CITY OF FOSTER CITY/
ESTERO MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
SPECIAL MEETING OF DECEMBER 12, 2022
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER OF CITY COUNCIL/EMID BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Special Meeting of December 12, 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 6:30 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 City Clerk/Recording 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; Ben Stock, City Attorney/District Legal Counsel; Marlene Subhashini, Assistant City Manager; Edmund Suen, Finance Director, Derek Schweigart, Parks and Recreation Director; Tracy Avelar, Police Chief; Kent Thrasher, Fire Chief; Robert Marshall, Deputy Fire Chief; Louis Sun, Public Works Director; Rob Lasky, IT Manager; Julie Paping, Principal Management Analyst; Bridget Michelson, Video Technician and Yelena Cappello, Acting City Clerk/ Recording Secretary.
PUBLIC
Debora Wilder addressed the City Council in person to thank them for their service during challenging times and recognized the two new City Council members.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion by Councilmember/Director Gehani, seconded by Councilmember/Director Sullivan, and carried by roll call vote, 5-0-0, approving the following items on the City/District Consent Calendar:
City/EMID Consent Calendar
1. Minutes of City/EMID Regular Meeting of December 5, 2022.
RESOLUTIONS FOR ADOPTION
DECLARING THE RESULTS OF THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION HELD IN THE CITY OF FOSTER CITY ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022 AND SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS PROVIDED BY LAW. CITY RESOLUTION NO. 2022-142.
The results of the General Municipal Election of November 8, 2022 were certified and entered into the City’s records as follows:
1. Said General Municipal Election was held and conducted in the City of Foster City on November 8, 2022 in the time, form, and manner as required by law;
2. That there were 9 voting precincts established in said City established by the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Mateo for the holding of the General Municipal Election and designated " Precinct Nos. 22001 through 22036";
3. On December 8, 2022 Mark Church, Chief Elections Officer & Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder, caused to be filed with the City Clerk of the City of Foster City, a certificate which includes the record of votes from the canvass of all ballots cast at said General Municipal Election;
4. The whole total number of ballots cast in the precincts was 11,032 in the City;
5. The names of persons voted for at the election for Member of the City Council were as follows:
Evan Adams
Richa Awasthi
Dave Melchner
Stacy Jimenez
Art Kiesel
6. That the number of votes given at each precinct to each person and the total number of votes given in the City to each person were as listed in Exhibit A attached to City Resolution No. 2022-142; and
7. That the City Council does declare and determine that Stacy Jimenez was elected to the office of Member of the City Council for the full term of four (4) years and Art Kiesel was elected to the office of Member of the City Council for the full term of four (4) years.
Motion by Councilmember Gehani, seconded by Councilmember Sullivan, and carried unanimously, 5-0-0, adopting City Resolution No 2022-142, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Declaring the Results of the General Municipal Election Held in the City of Foster City on Tuesday, November 8, 2022 and Such Other Matters as Provided by Law.”
PRESENTATION TO AND LEAVING OFFICE STATEMENT BY COUNCILMEMBER
SANJAY GEHANI
Kevin Fong, Field Representative for the Office of Assemblymember Kevin Mullin and Nicole Fernandez, District Director for the Office of State Senator Josh Becker presented a Legislative Resolution on behalf of Assemblymember Kevin Mullin and State Senator Josh Becker in honor of Councilmember Gehani’s service, commitment, and dedication to Foster City.
Sara Trejo, Field Representative for the Office of Congresswoman Jackie Speier, presented a Congressional Record on behalf of Congresswoman Jackie Speier in honor of Councilmember Gehani’s service and commitment to Foster City residents.
On behalf of the City Council, Mayor Awasthi presented a plaque to Councilmember Gehani for his service on the City Council.
The following people addressed the City Council in person:
1. Mike Callagy, County Executive Office, County of San Mateo;
2. Charles Stone, Councilmember, City of Belmont;
3. Julie Mates, Mayor, City of Belmont;
4. Rico Medina, Mayor, City of San Bruno;
5. Mark Nagales, Mayor, City of South San Francisco;
6. Carlos Romero, Councilmember, City of East Palo Alto;
7. Catherine Mahanpour, Former Mayor, City of Foster City;
8. Steve Okamoto, Former Councilmember, City of Foster City;
9. Tim Orivassarri;
10.Jay Srinivasan;
11.Jason Pollard on behalf of Garry Pollard, Former Councilmember, City of Foster City;
12.Anjana Gehani;
13.Ravi and Geeta Gehani;
14.Veer and Sweetu Gehani;
15.Stacy Jimenez, on behalf of Pam Frisella; and
16.Grace Huang.
Yvonne Ryzak addressed the City Council via teleconference.
Councilmember Gehani gave a leaving office statement.
PRESENTATION TO AND LEAVING OFFICE STATEMENT BY MAYOR RICHA
AWASTHI
Kevin Fong, Field Representative for the Office of Assemblymember Kevin Mullin and Nicole Fernandez, District Director for the Office of State Senator Josh Becker presented a Legislative Resolution on behalf of Assemblymember Kevin Mullin and State Senator Josh Becker in honor of Mayor Awasthi’s service, commitment, and dedication to Foster City.
Sara Trejo, Field Representative for the Office of Congresswoman Jackie Speier, presented a Congressional Record on behalf of Congresswoman Jackie Speier in honor of Mayor Awasthi’s service and commitment to Foster City residents.
The following people addressed the City Council in person:
1. Kent Thrasher, Fire Chief, Foster City Fire Department;
2. Allison Proctor, Board President, San Mateo Foster City School District, and
3. Tripthi Kamath.
On behalf of the City Council, Vice Mayor Froomin presented a plaque to Mayor Awasthi for her service on the City Council and a plaque commemorating Mayor Awasthi’s service as Mayor for the past year. Vice Mayor Froomin also presented a gift card to her husband.
Mayor/President Awasthi gave a leaving office statement.
All of the Councilmembers thanked Mayor Awasthi and Councilmember Gehani for their service, leadership, and vision for Foster City.
ADJOURNMENT OF OUTGOING CITY COUNCIL/EMID BOARD OF DIRECTORS Without objection, Mayor/President Awasthi adjourned the meeting of the outgoing City Council/EMID Board of Directors. Meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
Meeting recessed at 8:05 p.m. and reconvened at 8:10 p.m.
Jon Froomin presided over the meeting as Acting Mayor/President.
At 8:10 p.m., Jon Froomin presiding over the meeting, called to order the new City Council/EMID Board of Directors.
ROLL CALL OF NEW CITY COUNCIL/EMID BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Acting City Clerk/Recording Secretary called the roll:
PRESENT: Councilmember/Director-elect Stacy Jimenez,
Councilmember/Director-elect Art Kiesel, Councilmember/Director Jon Froomin, Councilmember/Director Sam Hindi and
Councilmember/Director Patrick Sullivan
ABSENT: None.
STAFF PRESENT: Stefan Chatwin, City/District Manager; Ben Stock, City Attorney/District Legal Counsel; Marlene Subhashini, Assistant City Manager; Edmund Suen, Finance Director, Derek Schweigart, Parks and Recreation Director; Tracy Avelar, Police Chief; Kent Thrasher, Fire Chief; Robert Marshall, Deputy Fire Chief; Louis Sun, Public Works Director; Rob Lasky, IT Manager; Julie Paping, Principal Management Analyst; Bridget Michelson, Video Technician and Yelena Cappello, Acting City Clerk/ Recording Secretary.
OATHS OF OFFICE TO COUNCILMEMBERS-ELECT STACY JIMENEZ AND ART KIESEL
Councilmember Jimenez’s father gave Oath of Office to Councilmember Stacy Jimenez.
Acting City Clerk Capello gave the Oath of Office to Councilmember Kiesel.
Principal Management Analyst Julie Paping presented the certificates of election to Councilmember Stacy Jimenez and Councilmember Art Kiesel.
NEW BUSINESS
NOMINATIONS AND ELECTION OF MAYOR/PRESIDENT
Acting Mayor/President Froomin opened the floor for nominations for the office of Mayor/President.
Councilmember/Director-elect Art Kiesel nominated Jon Froomin. Hearing no further nominations, Acting Mayor/President Froomin closed nominations.
Motion by Acting Mayor/President Froomin calling for a vote for the election of Jon Froomin to the office of Mayor/President. Motion carried unanimously, 5-0-0.
NOMINATIONS AND ELECTION OF VICE MAYOR/VICE PRESIDENT
Mayor/President Froomin opened the floor for nominations for the office of Vice Mayor/Vice President.
Councilmember/Director-elect Stacy Jimenez nominated Patrick Sullivan.
Hearing no further nominations, Mayor/President Froomin closed nominations, and called for a vote for the election of Patrick Sullivan to the office of Vice Mayor/Vice President.
Motion carried unanimously, 5-0-0.
OATHS OF OFFICE TO MAYOR AND VICE MAYOR
Mayor Froomin’s mother gave the Oath of Office to Mayor Froomin.
Acting City Clerk Capello gave the Oath of Office to Vice Mayor Sullivan.
CITY/DISTRICT/MANAGER REPORTS, COUNCIL/BOARD STATEMENTS AND
REQUESTS, AND COUNCIL LIASON REPORTS
Councilmember/Director Kiesel congratulated Councilmember Jimenez on her election and Mayor Froomin and Vice Mayor Sullivan on their new positions. He thanked outgoing councilmember Gehani and outgoing Mayor Awasthi for their work with Foster City, thanked those who helped with his campaign, and thanked the community for trusting him to serve on City Council.
Councilmember/Director Jimenez thanked her family for their support and allowing her to pursue her dream in service. She acknowledged those who invested in her and acknowledged the community, stating she will serve them the best she can. She congratulated Mayor Froomin and Vice Mayor Sullivan on their respective appointments and expressed her excitement for the work ahead.
Councilmember/Director Hindi congratulated Mayor Froomin and Vice Mayor Sullivan on their respective appointments to the office of Mayor and Vice Mayor, and Councilmember Jimenez and Councilmember Kiesel on their election. He stated that he looks forward to working with everyone.
Vice Mayor/Vice President Sullivan congratulated Councilmember Jimenez and Councilmember Kiesel and emphasized the importance of public service.
Mayor/President Froomin welcomed Councilmember Jimenez and Councilmember Kiesel to the team. He thanked outgoing Councilmember Gehani and outgoing Mayor Awasthi for their work, his family for their support, and his mother, wife and daughter for being present tonight. He stated that he aspires to lead with honor and respect for those he serves.
ADJOURNMENT
Hearing no objection from the City Council/EMID Board, Mayor/President Froomin adjourned the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.