Council Meeting Minutes June 9, 2026
Video Recording
Location: LHPUSD Boardroom and Zoom
Council Members in Attendance: Ryan Augustine, Nicholas Erridge, Cullen Rose, Dr. Patrick Horn
Absent: Dr. Kassandra Talbot
Quorum Achieved: Yes
Virtual Attendance: 8
People in Attendance: 5
Interpretation Services (Spanish/English): Present
6:00 PM Call to Order and Opening Business:
Council chair Augustine called the meeting to order
Pledge of allegiance administered
Roll Call: Introduction of Council members
Minutes and agenda approved unanimously via quorum
Meeting Overview
The meeting covered several key topics including emergency response, the Pescadero to Sea Trail project, and the formation of a CSA11 advisory committee. The meeting began with discussions about a recent fire in Butano Canyon that lacked proper SMC alerts, followed by an update from Battalion Chief Bob Simmons about fire response and road repairs. Irma Rodriguez-Mitten presented a comprehensive 50-page report on the Pescadero to Sea Trail Exploration Project, which included detailed analysis of six segments and recommendations for improving pedestrian and bicycle safety between Pescadero and the coastal trail. The meeting also addressed the formation of a CSA11 advisory committee, with ongoing discussions about the structure and role of both the PMAC subcommittee and the county's advisory committee, including concerns about transparency and process. Other updates included information about upcoming STEM camps, summer programs, and a housing task force meeting scheduled for June 23rd, along with discussions about community space development and new state park bathrooms.
Reports to Council:
San Mateo County & Supervisor’s Office Updates:
Kathleen Moazed: The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a $5.2 billion budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year that maintains core County services while preparing for changes to federal health and nutrition programs and continued uncertainty over state funding. The budget assumes full restoration of Vehicle License Fee replacement funding currently being withheld by the State of California. Because that revenue source represents 18 percent of the County's General Fund, the budget also includes contingency reserves that would serve as a temporary bridge should the funding not be restored.
Cal Fire: Battalion Chief Bob Simmons from CAL FIRE provided an update on the fire response, explaining that the fire started when a large tree fell on power lines, causing a road crater that required significant repair work. Horn asked about sustainability of fire protection related to access to diesel fuel due to supply chain issues? Bob acknowledged that Cal Fire Station #59 does not have reserve and is working with different contractors for diesel supply.
The Fire Station 59 project was addressed by Tori from the Department of Public Works confirming contractor mobilization scheduled for June 15th with construction beginning in mid-July.
DPW: The Fire Station 59 project was discussed with Tori from the Department of Public Works confirming contractor mobilization scheduled for June 15th with construction beginning in mid-July.
Public comment and Presentations:
Catherine Perry requested that the Department of Emergency Management address SMC alert communication issues raised during the Butano Canyon fire. Catherine reported that the fire in Butano Canyon over the weekend closed the road for multiple days with no accurate SMC alerts issued except for one brief three-hour closure notification.
Arriba Southcoast - Irma Rodriguez Mitten – P2S Trail update:
Irma shared a 50-page draft report on the Pescadero to Sea Trail Exploration Project, which involved 18 months of work with 12 partner agencies and community outreach to connect Pescadero with the California Coastal Trail. The project identified three main segments with recommendations for improvements including pedestrian and bicycle safety, road drainage issues, and non-motorized routes to school. The public is encouraged to comment on the report by going here https://bit.ly/43mxn6r.
Irma announced the launch of the Pescadero Stewardship Corps program, funded by a grant from Mid-Peninsula Regional Open Space District, which will train 8-12 community members in trail work and regulatory environments. A mini stewardship day was scheduled for June 20th at Don Horsley Beach for community volunteers to help prepare the area for opening. Irma announced an upcoming Intergenerational Climate Roundtable event on July 11th at the San Mateo County Office of Education.
Jane Mark - Mid-Peninsula Regional Open Space District: Jane expressed appreciation for the collaborative work on the P2S Project, which began in February 2024 with multiple partner agencies.
PMAC CSA11 Subcommittee & Advisory Committee:
Role Clarification: The subcommittee will not duplicate the proposed CSA11 advisory committee. Instead, it will function as PMAC’s vehicle to track CSA11 issues, gather community input, and draft recommendations for the advisory committee. Advisory Committee Formation: PMAC will receive nominations for five independent advisory committee positions at their July meeting. Nicholas Calderon and Ryan will meet offline to resolve process concerns, while the subcommittee drafts the advisory committee's charter. Subcommittee Next Steps: Finalize participants and schedule a public organizing meeting. Identify required documents and data. Clarify PMAC's recommendation process for county advisory appointments.
Councilor Reports:
Education: Upcoming summer camps and programs were discussed, including a STEM camp, Panther Camp, and volleyball camp, with the volleyball camp still needing additional participants
Housing: The Housing Task Force meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 23rd, with Nicholas Calderon and Ray Hodges from Building and Planning to discuss housing element timeline updates and the sites report.
Parks and Recreation: The community space project is awaiting updates from the Parks Director on budget status and permitting, with groundbreaking expected by end of 2027, and a state grant application being pursued to cover funding gaps. New bathrooms were installed at state parks along Highway 1, though two locations, including one near Pescadero did not qualify for replacement due to ADA requirements.
Utilities: June 20th Household Hazardous Waste event in Half Moon Bay via PMAC Nextdoor
General: Fundraiser at San Gregorio Store June 20th 11-1pm to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank. Sandra Winter submitted a comment on the collaboration between Senior Coastsiders and Puente de la Costa Sur.
Next steps:
Horn: Send agenda for next Housing Task Force meeting and post online.
Erridge: Update PMAC when more information is available regarding community space budget, permitting, and grant status. Post information about the June 20th Household Hazardous Waste event in Half Moon Bay on Nextdoor
Irma Rodriguez Mitten: Accept and review comments on the Pescadero to Sea Trail Exploration Project draft report via email. Provide details about the Pescadero Stewardship Corps program as they become available.
Nicholas Calderon: Work with Department of Emergency Management to address SMC alert communication issues raised during the Butano Canyon fire.
PMAC: Consider granting authority to subcommittee to directly recommend appointments to CSA11 Advisory Committee (to be discussed at future meeting)
Rose: Finalize initial PMAC CSA11 subcommittee participants, schedule first public organizing meeting, and identify initial information/documents to request from DPW. Continue outreach to missing stakeholder groups (e.g., school district) for CSA11 Advisory Committee. Prepare recommendations for all five CSA11 Advisory Committee positions (residential, commercial, school district, PMAC, at-large) for PMAC's July meeting. Create and distribute a flyer to recruit candidates for the CSA11 Advisory Committee.
Meeting adjourned at 7:58pm
