Video Recording
Location: LHPUSD Boardroom and Zoom
Council Members in Attendance: Ryan Augustine, Nicholas Erridge, Cullen Rose, Dr. Patrick Horn, Dr. Kassandra Talbot
Absent: None
Quorum Achieved: Yes
Virtual Attendance: 6
People in Attendance: 11
Interpretation Services (Spanish/English): Present
6:00 PM Call to Order and Opening Business:
Council chair Ryan Augustine called the meeting to order
Pledge of allegiance administered
Roll Call: Introduction of Council members
Minutes and agenda approved unanimously via quorum
Key Takeaways
The Pescadero Municipal Advisory Council (PMAC) meeting covered emergency preparedness for the upcoming El Niño season, including sandbag station relocation and generator needs.
San Mateo County Environmental Health presented an updated Farm Labor Housing Water Systems Program, reducing fees and extending inspection intervals.
CHP Officer Pineda provided follow-up on previously raised traffic safety concerns and discussed reckless driving on Pescadero Creek Road.
Peninsula Humane Society and SPCA presented an update on their $62 million animal sanctuary project near La Honda.
PMAC discussed council recruitment challenges, with candidate registration extended through the following day.
The Pescadero Transfer Station subcommittee and CSA 11 subcommittee provided progress updates.
Parks and Recreation reported a $225,000 funding gap in the community space preferred design.
The Flock camera discussion was agreed to be re-agendized for the next meeting.
Discussed Topics
1. Call to Order, Pledge of Allegiance, and Roll Call
The meeting was called to order by the chair. All councilors were confirmed present: Dr. Patrick Horn, Ryan Augustine, Dr. Kassandra Talbot, and Nic Erridge.
2. Public Comment
Alejandra Palacios – Transfer Station Hours
A community member, Alejandra Palacios, addressed the council in Spanish (with English translation) regarding the Pescadero transfer station.
Details
Alejandra Palacios: Fewer people are using the garbage/transfer station, and it is facing financial difficulties. She requested the station open on Sundays, as farmworker families cannot attend during weekdays due to work schedules. Her husband is a farm worker and she does not drive, making Sunday access critical. Without Sunday service, garbage accumulates, posing health risks.
Conclusion
The council acknowledged the concern and noted an existing subcommittee addressing the transfer station.
The chair invited Alejandra Palacios or a representative, to participate in the subcommittee, which currently includes the chair, Irma Rodriguez, and Chrislyn from the Chamber of Commerce.
Catherine Perry – Canyon Road Grading
Details
Catherine Perry (online): Thanked Ryan for facilitating the grading of Canyon Road after she raised the issue, noting it was completed within a week or two.
Conclusion
Ryan clarified that the county performed the actual work.
3. Consent Agenda
The council considered adopting the previous PMAC meeting minutes and the current agenda.
Details
Nic made a motion to approve; Rose seconded.
Conclusion
Passed by unanimous consent.
4. Report – San Mateo County Supervisor Ray Mueller's Office (David Cosgrave)
David Cosgrave, legislative aide for Supervisor Mueller, presented the report.
Details
David Cosgrave: Introduced himself, noting 35 years of association with Pescadero, primarily during emergencies (El Niño flooding in 1998–99, FEMA mobile intake center setup).
David Cosgrave: Reported on an El Niño briefing by Brian Garcia from the National Weather Service. The Bay Area sits in a "La Nada" zone, meaning El Niño effects are less predictable; the key risk is stacking storms. Coastal erosion may worsen due to warmer waters and sea level rise.
David Cosgrave: Sandbag refill station is being relocated from the current parking lot to Pescadero Creek Road at Cloverdale (near the rock outcrop with the outhouse), pending approvals. The county website will be updated.
David Cosgrave: Highlighted the vehicle license fee (VLF) issue — San Mateo County is one of only three counties not receiving full VLF revenue due to a 2004 funding mechanism change tied to basic aid schools and ERAF. A planning session is scheduled for Thursday: press event at 1 p.m., workshop at 2–4 p.m. at the county chambers. Website: smcfairfunding.org.
David Cosgrave: CSA 11 water line is completed; firehouse construction has started. A culvert project on We Road will cause temporary road closures.
Patrick: Asked about the protocol for opening the gym as an emergency evacuation center during floods.
David Cosgrave: Explained that activation comes from emergency management/county direction, historically coordinated through CERT, Puente, and Irma. The call to open comes from Emergency Management.
Patrick: Raised the need to update the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with local nonprofits regarding staffing responsibilities for the shelter.
David Cosgrave: Agreed to check with Emergency Management on the MOU update status.
Patrick: Noted the need for a power supply for AT&T communications and the generator for the elementary school (voted on in December), both still unresolved before El Niño.
David Cosgrave: Explained that DPW has rollout generators, but the infrastructure (transfer switch) must be in place first.
Ryan: Suggested a bilingual (English/Spanish) T-post sign at the old sandbag location directing people to the new site.
Ryan: Raised concerns about traffic control on Highway 84 at the road construction site — long delays (up to 30 minutes westbound), poorly placed rumble strips, and safety issues.
David Cosgrave: Agreed to look into the Highway 84 traffic control issue.
Conclusion
David Cosgrave will be the primary representative from Supervisor Mueller's office going forward.
MOU update with Emergency Management to be followed up before winter.
Sandbag station relocation to Pescadero Creek Road at Cloverdale is in progress.
Bilingual signage at the old sandbag location recommended.
Highway 84 construction traffic control issue to be investigated.
5. Report – California Highway Patrol (Officer Pineda)
Officer Pineda provided follow-up on previously raised traffic safety concerns.
Details
Officer Pineda: The hazard at Pescadero Creek was reported to Caltrans/County Roads for addressing, particularly ahead of winter.
Officer Pineda: Vegetation near the traffic hazard at Highway 84 and SR1 was trimmed; the sign remains. Bridge reconstruction may improve line of sight.
Officer Pineda: The tree near Bean Hollow associated with a fatality has been removed.
Officer Pineda: Increased enforcement planned for Labor Day weekend.
Patrick: Shared a dashcam video (from Chris Connor, Loma Mar volunteer fire) showing a motorcycle dangerously overtaking bicyclists on Pescadero Creek Road, crossing double yellow lines. Noted this is a recurring issue involving car clubs and motorcyclists racing a loop (Pescadero Creek Road → Highway 1 → Highway 84 → back).
Patrick: Requested expansion of the Safe Corridors Initiative to include the South Coast, which is currently excluded.
Patrick: Shared personal experience — a friend died on the highway in May; Patrick himself was previously in a head-on collision.
A council member (ranger with Mid-Peninsula Open Space District): Confirmed increased CHP presence recently but noted limited resources. Suggested traffic engineering controls and a traffic study, noting confusing speed limit signage on Pescadero Creek Road (e.g., 25 mph zone near Memorial Park with inadequate signage).
Officer Pineda: Offered to post the dashcam video online (with PIO approval) and requested GPS coordinates or cross streets for targeted enforcement. Agreed to sit down with Patrick Horn to review the area.
Ryan: Suggested cross-agency dialogue including the Sheriff's Department, noting a Coastside captain was contacted.
Nic: Proposed decoy police cars and electronic speed monitoring signs as deterrents.
Conclusion
Officer Pineda to review the dashcam video and coordinate with Patrick Horn on specific locations.
Cross-agency dialogue (CHP, Sheriff) to be explored.
Traffic study and engineering controls suggested for further investigation.
Safe Corridors Initiative expansion to South Coast to be advocated.
6. Presentation – San Mateo County Farm Labor Housing Water Systems Program (Charles Ice, Ed Diaz)
Charles Ice, Director of Environmental Health, and Ed Diaz, supervisor for land use programs, presented an update to the October proposal.
Details
Charles Ice: Background — a countywide farm labor housing task force found that 55% of inspected water systems tested positive for total coliform and/or E. coli. Wastewater systems also require corrective action.
Charles Ice: The proposed program would regulate water systems serving 1–4 units in farm labor housing (a gap not currently covered). Systems with 5+ units are already regulated.
Charles Ice: Program modifications based on prior feedback — inspections reduced from every 3 years to every 5 years; water sampling increased from annual to quarterly. Annual fee reduced from $2,296 to $1,705 per site.
Charles Ice: A fee subsidy program (supported by Supervisor Mueller's office) was introduced: 100% subsidy in Year 1 (if enrolled by June 30), 50% subsidy in Years 2–3, 25% in Year 4, full fee from Year 5.
Charles Ice: The public health lab charges $42 per coliform test (now quarterly).
Charles Ice: An administrative change was already made to the onsite wastewater treatment system (OWTS) design manual in October — removing the minimum 3-bedroom design requirement, allowing systems to be sized to actual unit design (1 or 2 bedrooms). This also benefits ADUs and tiny homes.
Charles Ice: A larger OWTS ordinance rewrite is underway (13-month program), requiring Regional Water Quality Control Board approval. An RFP has been issued and proposals are being evaluated.
Charles Ice: 32 total sites are in scope (15 with 1 unit, 10 with 2 units, 4 with 3 units, 3 with 4 units).
Charles Ice: Ordinance changes target October for Board of Supervisors presentation. Red-line versions of the wells ordinance and domestic water systems ordinance have been distributed.
Catherine Perry (online): Asked for clarification on the OWTS design manual change and its applicability to ADUs/tiny homes. Confirmed it allows appropriately sized wastewater systems for smaller structures.
A council member: Asked about the response process if a system tests positive for E. coli or other contaminants, and whether financial assistance is available for property owners.
Charles Ice: Upon notification of a primary health concern, the health officer can issue a boil water notice and work with the operator. No known financial assistance program currently exists for remediation costs.
A council member: Raised the broader paradox of farms potentially being unable to meet humane living standards while also remaining financially viable, and whether county departments communicate with each other on these interconnected issues.
Charles Ice: Confirmed coordination with planning and building; noted reduced fees exist as incentives for farm labor housing.
A council member: Raised a potential conflict of interest in property owners collecting their own water samples.
Charles Ice: Acknowledged the concern; noted that Environmental Health can conduct independent sampling during inspections or in response to complaints at no cost to the owner.
Conclusion
Program modifications (lower fees, subsidy structure, quarterly testing, 5-year inspection cycle) are finalized.
OWTS design manual change (removing 3-bedroom minimum) already in effect since October.
Larger OWTS ordinance rewrite in progress (~13 months).
Red-line ordinance drafts to be distributed to Farm Bureau, Agricultural Advisory Committee, and key stakeholders.
Target: Board of Supervisors presentation in October.
7. Existing Building Electrification Roadmap Project (Irma Rodriguez-Mitten)
The presenting party was not ready; Irma Rodriguez-Mitten provided context.
Details
Irma Rodriguez-Mitten: This project is separate from the community microgrid. It addresses the county's goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from existing buildings by 2040. Focus groups are being convened in high-priority environmental communities, including Pescadero, to assess financial burdens of electrification upgrades for older buildings (most pre-1970s). Recommendations may inform county policies and ordinances.
Conclusion
Presentation referred to a future meeting. Public comment opportunity was noted.
8. Presentation – Peninsula Humane Society and SPCA Sanctuary Project (Lisa Van Buskirk, Anthony Tansimore)
Lisa Van Buskirk and Anthony Tansimore presented an update on the animal sanctuary project.
Details
Lisa Van Buskirk: Presented a video overview of the sanctuary vision — a 216-acre site near La Honda for animals that cannot be adopted through traditional programs (under-socialized dogs, cats with behavioral issues, etc.). The sanctuary will include predator-proof cat enclosures (capacity up to 500 cats), dog cottages with fenced yards, a dog pavilion, an on-site veterinary medical center, farm animals (goats for fire protection), and a 24/7 on-site caretaker.
Anthony Tansimore: All but one permit has been approved; the final permit is expected in 4–6 weeks. Construction (approximately 18 months) may be delayed due to El Niño. If it does not start this year, construction will begin after winter/spring.
Anthony Tansimore: Total project cost is approximately $62 million (including property purchase and all fees/expenses). Approximately 75 cottages are planned.
Anthony Tansimore: Animals will come from the PHS/SPCA intake shelter in San Mateo — those that do not find homes through traditional adoption and would otherwise potentially be euthanized.
Elsa Warnick (public): Identified herself as the former ranch owner, expressed delight at the sanctuary's planned use of the property, and offered to help with fundraising.
A council member: Expressed excitement about local employment opportunities, potential collaboration with schools and Puente for internships, and suggested Pescadero Veterinary Services as a potential partner.
Patrick Horn: Expressed mixed emotions — supportive of animal welfare but noted the contrast with the ongoing struggle to provide dignified housing for farmworkers, stating it should motivate greater effort on human housing.
Nic: Commended the project but advised sensitivity around the housing comparison in this community. Asked about water/wastewater plans, potential applicability of farmworker housing programs for on-site staff, and whether the on-site veterinarian would handle wildlife.
Lisa Van Buskirk: Confirmed the veterinary center will focus on sanctuary animals (cats, dogs); wildlife rehabilitation is handled at their Saratoga center. Water/wastewater details to be provided separately.
Nic: Raised concern about the site potentially becoming an animal dumping ground; Lisa Van Buskirk confirmed animals must first come through the San Mateo intake center.
Conclusion
Final permit expected within 4–6 weeks; construction timeline approximately 18 months from start.
Local employment and internship opportunities to be explored.
Fundraising links and information to be shared with the community when available.
Sanctuary video to be shared with the council for community distribution.
9. Councilor Reports – Administration
Details
Ryan: Candidate registration for PMAC seats has been extended through the following day. Currently only Cullen has registered. Three candidates would trigger a ballot election. The council expressed concern about the difficulty of recruiting members and the need for better community outreach about PMAC's role and impact.
Patrick Horn: Expressed disappointment that elections rarely occur (once in 25 years) and emphasized the importance of community choice in filling seats.
Nic: Noted he is not eligible to run but can continue serving on subcommittees through the transition.
Conclusion
If fewer than two additional candidates register, the council will work to appoint members in January.
Improved outreach (bilingual materials, community education about PMAC) identified as a priority.
10. Councilor Reports – Agriculture and Commerce
Details
Patrick Horn: A special meeting on agriculture is tentatively scheduled for the first Tuesday in October (October 6). Corin Waddell will present the annual crop report. Invitations will be extended to the Farmworker Advisory Commission, Ag Advisory Council, Midpen, POST, Farm Bureau, and local farmers/ranchers. The format will mirror the commerce/nonprofit meeting with individual updates and a roundtable on strengths, opportunities, and ways PMAC can support rural agricultural character.
Conclusion
Special agriculture meeting set for October 6; room reservation needed.
11. Councilor Reports – Education
Details
Kassandra: Highlighted the Coastside magazine feature on the school district ("Small school, big deal"). Praised the Big Lift summer program, which was filmed as a model for summer teaching. School starts Thursday.
Cullen: New high school principal Dr. DeShawn Woolridge hired (commuting from East Bay). New teachers hired at the high school and La Honda Elementary. Three positions not replaced at the high school: Spanish (now online through UCSF), art (covered by Anna Polacek), and music (no replacement).
Ryan: Raised concern about students receiving their course schedules on the first day of school rather than in advance. Noted Dr. Woolridge plans to provide schedules for two weeks before the school year starts next year.
Patrick: Raised community concern about a geological fault found during trench investigations at the school site, and rumors about school closure or abandonment of renovation plans. Noted the contrast with the adjacent fire station proceeding with construction.
Nic: Clarified that the fault investigation is required by state law for new construction at schools and hospitals (higher standards than other buildings). The existing building is not deemed unsafe. Trench A ($130,950) and Trench B ($150,000) were part of the investigation scope. Measure R funds for renovations are still available.
Conclusion
Patrick to raise fault/school concerns at the school board meeting on Thursday.
Dr. Woolridge to implement earlier schedule distribution for next school year.
12. Councilor Reports – Health and Safety
Details
Patrick: Puente is coordinating with the county and partners to hold an emergency preparedness fair on the first Wednesday of October (food distribution day), to give the community a long lead time before winter.
Ryan: Proposed re-agendizing the Flock camera discussion, specifically to consider a letter of opposition to Flock cameras in the PMAC area. Referenced recent civil grand jury findings and recommendations to the Board of Supervisors.
Patrick: Supported revisiting the item, suggested including the civil grand jury findings and inviting the Sheriff's Department to participate.
Conclusion
Flock camera discussion to be added as an agenda item for next month's meeting.
Civil grand jury findings to be reviewed; Sheriff's Department to be notified and invited.
13. Councilor Reports – Housing and Development (Housing Task Force)
Details
Patrick: The Housing Task Force quarterly meeting is scheduled for September 29 (last Tuesday of September). Anticipated agenda: updated county milestones and timelines, and direct review of site analysis. The county confirmed at the last task force meeting that these items would be ready.
Conclusion
Housing Task Force meeting set for September 29; room reservation needed.
14. Councilor Reports – Parks and Recreation
Details
Nic: A level-setting conversation with County Parks revealed a $225,000 funding gap in the preferred community design. County Parks proposed design edits; the steering committee pushed back, insisting on the original community-chosen design and committing to fundraise the gap instead.
Nic: Construction target is July 2027 (approximately 9 months to build). A grant application is in progress that requires no ground-breaking before award notification — compatible with the current timeline.
Nic: Phasing was discussed but rejected in favor of fundraising to complete the full design at once.
Nic: State Park bathrooms at Pomponio and San Giorgio are now open; Pescadero is still being finished.
Conclusion
Steering committee confident the $225,000 gap can be closed through fundraising.
No phasing; full design to be built at once.
Grant application in progress.
15. Councilor Reports – Transportation
Details
Nic: SamTrans Ride Plus has expanded, allowing connections from Pescadero to Half Moon Bay and onward. The shuttle service (now on app) added drivers following a Leadership Council capstone project in partnership with Ariba South Coast. Reliability remains inconsistent.
Conclusion
Expansion of Ride Plus is seen as an opportunity to advocate for a trial service to Pescadero.
16. Councilor Reports – Utilities (CSA 11 Subcommittee)
Details
Cullen: The subcommittee is preparing for the September 1 community meeting on CSA 11. Materials (presentation, handouts, flyers) are being finalized. Door-to-door outreach to ratepayers will begin the following day. Food will be provided at the meeting. County contacts (Tori, Nicholas) are aware of both meeting dates but have been temporarily unavailable.
Conclusion
Community outreach blitz starting the following day.
CSA 11 community meeting on September 1 with food provided.
17. Councilor Reports – Utilities (Pescadero Transfer Station Subcommittee)
Details
Ryan: The subcommittee met once and gathered initial information. The current financial issue stems from a contractor’s minimum payment guarantee — if usage fees collected don't meet the minimum, the county covers the shortfall, depleting funds.
Ryan: Requested access to the contract to explore options. Discussed potential models similar to Santa Cruz County systems. Noted the rural area's unique situation compared to the rest of San Mateo County.
Ryan: Public comment from Alejandra Palacios (Sunday hours) will be taken to the next subcommittee meeting.
Conclusion
Subcommittee to meet again in approximately two weeks.
County wants recommendations to full council by October for a Board of Supervisors presentation in December.
18. Adjournment
Details
Rose made a motion to adjourn; Horn seconded. Passed unanimously.
Challenges
Emergency Preparedness Infrastructure: The generator for the elementary school (also an evacuation site) has not been installed; the transfer switch infrastructure must be in place first. The MOU between the county and local nonprofits for emergency shelter staffing has not been updated in two years.
AT&T Communications Power Supply: A backup power supply for AT&T communications has been on a list (CRISP) but no equipment has been installed.
Reckless Driving on South Coast Roads: CHP coverage is extremely limited (often one officer for the area); the Safe Corridors Initiative does not include the South Coast. Engineering controls and traffic studies have not been implemented.
Farm Labor Housing Water Systems: No financial assistance program currently exists for property owners who need to remediate contaminated water systems.
Farm Labor Housing – Broader Viability: The paradox of farms potentially being unable to meet humane living standards while remaining financially viable remains unresolved at a systemic level.
PMAC Recruitment: Only one candidate (Cullen Rose) registered for PMAC seats as of the meeting; the deadline is the following day. The council has struggled to recruit members and lacks a consistent outreach strategy.
School Fault Investigation: Community rumors and uncertainty about the implications of the fault found at the school site; the new principal (Dr. Woolridge) is still getting up to speed.
Parks and Recreation Funding Gap: A $225,000 shortfall exists between available funds and the community-preferred design for the community space project.
Transfer Station Financial Deficit: The contractor minimum payment guarantee structure is creating a recurring financial shortfall for the county.
Music Program at High School: No replacement hired for the music teacher; the program is currently without a teacher.
Action Items
David Cosgrave
Follow up with Emergency Management to check on the status of the MOU update for emergency shelter activation and nonprofit staffing responsibilities.
Investigate and report back on the Highway 84 construction traffic control safety concerns (rumble strip placement, signal timing, backups).
Coordinate with Public Works to ensure the sandbag station relocation to Pescadero Creek Road at Cloverdale is completed and the county website is updated before winter.
Explore what is needed to advance the AT&T communications backup power supply (CRISP list/Congressman's office).
Follow up on the status of the elementary school generator project.
Officer Pineda
Sit down with Patrick Horn to review the specific locations of reckless driving incidents on Pescadero Creek Road.
Obtain the dashcam video from Patrick Horn and seek PIO approval to post it online.
Investigate speed limit signage inconsistencies on Pescadero Creek Road (eastbound vs. westbound, near Memorial Park).
Coordinate increased enforcement on Pescadero Creek Road and the Highway 1/84/Pescadero Creek Road loop.
Explore cross-agency dialogue with the Sheriff's Department on South Coast traffic safety.
Ryan (Council Chair)
Add the Flock camera discussion as an agenda item for next month's PMAC meeting.
Research civil grand jury findings and recommendations on Flock cameras; notify the Sheriff's Department of the upcoming agenda item.
Share the PHS/SPCA sanctuary video with the community via PMAC channels.
Send information about the Thursday VLF planning session to the council.
Patrick Horn
Attend the school board meeting on Thursday and raise community concerns about the fault investigation and its implications for school renovations and the evacuation site.
Forward the dashcam video to Officer Pineda with GPS coordinates/cross streets.
Continue outreach to recruit additional PMAC candidates (deadline: following day).
Finalize preparations for the special Agriculture meeting on October 6 (invitations to Farmworker Advisory Commission, Ag Advisory Council, Midpen, POST, Farm Bureau, farmers/ranchers).
CSA 11 Subcommittee
Begin door-to-door outreach to ratepayers starting the following day.
Finalize presentation materials and flyers for the September 1 community meeting.
Follow up on the mailing list and email distribution with the county.
Transfer Station Subcommittee (lead council member)
Request access to the transfer station contractor contract for review.
Research Santa Cruz County waste management models as a potential reference.
Bring the public comment from Alejandra Palacios (Sunday hours) to the next subcommittee meeting.
Prepare recommendations for the full council by October (for Board of Supervisors presentation in December).
Housing Task Force (Patrick Horn)
Confirm county will present updated milestones, timelines, and site analysis at the September 29 meeting.
Parks and Recreation (Nic)
Continue fundraising efforts to close the $225,000 funding gap.
Finalize and submit the grant application (requires no ground-breaking before award).
Await County Parks' response to the steering committee's insistence on the original community-chosen design.
Reserve the room for the Housing Task Force meeting on September 29.
Reserve the room for the special Agriculture meeting on October 6.
Environmental Health (Charles Ice)
Distribute red-line versions of the well’s ordinance and domestic water systems ordinance to Farm Bureau, Agricultural Advisory Committee, and key stakeholders.
Target October for Board of Supervisors presentation on the Farm Labor Housing Water Systems Program.
Provide information on the number of farm labor housing sites in Pescadero specifically (from the task force report on Planning and Building's website).
Continue evaluating RFP proposals for the larger OWTS ordinance rewrite.
PHS/SPCA (Lisa Van Buskirk, Anthony Tansimore)
Email the sanctuary video to Ryan for community distribution.
Provide water and wastewater use details for the sanctuary to the council.
Explore local employment, internship, and volunteer opportunities in collaboration with Puente, local schools, and Pescadero Veterinary Services.
Share fundraising links and event information with the community when available.
A council member (Education)
Raise the issue of earlier schedule distribution at the school board meeting on Thursday.
Monitor Dr. Woolridge's implementation of pre-school-year schedule distribution for next year.
Irma Rodriguez-Mitten / Sustainable Pescadero
Follow up on the wastewater inquiry forwarded from the Housing Leadership Council contact before presenting it to the full council.
Finalize details for the emergency preparedness fair on the first Wednesday of October (food distribution day).
