CITY OF FOSTER CITY/
ESTERO MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING OF FEBRUARY 17, 2026
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER OF CITY COUNCIL/EMID BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Regular Meeting of February 17, 2026 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 Art Kiesel.
This meeting was held as a hybrid meeting.
ROLL CALL
The Deputy City Clerk/District Secretary called the roll:
PRESENT:
Councilmembers/ex officio EMID Directors Stacy Jimenez, Suzy Niederhofer, Patrick Sullivan, Phoebe Venkat, and Mayor/President Art Kiesel.
ABSENT: None.
STAFF PRESENT:
Stefan Chatwin, City/District Manager ; Benjamin Stock , City Attorney/District Legal Counsel ; Marlene Subhashini, Assistant City/District 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; Frank Fanara, Parks Manager; Yelena Capello, Principal Management Analyst; Michael Miller, Fleet Supervisor; Shuli Chen , Video Technician; and Katherine Estrada, Deputy City Clerk/District Secretary.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING FEBRUARY 2026 AS BLACK HISTORY MONTH.
Mayor Kiesel presented the Proclamation Recognizing February 2026 as Black History Month to Maurice Goodman, President of NAACP San Mateo County Branch, and Bill Stewart, representing the Foster City Association of Black Residents, who was in attendance via teleconference.
PUBLIC
Tsing-tsai Tseng addressed the City Council via email regarding th e Planning Commission Public Hearing and Study Session scheduled for February 19, 2026.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion by Vice Mayor/Vice President Niederhofer, 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 February 2, 2026;
2. City Resolution No. 2026- 009, “ A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Authorizing an Agreement in the Amount of $61,832 with Interactive Resources, Inc for Professional Architecture and Engineering Services for Phase 1 of the Renovate Elevators in City Buildings Project (CIP 301 -708) and Finding the Project Exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Under Section 15301(B) – Existing Facilities; and
3. EMID Resolution No. 3834, “A Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Estero Municipal Improvement District Authorizing the Execution of a Task Order with Freyer & Laureta, Inc. for Professional Engineering Services in the Amount of $374,100 for CIP 455 -710 Shell Bridge Force Mai n Replacement Project; and Finding the Approval Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines §15061(B)(3) and 15301(C) —Existing Facilities.”
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH FLOCK SAFETY,
LLC FOR THE PROCUREMENT OF EIGHT ADDITIONAL AUTOMATIC LICENSE PLATE READERS (ALPRS) FOR $24,000 ANNUALLY, TO BE USED IN A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH THE CITY’S ESTABLISHED ALPR PROGRAM AND OTHER APPLICABLE LAW. CITY RESOLUTION NO. 2026-010.
Without objection from the City Council, Mayor Kiesel removed this item from the Consent Calendar at the request of Councilmember Jimenez.
The following people addressed the City Council via teleconference:
1. Pablo; and
2. Katie Beglinger.
Discussion ensued.
Motion by Councilmember Jimenez, seconded by Vice Mayor Niederhofer, and carried 4- 1-0, Councilmember Venkat voted “no,” adopting City Resolution No. 2026- 010, “ A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Authorizing the Mayor to Execute an Agreement with Flock Safety, LLC for the Procurement of Eight Additional Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPRs) for $24,000 Annually, to be Used in a Manner Consistent with the City’s Established ALPR Program and other Applicable Law.”
AUTHORIZE AN APPROPRIATION OF $87,179 FROM THE VEHICLE REPLACEMENT FUND (501) TO ACCOUNT NO. 501-0560-431-4384, AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF THIRTEEN (13) VEHICLES FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $852,183; AND FINDING
THE PURCHASE EXEMPT FROM REVIEW UNDER THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) 15061(B)(3). CITY RESOLUTION NO. 2026- 011.
Without objection from the City Council, Mayor Kiesel removed this item from the Consent Calendar at the request of Councilmember Jimenez.
Discussion ensued.
Motion by Councilmember Jimenez, seconded by Vice Mayor Niederhofer, and carried unanimously, 5- 0-0, adopting City Resolution No. 2026- 011, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Authorizing an Appropriation of $87,179 From the Vehicle Replacement Fund (501) to Account No. 501- 0560-431-4384, Authorizing the Purchase of Thirteen (13) Vehicles for a Total Amount of $852,183; and Finding the Purchase Exempt from Review Under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) 15061(B)(3).”
NEW BUSINESS
2026 STATE LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM AND POLICY. MINUTE ORDER NO. 2061.
Assistant City Manager Subhashini introduced Dane Hutchings , representing California Public Policy Group (CPPG), who presented the report.
Yiming Luo addressed the City Council via email.
The following people addressed the City Council via teleconference:
1. Yiming Luo; and
2. Pablo.
Discussion ensued.
Motion by Councilmember Jimenez, seconded by Vice Mayor Niederhofer, and carried unanimously, 5-0-0, adopting Minute Order No. 2061, receiving and accepting the report with the following changes to the Legislative Platform:
1. Amend the first legislative platform statement for Transportation to read as follows:
“Support legislation that would maximize the effectiveness of funding for local transportation projects throughout the City where appropriate, including programs or projects that facilitate transit, last-mile transit, enhanced pedestrian safety, and the implementation of the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan;”
2. Include language supporting legislation that strengthens and enhances driving- under-the-influence laws;
3. Include language supports alternatives to district elections; and
4. Collaborate with state agencies to improve public transit infrastructure.
REPORTS
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE'S 2025 YEAR END REPORT, REVIEW OF MISSION STATEMENT, AND GOALS FOR 2026. MINUTE ORDER NO. 2062.
Parks and Recreation Director Schweigart introduced former Parks and Recreation Committee Chair Raj Tiwari and current Vice Chair Lisa Fong, who presented the report.
Discussion ensued.
Motion by Vice Mayor Niederhofer, seconded by Councilmember Jimenez, and carried unanimously, 5-0-0, adopting Minute Order No. 2062, receiving and accepting the Parks and Recreation Committee’s 2025 Year End Report, Review of Mission Statement, and Goals for 2026.
CANADA GOOSE MANAGEMENT PLAN UPDATE. MINUTE ORDER NO. 2063.
Parks Manager Fanara and Dan Biteman, representing Wildlife Innovations , Inc. , presented the report.
Yiming Luo addressed the City Council via teleconference.
Discussion ensued.
Motion by Councilmember Venkat, seconded by Councilmember Sullivan, and carried unanimously, 5-0-0, adopting Minute Order No. 2063, receiving and accepting the report on the Canada Goose Management Plan implementation.
RESOLUTIONS FOR ADOPTION
APPROVE THE COMMUNITY CENTER BUSINESS OPERATIONS PLAN AS A GUIDING FRAMEWORK. CITY RESOLUTION NO. 2026-012.
Parks and Recreation Director Schweigart and Michael Svetz, representing Pros Consulting, Inc., presented the report.
Discussion ensued.
Motion by Vice Mayor Niederhofer, seconded by Councilmember Jimenez, and carried unanimously, 5- 0-0, adopting City Resolution No. 2026- 012, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Approving the Community Center Business Operations Plan as a Guiding Framework.”
REVISE SALARY RANGES FOR VARIOUS MANAGEMENT POSITIONS IN PUBLIC WORKS; APPROVING A REVISED JOB DESCRIPTION TITLE FOR THE BUILDING/FLEET MAINTENANCE SUPERINTENDENT; AND ADOPTING THE AMENDED PAY PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026. CITY RESOLUTION NO. 2026- 013. EMID RESOLUTION NO. 3835.
Administrative Services Director Pitman presented the staff report.
Discussion ensued.
Motion by Vice Mayor/Vice President Niederhofer, seconded by Councilmember/Director Venkat, and carried unanimously, 5- 0-0, adopting City Resolution No. 2026- 013, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Revising Salary Ranges for Various Management Positions in Public Works; Approving a Revised Job Description Title for the Building/Fleet Maintenance Superintendent; and Adopting the Amended Pay Plan for Fiscal Year 2025- 2026” and EMID Resolution No. 3835, “ A Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Estero Municipal Improvement District Revising Salary Ranges for Various Management Positions in Public Works; Approving a Revised Job Description Title for the Building/Fleet Maintenance Superintendent; and Adopting the Amended Pay Plan for Fiscal Year 2025-2026.”
COMMUNICATIONS
CITY/DISTRICT WARRANT OF DEMANDS. NO ACTION TAKEN.
City/District Warrants of Demands were Processed and Issued on January 29, 2026.
CITY/DISTRICT MANAGER REPORTS, COUNCIL/BOARD STATEMENTS AND
REQUESTS, AND COUNCIL LIAISON REPORTS
City/District Manager Chatwin reported that following direction from the Council/Board at the City Council Annual Retreat on February 10 to disband the Audit Committee, the item will be brought to the Council at a future meeting. He announced there is a vacant position in the Citizens Sustainability Advisory Committee, and he suggested having the appointment placed on the Consent Calendar at a future regular City Council meeting, as there is one applicant for the vacant position , rather than hold a special meeting for an interview.
Councilmember/Director Venkat wished every one a happy Lunar New Year and Ramadan. She stated she attended the Youth Advisory Committee meeting on February 4, and the Citizens Sustainability Advisory Committee meeting on February 11, where they appointed a new Committee Chair and Vice Chair.
Councilmember/Director Jimenez stated she attended the C/CAG (City /County Association of Governments of San Mateo County) Board meeting on February 12. She wished everyone a happy Lunar New Year, Ash Wednesday, and Ramadan.
Vice Mayor/Vice President Niederhofer stated she attended the SFO Roundtable meeting on February 4, and the Planning Commission meeting on February 5. On February 12, she attended a Local Officials Briefing hosted by the County of San Mateo, where they discussed the VLF (vehicle license fee) shortfall, the implementation of the H.R.1 bill, homelessness, and anti-human trafficking efforts.
Mayor Kiesel stated he attended the Local Officials Briefing hosted by San Mateo County on February 12.
ADJOURNMENT
Hearing no objection from the City Council/EMID Board, Mayor/President Kiesel adjourned the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 9:36 p.m.