Pacifica Hires New City Manager as Tree Program, Commission Shakeup Advance

The Pacifica City Council moved to end months of executive uncertainty Monday night, voting 4-1 to hire Sean Charpentier — a 20-year public-sector veteran who has led the county's intergovernmental association — as city manager at a $330,000 salary. In a marathon session that also featured a joint study session with the Beautification Advisory Committee, heated debate over a Planning Commission appointment, and organized resident complaints about short-term rental enforcement, the council signaled a new phase for a city juggling budget pressures, understaffing, and coastal adaptation planning.

• Council hires Sean Charpentier as city manager, 4-1, ending a six-month, 40-applicant national search; Councilmember Espinosa dissents

• Adopt-a-Tree program advances after pilot data shows 100% tree survival with resident watering vs. 27% without

• Kevin Fisher replaces incumbent on Planning Commission, 4-1, after Mayor Christine Boles shares commission chair's concerns — drawing sharp criticism from Councilmember Mary Bier

• Residents demand crackdown on short-term rental at 1987 Beach Blvd., citing four criminal cases in seven months

Pacifica's New Executive: Charpentier Hired to Lead Through Budget Crisis

Why it matters: Pacifica has operated without a permanent city manager during an acute budget crisis, chronic understaffing, and the launch of critical sea-level-rise planning. The hire fills the city's most consequential leadership vacancy.

Where things stand: Mayor Christine Boles and Vice Mayor Greg Wright, who served as the ad hoc negotiating committee, walked the council through the contract for Sean Charpentier, selected from 40 applicants after a six-month search led by consultant Gary Phillips. Charpentier brings two decades of public-sector experience, including affordable housing policy work, stints as assistant and interim City Manager of East Palo Alto, and most recently as executive director of the City/County Association of Governments of San Mateo County — the body coordinating all 21 jurisdictions in the county.

The contract: $330,000 annual base salary — 5.1% above former City Manager Kevin Woodhouse's $314,000 from 2024, but well below what peers earn; the count median, according to Boles, is $358,000. The package includes $10,000 in deferred compensation, 96 hours of administrative leave, vacation accrual of roughly 24 days per year, a 5% minimum salary differential above department heads, and 12-month severance. The fiscal impact is offset this year by salary savings from the vacant assistant city manager position.

Boles also pointed out that the city offers less benefits than others in the county.

Charpentier introduced himself to the council and public.

"My passion is to build and maintain communities that are sustainable, prosperous, and equitable," he said."Pacifica is really one of the most unique communities in the Bay Area."

Three public commenters welcomed the hire. Brian Rono urged the new manager to be a "player-coach," roll up his sleeves, and rebuild staff culture, referencing employee survey results showing dissatisfaction. Tiger praised Charpentier's ability to harmonize 21 C/CAG jurisdictions and his understanding of federal, state, and county funding streams. Kimberly Finale welcomed him but pressed for data-driven transparency and prioritization of community cleanup to enable economic development.

Boles offered a detailed endorsement by sharing an account from East Palo Alto Councilmember Carlos Romero about Charpentier's handling of a controversial RV safe-parking program — a politically fraught initiative that, under his management, drew zero public opposition at the final hearing.

The other side: Councilmember Mayra Espinosa cast the lone no vote, explaining she preferred another finalist and wanted clearer commitments on budget priorities.

"I didn't feel that he answered the questions to me the way I wanted to hear," she said. "It's not that he's not capable to do the work. I have some concerns, and that's why we have democracy."

Espinosa expressed willingness to work with Charpentier going forward.

Decisions: The council adopted the resolution appointing Charpentier and authorizing the mayor to execute the employment agreement. (For: 4 — Boles, Wright, Bier, Beckmeyer; Against: 1 — Espinosa.)

What's next: Charpentier inherits a budget crisis, a community survey on potential local revenue measures (announced by Interim City Manager Yulia Carter during the meeting), and a slate of deferred infrastructure and coastal resilience projects.

Adopt-a-Tree: Resident Watering Program Gets Green Light After Pilot Shows Dramatic Results

The basics: The Beautification Advisory Committee (BAC) unanimously recommended adding an Adopt-a-Tree subcommittee to its charter, bringing the proposal to a joint study session with the council. The program enlists residents to water city-planted street trees through formal agreements.

Why it matters: Pacifica's Public Works staff cannot keep newly planted street trees alive. Pilot data presented by BAC member Taylor Seabaugh was stark: in the 2021 Parkview Circle planting, eight trees adopted by residents showed a 100% survival rate over five years. Of the eleven non-adopted trees planted in Fairmont Park only 27% survived. A 2025 West Sharp Park pilot showed all nine adopted trees thriving. South San Francisco's program reported over 90% survival across 120 trees.

"Tree-lined streets promote somewhere between 9 and 12% more spending than streets that do not have trees," Sebaugh added, framing the program as an economic development tool alongside its environmental benefits.

The program has three arms: city-initiated planting through infrastructure projects like complete streets, annual Arbor Day planting, and resident-initiated planting through permits on city property.

Where things stand: Public Works Director Melissa Tigbao supported the concept but flagged capacity constraints. Only seven of 58 tasks in the council's strategic plan have been completed, she noted, and the Urban Forestry Management Plan — the comprehensive framework meant to guide tree policy — is off track. She added that the RFP for that plan could go out this summer now that the department has hired two new engineers.

Six public commenters — all affiliated with Tree City Pacifica or similar advocacy groups — urged the council to approve the charter amendment immediately rather than wait. Certified arborist Maya warned that insufficient watering damages tree structure, creating long-term failure risks. Gail Bennett, BAC chair and Tree City Pacifica member, noted the 25% canopy goal is already embedded in the Climate Action Plan and that volunteer agreements have been vetted by the city attorney. Cindy Abbott provided historical context, recalling that Pacifica had adopt-a-tree programs through the Pacifica Tribune as far back as the 1970s and '80s.

The other side: Chris Redfield, a former public works professional, offered a cautionary note about long-term infrastructure costs — overhead power lines, sewer and water mains, sidewalk heaving, and road damage from roots. He urged the city to plan and budget for those future expenses.

Decisions: Council members reached consensus to proceed with Option 1 — the charter amendment — but with a narrowed scope. Mayor Christine Boles directed staff to focus initially on the roughly 20 annual Arbor Day trees and 2-for-1 replacement plantings already in the Public Works pipeline, deferring the third program arm (resident-initiated planting on city property) until the Urban Forestry Management Plan provides more guidance.

Councilmember Sue Beckmeyer concurred but urged prudence:

"I want to go forward with this, but I do urge prudent, thoughtful consideration of how this program will fit in with the things that Chris Redfield mentioned."

She also suggested framing the charter language as a pilot that can be expanded once the forestry plan is finalized.

Vice Mayor Greg Wright pressed on staff capacity:

"I'd love to know from staff how I can have my tree and eat under it, too. In other words, how much staff time is it going to take?"

No formal vote was taken, as this was a study session; direction was given by consensus.

What's next: Staff will draft the BAC charter amendment with limited-scope pilot language. The Urban Forestry Management Plan RFP could go out this summer.

Planning Commission Seat Sparks Sharpest Debate of the Night

Why it matters: Planning Commission appointments directly shape housing and development review during a period of coastal adaptation projects and housing-element compliance. The composition of the body matters.

Where things stand: Council filled seven seats across four advisory bodies with relatively little friction — until the final Planning Commission appointment. Two seats went smoothly: Alex Ferguson was reappointed to a full term unanimously, and Rebecca Sanchez was appointed to a partial term unanimously.

The contested seat pitted incumbent James Godwin against newcomer Kevin Fisher. Mayor Christine Boles advocated strongly for Fisher, citing his CEQA expertise, biology background, and Coastal Commission experience. She also relayed concerns from Planning Commission Chair Samantha Hauser about Godwin's preparedness and his relationships with staff.

The other side: Councilmember Mary Bier objected sharply, calling the public sharing of negative feedback about a sitting volunteer commissioner unnecessary and contrary to how the community should treat those who serve. She cast the lone no vote. Vice Mayor Greg Wright acknowledged being torn but ultimately voted with the majority. Councilmember Sue Beckmeyer thanked Godwin for his service but also voted yes.

Decisions: Fisher was appointed 4-1. (For: Boles, Wright, Espinosa, Beckmeyer; Against: Bier.)

Other appointments, all unanimous: Christine Acuna and Bobby Wacharasakuni to Parks, Beaches and Recreation; Deborah Solis and Miley Velichko to the Beautification Advisory Committee; and Richard Kevin Voigt to the Open Space and Parkland Advisory Committee. The city clerk announced a new PB&R vacancy from a resignation received that day, along with additional terms expiring in May requiring further recruitment.

A notable sidebar: Youth applicant Miley Velichko was redirected from PB&R to BAC because PB&R serves as an appellate body requiring Form 700 financial disclosures.

Neighbors Press Council on Short-Term Rental Enforcement Failures

Why it matters: Four residents used the general public comment period to describe what they framed as a pattern of code enforcement failure around short-term rentals — particularly at 1987 Beach Boulevard, operated by Marbella Lane Corporation.

Where things stand: Caitlin Quinn described four police-reported criminal cases in seven months tied to the property, including property theft, vandalism of security cameras, trespassing, and spray-painting of her property by a worker employed by the operator. Lila asked why the permit was renewed despite the operator failing to respond to the city's certified letters requesting a hearing. Mark named four additional properties — 728 Ortega, 1138 Grand Teton, 1159 De Solo, and 1149 Banyan — that he said lacked required plaques, were owned by corporate entities rather than natural persons, and featured illegal garage conversions. Cindy Abbott framed the issue as a systemic enforcement breakdown after five years of documented neighborhood complaints.

No council action was taken, as these were comments on non-agendized items.

Minor Items

• Rockaway Pump Station project completed approximately $2,000 under budget; notice of completion approved on the consent calendar.

• FY 2026-27 pavement resurfacing for the Manor/Fairmont area approved. Beckmeyer pressed Deputy Director of Public Works Roland Yip on scheduling for Rosita Road, rated as failed. Yip explained the algorithm-based StreetSaver system clusters streets by neighborhood for cost efficiency.

• ADA curb ramp improvements approved. Boles raised concerns about stormwater runoff from new ramps on steep streets — a problem previously documented on Monterey Road. Yip confirmed a 30% contingency could fund higher curbs.

• Government Finance Professionals Week proclaimed. Director of Administrative Services Marisol Gomez individually recognized the six members of the finance division, who collectively have nearly 60 years of public service. The team manages all city budgets, audits, payroll, and compliance.

• Pacific Beach Coalition announced Earth Day EcoFest on April 18 with 15 cleanup sites, 30 booths, and a steelhead trout run tour at San Pedro Creek.

• Pacifica Resource Center reported distributing 160,000 units of groceries to 2,300 residents in the past year; next distribution March 25 at American Legion Hall.

• Interim City Manager Yulia Carter announced publication of a community survey on potential local revenue measures, feeding into the upcoming budget process.

• Multiple hate-speech Zoom callers disrupted both consent and general public comment periods; the mayor cut off speakers per city attorney guidance.