CITY OF FOSTER CITY/
ESTERO MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING OF JUNE 15, 2026
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER OF CITY COUNCIL/EMID BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Regular Meeting of June 15, 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 Communications Director/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; Sofia Mangalam, Deputy City Manager; Diane Pitman, Administrative Services Director; Derek Schweigart, Parks and Recreation Director; Nate Cruz, Finance Director; Thai-Chau Le, Interim Community Development Director; Cory Call, Police Chief; Eric Cromosini, Police Officer; Kitty Dandan, Financial Services Manager; Tiffany Oren, Recreation Manager; Frank Fanara, Parks Manager; Nori Jabba, Housing and Sustainability Manager; Chuck Venook, Chief Building Official; Garrett Gotthardt, Parks Supervisor; Michael Miller, Fleet Supervisor; Estelle Gobrera, Management Coordinator; Yelena Cappello, Principal Management Analyst; Ryan Marquez, Senior Civil Engineer; Oz Jimenez, Recreation Coordinator; Maira Blanco, Senior Planner; Kevin McGill, Assistant Planner; Dusty Landwehr, Recreation Coordinator; Daniel Weber, Parks Lead Maintenance Worker; Carlos Valerio, Parks
Maintenance Worker I; Patrick Vizconde, Administrative Assistant; Shuli Chen, Video Technician; and Priscilla Schaus,
Communications Director/City Clerk/District Secretary.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
PROCLAMATION DECLARING THE WEEK OF JUNE 21- 27, 2026 AS “NATIONAL MOSQUITO CONTROL AWARENESS WEEK.”
Mayor Kiesel presented the Proclamation Declaring the Week of June 21-27, 2026 as “National Mosquito Control Awareness Week” to Rachel Curtis -Robles, San Mateo County Mosquito & Vector Control District Communications Director and San Mateo County Mosquito & Vector Control Board Member Paul Norton.
PROCLAMATION DECLARING THE MONTH OF JULY AS “PARKS AND RECREATION MONTH.”
Councilmember Sullivan presented the Proclamation Declaring the Month of July as “Parks and Recreation Month” to Oz Jimenez, Recreation Coordinator.
PUBLIC
Raymond Goins addressed the City Council regarding Juneteenth.
REPORTS
Without objection from the City Council, Mayor Kiesel moved the San Francisco Peninsula Destination Marketing Organization’s (D MO) New 2025– 2028 Strategic Plan item out of agenda order.
SAN FRANCISCO PENINSULA DESTINATION MARKETING ORGANIZATION’S (DMO) NEW 2025–2028 STRATEGIC PLAN. NO ACTION TAKEN.
John Hutar, President & CEO of The San Francisco Peninsula, presented the report.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion by Vice Mayor/Vice President Niederhofer, seconded by Councilmember/Director Jimenez, and carried unanimousl y, 5-0-0, approving the following items on the City/District Consent Calendar:
City/EMID Consent Calendar
1. City/EMID Regular Meeting Minutes of June 1, 2026;
2. City Resolution No. 2026- 058, “ A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City (1) Calling and Giving Notice of the Holding of a General Municipal Election to Be Held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026 for the Election of One (1) Member of the City Council for District 1 and One ( 1) Member of the City Council for District 2; Requesting That the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Mateo Consolidate the General Municipal Election to Be Held on November 3, 2026 with the Statewide General Election Pursuant to Section 10403 of the Elections Code and to Permit the San Mateo County Registration and Elections Division to Conduct Said Election, and Authorizing the City Clerk to Execute a Service Agreement with the County of San Mateo for Election Services;”
3. City Resolution No. 2026- 059, “ A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Authorizing the Mayor to Execute an Agreement with CDW Government LLC for the Purchase of Mobile Data Computer (MDC) Replacements for Police Patrol Cars in the Amount of $67,339.23;”
4. City Resolution No. 2026- 060, “ A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Authorizing a Change to the Previously Approved Appropriation from the Vehicle Replacement Fund (501) to Account No. 501- 0560-431-4384, Decreasing the Amount from $88,456 to $78,126 ($10,330 Decrease); Amending the Award for the 2026 Ford Expedition Max Active 4WD Vehicle by Changing Vehicle to the 2027 Ford Expedition XL SSV4 in the Amount of $62,664 and $8,000 for Equipment Installation for a Total of $70,664; And Finding the Purchase Exempt from Review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) 15061(B)(3);”
5. City Resolution No. 2026- 061, “ A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Authorizing the Mayor to Execute Contract Amendment No. 1 to the Existing Agreement with West Coast Code Consultants (WC3) for Professional On-Call Building Services for an Additional Amount of $100,000 for a Total Agreement Amount Not to Exceed $250,000, and to Extend the Term of the Agreement to June 30, 2027 and Finding the Request Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines 15061(B)(3);”
6. City Resolution No. 2026- 062, “ A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Authorizing the First Amendment to the Concession Agreement with Edgewater Marine LLC for Boat Rental Services, Extending the Agreement through September 30, 2026 and Authorizing the Mayor to Exec ute the Amendment;”
7. City Resolution No. 2026- 063, “ A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Approving the Amendment to the Joint Use Agreement between the City of Foster City/Estero Municipal Improvement District and the San Mateo- Foster City School District, Extending the Agreement through August 31, 2026, and Authorizing the Mayor to Execute the Amendment;”
8. EMID Resolution No. 3853, “ A Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Estero Municipal Improvement District Approving the Amendment to the Joint Use Agreement between the City of Foster City/Estero Municipal Improvement District and the San Mateo-Foster City School District, Extending the Agreement through August 31, 2026, and Authorizing the Board President to Execute the Amendment;”
9. City Resolution No. 2026- 064, “ A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Adding the New Job Description of Recreation Specialist and Approving Revised Job Descriptions for the Communications Specialist and Senior Building Inspector;”
10. EMID Resolution No. 3854, “ A Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Estero Municipal Improvement District Adding the New Job Description of Recreation Specialist and Approving Revised Job Descriptions for the Communications Specialist and Senior Building Inspector;”
11. City Resolution No. 2026- 065, “ A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Adopting an Updated Investment Policy Dated June 15, 2026;”
12. EMID Resolution No. 3855, “ A Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Estero Municipal Improvement District Adopting an Updated Investment Policy Dated June 15, 2026”; and
13. EMID Resolution No. 3856, “ A Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Estero Municipal Improvement District Approving a One- Year Extension of the Water/Wastewater Rate Assistance Program (W/WRAP) through June 30, 2027, and Unless Further Extended by the District Board, Will Auto matically Sunset at the Conclusion of This Period; And Finding the Approval of the Extension Is Exempt from Review Under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) 15061(B)(3).”
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE COOPERATION AGREEMENT DATED SEPTEMBER 20, 2017, WITH THE COUNTY OF SAN MATEO, FOR CONTINUED PARTICIPATION IN THE COUNTY’S FEDERALLY -FUNDED HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS IN FISCAL YEARS 2027, 2028, AND 2029 WITH AN AUTOMATIC RENEWAL FOR FISCAL YEARS 2030, 2031, AND 2032 . CITY RESOLUTION NO. 2026-066.
Without objection from the City Council, Mayor Kiesel removed this item from the Consent Calendar at the request of Councilmember Venkat.
Discussion ensued.
Motion by Councilmember Venkat, seconded by Councilmember Sullivan, and carried unanimously, 5- 0-0, adopting City Resolution No. 2026- 066, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Second Amendment to the Cooperation Agreement Dated September 20, 2017, with the County of San Mateo, for Continued Participation in the County’s Federally-Funded Housing and Community Development Programs in Fiscal Years 2027, 2028, and 2029 with an Automatic Renewal for Fiscal Years 2030, 2031, and 2032.”
PUBLIC HEARINGS
GILEAD CAMPUS EXPANSION MASTER PLAN PROJECT . CITY RESOLUTION NO. 2026-067. CITY RESOLUTION NO. 2026-068.
Senior Planner Blanco and Interim Community Development Director Le presented the staff report.
Mayor Kiesel opened a public hearing to h ear and c onsider comments regarding the Gilead Campus Expansion Master Plan Project.
No public testimony was received.
Without objection from the City Council, Mayor Kiesel closed the public hearing.
Discussion ensued.
Motion by Councilmember Sullivan, seconded by Councilmember Venkat, and carried unanimously, 5- 0-0, adopting City Resolution No. 2026- 067, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City to Approve the Second Addendum and the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) to the Chess -Hatch Master Plan Environmental Impact Report (Sch #2008122065), and Addendum Thereto, for th e Proposed Gilead Campus Expansion Project - Up to 800,000 Square Feet of Research and Development (R&D) and Ancillary Uses, Located in the Chess Drive/Hatch Drive Area (APNs: 094-010-500, 094-010-510, 094-010-100) – Gilead Sciences, Inc.- EA2025- 0001.”
Motion by Councilmember Venkat , seconded by Vice Mayor Niederhofer , and carried unanimously by roll call vote, 5-0-0, to introduce ordinance by title only, by motion waive further reading, and pass ordinance to second reading, “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Foster City Amending the Foster City Zoning Map to Modify the Previously Approved General Development Plan (GDP) for an Approximately 11.87- Acre Land Known as Chess Hatch Master Plan Located at 1155- 1159, 1161-1169, and 1175-1191 Chess Drive in the C -M/PD (Commercial Mix/Planned Development Combining) District with an Amended GDP Removing Office as a Primary Use and Updating Associated Exhibits to Facilitate the Gilead Campus Expansion Project to Allow up to 800,000 Square Feet (SF) of Biotechnology or Research and Development (R&D) Uses with a Reduced Parking Ratio (APNs: 094-010-500, 094-010-510, 094-010-100) -- Gilead Sciences, Inc - - RZ2025-0005.”
Motion by Councilmember Jimenez, seconded by Vice Mayor Niederhofer, and carried unanimously, 5- 0-0, adopting City Resolution No. 2026- 068, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Approving and Authorizing the Mayor to Execute a Parking Agreement Between the City of Foster City and Gilead Sciences, Inc. for the Proposed Gilead Campus Expansion Project - Up to 800,000 Square Feet of Research and Development (R&D) and Ancillary Uses, Located in the Chess Drive/Hatch Drive Area (APNs: 094-010-500, 094-010-510, 094-010-100) – Gilead Sciences, Inc.”
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 17.78 ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS OF TITLE 17, “ZONING” OF THE FOSTER CITY MUNICIPAL CODE TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE
WITH STATE LAWS RELATED TO ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND FINDING
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS EXEMPT UNDER CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) GUIDELINE SECTION 15061(B)(3), COMMON SENSE EXEMPTION AND PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE SECTION 21080.17 – RZ2026-0002.
Assistant Planner McGill and Housing presented the staff report.
Mayor Kiesel opened a public hearing to h ear and consider comments regarding Amendments to Chapter 17.78 Accessory Dwelling Units of Title 17, “Zoning” of the Foster City Municipal Code to Ensure Compliance with State Laws Related to Accessory Dwelling Units and Finding the Proposed Amendments Exempt under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guideline Section 15061(B)(3), Common Sense Exemption and Public Resources Code Section 21080.17 – RZ2026-0002.
No public testimony was received.
Without objection from the City Council, Mayor Kiesel closed the public hearing.
Discussion ensued.
Motion by Vice Mayor Niederhofer , seconded by Councilmember Sullivan, and carried unanimously by roll call vote, 5-0-0, to introduce ordinance by title only, by motion waive further reading, and pass ordinance to second reading, “ An Ordinance of the City of Foster City Making Various Text Amendments to Chapter 17.78 Accessory Dwelling Units of Title 17, “Zoning” of the Foster City Municipal Code to Ensure Compliance with State Laws Related to Accessory Dwelling Units and Finding the Proposed Amendments Exempt under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guideline Section 15061(B)(3), Common Sense Exemption and Public Resources Code Section 21080.17 – RZ2026-0002” with the change to move the sentence “so long as required by California Government Code Section 66333, or successor code section” from Section
17.78.060(B)(3) to the end of the first sentence of Section 17.78.060(B)(2).
2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN AND WATER SHORTAGE
CONTINGENCY PLAN. EMID RESOLUTION NO. 3857.
Principal Management Analyst Cappello introduced Tina Wang, Water Resources Engineer from EKI Environment & Water, Inc, who presented the report.
President Kiesel opened a public hearing to hear and consider comments regarding the adoption of the 2025 Urban Water Management Plan and Water Shortage Contingency Plan.
No public testimony was received.
Without objection from the EMID Board of Directors , President Kiesel closed the public hearing.
Discussion ensued.
Motion by Vice President Niederhofer , seconded by Director Venkat, and carried unanimously, 5-0-0, adopting EMID Resolution No. 3857, “ A Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Estero Municipal Improvement District Adopting the 2025 Urban Water Management Plan and the 2025 Water Shortage Contingency Plan; And Finding the Approval Exempt from CEQA Pursuant to Section 15282(v).”
FISCAL YEAR 2026 -27 APPROPRIATIONS LIMIT OF THE CITY/DISTRICT . CITY RESOLUTION NO. 2026-069. EMID RESOLUTION NO. 3858.
Finance Director Cruz presented the staff report.
Mayor/President Kiesel opened a p ublic hearing to h ear and consider comments regarding the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Appropriations Limit of the City/District.
No public testimony was received.
Without objection from the City Council/EMID Board of Directors, Mayor/President Kiesel closed the public hearing.
Discussion ensued.
Motion by Councilmember/Director Jimenez , seconded by Vice Mayor/Vice President Niederhofer, and carried unanimously, 5-0-0, adopting City Resolution No. 2026-069, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Establishing the Fiscal Year 2026- 2027 Appropriations Limit Pursuant to Article XIIIB of the California Constitution” and EMID Resolution No. 3858, “A Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Estero Municipal Improvement District Establishing the Fiscal Year 2026- 2027 Appropriations Limit Pursuant to Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.”
FOSTER CITY WORKFORCE VACANCIES, RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION TRENDS IN COMPLIANCE WITH ASSEMBLY BILL 2561 (AB 2561) . MINUTE ORDER NO. 2080.
Administrative Services Director Pitman presented the staff report.
Mayor Kiesel opened a public hearing to h ear and c onsider comments regarding the report on the Foster City Workforce Vacancies, Recruitment and Retention Trends in Compliance with Assembly Bill 2561 (AB 2561).
No public testimony was received.
Without objection from the City Council, Mayor Kiesel closed the public hearing.
Discussion ensued.
Motion by Councilmember Venkat, seconded by Councilmember Sullivan, and carried unanimously, 5-0-0, adopting Minute Order No. 2080, receiving and accepting the Report on the Foster City Workforce Vacancies, Recruitment and Retention Trends in Compliance with Assembly Bill 2561 (AB 2561).
REPORTS
INTEGRATED ADAPTIVE CANADA GOOSE MANAGEMENT PLAN PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION QUARTERLY REPORT. MINUTE ORDER NO. 2081.
Parks Manager Fanara introduced Dan Biteman, Senior Biologist from Wildlife Innovations, Inc., who presented the report.
Karen Fong addressed the City Council in person.
Discussion ensued.
Motion by Councilmember Sullivan , seconded by Vice Mayor Niederhofer , and carried unanimously, 5- 0-0, adopting Minute Order No. 2081, receiving and accepting the Integrated Adaptive Canada Goose Management Plan Project Implementation Quarterly Report.
RESOLUTIONS FOR ADOPTION
FISCAL YEARS 2026-27 AND 2027-28 CITY/DISTRICT BUDGET. CITY RESOLUTION NO. 2026-070. EMID RESOLUTION NO. 3859.
Finance Director Cruz 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- 070, “ A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Approving the Fiscal Year 2026- 27 and 2027-28 City Budget,” and EMID Resolution No. 3859, “A Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Estero Municipal Improvement District Approving the Fiscal Year 2026- 27 and 2027-28 District Budget.”
FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH WILDLIFE INNOVATIONS, INC. FOR CONTINUED IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INTEGRATED ADAPTIVE CANADA GOOSE MANAGEMENT PLAN (CEQA STATUS:
IS/MND APPROVED ON DECEMBER 2, 2024). CITY RESOLUTION NO. 2026-071.
Parks Manager Fanara presented the staff report.
Discussion ensued.
Motion by Councilmember Venkat, seconded by Councilmember Sullivan , and carried unanimously, 5- 0-0, adopting City Resolution No. 2026- 071, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the First Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Wildlife Innovations, Inc. for Continued Implementation of the Integrated Adaptive Canada Goose Management Plan (CEQA Status: IS/MND Approved on December 2, 2024).”
COMMUNICATIONS
CITY/DISTRICT WARRANT OF DEMANDS. NO ACTION TAKEN.
City/District Warrant of Demands were Processed and Issued on May 28, 2026.
CITY/DISTRICT MANAGER REPORTS, COUNCIL/BOARD STATEMENTS AND
REQUESTS, AND COUNCIL LIAISON REPORTS
Councilmember/Director Sullivan stated he attended the City’s Employee Luncheon on June 10 and the San Mateo Union High School District Board meeting on June 11. He announced he will be on vacation from June 25 to July 10.
Councilmember/Director Venkat stated she attended the Citizen Sustainability Advisory Committee meeting on June 10. On June 12, she attended the San Mateo- Foster City School District Partner Luncheon. She reminded the public that there will be a Juneteenth celebration event hosted by the Foster City Association of Black Residents and Island United Church on June 20, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the Community Center Annex.
Councilmember/Director Jimenez thanked the City’s FISH/Wellness Committee for organizing the Employee Luncheon on June 10. On June 11, she attended the City/County Association of Governments of San Mateo County (C/CAG) Board meeting.
She attended the League of California Cities Peninsula Division Partner Appreciation Brunch on June 13, and the San Mateo County Express Lanes Joint Powers Authority (SMCEL-JPA) Board meeting on June 15, where she was elected as Vice Chair for the upcoming year.
Vice Mayor/Vice President Niederhofer thanked the City’s FISH/Wellness Committee for the Employee Luncheon on June 10. She congratulated Police Chief Call for 25 years of service with the City. She attended the SFO Community Roundtable meeting on June 3, and the Planning Commission meeting on June 4, where Commissioner Stoveland was selected as Chair and Commissioner Kenkre was selected as Vice Chair.
Mayor/President Kiesel stated he attended the Edgewater Marine Mixer with The San Francisco Peninsula on June 3 and the Leadership Council San Mateo County (SMC) Emerging Leader Program Graduation on June 5. On June 68, he spoke with residents at the Atria Senior Living Center at Foster Square. On June 8, he and attended the San Mateo County Library Joint Powers Authority Governing Board meeting, where they adopted their budget for FY 2026-27. On June 12, he attended the San Mateo-Foster City School District Partner Luncheon.
CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Kiesel recessed the meeting into Closed Session for:
1. Conference With Legal Counsel—Existing Litigation
(Paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9):Rosario Rodela Solaita v.
Foster City et al., U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, Case No. 3:26- cv-04517;
2. Conference With Legal Counsel—Existing Litigation
(Paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9):Tuilatai Sabastiano Sevelo Jr. v. Foster City, San Mateo Superior Court Case No. 26CIV03897;
3. Conference With Legal Counsel—Existing Litigation
(Paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9): County of San Mateo, et al. v. State of California et al., San Francisco Superior Court, Case No. CPF-25- 519270 (VLF Litigation); and
4. Report out of Closed Session.
Meeting recessed into Closed Session at 10:09 p.m. and reconvened at 10:37 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 Kiesel adjourned the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 10:37 p.m.