CITY OF PACIFICA
COUNCIL AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
8/24/2026
1 SUBJECT:
Adoption of Resolution Ratifying and Approving City Manager / Director of Emergency Services’ approval of the Emergency Public Works Agreement (“Agreement”) with Power Engineering Construction Co. for the Emergency Investigation and Stabilization of the Pacifica Municipal Pier.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Adopt a resolution ratifying and approving the City Manager / Director of Emergency Services’ approval of an Emergency Public Works Agreement with Power Engineering Construction Co. for Emergency Investigation and Stabilization of the Pacifica Municipal Pier.
STAFF CONTACT:
Melissa Tigbao, P.E., Director of Public Works
(650) 501-6016
[email protected]
Yulia Carter, Assistant City Manager
(650) 501-6004
[email protected]
Sean Charpentier, City Manager
(650) 738-7409
[email protected]
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
On June 4, 2026, significant cracking and settlement developed at the Pacifica Municipal Pier abutment and landside span. Public Works staff responded immediately, conducted an inspection, and observed cracking, separation, and displacement of the concrete walkway and structural elements near the abutment and Chit Chat Café. Given the observed damage and the potential risk to public safety, the City immediately closed the Pier, abutment, Pier Concession Building, public restrooms, and surrounding areas to public access.
On June 5, 2026, pursuant to Pacifica Municipal Code 4-2.05(a), the City Manager proclaimed a local emergency and executed the "Proclamation of the Existence of a Local Emergency at the Pacifica Municipal Pier ("Proclamation"). On June 8, 2026, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 33-2026 ratifying the Proclamation of local emergency and the temporary closure of the Pier and adjacent beach area (Attachment 1). The City’s Proclamation was also shared with San Mateo County Offices of Emergency Services and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) in support of the City’s efforts to seek State and federal assistance related to this emergency.
In the days following June 4, 2026, conditions at the Pier and abutment worsened. Following emergency authorization from the California Coastal Commission, the City demolished and Pacifica City Council 2
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removed the Chit Chat Café and adjacent public restrooms to protect public safety and prevent debris from entering the ocean. The City subsequently placed approximately 300 large boulders, totaling approximately 900 tons, around the abutment as an interim protective measure.
Additional investigation and stabilization work is necessary to evaluate the Pier and abutment and to guard against the potential for further movement that could affect the Pier structure, Beach Boulevard, and adjacent public infrastructure and utilities. The Pier remains closed to the public as a precaution, and the City continues to monitor site conditions.
Emergency Procurement and Agreement with Power Engineering Construction Co.
Given the continuing emergency conditions and the need to undertake stabilization work without the delay associated with a traditional public works procurement, the City proceeded under the emergency contracting authority provided by California Public Contract Code sections 20168 and 22050. These provisions authorize emergency procurement without delays associated with the competitive bidding process when immediate action is necessary to respond to a sudden and unexpected occurrence that poses a clear and imminent danger to life, health, property, or essential public services.
On July 14, 2026, as part of the City’s evaluation of how best to address the evolving conditions at the Pier, the City issued an emergency Request for Proposals (RFP) for investigation and stabilization services covering the Pier and adjacent public infrastructure. The RFP was provided to three qualified marine construction firms to inform the City’s assessment of potential technical approaches, contractor availability, constructability, and ability to mobilize the specialized resources and equipment necessary for the emergency work. On July 29, 2026, the City received one proposal from Power Engineering Construction Co. (Power) of Alameda, California. Power is an experienced marine contractor that has previously performed significant work on the Pacifica Municipal Pier.
Since receipt of the proposal, the City has worked diligently with Power and with its technical, regulatory, and insurance advisors to evaluate the proposed emergency stabilization approach and develop the enclosed agreement. This coordination has included the technical expertise of GHD, Inc., the City’s engineering consultant, together with the City’s other technical and insurance advisors, CalOES, and the federal and State regulatory agencies with jurisdiction over the work. This multidisciplinary review has informed the proposed scope, sequencing, constructability, regulatory approach, and contractual provisions for the emergency work.
Following review of Power’s proposal and subsequent technical discussions regarding site conditions, constructability, sequencing, and immediate stabilization needs, City staff negotiated the enclosed Emergency Public Works Agreement. The Agreement authorizes investigation, engineering, construction, and stabilization activities reasonably necessary to respond to the emergency conditions affecting the Pier and adjacent public infrastructure.
Based on the current conditions and Power’s recommended construction sequencing, the initial work will prioritize “Phase 2: Pier Shoring” that will first install a temporary pile-and-beam shoring system to support the landside end of the Pier’s first span at Bent B, reducing the risk of further movement and providing safe access for subsequent work. Immediately following the shoring work, “Phase 1A: Beach Boulevard and abutment protection” will install a King Pile COMBI wall around the abutment approach to protect Beach Boulevard and its utilities, together with piles that establish a working platform for access to, and further evaluation of, the abutment and adjacent structure.
The precise sequencing, scope, and extent of the work - including the extent to which portions Pacifica City Council 3
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of the Pier and abutment are ultimately repaired, further stabilized, or removed - will continue to be informed by field conditions, engineering evaluation, regulatory requirements, and the need to advance critical work ahead of the winter storm season. Under the agreement, the contractor shall not commence work unless authorized by a written phase authorization or task order issued by the City. This approach allows the City to authorize and manage the emergency work incrementally as the scope, costs, and funding for each phase are further defined.
The City is concurrently coordinating with the applicable federal and State regulatory agencies to secure the authorizations necessary to advance the emergency stabilization work. In parallel, GHD, Inc. continues to advance engineering work to inform subsequent rehabilitation of the Pier and abutment.
Because the emergency conditions require the City to proceed with stabilization activities without delay, the City Manager has executed the enclosed Agreement pursuant to the City’s emergency contracting authority. Staff recommend that the City Council ratify the City Manager’s execution of the Emergency Public Works Agreement with Power Engineering Construction Co. for the Emergency Investigation and Stabilization of the Pacifica Municipal Pier, dated August 20, 2026.
Pursuant to Public Contract Code section 22050, the City Council should review the emergency action at each regularly scheduled meeting until the action is terminated and will terminate the emergency contracting authority at the earliest date conditions warrant.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Emergency Public Works Agreement provides a framework for the phased investigation and stabilization work necessary to respond to the evolving conditions at the Pier. The ultimate cost of the emergency work will depend on the results of ongoing technical investigations, field conditions, regulatory requirements, construction sequencing, and the scope of stabilization measures determined to be necessary as the work progresses. Consistent with the phased structure of the Agreement, work is authorized incrementally, and costs will continue to be refined as each phase of the emergency work is further developed. Additional detail regarding estimated costs will be provided to the City Council as work progresses.
The City is actively pursuing reimbursement of its expenditures from multiple funding sources.
These include the City’s property insurance coverage and State and federal disaster-assistance programs, including the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) under the California Disaster Assistance Act and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The City’s property insurer has reviewed and approved the full scope of work under the Power Engineering Construction Co. Agreement. The City is coordinating with its insurer to obtain reimbursement and, where available, advance funding for eligible costs, and the insurer will continue to monitor the work and coordinate funding as the investigation and stabilization requirements evolve.
The City will also continue to pursue disaster-assistance reimbursement through Cal OES, including its previously submitted claim and the costs arising from the June 2026 emergency.
Continuation of the local emergency, which is being considered under separate Council action, will preserve the City’s ability to seek available resources and financial assistance from State and federal agencies, including Cal OES and FEMA, for eligible costs associated with the City’s response to the emergency.
Staff will continue to monitor project costs, available insurance proceeds, potential reimbursements, and existing budget authority as the emergency work progresses. If additional budget appropriations are required, staff will return to the City Council for consideration and Pacifica City Council 4
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approval through a future budget amendment.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION:
Given the continuing emergency conditions at the Pier and the need to advance stabilization work without delay, staff has not identified a reasonable alternative that would adequately address the immediate public safety and infrastructure risks.
ORIGINATED BY:
Public Works
City Manager's Office
ATTACHMENT LIST:
Attachment 1 - Resolution No. 33-2026 and Proclamation of Local Emergency Regarding the Pacifica Municipal Pier (PDF)
Attachment 2 - Resolution- Ratify Approve Pier Stabilization Agmt Power Eng FINAL (PDF)