CITY OF FOSTER CITY/
ESTERO MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
SPECIAL MEETING OF AUGUST 25, 2025
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 of August 25, 2025 was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Mayor 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 Stacy Jimenez.
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT:
Stefan Chatwin, City /District Manager; Benjamin Stock, City Attorney; Marlene Subhashini, Assistant City /District Manager; Diane Pitman, Administrative Services Director; Cory Call; Police Chief; Nate Cruz, Finance Director; Rob Lasky, IT Manager ; Kevin Ortiz, Management Analyst; Shuli Chen, Video Technician ; Katherine Estrada, Deputy City Clerk ; and Priscilla Schaus, Communications Director/City Clerk/District Secretary.
PUBLIC
The following people addressed the City Council via email:
1. Fernando Pena, representing the San Mateo County Association of Realtors (SAMCAR), regarding becoming a charter city and the implementation of a real property transfer tax; and
2. Shankar Kenkre, regarding becoming charter city.
The following people addressed the City Council in person:
1. Shankar Kenkre, regarding becoming a charter city; and
2. Alane Gilbrech, representing the San Mateo County Association of Realtors (SAMCAR), regarding becoming a charter city and the implementation of a real property transfer tax.
Evan Adams addressed the City Council via teleconference regarding becoming a charter city and the implementation of a real property transfer tax.
STUDY SESSION
Mayor Jimenez recessed the meeting into Study Session.
BALLOT MEASURE TO BECOME A CHARTER CITY. MINUTE ORDER NO. 2042.
Assistant City Manager Subhashini presented the staff report.
Discussion ensued.
Motion by Councilmember Venkat, seconded by Councilmember Sullivan, and carried unanimously, 5-0-0, adopting Minute Order No. 2042, receiving and accepting the report and providing policy direction to not pursue becoming a charter city until after the November 3, 2026 election and potentially bring the discussion back at a future City Council Annual Retreat after the election.
COMMERCIAL VACANCY TAX. MINUTE ORDER NO. 2043.
City Attorney Stock presented the staff report.
Discussion ensued.
Motion by Mayor Jimenez, seconded by Councilmember Sullivan, and carried unanimously, 5-0-0, receiving and accepting the report, and providing policy direction to fast-track the economic development study and identify additional measures to address vacant properties in the municipal code.
Meeting recessed into study session at 6:38 p.m. and reconvened at 8:16 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
Hearing no objection from the City Counci l/EMID Board , Mayor /President Jimenez adjourned the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 8:16 p.m.