CITY OF FOSTER CITY/
ESTERO MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING OF JULY 20, 2026
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER OF CITY COUNCIL/EMID BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Regular Meeting of July 20, 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; Nate Cruz, Finance Director; Thai-Chau Le, Interim Community Development Director; Andrew Brozyna, Public Works Director; Cory Call, Police Chief; Eric Mackintosh, Deputy Fire Chief; Frank Fanara, Parks Manager; Laura Galli, Engineering Manager; Justin Lai, Senior Civil Engineer; Rob Lasky, IT Manager; Lyly Mai, Police Officer; Jaspreet Mann, Police Officer; Eric Cromosini, Police Officer ; Alexis Garcia -Dawson, Deputy City Clerk; Shuli Chen, Video Technician; and Priscilla Schaus, Communications Director/City Clerk/District Secretary.
PUBLIC
The following people addressed the City Council in person:
1. Michelle Droz, regarding the San Mateo County API Foundation Student Summer Internship Program;
2. Steve Okamoto, regarding the Sister City program; and
3. Eduardo Kir yczun, San Mateo County Veterans Services Officer , regarding a forum focusing on topics surrounding veterans and first responders’ mental health, hosted by the San Mateo County Veterans Commission at Central Peninsula Church on September 10.
Susan addressed the City Council via teleconference, regarding the Integrated Adaptive Canada Goose Management Plan.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion by Councilmember/Director Jimenez, 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 June 15, 2026;
2. City Ordinance No. 700, “ 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 8 00,000 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 (First Reading and Adoption of Second Addendum to the Environmental Impact Report on June 15, 2026);”
3. City Ordinance No. 701, “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 (First Reading on June 15, 2026);”
4. City Resolution No. 2026- 072, “ A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Terminating the Proclamation of Local Emergency Related to Cybersecurity Event;”
5. City Resolution No. 2026- 073, “ A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Authorizing the Temporary Closure of Shell Boulevard Between East Hillsdale Boulevard and South Service Road, Balclutha Drive Between the Round- About on the Peninsula Jewish Community Center (PJCC ) Campus and Shell Boulevard, and the Temporary Closure of the Shell Boulevard Exit of the South Service Road for Summer Days 2026;”
6. City Resolution No. 2026- 074, “ A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Approving and Authorizing the Mayor to Execute Contract Amendment No.1 in the Amount of $50,000 to the Agreement to Thermal Mechanical Inc. for Citywide Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) System Repair for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $200,000 Annually and Finding Project Exempt From Review Under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Class 1-Existing Facilities);”
7. City Resolution No. 2026- 075, “ A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Contract Amendment No. 2 in the Amount of $35,000 With Apex Testing Laboratories, Inc. for Testing and Inspection Services on the Foster City Community Rebuild Project (CIP 301-678);”
8. City Resolution No. 2026- 076, “ A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Approving and Adopting the Amended Pay Plan for Fiscal Year 2026- 2027, Effective July 1, 2026;”
9. EMID Resolution No. 3860, “A Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Estero Municipal Improvement District Approving and Adopting the Pay Plan for Fiscal Year 2026-2027, Effective July 1, 2026;”
10. City Resolution No. 2026- 077, “ A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Authorizing the Mayor to Execute Master Professional Service Agreements With the Selected Twenty -Eight (28) Consultants (Blair, Church & Flynn Consulting Engineers, Nichols Consulting Engineers, N V5, Verde Design, Integrated Design 360, CSG Consultants, Ghirardelli Associates, Kier & Wright Civil Engineers and Surveyors, WHB Engineers, HydroScience Engineers, Carollo Engineers, Schaaf & Wheeler Consulting Civil Engineers, Kennedy/Jenks Consultants, Marina Construction Management, Swinerton Management & Consulting, David J. Powers & Associates, Huffman- Broadway Group, TRC Engineers, Consolidated Engineering Laboratories, Inspection Services, Advance Design Consultants, Interface Engineering, Biggs Cardosa Associates, Moffat & Nichol, ZFA Structural Engineers, Fehr & Peers, Hexagon Transportation Consultants, and Traffic Patterns) for On- Call Services in Civil Engineering, Construction Management & Inspection, Materials Testing, Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing Engineering, Structural Engineering, and Traffic Engineering and Finding That the Project Is Categorically Exempt Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3);”
11. EMID Resolution No. 3861, “ A Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Estero Municipal Improvement District Authorizing the District President to Execute Master Professional Service Agreements With the Selected Twenty -Eight (28) Consultants (Blair, Church & Flynn Consulting Engin eers, Nichols Consulting Engineers, NV5, Verde Design, Integrated Design 360, CSG Consultants, Ghirardelli Associates, Kier & Wright Civil Engineers and Surveyors, WHB Engineers, HydroScience Engineers, Carollo Engineers, Schaaf & Wheeler Consulting Civil Engineers, Kennedy/Jenks Consultants, Marina Construction Management, Swinerton Management & Consulting, David J. Powers & Associates, Huffman-Broadway Group, TRC Engineers, Consolidated Engineering Laboratories, ISI Inspection Services, Advance Design Consultants, Interface Engineering, Biggs Cardosa Associates, Moffatt & Nichol, ZFA Structural Engineers, Fehr & Peers, Hexagon Transportation Consultants, and Traffic Patterns) for On -Call Services in Civil Engineering, Construction Management & Inspection, Materials Testing, Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing Engineering, Structural Engineering, and Traffic Engineering and Finding That the Project Is Categorically Exempt Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3)”; and
12. EMID Resolution No. 3862, “ A Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Estero Municipal Improvement District Authorizing the President to Execute Contract Amendment No. Two (2) to the Vendor Agreement with CD & Power in the Amount of $26,484.18 for the Emergency Generator Replacements Project (CIP 455-705) (CEQA Status: Categorically Exempt per CEQA Guidelines Section 15302 (Class 2-Existing Facilities)).”
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
ADDENDUM TO THE COUNTYWIDE LOCAL ROADWAY SAFETY PLAN (LRSP). CITY RESOLUTION NO. 2026-078.
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 Jimenez, and carried unanimously, 5- 0-0, adopting City Resolution No. 2026- 078, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Foster City Adopting the Addendum to the Countywide Local Roadway Safety Plan (LRSP).”
REPORTS
REAL ESTATE ECONOMIC MARKET ANALYSIS – UPDATE #2. MINUTE ORDER NO. 2082.
Deputy City Manager Mangalam introduced Ken Hira, President of Kosmont Companies, who presented the report.
Crystal Tilton, President & CEO of the Foster City Chamber of Commerce, addressed the City Council via email.
The following people addressed the City Council in person:
1. Michael Terner;
2. Noemi Avram;
3. Rohan Gupta; and
4. Kenny Huo.
Ken Lockwood addressed the City Council via teleconference.
Discussion ensued.
Motion by Councilmember Venkat, seconded by Councilmember Jimenez, and carried unanimously, 5-0-0, adopting Minute Order No. 2082, receiving and accepting Update #2 on the Real Estate Economic Market Analysis.
SAN MATEO COUNTY’S INTENT TO PURCHASE REAL PROPERTY DESCRIBED AS 1065 E. HILLSDALE BOULEVARD (APN 094 -524-180) IN FOSTER CITY WITH THE INTENT TO MOVE ITS HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY’S OPERATIONS CURRENTLY LOCATED AT 550 QUARRY ROAD TO THE CITY OF FOSTER CITY . NO ACTION TAKEN.
San Mateo County Executive Officer Callagy gave a presentation.
The following people addressed the City Council via email:
1. Shilpa Badadare;
2. Isabelle Bushman;
3. Anonymous;
4. Shrirang Ranade;
5. Jason;
6. Monica F. Nazareno;
7. Angela L.Y. Lee;
8. Leon d'Aquino;
9. Kathryn Holper;
10. Joe Beckner;
11. Walter Koch;
12. Crystal Tilton, President & CEO of the Foster City Chamber of Commerce; and
13. Priya Achuthan.
The following people addressed the City Council in person:
1. Debbie Corazzelli;
2. Joann Medbery;
3. Garth Gabrielson;
4. Fred Baer;
5. Sanjay Gehani;
6. Melissa Pera;
7. Josep A. Beckner;
8. Mark Neyzberg;
9. Noemi Avram;
10. Jim Hugnet;
11. Robert Pedro;
12. Robert Lee;
13. Doug Stoveland;
14. Howard Roth;
15. Isabel Orphnopios;
16. Steve Gunn;
17. Kandy O’Mara;
18. Michael Terner;
19. Ravi Jagtiani;
20. Kenny Huo;
21. Patricia Swackhamer;
22. Cecilia Quan;
23. Heather Wei;
24. Austin Willis; and
25. Staci Stoveland.
Discussion ensued.
There was no action taken.
RECESS. The meeting recessed at 10:24 p.m. and reconvened at 10:36 p.m.
HOUSING ELEMENT 2023 -2031 PROGRAM H -D-2-A POTENTIAL RE- USE OF COMMERCIAL SITES. MINUTE ORDER NO. 2083.
Interim Community Development Director Le presented the staff report.
Discussion ensued.
Motion by Vice Mayor Niederhofer , seconded by Councilmember Venkat and carried unanimously, 5-0-0, adopting Minute Order No. 2083, receiving and accepting the update on the Housing Element 2023- 2031 Program H-D-2-a, Potential Re-Use of Commercial Sites.
PROPOSED DESIGN CONCEPTS FOR THE CITY HALL, POLICE STATION, AND FIRE STATION LANDSCAPING IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT (CIP 301 -720). MINUTE ORDER NO. 2084.
Parks Manager Fanara presented the staff report.
Discussion ensued.
Motion by Vice Mayor Niederhofer, seconded by Councilmember Sullivan, and carried unanimously, 5-0-0, adopting Minute Order No. 2084, receiving and accepting the report, and providing the following policy direction:
1. Incorporate the proposed landscape concept into the final design;
2. Proceed with Clock Tower Fountain Concept #2 to repurpose the City Hall fountain feature into a functional public space and incorporate public art installations into the design;
3. Proceed with the Play Fountain Alternative Concept to repurpose the area into a shaded gathering space with a variety of picnic tables, benches, and loungers; and
4. Proceed with phased implementation of the proposed improvements into the four primary project zones described in the staff report.
COMMUNITY CENTER REBUILD PROJECT (CIP 301 -678) GENERAL UPDATE .
MINUTE ORDER NO. 2085.
Senior Civil Engineer Lai presented the staff report.
Discussion ensued.
Motion by Vice Mayor Niederhofer , seconded by Councilmember Jimenez , and carried unanimously, 5- 0-0, adopting Minute Order No. 208 5, receiving and accepting the Community Center Rebuild Project (CIP 301-678) General Update.
COMMUNICATIONS
CITY/DISTRICT WARRANT OF DEMANDS. NO ACTION TAKEN.
City/District Warrants of Demands were processed via ACH on June 5 and July 2, 2026, and Warrants of Demands were Processed and Issued on June 5, June 16, and June 30, 2026.
CITY/DISTRICT MANAGER REPORTS, COUNCIL/BOARD STATEMENTS AND
REQUESTS, AND COUNCIL LIAISON REPORTS
City/District Manager Chatwin expressed appreciation and recognized City staff for their work and thanked the City Council for their support.
Vice Mayor/Vice President Niederhofer encouraged residents to apply to join the City’s Civics Acade my, and noted applications are due July 31 at 5 p.m. She stated she attended the San Mateo Foster City Public Financing Authority Meeting on July 9.
Councilmember/Director Venkat stated she attended the Juneteenth Celebration hosted by the Foster City Association of Black Residents on June 20. On June 23, she attended a Community Conversation event hosted by the San Mateo County’s Commission on the Status of Women. On July 18, she attended the Foster City Housing Resource Fair.
Mayor/President Kiesel stated he attended the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) General Assembly Meeting on June 18. On July 4, he attended the Foster City Fourth of July Celebration event.
CLOSED SESSION
Without objection from the City Council, Mayor Kiesel tabled the following item for the August 3, 2026 City Council Regular meeting:
1. Threat to Public Services or Facilities
Consultation with: (Cory Call, Chief of Police, Caitlin Smith and Pasha Sternberg, Polsinelli PC); and
2. Report out of Closed Session.
ADJOURNMENT
Hearing no objection from the City Council/EMID Board, Mayor/President Kiesel adjourned the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 11:35 p.m.