Council Corner: Economic Development in Foster City

By Foster City Council Member Charles Bronitsky

As I have said many times, economic development is key for our city.

At our upcoming meeting on Sept. 19, when the topic of economic development will be discussed, I intend to, again, ask the Council to consider adding two new Citizen Advisory Committees, whose focus will be on economic development. Our city has done a good job in the past, but these are different economic times, and we must get more aggressive on this front - not just to survive, but to thrive and grow.

Foster City has long been perceived to be a difficult retail market and I, for one, believe that perception can be changed. We, as a city, need to take a more aggressive stand in helping our existing businesses to grow, incentivizing new businesses to come to Foster City, and keeping strong and growing businesses here. We need to take a look at our retail shopping centers and see what we can do to improve their mix of products and services and to improve their attractiveness, both physically and commercially. We need to act now and we need to act aggressively, because good Foster City businesses are a big part of a great Foster City.

I have been working over the summer with the Environmental Sustainability Task Force in helping to expand its focus to look at environmentally sustainable projects and issues that foster and grow economic sustainability. One cannot happen without the other. We are currently in the midst of that effort and I am confident that you will see even bigger and better projects coming out of that committee as we move forward. We have great and dedicated residents working there, and I know they are more than up to the task.

I also expect to see the Foster City Chamber of Commerce continue to be a strong partner in helping to grow Foster City from an economic standpoint. There are many things the Chamber has done, and can and will do, to promote business in Foster City. However, there are also things that fall within the purview of the City to sustain and grow business and I think a strong effort, with the assistance of some new advisory committees, is a great way of moving that forward in the coming year.

Upcoming Council Elections

The League of Women Voters will be holding its candidates forum on Sept. 26 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers. This coming election could be a critical one for our city, with us having a $2.8 million structural deficit, upcoming plans for the development of the 15-acre site, and the San Mateo-Foster City School District considering the construction of a new elementary school. I hope that each of you has been learning about the candidates, meeting them, asking them questions and making sure that the positions they espouse are the ones you want to see Foster City taking. Three of the five Council seats are up for election, and a continued strong leadership group is essential. I hope to see many of you on the 26th. If you can’t physically be there, watch the forum live or rebroadcasted on Foster City TV.

Welcome Cyndy Sims

On behalf of all Foster City residents, I would like to welcome Dr. Cynthia Simms, the new superintendent of the San Mateo-Foster City School District. I have met Dr. Simms and I am greatly encouraged that her abilities and leadership skills will be a superb asset to our schools and our community. We have three great elementary schools and one great middle school here in Foster City, and I am certain that under Dr. Simms' leadership, these schools will continue to thrive. Welcome, Dr. Simms - we look forward to a long and successful partnership between our City and our schools.

The Foster City Village Project

The kickoff of the Foster City Village project was held on Aug. 23. We had about 20 people attend and the meeting was excellent. The next meeting will be on Sept. 15 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers, when we will have a presentation regarding the village concept and we will talk about how to get involved. I hope that we can pack the Council Chambers for that meeting.

Those are my thoughts. Tell me what you think. Share your ideas with me by e-mail at cbronitsky@fostercity.org or call me at 650-286-3504.