Pacifica ratifies consent that includes emergency stabilization work after pier abutment crack

Pacifica city officials moved forward with emergency stabilization work for the municipal pier after a large abutment crack led to closure and a declared state of emergency.

City Manager Sean Charpentier summarized the action before council, saying the contract with Power Engineering Construction will fund an iterative series of phases: an investigation of existing conditions, design of pylons and bracing to stabilize the first span, and later measures to protect Beach Boulevard such as sheet piles. "The good news is that we will be moving forward with, hopefully construction design and construction projects that will stabilize...to prevent the pier situation from getting worse," Charpentier said. He emphasized the contract is intended to stabilize the structure, not to restore the pier to its original public-use condition, which will require a separate next-phase project.

Council members asked how much the city could be exposed if reimbursements from Cal OES or insurance fall short and why only one bid was received. Charpentier said the emergency authorization allowed outreach to a limited pool of maritime firms and that the work will be authorized in phases: "We would limit that exposure by not authorizing that work until we had funds," he said. He added the contractor provided preliminary rough-order-of-magnitude estimates that will be refined as each phase is authorized. Staff also said some interim boulders removed south of the pier were used early in the emergency to shore up the abutment and that the city intends to replace them before the rainy season.

The contract language allows the city to authorize design and construction work as funding becomes available and to seek reimbursement from Cal OES and the city's insurer, Charpentier said. Councilmembers asked for regular updates on what work has been authorized and what funding has been committed.

The pier item was part of the consent calendar approved unanimously by council, which ratified the city manager's emergency authority to begin investigation and stabilization work.