CITY OF PACIFICA
COUNCIL AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
5/26/2026
1 SUBJECT:
Climate Action and Resiliency Committee FY 2026–2027 Work Plan RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Receive a presentation and provide feedback on the Climate Action and Resilience Committee FY 2026–2027 Workplan.
STAFF CONTACT:
Samantha Updegrave, Community Development Director
[email protected]
Brittany Hernandez, Program Manager
[email protected]
Bella Carreon, CivicSpark Fellow
[email protected]
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
This report provides background on the Climate Action and Resilience Committee (CARC) and presents CARC’s FY 2026–2027 Workplan for Council feedback.
CARC was formed in 2025 based on a recommendation in the adopted Climate Action and Resilience Plan (CARP), and plays an important role in supporting City Council priorities related to climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Climate Action and Resilience Committee (CARC):
Following the adoption of the Climate Action and Resilience Plan (CARP) on July 14, 2025, the City Council established CARC through Resolution No. 85-2025 on September 8, 2025. As stated in the Resolution, “CARC shall serve as an advisory body to the City Council. Its purpose is to provide guidance and recommendations on the implementation of the CARP for consideration in the City Council’s annual Strategic Goal Setting process”.
The Resolution further defines the Committee’s duties, which include:
1. Advise the City Council on issues pertaining to Green House Gas emissions reduction, environmental sustainability and resilience, and related areas identified in the CARP.
2. Provide recommendations to support City efforts to implement the goals and actions of the CARP, including identifying potential funding sources.
3. Prepare and present to the City Council each May, an annual workplan for the CARC for Council consideration, aligning priorities with the General Plan, Local Coastal Land Use Plan, and other guiding policy documents, along with a report on workplan progress, including greenhouse gas emissions reduction data, if available.
4. If directed by Council as part of the annual workplan, prepare and submit to the City Council each February recommendations on CARP implementation actions for consideration during the Council’s annual Strategic Goal Setting in March.
Pacifica City Council 2
May 26, 2026
5. Prepare a full update of the CARP beginning in year four of the five-year plan, ensuring continuity of climate action in Pacifica.
CARC is a volunteer, nine-member advisory committee that advises and provides recommendations on implementing the CARP under the direction of City Council. The Committee is composed of community members who are passionate about sustainability and climate action in Pacifica, including two youth members who attend Pacifica high schools, and reflects the community’s diverse perspectives and commitment to advancing local climate initiatives.
The committee is supported by a management analyst, a position shared between the City Manager’s Office and Community Development Department (CDD), who serves as the staff liaison, a part-time unbenefited program manager position, and a CivicSpark fellow. These staff also support CARP coordination efforts such as meetings with department heads, a monthly newsletter, website updates, and community events. With the resignation of the management analyst, the CDD Director is serving as the staff liaison.
Within one year of the adoption of the CARP, the City of Pacifica created a Climate Action and Resilience Committee (CARC), appointed members, and held 5 CARC meetings. In addition, the City Council incorporated the 25% tree canopy goal, which was based on the CARP, to the City Council’s strategic priorities.
Since, January 2026, CARC has held five Committee meetings and prepared the Workplan.
This Workplan is the first workplan for the CARC and represents many of the actions necessary to implement the CARP, which is a multi-year vision.
Each Workplan item is accompanied by a section titled “City Staff Resources” that provides a preliminary estimate of whether the tasks can be accommodated given current City staffing levels (as of May 2026) and current core services, workload, and legally mandated work. As it relates to staffing resources, there are three other major considerations that might change staffing resources in the next few months. .
First, CDD is currently undergoing an organizational assessment that includes holistic identification of opportunities for improving building and planning permit processes in preparation for permit tracking software.
Second, at the May 11, 2026 City Council meeting, staff presented a baseline FY 2026-27 budget with an estimated $2.3 million structural deficit. All City Departments, including CDD, are tasked with identifying a target of 5% budget reductions. The table with the target reductions from May 11, 2026 is below.
Third, the City Council meeting on June 8, 2026 will include a presentation and discussion on a draft budget that will outline potential target reductions and policy discussions necessary to achieve a balanced budget. Staff have been communicating the structural deficit and the Pacifica City Council 3
May 26, 2026
importance of the June 8th Council meeting to the City of Pacifica Committees. At this meeting the Staff Workplan will also be presented in alignment with the potential reductions.
Climate Action and Resilience Plan (CARP) Alignment
The CARP1 was developed by the Climate Action and Adaptation (CAAP)Task Force and provides a list of recommended actions aimed at reducing emissions, increasing resilience, conserving energy, and positioning the city to pursue climate-related funding opportunities. It will guide the committee’s efforts in advancing sustainability and climate action goals in the next five years, before it is updated again, as noted in the committee’s Resolution. CARP’s goals and actions are organized in five sectors: (1) Buildings and Energy, (2) Transportation and Land Use, (3) Food, Consumption, and Waste, (4) Resilience and Adaptation, and (5) Community Engagement. Collectively, these efforts demonstrate the City’s desire to reduce GHG emissions, build resilience, and educate community members to help ensure Pacifica remains a beautiful and healthy place to live, work, and play.
The CAAP Task Force developed a list of “Priority Actions” for the incoming committee for their first six months of service, aimed to accelerate and guide the committee’s implementation process. These “Priority Actions” are items in the Workplan that are currently ongoing or in progress. CARC also developed a list of additional Workplan items based on CARP goals and actions that they plan to work on in the upcoming fiscal year.
CARC WORKPLAN FY26-27
I. Workplan Items that are Ongoing or In Progress (Developed by CARP Task Force) Item I-A: Set up tools for tracking progress
Description: To support annual reporting to City Council and ensure continuity in CARP implementation, the Committee will create a structure to track completed actions and monitor ongoing initiatives.
Status: In progress
City Staff Resources: Under current staffing levels, staff have sufficient capacity to support this workplan item; however, funding may be necessary for tracking tools.
Item I-B: Liaisons to city committees/commissions
Description: Continue sharing climate action information and resources gathered through regional networks (e.g., RICAPS, LERN) with other city committees/ commissions as appropriate and contributing relevant information to the City’s regular CARP-related newsletter (prepared by staff) to facilitate idea and resource sharing with the public, foster connection, and support alignment with Council goals.
Status: Ongoing
1 Climate Action and Resilience Plan (2025):
https://www.cityofpacifica.org/home/showpublisheddocument/20713/639038171210428052 Pacifica City Council 4
May 26, 2026
City Staff Resources: City staff resources are not required for the majority of this item.
Under current staffing levels, staff have sufficient capacity to publish a monthly newsletter.
Item I-C: Attend monthly RICAPS and LERN meetings as feasible Description: The Committee will elect members to serve as its liaisons to RICAPS and LERN. The liaisons will be responsible for attending that group’s virtual or local meetings and reporting back to the Committee.
Subtasks:
• Elect a committee liaison for each group, responsible for sharing updates with the Committee and staff.
• The assigned liaisons will attend RICAPS and LERN meetings and keep track of resources and funding opportunities.
Status: Ongoing
City Staff Resources: City staff resources are not required.
Item I-D: CARP-related webpage content
Description: Provide content and resources about home energy efficiency and electrification, especially programs offered by Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE) (CARP Action C3.1) for a city-maintained website. With the input of Committee members, City staff will maintain a webpage of resources for residents, following the best regional practices. All content is subject to City approval.
Subtasks:
• Committee members will research regional resource webpages • Committee members will work with Staff to design and populate a dedicated webpage for Pacifica residents
• Staff will maintain webpage and update as needed
Status: Ongoing
City Staff Resources: Under current staffing levels, staff has sufficient capacity to support this workplan; No additional City staff resources required.
II. FY26–27 CARC Workplan Priorities and Recommendations (Developed by CARC) Item II-A: Prepare and present recommendations to the City Council in February of each calendar year, in advance of Strategic Goal Setting
Description: The Committee will gather information, insights, and input from staff, stakeholders, and relevant CARP resources to develop recommendations for CARP implementation priorities to be considered by the City Council during its annual Strategic Goal Setting process.
Timeframe: FY26–27
City Staff Resources: Under current staffing levels, staff have sufficient capacity to support this workplan item.
Item II-B: Home Electrification Permitting Processes (CARP Action E1.2) Pacifica City Council 5
May 26, 2026
Description: Review and improve permitting and zoning processes that support residential electrification and decarbonization efforts.
Subtasks:
• Review current permitting requirements for heat pump water heaters. • Review current permitting and zoning requirements for heat pump HVAC systems, appliance electrification, panel upgrades, and when appropriate, solar and battery systems.
• Conduct countywide best-practice comparisons related to electrification permitting and streamlining. Research opportunities to reduce permitting burdens associated with climate resilience and home hardening improvements. • Support recommendations to streamline permitting processes and ease zoning restrictions related to heat pump placement.
• Conduct outreach and education for residents and contractors regarding home electrification opportunities and permitting processes
Timeframe: FY26–27
City Staff Resources: Some of these efforts are expected to require a significant level of Building and Planning staff involvement and resources, and under current staffing levels, there is insufficient capacity to support this work plan item. The Building Division is comprised of a half-time consultant Building Official, as well as two full-time permit technicians whose primary responsibilities include processing all building permits, inperson and written customer service, departmental accounting, and Planning Commission administrative support. Recommendations for changes to permit processing and zoning ordinances would require the subject matter expertise of Planning and Building staff to conduct additional research and verification, develop new processes and/or text amendments, and resources to implement.
Item II-C: Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure (CARP Actions T3.1 and T4.3) Description: Support community adoption of EV infrastructure and zero-emission transportation through planning, outreach, and regional collaboration.
Subtasks2:
• Determine the status of City EV readiness planning and identify whether updates to Pacifica building code are needed.
• Research EV readiness plan templates and regional best practices appropriate for Pacifica.
• Support community EV events, including the Pacifica Environmental Family EV Expo.
• Partner with Peninsula Clean Energy, San Mateo County, and regional organizations to develop an EV Readiness Plan and identify grant opportunities. • Conduct ongoing EV education and outreach related to incentives, charging infrastructure, and adoption goals.
• Support implementation of CalGreen Tier 2 EV charging requirements and cost planning for EV infrastructure expansion.
Timeframe: FY26–27
2 Subtasks informed by the Bay Area Air Quality District Readiness Plan (2013), the San Francisco EV Readiness Plan (2019), and Pacifica’s EV Ordinance and EV Readiness Plan template Pacifica City Council 6
May 26, 2026
City Staff Resources: Some of these efforts are expected to require a significant level of staff involvement and resources, and under current staffing levels, there is insufficient capacity to support this work plan item. Pursuant to recent state law that limit changes to building codes affecting residential structures, staff and the City Attorney would need to research the legality of revisions. Further, changes to the Building Codes would require a consultant to develop, staff time, and additional city attorney review. Applying for and managing a grant would also require additional staff time and resources.
Item II-D: Resilience (CARP Actions R2.14 and R2.16)
Description: Advance community resilience through nature-based solutions, climate adaptation planning, wildfire resilience, and grant support.
Subtasks:
• Track and support Pacifica Coastal Resilience Opportunity Study efforts and review draft and final study materials.
• Identify and collaborate with stakeholders related to shoreline resilience and nature-based solutions.
• Review Local Coastal Land Use Plan (LCLUP) and other resilience-related planning documents.
• Support grant-writing efforts related to climate resilience, defensible space, home hardening, and adaptation funding.
• Research incentives and funding opportunities for residential retrofits, fireresistant roofing, attic vents, deck materials, and defensible space improvements.
• Conduct outreach regarding wildfire risk reduction, insurance impacts, and community resilience priorities.
• Assist vulnerable neighborhoods in accessing resilience and home hardening programs.
• Citywide collaboration with stakeholders to identify and consider nature-based solutions throughout adaptation and shoreline planning processes.
Timeframe: FY26–27
City Staff Resources: Some of these efforts are expected to require a significant level of staff involvement and resources, and under current staffing levels, there is insufficient capacity to support all of the subtasks in this work plan item. Shoreline adaptation planning goals, policies, and actions are established under the LCLUP, a mandatory planning document. Planning work related to LCLUP implementation is a separate project outside of CARC’s purview. However, there may be future opportunities for CARC to engage in various elements of the Sea Level Rise Shoreline Adaptation and Coastal Resiliency Planning Project.
Item II-E: Food Recovery (CARP Action F3.1)
Description: Support the development of local food recovery and waste diversion partnerships consistent with State law.
Subtasks:
• Coordinate with the Economic Development Department, Recology, local restaurants, and businesses to support food recovery efforts. • Develop a food ecosystem map identifying food donors and recipient organizations.
Pacifica City Council 7
May 26, 2026
• Draft a pilot food recovery program outline and identify participating businesses and organizations.
• Distribute educational materials related to the Good Samaritan Food Donation Act.
• Track pilot program metrics including pounds of food recovered. • Support City consideration of long-term restaurant food recovery programming.
Timeframe: FY26–27
City Staff Resources: Some of these efforts are expected to require a significant level of staff involvement and resources, such as developing a long-term food recovery program. Local food recovery and waste diversion is not a part of Economic Development and Housing’s (EDH) 2026/2027 Workplan and EDH does not have staff capacity to aid in the development of a food ecosystem map, pilot food recovery system or legislation development; however, EDH can assist CARC in these efforts by making introductions to food service businesses in Pacifica and sharing contact information.
Item II-F: Transportation & Mobility (CARP Transportation and Land Use Actions) Description: Support and collaborate with Parks Beaches & Recreation (PB&R) Commission and staff on transportation demand reduction, transit access, and mobility improvements that reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT).
Subtasks:
• Appoint a CARC liaison to attend PB&R Commission meetings to ensure coordination and information sharing.
• Support researching grants related to transportation planning, Transportation Demand Management (TDM), and mobility infrastructure.
• Monitor Measure W and Measure A funding opportunities and advocate for Pacifica applications.
• Develop communication strategies to promote transit options and transportation incentive programs such as Clipper Start.
• Coordinate with the Pacifica Police Department and regional agencies regarding e-bike safety and regulations.
• Advocate for light-lift mobility infrastructure projects including bike-locking stations and related amenities.
Timeframe: FY26–27
City Staff Resources: Some of these efforts are expected to require a significant level of staff involvement and resources. Currently, Planning staff do not have capacity to pursue a TDM ordinance or programs and will continue to require that development projects comply with the applicable TDM measures in the San Mateo County program.
The PB&R Commission was directed by Council to research E-Bikes. Expanding it further would likely require additional staff support. However, a liaison between CARC and the PB&R Commission would allow for coordination and alignment without creating overlapping responsibilities or duplicating work across two committees.
Item II-G: Bike & Pedestrian (CARP Action T1.2)
Description: Support and collaborate with PB&R Commission and staff for implementation and future updates to Pacifica’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan.
Pacifica City Council 8
May 26, 2026
Subtasks:
• Support implementation of the 2020 Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. • Establish recurring coordination meetings between CARC Transportation & Mobility Subcommittee, Parks Beaches & Recreation Commission, and Public Works.
• Support future updates to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan before 2030. • Explore feasibility of a community-wide bike-share program.
Timeframe: FY26–27
City Staff Resources: Some of these efforts are expected to require a significant level of staff involvement and resources and there is insufficient capacity at this time. There could also be duplicative efforts with PB&R Commission. A more effective approach may be to establish a liaison between the two groups to ensure coordination and information sharing. Having two bodies working on the same issues, using similar language and pursuing the same outcomes, can lead to unnecessary overlap and additional strain on limited City resources needed to support both efforts.
Item II-H: Urban Forestry (CARP Action R1.3)
Description: Support advancing urban forestry, tree protection, and canopy expansion goals throughout Pacifica in collaboration with PB&R commission and staff Subtasks:
• Support adoption of a goal to increase Pacifica’s urban tree canopy from 19% to 25%.
• Support development of an Adopt-a-Tree program.
• Recommend removal of loophole language from the Tree Ordinance by removing the phrase 'otherwise healthy.'
• Support hiring of an ISA Certified Arborist for Public Works to oversee tree maintenance and care.
• Support preservation and enhancement of Pacifica’s urban forest through policy, outreach, and maintenance planning.
Timeline: FY26–27
City Staff Resources: Some of these efforts are expected to require a significant level of staff involvement and resources. Topics such as tree canopy, removal of loophole language, and support for ISA-certified arborists are either currently under discussion or already moving forward or being addressed by the PB&R Commission. A more effective approach may be to establish a liaison between the two groups to ensure coordination and information sharing. Having two bodies working on the same issues, using similar language and pursuing the same outcomes, can lead to unnecessary overlap and additional strain on limited City resources needed to support both efforts.
CONCLUSION:
Given the various collaborators and stakeholders involved, along with existing resource constraints, any implementation actions would need to be thoughtfully timed and prioritized through the City Council’s broader strategic planning and goal-setting process and future budget development. As the Workplan continues to evolve, staff will maintain regular communication with CARC to share updates, gather input, and identify opportunities where the Committee can provide meaningful support. This collaborative but distinct relationship helps ensure that the Pacifica City Council 9
May 26, 2026
City’s climate action and sustainability initiatives are well-informed, responsive to local needs, and effectively implemented.
CARC plays a crucial role in advancing the City’s climate action and resilience goals and ensuring Pacifica’s long-term sustainability. Each committee member brings the diverse perspectives, extensive local knowledge, and experience that the City needs to put CARP into action in a way that supports community well-being and strengthens collaboration between all stakeholders and community members.
Ongoing coordination between City staff, the committee, and City Council remains important for effective implementation. Through continued collaboration, shared dialogue, and alignment with adopted workplans, the City is better positioned to respond to evolving environmental challenges and prepare for the impacts of climate change.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There are no fiscal impacts associated with this report. Following the Council’s direction, there might be an additional impact that will be presented during upcoming budget discussions, including the June 8 City Council meeting.
ORIGINATED BY:
Community Development Department
ATTACHMENT LIST:
Attachment A: Climate Action and Resilience Committee Workplan FY 2026-2027 (PDF) Attachment B: Climate Action and Resilience Committee Annual Report 2025 (PDF)