Current Mayor
Art is currently listed by the City as Mayor, with his present Council term running through December 2026.
Official City biography →CURRENT MAYOR • EXPERIENCED PUBLIC SERVANT
Experience, recognition & recent coverage.
Art's record spans decades of Foster City service. He currently serves as Mayor, with his Council term running through December 2026, and is running for the District 1 Council seat in Foster City's November 3, 2026 election.
CURRENT PUBLIC SERVICE
Serving Foster City today.
Updated from the City of Foster City's current official Council biography and election pages, plus regional agency records.
District 1 candidate
Foster City's City Clerk lists Art's Form 501 candidate intention statement for District 1 in the November 3, 2026 Council election.
Official candidate page →Third Council term
The City's biography says Art previously served eight years on Council, twice as Mayor, and has returned for a third Council term.
Read the City record →BAWSCA Director
Art was appointed by the Estero Municipal Improvement District to the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency Board in December 2025 and remains listed as its representative.
BAWSCA profile →30+ years in Foster City
The City's profile identifies Art as a 30-plus-year Foster City resident, a third-generation San Franciscan who was drafted into the U.S. Army, and a longtime Foster City Lions Club member.
Official City biography →Finance & technology
The City says Art's career spans more than 50 years in software development and consulting, including building five financial/accounting support systems and serving 13 years as CFO of a privately held government- and military-contracting company.
Read the career summary →Regional representation
Foster City's current profile lists liaison assignments involving the Association of Bay Area Governments, Council of Cities / City Selection Committee, League of California Cities, BAWSCA, Library Joint Powers Authority, San Francisco Bay Area Regional Water System Financing Authority, and South Bayside Waste Management Authority.
View current assignments →A RECORD RECOGNIZED BY OTHERS
Recognition of Art's service.
Art's prior Foster City service drew formal recognition at the federal and state levels and praise in local coverage.
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD • 2015
Congresswoman Jackie Speier
“Art Kiesel stands for integrity, commitment, and perseverance. He will be missed in Foster City's public life, but his contributions will make Foster City a stronger and more vibrant community for decades to come.”
Presented in connection with Art's retirement from the Foster City Council, with his service and accomplishments entered into the Congressional Record.
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE • 2015
Kevin Mullin & Jerry Hill
“...commending the Honorable Art Kiesel upon the occasion of his retirement as a member of the Foster City City Council and Mayor... for his admirable record of responsible citizenship and dedicated service...”
A legislative resolution recognized Art's service and contributions to the people of Foster City.
FOSTER CITY ISLANDER • 2016
Local recognition
“Art was always prepared for every meeting. When he disagreed with others, he did it in a professional manner and was respectful to everyone who spoke before the Council.”
The closing assessment of Art's Council service emphasized preparation, professionalism, and respect.
OFFICIAL VOTING RECORD
A recent vote that shows independent judgment.
On September 15, 2025, Art was the sole NO vote on two related ordinances assigning building-code appeals to the Planning Commission. The official roll call shows the other four Council members voting yes. The site does not name or attack another candidate; it lets the public record show the distinction.
ORDINANCE 693Planning Commission given Board of Appeals dutiesArt Kiesel: NO • Other four Council members: YESView official ordinance →
ORDINANCE 694Building-code appeal provisions amendedArt Kiesel: NO • Other four Council members: YESView official ordinance →
CURRENT CITY POLICYPlanning Commission now serves as Board of AppealsCity policy uses a neutral third-party consultant to assist with appeals.View current City policy →
IN THE NEWS
Recent coverage involving Art Kiesel.
These links give voters direct access to third-party reporting and official profiles. Summaries describe the source material and are not presented as endorsements.
Foster City prioritizes bike, pedestrian projects
The Daily Journal covered Council review of bicycle and pedestrian projects. As Mayor, Art specifically warned that reducing Foster City Boulevard from two travel lanes to one could worsen existing backups approaching Highway 92. The Council advanced feasibility work.
Read the article →Foster City cyberattack keeping network down
During the City's ransomware investigation, the Daily Journal reported Mayor Kiesel addressing residents' concerns about possible personal-data exposure and emphasizing that the investigation would take time to establish the facts.
Read the article →Foster City's first district Council election
Coverage of Foster City's shift from at-large to district elections identifies Mayor Art Kiesel as a District 1 candidate. The City's official candidate page independently confirms the current filings.
Read the article →Foster City finalizes a nonlethal geese management plan
The article reports Art's concern that the City measure outcomes regionally so Foster City does not spend heavily only to shift the geese population to neighboring communities. The contract was approved unanimously.
Read the article →Foster City water, sewage rates rising
Reporting on multiyear utility-rate authorizations noted Art's point, then as Vice Mayor, that future Councils would not be required to impose the maximum permitted increases. The vote was unanimous.
Read the article →Official Mayor biography
The City's current profile lists Art as Mayor and summarizes his 30-plus years in Foster City, prior Council and mayoral service, regional leadership, Lions Club service, and private-sector career.
Read the official biography →Board of Appeals: current City policy
The City's current page explains the 2025 decision assigning Board of Appeals duties to the Planning Commission and the neutral third-party consultant process used for appeals—a policy Art voted against when Ordinances 693 and 694 were adopted.
Read the official City page →Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency profile
BAWSCA's board profile documents Art's December 2025 appointment representing the Estero Municipal Improvement District and summarizes his civic record.
Read the BAWSCA profile →DISTRICT 1 • 2026
Support Mayor Art Kiesel's campaign.
Your contribution and your time help Art reach District 1 voters between now and November 3.