*Consent Items
MINUTES
FREMONT CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MARCH 21, 2023
FREMONT CITY HALL AND
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: Vice Mayor Keng led the salute to the flag.
C. Roll Call: Present: Mayor Mei, Vice Mayor Keng, Councilmembers: Campbell, Kassan, Shao, Salwan, and Cox
D. Announcements by Mayor/City Manager/City Attorney
Mayor Mei announced the Boards and Commissions vacancies.
City Manager Shackelford made an announcement regarding Restaurant Week 2023.
E. Report Out of Closed Session – None.
2. CONSENT CALENDAR
* A. Waive Reading of Ordinances: The City Attorney read the titles of ordinances to be considered.
On a motion by Councilmember Cox, seconded by Councilmember Salwan, the City Council waived further readings of proposed ordinances.
Ayes: Mayor Mei, Vice Mayor Keng, Councilmembers: Campbell, Kassan, Shao, Salwan, and Cox
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
* B. Approval of Minutes – None.
*Consent Items
* C. Mayor Mei opened consideration of Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance of the City of Fremont Amending Title 18 (Planning and Zoning) Chapter 18.200 (Flood Damage Prevention) of the Fremont Municipal Code to Amend Definitions, Procedures, and Standards Related to Both Development and Use of Property within the City, and a Zoning Map Amendment to Rezone Certain Property within the City to Provide Conformity with the General Plan Land Use Map
On a motion by Councilmember Cox, seconded by Councilmember Salwan, the City Council waive second reading and adopted Ordinance No. 03-2023amending Title 18 (Planning And Zoning) Chapter 18.200 (Flood Damage Prevention) of the Fremont Municipal Code to amend definitions, procedures, and standards related to both development and use of property within the city, and a zoning map amendment to rezone certain property within the city to provide conformity with the General Plan Land Use Map.
Ayes: Mayor Mei, Vice Mayor Keng, Councilmembers: Campbell, Kassan, Shao, Salwan, and Cox
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
* D. Mayor Mei opened consideration of Selection of the Vice Mayor for the Period Covering March 2023 through November 2023
This item was removed from the Consent Calendar.
The following persons commented: Martha Kreeger & Astrid Scott (Office of Aisha Wahab), Jasleen Khanuja (Yo India TV), Matthew Jorgens (Office of Assemblymember Alex Lee), Pastor Terry Inman (Harbor Light Church, Fremont Christian School & President of City Serve), Brannin Dorsey (Tri Cities Democratic Forum), Nitika Sathiya (Alameda County Co- Youth Poet Laureate for Alameda County), Rona Popal (Afghan Coalition), Naz Mahika Khan (FANA), Dr. Reena Johar (Disha Darshan), Willie Franklin (Alpha Phi Alpha), Vincent McDowell (President of the Silicon Valley Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.), Alka Bhatnagar(Music Chairperson of Fog), Muneeba Zeeshaw (Pakastani American Community Center (PACC) President), Moina Shaiq , Chappie Jones, Michelle L. Goudeaux, Linda Alexander (President of Dawn and Sorority Sister of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.), Henry Liang (President of Citizens for a Better Community), Jasmine Dave (BAPS), Sandra Edwards, Petra Brady (Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Director of Community Engagement for the Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce), Dyesha Gardner (former Human Relations Commissioner), Patrick Hardy (Crisis Emergency and Disaster Specialist in private service), and Vickie Stephens (Sorority Sister of Councilmember Cox).
On a motion by Councilmember Cox, seconded by Councilmember Shao, the City Council appointed Councilmember Teresa Cox as the Vice Mayor for the period covering March 2023 through November 2023.
*Consent Items
Ayes: Mayor Mei, Vice Mayor Keng, Councilmembers: Campbell, Kassan, Shao, Salwan, and Cox
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
3. CEREMONIAL ITEMS
A. Proclamation: Arts, Culture, and Creativity Month April 2023 supported by ‘Fremont Creates’
B. Proclamation: Proclaiming March 2023 as the 21st Annual March for Meals Month
C. Proclamation: National Nutrition Month – Registered Dietitian and Nutritionists, March 2023
4. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
A. Oral and Written Communications
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.
The following person(s) commented: Jeff (J), Carol Zilli (Music for Minors II), Kelly Abreu, Salim Mastan, Naz Mahika Khan, Alex Woo, Taranjit, Arun, Sai Nagarajan, Sanjay, Henry Liang, CL, and Navi.
5. SCHEDULED ITEMS
A. Mayor Mei opened Public Hearing (Published Notice) to consider an annual report on the status of implementation of the General Plan and the 2015 – 2023 Housing Element, and to consider an exemption from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to, without limitation, CEQA Guidelines Section 15378 and/or 15061(b)(3). (2022 Housing Element Annual Progress Report)
Community Planner, Wayland Li and Community Development Director, Dan Schoenholz provided a presentation. Staff responded to questions from Councilmembers. Mayor Mei opened the public hearing. The following person(s) commented: Naren Immadi. There being no additional speakers, Mayor Mei closed the public hearing.
On a motion by Councilmember Salwan, seconded by Councilmember Shao, the City Council:
1. Found that the annual report is exempt from, and not subject to the requirements of, the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), pursuant to, without limitation, CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(2), (5), and/or 15061(b)(3) in that the annual report is an
*Consent Items
administrative action that has no potential to cause a direct or indirect significant effect on the environment and does not meet CEQA's definition of a "project." Each of the foregoing provides a separate and independent basis for CEQA exemption.
2. Accepted Exhibit A and Exhibit B to the staff report, which depict the current status of the General Plan and Housing Element, and direct staff to submit the required materials to OPR and HCD.
Ayes: Mayor Mei, Vice Mayor Cox, Councilmembers: Keng,
Campbell, Kassan, Shao, and Salwan
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
6. OTHER BUSINESS – None.
7. ITEMS REFERRED BY COUNCILMEMBERS
A. Council Referrals
1. COUNCILMEMBER COX REFERRAL: City Council consideration of an Annual Fremont Multicultural Festival
Vice Mayor Cox provided an overview of her referral. Mayor Mei opened the public comment period. The following persons commented: Rev. Dr. Gideon Lee (Crosspoint Church of Silicon Valley) and Syeda Reshma Inamdar (President of TriCity Interfaith Council). There being no additional speakers, Mayor Mei closed the public comment period. This was followed by comments from Councilmembers. Staff responded to questions by Councilmembers.
On a motion by Vice Mayor Cox, seconded by Councilmember Keng, the City Council would direct City staff to do the following:
1. Develop a plan to host Annual Multicultural Festival at Fremont Downtown Center. Plan would include but not limited to: staffing, resources, budget/cost impact, suggested performances and activities, community partner sponsorships, public-private partnerships, cultural information and resource booths, community outreach, event management, and timeline.
2. Present the developed plan for City Council consideration at a future meeting.
Ayes: Vice Mayor Cox and Councilmember Keng
Noes: Mayor Mei, Councilmembers: Campbell, Kassan, Shao, and Salwan
Absent: None
Abstain: None
*Consent Items
B. Appointments to Boards, Commissions, Committees – None.
C. Legislative Actions – None.
D. Report on Committee Assignments – None.
8. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Mayor Mei adjourned the meeting at 10:30 p.m.
Attest: Approved:
_________________________________ ___________________________ Susan Gauthier, City Clerk LILY MEI, Mayor