City of Foster City – Coronavirus Update (as of March 16, 2020) - Proclamation of a Local Emergency & Shelter in Place for All of San Mateo County

For Immediate Release: March 16, 2020
Contact: Jeff C. Moneda, City Manager/Director of Emergency Services, (650) 286-3220, manager@fostercity.org

PROCLAMATION OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY

On March 16, 2020, City Manager Jeff Moneda officially proclaimed a local emergency for the City of Foster City to address the growing spread of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Per Foster City Municipal Code, Chapter 2.40, the City Manager, as the designated Director of Emergency Services, has the authority to proclaim a local emergency. The City Council is anticipated to ratify the proclamation at a Special Meeting on Wednesday, March 18, 2020. Members of the public are encouraged to stream the City Council or Planning Commission Meetings live online at www.fostercity.org/fctv or on FCTV on Comcast Channel 27 and AT&T Channel 99.

Under a local emergency, the City will have the flexibility to mobilize resources in response to the emerging public health threat of COVID-19 for the protection of the community. The proclamation will help ensure the City’s continuity of essential operations. Finally, it will also allow the City to request mutual aid from regional, State, and Federal governmental agencies.

“In order to respond appropriately and with urgency to this situation, we are seeing a significant impact on City and community operations,” stated City Manager Moneda. “A proclamation of a local emergency will better position the City to respond to new & changing developments in this public health crisis.” 

The local emergency shall continue until it is terminated by a proclamation of the City Council. Pursuant to Section 8630 of the Government Code, the City Council shall proclaim the termination of a local emergency at the earliest possible date that conditions warrant. The need for continuing this local emergency shall be reviewed within sixty (60) days by the City Council.

The City recognizes that City operations will be impacted and will work to minimize the level of disruption to its essential services. The health and safety of our community and employees remain of utmost priority. New information will be communicated to the public as it becomes available.

SAN MATEO COUNTY SHELTER IN PLACE

In recent developments, six Bay Area counties (including the County of San Mateo) have announced a legal order directing residents to shelter at home for three weeks beginning March 17, 2020. The order limits the activity, travel, and business functions to only the most essential needs. Please read the press release here and the order in full here for more details. The City asks that all community members comply with the latest mandatory orders from County to help slow the spread of COVID-19 and preserve critical health care capacity across the region. 

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THE CITY OF FOSTER CITY

The City has implemented many service changes including City Hall access and the cancellation of events and programs. City facilities will be closed to the public, from March 16 through April 7, for the health and safety of our staff and patrons. This includes the closure of City Hall, the Police Department Front Counter & Records Division, Fire Administration, Recreation Center, Senior Center, the VIBE, and Corporation Yard. The City will continue to provide essential services.

Public Meetings:

Members of the public are encouraged to stream the City Council or Planning Commission Meetings live online at www.fostercity.org/fctv or on FCTV on Comcast Channel 27 and AT&T Channel 99. Meetings are also available for playback at www.fostercity.org/agendasandminutes.

Please note, under Governor Gavin Newsom’s Executive Order N-25-20 and under the declared State of Emergency, the City will be conducting all future City Council and Planning Commission meetings via teleconference/video conference.

The Council Chambers will be publicly accessible for those who would still like to attend a City Council and/or Planning Commission Meeting in person. Precautionary measures, as recommended by the CDC and San Mateo County Public Health, include the taping off of seating at the audience and dais areas (to create 6 feet distance between), to encourage the exercising of social distancing. The public is also encouraged to provide public comment ahead of the Council meeting by emailing publiccomment@fostercity.org by 5:00 PM on the meeting date.

Events and Programs

Due to the rapidly changing situation, it should be noted that all meetings and events are subject to change. The City will continue to monitor and cancel meetings/events as necessary. Please visit www.fostercity.org/calendar for the latest updates. 

City Hall Services:

City Hall will be closed to the public. For general information, please call (650) 286-3200 or email info@fostercity.org. For specific department information, please visit www.fostercity.org/cityservices.

Parks & Recreation Services:

Parks & Recreation has cancelled all classes & programs through April 7, 2020, and no new facility reservations will be taken at this time, until further notice. Although parks spaces remain open to the public, it should be noted that park amenities such as playgrounds, restrooms, fenced/gated facilities, etc. are closed. We encourage park users to exercise social distancing and preventative practices when possible. For more information, please contact recreation@fostercity.org.​

Fire Services:

The San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department (SMC Fire) will continue to provide emergency services with limited support staff. Fire Administration will be closed to the public, but can be reached at (650) 522-7900 or fire@smcfire.org.​

Police Services:

The Police Department will continue to operate at full capacity to serve the City. The Police Department Front Counter & Records Division will be closed. All walk-up needs will be assessed on a case-by-case basis via the Dispatch Window in the lobby of the Police Department building. The Police Department 24/7 non-emergency line will continue to available at (650) 286-3300. For emergencies, please dial 9-1-1.​

Library Services:

The San Mateo County Library has announced all public library locations, including the Foster City Library, will be closed effective Monday, March 16 to Tuesday, March 31. Most outreach and mobile services will also be suspended during this time. For more information, please visit www.smcl.org. 

Schools:

Residents should check directly with the local school districts for the latest information regarding schools. Both the San Mateo-Foster City Elementary School District and the San Mateo Union High School District have announced the transition of their schools and students to distance/online and at-home learning. Read more at the following:

• San Mateo-Foster City Elementary School District: www.smfcsd.net 
• San Mateo Union High School District: www.smuhsd.org 
• San Mateo County Office of Education: www.smcoe.org  

The City of Foster City continues to work closely with the County of San Mateo and neighboring jurisdictions to monitor and respond to the evolving novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation and its potential impacts. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and San Mateo County Health remain the best resources for current information about the COVID-19, and information is available at www.cdc.gov or www.smchealth.org/coronavirus.

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