CITY OF FOSTER CITY/
ESTERO MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING OF DECEMBER 9, 2024
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER OF CITY COUNCIL/EMID BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The duly called and noticed special meeting of the City Council of the City of Foster City (City), sitting as said Council and as ex officio the Board of Directors of the Estero Municipal Improvement District (EMID) of December 9, 2024, was called to order at 6:31 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 Manager; Denise Bazzano, Assistant City Attorney/District Legal Counsel; Diane Pitman, Administrative Services Director ; Andrew Brozyna, Public Works Director ; Sofia Mangalam, Community Development Director; Waqas Hassan, Assistant Finance Director ; Cory Call, Acting Police Chief; Mark Lee, Police Lieutenant; Laura Galli, Engineering Manager; Rob Lasky, IT Manager ; Katherine Estrada, Deputy City Clerk; Austin Walsh, Communications Manager; Marcel Stevenson; Code Enforcement Officer; Nori Jabba; Housing Coordinator; Daniella Falkowski, Social Media and Communications Assistant; Joronica Vinluan, Social Media and Communications Assistant; Shuli Chen, Video Technician; and Priscilla Schaus, C ommunications Director /City Clerk /District Secretary.
RESOLUTIONS FOR ADOPTION
DECLARING THE RESULTS OF THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION HELD IN THE CITY OF FOSTER CITY ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2024 AND SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS PROVIDED BY LAW. CITY RESOLUTION NO. 2024-128.
The results of the General Municipal Election of November 5, 2024 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 5, 2024 in the time, form, and manner as required by law;
2. That there were 8 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 5, 2024, 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 was 14,478 in the City;
5. The names of persons voted for at the election for Member of the City Council were as follows:
Richa Awasthi
Shankar Kenkre
Suzy Niederhofer
Patrick J Sullivan
Phoebe Shin Venkat
6. That the measure voted upon at the election, Measure V, is as follows:
“To protect Foster City’s financial stability and maintain essential services including 911 emergency response, property crime prevention, street repairs, and infrastructure maintenance, shall an ordinance amending the business license tax with varying the rates from $0.75 to $3.00 per $1000 of gross receipts, retaining the $100/$200 minimum tax and increasing the maximum tax payment both with annual inflation adjustments, generating approximately $1,400,000 annually for locally controlled general fund purposes, until ended by voters, be adopted?”
7. That the number of votes given at each precinct to each person and for and against Measure V, and the total number of votes given in the City to each person and for and against Measure V were as listed in Exhibit A attached. to City Resolution No. 2024-128; and
8. That the City Council does declare and determine that Suzy Niederhofer was elected to the office of Member of the City Council for the full term of four (4) years, Patrick J Sullivan was elected to the office of Member of the City Council for the full term of four (4) years, and Phoebe Shin Venkat was elected to the office of Member of the City Council for the full term of four (4) years.
9. That as a result of the election, a majority of the voters voting on Measure V relating to increasing business license tax from $0.75 to $3.00 per $1000 of gross receipts, retaining the $100/$200 minimum tax and increasing the maximum tax payment both with annual inflation adjustments, generating approximately $1,400,000 annually for locally controlled general fund purposes cast 9,831 ballots for the measure and 3,421 ballots against the measure.
10. That the City Clerk shall enter on the records of the City Council of the City, a statement of the result of the election, showing: (1) The whole number of ballots cast in the City; (2) The names of the persons voted for; (3) The measure voted upon; (4) For what office each person was voted for; (5) The number of votes given at each precinct to each person, and for and against each measure; and (6) the total number of votes given to each person, and for and against the measure.
11. That the City Clerk shall immediately make and deliver to each of the persons so elected a Certificate of Election; that the City Clerk shall also administer to each person elected the Oath of Office prescribed in the Constitution of the State of California and shall have them subscribe to it and file it in the office of the City Clerk. Each and all of the persons so elected shall then be inducted into the respective office to which they have been elected.
Motion by Mayor Sullivan, seconded by Councilmember Hindi, and carried unanimously, 5-0-0, adopting City Resolut ion No. 2024 -128, “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 5, 2024 and Such Other Matters as Provided by Law.”
PRESENTATION TO AND LEAVING OFFICE STATEMENT BY COUNCILMEMBER
JON FROOMIN
Raghda Karajah, representing the Office of Congressman Kevin Mullin, presented a certificate on behalf of Congressman Mullin in honor of Councilmember Froomin’s service to Foster City.
Supervisor Noelia Corzo, representing the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, presented Councilmember Froomin with a resolution in honor of his service to Foster City.
Councilmember Froomin was presented with a Legislative Resolution from the Office of State Senator Josh Becker in honor of his service to Foster City.
On behalf of the City Council, Mayor Sullivan presented a plaque to Councilmember Froomin for his service on the City Council.
Shankar Kenkre addressed the City Council in person.
All of the Councilmembers thanked Councilmember Froomin for his service, leadership and vision for Foster City.
Councilmember Froomin gave a leaving office statement.
PRESENTATION TO AND LEAVING OFFICE STATEMENT BY COUNCILMEMBER
SAM HINDI
Raghda Karajah, representing the Office of Congressman Kevin Mullin, presented a certificate on behalf of Congressman Mullin in honor of Councilmember Hindi’s service to Foster City.
Supervisor Noelia Corzo, representing the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, presented Councilmember Hindi with a resolution in honor of his service to Foster City.
Councilmember Hindi was presented with a Legislative Resolution from the Office of State Senator Josh Becker in honor of his service to Foster City.
The following people addressed the City Council in person:
1. Shankar Kenkre; and
2. Evan Adams.
The following people addressed the City Council via teleconference:
1. Alexis Lewis; and
2. Bill Stewart.
All of the Councilmembers thanked Councilmember Hindi for his service, leadership and vision for Foster City.
On behalf of the City Council, Mayor Sullivan presented a plaque to Councilmember Hindi for his service on the City Council.
Councilmember Hindi gave a leaving office statement.
PRESENTATION TO OUTGOING MAYOR PATRICK SULLIVAN
On behalf of the City Council, Vice Mayor Jimenez presented a plaque to Mayor Sullivan commemorating his service as Mayor for the past year.
Outgoing Mayor Patrick Sullivan gave a statement reflecting on the challenges and accomplishments of the City Council over the past few years. He thanked City staff and the City Council for putting the community first. He stated he looks forward to working with the incoming Councilmembers . He thanked the public for allowing him the opportunity to serve as their mayor.
ADJOURNMENT OF OUTGOING CIY COUNCIL/EMID BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Without objection, Mayor/President Sullivan adjourned the meeting of the outgoing City Council/EMID Board of Directors. Meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
ROLL CALL OF NEW CITY COUNCIL/EMID BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Communications Director/City Clerk/District Secretary called the roll:
PRESENT:
Councilmember/Director Stacy Jimenez, Councilmember/Director Art Kiesel , Councilmember/Director-elect Suzy Niederhofer, Councilmember/Director-elect Patrick Sullivan, and
Councilmember/Director-elect Phoebe Venkat.
ABSENT: None.
STAFF PRESENT:
Stefan Chatwin, City/District Manager; Benjamin Stock , City Attorney/District Legal Counsel; Marlene Subhashini, Assistant City Manager; Denise Bazzano, Assistant City Attorney/District Legal Counsel; Diane Pitman, Administrative Services Director; Andrew Brozyna, Public Works Director; Sofia Mangalam, Community Development Director; Waqas Hassan, Assistant Finance Director; Cory Call, Acting Police Chief; Mark Lee, Police Lieutenant; Laura Galli, Engineering Manager; Rob Lasky, IT Manager ; Katherine Estrada, Deputy City Clerk; Austin Walsh, Communications Manager; Marcel Stevenson; Code Enforcement Officer; Nori Jabba; Housing Coordinator; Daniella Falkowski, Social Media and Communications Assistant; Joronica Vinluan, Social Media and Communications Assistant; Shuli Chen, Video Technician; and Priscilla Schaus, Communications Director/City Clerk/District Secretary.
OATHS OF OFFICE TO COUNCILMEMBERS -ELECT SUZY NIEDERHOFER,
PATRICK SULLIVAN, AND PHOEBE VENKAT
Pam Frisella gave the Oath of Office to Councilmember Suzy Niederhofer.
City Clerk Schaus gave the Oath of Office to Councilmember Patrick Sullivan.
San Mateo County Supervisor Noelia Corzo gave the Oath of Office to Councilmember Phoebe Venkat.
NEW BUSINESS
REORGANIZATION OF THE CITY COUNCIL/EMID BOARD OF DIRECTORS
NOMINATIONS AND ELECTION OF MAYOR/PRESIDENT
Mayor/President Sullivan nominated Stacy Jimenez for the office of Mayor/President.
Hearing no further nominations, Mayor/President Sullivan called for a vote for the election of Stacy Jimenez to the office of Mayor/President. Motion carried unanimously, 5-0-0.
Mayor/President Sullivan exchanged seats with incoming Mayor/President Jimenez.
NOMINATIONS AND ELECTION OF VICE MAYOR/VICE PRESIDENT
Mayor/President Jimenez nominated Art Kiesel for the office of Vice Mayor/Vice President.
Hearing no further nominations, Mayor/President Jimenez called for a vote for the election of Art Kiesel to the office of Vice Mayor/Vice President. Motion carried unanimously, 5-0-
0. Vice Mayor/Vice President Kiesel exchanged seats with Councilmember/Director Sullivan and was seated to the right of Mayor/President Jimenez.
The remainder of the Councilmembers/Directors were seated in alphabetical order by last name from left to right: Councilmember/Director Niederhofer, Vice Mayor/Vice President Kiesel, Mayor/President Jimenez, Councilmember/Director Sullivan, and Councilmember/Director Venkat.
OATHS OF OFFICE TO MAYOR AND VICE MAYOR
Mayor Jimenez’s daughter, Bella, gave the Oath of Office to Mayor Jimenez.
City Clerk Schaus gave the Oath of Office to Vice Mayor Kiesel.
CITY/DISTRICT MANAGER REPORTS, COUNCIL/BOARD STATEMENTS AND
REQUESTS, AND COUNCIL LIAISON REPORTS
City/District Manager Chatwin thanked the Council/Board for their willingness to serve and congratulated them on their roles and positions. He wished outgoing Councilmembers Jon Froomin and Sam Hindi well.
Councilmember/Director Venkat thanked everyone present at the meeting, and especially thanked her mother for her support.
Councilmember/Director Sullivan congratulated the new Councilmember s/Directors on their new positions and thanked the audience for their attendance. He also congratulated Mayor/President Jimenez on her new role as Mayor/President and Vice Mayor/Vice President Kiesel on his new role as Vice Mayor/Vice President.
Councilmember/Director Niederhofer congratulated the Council/Board on their new roles.
She expressed gratitude to the public for their support and thanked her husband and children for their encouragement and support throughout her campaign. She stated she is honored to represent the residents of Foster City as their Councilmember and looks forward to listening to the issues facing them and the City.
Vice Mayor/Vice President Kiesel thanked all the candidates for running in the election and congratulated Councilmembers Niederhofer, Sullivan, and Venkat on winning. He wished everyone Happy Holidays.
Mayor/President Jimenez thanked her colleagues for allowing her the opportunity to serve Foster City as their Mayor. She thanked her family for their sacrifices to allow her to serve on the Council/Board and expressed excitement for the upcoming year and opportunities to improve the City.
ADJOURNMENT
Hearing no objection from the Council/Board, Mayor/President Jimenez adjourned the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:54 p.m.