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DATE: October 6, 2025
TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council
VIA: Stefan Chatwin, City Manager
FROM: Diane Pitman, Administrative Services Director
DEPARTMENT: Administrative Services
SUBJECT: CITY HALL AND COMMUNITY CENTER HOLIDAY CLOSURE
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt the attached resolution approving the closure of City Hall and the Community Center between the dates of December 26, 2025 through January 2, 2026 due to the observed holidays of Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day and authorizing the City Manager to close City Hall and the Community Center each year going forward for the days between Christmas and New Year’s.
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS
City Hall currently remains open on all working days and observes Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. The working days between Christmas and New Year’s experience a reduction in walk-in or call-in customers for utility payments, permit, plan check and other typical City business/services. Employees coordinate leave usage during the holidays to ensure that City Hall customers can be assisted and that there is coverage for walk-ins, but this also prevents employees from being able to take time off during the holidays. Other services and projects outside of City Hall can be scheduled around the holidays to ensure employees can take time off with their families. Closing City Hall and the Community Center between Christmas and New Year’s holidays will allow staff to focus on other tasks or allow more employees to take time off as vacation or spend time with their families if they choose. The VIBE Teen Center will be open for walk-in recreation customers, as the facility will also be hosting youth seasonal camp during the school district’s winter break.
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Other cities have implemented a holiday closure and recently employees requested if that practice could be implemented here at Foster City.
Employees will be expected to work even if City Hall and the Community Center are closed to walk-in and call-in customers. But if they choose to use vacation, or other eligible leave, they can do so during this time. A building inspector will be available, should there be any emergencies needing a response related to building safety. Any water or wastewater bill payments can be done online, and the utility payment deposit slot at City Hall will remain open. The closure of City Hall and the Community Center will have no impact on Police Department operations.
Authorizing the City Manager to close City Hall and the Community Center in the future will ensure employees can communicate the status to residents ahead of time and both employees and residents can plan ahead accordingly.
The requested schedule for the period between December 24, 2025, through January 5, 2026, is as follows:
December 24, 2025 (Wed) Holiday (Christmas Eve)
December 25, 2025 (Thu) Holiday (Christmas Day)
December 26, 2025 (Fri) Closed to Public
December 27-28, 2025 (Sat-Sun) Normal Weekend Closure
December 29-30, 2025 (Mon-Tue) Closed to Public
December 31, 2025 (Wed) Holiday (New Year’s Eve)
January 1, 2026 (Thu) Holiday (New Year’s Day)
January 2, 2026 (Fri) Closed to Public
January 3-4, 2026 (Sat-Sun) Normal Weekend Closure
City Hall will resume normal business operations on Monday, January 5, 2025. Should the Council agree to the closure request, staff will work with the Communications team to notify the general public.
California Environmental Quality Act
Not Applicable
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to closing City Hall and the Community Center for the days between Christmas Day and New Year’s.
CITY COUNCIL VISION, MISSION, AND VALUE/PRIORITY AREA
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Staff Empowerment and Operational Excellence
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1 – Resolution