The 60-day review period deadline is approaching next week on March 8, 5:00 p.m., for comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Report for the General Plan Update and Sharp Park Specific Plan, details and documents available on the Plan Pacifica Webpage. Your input is encouraged on these important policy documents that will help guide Pacifica’s future. Planning Commission and City Council hearings on the final documents are targeted for the May/June timeframe, specific dates yet to be announced. 

Also upcoming will be the City Council’s annual goal-setting meeting on Saturday, March 26^th (there will also be a team-building session, which is also open to the public, on the afternoon of Friday, March 25^th). Goal-setting is an important annual process to set priorities for the next fiscal year, and to help guide preparation for budget decisions for the new fiscal year.

The next City Council meeting, which will be on Monday, March 14^th, will be the first meeting back to in-person at the City Council Chambers at 2212 Beach Boulevard since the beginning of COVID-19. The City will also be testing a pilot program for members of the public to be able to phone-in public comments in real-time during the meeting while watching the broadcast of the meeting on television or live-streamed on your computer. This system is an experiment in the hopes of broadening public engagement, so your patience is appreciated as we work through any technology challenges that may arise.

Please click here to view the County's COVID-19 webpage for more information and read the latest San Mateo County Health Chief Update regarding COVID-19.

On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays from 8 AM to 8 PM, there will be a COVID-19 testing site located at 1900 Francisco Boulevard (on the City parking lot, south of the Little Brown Church). To find other testing sites in San Mateo County, visit www.smcgov.org/covid-19-testing.

The next City Council meeting on Monday, March 14 will be the first meeting back to in-person at the City Council Chambers at 2212 Beach Boulevard since the beginning of COVID-19. The City will also be testing a pilot program for members of the public to be able to phone-in public comments in real-time during the meeting while watching the broadcast of the meeting on television or live-streamed on your computer. If you have questions about the return to in-person meetings, please contact the City Clerk's Office at (650)-738-7307 or email the City Clerk at scoffey@pacifica.gov.

The new deadline for comments on the DEIR is March 8, 2022, and the City encourages your review and comments. The documents are available here. If you would like to review a hard copy of any of the documents, you may do so in person at either of our libraries (Sharp Park and Sanchez branches) or at the Pacifica Community Center.

The public is encouraged to participate in the adoption process. Please reach out to Deputy Planning Director Christian Murdock, at (650) 738-7341 or cmurdock@pacifica.gov with questions.

At a publicized City Council meeting on February 15, 2022, Public Works discussed upcoming sewer rate changes with the City Council. A video recording of that meeting can be viewed here. Click here for the staff report.

Please be advised, a Public Hearing will be held on this issue on April 11, 2022 at a regularly scheduled City Council meeting. A public notice was sent to property owners related to the Public Hearing and rate changes on February 25, 2022. The February 15th Council discussion included staff and consultant recommendations for a 3.5%/year sewer rate increase over the next 5-year period. This is lower than the previous 2017 5-year increases of 8% (3 yrs) and 7% (2 yrs). The 3.5% increases would begin in fiscal year 2022/23 and include costs to cover yearly inflation, operations, maintenance, debt service and the Wastewater Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The increase would allow for a significant augmentation of the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for both the Calera Creek Water Recycling Plant (Plant) and the Collection System. This would include accelerating replacement of old Plant equipment (as the Plant is over 20 years old) and addressing the problem of stormwater/groundwater infiltrating into the older Collection System piping, which increases treatment costs and the possibility of Sanitary System Overflows (SSO) that are hazardous to the environment. 

 

Should you have comments or questions, please direct these to Lisa Petersen, Pacifica Public Works Director, at lpetersen@pacifica.gov.

Every Friday from 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM, head over to the Pacifica Community Center to join Pacifica Senior Services Jewelry Making Class! You and your friends are the Jewelry designers. Choose from a huge variety of gemstone beads and design your own unique earrings, bracelets (stretch or clasp), anklets, necklaces, and so much more! A guaranteed good time using your creativity and yes, you ARE creative! The possibilities are endless.

The work of sculpture and assemblage artists Robert Haemmerling and Dave Yoas will be presented in the Main Gallery in a duo show titled The Tin Men, curated by Jerry Ross Barrish. The East Gallery show, Arbitrary and Capricious, will share works by Tangerine Arts, a group of women artists who meet for camaraderie, and to share resources, ideas and artwork. In West Gallery the Art Guild of Pacifica presents a group show titled Little Things.  On Sunday, March 13, at 3:00 pm, Tangerine Arts will hold a gallery walk and talk. The closing artists and curator talk for the Main Gallery will be held on the last day of the shows, Sunday, March 20, at 3:30 pm.  The Sanchez Art Center is located at 1220 Linda Mar Blvd, Pacifica, CA. Gallery hours are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 1 to 5 pm, and by appointment.

For more information: 650-355-1894, www.SanchezArtCenter.org

To gain insight on the needs and challenges of our immigrant community, the County of San Mateo & their Office of Community Affairs invites immigrants (living, working, or going to school in San Mateo County) to take their Immigrant Inclusion Survey. The recently launched survey will help shape the services and resources in our communities. You will receive a $10 gift card of your choice for completing the survey.

Please click here to take the survey.

Starting February 16 through April 4, the public is invited to review the draft environmental impact report (DEIR) to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of the proposed Quarry Reclamation Plan. The DEIR is available for a 45-day public review and comment period as indicated in the Notice of Availability. Please send your written comments no later than 5:00 PM on April 4, 2022, to the following address:

Email: publiccomment@pacifica.gov    

The City will provide notices as required by law prior to any public meeting or hearing on these items. The DEIR and Quarry Reclamation Project details are available for review online here.

Learn more and apply by March 31, 2022 here.

California’s first-in-the-nation earthquake alert system, MyShake App, announced new functionality to better serve Californians and keep surrounding communities safe. Read more about why the MyShake app is important and how to get this free app, here.

Pacifica Senior Services offers a wide array of classes, activities and groups for seniors to participate in Monday thru Friday. Classes run continuously throughout the year and are instructed by volunteers or self-directed by students. Visit the Pacifica Community Center at 540 Crespi Drive to attend any of the classes offered in the schedule, here.

The City of Pacifica is currently recruiting for various open positions. Visit CalOpps to learn about the different recruitment opportunities. Apply for a position on our City Team, today!

Please note: This newsletter is sent weekly on Friday and content is current at that time. Those who have not opened the email by Monday receive a reminder email, and some content may no longer be current.

Recent City of Pacifica and Pacifica Police Department press releases are available on the City of Pacifica website under City Government - Press Releases & Media Bulletins.