They also tried to get this included in some other broader County and regional planning documents with larger collaborations to be eligible for future funding for regional priorities and trying to make sure this is included in those priority setting efforts that might result in funding.
Mayor pro Tem Boles asked if RCD testing was mainly on the creek. She referred to President Keener stating they test at the mouth of the creek before it hits the ocean, and asked if there was other testing besides the creek, such as pump stations, etc., that also lead to the ocean that also might help address the problem.
President Keener stated the Linda Mar pump station has outfall into the ocean and that is tested by the San Mateo County Department of Health every week. He stated that sampling point is the reference point for saying the northern part of Linda Mar Beach is a safe place to surf. They City Council Regular Meeting 7 August 25, 2025
are trying to say that Linda Mar is always on the list of polluted beaches but the entire beach is not included. The pollution is mostly restricted to the area around San Pedro Creek. Regarding other outfalls, the County samples other places, but he does not know if they sample in other outfalls in Pacifica.
Water Quality Specialist Herrmann stated for the First Flush Program, they sample outfalls up and down the coast and the Linda Mar site is their primary Pacifica location but there is a lot of value regionally to be able to look at how the different outfalls perform with their pollution testing during the first flush event. He stated that the sampling locations President Keener was talking about are consistent with theirs as well; thus, they are trying to find ways to make their data consistent and work together to answer questions for the community.
Mayor pro Tem Boles thanked them for all the work they do for making our beaches healthier for the public. She then called for a break.
7:00 PM - CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Beckmeyer stated the meeting was reconvened. She then asked City Manager Woodhouse if he had something to report.
City Manager Woodhouse referred to Item 2 on Calera Creek sewer emergency, stating there was a typographical error in the resolution: The first paragraph on packet page 38 stating “Whereas, on August 2025 … after determining …” should replace “that the damaged condition of the 12-inch sewer main at 700 Palmetto Avenue” with “ that the 6-inch sewer main crossing Calera Creek near the intersection of Oneonta Avenue and Minerva Avenue” and the rest of the paragraph is unchanged.
Mayor Beckmeyer asked if any Councilmembers wished to pull any items from consent.
Mayor pro Tem Boles stated she wished to pull Item #10.
Mayor Beckmeyer opened public comments.
Patrick Cavanaugh, Pacifica, stated he is the Director of the Pacifica Beach Coalition and speaking on Item #6. He shared a bit of history on the work of the City and organizations on this issue and was in support of them passing this item and asked for future support.
Mayor Beckmeyer closed public comments.
Mayor pro Tem Boles had a question on Item #7. Planning Commission has been asking for progress on the trail on the north end of Taco Bell of the path being paved and the document showed what Taco Bell paved and the City needed to pave the other side. She thought the bicycle and pedestrian improvements on the trail called for a wider path when you had shared uses. She is curious how that transpires and how we are coordinating on the process.
PW Dep. Director Yip stated that staff reviewed the request before installing these ADU paths.
He looked at the documents referenced with Community Development Director Updegrave and cannot find that requirement from the planning document. The requirement it is coming from is ASHTTO and HDM. The reason we did not install a 10-foot wide path was because it does not lead to a 10-foot wide path on the property of Taco Bell. The sections the City and Taco Bell added on the southern side was a small portion and, in order to have a bike path for two lanes City Council Regular Meeting 8 August 25, 2025
of bikes, the improvements would have to come on to the private property of Taco Bell. They had this discussion with their previous Planning Director Murdock when the Taco Bell project came in and there was no nexus to require them to do this on their property or outside of it.
Taco Bell came in with their project on the southern end and the City came in on the northern end. He said it would not have led anywhere for the City’s project or Taco Bell’s project to do a 10-foot wide path. He stated that we can add a 10-foot wide path but it would go into landscaping and parking spaces.
Councilmember Bier moved to approve the consent calendar minus Item #10 and with the amendment to Item #2 as recommended by City Manager Woodhouse; seconded by Councilmember Wright.
RESULT: ADOPTED AS AMENDED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Mary Bier, Councilmember
SECONDER: Greg Wright, Councilmember
AYES: Beckmeyer, Boles, Bier, Espinosa, Wright
1. Approval of Minutes
PROPOSED ACTION: Move to approve the minutes for the July 14, 2025 City Council Special and Regular Meeting.
2. Ratification of Proclamation Confirming Existence of a Local Emergency at the Sewer Mains Crossing Calera Creek in the Vallemar Neighborhood PROPOSED ACTION: Move to adopt a resolution ratifying the Proclamation Confirming Existence of a Local Emergency at the Sewer Mains Crossing Calera Creek in the Vallemar Neighborhood.
3. Quarterly Financial Reports for the quarter ending June 30, 2025 PROPOSED ACTION: Review and accept the Quarterly Financial Report for the quarter ending June 30, 2025.
4. Quarterly Treasurer’s Reports for the quarter ending June 30, 2025 PROPOSED ACTION: Review and accept the Quarterly Treasurer’s Report for the quarter ending June 30, 2025.
5. Removal of Member of Beautification Advisory Committee for Failure to Meet Attendance Requirements Contained in Section 2-2.116 of the Pacifica Municipal Code PROPOSED ACTION: Motion to remove Committee Member Snezana (Sue) MarkovicGarza from the Beautification Advisory Committee and direct the City Clerk to advertise vacancy of one partial term on the Committee.
6. Amendment No. 5 to the Inter-Agency Agreement with the San Mateo Resource Conservation District and Agreement with San Mateo County for Water Quality Monitoring Services to fulfil the characterization monitoring requirement of the Pacifica State Beach and San Pedro Creek Bacteria TMDL requirements of Water Year 2026 to 2028.
PROPOSED ACTION: Adopt the Resolution entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Pacifica Approving Amendment No. 5 to the Inter-Agency Agreement with the San Mateo Resource Conservation District and Agreement with San Mateo County for Water Quality Monitoring Services to fulfill the characterization monitoring requirement of City Council Regular Meeting 9 August 25, 2025
the Pacifica State Beach and San Pedro Creek Bacteria TMDL requirements of Water Year 2026 to 2028; and authorize the City Manager to execute all documents.”
7. Notice of Completion for the FY 2025-26 Sidewalk, Curbs, and ADA Ramps Improvement Project
PROPOSED ACTION: Move to Adopt the Resolution of the City Council of the City of Pacifica accepting completion and directing the City Manager to file Notice of Completion for the FY 2025-26 Sidewalk, Curbs, and ADA Ramps Improvement Project; and Authorize the City Manager to release the retention funds to the contractor.
8. Authorize the Submittal of a Grant Application to the San Mateo County Transportation Authority 2025 Cycle 3 Transportation Demand Management Program for the Pedestrian Access and Crossing Enhancements for Students (PACES) project PROPOSED ACTION: Adopt the resolution entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Pacifica supporting the Pedestrian Access and Crossing Enhancements for Students (PACES) project and submitting an application to the Cycle 3 San Mateo County Transportation Authority for Measure A Alternative Congestion Relief and Measure W Transportation Demand Management Program Funding”.
9. Authorize the Submittal of a Grant Application to the San Mateo County Transportation Authority 2025 Cycle 3 Transportation Demand Management Program for the Bike Safety and Access for Every Student (B-SAFES) project
PROPOSED ACTION: Adopt the resolution entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Pacifica supporting Bike Safety and Access for Every Student (B-SAFES) project and submitting an application to the Cycle 3 San Mateo County Transportation Authority for Measure A Alternative Congestion Relief and Measure W Transportation Demand Management Program Funding”.
10. Approval of the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) application for the Vallemar and Rockaway Beach Blvd Sewer Rehabilitation and Repair Project (C0050) as part of the Wastewater Capital Improvement Plan PROPOSED ACTION: Adopt a Resolution of the City Council to approve the $250,000 Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) Application (Attachment 1) for the Vallemar and Rockaway Beach Blvd Sewer Rehabilitation and Repair Project (Vallemar R&R Project C0050).
AGENDA ITEM #10 DISCUSSION
PW Dep. Director Sun made a brief staff report.
Mayor pro Tem Boles thought Council was approving today the filing of an application for the loan but actual approval of securing the funds would come later and come back to Council.
PW Dep. Director Sun stated that was correct, reiterating that today is just approving the application which has a fee of up to $250,000. The application and approval will come back to Council for review and approval.
Mayor pro Tem Boles assumes that, at this time, we do not know what the actual fee might be, but could be up to $250,000; we do not know what the interest rate might be on the loan or some of the documents that might be part of the loan, such as a bond rating, flow of funds, etc. and show how they pay for that loan. She asked if that is correct.
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PW Dep. Director Sun responded affirmatively, adding that at this time we do not have that information. Once the application is submitted, we can work with the program manager on the details for the loan.
Mayor Beckmeyer opened public comment and, seeing no one, closed public comment.
Mayor pro Tem Boles stated $250,000 is a lot of money for the City’s budget.
City Clerk Coffey stated that there is a hand raised on Zoom for public comment.
Mayor Beckmeyer reopened public comment.
Kimberly Finale, Pacifica, stated, if the scope of the work is being requested for the approval of funds, it would be helpful to hear a brief summary of the scope of work in what areas, sewer upgrades, etc.
Mayor Beckmeyer closed public comments.
WW Engineering Manager Patten explained the Vallemar and Rockaway Beach Boulevard project would include replacing all the sewer mains in those neighborhoods east of the highway.
The design was approved in August 2024. This project has been seen in previous Sewer Master Plans as a critical part of our collection system and one of the oldest areas in Pacifica that has not had a large-scale improvement in decades. It is important for the collection system, for the Wastewater Division in preventing sewer spills, as well as preventing sanitary sewer spills from entering the Calera Creek watershed.
City Manager Woodhouse added that, as a whole, the City’s wastewater system is one of the biggest environmental protection systems in the City and is critical. It is important time-wise and urgent to fund these projects and proceed with replacements. In speaking about sewer laterals, when we do these large projects, we also implement and heavily promote our sewer lateral grant program which is an incentive for homeowners to replace their sewer laterals. He wanted to add the element of urgency and importance environmentally that these types of major and expensive infrastructure projects have in the City.
Mayor Beckmeyer understood that the main source of funds to pay back the loans is wastewater rate collections.
City Manager Woodhouse stated that is correct. He stated one of the advantages with the loan is that payment can be pushed back for a number of years which aligns with some debt retirement we have in the wastewater enterprise fund to smooth rates over time and help manage rate fluctuations to the rate payers.
Mayor Beckmeyer referred to Mayor pro Tem Boles’ question about cash flow and payment flow and stated that would be presented to Council after tonight’s application as this item is to give authority to start the application; when it becomes time to take out the loan, we will know the actual interest rates, amount of payments are. She understands that is correct.
Mayor pro Tem Boles stated her concern is that the loan fee is not refundable if we have issues with the rate or the term, and, for her, she would prefer to see the information up front. She City Council Regular Meeting 11 August 25, 2025
asked if this information could be presented at the next Council meeting and delay their decision for a little bit or is it something that will take a long time to prepare.
City Manager Woodhouse stated, in terms of interest rates, such as getting a loan for your house, you will not know until you are at the last minute, even if we know what they are today.
Mayor pro Tem Boles asked if we know what they are today.
City Manager Woodhouse stated six or seven months from now they might be different and that affects what your debt is going to be.
Jacques DeBra, Consultant of LSCE, stated he is working with the City team in getting some of these wastewater projects implemented. He stated the WIFIA’s interest rate as a funding program is tied to the 30-year treasury. The rates are presently a bit over 4.9% which he considered a nice interest rate in today’s environment. He shared how the interest rate works.
He believes WIFIA has been identified as an attractive funding program for the City’s wastewater program and they have a high confidence interval based on the project and they work with the WIFIA on a regular basis. The only way to not get the funding is if the City decides at some point, which we have the prerogative to do, to not accept the loan. Once the application is approved, there is a period between when the loan application is approved and when the loan agreement would be executed. The interest rate will continue to fluctuate until the date we execute the loan agreement. He stated one advantage to submitting the loan application now is that the sooner the City is in a position to lock in an interest rate, which is tied to the 30-year treasury, which is a dynamic interest rate that is relatively low in general; with a little bit of timing, we could get an attractive rate, depending on where interest rates go in the coming period. The advantage of moving forward with the loan application tonight is we buy flexibility to be in the position to take advantage of interest rates should they move in the City’s favor. He stated, over the last eight months, rates have fluctuated between 4.4% and peaked at
5.2% and recently have been at 4.9%.
Mayor pro Tem Boles is hearing that federal rates might go down but not this year. She asked if we have flexibility on when we sign to perhaps take advantage of some lower rates.
Consultant DeBra responded affirmatively. Once the funding application is approved, he can come back to Council and go over the funding agreement, involving legal counsel and the City Manager to make sure the final agreement is suitable. He stated he worked with another district in the Bay Area that did what she is talking about: they got everything ready and watched interest rates. He stated WIFIA is very cooperative and will help us close the loan in the City’s favor. He also mentioned, for the sake of this discussion, in January 2026, we execute the loan agreement with WIFIA and, if interest rates drop within the first six months that we execute, they will automatically lower the rate to whatever the lowest point is. That is an option that he does not think any other funding programs have. Even beyond the time the City executives the agreement, we will still have a chance at a lower rate.
Councilmember Espinosa asked if it was a fixed or variable rate.
Consultant DeBra stated it is a fixed rate.
Mayor pro Tem Boles asked if rates dropped down significantly in ten years, is it something we can refinance or find another source.
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Consultant DeBra responded affirmatively.
Councilmember Espinosa asked if that meant no prepayment penalties.
Consultant DeBra believes, that far into the loan, there are no prepayment penalties.
Councilmember Espinosa assumed that we will know that at the beginning.
Consultant DeBra responded affirmatively.
Mayor Beckmeyer thought the point is if you are in the later cycle of the loan.
Councilmember Espinosa stated if you do not have a prepayment penalty you can refinance at any time.
Mayor Beckmeyer asked if, in the presentation, that information will be included.
Consultant DeBra responded affirmatively.
Councilmember Bier thanked him for getting all this together and getting it started in Vallemar and Rockaway. She stated that it has been many years since we met with the community members in Rockaway Beach and they are very concerned about the drainage coming down and everything going on in Rockaway Beach and she feels any movement is a positive movement. She has full trust in staff that they are bringing the best possible option they can and she is grateful for that.
Mayor Beckmeyer stated we have anxiously been waiting for this to come forward.
Mayor Beckmeyer moved for approval of Item #10; seconded by Councilmember Bier.
AGENDA ITEM #10:
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Sue Beckmeyer, Mayor
SECONDER: Mary Bier, Councilmember
AYES: Beckmeyer, Boles, Bier, Espinosa, Wright
11. Resolution to authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement for Financial Services for Development Impact Fee Study, Cost Allocation Plan, and Comprehensive User Fee Study with Willdan Financial Services
PROPOSED ACTION: Adopt the attached resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with Willdan Financial Services in the amount of $93,260, to provide consulting services for the preparation of a Development Impact Fee Study, Cost Allocation Plan, and Comprehensive User Fee Study.
12. Adoption of an Ordinance by the City of Pacifica to approve rezoning of 30 sites, add Articles 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 35, 66, and 67, and amend Articles 2, 3, 5, 6, 6.5, 23, 24, 25, and 28, of Chapter 4 of Title 9 of the Pacifica Municipal Code (PMC), implementing 6th Cycle (2023-2031) Housing Element Programs (CEQA Status:
Environmental Impact Report Certified and Adopted by Resolution No. 72-2025) City Council Regular Meeting 13 August 25, 2025
PROPOSED ACTION: Waive the second reading and adopt an “Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Pacifica to approve rezoning of 30 sites, add Articles 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 35, 66, and 67, and amend Articles 2, 3, 5, 6, 6.5, 23, 24, 25, and 28, of Chapter 4 of Title 9 of the Pacifica Municipal Code (PMC), implementing 6 th Cycle (2023-2031) Housing Element Programs (File No. 2025-007, Rezoning RZ216-25, Text Amendment TA-128-25) (CEQA Status: Environmental Impact Report Certified and Adopted by Resolution No. 72-2025)
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE POSTED AGENDA
Mayor Beckmeyer opened public comments on items not on the posted agenda.
Julie Pofsky, Pacifica, stated she is the Director of Development at Breast Cancer Prevention Partners (BCPP), a national organization working to eliminate toxic chemicals and preventable environmental causes of breast cancer. She shared details of this problem as well as their annual event being held in Pacifica now for the third year and encouraged everyone to join.
Anita Rees, Pacifica Resource Center, shared the Center’s work schedule and information on different programs, such as homeless outreach, Temporary Safe Parking Program, grocery distribution, back-to-school program, and fundraisers.
Cindy Abbott, Pacifica, stated she was the Executive Director of Sanchez Art Center and she shared their art shows and the upcoming 50/50 Show.
Suzanne Moore, Pacifica, gave her thoughts on the 72-Hour Parking Ordinance and all the details for permitted parking and shared options available for homelessness.
Steve Franco, Pacifica, shared his concerns about the RVs parking near his home on Paloma Ave. and the sanitary issues as part of it. He asked for Paloma Ave. to be taken off of the RV parking list.
Margaret Tassi, Pacifica, stated that she lives on Paloma Ave. and runs a business in Pacifica, and shared her concerns about the RVs parking on Paloma Ave. and worried about children who live in the area for the unknown risks.
Tom Olsen, Pacifica, stated he lives on Paloma and shared his concerns regarding the RVs parking on the street and worries about children in the area. He suggested that Paloma Ave. be taken off the RV parking list. He raised concerns about the sanitary and safety issues.
Joyce Toomey, Pacifica, asked for a no camping ordinance to prevent more camping in RVs, vans, etc. She raised concerns about the sanitary and safety issues.
Connie Campbell, Pacifica, shared her concerns about RVs parking on Paloma Ave. and suggested that there may be more appropriate areas in Pacifica for them and asked that Paloma Ave. be taken off the RV parking list.
Sean Stack, Pacifica, stated he is working on the Pacifica Bike Park Project and shared information on all the groups donating to their project and they are trying to make it work and be completed soon. They will be available at the Fog Fest.
City Council Regular Meeting 14 August 25, 2025
Paul Lavorini, Pacifica, shared his concerns and thoughts on the option of getting Paloma Ave. off the RV parking list. He also explained the neighbors’ frustrations with the RVs, cars, and vans.
Joseph Torrigino, Pacifica, requested to get Paloma Ave. off the RV parking list and asked if the City can do that. He hoped we can work this out as he felt it was not a good thing for health and safety.
Ivy Clark, Pacifica, stated she graduated from Skyline College and authored a book on her experiences with mental health challenges, substance use, homelessness, etc., and shared her concerns on homelessness from her standpoint regarding managing this issue by compassion and humanity.
Terry Walsh, Pacifica, questioned why Paloma Ave. allowed for RV parking and felt it was unacceptable. He was concerned for the students and children and residents.
Kimberly Finale, Pacifica, referred to the 72-hour parking ordinance and thought enforcement was unsustainable. She stated the ordinance should specify RVs and suggested a parking lot for RVs to park and live at.
Mayor Beckmeyer closed public comments.
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Councilmember Wright moved to move Council Communications to the end of the agenda; seconded by Mayor pro Tem Boles.
MOVE COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS TO END OF MEETING
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Greg Wright, Councilmember
SECONDER: Christine Boles, Mayor pro Tem
AYES: Beckmeyer, Boles, Bier, Espinosa, Wright
Councilmember Wright attended 16 of his Council Liaison Assignment meetings.
Councilmember Bier spoke about the Silicon Valley Youth Climate Action Impact Summit, the event at St. Eddmond’s supporting the People’s Labyrinth, and the overdose awareness activities upcoming from Healing, Overdose Prevention and Education (HOPE). She knows from the experience of losing a family member, after presenting advocacy work in Pacifica, how taxing, emotional and personal the work can be.
Vice Mayor Boles attended her first and last meeting at the HOPE IAC (Housing Our People Effectively) Inter-Agency Council, which voted to cancel the organization at the meeting. The County’s Home-for-All Program may have been restructuring as there is still a need for councilmembers to understand the work being done. She and Mayor Beckmeyer had some meetings with Anita Rees of the PRC about the 72-hour parking ordinance. She and Councilmember Wright have been doing some advocacy around some of the new State laws, including AB 306 that was passed under budget reconciliation that blocked some cities from doing new REACH codes until 2031. She has been having meetings with the City Attorney, legislators,CalCities Environmental Quality Committee members to see if there are possible City Council Regular Meeting 15 August 25, 2025
changes that could be made. She stated that we do so much in Pacifica but we have to pay attention to what is going on at the State level. On that line, the federal subsidies for solar and batteries and electrical vehicles are expiring at the end of the year. She encouraged people who are considering those things to apply before the end of the year.
Councilmember Espinosa stated Peninsula Clean Energy has a lot of electrification grants and rebates. She stated we want to work on climate change by electrifying our homes and her area needs to change their electrical panels. She referenced a lot that often floods and requested assistance from staff or Council to address resident needs. She added that she also found a trail that had been forgotten and needs to be maintained. She also went to Cultura Fest 2025 in South San Francisco and she would, at some time in the future, like to have that here in Pacifica.
City Manager Woodhouse stated that there are a couple of property issues related to CalTrans and PW has contacted them, opened up tickets in their maintenance division, and escalated the programs with CalTrans for their water leakage behind their property, the brush on Highway One, Linda Mar Beach parking lot, and off of Skyline. Staff will follow up and hope to get some action.
Councilmember Bier added that Fog Fest Organizing Group is a well-oiled machine and thanked John Beckmeyer for how they were working together to get things done, Mayor Beckmeyer stated the Local Government Working Group subcommittee formed by the Coastal Commission met on July 30 with Community Development Director Updegrave and City Manager on the LCLUP. She stated adoption of the LCLUP was a pivotal moment as it showed LCPs can be approved going forward more easily. It was a demonstration that the State has made progress. She stated that there have been things related to child care and she has met with a consultant who is working for the County on a County blueprint for a child care update.
The consultant was hired specifically to look at the data and write up a specific section for the coastside. She stated the CCAG meeting in July was postponed due to an interest in putting a measure on the ballot to raise funds for public transportation and she shared all the different discussions on what cities opt in or out and process of where the money received goes for projects. Lastly, she mentioned the Open Space and Parkland Advisory Committee’s Ahni Trail Kiosk Dedication Event on September 6 at the top of Fassler.
Vice Mayor Boles stated her transit comments reminded her of a conversation she had with Mark Nagales, Councilmember from South San Francisco, talking about the micro-transit, and shared possible grants through the Transportation Authority.
STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
City Manager Woodhouse stated, at the next Council meeting on September 8, there will be a special presentation to introduce recent new hires to the City. He mentioned that he and Mayor Beckmeyer gave presentations on the State of the City at the last Pacifica Democrats meeting and was posted on the City’s strategic plan website; they were also taking it to the Pacifica Collaborative and to other groups as well.
PUBLIC HEARINGS - NONE.
CONSIDERATION
City Council Regular Meeting 16 August 25, 2025
13. Amend the City Council Rules and Code of Ethics and Administrative Policy No. 1 “City Council Agenda Format and Process”
PROPOSED ACTION: Adopt a Resolution to amend the City Council Rules and Code of Ethics and Administrative Policy No. 1 “City Council Agenda Format and Process,” as recommended by the City Council at the May 17, 2025 City Council Study Session on Governance Training.
City Manager Woodhouse presented the staff report.
City Attorney Kenyon stated, for the record, if Council approves this item, it will become effective immediately, and if Council extends the meeting beyond 11:00 p.m., we will need a vote of 4-1.
There were no public comments.
Councilmember Bier thinks these changes are important and appreciates the opportunity to have the governance training and the changes will be good for them for mental health. She felt making changes to move the meeting forward is good and worth making it part of their Code of Ethics.
Mayor pro Tem Boles also felt the long meetings were hard on staff, as well as the public, especially when talking about complex City issues late at night. She believed the changes will help move the meeting forward which is a plus for the whole community. She also felt Mayor and Vice Mayor meeting with the City Manager would be beneficial. Council can make changes to make sure they are working well together.
Councilmember Wright stated he is looking forward to an earlier start time with the goal of getting to the end of the meeting sooner. He thinks the process used for this is very functional and he hopes we continue with a clear collegial collaborative relationship in the future.
Councilmember Espinosa stated she is not used to late meetings and it is very difficult as she has to work the next day; thus, she felt this is a great policy. She added that we have to be aware of the timing to achieve this goal.
Mayor Beckmeyer is pleased that we are in agreement on these items. She agreed with Councilmember Espinosa that Council will be challenged individually on their comments and questions, keeping the meetings moving forward. She also said she is glad to work with Mayor pro Tem Boles and the City Manager to work on things when we have items with lengthy conversations. She stated that this Council, since 2018 to the present, has taken on significant work, such as General Plan, Local Coastal Land Use Plan, Sharp Park Specific Plan, Housing Element, etc., which caused the community to want to know what is being considered and we have to provide the opportunity for those discussions, leading to so many long Council meetings.
Mayor pro Tem Boles moved to adopt a Resolution to amend the City Council Rules and Code of Ethics and Administrative Policy No. 1 “City Council Agenda Format and Process,” as recommended by the City Council at the May 17, 2025 City Council Study Session on Governance Training; seconded by Councilmember Wright.
City Council Regular Meeting 17 August 25, 2025
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Christine Boles, Vice Mayor
SECONDER: Greg Wright, Councilmember
AYES: Beckmeyer, Boles, Bier, Espinosa, Wright
14. Designation of Voting Delegate for League of California Cities Annual Conference PROPOSED ACTION: Designate a voting delegate and alternate(s) who will attend the 2025 League of California Cities (CalCities) Annual Conference General Assembly Meeting on Friday, October 10, 2025.
City Manager Woodhouse confirmed with CalCities staff member, Montana Cruz, that there have been no general resolutions submitted to CalCities by their August 9 deadline but there is a process where petition resolutions could be introduced on site during the conference. If no resolutions are introduced, there will not be a General Assembly Meeting on Friday afternoon.
Vice Mayor Boles asked if all of Council was attending.
City Clerk Coffey stated all Councilmembers were registered for the annual conference.
There were no public comments.
Councilmember Espinosa suggested Councilmember Bier be appointed again.
Councilmember Bier stated she served in that capacity before so a new councilmember could serve. She suggested Councilmember Espinosa volunteer.
Councilmember Espinosa stated she has something else to do when she gets there.
Vice Mayor Boles stated she served in that capacity last year.
Councilmember Wright was happy to serve but would leave it up to them.
Mayor Beckmeyer would love to have Councilmember Wright as their delegate. She would not be able to serve as an alternate.
Councilmember Bier stated she will be the alternate.
Mayor Beckmeyer nominated Councilmember Wright as the delegate and Councilmember Bier as the alternate; seconded by Vice Mayor Boles.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Sue Beckmeyer, Mayor
SECONDER: Christine Boles, Vice Mayor
AYES: Beckmeyer, Boles, Bier, Espinosa, Wright
ADJOURN
Mayor Beckmeyer adjourned the meeting at 9:57 p.m.
Transcribed by Barbara Medina, Public Meeting Stenographer.
City Council Regular Meeting 18 August 25, 2025
Respectfully Submitted,
Sarah Coffey, City Clerk
APPROVED: 5 - 0; 9/22/2025
__________________________
Sue Beckmeyer, Mayor