Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor Warren Slocum, District 4
Subject: Reappointment to the First 5 Commission
RECOMMENDATION:
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Recommendation for the reappointment of Rosanne Foust, CEO/President of SAMCEDA, to the First 5 Commission, as one of the five public members, for a second term commencing January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2023.body
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BACKGROUND:
The First 5 Commission consists of nine members (a) one member of the Board of Supervisors, (b) the director of the County of Health System, (c) the director of the County Human Services Agency, (d) the County Superintendent of Schools, and (e) five members appointed by the Board of Supervisors from among the following categories: recipients of project services included in the county strategic plan: (i) educators specializing in early childhood development; (ii)representatives of a local child care resource or referral agency or a local child care coordinating group; (iii) representatives of a local organization for promotion of early intervention for families at risk or community-based organizations that have the goal of promoting nurturing and early childhood development; (iv) representatives of local school districts; and (v) representatives of local medical, pediatric or obstetric associations or societies. This appointment as a public member is within the category of representatives of a local organization for promotion of early intervention for families at risk or community-based organizations that have the goal of promoting nurturing and early childhood development.
DISCUSSION:
Rosanne Foust began serving on the First 5 Commission in January 2018 and is being recommended to serve for a second full term. Upon approval of her reappointment, this 3-year term shall commence January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2023.
As the President & CEO of the San Mateo County Economic Development Association (SAMCEDA), Ms. Foust is the leading voice of the business community in San Mateo County and across the Bay Area on issues important to maintaining a strong local and regional economy, attracting and retaining major employers and good jobs, and creating partnerships between business and government to address the critical issues of affordable housing, traffic congestion, mobility improvements, and maintaining a good quality of life. She has been a strong advocate for maintaining and building quality child care and early childhood services throughout the county. Ms. Foust also serves on the Advisory Committee for Build Up for SMC Children’s Initiative.
Ms. Foust served for twelve years on the City Council in Redwood City, including as Mayor and Vice Mayor. During her tenure on the Council she successfully negotiated the Development Agreement to bring Stanford University to the community, oversaw the building of a new Public Library in Redwood Shores, and led the efforts to approve a $90 million recycled water plant and secure funding to restore Bair Island. She is also credited with working tirelessly on Redwood City’s Downtown Precise Plan which served as the catalyst for the transformation of Redwood City’s downtown into the new thriving neighborhood of over 2,500 new housing units (375 of which must be affordable), retail, office, and entertainment which exists today.
Today Ms. Foust serves on the boards of the Bay Area Council Economic Institute, First Five San Mateo County, NOVA-Workforce Investment Board which encompasses northern Santa Clara County and San Mateo County, the Redwood City Improvement Association, Peninsula Television, the Supervisory Committee for Provident Credit Union, the Rutgers University Big Data Advisory Board, the San Mateo County Event Center-Fair Board of Directors, the RWC-SMC Chamber of Commerce and the San Mateo County Community College District Bond Oversight Committee. In addition, Ms. Foust is currently a trustee to Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont and to the Board of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of San Mateo County.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.