CITY OF FOSTER CITY/
ESTERO MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING OF APRIL 21, 2025
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER OF CITY COUNCIL/EMID BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Regular Meeting of April 21, 2025 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 Stacy Jimenez.
This meeting was held as a hybrid meeting.
ROLL CALL
The Communications Director/City Clerk/District Secretary called the roll:
PRESENT:
Councilmembers/ex officio EMID Directors Art Kiesel, Suzy Niederhofer, Patrick Sullivan, Phoebe Venkat, and Mayor/President Stacy Jimenez.
ABSENT: None.
STAFF PRESENT:
Stefan Chatwin, City/District Manager; Benjamin Stock , City Attorney/District Legal Counsel ; Marlene Subhashini, Assistant City/District Manager; Andrew Brozyna, Public Works Director; Sofia Mangalam, Community Development Director; Cory Call, Police Chief; Nate Cruz , Finance Director ; Derek Schweigart, Parks and Recreation Director; Diane Pitman, Administrative Services Director; Aaron Siu , Senior Systems Analyst ; Nori Jabba, Housing Coordinator; Chuck Venook, Chief Building Official; Frank Fanara, Parks Manager; Dave Orlando, Police Lieutenant; Kevin Ortiz, Management Analyst; Eric Mackintosh, Deputy Fire Chief; Jim Yoke, Emergency Services Manager ; Katherine Estrada, Deputy City Clerk; Mark Strathdee, Video Technician; Bridget Michelsen, Video Technician; and Priscilla Schaus, Communications Director/City Clerk/District Secretary.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
PROCLAMATION HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF DAN LEE.
This item was removed from the agenda by staff to be rescheduled at a later date.
PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING APRIL 2025 AS “PARKINSON’S AWARENESS MONTH.”
Councilmember Niederhofer presented the Proclamation Recognizing April 2025 as “Parkinson’s Awareness Month” to Debbie Lucchesi, representing the Parkinson’s Foundation.
PUBLIC
The following people addressed the City Council via email regarding Edgewater Plaza:
1. Aidan Hegarty
2. Alex and Marianna Sefanov; and
3. Vincent O’Malley.
James Goell addressed the City Council in person regarding the Community Center elevator.
Mike Swire addressed the City Council via teleconference regarding the US-101/SR-92 Interchange Improvements Project.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion by Councilmember/Director Sullivan, seconded by Vice Mayor/Vice President Kiesel, and carried unanimously, 5-0-0, approving the following items on the City/District Consent Calendar:
City/EMID Consent Calendar
1. City/EMID Special Meeting Minutes of March 24, 2025;
2. City/EMID Regular Meeting and FCJPA Special Meeting Minutes of April 7, 2025;
3. City Resolution No. 2025-23, “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”; and
4. Minute Order No. 2023, “Approve the Foster City Council Liaisons List Dated April 21, 2025.”
PUBLIC HEARINGS
REVISIONS TO THE CITY/DISTRICT MASTER FEES AND SERVICE CHARGES SCHEDULE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025 -2026. CITY RESOLUTION NO. 2025 -24. EMID RESOLUTION NO. 3798.
Finance Director Cruz presented the staff report.
Mayor/President Jimenez opened a public hearing to hear and consider comments regarding revisions to the City/District Master Fees and Services Charges Schedule for Fiscal Year 2025-2026.
Crystal Tilton , representing the Foster City Chamber Foundation, addressed the City Council/EMID Board of Directors via teleconference.
Without objection from the City Council, Mayor/President Jimenez closed the public hearing.
Discussion ensued.
Motion by Vice Mayor/Vice President Kiesel, seconded by Councilmember/Director Venkat, and carried unanimously, 5- 0-0, adopting City Resolution No. 2025- 24, “ A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Amending the Master Fees and Service Charges Schedule for FY 2025-26” and EMID Resolution No. 3798, “A Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Estero Municipal Improvement District Amending the Master Fees and Service Charges Schedule for FY 2025-26.”
AMENDING CHAPTER 17.90, “BELOW MARKET RATE INCLUSIONARY HOUSING PROGRAM,” WITHIN TITLE 17, “ZONING,” SECTION 17.90.020, “DEFINITIONS,” AND TO ADD NEW SECTIONS 17.90.130, “JUST CAUSE EVICTIONS” AND 17.90.140, “TENANT RELOCATION ASSISTANCE” ; AND 17.90.150, “REGISTRY OF BELOW MARKET RATE UNITS,” TO IM PLEMENT HOUSING ELEMENT PROGRAM H -C-3-B, ANTI-DISPLACEMENT STRATEGY AND PROGRAM H -G-2-E, RENTAL REGISTRY,
AND FINDING ORDINANCE EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) PURSUANT TO CEQA GUIDELINE SECTION 15061(B)(3).
Housing Coordinator Jabba presented the staff report.
Mayor Jimenez opened a public hearing to hear and consider comments and regarding Amending Chapter 17.90, “Below Market Rate Inclusionary Housing Program,” within Title 17, “Zoning,” Section 17.90.020, “Definitions,” and to Add New Sections 17.90.130, “Just Cause Evictions” and 17.90.140, “Tenant Relocation Assistance” ; and 17.90.150, “Registry of Below Market Rate Units,” to Implement Housing Element Program H-C-3-B, Anti-Displacement Strategy and Program H -G-2-E, Rental Registry, and Finding Ordinance Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Pursuant To CEQA Guideline Section 15061(B)(3).
The following people addressed the City Council via email:
1. Timothy S. O’Hara;
2. Alane Gilbrech, representing the San Mateo County Association of Realtors (SAMCAR);
3. Lauren Croom;
4. LaTisa Brooks; and
5. Biser Raev.
The following people addressed the City Council in person:
1. Barry Salberg;
2. Robert Pedro;
3. Steve Droz;
4. David Morecci;
5. Kathryn Churchill; and
6. Doug Stoveland.
Without objection from the City Council, Mayor Jimenez closed the public hearing.
Discussion ensued.
Motion by Mayor Jimenez, seconded by Vice Mayor Kiesel, and carried by roll call vote, 4-1-0, Councilmember Sullivan voted “no,” to introduce and read by title only, waive further reading, and pass to second reading, “ An Ordinance of the City of Foster City Amending Chapter 17.90, “Below Market Rate Inclusionary Housing Program,” w ithin Title 17, “Zoning,” Section 17.90.020, “Definitions,” and Adding New Sections 17.90.130, “Just Cause Evictions” and 17.90.140, “Tenant Relocation Assistance”; and 17.90.150, “Registry of Below Market Rate Units,” to Implement Housing Element Program H-C-3-B, Anti-Displacement Strategy and Program H -G-2-E, Rental Registry, and Finding Ordinance Exempt f rom the California Environmental Qual ity Act (CEQA) Pursuant to CEQA Guideline Section 15061(B)(3) ” with amendment s to r emove Section 17.90.140 subsection G and subsection J, and to change references from “Relocation Consultant” to “Director.”
NEW BUSINESS
AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 3.04, PURCHASING SYSTEM, OF TITLE 3, REVENUE
AND FINANCE, OF THE FOSTER CITY MUNICIPAL CODE AND AMENDING THE CITY’S PURCHASING POLICY. CITY RESOLUTION NO. 2025-25.
Finance Director Cruz presented the staff report.
Discussion ensued.
Motion by Councilmember Niederhofer, seconded by Councilmember Venkat, and carried unanimously by roll call vote, 5- 0-0, to introduce and read by title only, waive further reading and pass to second reading, “ An Ordinance of the City of Foster City Amending Section 3.04.080, “Formal Bid Procedures for Purchases of Supplies, Services and Equipment”; Section 3.04.110, “Authorized Purchasing Alternatives for Supplies, Services and Equipment”; Section 3.04.140, “P urchase of Professional Services”; and Section 3.04.170 “ Public Projects -Definitions” of Chapter 3.04, “Purchasing System,” within Title 3, of the Foster City Municipal Code to Make Administrative Revisions to the City’s Purchasing System.”
Motion by Councilmember Niederhofer, seconded by Councilmember Sullivan, and carried unanimously, 5-0-0, adopting City Resolution No. 2025- 25, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Approving an Amendment to the City’s Purchasing Policy Related to Contract Awards and Administrative Changes.”
REPORTS
RECREATION CENTER REBUILD PROJECT (CIP 301 -678) PROJECT UPDATE .
MINUTE ORDER NO. 2024.
Parks and Recreation Director Schweigart presented the staff report.
Susan Lessin addressed the City Council via teleconference.
Discussion ensued.
Motion by Councilmember Venkat, seconded by Councilmember Niederhofer, and carried unanimously, 5- 0-0, adopting Minute Order No. 2024, receiving and accepting the Recreation Center Rebuild Project (CIP 301-678) Project Update.
INTEGRATED ADAPTIVE CANADA GOOSE MANAGEMENT IMPLEMENTATION
PLAN UPDATE AND DIRECTION REGARDING RESPONSES TO THE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PLAN . MINUTE ORDER NO. 2025.
Parks Manager Fanara presented the staff report.
The following people addressed the City Council via teleconference;
1. Susan Lessin;
2. Suan Rowinski; and
3. Don.
Discussion ensued.
Motion by Councilmember Niederhofer, seconded by Councilmember Sullivan, and carried, 4-1-0, Vice Mayor Kiesel voted “no,” adopting Minute Order No. 2025, receiving and accepting the Integrated Adaptive Canada Goose Management Implementation Plan Update, and directing staff to proceed with Option 3 from the staff report, rejecting all bids and to reissue the RFP expanding the scope to include additional high impact parks identified in the Plan.
COMMUNICATIONS
CITY/DISTRICT WARRANT OF DEMANDS. NO ACTION TAKEN.
City/District Warrants of Demands were Processed and Issued on March 27, 2025.
CITY/DISTRICT MANAGER REPORTS, COUNCIL/BOARD STATEMENTS AND
REQUESTS, AND COUNCIL LIAISON REPORTS
City/District Manager Chatwin reminded the City Council/EMID Board that the Executive Staff Retreat will be held on April 22.
Councilmember/Director Venkat stated she attended the Youth Advisory Committee meeting on April 9. On April 10, she met with Crystal Tilton, Executive Director of the Foster City Chamber of Commerce. On April 12, she judged the Trash to Art Contest at the Earth Day Fair. On April 18, she assisted with setting up Pride Prom 2025 held at the College of San Mateo.
Councilmember/Director Sullivan stated he attended the San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department Transfer of Command and Badge Pinning Ceremony on April 9. He attended the Planning Commission meeting on April 17.
Councilmember/Director Niederhofer stated she attended the San Mateo Operational Area Emergency Services Council meeting on April 16, where they approved the budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026. She shared that the San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department Hazmat Program is a service available to all the cities in San Mateo County. On April 17, she attended the Audit Committee meeting. She reminded the public that there will be a free “Be Wildfire Safe & Ready” event at the San Mateo County Event Center on April 26.
Mayor/President Jimenez stated she attended the City/County Association of Governments of San Mateo County (C/CAG) Board meeting on April 10.
CLOSED SESSION
Mayor/President Jimenez recessed the meeting into Closed Session for:
1. Conference with Labor Negotiators (Government Code Section 54957.6) Agency Designated Representatives: Diane Pitman and Austris Rungis Employee Organization: POA and Management Group; and
2. Report Out from Closed Session.
Meeting recessed into Closed Session at 9:41 p.m. and reconvened at 9:51 p.m.
City Attorney/District Legal Counsel Stock reported that no action was taken in Closed Session.
ADJOURNMENT
Hearing no objection from the City Council/EMID Board, Mayor/President Jimenez adjourned the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 9:51 p.m.