*Consent Items
MINUTES
FREMONT CITY COUNCIL MEETING
FEBRUARY 8, 2022
VIRTUAL MEETING VIA ZOOM
7:00 P.M.
1. PRELIMINARY
A. Call to Order: Mayor Mei called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
B. Flag Salute: Councilmember Cox led the salute to the flag.
C. Roll Call: Present: Mayor Mei, Vice Mayor Salwan, Councilmembers: Keng, Jones, Kassan, Shao, and Cox
D. Announcements by Mayor/City Manager
Mayor read a statement for community members interested in learning more about the HomeKey affordable housing Project at Motel 6 to visit the City’s website and look at the newly published Frequently Asked Questions document. www.Fremont.gov/HomekeyFAQs.
Mayor Mei announced the Boards and Commissions vacancies. City Manager Shackelford introduced staff.
2. CONSENT CALENDAR
* A. Waive Reading of Ordinances: The City Attorney read the titles of ordinances to be considered.
On a motion by Councilmember Jones, seconded by Councilmember Cox, the City Council waived further readings of proposed ordinances.
Ayes: Mayor Mei, Vice Mayor Salwan, Councilmembers: Keng, Jones, Kassan, Shao, and Cox
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
* B. Mayor Mei opened consideration of Approval of Minutes
On a motion by Councilmember Jones, seconded by Councilmember Cox, the City Council approved minutes for the Regular Meeting of November 9, 2021, the Special Meeting of November 14, 2021, the Special and Regular Meetings of November 16, 2021, the Special and Regular Meetings of December 7, 2021, the Special and Regular Meetings of December 14, 2021, the Regular Meeting of January 11, 2022, and the Regular Meeting of January 18, 2022.
*Consent Items
Ayes: Mayor Mei, Vice Mayor Salwan, Councilmembers: Keng, Jones, Kassan, Shao, and Cox
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
* C. Mayor Mei opened consideration of Approval Making Findings to Allow the City Council and the Legislative Bodies of the City of Fremont to Continue Holding Meetings via Videoconference pursuant to AB 361
On a motion by Councilmember Jones, seconded by Councilmember Cox, the City Council made the following findings in order to continue holding videoconference meetings for the City Council and the City’s legislative bodies:
1. The City Council has reconsidered the circumstances of the COVID-19 state of emergency;
2. The state of emergency continues to directly impact the ability of the members to meet safely in person; and
3. Staff is directed to schedule reconsideration of these findings at the regularly scheduled City Council meeting on March 8, 2022.
Ayes: Mayor Mei, Vice Mayor Salwan, Councilmembers: Keng, Jones, Kassan, Shao, and Cox
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
* D. Mayor Mei opened consideration of to Introduce an Ordinance Amending the Special Events and Parades Ordinance and Adopt a Resolution Amending the Master Fee Schedule to Change City Staff Charges for Special Events
On a motion by Councilmember Jones, seconded by Councilmember Cox, the City Council:
1. Waived full reading and introduce the proposed ordinance amending the Special Events and Parades Ordinance.
2. Adopted Resolution No. 2022-05 amending the Master Fee Schedule for Special Event Staff Charges as outlined in Draft Resolution – Amend Master Fee Schedule Special Events.
Ayes: Mayor Mei, Vice Mayor Salwan, Councilmembers: Keng, Jones, Kassan, Shao, and Cox
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
*Consent Items
3. CEREMONIAL ITEMS
A. Proclamation: Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week, February 7-14, 2022
B. Proclamation: Honoring Black History Month, February 2022
4. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
A. Oral and Written Communications
Email submitted to the City Clerk were compiled, distributed to the City Council and staff, and published in the City's Agenda Center on fremont.gov, and were placed on file.
Alanda Johnson (representing Hayward South Alameda County NAACP) and Shamsa thanked the Council for recognizing Black History Month. The following persons spoke in support of Councilmember Cox, regarding her request for an additional Black History Month proclamation, which had not been approved for recognition by Mayor Mei: Selina McManus, Carolyn Fowler (Chair, California Democrat Women’s Caucus and member of Alpha Kappa Sorority. However, she stated she was speaking personally.), Beatrice Ross, Lavere Foster (African American Community Service Agency), Rebekah Melesse, Zina Slaughter (President of the Rho Delta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., and the Ivy and Pearls Foundation, the Members of their Chapter and their Foundation stand in support of their Sorority Sister, Councilmember Cox), *16502/Jaime Joaquin Dominiquez (a proud U.S. Army Honorable Military Veteran, past member Board of Directors for the Spanish Chamber of Alameda County, and member of [in audible] Civil Rights Organization), Sara Prada (Trustee Prada from Hayward Unified School District, but calling in as a [in audible] Sister for Councilwoman Cox), Milan Balinton (African American Community Service Agency), Erika Albury (member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.), and Reverend Wanda Johnson (mother of Oscar Grant who was killed January 1
st, 2009 at the Fruitvale BART Station). Ronnie
Forbes thanked Mayor Mei for her work to assist One Nation Dreammakers. The following persons spoke in opposition of the HomeKey affordable housing Project at Motel 6: Dina Deshpande, Mis, Lei, Lucy Zhang, Gulu Gulu, Wendy Li, Faye, Annie Chang, Chung, Steve Chiu, Agu, James Li, Rolland Lam, Cherry, Clair, Min, Seemeen Mirza, Simon, Jess, Ping L., and Ali. The following persons spoke in support of the HomeKey affordable housing Project:
Marie Hughes, Peggy Rahman (President of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Alameda County affiliate), Lisa Danz (Fremont for Everyone Leadership Team), NS, Katharine Rubie, Hayes Shair, Annie Koruga, and Vinita Verma. Clement shared comments and concerns regarding the Homekey project.
5. SCHEDULED ITEMS – None.
6. REPORT FROM CITY ATTORNEY – None.
*Consent Items
7. OTHER BUSINESS
A. Mayor Mei opened consideration of Approval of Direction for the Street Design Along Fremont Boulevard to Retain Four Vehicle Lanes (Two in Each Direction) in the Centerville Business District Area, Generally Between Thornton Avenue and Central Avenue, as Part of the Centerville Complete Streets Project (PWC 8946) (Centerville Complete Streets Project)
Email submitted to the City Clerk were compiled, distributed to the City Council and staff, and published in the City's Agenda Center on fremont.gov, and were placed on file.
Public Works Director Hans Larsen provided a presentation. Staff responded to questions from Councilmembers. Mayor Mei opened the public comment period. The following persons shared comments or concerns regarding the project: Vinita Verma, Kathy Kimberlin, Annie Koruga, Chung, Andreas Kadavanich, Flavio Poehlmann, Kelly Abreu, William Yragui, Laura Winter, Steve Skala, Monique Chapman (Chair of the Senior Citizens Commission), and Bruce Brubaker. There being no additional speakers, Mayor Mei closed the public comment period.
On a motion by Councilmember Jones, seconded by Councilmember Shao, the City Council approval of direction for the street design along Fremont Boulevard to retain four vehicle lanes (two in each direction) in the Centerville business district area, generally between Thornton Avenue and Central Avenue, as part of the Centerville Complete Streets Project (PWC 8946).
Ayes: Mayor Mei, Councilmembers: Keng, Jones, and Shao
Noes: Councilmembers: Kassan and Cox
Absent: None
Recused: Vice Mayor Salwan (business/property interests)
8. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
A. Council Referrals – None.
B. Oral Reports on Meetings and Events
Councilmembers reported on their various meetings and activities
9. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Mayor Mei adjourned the meeting at 10:35 p.m.
Attest: Approved:
_____________________________ ___________________________ Susan Gauthier, City Clerk LILY MEI, Mayor