Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor Ray Mueller, District 3
Michael Callagy, County Executive
Subject: Proclamation of Local Emergency Regarding Conditions at the Pacifica Municipal Pier
RECOMMENDATION:
title
Adopt a resolution ratifying and extending proclamation of local emergency regarding conditions at the Pacifica Municipal Pier.
body
BACKGROUND:
Section 8630 of the Government Code and Chapter 2.46 of the San Mateo County Ordinance Code authorize the Director of Emergency Services (“Director”) of the County of San Mateo to proclaim the existence of a local emergency when two conditions are met. First, the County faces or is threatened by conditions of disaster or extreme peril to the safety of persons and property within the County that are or are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of the County and require the combined forces of other political subdivisions to combat. And second, the Board of Supervisors is not in session. (Pursuant to the County Ordinance Code, the County Executive also serves as the County Director of Emergency Services.)
Under the Government Code and Chapter 2.46 of the County Ordinance Code, the Director’s Proclamation of Local Emergency shall remain in effect for no more than seven days unless the proclamation has been ratified by the Board of Supervisors.
On June 4, 2026, the City of Pacifica (“Pacifica”) was notified of damage to the City of Pacifica’s Pacifica Municipal Pier (“Pier”). The Pier was originally built in 1973 and since 2004 has served residents of the County and the broader region as a public fishing, crabbing, and whale-watching and tourism destination.
Pacifica’s Public Works Engineering and Field Services staff responded to the notification, inspected the Pier, and found cracking, separation, and displacement of the concrete walkway and structural elements near the abutment and the former location of the Chit Chat Cafe on the Pier. The Pacifica City Manager determined that these conditions are beyond the capability of control of the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of the City of Pacifica, and that the Conditions require the combined forces of other political subdivisions and the Governor of the State of California to address.
On June 5, 2026, the Pacifica City Manager, in his capacity as Pacifica’s Director of Emergency Services, proclaimed the existence of local emergency in Pacifica. Later that same day, the Pacifica City Manager issued an order to close the Pier and the area within 100 feet of the beach area in and around the north and south sides of the Pier in order to protect public safety and health.
On June 8, 2026, the City Council of the City of Pacifica unanimously ratified and approved Pacifica’s proclamation of a local emergency. And since June 5, 2026, the condition of the Pier continued to worsen, and the building in which the Chit Chat Cafe was located was demolished.
DISCUSSION:
On June 18, 2026, pursuant to the foregoing authorities, the County Executive in his capacity as the Director of Emergency Services, issued a proclamation of local emergency in San Mateo County due to the damage and impacts to the Pier resulting from the Pier’s rapidly deteriorating condition, as described above. The proclamation is submitted with the accompanying resolution as Exhibit A.
As set forth in the County’s local emergency proclamation, the damage to the Pier negatively impacts Pacifica, the County, and the broader region by reducing coastal access and recreational opportunities, including fishing, crabbing, and whale-watching and tourism activities on the coast. These negative impacts thereby impact the County’s and the region’s economy. These conditions are beyond the control and response capabilities of the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of the County and they require the combined forces of other political subdivisions and the State to combat.
The County’s local emergency proclamation requests that the Governor of the State of California proclaim a State of Emergency for the City of Pacifica to facilitate the attendant support from the State.
Under the circumstances, staff recommends that the Board of Supervisors ratify and extend the proclamation of local emergency. Under the Government Code and the County Ordinance Code, absent ratification, the proclamation will remain in effect for no more than seven days. If ratified, the Board of Supervisors must review the proclamation of local emergency at least once every sixty days to determine the need for continuing the local emergency.
The County Attorney has reviewed the proposed resolution as to form.
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
Adoption of the resolution ratifying the local emergency will support Pacifica’s efforts to restore the Pier for the benefit of all members of the community and the region.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Approving the action recommended may assist with the receipt of mutual aid resources from the State of California and from neighboring jurisdictions. There is no current Net County Cost associated with this action.