Foster City City Council Race at a Glance

Foster City voters will select three candidates from a pool of six to sit on the five-member City Council. Below is a list of the candidates, their biographies, stated legislative priorities, and key endorsements.

Jennifer Minkey-Selvitella

Biographical Highlights

•           Occupation: Small Business Owner

•           B.A. USF

•           Series 6 & 63 designations

•           Past PTA President

•           Current FCYSA (youth softball) Board member

•           FC Chamber of Commerce Member  

Top Priorities if Elected

•           Increase revenues to bring Foster City budget into balance

•           Promote a positve business environment

•           Quality development of the 15 Acre Site      

Key Endorsements

•           Labor Council of San Mateo County

•           San Mateo County Association of Realtors

•           Foster City Firefighters Association

Herb Perez

Biographical Highlights

•           Occupation: Small Business Owner

•           Chairman of Foster City Parks & Recreation Committee

•           Chairman, Chamber of Commerce Arts & Entertainment Committee

•           Rutgers Law Degree

•           1992 Olympic Gold Medalist, Taekwondo   

Top Priorities if Elected

•           Promoting Small Businesses and Job Growth

•           Ensuring Fiscally Responsibility Budgets

•           Maintaining World Class Schools      

Key Endorsements

•           Former Foster City Mayor, John Kiramis

•           Brewer Island Elementary PTA President, Isabelle Bushman

•           San Francisco Supervisor, Jane Kim  

Bill Schwarz

Biographical Highlights

•           Occupation: Certified Public Accountant

•           Harvard MBA

•           Accounting BS, San Jose State

•           Director & Treasurer Harborside HOA

•           31 year resident of Foster City          

Top Priorities if Elected

•           Annual Structural Budget deficit of $2.8 millions

•           Traffic impact of four developments

•           Developments' consumption of City services

Patrick J. Sullivan

Biographical Highlights

•           Occupation: Business Owner / Educator

•           BA from S.F. State University

•           MAT teaching /Business from Norte Dame de Namur University

•           Past Commissioner of Disabilities San Mateo County

•           Graduate San Mateo Foster City Leadership

•           Foster City CERT since 2008

•           Foster City Park & Recreation 10 years        

Top Priorities if Elected

•           Develop 15 acres into revenue

•           Develop more housing which includes senior housing

•           Develop more revenue to offset deficit         

Key Endorsements

•           State Assemblyman Jerry Hill

•           Supervisor Dave Pine

•           Supervisor Carol Groom        

Steven Tatsuo "Steve" Okamoto

Biographical Highlights

•           Occupation: Retired Financial Consultant

•           Chairman Parks and Recreation Committee

•           Chartered Financial Consultant

•           BA Degree, Business Administration, U.C. Berkeley

•           Director, American Cancer Society

•           Sports Wall of Fame Inductee

•           Graduate of CERT

Top Priorities if Elected

•           Manage city budget conservatively and seek additional revenue

•           Support development of 15 acres to provide value to all residents

•           Maintain safe streets so that all residents enjoy the quality of life they have come to expect

Key Endorsements

•           San Mateo County Times

•           Foster City Firefighters Association

•           San Mateo Daily Journal 

Art Kiesel

Biographical Highlights

•           Occupation: Incumbent

•           Vice Mayor - 2010-present

•           Planning Commissioner + 2004-07

•           Director League of California Cities Peninsula Division

•           Airport Community Roundtable

•           City/County of Government + Legislative Committee

Top Priorities if Elected

•           Protect our General Fund Reserves

•           Protect property values

•           Work to provide senior housing and transportation alternatives

Key Endorsements

•           Jackie Speier, U.S Congresswoman

•           Jerry Hill, State Assemblyman

•           Carole Groom, County Board of Supervisiors

- Source: League of Women Voters