3-D model of latest quarry plans

The quarry developer had a 3-D model made of his latest plans, which are close to what he envisions, though still not absolutely definitive.  Click on the image to expand it.

He's hoping to find a place in town where it can be put on public display, e.g., libraries, community center, City Hall.

You'll notice the utility road running alongside the eastern part of the quarry. Assuming the road gets built, it's not yet clear if it will be open to all traffic or a limited number of vehicles, such as public safety and utility vehicles only.

Posted by Steve Sinai

4th of July, 2016, activities

Fourth of July City of Pacifica/PB&R/Special Events, "42nd Annual Frontierland Park Celebration", Monday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. And 'safe and sane' Fireworks at the beach.

Sparklers always

City of Pacifica/Police/Safety, "Fireworks."

"Pacifica is one of the few cities in the Bay Area to allow legal, "safe & sane" fireworks for the July 4th holiday.
However, the City of Pacifica has zero tolerance for illegal fireworks. Persons caught with illegal fireworks will be cited and may be fined and/or sentenced to one year in jail. To report individuals using, possessing or selling illegal fireworks, call the non-emergency Pacifica Police dispatch line at 650-738-7314.
Illegal fireworks are prohibited on all Pacifica beaches according to the California Health and Safety Code. There are NO fireworks of any type allowed on any beaches in the City of Pacifica, except for a defined portion of Pacifica State Beach/Linda Mar.  There are also two other sites where legal "safe and sane"  fireworks are allowed.  Legal fireworks must have the State Fire Marshal seal of approval." 

The defined portion of  Pacifica State Beach/Linda Mar where "safe and sane" fireworks are allowed is described as the area  immediately west of the north parking lot of Pacifica State Beach/Linda Mar to approximately ten feet  (10') east of the tideline and immediately north of the Taco  Bell Restaurant (5200 Coast Highway) to the prolongation of the north end of the north Pacifica State Beach/Linda Mar parking lot.

Two Other Sites: 1)  South Pacifica State Beach/Linda Mar parking lot on the asphalt area of the parking lot. 2)  South Rockaway Beach parking lot on the asphalt area of the parking lot.

Other safe and sane fireworks displays

There is no parking of motor vehicles allowed in the south Pacifica State Beach/Linda Mar and south Rockaway Beach parking lots on the 4th of July in order to accommodate for the use of the area for "safe and sane" fireworks.

To make July 4th in Pacifica safer and more enjoyable for all, the City has adopted a new fireworks ordinance. The new ordinance places an 11:00pm curfew on the use of "safe and sane" fireworks and imposes a $1,000 administrative fine on individuals who use illegal fireworks. View the full ordinance and accompanying resolution."

Related. Pacifica Beach Coalition, "Special post 4th of July beach cleanups, 3 locations, Tuesday July 5th. Join Us!" Online Sign up & Waiver Form.

Note: Photographs/graphics.  Fireworks. Boy from The Daily Gazette (Scarborough, Maine), 3/15/15/Associated Press, 7/4/12. Other displays from  CBSSF Bay Area 5, 6/26/16, "Safe & Sane' Fireworks Still Illegal In San Leandro." Frontier Park graphic from the City article.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

European Union, the benefit

EU: "peace, stability, prosperity."

European Union/Who we are, "What is the European Union?"  "The EU is unlike anything else—it isn’t a government, an association of states, or an international organization. Rather, the 28 Member States have relinquished part of their sovereignty to EU institutions, with many decisions made at the European level.

The European Union has delivered more than 60 years of peace, stability, and prosperity in Europe, helped raise our citizens’ living standards, launched a single European currency (the euro), and is progressively building a single Europe-wide free market for goods, services, people, and capital.

Brits persuaded to decline.
Elections matter.

We are engaged in rebuilding lives and communities in areas of conflict such as Afghanistan. We support efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East, promote sound environmental practices, and contribute to global efforts to control nuclear proliferation.  European judicial, law enforcement, and security officials cooperate with the US and other partners to combat terrorism and transnational crime.

The EU and our Member States are the largest providers of official development assistance around the world, and we are involved in other areas that support development and reduce poverty, such as peacekeeping, election observing, and providing humanitarian and reconstruction aid in the wake of natural disasters and conflict."

Reference. BBC News, 2/25/14 European Union maps, 28 countries, 10/2013. "The forerunner to the European Union was formed by six countries in 1952 and now has 28 members with a combined population of more than 500 million people.It is set to expand even further, with several countries being considered for membership. The European Union has its roots in the 1951 agreement by France, Germany and four other countries to pool coal and steel supplies, with the aim of ending "age-old rivalries". In 1993 EU leaders adopted the so-called Copenhagen criteria setting standards for democracy, human rights, the rule of law, minority protection and civilian control over the military that all candidate states must meet to become members."  Note: graphics map and other maps from the reference BBC article. European flag, minus one star from Times Higher Education/The Reporters, 6/24/16, "Brexit vote sparks huge uncertainty for UK universities."

Related article.  Pacifica Tribune/Letters to the Editor/Jim Heldberg, 6/22/16, "The long view." "England failed to take the long view, and lost the colonies that became the United State of America. If they fail to take the long view again, they will lose their influence over the coming United States of Europe."

Posted by Kathy Meeh

A view of whales migrating off the coast, Linda Mar

Pacifica Tribune/Jane Northrop, Staff Writer, 6/23/16. "Humpbacks at Linda Mar. Migrating whales captivate beachgoers and surfers."

Gray Whale and calf.

.... "This is the time of year the whales migrate north and will seek food along the way in Pacifica waters, said Lucy-Claire Saunders of the Marine Mammal Center. They are very fond of the anchovies that are in these waters. Some have been spotted in San Francisco Bay, as well.

....  'I have never seen this many humpbacks and blue whales this close to shore this early in the season,' said Izzy Szczepanik, marine biologist and surfer.  .... ... 'Whales breaching, birds flocking and diving into the water, it was spooky and beautiful at the same time,' said Greg Cochran, president, Pedro Point Surf Club. .... ... 'It’s a sight to behold,' said Myles Kleinfeld, surfer.

'Lately, we’ve been watching many whales migrate off the California coast, including gray whales, humpback whales and even some blue whales. It is a spectacular sight, and a reminder of how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful and biodiverse place. At The Marine Mammal Center we ask boaters and kite surfers to keep their distance from the whales and to please report any entanglements to (415) 289-SEAL,' said Saunders."

Related articles/video. CBS San Francisco Bay Area, 6/4/16, includes video 1:25 minutes. "The whales didn’t mind the surfers and the surfers didn’t mind the whales. Everybody seemed to get along just fine. “This is just another example of us sharing space with animals and they don’t have any interest in hurting us,” said Skyler Thomas (a swimmer at Linda Mar Beach).  Andy Forward/Horse Present's channel, 9/27/15, YouTube video, 3:37 minutes. "Paddle boarders close encounters with whales, Linda Mar, Pacifica, CA." "The rare site of humpback whales in Linda Mar Bay, Pacifica made for some spectacular whale watching, especially for a few paddle boarders and surfers. September 16th 2015."   Navolt, 5/15/16, YouTube video 1:24 minutes, "Whales off the coast of Pacifica. There are many excellent videos of whales passing through Pacifica on YouTube.  Note photograph. Gray Whale by Dave Kent, 3/24/16, "Grey Whale Mother and Calf Spy Hopping", YouTube, 4:31 minutes.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

San Mateo County budget overview

 

County of San Mateo/County Manager's Office/posted by Christa Bigue, 6/13/15, "County of San Mateo releases FY 2016-17, recommended budget."

Mostly good news, some bad news.

"The County of San Mateo's financial footing remains strong but County Manager John Maltbie urged the Board of Supervisors to use fiscal restraint as it prepares to adopt a Fiscal Year 2016-17 Recommended Budget that is approximately 9.2 percent greater than anticipated last September.
In September 2015, as part of the two-year budget process, the Board of Supervisors approved the FY 2015-16 Adopted Budget and received the FY 2016-18 Preliminary Recommended Budget. The Board at it's Tuesday, Jan. 21 meeting will consider the updated budget which has been adjusted by $219 million due largely to increases for capital and infrastructure projects, rollovers and Measure A initiatives.

The FY 2016-17 Recommended Budget for all funds totals $2.6 billion with 5,438 positions and $322.3 million in reserves. The General Fund totals $1.67 billion with 4,274 positions and $154 million in reserves, which represents 10.1 percent of the County’s General Fund operating budget. 

Significant changes to the budget include:

Quick guide to property tax spending.

•   $94.3 million for capital projects, including trail improvements and Mirada Road erosion protection

•   $162 million in Measure A initiatives, including $11.9 million for the Big Lift and $2.8 million for parks improvements

•   $14.1 million in pension prepayment contributions

•   $4.6 million in retiree health contributions

•   $7.7 million in loans for the Half Moon Bay and Brisbane libraries

•   $7.5 million loan for start-up costs for Peninsula Clean Energy Authority

•   $2. 8 million loan to replace two hangars at San Carlos Airport

•   $2 million in administrative costs for the flood control zone

•   $2 million for a one-year employee commuter bus pilot program

•   $1.7 million for mental health pods in county jails

•   $580,000 to complete a countywide seal level rise vulnerability assessment

•   $500,000 for the Affordable Housing Task Force

•   $3.5 million for the “Sunny Day” criminal trial costs

To meet these requirements, general fund reserves will be drawn down to $154 million which is the lowest level in 10 years. “This significant reduction in our reserves is worrisome because we should be replenishing our revenues, not depleting them. Economists predict a mild recession in the next 18 to 24 months which is why it is critically important we take the steps now to maintain our future fiscal strength and allow us the means to focus on our milestone goals of ending homelessness, improving educational outcomes for foster youth and strengthening childhood literacy by 2020,” Maltbie said.
Due to declining gas tax revenues and an increase in discretionary road projects the Road Fund — the County’s funding source for maintaining and managing the County’s road infrastructure — is also seeing declining reserves. Based on current spending, Road Fund reserves will be depleted in four to five years. The lack of funds means the conditions of roads in the unincorporated areas will quickly deteriorate because the gas tax revenue will not adequately cover the cost of ongoing maintenance, emergency repairs and discretionary projects while also addressing 40 miles of failed roads. 
Next year, Maltbie will submit to the Board with its FY 2017-2019 budget a new five-year Capital Improvement and Infrastructure Program. Once adopted, Maltbie said it will be prudent for the Board not to make significant changes without identify new sources of funding, eliminating projects or both. While Maltbie said the budget shows the need for discipline by the County’s leadership, it also indicates the County is making progress in accelerating the pay-down of unfunded pension and retiree health liabilities. Despite volatile market conditions over the past year, the remains on pace to pay off its unfunded pension obligations by 2023 after which the continuing obligations should be reduced by $106 million." ...  

Reference. FY 2016-17 Budget links, (Final Budget to be adopted at the Board of Supervisors meeting, 9/20/16).  Forecast 2 year budget, FY 2015-17, pdf pages 863.   Note photo/graphics:  Budget by Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg News from The Wall Street Journal, 1/19.16, "U.S. Budget." Quick guide from the reference FY 2016-17 Budget.  .." 

Posted by Kathy Meeh

San Mateo County: FY 2016-17 budget, and our Clean Energy transition

Mercury News/San Mateo County Times/Aaron Kinney, 6/21/16. "Mateo County supervisors approve $2.6 billion budget."

Default, we will all be enrolled in the Peninsula Clean Energy program. "The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday (6/21/16) approved a $2.6 billion recommended budget for the coming fiscal year, bringing the county's general fund reserves to a 10-year low. The amount of the recommended budget -- which includes the general fund and a host of other expenditures -- increased roughly $219 million, or 9.2 percent, from last year's estimates, due in part to new capital and infrastructure projects. The board will approve the final budget Sept. 20.  To accommodate the increase, the county will draw its reserves down to $154 million. County Manager John Maltbie said that is some cause for concern, as the economy could slow down within the next two years. Looking farther down the road, the county will get some relief in 2023, when it anticipates paying off its unfunded pension liabilities. That will free up about $106 million a year, according to Maltbie. One of the county's expenses in the coming year is a $7.5 million loan to the fledgling Peninsula Clean Energy Authority, a community choice aggregation program that will enable the county and cities within its boundaries to buy power on the open market, rather than rely on PG&E. The money will go toward startup costs. The authority notified the board Tuesday that it has also secured a $12 million loan from Barclays Bank to fund the agency's early stages." Related article, Budget and Clean Energy transition. The Daily Journal/Bill Silverfarb, Staff, 6/23/16. "County approves budget; loan for clean energy program."  ....  Following approval of the budget Tuesday (6/21/16), the board then approved a financing mechanism for the Peninsula Clean Energy Authority which includes a $6 million loan to use as collateral to secure a $12 million loan from Barclays Bank. The $6 million loan is forgivable as is an earlier $1.48 million loan to cover startup costs. It is anticipated that the clean energy program will deliver cleaner, more renewable energy at competitive prices compared to Pacific Gas and Electric’s pricing, according to the authority.  By October, Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE) is scheduled to become the county’s default electricity provider as it starts to enroll its first customers into the community choice aggregation program. The program will allow the county and its 20 cities to pool the electricity demands of their communities, purchase power with higher renewable content and reinvest in local infrastructure. PCE is preparing to launch as a board of directors comprised of elected officials from the county and cities is in place now.  The board meets Thursday, June 23, to approve the same funding mechanism supervisors did on Tuesday (6/21/16). About 297,000 Pacific Gas and Electric customers will automatically become customers of PCE unless they opt out. Customers, however, will not be all enrolled at once."

 

Reference. Budget. County of San Mateo/County Manager's Office, FY 2016-17, recommended budget." posted by Christa Bigue, 6/13/16.  2 year recommended budget, FY 2015-17 (forecast), pdf pages 863.  Electricity provider.  Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE), .... "PCE will allow San Mateo County to achieve greater greenhouse gas reductions resulting from energy generation."  Related article. "The Future|Alternative Energy. “Overcoming the intractable supply and pollution problems of fossil fuels while meeting growing energy demands will require the development of power sources that are abundant, renewable, and non-polluting. Fortunately these sources do exist, and some have even been used in limited forms for thousands of years. However, great breakthroughs in technology, efficiency, scalability, storage, and transport are necessary before alternative energy sources can begin to meaningfully replace fossil fuels."  Note graphic from Slideplayer/Hany El-Gezawy 2012-13. 

 

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Reminder City Council meeting, Monday June 27, 2016

City Employee recognition

Attend in person, 2212 Beach Boulevard, 2nd floor. Or view on local television or live feed Pacific Coast TV. If you missed meetings, view on PCT26 YouTube!  The city council meeting begins at 7 p.m., or shortly there following. City Council updates and archives are available on the City Council website.

 Fix Pacifica article, City Council meeting, 6/27/16.    City Council Interactive Agenda, 6/27/16.    

Special presentations.  1) Employee recognition for El Nino storm related emergency. 2) Parks, Beaches and Recreation month. 
Consent Calendar, Item 8.  Resolution establishing new Public Works Department positions, adopted in the FY 2016-17 Operating Budget.  
Consideration, Item 10.   Adopt resolution notice of General Municipal election Tuesday, 11/8/16, including "Pacifica Quarry Restoration and Responsible Development Initiative."  Report/Resolution. a)  Measure text, pdf pages 8.

----------
Reference, Item 10, from the City website, homepage "City Focus". City Attorney Ballot Title & Summary Pacifica Inititiave to Authorize Future Rezone of Quarry.   Note photograph from ABC 7 News/KGO TV/El Nino/Wayne Freedman, 1/18/16, "Pacifica Pier remains closed due to massive sinkhole." "Pacifica Department of Public Works crews worked .. to fill a massive sinkhole..maneuvering massive boulders into an even larger hole, hoping to hold back an ocean." 

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Shark sightings alert again

Be aware of sharks
in our ocean area.

Shark fin

CBS SF Bay Area/local news/Carlos E. Castaneda, Senior Editor, 6/24/16. "Great White Shark spotted off Pacifica Beach."

"PACIFICA (CBS SF) — A great white shark was reportedly seen off of Pacifica Friday morning, according to police. The Pacifica Police Department posted an alert on social media saying the shark was spotted at about 10:00 am at Linda Mar Beach.

The post noted that shark sightings are not frequently reported in the area, but that the Pacific Coast is part of the natural habitat of the great whites. Beachgoers were urged to be careful and aware of their surroundings.

Last October, some 20 great white sharks were seen off both the Pacifica coast and off Ocean Beach in San Francisco. On Wednesday, another great white was spotted off the coast of Santa Cruz."

Related, recent news articles. National Geographic/Craig Welch, 6/23/14, "Mysterious Great White Shark Attacks on Sea Otters Surge." "From California's Pismo Beach to Half Moon Bay, young great white sharks are attacking otters by the hundreds but not eating them." 

Gray Whale pops up her
head in Pacifica's ocean

NBC Bay Area/South Bay/Marianne Favro, 6/22/16, "More Great White Sharks Spotted in Santa Cruz." ... "' We saw a few white sharks, probably 10 sharks,' said David Ebert with the Pacific Shark Research Center. 'They were mostly five to eight feet, and a couple were 10 to 12
feet.' Wednesday's sightings come on the heels of another sighting off the Santa Cruz wharf late Saturday when a lifeguard and a swimmer spotted a white shark about 250 yards off Cowell Beach. Dozens of people were in the water at the time and lifeguards responded quickly to get them out safely." 

Note Great White Shark photographs. Fin facepage image from Randall Smith, "The Wandering Shepard". Also see  Fin from Island Charters San Diego. Shark out of water image from Richard Symonds Artist/ YouTube 3:08 minutes, "Great White shark diving, South Africa." "Artist Richard Symonds diving and photographing Great White Sharks on board Mike Rutzen's boat from Gansbaai, South Africa on November 2014." Gray Whale image with calf "spy hopping" through Pacifica's ocean from YouTube/Dave Kent, 5:15 minutes.

Posted by Kathy Meeh