Pacifica City Council Approves Funding for Fairmont Park Restrooms and Taranova Tennis Court Lights
The Pacifica City Council discussed several budget priorities during its June 22nd meeting, including replacing the lights at the Taranova High School tennis courts and funding restrooms at Fairmont Park.
During public comment, resident Joy Hitsman urged the council to replace the aging tennis court lights, saying they have been a problem for years and will prevent community members from using the courts after dark once daylight hours become shorter. She said the courts, which are also used for the growing pickleball community, provide an important sense of community.
Vice Mayor Greg Wright proposed using money from the Roy Davies Fund to pay for the lighting project. City Manager Sean Charpentier said doing so would require a four-fifths vote by the council and would be contingent on the city's Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Jefferson Union High School District.
Parks, Beaches, and Recreation Commissioner Cindy Abbott also encouraged the council to use the Roy Davies Fund to help pay for restrooms at Fairmont Park, and questioned how the city plans to fund the facility in the future.
Mayor Christine Boles noted that replacing the tennis court lights is a $125,000 project because the fixtures, not just the bulbs, must be replaced. Parks, Beaches and Recreation Director Scott Leslie confirmed that the city is responsible for maintaining the lights under the current MOU. He added that grants or community fundraising could also help support the project.
Councilmember Mayra Espinosa emphasized the importance of improving Fairmont Park, noting that the Roy Davies Fund was established to support parks and that the park is home to the Roy Davies Memorial Playground. She also raised concerns about deteriorating turf in the park that poses a safety hazard to children playing.
The council unanimously approved using $79,110 from the Roy Davies Fund for the Fairmont Park restroom project. Members then voted 4-1 to approve funding for the tennis court lights, contingent on the MOU and remaining budget funds, with Espinosa casting the lone dissenting vote.
Pacifica City Council meetings are held on the second and fourth Mondays of each month, giving residents an opportunity to comment on local issues. Watch the rest of the meeting at pacificcoast.tv.
