Redwood City Council Member Rosanne Foust had a conflict of interest when she voted to push along Cargill's controversial Saltworks development, a state political watchdog agency has concluded following a Menlo Park council member's complaint.

The state Fair Political Practices Commission chose not to fine Foust because she acted on the advice of an attorney but warned her not to cast any future votes affecting the development.

Foust's conflict stems from her role as member of a city council that can approve or reject a project strongly endorsed by the influential San Mateo County Economic Development Association, or SAMCEDA, that she heads as CEO.

Critics of the Saltworks project have contended Foust cannot make objective decisions about it as a council member since her day job is to advance the development association's interests.

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