Growing older locally, planning ahead may not be good enough

San Francisco Chronicle/Carolyn Jones, 3/25/14.  "California seniors have highest poverty rate, study finds."

Affordable home for grannie

.... " Poverty rising again. Senior poverty levels declined for decades in the 20th century due to Social Security and other safety-net programs, but started to rise again after the 2008 economic collapse, when millions of older people lost their jobs or homes, saw their savings evaporate or pensions slashed. In the Bay Area, especially, the soaring cost of living hits seniors especially hard because their incomes are fixed. Longer life spans also play a role. Some people simply outlive their savings, and spend more years enduring costly and debilitating medical care. 

 

....   The situation is particularly dire in California, due to the high cost of health care and housing.  About 20 percent of California seniors - compared to 15 percent nationally - live below the poverty threshold when taking health care expenses into account, according to the Kaiser foundation study.  Stross, for example, receives less than half the amount required for seniors to cover basic expenses in Alameda County, according to the Elder Economic Security Index, which looks at rent, food, transportation, health care and miscellaneous expenses. He and his wife receive Social Security and small pensions, totaling $1,700 a month, but their rent is nearly $1,000 a month and they spend well over $1,000 annually on medications.

....   San Francisco, Marin and San Mateo counties are among the most expensive places in the country for seniors, requiring almost $30,000 a year, assuming a monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment of about $1,400."  Read article.

Note:  photograph from Ferm living shop,"kids tent".

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Pete's Harbor redevelopment finally moves forward

How'd that strategy go?
Build housing after the Marina, but no Marina.
That might work in Pacifica.

Daily News/Bonnie Eslinger, Staff Writer, 3/25/14.  "Redevelopment of Pete's Harbor can proceed, Redwood City council decides.

"Following an outpouring of public support for the proposed redevelopment of Pete's Harbor into a 402-unit waterfront residential community, the Redwood City City Council on Monday night unanimously denied an appeal by project opponents to block it.   Councilman John Seybert said the market-rate apartments proposed by developer Paul Powers are a "great project" and would be a "major gain for housing in the city."

....  The Redwood City Planning Commission approved the development on Feb. 4, long after tenants of the harbor's marina were evicted.  A group of those tenants, including some who had lived aboard their boats, organized under the name San Francisco Bay Marinas for All to fight the development and appealed the planning commission's approval..... The appeal also sought to delay the housing development until the marina is rebuilt, noting that a marina promised for Powers' nearby One Marina development never materialized."   Read article.

Photograph from Dusters, the catch 22 of dust 514.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Please join us for a special presentation

The Pedro Point Community Association invites you to join us for a special presentation by City Councilman Mike O’Neill on SUNDAY, MARCH 30th at 2pm at the Firehouse (1227 Danmann Ave.)

Councilman O’Neill will provide information on important infrastructure projects underway or in planning stages in Pacifica.  Project Overviews Include:

• San Pedro Creek Widening/Bridge replacement
• Retention Basin front of Linda Mar
• Highway 1 Modernization
• Beach Blvd Property - Old Waste Water Treatment Plant
• Palmetto Ave. Streetscaping Project
• Library Project
  No cost to attend, open to the public
  Space is limited - please arrive early to ensure seating.

 

Joanne Gold

PPCA Board President

Water shortage in California's future, and past, and now, duh

The Sacramento Bee/Capital and California/Matt Weiser, 3/23/14.  "California drought puts spotlight on water theft."

No problem in 40 years,
San Pedro Creek will be full of salt water

"Nearly 30,000 entities in the state hold valid water diversion permits, including individual property owners, farmers and water utilities. Some have meters or gauges to measure their diversions, but the state has no ability of its own to monitor those gauges in real-time. People and entities with water rights are required to regularly report their water use to the state, but many don’t, and the state has no way of knowing if their accounts – self-reported – are truthful.

In average water years, many of these issues don’t matter much. But the weaknesses are expected to complicate matters this year as the state struggles to stretch limited water supplies during the worst drought in 40 years. This spring, it is likely the State Water Resources Control Board will order some water rights holders to divert less water to ensure enough flow for cities and wildlife, something that has not been done since the drought of 1976-77. The state’s ability to enforce such curtailment orders will be sorely tested.

Our estimates are that we’ll be doing substantial curtailments in May, assuming a lack of substantial rainfall,” Howard said. “If it doesn’t start raining, it’s going to be a very big deal.”  Read article.

Related -  KQED,"Climate Watch", 7/22/10,  "California counties face water crunch."  "More than eight out of ten California counties will face frequent water shortages within 40 years. That’s the conclusion of a report released this week by Tetra Tech for the Natural Resources Defense Council." 

Note:  photograph from New York Times, 6/5/08, "Governor declares drought in California."

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2014/03/23/6259597/california-drought-puts-spotlight.html#storylink=cpy

New apartment complex at Skyline and Sharp Park coming soon

All I can say is "traffic", and no significant revenue for Pacifica.
They'll hike our hills, and visit our beaches. Welcome neighbors!

Pacifica Tribune, Carina Wouldenberg, Correspondent, 3/11/14. "Pacific Bay Vistas apartment complex construction near completion."

....  "Construction on the Pacific Bay Vistas, the new upscale apartment complex at Skyline Boulevard and Sharp Park Road, is nearing completion and, for many residents in San Bruno and the surrounding cities, the sight is a welcome change from the dilapidated Treetop apartments that stood vacant there for half a decade. "It's quite an achievement," said San Bruno Mayor Jim Ruane of the new construction. "It's something we have looked forward to for a long time now."

....  The new complex consists of 14 buildings on 13 acres of space. Some of the new amenities include a saltwater swimming pool, a fitness center, fire pit and a private theater available to residents in the new leasing office. Construction is expected to be complete in two months."  Read article. 

Reference -  Pacific Bay Vistas, Skyline Boulevard and Sharp Park Road, San Bruno, CA.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

City Council meeting, Monday, March 24, 2014

Attend in person, 2212 Beach Boulevard, 2nd floor.  Or, view on local television or live feed Pacificcoast.TV, (formerly pct26.com).  The meeting begins at 7 p.m., or shortly there following.  City council updates and archives are available on the City website.     

Item 5.  The Summit:  apartments
conversion to condominiums

City Council Agenda, 3/24/14. 

Closed session, 5:30 p.m.
CA government code 54957(b)(1), Public Employee Performance Evaluations:  a) City Attorney, b)  City Manager. 

Open session, 7:00 p.m.
Consent Calendar 

1.    Approval of  cash disbursements, fiscal year 2013-14, 11/13/13 - 3/7/14.

2.    Approval of  City Council Minutes, 3/10/14.
3.    Resolution approving settlement with San Mateo County regarding disputed Property Tax Administration Fee (PTAF) assessment, FY 2006 - 12/31/13.  $59,498 refunded to Pacifica.  Staff report, see agenda for exhibit spreadsheet, and settlement agreement.
4.    Development of a Pacifica State Beach and San Pedro Creek  Bacteria TMDL Monitoring Plan to be submitted to San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Board, 6/2014.  Consultant agreement with Eisenberg, Olivieri and Associates, $32,300.
5.    Resolution, Summit at Skyline Drive/435 Gateway Drive condominium map, (conversion of apartments to condominiums).  Staff summary and resolution.
6.    Authorization to advertise sealed bids,  2010 Cal EMA 500 Esplanade Storm Drain Outfall Trash Capture Devises project (CA Coastal Commission requirement). CalEMA funding match is 75%.
7.    Notice of completion, the 2010 CalEMA 500 Esplanade Storm Drain Outfall project.
8.    San Mateo County cities letter of support requesting the State aid Local Government Financing Budget Item 9210, Insufficient Educational Revenue Augmentation Fund (ERAF).
9.    Approve transfer of excess FY 2012-13 parent fees and State grants to the child care reserve account. 

Special Presentation - National Volunteer Month (Dave Canada).

Consideration
10.   Implementation of the City of Pacifica Communication Plan 2014, 24 pdf pages.
11.   Resolution, mid-year City general fund budget report, FY 2013-14 amendment.  Staff report and resolution.  Estimated ledger summary:  expenses $27,340,000, surplus $546,180.

Adjourn.      Note photograph:  The Summit apartments from Walkscore.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

BPA and other plastic chemicals are toxic to humans

San Francisco Chronicle/Victoria Colliver, 3/9/14.  "BPA-free plastics may be less safe than those with chemical."

Thousands of plastic chemicals
have not been tested

The plastic bonus is not so good

.... "Now comes news from Oakland's Center for Environmental Health that some cups labeled BPA-free contain other chemicals that appear to pose an equal if not greater health hazard.

Those chemicals, acting a lot like BPA, have a disruptive effect on the body's naturally produced hormones, raising the same concerns for the health risks associated with BPA - that exposure to them may lead to cancer, diabetes, reproductive problems, early development and obesity, especially in young children. The research isn't definitive, but a growing number of studies, mostly done on animals, have raised those suspicions.

The alternatives: There are many nonplastic options available by various companies in other materials, such as glass or stainless steel. They can be adapted to be toddler-friendly by placing a silicone sleeve over the glass or attaching a spout.  Sources: Center for Environmental Health, Chronicle research"  Read article.

Reference - Center for Environmental Health, Oakland, CA, University Texas Health Science Center research.  Related articles and videos - Mother Jones/Environment/Mariah Blake, March/April, 2014 Issue. " ... "It reported that "almost all" commercially available plastics that were tested leached synthetic estrogens—even when they weren't exposed to conditions known to unlock potentially harmful chemicals, such as the heat of a microwave, the steam of a dishwasher, or the sun's ultraviolet rays. According to Bittner's research, some BPA-free products actually released synthetic estrogens that were more potent than BPA."  See WN.com video #5, "Democracy Now" (Amy Goodman interview with Marish Blake), 12.21 minutes. WN.com icludes multiple educational video links and articles related to plastic leaching chemicals."  Quick articles - Shape, and csr331jevans.

Note photographs:  woman looking at food from Shape article (above), eating at desk from Mobile Youth.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Coastal Commission approves Holiday Inn expansion, denies Appeal

Holiday Inn, Pacifica before the expansion.
The article includes a graphic of the planned expansion.

Pacifica Tribune/Jane Northrop, Staff Writer, 3/18/14.  "Coastal Commission denies Pacifican's appeal over Holiday Inn expansion."

....  "One of the Holiday Inn owners, Radha Patel said, "Bray's complaints include aesthetic displeasure of the plan, parking concerns and concerns about the environment. Unfortunately, with the exception of the first reason which is relative, the other objections by Bray are ultimately unfounded. So far, his opposition to our development is not rooted in any rational, definitive argument/data that supports his assertion. The public had their opportunity to voice concerns for five years and I would assert that Bray's recent actions are detrimental to our business and the community at large," he said.

 ....  "I think the building permits may take some time, but I am hopeful we get the approvals soon so that we could get started. I envision a great new building to help our business, create jobs and build a structure that is friendly to the environment -- all of which would be great for Pacifica. On a personal note, I'm looking forward to seeing the dilapidated building renewed," he said.   Read article.  Article includes architectural rendering of the project expansion."

Reference - Holiday Inn Express, Pacifica, CA.  Note:  Holiday Inn, Pacifica, CA photograph is from UK Hotels.com.

Submitted by Bob Hutchinson

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Hat's off to Elaine Larson for our highway history "reality check"

Pacifica Tribune Letters to the Editor, 3/18/14.  "Hat's off" by Humberto Gutierrez

Hats off to Elaine Larsen!
We'd rather have an efficient highway,
than ride our horses to town

"Editor:  My hat is off to Elaine Larson, Editor in chief of the Pacifica Tribune for having the courage to speak up on the widening of Hwy 1.Thanks Elaine and I am sure that all those poor souls that have to battle that mess are also thankful for your input."

----------

Reference - Fix Pacifica reprint:  Pacifica Tribune, 3/11/14, "Highway to heaven", by Elaine Larsen, Editor and Publisher. 

Note:  photograph from Guardian Angels for Pets. 

 Posted by Kathy Meeh

Pedro Point man killed by police yesterday after six-hour stand-off, Errol Chang

San Mateo County Times/Eric Kurhi, 3/19/14.  "Pacifica:  Erratic-acting man shot, killed after stabbing SWAT team member."

"PACIFICA -- A man was shot and killed by officers Tuesday (3/18/14) evening after he stabbed a SWAT team member as the squad rushed into a San Pedro Avenue home following a six-hour standoff that started when family members reported the suspect acting erratically shortly before noon, police said.

Pacifica police were called to the 300 block of San Pedro Avenue when family members said the 34-year-old man was in the backyard exhibiting paranoid behavior, possibly armed with an ax. Read article.

Related updated articles -  San Francisco Chronicle/Henry K. Lee, 3/19/14. "Pacifica man shot in police standoff is ID'd"  "(03-19) 15:20 PDT PACIFICA -- "A 34-year-old man was shot and killed by a Daly City police SWAT team in Pacifica after he stabbed an officer at the end of a six-hour standoff, authorities said. The incident began shortly before noon Tuesday when Pacifica police were summoned to a home on San Pedro Avenue by family members who reported that Errol Chang was "displaying paranoia behavior" and was possibly armed with an ax, said Pacifica police Capt. Joe Spanheimer. .... Court records show Chang was convicted of felony theft for an incident at San Francisco International Airport in 2008. He was sent for psychiatric treatment at Napa State Hospital for several months before he was placed on three years of probation."

San Mateo Times/Erin Ivie, 3/20/14. "Pacifica man shot by police hours after release of new officer-involved shooting protocol." ...."Three family members, two men and a woman, stood outside and told police that Chang may have had access to a rifle and ammunition, and neighbors' homes were evacuated as a precaution. Police tried to communicate with him, at one point throwing a phone into the residence and talking through a public address system.  .... The Daly City officer who shot Chang was placed on paid administrative leave per department protocol, authorities said. The incident remains under investigation by Wagstaffe's office, with cooperation from Pacifica and Daly City police."

Related - Full photographs and video direct from Ski-epic.  

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Last chance to serve on the San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury this year

The Daily Journal/Staff, 3/18/14.  "San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury seeking applicants."

San Mateo Council Civil Grand Jury
"chosen through random draw"?  Seriously...

"The San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury is currently accepting applications for the upcoming term. Applications are being accepted through March 28 for the term July 1, 2014, to June 30, 2015.

The grand jury acts as an independent watchdog over county and city governments by investigating subjects and publishing reports highlighting findings and making recommendations for improvement.
Applicants must be a county resident of more than one year who is a U.S. citizen, age 18 or older, of “ordinary intelligence, sound judgment and good character” and have sufficient English language knowledge. Elected public officials are ineligible.

After applicant interviews, jurors will be chosen through a random draw.

Applications are available by calling 261-5066, emailing grandjury@sanmateocourt.org or visiting www.sanmateocourt.org/court_divisions/grand_jury. Applications are also available by writing Grand Jury Clerk, Court Executive Office, 400 County Center, Redwood City, CA 94063."

Reference -   San Mateo County Association of Grand Jurors.

Note:  photograph of Judge Judith Sheindlin from Fox 411 News/Associated Press/TMZ article.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Poverty in San Mateo County update

Poverty in America

San Mateo County Times/Aaron Kinney, 3/14/14.  "San Mateo County:  HIP Housing aims to break cycle of poverty."

.... "San Mateo County, home to such leading technology companies as Genentech, Facebook and Oracle, is one of the most affluent counties in the United States. Its unemployment rate in January was 4.9 percent, second-lowest in California behind Marin. 

Yet poverty remains a pressing concern. The official level of 7.4 percent is deceiving, according to researchers with the Stanford Center on Poverty and Inequality. The center published a study last year that argued, when taking high housing and other costs of living into account, the actual poverty rate for San Mateo County is 18.4 percent, which means roughly 136,000 people are struggling to make ends meet."  Read article.

Related - San Mateo County Human Services Agency.  And the excellent work of our Pacifica Resource Center.  (May the Resource Center not have to beg for city funding during the budget sessions this year).  

Note:  photo/graphic from Pinterest.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

In a complicated salary contract offer, JUHSD union employees vote NO

But, do we love our teachers
enough to pay them well?

Pacifica Tribune/Jane Northrop, Staff Writer, 3/11/14.  "Teachers and other employees reject JUHSD contract."
 
.... "Deborah Jacobs-Levine, president, AFT Local 1481, the union for the employees, said this was a historic vote. "In the past the teachers have never failed to come to an agreement, but today they voted to reject the contract," she said at the JUHSD board meeting Mar. 4.

There are six units represented by the local -- day certificated (teachers), business and instructional (classified staff), operational support, adult (certificated) school teachers working day and night, substitute teachers and walk-on coaches.   Read article.

Reference -  Jefferson Union High School District (JUHSD),  AFT Local 1481, California Federation of Teachers.

Note:  graphic from Education Action Group news (EGA).

Posted by Kathy Meeh

San Jose government pension reform initiative revisited in 2016

The Daily Journal/Associated Press, 3/15/14.  "San Jose mayor abandons pernsion-reform initiative."

Ignore the issue, it will go away....

....  "After losing a court fight over the legal description of his initiative, Reed said supporters will now target the 2016 ballot because they didn’t have enough time to collect signatures for this year.

.... While filing the lawsuit, Reed called the description, written by Attorney General Kamala Harris, “inaccurate and misleading” because it did not make it clear the initiative would protect pension benefits already accrued. The initiative would have allowed city, county and other governments to reduce future benefits through collective bargaining or a local vote.

Sacramento Superior Court Judge Allen Sumner rejected Reed’s challenge on Thursday."  Read article.

Related - Time Magazine, Fareed Zakaria, 6/25/12. "Why we need pension reform."  .... "The numbers are staggering. In California, total pension liabilities--the money the state is legally required to pay its public-sector retirees--are 30 times its annual budget deficit. Annual pension costs rose by 2,000% from 1999 to 2009."  Note:  The above graphic is by Oliver Munday from this Time article.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Police catch burglar with assistance of neighbor's phone call

San Mateo County Times/Erin Ivie, 3/17/14.  "Pacifica police catch man in act of burglarizing home." 

"PACIFICA -- A Pacifica man was arrested Friday after being swarmed by police officers during a reported home burglary.  Kenneth Spoonhunter, 27, was booked on burglary charges after officers caught him burglarizing a home on Pacific Avenue, Capt. Joseph Spanheimer said. Police arrived at the home at 3:53 p.m. after a neighbor reported seeing him climbing a ladder to reach a balcony door.

Officers surrounded the home and arrested Spoonhunter as he walked out of the home with various stolen property, Spanheimer said. He was booked into jail on charges of residential burglary, possession of a controlled narcotic substance and two felony warrants."

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Woman who drowned at Linda Mar State Beach 3/14/14 identified

San Mateo County Times/Erin Ivie, 3/16/14.  "Pacifica:  Body pulled from surf at Linda Mar State Beach identified as missing San Francisco woman."

"PACIFICA -- The body of a woman that washed ashore at Linda Mar State Beach on Friday was identified as missing San Francisco resident Uma Keshavan, coroner officials said.  Keshavan, 48, was recently reported missing from her home in San Francisco, said San Mateo County coroner Robert Foucrault.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Pacifica police at 650-738-7314. The woman's cause of death remains under investigation."  Read more. 

Related -  CBS local news, 3/15/14, includes video, 20 seconds.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

St Patrick's Day 2014, for better or worse

For better:  ".... until we meet again"

Belfast Telegram.co.uk, 3/16/14.  "Live St Patrick's Day parades 2014:  Thousands of families celebrate in Belfast and right across Ireland.  Live picture gallery and videos from right across Ireland."

 

For worse:  card found on a trail in Pacifica

"Thousands have lined the streets of Belfast today for the annual pomp and celebration of the St Patrick’s Day parades.

                                          

 ....  "We took the future as a theme because it is important that we concentrate on that and how life can be better for all of us," Lord Mayor Mairtin O' Muilleoir said.  

 

....  Belfast has really gotten into its stride being seen across the world as a forward thinking, attractive city with many advantages - particularly its young population.

"We have shown the world that we can put on a show and celebrate with the best of them."  Read article, includes parade slide pictures and short videos.

Note:  Blessing from Your birthday quotes, curse from Rotten e-cards.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Planning Commission study session and meeting, Monday, March 17, 2014

Planning Commission meetings are open to the public and are held at City Council Chambers, 2212 Beach Boulevard.  The Planning commission meeting from 7:00 p.m. is televised on Pacificcoast.TV (formerly known as PCT26). The Study Session is not televised, Pacificcoast.TV calendar.

Good luck! With the wind at your back,
may your projects go the distance.

801 Fassler Avenue

Planning Commission Study Session Agenda, 3/17/14, 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., pages 4.

Street View

1.  Proposal to construct 24 town home condominiums at 801 Fassler Avenue (APN 022-083-020 and 030.  "West of Sea Crest Condos" (the project) consists of "six buildings with four units each that range in size from 1,300 to 2,100 square feet, each with a two car attached garage."  This is a development modified from the  prior "The Prospects" project (29 units) which was approve in 2008.  "The Prospects" project was sold to 1106 Nevada LLC.  

Planning Commission Agenda and Staff Report(s), 3/17/14, 7:00 p.m., pages 7.

1.  Coastal development permit, CDP-342-14.  "... to demolish an existing building, to subdivide a parcel into two lots and to construct a single-family dwelling on each lot at 251 and 261 San Pedro Avenue (APN 023-034-020, 030, 040 and 050."

Note photographs:  801 Fassler Avenue from a prior Fix Pacifica article (Planning Commission meeting, 7/2/12), originally from Zillow.  St. Patrick's Day four leave clover from Dr. Kathy Koch.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Highway 1 delay - we all pay

Submitted by Bob Hutchinson

State Senator Mark Leno and SFO Public Information Officer Doug Yakel speak to Pacifica, March 15, 2014

Pacifica Tribune/Barbara Arietta (Correspondent), 3/11/14. "State Senator, SFO PIO guest speakers at Saturday's Democrats' meeting." 

Doug Yakel (left), SFO Information Officer 

State Senator Marc Leno
Chair, State Budget Committee

"This Saturday, March 15, State Senator Mark Leno and SFO Public Information Officer Doug Yakel will be the featured guest speakers at the monthly breakfast meeting of the Pacifica-Daly City Democrats, which is held in the rear banquet room of the Sharp Park Golf Course Restaurant, Hwy 1 and Sharp Park Road in Pacifica.

....  Doug Yakel, Public Information Officer from SFO, the second guest speaker on Saturday's agenda, will discuss the details of the dual runway closure that is expected to take place at SFO from May 2014 through September 2014. 

All Pacifica-Daly City Democrats meetings are open to the general public. It is neither necessary to be a member, nor a Democrat to attend. A full breakfast is available for $12; continental - $6; coffee only $3. However, no purchase is necessary. Doors open at 9:00 a.m. Seating is between 9:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. For any further information, or to RSVP, please contact Barbara Arietta, club president, at 415-246-0775 or email barietta@hotmail.com."       Read article.

Reference -  State Senator Marc Leno, 11th District (San Francisco, Broadmoor, Daly City and portions of South San Francisco); Chair, Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee.  Doug Yakel, SFO Press Release, 6/5/13, "SFO names Doug Yakel as Public Information Officer".  Shortly there following, Yakel was in charge of public information related to the "Asiana Airlines flight 214 crashed upon landing at San Francisco International Airport," 7/7/13. (See the Zimbo caption below).

Note:  photograph of State Senator Leno from Daily Tech.  Doug Yakel by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images North America from Zimbo.

Posted by Kathy Meeh