CITY OF FOSTER CITY/
ESTERO MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING OF NOVEMBER 17, 2025
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER OF CITY COUNCIL/EMID BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Regular Meeting of November 17, 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. in the Council Chambers, 620 Foster City Boulevard, Foster City, San Mateo County, California, 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 Manager; Diane Pitman, Administrative Services Director; Andrew Brozyna, Public Works Director; Derek Schweigart, Parks and Recreation Director ; Sofia Mangalam, Community Development Director; Cory Call, Police Chief; Rob Lasky, IT Manager; Laura Galli, Engineering Manager; Chuck Venook, Chief Building Officer; Ryan Michelsen, Video Technician; Katherine Estrada; Deputy City Clerk; and Priscilla Schaus, Comm unications Director/City Clerk/District Secretary.
PUBLIC
Shawn Mooney addressed the City Council via email regarding Mariners Point.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion by Councilmember/Director Sullivan, seconded by Councilmember/Director Venkat, 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 November 3, 2025;
2. City Ordinance No. 695, “ An Ordinance of the City of Foster City Repealing and Replacing Chapter 10.24 (Regarding Speed Limits in the City of Foster City) to Add Definitions, Reduce Prima Facie Speed Limits and Establish 15 Mph Speed Limits on Certain Streets Near Schools, and Other Administrative Changes; and Finding Ordinance Exempt From Review Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act Pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (First Reading on November 3, 2025);”
3. City Resolution No. 2025-95, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Accepting the Work by Spektren Engineering, Inc. for the Foster City Boulevard Median Modification Project (CIP 301-635) and Directing the City Clerk to File the Notice of Completion; and Finding the Project Exempt from CEQA Under Section 15301(B) – Existing Facilities;”
4. City Resolution No. 2025-96, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Approving Amendment One (1) to the Task Order with Wilsey Ham, Inc. in the Amount of $23,764 for Professional Engineering Services for the Rear Security Gates Project (CIP 301-707); and Finding the Approval Exempt From the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines §15061(b)(3);”
5. City Resolution No. 2025-97, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Approving the Third Amendment to the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&Rs) for the Metro Center and Authorizing the Mayor to Execute Same;”
6. City Resolution No. 2025-98, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Acting in Its Capacity as Successor Agency to the Former City Community Development Agency Approving the Third Amendment to the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&Rs) for the Metro Center and Authorizing the Mayor to Execute Same”; and
7. EMID Resolution No. 3826, “ A Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Estero Municipal Improvement District Authorizing (1) Task Order No. HYD -2025-01 to the Master Professional Services Agreement with Hydroscience Engineering, Inc. in the Amount Not -to-Exceed $995,663 for Wastew ater Engineering Services for the Sanitary Sewer Lift Station Improvements – Phase 6 Project (CIP 455- 719); (2) A Project Contingency in the Amount of $149,000 with Authority Given to the District Manager to Execute Task Order Am endments Up to the Contingency Amount; and (3) Finding the Action Exempt From CEQA Under Section 15301 (b) & 15301(d) Existing Facilities.”
PUBLIC HEARINGS
BUILDING CODE UPDATES. CITY ORDINANCE NO. 696. CITY ORDINANCE NO. 697.
Community Development Director Mangalam presented the staff report.
Mayor Jimenez opened a public hearing to hear and consider comments regarding Building Code Updates.
No public testimony was received.
Without objection from the City Council, Mayor Jimenez closed the public hearing.
Discussion ensued.
Motion by Vice Mayor Kiesel , seconded by Councilmember Niederhofer, and carried unanimously by roll call vote, 5-0-0, adopting City Ordinance No. 696, “ An Ordinance of the City of Foster City Amending Section 1.01.010, “Adoption- Secondary Codes Adopted,” of Chapter 1.01, “Code Adoption,” within Title 1 of the Foster City Municipal Code Adopting by Reference Certain Parts, Including Related Appendices, as Identified in the 2025 California Building Code, 2025 Residential Code, 2025 California Mechanical Code, 2025 California Plumbing Code, 2025 California Electrical Code, 2025 California Fire Code, 2025 California Energy Code, 2025 California Green Building Standards Code, the 2025 California Existing Building Code, and the 2025 Wildland-Urban Interface Code Within Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations; and Finding the Amendments Exempt From the California E nvironmental Quality Act (CEQA) Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) (First Reading on November 3, 2025” and City Ordinance No. 697, “ An Ordinance of the City of Foster City Repealing and Replacing Chapters
15.02, “Building Code”; 15.04, “Residential Code”; 15.06, “Existing Building Code”; 15.08, “Mechanical Code”; 15.16,” “Plumbing Code”; 15.20, “Electrical Code”; 15.24, “Fire Code”, and 15.46 “Electric Vehicle Charging Stations” within Title 15, “Building and Construction,” of the Foster City M unicipal Code and Adopting by Reference the 2025 California Building Code, 2025 Residential Code, 2025 California Electrical Code, 2025 California Mechanical Code, 2025 California Plumbing Code, 2025 California Fire Code, and the 2025 California Existing B uilding Code With Appendices within Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations and Making Certain Amendments Thereto, Including the Addition of Various Penalties; Delegating Enforcement Authority for the California Fire Code to the San Mateo Consolidat ed Fire Department; and Finding the Amendments Exempt From the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) (First Reading on November 3, 2025).”
NEW BUSINESS
APPOINTMENTS OF FIVE (5) CITIZENS TO NEW FULL TERMS FROM JANUARY 1, 2026 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2028 ON THE AUDIT COMMITTEE ; FOUR (4) CITIZENS TO NEW FULL TERMS FROM JANUARY 1, 2026 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2028 ON THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE; AND ONE CITIZEN TO A NEW FULL TERM FROM JANUARY 31, 2026 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2028 ON THE TRAFFIC REVIEW COMMITTEE. MINUTE ORDER NO. 2052.
Communications Director/City Clerk Schaus presented the staff report.
The following applicants seeking appointment to the Audit Committee were interviewed by the City Council:
1. Fred Baer;
2. Rosana Han;
3. Deborah Mester; and
4. Bevan Smith.
The following applicants seeking appointment to the Parks and Recreation Committee were interviewed by the City Council;
1. Tori Foord;
2. Divya Malik;
3. Alan Pattison;
4. Yvonne Sorenson; and
5. Ranjani Thiagarajan.
The following applicants seeking appointment to the Traffic Review Committee were interviewed by the City Council:
1. Vasant Janakiraman; and
2. David Noonan.
Eric de Regnaucourt (Audit and Traffic Review) and Muneeb Khan (Parks & Recreation and Traffic Review) withdrew their applications. Sixu Hu was not in attendance for the interview for the Parks and Recreation Committee. Carla Porter-Pursnani was unable to attend the meeting and submitted a written statement and video.
Minute Order No. 2052 was adopted as follows:
1. Motion by Vice Mayor Kiesel, seconded by Councilmember Sullivan, and carried unanimously, appointing Fred Baer, Rosana Han, Deborah Mester, and Bevan Smith to new full terms from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2028 on the Audit Committee;
2. Motion by Councilmember Venkat , seconded by Councilmember Sullivan, and carried unanimously, 5-0-0, appointing Tori Foord, Divya Malik, Yvonne Sorenson, and Ranjani Thiagarajan to new full term from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2028 on the Parks and Recreation Committee; and
3. Motion by Councilmember Venkat , seconded by Vice Mayor Kiesel , and carried, 4-0-1, Councilmember Sullivan abstained, appointing David Noonan, to a new full term from January 31, 2026 through December 31, 2028 on the Traffic Review Committee.
RECESS. The meeting recessed at 8:46 p.m. and reconvened at 8:51 p.m.
ASSISTANCE OPPORTUNITIES FOR FOSTER CITY RESIDENTS THAT MAY LOSE ACCESS TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP).
The following addressed the City Council via teleconference:
1. Kalimah;
2. Seona Srivastava; and
3. Rashmi Rajendra.
Discussion ensued.
By Consensus of the City Council, it was directed that staff work with the Samaritan House to place food donation bins in Foster City and for staff to publish information on the City website regarding community resources for food insecurity, local food pantries, and links to donate and where they can help.
REPORTS
WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT MASTER PLAN IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT (CIP 455- 652) - CLEAN WATER PROGRAM - UPDATE FOR QUARTER 3 – JULY THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2025. MINUTE ORDER NO. 2053.
Public Works Director Brozyna introduced David Umezaki, representing EKI Environment & Water, Inc., who presented the staff report.
Discussion ensued.
Motion by Director Niederhofer, seconded by Director Venkat, and carried unanimously, 5-0-0, adopting Minute Order No. 2053, receiving and accepting the report.
COMMUNICATIONS
CITY/DISTRICT WARRANT OF DEMANDS. NO ACTION TAKEN.
City/District Warrants of Demands were Processed and Issued on October 29, 2025.
CITY/DISTRICT MANAGER REPORTS, COUNCIL/BOARD STATEMENTS AND
REQUESTS, AND COUNCIL LIAISON REPORTS
City/District Manager Chatwin stated the repairs for the elevator at the Community Center Annex have been completed and an inspection is scheduled for November 18.
Councilmember/Director Venkat shared the San Mateo- Foster City School District will include 80-100 workforce housing units in their 2026 Facilities Master Plan. She attended the Youth Advisory Committee meeting on November 5.
Councilmember/Director Sullivan stated he attended the San Mateo Union High School District Board meeting on November 6. On November 13, he attended San Mateo County Supervisor Canepa’s Loneliness to Light event at the Peninsula Humane Society.
Councilmember/Director Niederhofer stated she attended the Planning Commission meeting on November 6. She reminded the public that the last Child Care Town Hall event hosted by San Mateo County Supervisors Speier and Gauthier will be on November 19 at the Half Moon Bay Library from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. She wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
Vice Mayor/Vice President Kiesel stated he attended a presentation in Redwood City hosted by the San Jose Conservation Corps + Charter School (SJCC+CS ) and the appointment of the new San Mateo County Sheriff on November 12.
Mayor/President Jimenez stated she attended the Peninsula Clean Energy meeting on October 23. On November 11, she attended a Veterans Day Ceremony hosted by the American Legion Post 105 in Redwood City, and the Veterans Day event hosted by the Foster City Police Department at the Atria at Foster Square. She thanked the City’s resident veterans for their service. On November 13, she attended the City/County Association of Governments of San Mateo County (C/CAG) Legislative Committee meeting. She invited the community to attend the Reorganization Ceremony at the next City Council meeting on December 1.
CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Jimenez recessed the meeting into Closed Session for:
1. Conference With Legal Counsel—existing Litigation
(Paragraph (1) of Subdivision (D) of Section 54956.9)
Christina Fuentes-MacDougall, Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board Case No.
ADJ11247040; and
2. Report Out from Closed Session.
Meeting recessed into Closed Session at 10:01 p.m. and reconvened at 10:07 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 10:07 p.m.