FOSTER CITY JOINT POWERS AUTHORITY
CITY OF FOSTER CITY/
ESTERO MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 19, 2022
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Regular Meeting of September 19, 2022 of the Foster City Joint Powers Authority (FCJPA), was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Chair Richa Awasthi.
Pursuant to Governor Newsom’s Executive Order N-29-20, as amended through Order N-08-21, the meeting was held as a hybrid meeting.
ROLL CALL
The Secretary called the roll:
PRESENT: Directors Jon Froomin, Sanjay Gehani, Sam Hindi, Patrick Sullivan, and Chair Richa Awasthi.
ABSENT: None.
STAFF PRESENT: Stefan Chatwin, Executive Director ; Ben Stock , General Counsel; Edmund Suen, Finance Director/Treasurer; and Yelena Cappello , Acting Secretary/Recording Secretary.
RESOLUTIONS FOR ADOPTION
UPDATING THE AUTHORIZED SIGNATORIES FOR INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES WITH THE LOCAL AGENCY INVESTMENT FUND ("LAIF"). RESOLUTION NO. 2022-1.
Finance Director/Treasurer Edmund Suen presented the staff report.
Discussion ensued.
Motion by Director Hindi, seconded by Director Gehani, and carried unanimously by roll call vote, 5-0-0, to adopt Resolution No. 2022-1, “Authorized Signatories for Investment Activities with the Local Agency Investment Fund ("LAIF").”
ADJOURNMENT
Hearing no objection from the Foster City Joint Powers Authority , Chair Awasthi adjourned the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 6:36 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER OF CITY COUNCIL/EMID BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Regular Meeting of September 19, 2022 of the City Council of the City of Foster City, sitting as said Council and as ex officio the Board of Directors of the Estero Municipal Improvement District (EMID), was called to order at 6:36 p.m. by Mayor/President Richa Awasthi.
Pursuant to Governor Newsom’s Executive Order N-29-20, as amended through Order N-08-21, the meeting was held as a hybrid meeting.
ROLL CALL
The Acting Communications Director/City Clerk/District Secretary called the roll:
PRESENT: Councilmembers/ex officio Directors Jon Froomin, Sanjay Gehani, Sam Hindi, Patrick Sullivan, and Mayor/President Richa Awasthi.
ABSENT: None.
STAFF PRESENT: Stefan Chatwin , City/District Manager; Benjamin Stock , City Attorney/District Legal Counsel ; Jennifer Phan, Deputy City Manager; Edmund Suen, Finance Director, Marlene Subhashini, Community Development Director ; Maria Saguisag- Sid, Human Resources Director ; Tracy Avelar, Police Chief; Robert Marshall , Deputy Fire Chief; Louis Sun, Public Works Director; Derek Schweigart, Parks and Recreation Director; Rob Lasky, IT Manager; Frank Fanara, Parks Manager; Julie Paping, Principal Management Analyst; Francine Magno, Senior Engi neer; Shuli Chen, Video Technician and Yelena Cappello, Acting Communications
Director/City Clerk/District Secretary.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
PROCLAMATION DECLARING SEPTEMBER 2022 AS "NATIONAL EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS MONTH"
Vice Mayor Froomin presented the proclamation Declaring September 2022 as "National Emergency Preparedness Month" to Jim Yoke, San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department Emergency Services Manager.
PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING SEPTEMBER 2022 AS "SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH"
Mayor Awasthi presented the proclamation Recognizing September 2022 as "Suicide Prevention Month" to Sheri Boles, member of the San Mateo County Suicide Prevention Committee.
PROCLAMATION DECLARING OCTOBER 5, 2022 AS "CLEAN AIR DAY"
Councilmember Gehani presented the proclamation Declaring October 5, 2022 as "Clean Air Day" to Principal Management Analyst Julie Paping.
PUBLIC
The following people addressed the City Council in person:
1. Bill Fried, 1031 Monterey Avenue, regarding SB 9, Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) and a lawsuit against California Housing Department.
2. Phyllis McArthur, 1415 Marlin Ave, regarding the crosswalk on Marlin Avenue.
The following people addressed the City Council via teleconference:
1. Doug Cheshire, regarding local hire laws and construction apprenticeships.
2. Rich Taylor, regarding revising workforce housing (BMR) eligibility requirements to include classified employees of the school district.
3. Jim Lawrence, regarding a report on the Police Department scorecard.
Rich Taylor addressed the City Council via email regarding revising workforce housing (BMR) eligibility requirements to include classified employees of the school district.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion by Councilmember/Director Hindi, seconded by Councilmember/Director Gehani, and carried unanimously, 5-0-0, approving the following items on the City/District Consent Calendar:
City/EMID Consent Calendar
1. Minutes of Regular Meeting of August 15, 2022;
2. City Resolution No. 2022-106, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Authorizing the Receipt of California Coalition for Clean Air Microgrant Funding in the Amount of $1,000 to Special Recreation Fund Account No. 003- 0000-340-1470 and the Appropriation of $1,000 to Special Recreation Fund Account No. 003-0537-451-4243;”
3. City Resolution No. 2022- 107, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Authorizing the Mayor to Execute Contract Amendment No. 1 in an Amount Not to Exceed $150,000 with Good City Company for Professional On- Call Planning Consulting Services;”
4. EMID Resolution No. 3676, “A Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Estero Municipal Improvement District Appropriating $300,000 From Fund 451 to Account No. 451- 0970-432-4251 in FY 2021- 2022 for Wastewater Treatment Plant Operation and Maintenance Charges – Fourth Quarter FY 2021-2022;”
5. EMID Resolution No. 3677 “A Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Estero Municipal Improvement District Appropriating $500,000 From Fund 451 to Account No. 451- 0970-432-4251 in FY 2022- 2023 for Wastewater Treatment Plant Operation and Maintenance Charges;”
6. City Resolution No. 2022- 108, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Approving the Compensation and Benefits Plan for the City of Foster City Management Employees, Effective September 19, 2022;”
7. EMID Resolution No. 3678, “A Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Estero Municipal Improvement District Approving the Compensation and Benefits Plan for the Estero Municipal Improvement District Management Employees, Effective September 19, 2022;”
8. City Resolution No. 2022- 109, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Approving the Appendix Dated September 2022 of Certain Designated Employees in the Conflict of Interest Code;”
9. EMID Resolution No. 3678 “A Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Estero Municipal Improvement District Approving the Appendix Dated September 2022 of Certain Designated Employees in the Conflict of Interest Code”
10. City Resolution No. 2022- 110, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Extending the Proclamation of the Existence of a Local Emergency Caused by the Threat of the Novel Covid-19 Virus, and Proclaiming the Continuing Need for the City Council, Planning Commission and Committees to Meet by Teleconference and Allowing for Increased Meeting Accessibility via in Person and Teleconference Meeting Participation;”
11. EMID Resolution No. 3680, “A Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Estero Municipal Improvement District Proclaiming the Continuing Need for the Estero Municipal Improvement Distri ct Board of Directors, Planning Commission, and Committees to Meet by Teleconference and Allowing for Increased Meeting Accessibility via in Person and Teleconference Meeting Participation.”
12. Minute Order No. 1874, “ By Minute Order, Confirm the Master Insurance and Indemnity Requirements Schedule Pursuant to Section 1.04.120 of the Foster City Municipal Code;”
13. Minute Order No. 1875, “ By Minute Order, Receive and Accept Foster City Foundation Fund Annual Report of Financial Activities for Fiscal Year 2021-2022.”
NEW BUSINESS
APPOINTMENT OF ONE MEMBER OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND ONE ALTERNATE
TO THE RECREATION CENTER REPLACEMENT PROJECT CONSULTANT EVALUATION TASK FORCE. MINUTE ORDER NO. 1876.
Parks and Recreation Director Schweigart presented the staff report.
Discussion ensued.
Motion by Councilmember Hindi, seconded by Councilmember Sullivan, and carried, 5 - 0-0, adopting Minute Order No. 18 76, appointing Mayor Richa Awasthi as the representative, and Councilmember Patrick Sullivan as the alternate, to the Recreation Center Replacement Project Consultant Evaluation Task Force.
REPORTS
LEVEE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT (CIP 327 -657) - MONTHLY GENERAL UPDATE.
MINUTE ORDER NO. 1877.
Public Works Director Sun presented the staff report.
Discussion ensued.
Motion by Councilmember Hindi, seconded by Councilmember Sullivan, and carried, 5- 0-0, Minute Order No. 1877 was adopted, receiving and accepting the report.
CANADA GEESE POPULATION MITIGATION PLAN. MINUTE ORDER NO. 1878.
Parks and Recreation Director Schweigart presented the staff report.
The following people addressed the City Council in person:
1. Michael Schultz 320 Chesapeake Avenue
2. Angela Stucker, 1000 Foster City Boulevard
3. Antonia Moore, 1919 Alameda, San Mateo
4. Alison Barnard, 1425 Alvarado, Burlingame
5. Erik Allen,
6. Jade Stucker, 1000 Foster City Boulevard
The following people addressed the City Council via teleconference:
1. Carla Cabral;
2. Shireef ElMakawi;
3. Doreen Frega, Animal Protection League;
4. Rasa Petrauskaite; and
5. Dawn M
The following people addressed the City Council via email:
1. Kathie Asaro
2. Jill Fraser Crowley
3. Gina Lane
4. Gary Wonderlin
5. Kristin Lynn
Discussion ensued.
Motion by Vice Mayor Froomin, seconded by Councilmember Sullivan, and carried, 5-0- 0, Minute Order No. 1878 was adopted, receiving and accepting the report and directing staff to engage in a Request for Proposal process to find a consultant to develop a comprehensive Canada Goose Population Management Plan.
RECESS. The meeting recessed at 8:27 p.m. and reconvened at 8:32 p.m.
Without objection from the City Council, Mayor Awasthi took “Continued City Council Public Hearing Item From August 15, 2022 Regarding Consideration of Appeal of Planning Commission’s Denial of Recommendation to City Council to Amend the Foster City Zoning Map to Modify the Previously Approved General Development Plan (GDP) and Denial of Specific Development Plan/use Permit; and Consideration of Planning Commission Recommendation to City Council to Certify the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) Including Adoption of Findings Under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and Standard Conditions of Approval and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (SCAMMRP) Related to the Proposed Approximately 124,395 Square-foot, Four-story Research and Development Life Sciences Office Use Located at 388 Vintage Park Drive – APN 094-901-270 – W-SW 388 Owner IX, L.P. Steelwave CDS, LLC (Owner and Appellants) – EA2021-0001, RZ2021-0003 and UP2021- 0023” out of agenda order at the request of Councilmember Gehani.
OLD BUSINESS
CONTINUED CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING ITEM FROM AUGUST 15, 2022 REGARDING CONSIDERATION OF APPEAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION’S DENIAL
OF RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL TO AMEND THE FOSTER CITY ZONING
MAP TO MODIFY THE PREVIOUSLY APPROVED GENERAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN (GDP) AND DENIAL OF SPECIFI C DEVELOPMENT PLAN/USE PERMIT; AND
CONSIDERATION OF PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION TO CITY
COUNCIL TO CERTIFY THE FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT (EIR)
INCLUDING ADOPTION OF FINDINGS UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY ACT (CEQA) AND STANDARD CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL AND
MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM (SCAMMRP) RELATED TO THE PROPOSED APPROXIMATELY 124,395 SQUARE- FOOT, FOUR -STORY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT LIFE SCIENCES OFFICE USE LOCATED AT 388 VINTAGE PARK DRIVE – APN 094 -901-270 – W-SW 388 OWNER IX, L.P.
STEELWAVE CDS, LLC (OWNER AND APPELLANTS) – EA2021-0001, RZ2021-0003 AND UP2021-0023. CTY RESOLUTION NO. 2022- 111. CITY RESOLTION NO. 2022-
12. Community Development Director Subhashini presented the staff report.
Discussion ensued.
Motion by Councilmember Hindi, seconded by Councilmember Gehani, and carried, 5- 0-0, adopting City Resolution No. 2022-111, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Certifying the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and Adopting the Findings and Standard Conditions of Approval and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (SCAMMRP) Under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for Construction of a Four-Story, Approximately 124,395 Square-foot Research and Development (R&D) Office Building Located at 388 Vintage Park Drive – Neighborhood VP– W-SW 388 Owner IX L.P. C/o Steelwave CDS, LLC – APN 094-901-270 – EA2021-0001.”
Motion by Councilmember Hindi, seconded by Councilmember Sullivan, and carried unanimously by roll call vote, 5-0-0, to introduce “An Ordinance of the City of Foster City of an Amendment to the Foster City Zoning Map to Modify the Previously Approved General Development Plan for the 57-acre Portion of the + 132-acres Land Known as Vintage Park to Replace the Approximately 11,000 Square-foot Restaurant Use With an Approximately 124,395 Square Feet of Research and Development (R&D) Office Use, Associate Parking and Site Improvements Located at 388 Vintage Park Drive – W-SW 388 Owner IX L.P. C/O Steelwave CDS, LLC – Apn 094-901-270 – Neighborhood Vintage Park (VP) – RZ2021-0003” by title and waive further reading.
Motion by Councilmember Hindi, seconded by Councilmember Sullivan, and carried unanimously by roll call vote, 5-0-0, to pass “An Ordinance of the City of Foster City of an Amendment to the Foster City Zoning Map to Modify the Previously Approved General Development Plan for the 57-acre Portion of the + 132-acres Land Known as Vintage Park to Replace the Approximately 11,000 Square-foot Restaurant Use With an Approximately 124,395 Square Feet of Research and Development (R&D) Office Use, Associate Parking and Site Improvements Located at 388 Vintage Park Drive – W-SW 388 Owner IX L.P. C/O Steelwave Cds, LLC – APN 094-901-270 – Neighborhood Vintage Park (VP) – RZ2021-0003” to second reading.
Motion by Councilmember Hindi, seconded by Vice Mayor Froomin and carried, 5-0-0, adopting City Resolution No. 2022-112, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Granting an Appeal and Overturning a Decision of the Planning Commission Denying an Approval of the Specific Development Plan/use Permit Request for the Proposed Approximately 124,395 Square-foot Four-story 81’-0” Tall Research and Development (R&D) Office Building With 210 Parking Spaces – Located at 388 Vintage Park Drive – Neighborhood VP – W-SW 388 Owner IX L.P. C/O Steelwave CDS, LLC (Owner and Appellant) – APN 094-901-270 – UP2021-0023.”
RESOLUTIONS FOR ADOPTION
GENERAL FUND AUGMENTATION OF $6,939 IN FINANCIAL SERVICES
DEPARTMENT FOR EMPLOYEE SERVICES EXPENDITURES FOR THE SALARY INCREASE OF THE ASSISTANT FINANCE DIRECTOR JOB CLASSIFICATION . CITY RESOLUTION NO. 2022-113. EMID RESOLUTION NO. 3681.
Finance Director Suen presented the staff report.
Motion by Councilmember Gehani , seconded by Vice Mayor Froomin, and carried unanimously, 5-0-0, adopting City Resolution No. 2022- 113, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Approving a Fiscal Year 2022- 2023 General Fund Augmentation of $6,939 in Financial Services Department for Employee Services Expenditures for the Salary Increase of the Assistant Finance Director Job Classification” and EMID Resolution No. 3681 “A Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Estero Municipal Improvement District Approving a Fiscal Year 2022- 2023 General Fund Augmentation of $6,939 in Financial Services Department for Employee Services Expenditures for the Salary Increase of the Assistant Finance Director Job Classification.”
AMENDED PAY PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022-2023. CITY RESOLUTION NO. 2022- 114. EMID RESOLUTION NO. 3682.
Motion by Vice Mayor Froomin , seconded by Councilmember Gehani , and carried unanimously, 5-0-0, adopting City Resolution No. 2022- 114, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Approving and Adopting the Amended Pay Plan, Effective September 19, 2022” and EMID Resolution No. 3682 “A Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Estero Municipal I mprovement District Approving and Adopting the Amended Pay Plan Effective September 19, 2022.”
COMMUNICATIONS
CITY/DISTRICT WARRANT OF DEMANDS. NO ACTION TAKEN.
City/District Warrants of Demands were Processed and Issued on August 15, 2022, August 31, 2022, and September 1, 2022, and ACH were processed on September 1, 2022.
COUNCIL/BOARD STATEMENTS AND REQUESTS, COUNCIL LIAISON REPORTS,
AND CITY/DISTRICT MANAGER REPORTS
City Manager Chatwin stated that September 20 is IT Appreciation Day and thanked IT Manager Rob Lasky, Senior Systems Analyst Aaron Siu, Senior Systems Analyst Chris Dolberg and Technology Analyst Danica Demadura for their work. He encouraged anyone who is interested to apply to the Levee Bond Oversight Committee, which has an open position for a resident and a business member. Applications are due October 6 and more information is available at www.fostercity.org/lboc
Councilmember/Director Sullivan congratulated Police Chief Avelar on the great work of the Police Department regarding the recent arrest of robbery suspects. He stated he met with City Manager Chatwin on August 31. He attended the League of California Cities conference, and they discussed affordable housing, surplus land, and support of homeless services, and San Mateo County was recognized for their work. On September 13, he attended the Workforce Housing ribbon cutting event and the Parks and Recreation Committee meeting and thanked Parks and Recreation Director Schweigart and Committee members for their work. He also attended Palestinian Cultural Festival and said it was great event.
Councilmember/Director Gehani thanked City Manager Chatwin, City Attorney Stock, staff, IT Manager Rob Lasky, and his colleagues on the City Council for their work. He attended the 9/11 Memorial Event. On September 13, he attended the Workforce Housing ribbon cutting event and stated it is a sound investment for the Foster City. On September 15, he attended the Commute.org Board meeting, and said this week is Transportation Demand Management (TDM) week, and encouraged comprehensive public transportation solutions. He thanked Senator Becker for introducing SB 917, Seamless Transportation Act, even though the bill did not move forward. On September 19, he attended the Library Joint Powers Authority Board meeting and they discussed the Big Lift Program, restricted library funds approval, and approved 2022-2023 budget.
Councilmember/Director Hindi stated he attended California League of Cities Conference on September 7-9 with Councilmember Sullivan, Mayor Awasthi, City Manager Chatwin, Community Development Director Subhashini and Assistant City Attorney Bazzano. He also attended the Workforce Housing ribbon cutting even on September 13. On August 25, he attended the Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE) meeting and encouraged the community to use the available programs, including solar power rebates. On September 15, he attended the Bay Area Water Supply & Conservation Agency (BAWSCA) meeting and received a report from San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) and discussed alternative water supply for long-term planning.
He reported that the drought is still in effect and encouraged the community to continue conserving water. He thanked Foster City for hosting the Palestinian Cultural Festival and said it was a great event. He requested to agendize a discussion on the police score card, with timing at staff discretion, and Mayor Awasthi and Councilmember Sullivan supported the request.
Vice Mayor/Vice President Froomin stated that he attended Summer Days on August 19-21, including the Rubber Ducky races and said it was a great event. On August 28 he attended the South Bayside Waste Management Authority (SBWMA) subcommittee meeting regarding the new operator slated to start in 2024. On August 27, he attended the dedication of the Japanese Interment Memorial Monument at Tanforan in San Bruno. He requested to agendize a discussion on joining a lawsuit against the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) based on an independent audit of the housing needs assessment, which would be a closed session discussion of the merits and expense of the lawsuit, to be held in the next month. Councilmember Gehani, Mayor Awasthi, and Councilmember Sullivan supported the request.
Mayor/President Awasthi stated that she attended the League of California Cities Conference September 7-9, and the Council of Cities dinner with Councilmember Sullivan in Pacifica on August 26. She also attended Palestine Cultural Day Festival and said it was a great event. She attended several San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department Board meetings and they discussed increased costs of labor and achieved a labor agreement. She reminded everyone that the Cities of Foster City, San Mateo, and Belmont benefit from the Joint Powers Authority as it is cost effective. She attended the Workforce Housing ribbon cutting event, and the HIP Housing self-sufficiency program graduation. She stated that she received requests from community members for a stop sign at the junction of Gull and Crane Avenues, Comet and Polynesia Drives, and the crosswalk on Marlin Avenue. She suggested staff further consider improvements to the permitting process. She requested to agendize an ordinance banning flavored tobacco. Councilmember Gehani and Vice Mayor Froomin supported the request. She requested an accelerated timeline with a Special City Council meeting to be held next week. Councilmember Gehani and Vice Mayor Froomin supported the item to be agendized at the next regular meeting.
CLOSED SESSION
Mayor/President Awasthi recessed the meeting into Closed Session for:
1. Conference with City Labor Negotiators (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6(a))
Agency Negotiators: Stefan Chatwin, Maria Saguisag-Sid
Employee Organizations: American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Foster City Police Officers Association and Management Employees
2. Conference With Legal Counsel — Existing Litigation
(Paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9)
Name of case: (Foster City Marina, LLC v. City of Foster City et al. San Mateo Superior Court Case No. 22-CIV-03526)
3. Report Out from Closed Session.
Meeting recessed into Closed Session at 10:07 p.m. and reconvened at 11:10 p.m.
City Attorney Stock reported that no action was taken in Closed Session.
ADJOURNMENT
Hearing no objection from the City Council/EMID Board, Mayor/President Awasthi adjourned the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 11:10 p.m.
From: Kathie Asaro
To: Foster City Public Comment
Cc: [email protected]; Yelena Cappello; Laurie Rith; Rob Lasky; Aaron Siu; Austin Walsh
Subject: Goose Situation
Date: Friday, August 26, 2022 6:16:31 PM
Here's a copy of an email I sent to the City Council:
Every weekday morning I am at the Rec Center, and I frequently see people still feeding the geese (!)
Right now, there are no signs. Although that's not a cure-all, a few signs at the waters edge certainly wouldn't hurt. Especially for non-resident visitors, like at the Summer Fun event.
I googled "do not feed the animals signs," and found a wide variety that would work. Many of them are pictographs, so even non-English speakers could still understand them.
Take a look and see if that is something that would fit in with all the other abatement processes.
Yours truly,
Kathie Asaro
Foster City resident
From: Jill Fraser
To: Foster City Public Comment
Cc: [email protected]; Yelena Cappello; Laurie Rith; Rob Lasky; Aaron Siu; Austin Walsh
Subject: Item 13.2 Consideration of Canada Geese Population Mitigation Plan Date: Friday, September 16, 2022 6:42:15 AM
As a San Mateo resident, I am vehemently opposed to the killing of Canada Geese in Foster City.
As this article notes, humans and dogs are the more likely culprits in the spread of E. coli bacteria. As the article describes, too, purchasing a Tow and Collect machine would be a viable solution to the problem.
The Department of Natural Resources itself notes that roundups are not an effective method of deterring the geese. They come back immediately after being killed. According to a Dutch News article, "This is exactly what happened in 2009 on the island of Texel where 4,000 geese were caught and gassed – a one-off action or so it was said. The effect on the geese population lasted only a couple of months and Texel now has at least as many geese in summer and winter as some years ago.".
Because of these issues, I am strongly opposed to killing geese and appalled that you would use tax dollars to finance this scheme. Please look at developing non-lethal approaches to the management of geese.
Yours sincerely,
Jill Fraser Crowley
--
Jill Fraser
Phone: 323-669-3964
From: [email protected]
To: Foster City Public Comment
Cc: [email protected]; Yelena Cappello; Laurie Rith; Rob Lasky; Aaron Siu; Austin Walsh
Subject: Culling of Geese
Date: Friday, September 16, 2022 8:48:32 AM
Good morning,
Please present my writing to the meeting if possible on the above subject. I am not a great writer so please fix an grammar where necessary. I thank you.
Animals suffer and are being killed off like never before at our hands. If it’s not horses, wolves or starlings, it’s bison or alligator or it’s the millions upon millions of caged chicken being smothered to death with foam. Because we, the human race, grow and take up their space, we kill them so that our lives are more peaceful. The Canadian geese I understand cause a lot of noise and there are a lot of bird droppings. So you want to kill thousands so your are not inconvenienced? Can you hear how trite and spoiled we sound?
Living on the beach, we deal with the seagulls screaming and swooping down to take food out of our hands. People who live in the mountains and wooded areas deal with bears and we all deal with snakes and other pesky animals but is it our right to kill them so that we are not inconvenienced? We are a narcissistic nation that does not like to be bothered. Can we do this to our fellow man? Of course not because we know the retributions but animals have no voice and no way to convey that they, too would like to live in peace. They have a right to live happily and unbothered among their own. So why can’t we live inconvenienced and enjoy the beauty of these birds? Why kill them? Man kind is not so kind at all.
We are trying to control every aspect of nature that God gave us and I imagine in His eyes He see things far worse than what an animal activist sees or what a nature lover sees.
Please rethink your position in this matter and simply find the compassion for all living beings to live and let live.
Gina Lane
Virus-free.www.avast.com
From: Gary Wonderlin
To: Foster City Public Comment
Cc: [email protected]; Yelena Cappello; Laurie Rith; Rob Lasky; Aaron Siu; Austin Walsh
Subject: Cruelty to animals
Date: Saturday, September 17, 2022 12:37:17 AM
Please help stop cruelty, by helping Canadian Geese. Thank you very much.
Sent from my iPhone
From: Richie Taylor
To: Foster City Public Comment
Cc: [email protected]; Yelena Cappello; Laurie Rith; Rob Lasky; Aaron Siu; Austin Walsh
Subject: Public
Date: Sunday, September 18, 2022 3:15:04 PM
Agenda Item: Revising workforce housing (BMR) eligibility requirements to include classified employees of the school district
Employer: San Mateo Foster City School District
My name: Rich Taylor
Contact#: (650)619-9622
Email Address: [email protected]
From: Kristin
To: Foster City Public Comment
Cc: [email protected]; Yelena Cappello; Laurie Rith; Rob Lasky; Aaron Siu; Austin Walsh
Subject: Agenda Item #13.2
Date: Sunday, September 18, 2022 6:53:16 PM
Greetings,
It’s raining today in the South Bay. We have six beautiful geese going about their business in a nearby park. Usually on a rainy day we’d have more — are the numbers fewer because of the newly installed artificial turf in the adjacent soccer field? or are the geese enjoying the plentiful buffets set out for them in Foster City? Yet the other day we had over 50 geese here….were these “your” geese?
My point is, yours aren’t really “Foster City geese”. They live all over the region and go where the food is. If you kill 10 geese, or 100 geese, they won’t know you’re killing geese and thus stay away (although I wish we could warn them). They’ll just learn there’s now the same amount of food but with less competition, and new geese will keep coming. This is nature.
Local children have spoken from the heart at your meetings. They don’t understand your arguments or rationale; they just see the potential cruelty and the impatience driving it. What kind of example does it set to go for the quick fix, even when there’s no assurance it will succeed? How about instead showing how rewarding a commitment to a long-term, creative, and sustainable solution can be?
This issue has put Foster City and the region on the map nationally and even globally. Please see the opportunity to turn this into a story of how successful and innovative our region can be in solving issues. A successful outcome could make Foster City a model for other communities and would be a most positive reflection of your legacy as leaders.
A major organization has generously offered its help with landscape modification. Many folks in the region are also willing to help in any way we can. Please don’t cave in to the short-term “fix”. Please instead consider continuing to apply non-lethal methods tactically in the interim while a sustainable, humane solution is designed and implemented.
Thank you very much for considering. I have every hope a positive and humane solution awaits.
Kind regards,
Kristin Lynn
Sent from AT&T Yahoo Mail for iPhone
From: Richie Taylor
To: Foster City Public Comment
Cc: [email protected]; Yelena Cappello; Laurie Rith; Rob Lasky; Aaron Siu; Austin Walsh
Subject: Re: Public
Date: Monday, September 19, 2022 2:50:38 PM
On Sun, Sep 18, 2022, 3:14 PM Richie Taylor <[email protected]> wrote:
Agenda Item: Revising workforce housing (BMR) eligibility requirements to include classified employees of the school district
Employer: San Mateo Foster City School District
My name: Rich Taylor
Contact#: (650)619-9622
Email Address: [email protected]