San Mateo County Harbor DistrictCandidate for Board Member, District 5

I grew up windsurfing and sailing in San Mateo County. During my undergraduate years at UCSB, I worked on SCUBA diving boats at the Santa Barbara Harbor. More recently, I was on a masters rowing team with BIAC at the Port of Redwood City. I am an avid backpacker and yoga instructor. I have had a law practice in Redwood City for over twenty years.

My eight years of experience on the Menlo Park City Council (two as Mayor), seven years as a Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency Director and seven years as a Director of the San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority (SFCJPA), illustrate my commitment to public service and my ability to serve the residents of San Mateo County as your first District 5 Harbor Commissioner. Especially pertinent to the Harbor District position, I have dealt with sea level rise and flooding issues. As a Director of the SFCJPA, we completed a $76 million dollar flood control and sea level rise project to prevent the City of East Palo Alto, including over 1000 homes, from flooding.
What is the San Mateo County Harbor District

The San Mateo County Harbor District was created in 1933, by the Board of Supervisors with San Mateo County as the District’s boundaries. The Harbor District manages Pillar Point Harbor on the Pacific Ocean and Oyster Point Marina in South San Francisco on the bay.

The District was originally formed to build a harbor at Redwood City. When that didn’t happen, a breakwater at Pillar Point to support the fishing fleet was completed in 1961, followed by Johnson Pier, docks and 369 berths, and the inner breakwater which today form a major commercial and sport fishing harbor.

The District assumed operation of Oyster Point Marina/Park from the City of South San Francisco in 1977 and completed construction of docks and 589 berths, a new breakwater, and onshore facilities. The District diversified this recreational marina bringing in the San Francisco Bay Ferry Service from Oakland’s Jack London Square to South San Francisco.
My Top Priorities for the Harbor District
Ensure Strong Environmental Stewardship

A 2018 Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment highlights crucial environmental concerns including sea level rise, severe weather incidents, increased erosion problems, restoring habitat near the ice plant at Surfers Beach sand dunes, growing needs for water quality and wildlife protection in and around the harbors.

We need a climate change resiliency plan that addresses:

• Impacts to docks and other infrastructure.
• Management of sand from increased sediment flow and storm action.
• More resilient, natural protective barriers and living levees instead of physical barriers that lead to sand depletion.
• Preparedness for threat of tsunamis and other extreme weather events.

Complete the Strategic Plan and Facilities Master Plan

With community input, the Harbor Commission, has developed its 2019 Draft Strategic Plan. I have the experience and insight to help complete this important process, having implemented strategic and master plans for Menlo Park’s vision and development. As part of the Harbor District’s planning process, I am committed to improving preparedness for sea level rise and other climate-driven emergencies.
Enhance Public Safety

It is important for visitors, including those with disabilities, to experience a real working commercial harbor, and purchase seafood direct from the vessels, in a safe manner that does not adversely impact important operations on the pier. We need to ensure that the visiting public is well informed and safe when they visit the Harbor. I support implementation of:

• Public safety programs, including surfing rescue and first aid training.
• Harbor safety educational tours.
• Opportunities to obtain a California Boater Card.
• Development of a Harbor evacuation plan.
• Environmental guidelines for kayakers, paddle boarders and other water users.

Implement Facility upgrades

We must implement a master plan that ensures high-quality, modern facilities that serve lessees, harbor users, and visitors in a safe, reliable, efficient cost-effective and environmentally sound manner.

The infrastructure at Pillar Point Harbor needs substantial upgrade and replacement to include:

• Johnson Pier improvements.
• Addressing ADA concerns.
• Dredging and beach replenishment.
• Fuel dock improvements.
• Coastal trail improvements, including the West Shoreline Trail Restroom & Parking Lot.
• Install EV car charging stations.
• Improved wayfinding.
• RV park public restrooms and green space design.

Ensure Fiscal Responsibility

The District’s financial position is strong, but it needs better financial reporting and transparency, and financial planning that is longer-term and more detailed. The District loses substantial revenue due to legacy contracts that don’t provide adequate revenue for proper maintenance and services. The District must update these contracts to provide fair and reasonable lease terms for all.

My goals include the following:

• Managing debt appropriately and develop a debt policy plan.
• Following policies to ensure future leases and contracts are fair and beneficial to both the Harbor District and lessees.
• Evaluating lease contracts to identify opportunities to better enforce or improve lease contracts to provide adequate returns to pay for proper harbor services and maintenance. Contracts should be fair to both the District and the lessee.
• Continued improvement of financial reporting. Update the budget plan to achieve the Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting (CAFR).
• Ensuring that the Annual Financial Report is complete, transparent, and understandable so that the Commission, staff, and interested members of the public can assess the financial health of the District.
• Subscribing to OpenGov. to proactively, transparently share Harbor District financial data with the public. The Harbor District Budget should be easily available and organized in the best manner for the public to use.
• Ensuring that there is always a balanced budget and a plan to pay for improvements.
  
  

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Question: What are your top priorities?

Answer: My top priorities are to:

• Ensure strong environmental stewardship and improve water quality at our beaches.
• Complete the Strategic and Facilities Master Plan. Implement facility upgrades in a fiscally prudent manner.
• Enhance public safety and outreach.
• Ensure there is always a balanced budget and a plan to pay for facility improvements. Subscribe to OpenGov. to proactively, transparently share Harbor District financial data with the public.

Question: What is one thing that has prepared you for this role?

Answer: My seven years of experience as a Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency Director and San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority Director (SFCJPA) and eight years as a city council member, illustrate my commitment to public service and my ability to serve the residents of San Mateo County as your first District 5 Harbor Commissioner. Especially pertinent to the Harbor District position, I have dealt with sea level rise and flooding issues. As a Director of the SFCJPA, I helped complete a $76 million dollar flood control and sea level rise project to prevent East Palo Alto, including over 1000 homes, from flooding.

Question: Why do you want to join the San Mateo County Harbor District Board of Commissioners?

Answer: I’m running for the San Mateo County Harbor District because I love our beautiful county beaches and harbors and I recognize the important role they play in our environment and for our community well-being overall. I’m running to protect the precious coastal and bay environment, while supporting recreational opportunities and a strong sustainable commercial fishing industry. For more information, please see kirstenkeith.com or email me at kirsten@kirstenkeith.com. I would appreciate your vote.

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PENINSULA DOG PAC QUESTIONNAIRE

I was happy to recently receive the following questions from Coastside Families Taking Action (CFTA), a group of families devoted to making the San Mateo Coast a welcoming, supportive, active, and empowering place for children and families. They are working for a diverse, progressive, sustainable, and equitable Coastside and represent over 150 families on the Coastside. Here are my responses to their important questions.

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Question. Do you have a dog? If so, where are your favorite places to walk your dog?

Answer: Yes, we have two family dogs. Diego is our cute Chihuahua that we rescued over fourteen years ago. Ginger is our sweet Terrier-doodle mix who has been a part of our family since we rescued her over six years ago. I love to walk our dogs wherever it is allowed and as often as I can. Some of the places I enjoy walking with my furry friends are my neighborhood, Bedwell Bayfront Park, Windy Hill, Arastradero Preserve, Foothills Park, McNee Ranch State Park, Pillar Point Beach, Pacifica Beach, Sweeney Ridge, Redondo Beach, and any other beaches where dogs are allowed, including Fort Funston and Ocean Beach.

It is important to follow the dog management rules of any area, keep dogs on leash where required and always pick up after them. Dogs make life wonderful and there is nothing better than walking your dog on beautiful trails and beaches in our county!

Question. Do you support having some off-leash voice control dog walking access on some Coastside beaches and trails?

Answer: Yes. I frequently go to beaches and trails that allow this. It is such a joy to see dogs off-leash happily running in the surf and on trails, where allowed.

Question. Is there anything else you would like voters to know about your position on recreational dog walking access?

Answer: It is important to have recreational dog walking access on trails and beaches because people love to walk their dogs.

I appreciate the work of the Dog Management Committee that advised the County Park and Recreation Commission on county park dog policy changes.

They developed a thoughtful list to use when “Considering New Areas for Dog Access, including: a) Look for opportunities adjacent to urban areas and neighborhoods where there is demand for dog walking; b) Ensure adequate staffing, staff training and facilities can be provided to effectively manage the new use and address any increase in demand; c) Consider adjacent uses and whether connecting trails that allow dogs can be continued; d) Consider opportunities for dog access that are restricted by time of day or day of the week as needed or appropriate to balance park uses and provide a variety of park experiences; e) Ensure that all other policies regarding managing dog access can be met.”

The above list may be used if opportunities arise to allow additional dog walking access. We must also note that dogs may harm animals and birds in their natural habitat and that some people are afraid of dogs, so it is very important to keep dogs on a leash or under voice control.

Our dogs are an important part of our family and bring great joy to our lives. I even included a shout out to my dogs in my candidate statement for the Harbor District because they are so special to me, noting that I enjoy walking my dogs along the Coastal Trail.

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Question: Please describe some key aspects of your vision, including some of the key problems you want to solve, or initiatives you want to start, in your elected role?

Answer: I’m running for the San Mateo County Harbor District because I love our beautiful county beaches and harbors. I’m running to protect the precious coastal and bay environment, while supporting recreational opportunities and a strong sustainable commercial fishing industry. I enjoy kayaking, swimming, paddle boarding and walking my dogs on the Coastal Trail.

I grew up windsurfing and sailing in San Mateo County. During my undergraduate years at UCSB, I worked on SCUBA diving boats at the Santa Barbara Harbor. More recently, I was on a masters rowing team with BIAC at the Port of Redwood City. I am an avid backpacker and yoga instructor and I’ve had a law practice in Redwood City for over twenty years.

I have written an article on why I am running for the Harbor District that includes my goals HERE.

There are so many things that need to be done and here are my priorities:

• Ensure Strong Environmental Stewardship
• Complete the Strategic Plan and Facilities Master Plan
• Enhance Public Safety
• Implement Facility upgrades
• Ensure Fiscal Responsibility

Question: Tell us about what you think the Harbor District should do to improve water quality at beaches within the Harbor and surrounding areas.

Answer: Everyone wants safe clean water to for recreational purposes and fresh seafood. Everyone wants their children to play in the calm waters of the harbor. However, the water quality is frequently unsafe.

The creeks running into the harbor, including Denniston, Capistrano and Deer, bring large contaminant loads, especially after heavy rains. The Surfrider Foundation released a report in 2017 titled Testing Pollution Hotspots in Pillar Point Harbor, discussing water quality monitoring and storm water mapping that is a useful reference tool.

The San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board held a public workshop in 2019 for the Pillar Point Harbor and Venice Beach bacteria TMDL that explored several water quality improvement ideas that I endorse. Among them: evaluating and improving existing infrastructure sanitary sewer lines and septic systems, constructing stormwater treatment systems, measures to divert clean runoff from manure, upgrading Pillar Point’s boat ramp restroom, controlling tree roots around sanitary lines, and measures to manage pet waste. These are all good ideas and the public process must continue to enact a comprehensive plan and identify funding measures.

A plan to educate the public about the importance of cleaning up after pets, along with providing more pet bag stations and trash cans at the harbor would be helpful. The Harbor District could also do more collaborative work with the San Mateo County Resource Conservation District to educate the public about how yard and road runoff affects the harbor and the importance of keeping waste out of the storm drains that flow to the harbor.

Question: What specific items would you like to see implemented to both decrease our contribution to climate change and to prepare for climate change impacts at the harbor?

Answer: Ensure Strong Environmental Stewardship and a climate change resiliency plan.

A 2018 Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment highlights crucial environmental concerns including sea level rise, severe weather incidents, increased erosion problems, restoring habitat near the ice plant at Surfers Beach sand dunes, growing needs for water quality and wildlife protection in and around the harbors.

We need a climate change resiliency plan that addresses:

• Impacts to docks and other infrastructure.
• Management of sand from increased sediment flow and storm action.
• More resilient, natural protective barriers and living levees instead of physical barriers that lead to sand depletion.
• Preparedness for the threat of tsunamis and other extreme weather events.

Question: What can the Harbor District do to best help public health during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Answer: Pillar Point Harbor has many protocols, equipment and signage in place aimed at keeping harbor staff and the public protected from Covid-19. We must continue to follow CDC guidelines, mandate mask wearing and maintain social distancing. Signage must be multilingual. Additional hand sanitizer stations and bathrooms fully stocked with soap and paper are crucial.

Question: What do make of the Black Lives Matter movement and movements for equity by other communities of color? Do you support LGBTQI rights? What do you plan on doing to ensure that the harbor is an inclusive and welcoming place for all of these aforementioned communities?

Answer: I support the Black Lives Matter movement and have fought for social justice and equity issues as a criminal defense attorney for over twenty years. Additionally, I am a member of the San Mateo County Bar Association Race and Social Justice Task force. I also support LGBTQI rights. It was wonderful to see the Pride Flag flown for the first time at the Harbor District this year in June, and I’d like to see this new tradition continue. Multilingual signage and social postings for water quality, harbor recreational opportunities and commercial fishing would also be beneficial.

I believe that everyone should feel welcome at the harbor, as they should in any public place. If someone’s rights are violated, we need to know the details so that we can rectify the situation. I hope that everyone feels welcome at the harbor and I am open to all ideas to make the harbor more inclusive.

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