Communication between the City and our residents is an important responsibility of the City Council. I am not just referring to the individual contact that every Council member maintains with citizens. I mean the duty we have as a Council to assure that the Foster City government provides needed information to all citizens. In this area, there have been significant improvements made over the past few years and I believe these are worthy of Council Corner comment.
First and foremost is the improved quality of service on the Foster City Television Channel, FCTV Channel 27. In 1998 and early 1999, the live broadcast capability was upgraded so that City Council and Planning Commission meetings could be clearly seen and heard. New equipment was installed which included new lighting, cameras and camera locations, major upgrades to the station control room, and improved audio reception. As a result of these improvements, it is possible for you to sit at home and watch your government at work. You hear and see the information that your Council receives, and can judge how well we make our decisions and take action. It is gratifying that so many people comment on how we work as a City Council after watching our meetings. These comments always include statements that the quality of the picture and audio make it easy to watch and listen to City Council and Planning Commission meetings.
FCTV now has a much improved format that includes a spectrum of vital information about Foster City and City services that are available to you as a resident. I urge you to switch to Channel 27, FCTV at least once a week to get an update on what is going on in our town. The changes made in format and presentation during the past few months are remarkable. Please take a half-hour to watch the information available on Channel 27 twenty-four hours a day.
Many homes in Foster City have access to the Internet, and there are continual improvements in the Foster City web page. Just go to www.fostercity.org on the Internet to find current information on meetings and even biographical information on City Council members. You can also get forms and other necessary information you need for a variety of projects. This website also enables you to communicate with every department in Foster City, as well as communicate by e-mail with the city manager and city council members. You can get the agendas for upcoming City Council meetings and read past Council Corners on this website.
Although not provided by Foster City government, Foster City residents can now get information on aircraft activity in the vicinity, including the ability to watch aircraft flight tracks in the whole Bay area. Just go www.flyquiet.SFO. on the Internet to see actual aircraft flight tracks. Since many of our residents have a keen interest in aircraft noise and overflights, I strongly urge you to become familiar with this website.
But even with all of the communication systems we provide, I always enjoy seeing residents actually attend our City Council meetings. Hope to see you at a future Council meeting.
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