As we all struggle with the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, San Mateo County and all the cities in the County have been working to expand testing capacity. Please visit www.smcgov.org/testing for information on testing locations and appointments. 

In Pacifica, the testing location on Sundays at the City parking lot at Francisco/Salada has expanded hours from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and will be doubling testing capacity beginning the week of January 24^th. Mayor Bier sent this letter to the Pacifica community early this week with information and resources related to this latest COVID-19 challenge, emphasizing the patience, kindness, and compassion we all need to express to each other during this time. 

Schools, businesses, and other organizations, including the City, are experiencing staffing impacts from Omicron. At this time, all City services are continuing uninterrupted and City facilities continue to be open to the public. However, we are monitoring staffing shortages daily in the event public counters may need to temporarily close. In this event, services would remain open through Virtual City Hall services. Wearing quality masks, such as K95s, and social distancing continue to be important protective measures to try to prevent Omicron transmission.

COVID-19 is rapidly evolving due to the Omicron variant and Mayor Bier emphasizes patience, kindness, and compassion in a letter to the community. Click here to read the letter and please also check out Pacifica's COVID-19 response page.

Earlier this week, the City issued a COVID-19 newsletter to update the community about impacts to City services. At this time, all city offices will remain open and services uninterrupted. You can review that update, here. Please be careful and stay safe!

In observance of Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, city offices will be closed for the holiday on Monday, January 17. City offices will reopen on Tuesday, January 18.

On January 7, 2022, the City has released the General Plan Update, Sharp Park Specific Plan, and Environmental Impact Report for public review. Click here to review the newsletter about the release.

The public is encouraged to review the General Plan Update, Sharp Park Specific Plan, and Environmental Impact Report and participate in the adoption process. Please reach out to Deputy Planning Director Christian Murdock, at (650) 738-7341 or cmurdock@pacifica.gov with questions.

Did you know that 91% of all eligible persons with Military Service do not take advantage of the VA Home Loan Program? The San Mateo County Veterans Services Office is providing a free webinar about VA Home Loans. For webinar information and to register, please click here.

The One Day Count has been rescheduled to February 24, 2022. If you are interested in volunteering, please click here.

The Shop Pacifica Program is picking up fast! Pacifica residents and visitors are invited to purchase e-gift cards at Shop Pacifica website to help the local economy and support Pacifica businesses. By using the community gift card, those dollars will stay in Pacifica and benefit our entire community!

There are many participating businesses that are ready to accept payment via the community e-gift card, and this number is expected to grow every week. For a full list of participating places, see the Where Can I Redeem My Card? webpage (please note, the webpage will be updated frequently as new businesses are added to the program).

For more information about this program, please click here. Please contact Yulia Carter, Chief Financial Sustainability Officer, at ycarter@cityofpacifica.gov or 650-501-6004 if you have any questions or need assistance to sign up for the program or purchase the gift cards. Thank you for supporting Pacifica local businesses!

If you require an accommodation to enable you to participate in the survey, please contact Frankie Lewington at Frankie@rootpolicy.com or call (970) 880-1415. An example of a reasonable accommodation would be taking the survey by phone.

The Pacifica Open Space and Parkland Advisory Committee (OSPAC) is soliciting nominations for the Open Space Preservation Award. The award is granted in recognition of individuals and/or organizations that have made an outstanding contribution towards the preservation of open space in the City of Pacifica.

The award consists of a written proclamation that will be announced and presented at a future City Council meeting. Submissions should state the reasons as to why the nominee should receive the award. Written submissions shall be received before 5:00 pm on February 16, 2022, by the Planning Department c/o Bonny O’Connor, Senior Planner (540 Crespi Drive Pacifica, CA 94044 and/or boconnor@pacifica.gov).

OSPAC will also be accepting verbal nominations during its February 16th meeting at 6:00 pm via Zoom (link will be provided in the agenda posted here.

Please click here for important smoke alarm maintenance information from the Fire Department.

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.