Meeting to finalize Redevelopment Agency tax obligation, Monday, November 30, 2015

Today, the following City Successor Board to the Redevelopment Agency meeting replaced any previously scheduled Planning Commission meeting for Monday, November 30, 2015 on the City Calendar; however, there was also no Agenda posted for a Planning Commission meeting. 

The City of Pacifica Successor Agency to the City of Pacifica Redevelopment Agency will meet at the City Council Chambers, 2212 Beach Boulevard. The meeting begins at 5:30 PM. 

City loan to prior Redevelopment Agency
for Rockaway Beach parking, $3,237,150.
Enforceable State tax obligation, $136,442.

Board members:  Lorenzo Hines, Jr. (representing: City of Pacifica RDA Employees); Pete DeJarnatt (representing San Mateo County Library, JPA); Raymond Chow (representing San Mateo Community College District); Mike Callagy (representing San Mateo County); Penny Bennett (representing San Mateo County); Josie Peterson (representing Pacifica School District); Mary Ann Nihart (representing City of Pacifica).

 City of Pacifica Agenda, 11/30/15, pdf pages 19. 

1.  Roll call, welcome and introductions. 
2.  Approve 9/29/15 Minutes.
3.  Consideration and approval of second amended long-range Property Management Plan, with minor, technical and clarifying revisions to the Plan.  Resolution, pages 5-8. 
4.  Public comments.
5.  Board Comments.
6.  Adjourn. 
----------
From the above Agenda, computer pages noted below. 
Resolution. page 6.  ...."... The City of Pacifica loaned $3,237,150 to the Redevelopment Agency to finance implementation of the Redevelopment Plan, including the construction and improvement of off-street parking lots.  .... ...The Redevelolpment Agency owned six parcels of real property containing approximately 35,100 square feet which had been developed for surface parting lots utilizing City funds loaned to the Redevelopment agency..." Page 7. .... "September 22, 2015, the California Legislature enacted SB 107... amending various provisions of the Redevelopment Dissolution Law. ... such parking lots and facilities do not generate revenue in excess of reasonable maintenance costs of the properties. Whereas, the Oversight Board hereby finds and determines that that the parking lots are dedicated solely to public parking; that the parking lots do not generate any revenue whatsoever; and that the City incurred, and continues to incur, reasonable and necessary cost for maintaining the parking lots."

Overview (background information).   Page 11.  ... "March 1986, the Pacifica City Council adopted a Specific Plan pursuant to the California Planning and Zoning Law for the Rockaway Beach area within the City. ...   Page 12.  .... "In July 1986, the City Council adopted a Redevelopment Plan for the Rockaway Beach Project Area. ... .... .
In June 2000 and December 2009, the Former RDA adopted Implementation Plans for the Rockaway Beach Redevelopment Project. The Implementation Plans reported that the activities carried out by the Former RDA had resulted in the completion of visitor-serving commercial uses, three hotels, a new off-street parking lot and improvements to existing parking areas. At the time the Former RDA was issolved, it owned a total of six parcels which were developed for two inter-connected surface parking lots located on the same block. These parking lots were an essential prerequisite for the development of nearby commercial properties, and the loss of the parking lots would leave those properties with little or no off-street parking spaces to serve their customers and occupants. In addition, the parking lots are located a short distance from public beach and open space areas and are available for public users of these recreation aras.  The parking lots are open to the public, operate free of charge and do not generate any revenue. The City provides funding for necessary maintenance and repairs."  
Page 13, comment .... The Successor Agency believes that the market value of the parking lots is severely constrained by the absence of other parking to support existing development and by applicable City planning policies, rules and regulations which envision continued use of the parking lots for public parking."  
Page 15, 16, Location chart/map.  Page s 17-19, State of CA/Department of Finance, "Long-range property management plan checklist".

Reference, 9/29/15 Meeting - Agenda,  Resolution, Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule (ROPS), 04-2015, Resolution 04-2015 (ROPS 15-16B).  and ROPS Payment Summary, Detail,15-16B. Page 1, items H, I, enforceable tax obligation, $136,442. Minutes 9/29/15.  Redevelopment Successor Agency Archives.

Note photograph titled "then" by Mark Alburger, composer/director,  from Mark Alburger, 2014 blog.

 
Posted by Kathy Meeh

Rockaway Tree Lighting Festival, Sunday, December 6, 2015

Pacifica Chamber of Commerce, "5th Annual Rockaway Tree Lighting."

5th Annual Tree Lighting, and fun activities, Rockaway Beach, Sunday, 12/6/15

"This event gets bigger every year and this year will be no exception! Please join the Rockaway Beach Merchants and the Pacifica Chamber of Commerce as they welcome the community and visitors to a of night of magical, Holiday fun. All are welcomed and the event will run from 4pm to 7pm and best of all, it's FREE!


A FREE Cable Car Shuttle will be running from 3:30pm to 7pm and will transport festival-goers to Holiday-decorated Rockaway Beach. The shuttle will pick up at the Pacifica Community Center, located at Crespi Dr. and Highway 1, and along Roberts Road, where you may park for free and wave down the cable car captain.

Santa will arrive at 5pm, via the Pacifica Fire Department's antique fire truck and the Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place at 6pm in the Rockaway Plaza where a stage will be setup up with live music and performances throughout the evening."  Note the graphic information is from the Pacifica Chamber of Commerce link above.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

This event gets bigger every year and this year will be no exception! Please join the Rockaway Beach Merchants and the Pacifica Chamber of Commerce as they welcome the community and visitors to a of night of magical, Holiday fun. All are welcomed and the event will run from 4pm to 7pm and best of all, it's FREE!
A FREE Cable Car Shuttle will be running from 3:30pm to 7pm and will transport festival-goers to Holiday-decorated Rockaway Beach. The shuttle will pick up at the Pacifica Community Center, located at Crespi Dr. and Highway 1, and along Roberts Road, where you may park for free and wave down the cable car captain.
Santa will arrive at 5pm, via the Pacifica Fire Department's antique fire truck and the Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place at 6pm in the Rockaway Plaza where a stage will be setup up with live music and performances throughout the evening. Check out the list of fun activities that will take place:

- See more at: http://www.pacificachamber.com/index.php?module=timus_posts&post_id=19#sthash.97XSbcW7.dpuf

Filoli during the Holidays, a trip worth making

Filoli Holiday Tradition festive entry

Probably next year.   The Almanac News, 11/24/15, "Nov. 27-Dec.5: 'Holiday Traditions' at Filoli estate in Woodside." 

Deer for dinner, visiting

Filoli, the historic estate in Woodside, will hold its annual Holiday Tradition event from Nov. 27 through Dec. 5, with holiday music and decorations and merchandise at the Holiday Boutique. 

.... Local choral and performing groups will entertain.  This year's event ties in with Filoli's Centennial; the house was built from 1915 to 1917. .... Buffet lunches and evening bistro dining will be available with advance reservations during the week. A children's party for ages 5 to 10, on Saturday, Dec. 5, will include a visit with Santa and entertainment.  More than 700 volunteers are working with staff to create Holiday Traditions."  

Reference,  Filoli.org.   Holiday Traditions at Filoli, 2015, article, includes ticket information. "Step into a world of understated elegance, combining rustic and vintage elements engaging to the eye and pleasing to the senses. Each room will entice and delight you with rich jewel tones; ruby red, emerald green, amethyst, and topaz accented with dazzling gold, shimmering silver, and deep copper. The divine décor will captivate you with exquisitely decorated trees, mantles brimming with fresh flowers and greenery, wreaths embellishing windows, and sconces with touches of sparkle sprinkled throughout. Warm holiday scents drift softly through the rooms awakening fond memories. " 

 

Synthetics don't eat much

 Open indoor space

Some daytime and evening Holiday Shopping Boutique tickets are available at this time December 2-5 only.  The lunch, dinner buffets and Bistro tickets are sold out. The Children's party December 5 is sold out.  Maybe next year, plan in advance."

Note photographs.  Deer on table by P.K.Costa  Examiner.com/Entertainment, 11/24/12.  Festive gallery from Gogobot.com/reviews, image information no longer available. Door entry by Darlene Hampton from the San Jose Events Examiner, 11/30/12. Boutique rabbits by Liz Hafalia from San Francisco Chronicle, 11/1/13.

Posted by Kathy Meeh   

Seton Medical Center decision from the State, coming soon

As the stomach turns.  Half Moon Bay Review/Julia Reis, 11/25/15. "Extension granted on Seton decision."

Ah, the art of protest leading to
potential unintended consequences.

"California Attorney General Kamala Harris may take up to an additional two weeks to decide whether to approve the proposed sale of Daughters of Charity Health System to a New York-based hedge fund.  ... A brief letter from Deputy Attorney General Wendi Horwitz states that the extension will allow the office to finalize its review of the transaction. Daughters of Charity agreed to the additional time. ...  Harris can approve the transaction outright, deny it or approve it with conditions.

Daughters of Charity .. struck up a deal with BlueMountain Capital Management LLC. Through that acquisition agreement, BlueMountain would sponsor its own Integrity Healthcare to manage and operate the hospitals. ... BlueMountain could purchase the hospitals outright within three years.  ...."... “(The county) made an attempt to buy Seton Coastside (before), and at the time they weren’t interested,” Don Horsley said. “We will probably have to resurrect that offer."  Read more.

Related articles.  Last year's protest.  Los Angeles Times/Chad Garland, 8/15/14, "Healthcare chain's bid for 6 hospitals draws protest." "Prime Healthcare Services Inc., a hospital chain that has come under fire for billing and patient privacy issues, is facing opposition over its potential acquisition of six California hospitals, including two medical centers in Los Angeles County." Prime Healthcare rejects offer by CA State Attorney General.  San Jose Mercury News/Lifestyles/Tracy Seipel, 3/11/15, "Prime Healthcare passes on Daughters of Charity deal." ".... Prime, the Southern California hospital company, called the conditions placed on the sale by state Attorney General Kamala Harris 'so burdensome and restrictive that it would be impossible for Prime Healthcare -- or any buyer -- to make the changes needed to operate and save these hospitals.' Under the terms imposed by Harris, Prime said, it would be required to operate the Los Altos Hills-based Catholic hospital chain as it is now for 10 years, despite the fact that Daughters is losing more than $10 million a month. Prime said the health care industry is changing daily and that 10 years is double the five years required in all other hospital transactions in the state.  .... Daughters owns O'Connor Hospital in San Jose and Saint Louise Regional Hospital in Gilroy, Seton Medical Center in Daly City, Seton Coastside in Moss Beach, and two hospitals in Los Angeles."  Also see Fix Pacifica article reprints, search this blog: Seton.

Note:  photograph by Brian van der Brug from the related Los Angeles Times article.  As the stomach turns, idioms:  English Forums, or Dictionary.com.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Escape to the Headlands family hiking event, Sunday, November 29, 2015

Pedro Point Headlands

Pacifica Tribune/Lynn Adams, 11/25/15. "Escape to the Headlands. Family event planned with hiking, treats for kids." 

"The Pacifica Land Trust would like to invite everyone to Escape to the Headlands, the Pedro Point Headlands that is, on Sunday, November 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Kick off the holiday season with a gratitude hike, plenty of merriment and special treats for the kids. 

....  Participants should check in at the Castle Kitchen and Bath parking lot between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. and plan to return no later than 2 p.m. You will be safely transported to and from the Pedro Point Headlands staging area. Long-sleeve shirts, pants and sturdy shoes are recommended. Evergreen and natural materials will be available for you to take home for decorations or wreaths. Due to the wonderful success of the previous Charlie Brown Tree events, there are few if any trees suitable even for Charlie Brown, so this year we will appreciate the native plants instead. 

Hiking to some of the bluffs for the spectacular views of the ocean, Devil’s Slide, Shelter Cove and beyond can be quite rigorous but usually considered well worth it.  The Pedro Point Headlands stewardship program and this event are brought to you by the Pacifica Land Trust, funded by the CA Coastal Commission and supported by the Pedro Point Community Association."  Read more.

Note photograph by Lynn Adams,  Pacifica Patch, Open Post, 9/19/13.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Christmas tree lite, drought 2015

More branches,
what do you think?

NBC Bay Area/Joe Rosato, Jr, 11/26/15. "California's prolonged drought yields Grinch-Like Christmas Tree Supply."

Eco-apartment Christmas tree 2015

"California’s prolonged drought has wreaked havoc to agriculture across the state. So it shouldn’t come as any surprise that its Grinch-like ways have also struck at the bastion of holiday tradition — the Christmas tree.  Christmas tree growers across the state are struggling growing issues as a shortage of rainfall has caused some varieties of trees to dry up or grow at a much slower pace.

In the Santa Cruz Mountains above Los Gatos, Jim Beck, founder of Patchen Christmas Tree Farm, walked through the hillside blanketed in trees of all sizes and varieties. Most were green — ready for visitors to chop down and haul home. But occasionally Beck would pause to point out a drought victim. “These needles should be about an inch-and-a-quarter to an inch-and-a-half long,” Beck said handling the brittle limbs of a Douglas Fir. “As you can see they’re barely three-quarters-of-an-inch long, that’s the primary affect of the drought.”  Read more.

Note photographs.  Pine tree branches above by Jennie from Running in High Heals.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

City Council Rent Stabilization Study Session, Saturday December 5, 2015

Public email memo from the City of Pacifica/City Council, 11/25/15. "City Council Study Session on Rent Stabilization set for December 5, 2015."

"The City Council of the City of Pacifica will be holding a special meeting Study Session on Rent Stabilization.  The date and time have been confirmed as indicated below. The location is yet to be determined.

Possible locations include either City Council Chambers at 2212 Beach Boulevard or Ingrid B. Lacy Middle School multi-purpose room located at 1427 Palmetto Avenue. The location will be confirmed upon posting of the Notice and Agenda for the study session.

Date:  Saturday, December 5, 2015.  Time: 10:00 a.m.  Location: To be determined."  This information will be updated once the Study Session location is known.

Update:  Confirming, the meeting will be at Ingrid B. Lacy Middle School multi-purpose room located at 1427 Palmetto Avenue, Saturday, December 5, 2015, 10:00 a.m.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Thanksgiving Holiday

 

History.com, "October, 3, 1863 Lincoln proclaims official Thanksgiving holiday."

Happy Thanksgiving!  A day to appreciate the value
of life, our families, friends, and our community.

 

"On this day in 1863, expressing gratitude for a pivotal Union Army victory at Gettysburg, President Abraham Lincoln announces that the nation will celebrate an official Thanksgiving holiday on November 26, 1863.

The speech, which was actually written by Secretary of State William Seward, declared that the fourth Thursday of every November thereafter would be considered an official U.S. holiday of Thanksgiving. This announcement harkened back to when George Washington was in his first term as the first president in 1789 and the young American nation had only a few years earlier emerged from the American Revolution. At that time, George Washington called for an official celebratory “day of public thanksgiving and prayer.” While Congress overwhelmingly agreed to Washington’s suggestion, the holiday did not yet become an annual event.

Thomas Jefferson, the third president, felt that public demonstrations of piety to a higher power, like that celebrated at Thanksgiving, were inappropriate in a nation based in part on the separation of church and state. Subsequent presidents agreed with him. In fact, no official Thanksgiving proclamation was issued by any president between 1815 and the day Lincoln took the opportunity to thank the Union Army and God for a shift in the country’s fortunes on this day in 1863.

The fourth Thursday of November remained the annual day of Thanksgiving from 1863 until 1939. Then, at the tail-end of the Depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, hoping to boost the economy by providing shoppers and merchants a few extra days to conduct business between the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, moved Thanksgiving to November’s third Thursday. In 1941, however, Roosevelt bowed to Congress’ insistence that the fourth Thursday of November be re-set permanently, without alteration, as the official Thanksgiving holiday."

Related, videos. History.com/Thanksgiving videos, ... "While today’s Thanksgiving celebrations would likely be unrecognizable to attendees of the original 1621 harvest meal, it continues to be a day for Americans to come together around the table—albeit with some updates to pilgrim’s menu."  Related article.  The Telegraph news/Cameron Macphail,UK, 11/25/15,"Thanksgiving: What is the history of the holiday and why does the US celebrate with turkey?  "... While Britons think of it as a warm-up for the Yuletide period, many Americans think it of it as just as important as Christmas .In fact, more people in the US celebrate Thanksgiving than do Christmas. Thanksgiving Day is secular holiday in a country that officially separates church and state so this probably makes sense."

Note painting for the First Thanksgiving 1621 by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris (1899) from the related Telegraph news article (above). 

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Happy Thanksgiving meal: enjoy, oh some of the good stuff may be bad for you

Wrong, but... gobble, gobble.

The Daily Meal/Bridget Creel, Editor, 11/24/15. "9 dishes doctors won't eat at Thanksgiving."  Not that we care, but The list.

"You anticipate indulging, and expect to experience a solid food coma on Thanksgiving every year. With everything from your grandmother’s famous stuffing to that homemade pumpkin pie, you pretty much know you're going to feel sick to your stomach once your head hits the pillow. 

.... "...   If you do choose to enjoy the not-so-good dishes, make sure you fill up your plate with the healthy Thanksgiving foods as well."  Read, view more.    Slideshow with captions.

Note photographs:  man eating from i food.tv.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

More King Tides in our future

The Daily Journal/Samantha Weigel, 11/25/15.  "Officials: King Tides are the future of the coast."

Could have been a nice walk along Beach Boulevard

The start of the annual King Tides prompted county officials, environmental experts and coastal activists to gather Tuesday morning at areas where San Mateo County is most vulnerable to sea level rise.  King Tides, which occur when the sun and moon align creating a more powerful gravitational pull, were reported to have washed much further ashore along the coast and in parts of the San Francisco Bay.

....  “The King Tides are gong to be an indicator of what exactly it’s going to be like in the future — King Tides are going to be the new norm and are going to have even more destructive power than today,” said Supervisor Don Horsley while watching the waves crash at Surfer’s Beach on the coast. “We’re looking at ways of being more resilient, protecting the coast and adapting to the future. This King Tide is a look into the future.”

The county is in the midst of yearlong study to determine what assets are vulnerable to sea level rise through a special task force dedicated to collaborating on preparing for the future of climate change. Surrounded by both a bayfront and coastal zone, San Mateo County has been deemed the most vulnerable in the state when it comes to sea level rise, said Hilary Papendick, climate resiliency specialist with the county’s Office of Sustainability. .... This year’s King Tides are also exacerbated by El Niño as the expanded warmer waters account for about a half-foot increase.  Read more.

Related,  Climate Central/John Upton, 10/30/15, ".... Paris Agreement could put leash around global warming."  There is a month remaining before a critical two-week U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change begins in Paris. Following years of talks, most of the world’s governments have announced the pledges that they plan to offer under the hoped-for Paris climate pact, even as the draft agreement continues to take shape.... .Developed countries, such as the U.S., and those in the European Union, pledged to reduce rates of greenhouse gas pollution by specific amounts in the coming years. Others, such as China, vowed to end the yearly increases in their annual pollution rates within chosen timeframes. Some countries simply listed the policies that they plan to enact to help address climate change. Policies included in many of the pledges also covered efforts to adapt to a warming world." 

Note: photograph by Dae R./Flickr from the related Climate Central article.

Posted by Kathy Meeh