SABRINA BRENNAN

Pump It, Don't Dump It

2012-01-06T23:46:00.000-08:00

SMC Beachwater Contamination Update

2011-12-08T12:47:00.001-08:00

Pollution from sewage overflows, oil spills, and stormwater runoff continues to plague America's beaches, contributing to 5,756 closing and advisory days last year in California, a near doubling of days for the state, and leading to the second-highest number of closing and advisory days nationwide in more than two decades, according to the 21st annual beachwater quality report.

2010 Beachwater Contamination Results

Top 10 Repeat Offenders

San Mateo County beachwater contamination closure days:

Pillar Point (145 days)
Oyster Point Marina (96 days)
Lakeshore Park (93 days)
Coyote Point County Park (63 days)
Aquatic Park (58 days)
Kiteboard Beach (57 days)
Fitzgerald Marine Reserve (55 days)
Pacifica State Beach (35 days)
Bean Hollow State Beach (28 days)
Venice State Beach & Pescadero State Beach (both 27 days)

Sabrina's plan to improve water quality:

Engage residents (liveaboards), commercial, and recreational users as well as visitors about the hazards of dumping septic waste, plastic bags, cans, garbage, oil, and fuel.
Improve water circulation patterns within Pillar Point Harbor and support solutions to improve water quality.
Improve trash disposal areas overall at both Pillar Point Harbor and Oyster Point Marina.
Improve pet waste disposal areas and signage.
Publish water quality educational information on the Harbor District website.
Post warning signage at beaches with contaminated beachwater

Beachwater pollution nationwide causes a range of waterborne illnesses in swimmers including stomach flu, skin rashes, pinkeye, ear, nose and throat problems, dysentery, hepatitis, respiratory ailments, neurological disorders and other serious health problems. For senior citizens, small children and people with weak immune systems, the results can be fatal. The incidence of infections has steadily increased over the past several decades, and with coastal populations growing, it is reasonable to expect this upward trend to continue until the pollution sources are addressed.

The 34th America’s Cup will bring the best sailors to San Francisco Bay in 2013

2011-12-06T07:49:00.000-08:00

San Francisco Bay will be home to the 2013 America’s Cup Finals and the Louis Vuitton Cup, America's Cup Challenger Series. Additionally, there will be two America’s Cup World Series events in San Francisco in 2012.

This marks the first time the America’s Cup has been hosted in the United States since 1995.

For more info visit the America’s Cup website.

Vote Sabrina for Harbor Commissioner in 2012

2011-12-05T18:00:00.001-08:00

It's time the voice of the people influenced Harbor Commission decisions.

The bottom line is, the community the District serves is unhappy with the choices the Harbor Commission is making on issues affecting their lives.

Community concerns include:

PUBLIC SAFETY—Cutbacks on Search and Rescue staff and operations
BEACHWATER POLLUTION—In San Mateo County, Pillar Point Harbor is ranked number one in beach closure days and Oyster Point Marina is ranked number two.
MISMANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC FUNDS—Plans to build new administrative building for upper management
DILAPIDATED FACILITIES—Delayed maintenance at Johnson Pier

Sabrina Brennan is running for Harbor Commissioner in 2012 because she wants to insure that decisions about public resources are made with the community's best interests at heart. It's time to restore the people's voice in local government.

Blustery conditions lead to three boats capsizing

2011-12-01T23:57:00.000-08:00

Race day two at the America's Cup World Series in Plymouth.

Oyster Point Marina Ferry Service

2011-09-02T22:19:00.000-07:00

A rendering of the South San Francisco Ferry Terminal - Oyster Point Marina,

prepared for the San Francisco Bay Area Emergency Transportation Authority

by ROMA Design Group in association with Moffatt & Nichol and Simpson Gumpertz & Heger.

The first phase of the project, completed in December, involved removing two Oyster Point Marina docks, shortening three others, and dredging the entrance channel and terminal basin to 10 ft.

The next phase will include construction of a 4,000-sq-ft terminal and a 92-ft-long, 12-ft-wide floating gangway and installing the 130-ft-long by 40-ft-wide float.

“This will be the first new ferry terminal in San Francisco Bay in a long time,” says John Sindzinski, manager of planning at WETA. “Its part of an overall program to increase water-transit service to help improve traffic and provide alternatives to driving. It’s also intended to be an important asset in the event of a natural or manmade disaster.”

Sindzinski says Oyster Marina “is a sheltered marina, protected by breakwaters,” which makes working on the ferry project easier than in other parts of the Bay.

The trip from South San Francisco to East Bay is estimate to take approximately 30 minutes.

PROJECT SCHEDULE:
• Groundbreaking ceremony October 19, 2009
• Demolition and Dredging, Fall 2009
• Terminal Construction, 2010-2012
• Initial ferry service projected for 2012

WETA BACKGROUND:
WETA (the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority) was established by SB 976, and replaces the WTA (Water Transit Authority). The intention of SB 976 is to improve the ability of ferries to respond in an emergency.

Fresh Seafood Direct to Consumers

2011-05-22T20:54:00.000-07:00

Matt Forve, skipper and owner of the Melissa Jo,

wrestles a king salmon on his boat near Half Moon Bay.

Credit: Chip Chipman / Bloomberg

SEAFOOD BY THE SEASON

May 22, 2011 | By Carolyn Jung, Special to The Chronicle

In the same way that you can pay up front to receive a once-a-week delivery of just-picked fruit and vegetables directly from a local farm, expect someday soon to enjoy that same convenient service with fresh seafood caught by Bay Area family fishermen.

The concept of community supported agriculture, in which consumers purchase a subscription or membership to a farm to receive seasonal produce boxes, has been transported from soil to sea in community supported fishery programs that have been popping up along the coastal United States. Now the first one in Northern California is set to begin on Friday at none other than Google.

This debut CSF will be available only to Google employees, but Half Moon Bay fishermen, who are heading this project, are hopeful they can expand the program to other Bay Area companies and consumers.

Trails & Transportation

2011-03-31T11:50:00.000-07:00

Sabrina Brennan founded the Coastside Bicycle Coalition. A commuter trail extending from Montara to Half Moon Bay and safe pedestrian and bicycle crossings along Highway 1 are top priorities for the new group.

Trails and Transportation Group Advocates for Safer Highway One Crossings at Devil's Slide

Half Moon Bay Patch | By Christa Bigue | Email the author | March 31, 2011

A pedestrian and bicycle trail parallel to Highway One from Montara to Half Moon Bay and safe Highway One crossings at Devil’s Slide are just a couple of the big issues that the new organization Trails and Transportation are taking on for the Coastal community.

The trailblazer of the group?

Moss Beach resident Sabrina Brennan, who recently founded Trails and Transportation to better represent the voice of the Coast when it comes to “providing safe trails and better access to get to school, commute and safely cross Highway One,” she said.

Brennan’s public service experience includes completing a term on the Midcoast Community Council, an elected advisory council to the Board of Supervisors; she currently serves as director of Midcoast Park Lands, volunteers on the Midcoast Parks and Recreation Committee, ran for Harbor Commissioner in the November 2010 election, and founded AREA29.

Still, her focus these days, when not also running a digital printing and event graphics company, is spearheading the Trails and Transportation group, which had their first meeting last month with members of the Sierra Club, Surfrider, Midcoast Community Council, Midcoast Park Lands and the public.

“Sabrina has have been a tireless advocate for the community on many issues, raising everyone's awareness level on project that will affect their daily lives,” said vice chair Bill Kehoe of the Midcoast Community Council. “She is a one-person ‘watch dog’ committee trying to keep the planning process on the Coastside both open and inclusive for all the community.”

Brennan’s top priorities with Trails and Transportation include completing the Midcoast segment of what the group calls the Parallel Trail, which would “provide safe access on the east side of Highway One for people commuting for work, shopping and children going to and from school from Montara to Half Moon Bay,” she said. They are also focused on making Highway One pedestrian crossings safer, especially at Devil’s Slide.

“We set our own agenda and as our own group have the freedom to express what the community wants. Sometimes what the County wants is not representative of the Coast,” said Brennan.

The overall mission of Trails and Transportation is to increase transportation options and reduce auto travel, offer opportunities to enjoy, observe, learn about and care for the environment, offer economic benefits such as increased tourism and increased property values, and provide opportunities for solitude, passive and active recreation, including promoting fitness through healthy exercise.

“Trails provide demonstrated benefits to individuals and communities, health and fitness, active transportation, economic development and environmental stewardship,” said Brennan, who comes to heading up the initiative with a passion for safety and transportation and a lot of personal experience advocating for trails for a number of years now, working on trying to designate segments of the coastal trail.

A childhood accident also fuels Brennan’s passion for transportation safety.

“In 2nd grade I was hit by a car while crossing the street on my way home from school,” Brennan said. “When I flipped into the air, I hit the hood on my back and was saved by my Holly Hobby lunch box in my backpack. I survived without serious injury, however, my lunchbox was smashed. I would like to see safer options for people to get around by foot and bicycle.”

When it comes to safe crossings, the group’s first priority is sorting out the problems with “two at-grade crossings Caltrans plans to build on Highway One at Devil’s Slide,” she said. “After that we can move on to deal with the need for safe crossings in Moss Beach and Montara. Surfer’s Beach is also a parking and crossing problem, however, El Granada has two stoplights with crosswalks. In addition, the Parallel Trail would make it much easier for people to use the crosswalks.”

Brennan is not alone in her concerns with the Devil’s Slide crossings. She has found that many in the community agree that the at-grade crossing at the south portal of the tunnel is an accident waiting to happen.

“We have seen many accidents, some tragic, all long Highway One in the unincorporated communities of the Midcoast from pedestrian and bicycle traffic trying to cross the highway where one would expect that kind of crossing,” said Kehoe. “A crossing within 500 feet of a tunnel portal is unheard of in California and will definitely be unexpected by most drivers who are new to the area and even risky for local drivers who will fall into normal commute patterns and be lulled into that automatic drive home mode.

Proposed mitigations include reducing speed to 45 mph and flashing lights.

Still, “we all know that these things rarely guarantee the safety of the pedestrian in a crosswalk,” said Kehoe. “And I would like to add, that with the proposed trail crossings, visitor parking, left hand turns across the south portal crossing and the expected rise in usage the risk of a fatality will rise dramatically. A much safer option would be an above-grade crossing to protect both the drivers and pedestrians who will be using the new open space.”

Now because of letters Brennan penned to Supervisor Don Horsley and Assemblywoman Jackie Spier about these very issues concerning Devil’s Slide crossings, elected representatives called a meeting a couple of weeks ago with director level officials at Caltrans to address the impending problem.

“I’m simply a member of the community who is allowed to attend the meeting because I wrote the initial letter getting this on the elected reps minds,” said Brennan. “It was forwarded onto others so it got to them eventually. I’ve been raising this issue for the last three years and finally now we’re making some headway.”

A meeting at Senator Yee’s office was followed by a Caltrans meeting, which included Jackie Spier and Jerry Hill’s aids at the Oakland Caltrans office. Another meeting with Caltrans is currently being arranged, and Brennan is hopeful all parties, from elected representatives and Caltrans to Speier, Hill and Yee, will all be in attendance.

“We are doing this because our elected reps are concerned about the safety factors at these crossings,” Brennan explained.

Funding and support for projects like this and the Parallel Trail are the group’s main objective.

For example, with the Parallel Trail, Brennan identifies Measure A as a possible funding source, where a total of $3.9 million could be available for fiscal year 2012 and 2013 projects.

“This is a very important opportunity to fund the Midcoast segment of the Parallel Trail,” said Brennan. “The Midcoast Trails and Transportation group is working on understanding the process for filling out the application and preparing the supporting documents. It would a shame to not have that money going to providing a safe trail for residents to get to school and commute to Half Moon Bay.”

What the group recently learned, though, is that the county missed the application deadline to secure the Measure A funding and will now need to find funding to prepare plans for the next application deadline, which could take a couple of years.

“The county must turn in the application to secure funding for the Midcoast segment now. But they have to get their planning together and work within the California Environmental Quality Act and this process costs money, too. The county is bogged down and may not be able to cut through bureaucracy as quickly as we’d like. There’s a lot of angst about how the county uses mitigation money here on the coast, but if there’s enough push back from the community perhaps a trail for bicycles and pedestrians would be a natural thing that mitigation fees could be used for,” she said.

Yet exploring grant money and using mitigation fees, as a last resort, is something that Brennan is sensitive to.

At future Midcoast Trails and Transportation meetings Brennan would like to meet with a representative from the county who can explain the process for moving forward with the Measure A application and discuss the project funding timeline.

“We would also like to know what county department will be charged with designing the trail and moving it through the approval process,” she said.

Brennan’s tactic with Trails and Transportation’s agenda has been very inclusive up to this point, working with the Midcoast Community Council, an elected Municipal Advisory Council and the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, Kehoe said.

“I think the more people get involved in the process of community planning the better it will be for all,” he said, “as long as it is done in an open and public process that is inclusive of all the many divergent views … so that we can ensure the ideas and plans from the community have been devised and vetted by the community at large and not just a few individuals.”

Save Our Salmon VIDEO: The Bay Institute

2010-12-07T08:40:00.001-08:00

Wild salmon are disappearing from our rivers at record rates.

Christina Swanson, PhD, Executive Director of The Bay Institute

Wild salmon populations are just a small fraction of their historic numbers due to the damage we have done to the streams, rivers and estuaries that they need for spawning, growth and migration. Dams, water diversions and other forms of habitat destruction have devastated wild salmon populations all over the Pacific Coast. However, there are still a few places in the Bay Area and Central Valley where you can see them spaw. Download Salmon Viewing Map>

Thank you for your 2010 support!

2010-11-02T23:48:00.000-07:00

San Mateo County Harbor District Election 2010

	Vote Count	Percentage
ROBERT BERNARDO	79,007	33.22%
JAMES J. TUCKER	70,863	29.80%
SABRINA BRENNAN	61,220	25.74%
WILLIAM T. KLEAR	26,744	11.24%

Number To Vote For: 2

Completed Precincts: 457 of 457

It’s time to make the Harbor District a people-friendly place

2010-10-25T13:16:00.000-07:00

HARBOR DISTRICT

The Harbor District operates two facilities, Oyster Point Marina in South San Francisco and Pillar Point Harbor in Princeton on the Coastside.

MISSION

It's time the voice of the people influenced Harbor Commission decisions.

PUBLIC SERVICE

Sabrina's public service experience includes compleating a term on the Midcoast Community Council, an elected advisory council to the Board of Supervisors; she currently serve as a Director of Midcoast Park Lands, founder of the Coastside Bicycle Coalition, and Midcoast Parks and Recreation Committee volunteer.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Sabrina's professional experience includes founding (1998) and running a digital printing and event graphics company located in San Francisco. Digital Fusion Media, Inc. recently produced graphics for the Birth of Impressionism exhibition at the de Young Museum and the 75th Anniversary Exhibition at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. In addition to exhibition graphics DFM also produces retail, tradeshow and event graphics. Sabrina's experience managing complex global projects, meeting budget requirements and managing a diverse group of people makes her an excellent choice for Harbor Commissioner.

WHY I'M RUNNING

Sabrina Brennan is running for Harbor Commissioner in 2012 because she wants to insure that decisions about public resources are made with the community's best interest at heart. It is time to restore the people's voice in local government.

The Harbor District needs to do more to help Pillar Point Harbor and Oyster Point Marina thrive. And in order to thrive, Sabrina believes it's especially important to improve visitor-serving facilities.

An increase in public traffic will help local restaurants and businesses build and strengthen their customer base. A ferry terminal at Oyster Point Marina is scheduled to open in 2012. Ferry service will transport commuters on weekdays and recreational users on weekends to Jack London Square in Oakland. Commuter and visitor traffic will provide economic growth opportunities. Future ferry terminal routes will include Redwood City and San Francisco. As Commissioner she will work with local business owners to broaden the economic base of the Harbor District.

Pillar Point Harbor should be known as a premier site for buying fresh local seafood. The commercial fishing industry is an important part of the local economy. She will put her marketing and event planning skills to work promoting Pillar Point Harbor as a great place to enjoy fresh seafood.

Sabrina will prioritize balancing the Harbor District's budget as soon as possible:
Investigate re-financing the outstanding debt at a lower interest rate, and potentially pay it off faster.

Create profitable new revenue streams through public and private partnerships
Review and evaluate management salaries and Commission benefits.
Review concession contracts and user fees
Aggressively pursue grants to fund visitor-serving recreational facilities including Coastal Trail and Bay Trail improvements.

Sabrina supports waterfront recreational access. She supports developing the Coastal Trail through Pillar Point Harbor and improving the Bay Trail at Oyster Point Marina.

Sabrina will prioritize Harbor Patrol Search and Rescue services. This important service has saved numerous lives. In the event of a major earthquake Oyster Point Marina Ferry Service will help transport people who currently use either BART or Bay Area bridges.

Vote Sabrina Brennan for Harbor Commissioner!

Improve Water Quality

2010-10-24T14:36:00.000-07:00

Sabrina Brennan supports beachwater contamination studies and cleanup at both Pillar Point Harbor and Oyster Point Marina.

San Mateo County 2010 Beachwater Contamination Results are the second worst in the state. San Mateo County is second only to Los Angeles County regarding the number of beach closing/advisory days.

2009 Top 10 most

Polluted Beaches

in San Mateo County:

1.    Aquatic Park (117 days)
2.    Pillar Point (100 days)
3.    Lakeshore Park (98 days)
4.    Fitzgerald Marine Reserve (59 days)
5.    Oyster Point Marina (53 days)
6.    Pacifica State Beach (39 days)
7.    Venice State Beach (28 days)
8.    Dunes State Beach (23 days
9.    Kiteboard Beach (15 days)
10. Francis State Beach &
   Gazos Creek Access (both 13 days)

What I would like to do:

Research water circulation patterns within Pillar Point Harbor and support solutions to improve water quality.
Improve trash disposal areas overall at both Pillar Point Harbor and Oyster Point Marina.
Improve pet waste disposal areas and signage.
Publish an online newsletter that provides water quality updates and educational information.
Engage residents (live-aboards), commercial, and recreational users as well as visitors about the hazards of dumping septic waste, plastic bags, cans, garbage, oil, and fuel.

The waterfront is one of San Mateo County's greatest assets.

2010-10-24T13:27:00.000-07:00

A successful marketing program is vital to the future of the Harbor District. Oyster Point Marina and Pillar Point Harbor should have individual marketing plans to increase revenues and pay for improvements. Building public awareness is an important and necessary step towards fiscal sustainability. Its time to expand public outreach through community organizations, seasonal events, the news media and social media.

Oyster Point must meet urban transit and recreational needs. Pillar Point must be available as a safe harbor for ocean watercraft as well as meeting fishing industry needs and expanding recreational uses.

A thriving Harbor District will benefit county residents, business owners, the commercial fishing industry, visitors, and the local workforce.

Please vote for me, Sabrina Brennan!

Ferry coming to Oyster Point in 2011

Sabrina is Endorsed by:

Fresh fish is sold "off-the-boat" at Pillar Point

Its Time to Get the Word Out.
Absentee ballots are rolling in and voters go to the polls on Nov. 2, 2010. I need your help getting the word out! Please forward this email to family and friends and ask them to vote for me and to help spread the word. Thank you!

Endorsment: Operating Engineers Local 3 AFL-CIO

2010-10-09T21:16:00.000-07:00

I'm happy to announce that I was endorsed by the Political Action Committee of the Operating Engineers Local Union No.3 AFL-CIO. The letter of endorsement arrived in the mail today!

Ferry coming to San Mateo County in 2012

2010-10-02T20:24:00.000-07:00

Sabrina Brennan aboard the Taurus ferry

The Taurus - a high-speed, environmentally friendly ferry - is a recent addition to the growing Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) fleet.

The following information about the Taurus was published in the Maritime Executive:

WETA mandated that their new passenger ferries integrate as much green technology as possible and that emissions be 85% cleaner than the current EPA emission standards for Tier II (2007) marine engines. They started with a sleek, low wake 118’ catamaran hull, designed by Incat Crowther of Australia, to minimize shore erosion from wake and reduce fuel consumption.

The vessels are powered by a pair of Tier II compliant, MTU 16V2000, 1410 HP Diesel engines with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems from Engine, Fuel & Emissions Engineering of California. SCR, current state-of-the-art technology for diesel emissions reduction, injects urea into the exhaust before it passes through a precious-metal catalyst, converting nitrogen oxide –a toxic greenhouse gas- into harmless nitrogen and water.

Using a biodiesel/ultra-low sulfur diesel blend in conjunction with SCR, these ferries exceed Tier II requirements by more than 85% in trials and by 90-95% in actual operation.

In addition to minimal shore impact and low emissions, the passenger ferries showcase several additional green features:

Custom exhaust systems minimize noise pollution on ship and shore.

Solar panels augment the electrical system

Sonar system allows the captain to detect and avoid whales and debris

Room for 34 bikes

Operates on a blend of biodiesel and ultra low sulfur diesel fuel

Two ADA compliant restrooms

Harbor Commissioner Forum VIDEO

2010-10-01T00:49:00.000-07:00

Candidate Forum moderated by League of Women Voters
Link to Video of Forum: http://www.montarafog.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=665:harbor-district-candidate-forum-2010&catid=1:latest-news

Wednesday, Oct 13th 8:30-9:30pm

Location:
Seton Coastside Hospital
Fireside Room, 600 Marine Blvd, Moss Beach

SABRINA BRENNAN Endorsed by the Daily Journal

2010-09-24T12:30:00.000-07:00

THE DAILY JOURNAL 09/24/2010

"Brennan rises to the top of the challenger pool. She is smart, well-researched and knowledgeable on district issues and brings a unique perspective as a young resident of Moss Beach."

Tucker, Brennan for Harbor District Commission

September 24, 2010, 02:18 AM Editorial

The San Mateo County Harbor District is at a crossroads. With two harbors under its commission’s watch — Pillar Point north of Half Moon Bay and Oyster Point in South San Francisco — there is tremendous opportunity for change. Pillar Point is contending with waning business opportunities for fishermen and Oyster Point is awaiting a new ferry terminal which will be sure to bring in visitors, workers and residents to the area.How that change is managed will be the challenge for the five-member commission which has a contested election this November. With incumbent Ken Lundie declining to seek re-election, there is sure to be one new face on the commission.

Current Commissioner Jim Tucker has proven to be a capable and responsive leader with good ideas on how best to approach redevelopment at Pillar Point and has helped oversee the district’s finances to the point in which its debt has been whittled down from $17 million to $10 million. Past personality conflicts on the commission have subsided and there is a new air of collaboration. His institutional knowledge will continue to best serve the district and the people it serves. By working collaboratively with property owners around Oyster Point, Tucker believes there is tremendous opportunity there. By beginning an open and inclusive process about plans to redevelop facilities at Perched Beach at Pillar Point, Tucker believes there will be space for a long-needed community center there in addition to district offices and space for federal and state groups like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Both plans would benefit from someone like Tucker who has both experience on the commission and through 25 years as a general contractor.

The other candidates bring fresh and innovative ideas and new perspectives. Robert Bernardo emphasizes the need to bring down the debt and points to his experience as communications manager of the Port of Oakland and as a South San Francisco planning commissioner. William Klear has unique ideas about harnessing wind and tidal energy in addition to drawing marine studies and research groups to Pillar Point. Sabrina Brennan has an interesting mix of perspectives regarding smart growth and ensuring the stability of the natural habitat and maintaining the district’s current businesses. Each would be a good addition to the commission and agree more than disagree on the issues currently facing it.

However, Brennan rises to the top of the challenger pool. She is smart, well-researched and knowledgeable on district issues and brings a unique perspective as a young resident of Moss Beach. Her presence on the commission will provide a wider breadth of innovative ideas including the need for a master plan to redevelop all of Pillar Point while the Perched Beach facility is under discussion and smart growth principles at Oyster Point. Balancing the needs of the business owners, fishermen, property owners and those who otherwise visit or use the facilities is an important component in discussing the future of both harbors. She has a tremendous amount of energy and bright ideas that seek to balance the current uses with new ones which will support the people who have made the harbors what they are today. It’s a nice balance, and one that will prove to be a positive addition to the commission.

VIDEO: Sabrina Brennan for Harbor Commissioner

2010-09-23T16:30:00.000-07:00

THE DAILY JOURNAL 9-24-2010

"Brennan rises to the top of the challenger pool. She is smart, well-researched and knowledgeable on district issues and brings a unique perspective as a young resident of Moss Beach."

Why I'm running for Harbor Commissioner

2010-09-22T15:08:00.000-07:00

It's time to make the Harbor District a people-friendly place

I'm running for San Mateo County Harbor Commissioner because I believe the Harbor District needs to do more to help Pillar Point Harbor and Oyster Point Marina thrive. And in order to thrive, I believe it's especially important to improve the facilities at both marinas which serve visitors and the public generally. An increase in public traffic will help local restaurants and businesses strengthen their customer base. Pillar Point Harbor should be known as a premier site for buying fresh local seafood. The commercial fishing industry is an important part of the local economy.

The San Mateo County Harbor District operates two facilities, Oyster Point Marina in the City of South San Francisco and Pillar Point Harbor near Half Moon Bay in Princeton. Pillar Point is a working fishing harbor owned by the District. Oyster Point is a recreational boating marina leased by the District from the City of South San Francisco.

Today, I live in the town of Moss Beach near the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve. My neighborhood is near Mavericks surf break and is a short bicycle ride from Pillar Point Harbor. I have been a homeowner in Moss Beach for over 10 years.

My parents Lee and Tom Fernandez live in Redwood Shores, my brother Jonah lives on a sailboat in San Diego and my sister Nyssa lives in Oakland. My mother grew up in Southern California and was one of the few women surfing during the late 1950s.

A ferry terminal at Oyster Point Marina is scheduled to open in 2012. Ferry service will transport commuters on weekdays and recreational users on weekends to Jack London Square in Oakland. Additional commuter and visitor traffic will provide economic growth opportunities for South San Francisco. Future ferry terminal routes will include The Port of Redwood City and the San Francisco Ferry Building.

As Commissioner I will work with local restaurant and business owners to broaden the economic base of the Harbor District. I will put my marketing and event planning skills to work promoting the Harbor as a great place to enjoy fresh seafood.

I will prioritize waterfront recreational access. Improving visitor-serving facilities will broaden recreational opportunities and public access. I support developing the California Coastal Trail through Pillar Point Harbor and improving the Bay Trail at Oyster Point Marina. Both trails should offer pedestrians and bicyclists a waterfront experience while meeting ADA standards.

Many members of the public have expressed the need for a public-restroom facility at Pillar Point Harbor near Surfers Beach. Meeting this need would be clear evidence that the Harbor District cares about the comfort and convenience of its visitors, and this could be achieved through a management agreement with County Parks.

The Draft Project Management Plan being developed by the Army Corps of Engineers to address Surfers Beach erosion is scheduled for release in 2010. I strongly support plans for a demonstration project to determine the best strategy for slowing the rate of erosion at Surfers Beach and look forward to reading the draft plan.

I will work hard to balance the Harbor District's budget as soon as possible. As Harbor Commissioner I will review and evaluate management salaries and Commission benefits.

I'm committed to improving water quality at Pillar Point Harbor and Oyster Point Marina. San Mateo County Beachwater Contamination Results are the second worst in the state. In 2009 Pillar Point was ranked number two and Oyster Point was ranked number five in terms of beach closure/advisory days due to beachwater contamination.

I will prioritize Harbor Patrol Search and Rescue services. Fast emergency response time is an important service provided by the Harbor District. The Pillar Point Harbor Search and Rescue team partner with Cal Fire and the Coast Guard to provide fast response times to emergencies. This important service has saved numerous lives. Recreational boating, beachgoers and the commercial fishing industry all benefit from maintaining a high level of service.

In the event of a major earthquake Oyster Point Marina Ferry Service will help transport people who currently use either BART or Bay Area bridges.

I would be honored to have your vote on Tuesday, November 2, 2010. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Sabrina Brennan
for San Mateo County Harbor Commissioner

Candidates for Harbor District float new ideas

2010-09-20T22:37:00.000-07:00

To read the full article please visit the Daily Journal website.

by Michelle Durand

September 20, 2010

Brennan credits her love of her Moss Beach area home with growing up on the Gulf of Mexico. After moving from San Francisco, she became involved with county issues like the Charter Review Committee and joined the Midcoast Community Council because the unincorporated area had no cities. She planned to run for the commission in two years, but after learning of one open seat, pulled together the paperwork in a day. That enthusiasm and energy is what she’ll bring to the position, she said.

Brennan thinks she’s been automatically labeled as no-growth but said it’s a wrong assumption. An example is Pillar Point — she’s not against a new administrative building but first wants to see a wider plan that possibly renovates the entire area and provides cohesion rather than a Frankenstein-like approach to facilities. Visitors gravitate to newer buildings while harbor business is overlooked because it hasn’t kept up with the views and services tourists expect, she said.

She is also quite in favor of a restaurant at Oyster Point to serve the commuters and other businesses like Genentech.

Plans for both may be conceptual but Brennan said it’s time to step it up because “the terminal is coming soon.”

She wants to pull good planning ideas from San Francisco and embrace suggestions for transit and planning.

Aside from new opportunities, Brennan also wants to revisit those already existing like fishing and see how to keep it afloat.

“This area has changed and the fishing industry has changed and something has to be done to keep it viable,” she said.

While Brennan is certain she’s the best fit for the commission, she believes all the candidates have the district’s best interests at heart.

“Whoever wins will be a good thing,” she said.

Endorsements for Harbor Commissioner

2010-09-17T22:50:00.000-07:00

Tonight I received an endorsement from Senator Leland Yee, PhD at the Filipino American Coalition forum in Colma.

This week I received the endorsment of the San Mateo County Democratic Party.

Last week I was honored to receive an endorsement from the National Women's Political Caucus and the Sierra Club.

Individual endorsements include:

Diane Howard, past Mayor of Redwood City and Water Transit Advocate
Dr. Steven Howard, Redwood City Water Transit Advocate
Dave Pine, Board President, San Mateo Union High School District
Richard W. Holober, San Mateo County Community College Trustee
Gina Papan, Mayor and City Councilwoman of Millbrae
Duncan Maclean, President, Half Moon Bay Fishermen's Marketing Association
Steve Truso, 29 years of Commercial Fishing from wild fisheries, El Granada
Roy Salume, past member of the San Mateo County Grand Jury
Deborah Ruddock, Legislative Affairs Coordinator at State Coastal Conservancy
Chris Mickelsen, President, Coastside County Water District
Lee and Tom Fernandez, Redwood Shores

New Campaign Artwork

2010-09-09T13:19:00.000-07:00

Artwork by Maria Forde

Ferry Service is Coming Soon to the Harbor District

2010-09-03T00:13:00.000-07:00

A ferry terminal at Oyster Point Marina is scheduled to open in 2011.

The following information was published in the July 2010 issue of the Urbanist and on the SPUR website.

In the event of a major earthquake Ferry Service would help transport people who currently use either BART or Bay Area bridges.

Image: Collapsed section of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.

Courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey

If most or all major rail and highway links are disrupted, especially from the East and North Bay, a major upgrade in ferry service would be required. All existing and possible temporary landings would be employed on all shores. We would need to:
Radically increase ferry service (additional docks would be needed, particularly at the downtown San Francisco Ferry Building)
Add new routes of service. Some options include Richmond, Benicia and Redwood City, to spread the passenger load to new docks along existing San Francisco to Oakland routes
Reroute bus lines from rail and highway networks to new ferry landings
Add non-Bay Area ferry boats
FERRIES: SOLUTIONS BY TIMEFRAME
ACTION ITEM
RESPONSIBLE AGENCIES
Inventory existing ferry fleets, commercial fleets, and ferry fleets at nearby cities (Los Angeles, Seattle, and Vancouver), to assess whether each fleet would be able to adapt to current ferry landings. In the inventory, indicate a tier of different boat sizes and capacity.
WETA
Establish official disaster mutual aid agreements with other ferry operators so that the other ferry providers would be ready to offer some of their ferries to relieve the city in case of a disaster. Nearby boat and ferry agencies should be contacted first. Because some ferries may be seaworthy, cities at greater distances that would require an ocean journey for the ferry to reach the Bay Area also should be considered, but using ferries from some of these cities would present additional challenges:
Los Angeles
Seattle (nearby, but most ferries probably too big for docks in San Francisco)
Vancouver (nearby, but some ferries probably too big and others too small for docks in San Francisco)
In case of a catastrophic disaster in which most bridges collapse, other areas should be considered: New York City, Hong Kong, Sydney, Istanbul, Boston, Norway, Long Island Sound, Nova Scotia, Alaska
The main challenge with ferry systems outside the Bay Area is that many of their boats are either too small to travel long distances to San Francisco, or are too big for San Francisco and other Bay Area docks. For those with larger ferries, only long-term solutions like building more docks could allow large ferries such as those in Vancouver, Seattle and New York to function in San Francisco.
WETA
Consider preparing docks and ferry landings that could accommodate larger vessels. Many of the San Francisco piers may be able to take a large ferry, including the cruise ship terminal. However, such landings may not exist on other, smaller properties. Consider funding the development of new terminals as long as further ferry fleet development is environmentally smart and economically viable. The Water Emergency Transportation Authority would be in charge.
WETA
Inventory existing Bay Area landings: boat landings at marinas, ports and ramps that could be easily adapted for ferries, should be researched and developed. Some landings could be adapted ahead of time, while others could be altered after a disaster to accommodate water taxis and larger ferry vehicles.
WETA
AFTER THE DISASTER: MANAGING THE MID-TERM
Increase ferry service where necessary
Caltrans, VTA
Consider adding water taxi services where possible and economically viable. Ferry landings could be added at sites that may not normally be viable for regular ferry services but would be critical in a disaster.
Caltrans
Reroute bus services to ferry landings if many or most links are disrupted. Ferry landings will also need large parking lots nearby and shuttle service from the parking lots to the ferry landing. Such parking lots include shopping centers, racetracks, empty lots, parks and universities.
Caltrans, MTC, local government
Source: SPUR analysis

New face coming to San Mateo County Harbor Commission

2010-09-01T12:37:00.000-07:00

San Mateo County Times by Julia Scott, Sept 1, 2010

Brennan said Pillar Point Harbor...already has everything needed to attract visitors: kayaking, coastal trails and excellent surfing. And most people know that during Dungeness crab season, fishermen sell fresh crab right off their boats.

Brennan would like to use social media to advertise the harbor's fresh catch of the day and update the district's website to make it more marketing-driven. She also suggested adding a coupon for a local business to the receipt boaters get when they use the boat launch at Pillar Point.

"It would be simple and easy to do," Brennan said.

Video of Pillar Point Harbor

2010-08-21T12:03:00.000-07:00

1 2 3 Fun: a Vatsek Production