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Pacifica council authorizes state grant application for Beach Boulevard resiliency design; would require $1.25M local match if awarded
Summary
Council voted unanimously to authorize a $2.5 million grant application to the California Division of Boating and Waterways for phase 2C of the Beach Boulevard Infrastructure Resiliency Project; staff said a 50% local match of $1.25 million would come from the disaster accounting fund if the grant is accepted and the agreement signed.
The Pacifica City Council on March 24 approved a resolution authorizing staff to submit a $2.5 million grant application to the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) to fund phase 2C of the Beach Boulevard Infrastructure Resiliency (BBIRB) project. The resolution passed unanimously.
Deputy Director Roland Yip briefed council that the BBIRB is a city‑led, multi‑phase effort to protect the Beach Boulevard corridor in the historic West Sharp Park neighborhood. The planned hybrid approach combines a seawall, rock scour apron and beach nourishment. Phase 2A — the 35 percent preliminary design — is underway; phase 2B (environmental work) is the subject of a separate pending grant application. Phase 2C, the subject of the DBW application, would fund permitting and completion of 100 percent plans, specifications and estimates (PS&E) and securing regulatory permits.
Staff said the DBW grant requires a 50 percent local match; for a $2.5 million award the city’s share would be $1,250,000. The staff report stated the matching funds would come from the city’s disaster accounting fund if the grant is awarded and the city signs the grant agreement. City staff explained that the city does not obligate those funds until it signs the agreement; the council voted to submit the application.
Council members and public speakers asked detailed questions and raised concerns about long‑term strategy and use of disaster funds. Several residents urged planning for managed retreat and inland relocation of utilities rather than continued hard armoring at the shoreline. Speakers asked for clearer lifecycle cost estimates, the projected lifespan of seawalls, and the cost of alternatives such as relocating sewer infrastructure. Staff answered that the environmental review (EIR) and permitting work — particularly the EIR in phase 2B — will include study of impacts, that the Coastal Commission has been engaged in several meetings, and that the full permitting review would occur in phase 2C once 100 percent plans are prepared.
Motion to approve the resolution was made by Councilmember Wright and seconded by Mayor Beckmeyer. The motion passed unanimously. Staff said the city will return to council with updates as environmental review and permitting progress and before any funds are expended.
