CITY OF PACIFICA
COUNCIL AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
8/24/2026
1 SUBJECT:
Continuation of Proclamation of Local Emergency at the Pacifica Municipal Pier and the Order of Director of Emergency Services Relating to Temporary Closure of the Pier RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Accept report and make a determination that conditions of a local emergency continue to exist at the Pacifica Municipal Pier.
STAFF CONTACT:
Sean Charpentier, City Manager
(650) 738-7409
[email protected]
Melissa Tigbao, P.E., Director of Public Works
(650) 501-6016
[email protected]
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
On June 5, 2026, the City Manager, acting in his capacity as Director of Emergency Services, proclaimed the existence of a local emergency pursuant to PMC 4-2.05(a) and executed the "Proclamation of the Existence of a Local Emergency at the Pacifica Municipal Pier ("Proclamation"). On June 8, 2026, the City Council of the City of Pacifica adopted Resolution No. 33-2026 to ratify the Proclamation of local emergency due to Pacifica Municipal Pier (Attachment 1). The City’s Proclamation was sent to San Mateo County Offices of Emergency Services and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) and allows the City to seek state and federal funds relating to the emergency.
This proclamation of local emergency was based on the following findings.
On Thursday, June 4, 2026, Public Works staff were notified of damages to the Pacifica Municipal Pier. Public Works Engineering and Field Services staff responded to the notification and inspected the Pacifica Municipal Pier and found cracking, separation, and displacement of the concrete walkway and structural elements near the abutment and Chit Chat Café (“Conditions”).
Public Works Field Services staff closed off the Pier and abutment area from public access due to the unstable and unsafe Conditions. The City’s Chief Building Official also issued a “red-tag” for the Chit Chat Café, as the restaurant is unsafe for occupancy. The utilities to Chit Chat Café were cut and capped off. The preliminary structural engineering assessment from the City’s consultants revealed there was extensive damage which would likely require major reconstruction of the abutment. On June 9, 2026, the City demolished the Chit Chat Café due to Pacifica City Council 2
August 24, 2026
the continued settling of the abutment to prevent the structure from falling into the ocean, which would have resulted in insignificant environmental cleanup costs. The City began a short-term stabilization by placing rock revetment around the abutment. City is working with the City’s structural engineers to determine a suitable stabilization plan until a permanent solution can be found. The Pier will remain closed until it can be determined the facility is safe for public use.
Since declaring the local emergency, the City has taken the following steps to stabilize the Pier:
The City completed placement of temporary rock revetment around the pier abutment to provide temporary support and slow its continued settlement. The City continues to monitor the condition of the Pier and is pursuing additional emergency stabilization measures intended to provide interim support for the abutment and first deck of the Pier.
The abutment and first deck of the Pier remain structurally unstable, and the Pier continues to be unsafe for public access. Additional emergency stabilization work remains necessary to reduce the risk of further structural movement.
As part of the emergency stabilization efforts, the City issued an emergency Request for Proposals (RFP) for emergency stabilization work at the Pacifica Municipal Pier. The City received proposals in response to the RFP, and staff are currently preparing for a contract award. Staff expects to bring a ratification of contract award to the City Council as soon as execution is complete.
The conditions that caused the local emergency continue to exist and therefore Staff and the City Manager (Director of Emergency Services) recommend the continuation of the local emergency.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The fiscal impacts associated with the emergency are covered under the Disaster Accounting Fund and no additional budget authority is necessary as sufficient funds have been previously approved in the Disaster Accounting Fund to pay for the demolition and other associated projects. Staff is also working with the city’s insurance firm to cover costs responding to this emergency. The continuation of the local emergency will facilitate the ability for the City to request resources including financial support and reimbursement from the State Office of Emergency Services (OES) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for costs incurred in preparation and/or response to the emergency ORIGINATED BY:
Public Works
ATTACHMENT LIST:
Attachment A: Resolution No.33-2026 and Proclamation of Local Emergency Regarding the Pacifica Municipal Pier (PDF)