CITY OF FOSTER CITY/
ESTERO MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 2, 2025
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER OF CITY COUNCIL/EMID BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Regular Meeting of September 2, 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:
Marlene Subhashini, Assistant City/District Manager; Benjamin Stock, City Attorney/District Legal Counsel ; Sofia Mangalam, Community Development Director; Diane Pitman, Administrative Services Director; Nate Cruz, Finance Director; Andrew Brozyna, Public Works Director; Derek Schweigart, Parks and Recreation Director; William Sandri, Police Captain ; Rob Lasky, IT Manager ; Chuck Venkook, Chief Building Official; Nori Jabba, Housing and Sustainability Manager; Zaheed Danish, Pubic Works Maintenance Manager; Maricar Dupaya, Principal Management Analyst; Yelena Capello, Management Analyst; Michael Miller, Fleet Supervisor; Katherine Estrada, Deputy City Clerk; Shuli Chen, Video Technician; and Priscilla Schaus, Communications Director/City Clerk/District Secretary.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
A PROCLAMATION DECLARING SEPTEMBER 2025 AS "NATIONAL EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS MONTH."
Councilmember Niederhofer presented the Proclamation Declaring September 2025 as “National Emergency Preparedness Month” to Kevin Foiles, Emergency Services Analyst with the San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department.
A PROCLAMATION DECLARING SEPTEMBER 2025 AS “SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH.”
Councilmember Venkat presented the Proclamation Declaring September 2025 as “Suicide Prevention Month” to Veer Chowdhary and Seona Srivastava from the San Mateo County Behavioral Health Commission Youth Action Board and Frieda Edgette, San Mateo County Behavioral Health Commission Youth Action Board Advisor.
PUBLIC
The following people addressed the City Council via email:
1. Shawn Mooney, regarding Mariners Point; and
2. Alan Soule, regarding the no-smoking in condominiums ordinance.
Alan Soule addressed the City Council in person regarding the no -smoking ordinance in condominiums.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion by Councilmember/Director Venkat, seconded by Councilmember/Director Sullivan, 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 August 18, 2025;
2. City Ordinance No. 692, “An Ordinance of the City of Foster City Making Various Text Amendments to Title 17, “Zoning” of the Foster City Municipal Code – Chapter
17.78 - Accessory Dwelling Units to Ensure Compliance with State Laws Related to Accessory Dwelling Units and Finding t he Proposed Amendments Exempt Under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guideline Section 15061(B)(3), Common Sense Exemption and Public Resources Code Section 21080.17 – Rz2025-0004 (First Reading on August 18, 2025);
3. City Resolution No. 2025-67, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Authorizing the Purchase of Police Department Lockers from Space and Systems, Inc. in the Amount of $219,999.25;”
4. City Resolution No, 2025-68, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Approving an Amendment to the License Agreement with Island United Church (IUC) and an Amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding with the Foster City Community Garden Association and IUC to Authorize Installation of Additional Garden Boxes at the Foster City Community Garden Located at 1130 Balclutha Drive;”
5. City Resolution No. 2025-69, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Approving and Adopting the Amended Pay Plan for Fiscal Year 2025- 2026, Effective September 9, 2025”; and
6. EMID Resolution No. 3816, “ A Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Estero Municipal Improvement District Approving and Adopting the Amended Pay Plan for Fiscal Year 2025-2026, Effective September 9, 2025.”
PUBLIC HEARINGS
AMENDMENTS TO TITLE 2, “ADMINISTRATION AND PERSONNEL”; TITLE 15, “BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION”; AND APPROVING A RESOLUTION ADOPTING A
NEW FEE FOR APPEALS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS OF THE FOSTER CITY MUNICIPAL CODE. CITY RESOLUTION NO. 2025-70.
Community Development Director Mangalam presented the staff report.
Mayor Jimenez opened a public hearing to hear and consider comments regarding Amendments to Title 2, “Administration and Personnel”; Title 15, “Building and Construction”; and Approving a Resolution Adopting a New Fee for Appeals to the Board of Appeals of the Foster City Municipal Code.
No public testimony was received.
Without objection from the City Council, Mayor Jimenez closed the public hearing.
Discussion ensued.
Motion by Councilmember Niederhofer , seconded by Councilmember Venkat , and carried by roll call vote, 3-2-0, Vice Mayor Kiesel and 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 Section 2.28.090 within Chapter 2.28, “Planning,” of Title 2, “Administration and Personnel” of the Foster City Municipal Code to Add Duties of Board of Appeals to the Planning Commission and Finding the Amendments Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Pursuant to CEQA Guideline Section 15061(B)(3).”
Motion by Councilmember Niederhofer, seconded by Councilmember Venkat, and carried by roll call vote, 3 -2-0, Vice Mayor Kiesel and 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 Repealing and Replacing Sections 15.02.120, “Means of Appeals” Adopting by Reference and Amending Section 113 of the California Building Code; 15.04.110, “Board of Appeals” Adopting by Reference and Amending Section R112 of the California Residential Code; 15.06.080, “Means of Appeals” Adopting by Reference and Amending Section 112 of the California Existing Building Code; 15.08.080, “Board of Appeals” Adopting by Reference and Amending Section 107.0 of the California Mechanical Code; 15.16.070, “Board of Appeals” Adopting by Reference and Amending Section 107.0 of the California Plumbing Code; and Adopting a New Section 15.20.190, “Board of Appeals” within Title 15, “Building and Construction” of the Foster City Municipal Code Adopting by Reference and Amending Section 89.108.8 of the California Electrical Code to Designate the Planning Commission as the Board of Appeals to Hear and Decide Appeals of Decisions Made by the Building Official; and Finding the Amendments Exempt From the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Pursuant to CEQA Guideli ne Section 15061(B)(3).”
Motion by Mayor Jimenez, seconded by Councilmember Niederhofer, and carried, 3-2-0, Vice Mayor Kiesel and Councilmember Sullivan voted “no,” adopting City Resolution No. 2025-70, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Establishing New Fee for Appeals to the Board of Appeals and Finding the Establishment of the Fee Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Pursuant to CEQA Guideline Section 15061(B)(3)” with an amendment to require a neutral third -party to assist with preparing reports for when appeals appear before the Planning Commission.
NEW BUSINESS
APPOINTMENT OF VOTING DELEGATE AND ALTERNATE FOR THE LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES 2025 ANNUAL CONFERENCE . MINUTE ORDER NO. 2044.
Deputy City Clerk Estrada presented the staff report.
Discussion ensued.
Motion by Councilmember Niederhofer, seconded by Councilmember Venkat, and carried unanimously, adopting Minute Order No. 2044, appointing Mayor Jimenez as Voting Delegate and Vice Mayor Kiesel as Alternate for the League of California Cities 2025 Annual Conference.
REPORTS
INFORMATIONAL REPORT ON LOCAL REACH CODES. MINUTE ORDER NO. 2045.
Community Development Director Mangalam presented the staff report.
Discussion ensued.
Motion by Mayor Jimenez , seconded by Councilmember Neiderhofer , and carried unanimously, 5-0-0, adopting Minute Order No. 2045, receiving and accepting the report, and directing staff to engage with homeowners and encourage them to participate in local rebate programs.
DRAFT PARKS AND OPEN SPACE ELEMENT AND CONSERVATION ELEMENT.
MINUTE ORDER NO. 2046.
Housing and Sustainability Manager Jabba introduced Della Acosta, representing Rincon Consultants, Inc., who presented the staff report.
Discussion ensued.
Motion by Councilmember Venkat , seconded by Councilmember Kiesel, and carried unanimously, 5- 0-0, adopting Minute Order No. 204 6, receiving and accepting the overview of the draft Parks and Open Space Element and Conservation Element of the General Plan.
RESOLUTIONS FOR ADOPTION
AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED WATER SUPPLY AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO AND WHOLESALE
CUSTOMERS IN ALAMEDA COUNTY, SAN MATEO COUNTY, AND SANTA CLARA COUNTY AND AN UPDATED TIER 2 DROUGHT RESPONSE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN. EMID RESOLUTION NO. 3817. EMID RESOLUTION NO. 3818.
Public Works Director Brozyna introduced Danielle McPherson, representing the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency (BAWSCA), who presented the staff report.
Discussion ensued.
Motion by Director Venkat, seconded by Director Sullivan, and carried unanimously, 5-0- 0, adopting EMID Resolution No. 3817, “ A Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Estero Municipal Improvement District Approving an Amendment to the Amended and Restated Water Supply Agreement Between the City and County of San Francisco and Wholesale Customers in Alameda County, San Mateo County, and Santa Clara County and Finding the Amendment Exempt from Review Under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) 15378(b)(5), 15060(c)(2), 15301, and 15162(a).”
Motion by Director Venkat, seconded by Director Sullivan, and carried unanimously, 5-0-
0. Adopting EMID Resolution No. 3818, “ A Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Estero Municipal Improvement District Approving Tier 2 Drought Response Implementation Plan Pursuant to Section 3.11.C of the Amended and Restated Water Supply Agreement and Finding the Amendment Exempt from Review Under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) 15378(b)(5), 15060(c)(2), 15301, and 15162(a).”
CARRYOVER OF VARIOUS UNSPENT FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 APPROPRIATIONS TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2025 -26 BUDGET . CITY RESOLUTION NO. 2025 -71. EMID RESOLUTION NO. 3819.
Finance Director Cruz presented the staff report.
Discussion ensued.
Motion by Councilmember/Director Sullivan, seconded by Vice Mayor/Vice President Kiesel, and carried unanimously, 5- 0-0, adopting City Resolution No. 2025- 71, “ A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Approving the Carryover of Various Unspent Fiscal year 2024-25 Budget Line Items and Supplemental Appropriations to the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget” and EMID Resolution No. 3819, “A Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Estero Municipal Improvement District Approving the Carryover of Various Unspent Fiscal year 2024- 25 Budget Line Items and Supplemental Appropriations to the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget.”
TEMPORARY BUSINESS LICENSE TAX AMNESTY PROGRAM WHICH INCLUDES
SUSPENSION OF THE COLLECTION OF PENALTIES ASSOCIATED WITH PAST DUE BUSINESS LICENSE TAXES. CITY RESOLUTION NO. 2025-72.
Finance Director Cruz presented the staff report.
Discussion ensued.
Motion by Councilmember Niederhofer, seconded by Councilmember Venkat, and carried unanimously, 5 -0-0, adopting City Resolution No. 2025- 72, “ A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Authorizing a Temporary Business License Tax Amnesty Program Which Includes Suspension of the Collection of Penalties Associated with Past Due Business License Taxes.”
COMMUNICATIONS
CITY/DISTRICT WARRANT OF DEMANDS. NO ACTION TAKEN.
City/District Warrants of Demands were Processed and Issued on August 14, 2025, and ACH were processed on August 5, 2025.
CITY/DISTRICT MANAGER REPORTS, COUNCIL/BOARD STATEMENTS AND
REQUESTS, AND COUNCIL LIAISON REPORTS
Councilmember/Director Venkat stated that on August 26, she attended the Commute.org Strategic Planning Steering Committee meeting. At the San Mateo Foster City School District Board meeting on August 28, she accepted a Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of Foster City from the San Mateo Foster City Education Foundation. On August 29, she attended a meeting held by the Foster City Association of Black Residents. She shared that the Foster City American Youth Soccer Organization ( AYSO) Opening Day Ceremony will be on Saturday, September 6.
Councilmember/Director Sullivan stated he attended the San Mateo Union High School District Board meeting on August 28.
Vice Mayor/Vice President Kiesel stated the AYSO Opening Day Ceremony will be on September 6. He attended the first session of this year’s Civics Academy held on August 27, which featured presentations from City Manager Chatwin and Finance Director Cruz.
Mayor/President Jimenez thanked Island United Church and the Foster City Rotary Club for their partnership with the City on expanding the Community Garden. She asked the public to keep our local firefighters in our thought s and prayers as some of them have been assigned to temporarily assist with wildfires in other counties. She stated she attended the C ity/County Association of Governments of San Mateo County (C/CAG) Congestion Management and Environmental Quality (CMEQ) Board meeting on August
25. On August 26, she attended a Women’s Equality Day event hosted by the Commission on the Status of Women of San Mateo County. On August 27, she attended the first session of this year’s Civics Academy. On August 31, she spoke and presented at the Indian Tech Icon Awards held at Santa Clara University. She stated she will be attending the AYSO Opening Day Ceremony and the San Mateo Consolidated Firefighters’ Annual Chili Cook-Off on September 6.
ADJOURNMENT
Hearing no objection from the City Council/EMID Board, Mayor/President Jimenez adjourned the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.