CITY OF FOSTER CITY/
ESTERO MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING OF APRIL 15, 2024
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER OF CITY COUNCIL/EMID BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Regular Meeting of April 15, 2024 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 Sullivan.
This meeting was held as a hybrid meeting.
ROLL CALL
The Communications Director/City Clerk/District Secretary called the roll:
PRESENT:
Councilmembers/ex officio Directors Jon Froomin, Sam Hindi, Stacy Jimenez, Art Kiesel, and Mayor/President Patrick Sullivan.
ABSENT: None.
STAFF PRESENT: Stefan Chatwin, City/District Manager; Benjamin Stock, City Attorney/District Legal Counsel ; Marlene Subhashini, Assistant City/District Manager; Sofia Mangalam, Community Development Director; Andrew Brozyna, Public Works Director; Derek Schweigart, Parks and Recreation Director; Tracy Avelar, Police Chief; Cory Call, Police Captain; William Sandri, Police Captain; Mark Lee, Police Lieutenant; Waqas Hassan, Assistant Finance Director; Monica Ly, Planning Manager; James Atkins, Senior Planner; Kristina Muratori, Dispatch Supervisor; Adrienne Torre, Lead Dispatcher; Clara Leong, Police Sergeant; Rob Lasky, IT Manager ; Katherine Mendoza, Deputy City Clerk ; Shuli Chen, Video Technician; and Priscilla Schaus, Communications Director/City Clerk.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
PROCLAMATION DECLARING APRIL 2024 AS “ARAB AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH”
Councilmember Hindi presented the proclamation declaring April 2024 as “Arab American Heritage Month” to Altayeb Abd ulrahim, representing the Arab Cultural and Community Center.
PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING APRIL 2024 AS “PARKINSON’S AWARENESS MONTH”
Councilmember Kiesel presented the proclamation recognizing April 2024 as “Parkinson’s Awareness Month” to Debbie Lucchesi, representing the Parkinson’s Foundation.
PROCLAMATION DECLARING THE WEEK OF APRIL 14 -20, 2024 AS “NATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATORS WEEK”
Councilmember Froomin presented the proclamation declaring the week of April 14- 20, 2024 as “National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week” to Dispatch Supervisor Kristina Muratori and Lead Dispatcher Adrienne Torre.
PROCLAMATION DECLARING THE WEEK OF APRIL 21 -27, 2024 AS “VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION WEEK”
Vice Mayor Jimenez presented the proclamation declaring the week of April 21-27, 2024 as “Volunteer Appreciation Week” to Reserve Police Officer Roger Fisher.
PUBLIC
Victoria Jones addressed the City Council via email regarding the National Restaurant Association.
Shankar Kenkre addressed the City Council via email regarding ordinance implementation.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Evan Adams a ddressed the City Council via email regarding the Proclamation of Existence of a Local Emergency by the City Manager of the City of Foster City Related to Major Damage to the City’s Main Water Pipeline.
Motion by Councilmember/Director Kiesel, seconded by Vice Mayor/Vice President Jimenez, and carried unanimously 5-0-0, approving the following items on the City/District Consent Calendar:
City/EMID Consent Calendar
1. City/EMID Regular Meeting Minutes of April 1, 2024;
2. City Resolution No. 2024-25, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Renewing Ordinance No. 647 Regarding Police Department Acquisition and Use of Military Equipment Pursuant to Assembly Bill 481 and Government Code Section 7070 Et Seq. and Approving the Military Equipment Use Policy;”
3. City Resolution No. 2024-26, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Approving the Plans and Specifications and Authorizing the Call for Bids for CIP301-716 Street Rehabilitation and Park Pathway Restoration Project (2023- 2024) and Finding That the Project Is Categorically Exempt Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA);”
4. City Resolution No. 2024-27, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Authorizing Staff to Issue a Request for Proposals for an Enterprise Backup System;”
5. City Resolution No. 2024-28, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Authorizing Staff to Issue a Request for Proposals for a Nutanix Hyperconverged Server;”
6. City Resolution No. 2024-29, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Authorizing the City Manager to enter into a Rebate Reservation Agreement with Peninsula Clean Energy Authority for Workforce Housing Electric Vehicle Charging (EV) project; Accept the $11,000 in rebates for the EV Charging project; and Finding the Request exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Pursuant to CEQA Guideline Section 15061(b)(3);” and
7. City Resolution No. 2024-30, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Ratifying the Proclamation of Existence of a Local Emergency By the City Manager of the City of Foster City Related to Major Damage to the City’s Main Water Pipeline.”
ITEM REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
AGREEMENT WITH DAVID TURCH AND ASSOCIATES, IN AN AMOUNT NOT -TO- EXCEED $270,000 FOR AN INITIAL THREE -YEAR TERM, FOR CONSULTING
SERVICES FOR ASSISTANCE WITH ADVICE AND COUNSELING TO FEDERAL GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS. CITY RESOLUTION NO. 2024-31.
Without objection from the City Council, Mayor Sullivan removed this item from the Consent Calendar at the request of Councilmember Froomin.
City Manager Chatwin presented the staff report.
Discussion ensued.
Motion by Councilmember Froomin , seconded by Councilmember Kiesel , and carried unanimously 5-0-0, adopting City Resolution No. 2024- 31, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Authorizing the Mayor to Execute a Professional Services Agreement with David Turch and Associates, in an Amount Not -to-Exceed $270,000 for an Initial Three- Year Term, for Consulting Services for As sistance with Advice and Counseling to Federal Governmental Affairs ” with a correction to the terms and conditions of the agreement.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
REVISIONS TO THE CITY/DISTRICT MASTER FEES AND SERVICE CHARGES SCHEDULE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024 -2025. CITY RESOLUTION NO. 2024 -32. EMID RESOLUTION NO. 3755.
Assistant Finance Director Hassan presented the staff report.
Mayor/President Sullivan opened a public hearing to hear and consider comments regarding revisions to the City/District Master Fees and Service Charges Schedule for Fiscal Year 2024-2025.
No public testimony was received.
Without objection from the City Council/ Board of Directors, Mayor/President Sullivan closed the public hearing.
Discussion ensued.
Motion by Mayor/President Sullivan, seconded by Councilmember /Director Kiesel, and carried unanimously, 5-0-0, adopting City Resolution No. 2024-32 and EMID Resolution No. 3755 “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City and Board of Directors of the Estero Municipal Improvement District Amending the Master Fees and Service Charges Schedule for FY 2024-25” with the following corrections to the Master Fees and Service Charges Schedule for FY 2024-25:
1. Remove footnotes regarding custodial fees for Community Center and Vibe Teen Center Rental fees; and
2. Amend Non-Profit Organization Fee Structure to state custodial fees are to be for groups over 80, and the FY 24/25 Non-Profit Rate is a $55 flat fee.
AMENDING FOSTER CITY MUNICIPAL CODE TITLE 15, BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION AND TITLE 17, ZONING OF THE FOSTER CITY MUNICIPAL CODE, BY REPEALING CHAPTER 15.12 SIGN CONTROL AND REPLACING IT WITH A NEW CHAPTER 17.59 SIGN CONTROL AND FINDING THE AMENDMENTS EXEMPT FROM
THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) PURSUANT TO CEQA GUIDLINE SECTION 15061(B)(3).
Community Development Director Mangalam and Senior Planner Atkins presented the staff report.
Mayor Sullivan opened a public hearing to hear and consider comments and introduce ordinance amending Foster City Municipal Code Title 15, Building and Construction and Title 17, Zoning of the Foster City Municipal Code, by repealing Chapter 15.12 Sign Control and replacing it with a new Chapter 17.59 Sign Control and finding the amendments exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA guideline section 15061(b)(3).
No public testimony was received.
Without objection from the City Council, Mayor Sullivan closed the public hearing.
Discussion ensued.
Motion by Mayor Sullivan , seconded by Councilmember Hindi, and carried by roll call vote, 4-1-0, Councilmember Froomin voted “no,” to introduce ordinance by title and waive further reading, and pass to second reading, “ An Ordinance of the City of Foster City Amending Title 15 Building and Construction and Title 17 Zoning of the Foster City Municipal Code, by Repealing Chapter 15.12 Sign Control and Replacing It With a New Chapter 17.59 Sign Control and Finding the Amendments Exempt From the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Pursuant to CEQA Guideline Section 15061(B)(3) - RZ2024-0004” with amendments to add “square feet” at the end of Exempt Signs Section
17.59.060(N)(1)(b) and to add Findings under Sign Use Permits Section
17.59.040(B)(2)(b) of the Foster City Municipal Code.
NEW BUSINESS
POLICY FOR REQUESTING TO ADD ITEMS TO A FUTURE AGENDA. MINUTE ORDER NO. 1973.
City Manager Chatwin presented the staff report.
Discussion ensued.
Motion by Councilmember Kiesel, and the maker amending the motion, seconded by Councilmember Hindi, and carried, 3- 2-0, Councilmember Froomin and Vice Mayor Jimenez voted “no,” to adopt Minute Order No. 1973, directing staff to update the policy for requesting to add items to a future agenda as follows:
1. If a Councilmember would like to add an item to a future agenda, they will first discuss it with the City Manager;
2. After a discussion with the City Manager, the Councilmember will state their request during the Council/Board Statements and Requests portion of a regular City Council meeting;
3. If at least one other Councilmembers support agendizing the item, direction will be given to the City Manager to place the item on a future agenda; and
4. If the item fails to gain approval from at least one other Councilmember in addition to the requesting Councilmember , the item may not be brought back to the City Council for at least 6 months unless additional information is provided.
ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION
AMENDING VARIOUS SECTIONS OF CHAPTERS 12.08 , 12.12, 12.16, AND 12.36 WITHIN TITLE 12, “PUBLIC PROPERTY” OF THE FOSTER CITY MUNICPAL CODE
MAKING REVISIONS TO AUTHROIZE ADMINISTRATIVE CITATIONS TO BE ISSUED
FOR VIOLATIONS AND OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES TO RESERVATION PROCESS AND USE OF PARKS AND ADDING A NEW CHAPTER 12.44, “SIDEWALK VENDING PROGRAM” WITHIN TITLE 12 TO ESTABLISH LOCATIONS AND REGULATIONS APPLICABLE TO SIDEWALK VENDORS.
Parks and Recreation Director Schweigart and Community Development Director Mangalam presented the staff report.
Discussion ensued.
Motion by Mayor Sullivan, seconded by Vice Mayor Jimenez, and carried unanimously by roll call vote, 5-0-0, to introduce ordinance by title and waive further reading, and pass to second reading, “An Ordinance of the City of Foster City Amending Various Sections of Chapters 12.08, 12.12, 12.16 and 12.36 Within Title 12, “Public Property” of the Foster City Municipal Code Making Revisions to Authorize Administrative Citations to Be Issued for Violations and Other Administrative Changes to Reservation Process and Use of Parks and Adding a New Chapter 12.44, “Sidewalk Vending Program” within Title 12 to Establish Locations and Regulations Applicable to Sidewalk Vendors.”
COMMUNICATIONS
CITY/DISTRICT WARRANT OF DEMANDS. NO ACTION TAKEN.
City/District Warrants of Demands were Processed and Issued on March 28, 2024.
CITY/DISTRICT MANAGER REPORTS, COUNCIL/BOARD STATEMENTS AND
REQUESTS, AND COUNCIL LIAISON REPORTS
City/District Manager Chatwin reported that on April 7, there was a break in the City’s main water line . The break was repaired within 36 hours, and City/District Manager Chatwin expressed appreciation to the following staff that worked tirelessly on the issue:
1. Andrew Brozyna, Public Works Director;
2. Zaheed Danish, Public Works Superintendent;
3. Gonzalo Larios, Lead Maintenance Worker;
4. Jose Rojo, Maintenance Worker I;
5. Victor Sandoval, Maintenance Worker I;
6. Luis Avalos, Maintenance Worker I;
7. Ulises Renteria, Maintenance Worker I;
8. Lou Diaz, Maintenance Worker II;
9. Brett Porter, Maintenance Worker II;
10. Doug Young, Maintenance Worker I;
11. James Mackinlay, Maintenance Worker I;
12. Zack Tschierschky, Maintenance Worker I;
13. Matt Cullen, Maintenance Worker II;
14. Austin Walsh, Communications Manager;
15. Tracy Avelar, Police Chief;
16. Kent Thrasher, San Mateo Consolidated Fire Chief;
17. Jim Yoke, San Mateo Consolidated Fire Emergency Services Manager; and
18. Michael O’Shaughnessy, of MOS Construction.
Councilmember/Director Froomin reported that he attended the Land Use Subcommittee meeting on April 11. On April 10, he attended the San Mateo Consolidated Fire Board meeting, where they discussed the budget for the 2024-2025 Fiscal Year. On April 13, he attended a Community Coffee event hosted by San Mateo County District 2 Supervis or Corzo at Penelope’s Coffee and Tea. He recognized the Communications/City Clerk staff for their work on the City’s main water line break and for creating the How to Run for City Council informational video and webpage.
Councilmember/Director Kiesel commended the dedication of staff that worked to repair the main water line break.
Councilmember/Director Hindi expressed appreciation for the staff that worked on the water line and recognized City/District Manager Chatwin for handling the issue. He reported he attended the Land Use Subcommittee meeting on April 11.
Vice Mayor/Vice President Jimenez stated she attended the City /County Association of Governments (C/CAG) Board meeting on April 11, where she was appointed to the C/CAG Legislative Committee. She also thanked City staff and City/District Manager Chatwin for working through the weekend to repair the main water line.
Mayor/President Sullivan thanked City staff and City/District Chatwin for working on the main water line. On April 7, he attended the Holi Festival event at Leo J. Ryan Park. On April 8, he met and spoke to 2nd grade students from Beach Park Elementary School for the Meet the Mayor visit. On April 18, he plans to attend the Youth Advisory Committee’s Spaghetti Feed and on April 20, he will be attending the 2024 Progress Seminar hosted by Chamber San Mateo County.
ADJOURNMENT
Hearing no objection from the City Council/EMID Board, Mayor/President Sullivan adjourned the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 9:26 p.m.