MINUTES
FREMONT CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
FEBRUARY 18, 2025
FREMONT CITY HALL AND
VIRTUAL MEETING VIA ZOOM
6:00 P.M.
Call to Order: Mayor Salwan called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Roll Call: Present: Mayor Salwan, Vice Mayor Campbell, Councilmembers: Keng, Shao, Zhang, and Liu. Councilmember Kimberlin arrived at 6:02 p.m.
Public Comment: None.
CONVENED TO A CLOSED SESSION at 6:02 p.m.
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR:
(California Government Code 54957.6)
City Designated Representatives: Karena McGee Shackelford, City Manager; Rafael E. Alvarado Jr., City Attorney; Brian Stott, Assistant City Manager; Christina Briggs, Assistant City Manager; Allen Demers, Deputy City Manager; Tina Gallegos, Human Resources Director; Elana Rivkin-Haas, Senior Deputy City Attorney
Organizations Representing Employees:
• City of Fremont Employee Association
• Operating Engineers Local Union 3
• Teamsters Local 856
• Fremont Police Association
• Fremont Police Managers’ Association
• Professional Engineers and Technicians Association
• Fremont Association of Management Employees
• Fremont Fire Fighters
• Fremont Fire Fighters Battalion Chiefs
The Special Meeting of the Fremont City Council adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
Attest: Approved:
_____________________________ ___________________________ Susan Gauthier, City Clerk RAJ SALWAN, Mayor
*Consent Items
MINUTES
FREMONT CITY COUNCIL MEETING
FEBRUARY 18, 2025
FREMONT CITY HALL AND
VIRTUAL MEETING VIA ZOOM
7:00 P.M.
1. PRELIMINARY
A. Call to Order: Mayor Salwan called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
B. Flag Salute: Vice Mayor Campbell led the salute to the flag.
C. Roll Call: Mayor Salwan, Vice Mayor Campbell, Councilmembers: Keng, Kimberlin, Shao, Zhang and Liu
D. Announcements by Mayor/City Manager/City Attorney
Mayor Salwan announced the Boards and Commissions vacancies.
City Manager Shackelford shared information regarding items of Council/community interest.
E. Report Out of Closed Session (if applicable)
City Attorney Alvarado reported that the Council conducted a conference in Closed Session.
The Council discussed one item, Conference with Labor Negotiators Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957.6 regarding the nine organizations listed on the closed session agenda. The Council discussed the matter but took no reportable action.
2. CONSENT CALENDAR
* A. Waive Reading of Ordinances: The City Attorney read the titles of ordinances to be considered.
This item was removed from the Consent Calendar. Mayor Salwan opened the public comment period. The following person commented: Joanne Schwab. There being no additional speakers, Mayor Salwan closed the public comment period.
On a motion by Councilmember Shao, seconded by Councilmember Liu, the City Council waived further readings of proposed ordinances.
Ayes: Mayor Salwan, Vice Mayor Campbell, Councilmembers:
Keng, Kimberlin, Shao, Zhang and Liu
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
*Consent Items
* B. Mayor Salwan opened consideration of Approval of Minutes On a motion by Vice Mayor Campbell, seconded by Councilmember Liu, the City Council approved minutes for the Regular Meeting of January 7, 2025, the Regular Meeting of January 14, 2025, and the Regular Meeting of February 4, 2025 Ayes: Mayor Salwan, Vice Mayor Campbell, Councilmembers:
Keng, Kimberlin, Shao, Zhang and Liu
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
* C. Mayor Salwan opened consideration of Approval to Authorize the City Manager to Purchase Chemical Identification Analyzer from Fisher Scientific Through a Cooperative Agreement with NASPO, for an amount not to exceed $189,176 Communications 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.
This item was removed from the Consent Calendar. Mayor Salwan opened the public comment period. The following person commented: Joanne Schwab. There being no additional speakers, Mayor Salwan closed the public comment period.
On a motion by Councilmember Liu, seconded by Councilmember Shao, the City Council authorized the City Manager or Designee to issue a purchase order to Fischer Scientific for an amount not to exceed $189,176 to purchase a Chemical Identification Analyzer through a cooperative agreement with NASPO ValuePoint.
Ayes: Mayor Salwan, Vice Mayor Campbell, Councilmembers:
Keng, Kimberlin, Shao, Zhang and Liu
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
* D. Mayor Salwan opened consideration of Approval to Authorize the City Manager to Amend a Purchase Order with Golden State Fire Apparatus Increasing the Amount by $285,351 to Repair Fire Engine 59
On a motion by Vice Mayor Campbell, seconded by Councilmember Liu, the City Council authorized City Manager or designee to increase the existing Purchase Order to Golden State Fire Apparatus by $285,351.
Ayes: Mayor Salwan, Vice Mayor Campbell, Councilmembers:
Keng, Kimberlin, Shao, Zhang and Liu
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
*Consent Items
3. CEREMONIAL ITEMS – None.
4. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
A. Oral and Written Communications
Communications 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.
Mayor Salwan opened the public comment period. The following people commented: Henry Liang (provided a handout), Joe Rose (NAMI Alameda County So.), Chung, Rajeev Taitriya, Benjamin Yee, Chetan Kumar Patel, Gopal Gadam, Srinivas Kundravalli, Sindy Wong, Mrityujay Gautam, Sudari YanamanramTun Thein, Sylvia Wong, Vipin Sharma, Kate Amon, Rajiv Kochumam, Suraj Sampath, Keith Parker, Jennifer Dow-Rowell (SAVE), Salim Mastan, Sai Nagarajan, Padma Gopalakrishnan, Sameer Nagwelzar, Alison Monroe (Families Advocating for the Seriously Mentally Ill), Lily Mei, Joanne Schwab, Sue Kwong, Peggy Rahman, Katy Polony, and Annie He. There being no additional speakers, Mayor Salwan closed the public comment period.
5. SCHEDULED ITEMS
A. Mayor Salwan opened consideration of a Public Hearing (Published Notice) to consider an Amendment to Master Fee Resolution 8672 (Master Fee Schedule) to Amend the Fee for Appeals to the Building Appeals Board
Code Enforcement Manager David Wage and Building Official Mike Wayne responded to questions from Councilmembers. Mayor Salwan opened the public hearing. The following person commented: John Weed. There being no additional speakers, Mayor Salwan closed the public hearing. Staff responded to additional questions from Councilmembers.
Councilmembers provided comment.
On a motion by Councilmember Shao, seconded by Councilmember Keng, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2025-05 approving an amendment to Master Fee Resolution 8672 (Master Fee Schedule).
Ayes: Mayor Salwan, Vice Mayor Campbell, Councilmembers:
Keng, Kimberlin, Shao, Zhang and Liu
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
6. OTHER BUSINESS – None.
*Consent Items
7. ITEMS REFERRED BY COUNCILMEMBERS
A. Council Referrals
1. Mayor Salwan opened consideration of Councilmember Yang Shao Referral: Proposal for Policy on Limiting City Government Engagement to Local Issues Communications 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.
Councilmember Shao shared an overview of his referral and responded to questions from Councilmembers. Mayor Salwan opened the public comment period. The following people commented: Kate Amon, Joanne Schwab, and Sai Nagarajan. There being no additional speakers, Mayor Salwan closed the public comment period. Councilmember Shao responded to additional questions from Councilmembers.
On a motion by Councilmember Shao, seconded by Councilmember Zhang, the City Council directed staff to develop a policy for City Council consideration that emphasizes Fremont’s commitment to addressing local matters and refrains from taking positions on international affairs. Please bring forward a draft policy and staff recommendations on implementing this focus. The policy should be presented to the Council at an upcoming meeting for discussion and possible adoption.
Ayes: Mayor Salwan, Vice Mayor Campbell, Councilmembers:
Keng, Kimberlin, Shao, Zhang and Liu
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
B. Appointments to Boards, Commissions, Committees
1. Mayor Salwan opened consideration of Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies
APPOINTMENTS:
Advisory Body Appointee Term Expires
East Bay Regional Park District Narda Mamou 12/31/2027
Liaison Committee
Recreation Commission, Primary Representative
East Bay Regional Park District Elissa Winters 12/31/2027 Liaison Committee
Recreation Commission, Alternate Representative
Environmental Sustainability Commission Abe Mazliach 12/31/2028 Environmental Organization Representative
*Consent Items
Communications 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.
On a motion by Councilmember Shao, seconded by Councilmember Keng, the City Council approve appointments.
Ayes: Mayor Salwan, Vice Mayor Campbell, Councilmembers:
Keng, Kimberlin, Shao, Zhang and Liu
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
C. Legislative Actions – None.
D. Report on Committee Assignments
Councilmembers reported on their various meetings.
8. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Mayor Salwan adjourned the meeting at 8:25 p.m.
Attest: Approved:
_____________________________ ___________________________ Susan Gauthier, City Clerk RAJ SALWAN, Mayor