Commission tables $75K–$100K sand‑outreach proposal after legal and budgeting concerns

The commission tabled a proposal to allocate $50,000–$100,000 for a city outreach campaign to educate residents about beach sand replenishment and to build public support for securing outside funding.

The sponsoring commissioner described the proposal as an education and engagement investment designed to show residents renderings of replenishment projects, run community events and fund nonprofit partners to raise awareness so the city could better pursue county and state funding. The sponsor said prior replenishment projects cost the city more than $20 million and moved roughly 250,000 cubic yards of sand; they proposed an outreach allocation roughly equal to about $1 per resident.

Commissioners and public commenters raised multiple concerns: possible legal limits on using city funds to "promote" a ballot measure, the current budget timing and lack of specificity about where general‑fund allocations would come from, which department or the city manager would administer the funds, and whether the outreach should be embedded into the city’s broader sand policy work rather than created as a standalone program.

One commissioner urged consulting the city attorney before directing funds to outside advocacy groups. Public commenters also urged staff to rely on existing city communication channels and to avoid duplicating work performed by city staff and regional coalitions.

After discussion the commission voted to table the item to its next meeting so staff can gather legal guidance, consider embedding outreach into the sand policy work plan and prepare clearer deliverables and funding sources for council review.