The redevelopment projects being reviewed right now are key to the future of our community. I appreciate the comments that have been shared by residents regarding the effects these projects may have on our City. I have tried to respond to all the emails because I feel that sharing our comments with one another is a way of opening our minds to new ideas.
We have been blessed to live in a city that has grown solidly and become the “Gem” of San Mateo County, in my opinion. Foster City has come of age and must continue to evolve and meet the needs of future generations. Re-development of neighborhood shopping centers and business parks must go hand in hand with the preservation of our neighborhoods.
Given the fact that change to our surroundings is inevitable, it’s important that we plan wisely. Our City landscape is changing as are surrounding cities in this County. A key reason for theses changes is economics. Generating revenue is a must to help our community to continue to offer the types of services we enjoy.
We cannot become complacent in our thinking that this community should never change. The previous Councils made a concerted effort to be well prepared for the future rising costs in maintaining a city.
Before Prop 1A was passed by the residents of this state, Sacramento continued to dip into local government pockets to meet their needs. This hasn’t stopped; it has just taken on a new look. Because of these unknowns, it is incumbent upon us to plan for the future.
We do this by creating ways of keeping our revenue stream ongoing through projects like Pilgrim/Triton, the new Parkview Plaza, and Charter Square. We must provide for ourselves, the capability of being more independent and not totally reliant on the State funding. As it is, the gasoline tax reimbursement payments to cities, is delayed until September.
Some communities around the State are having a hard time making ends meet. We thankfully, are not in that position. My point is that there are many factors out there that require us to be much more vigilant when it comes to budgeting and exploring revenue opportunities. We are also continuing to explore more regional options as the cost for running cities continues to rise.
It is because our City staff has, so far, stayed ahead of the game that has provided us that “comfort zone of living”. The City budget is public information. It doesn’t take much to realize that costs to run a city don’t go down. The fact that Foster City is able to weather the economic storms is because of good decisions being made.
I grant you that all these projects in front of the Planning Commission are overwhelming at best, but what they represent in the long run is crucial to our City. These projects will not come to fruition until all aspects of their impacts to the community are properly addressed and plans are in place for that purpose.
I once again refer to a more engaging and effective public transportation system that will mitigate some of our traffic congestion. This is something that is a must for our community, in order to keep pace and connected with other cities and other modes of transit. I applaud those residents who are getting more engaged in the process so that we can create a shared vision for the future.
President Ronald Reagan said: “The history of our civilization, the great advances that made it possible, is not a story of cynics and doom criers, it is a gallant chronicle of the optimists, the determined people, men and women who dreamed great dreams and dared to do whatever it took to make them come true”.
This is a very important time for our City, our State and our Nation. My goal is to help build a better Foster City not just for us, but, for the next generation.
I look forward to your comments on this and other issues. Please email me at lkoelling@fostercity.org.
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