Community Annual Report for FY 2016-2017 & State of the City Address

I am proud to announce the new Community Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2016-2017 and the State of the City Address featuring Mayor Charlie Bronitsky. The annual report is developed through a collaborative effort of all Foster City departments and provides important information about the City’s accomplishments and progress over the past fiscal year. 

In its second year, the new annual report provides more detail about services, programs and accomplishments. Some highlights from the report include:

• Finances: Learn about the balanced budget that the City Council adopted and the City’s revenues.
• Economic Development and Sustainable Foster City: The Economic Development Strategic Plan and Sustainable Foster City initiative launched new programs, such as Scoop and Kiva.
• Community Engagement: Find out how you can connect with Foster City 24/7 and learn about the creation and transformation of the City in the 7 chapter docuseries: Jewel of the Bay.
• Major Projects and Developments: Get the latest updates on important infrastructure projects and new businesses you will see coming to Foster City in the near future.
• Safety: The Foster City Police and Fire Departments provide information about how Foster City remains one of the safest cities in the nation.

The City has had a successful year in FY 2016-2017, and I look forward to another outstanding year in FY 2017-2018. I hope that you take some time out of your day to read the report and watch the video.

Sustainable Foster City

We recently celebrated the fourth anniversary of Sustainable Foster City Day with an infographic of accomplishments presented to City Council. What is Sustainable Foster City? As an overview, the Sustainable Foster City framework is for sustaining and enhancing the quality of life for those that live, work and play in Foster City, and includes:

• Economic Development, which serves the common good, is self-renewing and encourages a wide variety of community-serving businesses to operate locally, creating self-renewing economic resources to support a thriving community;
• Environmental Sustainability, that seeks to maintain a healthy environment including clean air, clean water, and the life resources community members need today and for generations to come; and
• Social Engagement and Education, which seeks participation and benefits for all segments of our community to allow each member of that community to pursue and enhance the quality of their lives.

The Policy Implementation Tools for the Sustainable Foster City Plan are:

• The Economic Development Plan, approved by Council on September 19, 2016;
• The Land Use and Circulation Element of the General Plan, approved by Council on January 4, 2016;
• The Climate Action Plan, also approved on January 4, 2016; and
• The Community Engagement Plan, used by all City Departments as they engage with the public and implement the Sustainable Foster City Plan.

Since that last update on the Sustainable Foster City Plan in November 2016, there are several accomplishments to report:

• Staff launched two community websites in 2017, first – sustainable.fostercity.org which helps promote our sustainable accomplishments and highlight new programs and initiatives and secondly, connectfostercity.com, which consolidates all the transportation and mobility options available to Foster City commuters.
• Since launching the Scoop carpooling initiative in October, there have been over 15,000 fewer commute-time car trips in and out of Foster City, saving over 375,000 pounds of CO2.
• Foster City residential water use from 2007 to 2016 reduced by 32%.
• City staff received the final 2015 Municipal Operations Inventory report which tracks the City’s greenhouse gas emissions. The report showed a 22.9% decrease in CO2 emissions from the 2010 report.
• The City launched a Community Dialogue Series in 2017, a series of four interactive community events designed to inform, engage and involve, centered around topics such as workforce housing, transportation and commercial retail. You can learn about upcoming sessions at sustainable.fostercity.org/social.
• Since launching Foster City Access in February 2016, residents have reported 1028 non-emergency issues and the City has resolved 938, so far.

The Sustainable Foster City Plan has evolved over the past four years to include new initiatives, programs, and even technology, but the framework remains the same and continues to serve the residents, businesses and visitors of Foster City.

“Get Your Play On!” - Fourth of July & Summer Concert Series

In honor of Parks & Recreation month (brought by the National Recreation and Park Association), I want to challenge everyone to “get their play on with their local parks and recreation.” In a city where we boast 24 spectacular parks – all of which are unique in character! – I can’t help but encourage everyone to join in on the many festivities we have this coming month. How else can we make sure you start your summer off right?

First and foremost, tomorrow, the City of Foster City and Lions Club will be hosting the annual Fourth of July Celebration. This all-day event will begin at 9:00 AM with a Pancake Breakfast, followed by a Family and Dog Parade, concert performances, and games (to name a few). And of course, the grand headliner of them all, the fireworks show! So gather your family & friends, this event at Leo J. Ryan Park is surely one not to miss. Visit the Fourth of July Celebration event page for more information: www.fostercity.org/parksandrecreation/generalinformation/4th-of-July.cfm.

The following week, we are kicking-off another special event, the Summer Concert Series! The concerts will take place on Friday nights for the next six weeks, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, at Leo J. Ryan Park Amphitheater. This year’s line-up includes:

2017 Summer Concert Series Line-Up

• July 14th – Zoo Station - U2 Tribute
• July 21st – Livewire - Pop/Rock Hits
• July 28th – Cripple Creek Band - Country
• August 4th – Total Recall - 90s Alternative
• August 11th – Lost Dog Found - Swing/Jazz
• August 18th – Nathan Owens - Motown/Soul

Join us for a great evening of live tunes, dancing, and fun; all the while enjoying the scenic backdrop of the City we know and love.

A huge thank you goes out to our sponsors, whom without, this event would not be possible: Gold Medal Martial Arts (Title Sponsor); T.M. Tobin Co. and Loral Landscaping Inc. (Gold Sponsors); Mariners Point, Edgewater Marine, Charlie Tomberg, Julie Flouty Homes, AAAAA Rent-A-Space, and Bay Area Pediatric Dental Wellness Group (Silver Sponsors); and Foster City Preschool & Day Care Center, Foster City Courtyard by Marriot, and Jim & Chris Freshour (Friendship Sponsors). Visit the Summer Concert Series event page for more information: www.fostercity.org/parksandrecreation/generalinformation/summer-concert-series.cfm.