City Government

Notice of City Council reorganization

The City of Foster City/Estero Municipal Improvement District thanks the Chamber of Commerce for the opportunity to include the following information in the annual Community Guide. This joint venture is another example of the business community and local government working together to provide the best information and service to those who visit, live or work in Foster City.

Introduction & Overview

Foster City has a population of approximately 30,900 citizens living in more than 12,500 residential units. The City is rapidly nearing its projected population of 33,000 residents. In this planned community, development has always been orderly and in accordance with an approved Master Plan, resulting in neighborhoods that age better over time and properties that continue to command high value.

A beautiful, planned community like Foster City, however, does not happen by accident. Civic-minded residents and members of the business community, dedicated local elected officials and responsive local government employees all contribute to the life enjoyed by residents, businesses, and visitors to Foster City. The following provides a guide to local government resources and services.

Elected Officials

Foster City was incorporated as a City on April 27, 1971, and has a council-manager form of government. Unique in the Bay Area, Foster City has three distinct governmental bodies: the City of Foster City, the Estero Municipal Improvement District, and the Community Development Agency (CDA). The five members of the City Council also represent the District and the CDA. City voters elect council members to staggered terms of four years each.

The City Council meets regularly on the first and third Mondays of each month at 7:30 pm, and may call additional special sessions as necessary. Meetings are held in the Council Chambers at 620 Foster City Blvd., adjacent to City Hall. These meetings are televised via FCTV, Comcast Cable Channel 27 or AT&T Cable Channel 99. All meetings of the Council, Planning Commission and advisory committees are open to the public except when certain personnel matters and legal items are discussed.

As the legislative branch of local government, the City Council makes final decisions on all major City matters. The Council adopts the ordinances and resolutions necessary for efficient governmental operations, approves the budget and acts as a board of appeals.

Citizen Advisory Committees & Planning Commission

The City of Foster City has one commission and nine standing committees. The Planning Commission consists of five members appointed by the City Council. The Commission regularly meets on the first and third Thursday of each month and may hold additional meetings. The Planning Commission acts as an advisory body to the City Council on all matters pertaining to planning, zoning, environmental impact reports and development.

The City Council may occasionally appoint ad hoc committees as the need arises. The City Council also appoints members of other committees, with the exception of the Traffic Review Committee, whose members are designated City staff, with one additional public member appointed by the Mayor with approval of the majority of the Council.

The nine standing committees are as follows:

• Arts and Culture Committee (9 members)

• Audit Committee (7 members)

• Education Committee (9 members)

• Information Technology Advisory Committee
(9 members)

• Noise Abatement Committee (5 members)

• Parks & Recreation Committee (11 members)

• Traffic Review Committee
(7 members, 1 public member)

• Youth Advisory Committee (25 members)

• Senior Citizen Advisory Committee (11 members)

 

For information about current members of these citizen advisory groups or to inquire about committee vacancies and how to serve on a City committee, please contact the City Clerk Department at 286-3250 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Our City Council

City Departments & Services

Overview

The City Council appoints as City officers the City Manager, City Attorney, City Treasurer and City Clerk. The City Manager is the administrative head of the City government and works under the direction of the City Council. The City Manager implements all Council policy decisions and appoints City department heads. The City Manager serves at the pleasure of the City Council and is responsible for preparing the City budget, supervising department operations and managing City ordinances, municipal code enforcement and emergency preparedness.

The City Manager and the City Manager Department oversee the City’s government, which is organized into nine departments including:

The City’s administrative offices are at 610 Foster City Blvd., telephone (650) 286-3200. Members of the City staff include: James C. Hardy, City Manager and City Treasurer; Kristi Chappelle, Assistant City Manager; Steve Toler, Administrative Services Director; Jean Savaree, City Attorney; Craig Courtin, Police Chief; Tom Reaves, Fire Chief; Kevin Miller, Parks and Recreation Director; Richard Marks, Community Development Director; Ray Towne, Public Works Director; Therese Calic, City Clerk; Rebecca Burnside, Human Resources Director, and Ricardo Santiago, Financial Services Director.