CITY OF PACIFICA
COUNCIL AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
3/23/2026
1 SUBJECT:
Consideration and Adoption of Resolution Appointing Sean Charpentier as City Manager and Approving the Employment Agreement between the City of Pacifica and Sean Charpentier (30 min.)
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
The Ad Hoc Committee recommends that: (1) Council approve the Resolution appointing Sean Charpentier as City Manager and approving the Employment Agreement between the City of Pacifica and Sean Charpentier, and (2) authorize the Mayor to execute the attached Agreement with Sean Charpentier.
STAFF CONTACT:
Michelle Kenyon, City Attorney
BACKGROUND:
City Manager Kevin Woodhouse informed the City Council on September 2025 that he would be retiring effective March 11, 2026. At the November 16, 2025 Council meeting, the Council voted to retain the services of Gary Philipps, of the executive recruitment firm Bob Murray and Associates, to prepare materials and conduct the search. Mr. Phillips began work that week by interviewing each Councilmember and department director, and by preparing a brochure that reflected the values and requirements of the ideal candidate for our unique coastal community.
While the recruitment process took place, Mr. Phillips created and conducted community and staff surveys to elicit input on city challenges as well as important characteristics of a new city manager for Council’s consideration during the interview and selection process. The survey results were shared through a process update letter from Mayor Boles that was published on the city website on March 2, 2026.
The recruitment process closed on January 18, 2026 and resulted in 40 applications received.
Mr. Philipps ranked the applications based on qualifications and experience and conducted preliminary interviews with 12 top-tier candidates. The Council then met on January 29, 2026 to review the survey results and all the applications and narrowed the field down to 6 candidates.
All these candidates had prior City Manager or Assistant City Manager experience, which we felt was critical given our pressing financial and operational challenges. With leadership and proven problem-solving experience across multiple disciplines, a City Manager who could hit the ground running was ideal.
The City Council interviewed the 6 semi-finalist candidates in an all-day meeting on February 7, 2026. The field was narrowed down to three finalist candidates, who returned for a second round of interviews, first with our City staff department directors, and then with the City Council on February 24, 2026. The Council received 3 written professional recommendations for each candidate, samples of their writing in the form of a staff report for an important topic in their jurisdiction, as well as links to recordings of meetings they had led. Not wanting to rush a decision, the Council took an additional week to carefully review the materials, do our own independent research, and mull over our individual decisions, considering metrics such as experience in both government leadership positions and demonstrated creative, collaborative Pacifica City Council 2
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problem solving, and a commitment to transparency and trust building. Personal traits were also important, such as being adaptable, approachable, a great listener and communicator, hardworking and willing to roll up their sleeves, leading with integrity, and respect for and commitment to service to the entire Pacifica community under the Council’s leadership.
The Council reconvened in closed session for our deliberation on March 3, 2026, and a clear top candidate was affirmed, Sean Charpentier, who not only met our criteria, but also possesses a deep love for Pacifica, our coastal environment, our local businesses, as well as our history and arts. Mr. Charpentier had also clearly done his homework, coming to us with open eyes to our challenges while bringing skills and a desire to work in partnership with the City Council, community and staff towards achieving our Strategic Plan goals. Mr. Charpentier is also committed to continuing to build the culture of our organization and supporting, mentoring and empowering our dedicated staff.
DISCUSSION:
Following the formal recruitment process detailed above, Sean Charpentier has been identified by the City Council as the candidate most qualified to perform the duties of City Manager as well as the candidate who is the best fit for Pacifica. A copy of Mr. Charpentier’s resume is attached.
Mr. Charpentier began his career in organizations working towards interim and permanent housing solutions for vulnerable low-income communities. Mr. Charpentier then shifted to local government, where he has worked for the past 20 years, starting in Economic Development in East Palo, advancing in the organization to Assistant and Interim City Manager from 2015-2019.
Mr. Charpentier currently serves as Executive Director of C/CAG, the City/County Association of Governments for all of San Mateo County, which is the Congestion Management Agency (CMA) and County Transportation Agency (CMA), Regional Stormwater Permit coordinator, and Airport Land Use Commission. As Executive Director, Mr. Charpentier was responsible for a $55.4 million budget and supported a Board of Directors with 23 members, including 21 elected officials appointed by local jurisdictions. He also leads several C/CAG subcommittees including the Resource Management and Climate Protection Committee on which Councilmember Beckmeyer serves, and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee on which Vice Mayor Wright and Councilmember Bier serve. He also leads San Mateo County’s Stormwater and Water Quality efforts which include sea level rise planning.
Mr. Charpentier graduated from Clark University with a Baccalaureate Degree in International Development and Social Change and received a Master’s Degree in City and Regional Planning from U.C. Berkeley. He brings a wealth of experience in executive leadership and administration, organizational health and stability, finance, economic development, grant securement, infrastructure modernization, city planning and redevelopment, transportation and micromobility, climate resiliency and adaptation, affordable housing development, as well as experience finding collaborative solutions to address homelessness, water rights issues, and economic growth. Mr. Charpentier has also built strong working relationships on the federal, state, and regional levels, essential skills to support Pacifica’s many infrastructure and environmental challenges. In his own words, “A good city manager is very visible in the community and engaged” and he envisions Pacifica becoming an “exemplary example of a prosperous, sustainable, and equitable coastal community.” Following the selection of the candidate, the Council appointed Mayor Christine Boles and Vice Mayor Greg Wright to serve on the subcommittee to negotiate terms and conditions of employment with Mr. Charpentier. The result of those negotiations is reflected in the attached Employment Agreement between the City of Pacifica and Sean Charpentier (“Agreement”).
Recommended Action
The Ad Hoc Committee recommends that:
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1) Council approve the attached Resolution which appoints Sean Charpentier as City Manager, and
2) authorize the Mayor to execute the attached Agreement with Sean Charpentier.
If the employment agreement is approved by Council, Mr. Charpentier’s employment with the City of Pacifica would begin on May 4, 2026.
The City Manager position is the most important role in the City. Investment in the total compensation package is necessary to attract excellent experienced candidates to lead Pacifica forward. In the Ad Hoc Committee’s discussion of salary, we considered that the previous City Manager’s base salary was $314,000, plus $10,000 per year in deferred compensation. This amount had not been adjusted since October 9, 2024. $330,000 represents approximately a 5.1 % increase, which is more than offset in the first year by salary savings from an unfilled Assistant City Manager position during the transition period. As part of the City Manager Compensation Study dated 3/14/25 (Attachment C) the median salary of 11 comparator cities in San Mateo County was calculated at $358,592. San Bruno, the city closest to Pacifica in population served, is currently paying its City Manager an annual maximum salary of $346,940 which is scheduled to rise to $360,800 in July 2026. San Bruno also provides the city manager with 20% of the purchase price of a home, up to $140,000, as well as a car allowance of $450 a month.
In accordance with Government Code section 54953(c)(3), the City Council is to receive an oral summary report of the salary and compensation, including fringe benefits, paid to any local agency executive prior to taking final action. Under the terms of this Agreement, the City Manager would be entitled to receive the following compensation and benefits:
• An annual base salary of $330,000.
• A contribution to a deferred compensation account in the amount of $10,000,00 annually. • Annual administrative leave of 96 hours, pro-rated for 2026. • Vacation Leave bank of 10 days of vacation upon commencement of employment and vacation leave accrual rate of 7.38 hours per pay period which equates to 24 vacation days annually.
• The same holidays, sick leave and long-term disability benefits, retirement benefits, insurance benefits including, but not limited to, life, health and dental coverage, in the same manner provided to department directors as detailed in Unrepresented Management and Confidential Employees Resolution No 65-2025 and as may be updated.
• Other specific terms, including resignation, termination and severance, identical to the contract of previous City Manager, Kevin Woodhouse.
• See Attachment A for full contract terms.
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION:
This activity is not a project subject to CEQA, because it is an organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment. (CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5).).
ALTERNATIVE ACTION:
Deny contract approval and restart search for new City Manager as well as longer term Interim City Manager. The Ad Hoc Committee does not recommend this action as it would add significant cost and disrupt staff progress on critical Community Development, infrastructure, and coastal management projects.
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FISCAL IMPACT:
Approval of this Employment Agreement will not result in an additional fiscal impact to the FY 2025-26 budget, as the cost associated with this agreement will be offset by salary savings within the City Manager’s Office. The base salary for the incoming City Manager is $330,000 annually, the resulting annual net increase is approximately $20,000 and will be added to the FY 2026-27 Base Budget.
ORIGINATED BY:
City Manager Ad Hoc Sub-Committee: Mayor Christine Boles and Vice Mayor Greg Wright ORIGINATED BY:
City Attorney's Office
ATTACHMENT LIST:
Attachment A - Employment Agreement Between the City of Pacifica and Sean Charpentier (PDF)
Attachment B – Resume of Sean Charpentier (PDF)
Attachment C – Prior City Manager Compensation Study dated 3/14/25 (PDF) Pacifica City Council 5
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RESOLUTION NO. ______
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PACIFICA APPOINTING SEAN
CHARPENTIER AS CITY MANAGER AND APPROVING THE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
BETWEEN CITY OF PACIFICA AND SEAN CHARPENTIER
WHEREAS, the City of Pacifica (“City”) went through a formal nationwide recruitment process to select a City Manager; and
WHEREAS, Sean Charpentier (“Manager”) has been selected as the most qualified candidate who possesses the skills and expertise necessary to perform these services; and WHEREAS, the City desires to enter into an Employment Agreement to set forth the terms and conditions of Manager’s duties as City Manager.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Pacifica, as appointing authority, hereby appoints Sean Charpentier as City Manager and approves the Employment Agreement Between City of Pacifica and Sean Charpentier in substantially the same form attached hereto as Exhibit “A” and authorizes and directs the Mayor to execute same for and on behalf of the City of Pacifica.
• • • • •
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Pacifica, California, held on the 23rd day of March 2026, by the following vote:
AYES, Councilmembers:
NOES, Councilmembers:
ABSENT, Councilmembers:
ABSTAIN, Councilmembers:
_________________________________
Christine Boles, Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______________________________ _________________________________ Sarah Coffey, City Clerk Michelle Kenyon, City Attorney Pacifica City Council 6
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EXHIBIT A
Employment Agreement Between the City of Calistoga and Sean Charpentier