MINUTES
FREMONT CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
MARCH 4, 2025
FREMONT CITY HALL AND
VIRTUAL MEETING VIA ZOOM
5:15 PM
Call to Order: Mayor Salwan called the meeting to order at 5:17 p.m.
Roll Call: Present: Mayor Salwan, Vice Mayor Campbell, Councilmembers: Kimberlin, Shao, Zhang and Liu. Councilmember Keng arrived at 5:20 p.m.
Public Comment: None.
CONVENED TO A CLOSED SESSION at 5:18 p.m.
CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS:
(Government Code Section 54956.8)
Property: Fremont Boulevard and St. Leonards Way, APN 525-802-33-3 City Negotiators: Karena McGee Shackelford, City Manager; Rafael E. Alvarado Jr, City Attorney; Brian Stott, Assistant City Manager; Christina Briggs, Assistant City Manager; and Allen DeMers, Deputy City Manager; Kim Beranek, Community Services Director.
Negotiating Parties: City of Fremont and Owner of Property at Fremont Boulevard and St. Leonards Way, APN 525-802-33-3
Under Negotiations: Price and Terms
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; David Persselin, Finance Director; Tina Gallegos, Human Resources Director; Elana Rivkin-Haas, Senior Deputy City Attorney; Charles Sakai, Designated Representative; and Allyson Hauck, Designated Representative
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 7:00 p.m.
Attest: Approved:
Susan Gauthier, City Clerk RAJ SALWAN, Mayor
*Consent Items
MINUTES
FREMONT CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MARCH 4, 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: Councilmember Zhang 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
City Attorney Alvarado reported that the Council conducted a conference in Closed Session this evening. The Council discussed Conference with Real Property Negotiators pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8 and Labor Negotiator pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6. No reportable actions were taken.
2. CONSENT CALENDAR
* A. Waive Reading of Ordinances: The City Attorney read the titles of ordinances to be considered.
On a motion by Councilmember Kimberlin, seconded by Councilmember Keng, 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
* B. Approval of Minutes – None.
*Consent Items
* C. Mayor Salwan opened consideration of Approval of $135,000 Budget Appropriation to Pilot Surface Aerators, Floating Islands, and Monitoring Probes for Improvement of Water Quality and Heat Event Resiliency in Lake Elizabeth See Green Sheet on file that contains a correction to the Staff Report.
This item was removed from the Consent Calendar. Community Services Director Kim Beranek and Environmental Services Manager Kathleen Cote-Guarnieri were available for questions. Mayor Salwan opened the public comment period. The following person commented: Kelly Abreu. There being no additional speakers, Mayor Salwan closed the public comment period.
On a motion by Councilmember Kimberlin, seconded by Councilmember Keng, the City Council appropriated $135,000 from the Integrated Waste Management Fund Open Space account to implement the Lake Elizabeth Water Quality Improvement Project as described in this staff report.
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 Request for Approval to Enter into Contract with Eden Housing Resident Services, Inc., for the City to Provide Senior Service Coordination Services at Senior Housing Facilities in Fremont.
On a motion by Councilmember Kimberlin, seconded by Councilmember Keng, the City Council:
1. Authorized the City Manager, or her designee, to execute an agreement with Eden Housing Resident Services, Inc., in an amount not-to-exceed $197,481, for the City to provide supportive services to seniors and disabled residents at Cottonwood Senior Housing, Redwood Lodge Apartments, Sequoia Manor and Pauline Weaver Senior Apartments for the period of January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025.
2. Appropriated an additional $5,277 to the Eden Housing Fund (Fund 185) to cover the expected cost of the services.
Ayes: Mayor Salwan, Vice Mayor Campbell, Councilmembers:
Keng, Kimberlin, Shao, Zhang and Liu
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
*Consent Items
* E. Mayor Salwan opened consideration of Approval of Plans and Specifications; Award of Contract to Calstate Construction, Inc. in the amount of $1,419,994 (including 15% Contingency) for the Northgate Park Restroom Replacement Project (PWC9089); Appropriation Action; Make Findings of CEQA Exemption.
On a motion by Councilmember Kimberlin, seconded by Councilmember Keng, the City Council approved of the following actions related to the Northgate Community Park Restroom Replacement Project (PWC9089):
1. Approved Plans and Specifications for the Northgate Park Restroom Replacement project.
2. Accepted the bid and award the construction contract to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, Calstate Construction, Inc. in the amount of $1,234,777 and allocated a 15% contingency in the amount of $185,217 for a total construction contract amount of $1,419,994 and authorized the City Manager, or her designee, to execute the contract.
3. Reallocated $300,000 from Northgate Community Park Closed Roof Arbor PWC9060-540 to Citywide Park Restroom Replacement PWC9089-540.
4. Found the project is exempt from CEQA review pursuant to CEQA Guideline pertaining to replacement of the park restroom involving negligible or no expansion of capacity.
Ayes: Mayor Salwan, Vice Mayor Campbell, Councilmembers: Keng, Kimberlin, Shao, Zhang and Liu
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
* F. Mayor Salwan opened consideration of Approval of Plans and Specifications; Award of Contract to Calstate Construction, Inc. in the amount of $1,414,244 (including 15% Contingency) for the Irvington Community Park Restroom Replacement Project (PWC9089); Make Findings of CEQA Exemption.
This item was removed from the Consent Calendar. Mayor Salwan opened the public comment period. The following person commented: Kelly Abreu. 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 approved of the following actions related to the Irvington Community Park Restroom Replacement Project (PWC9089):
1. Approved Plans and Specifications for the Irvington Park Restroom Replacement project.
2. Accepted the Bid and awarded the construction contract to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, Calstate Construction, Inc. in the amount of $1,229,777 and allocated a 15% contingency in the amount of $184,467 for a total construction contract amount of $1,414,244 and authorized the City Manager, or her designee, to execute the contract.
3. Found the project is exempt from CEQA review pursuant to CEQA Guideline pertaining to replacement of the park restroom involving negligible or no expansion of capacity. *Consent Items
Ayes: Mayor Salwan, Vice Mayor Campbell, Councilmembers: Keng, Kimberlin, Shao, Zhang and Liu
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
3. CEREMONIAL ITEMS
A. Proclamation: Arbor Day (March 14, 2025)
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:
Dr. Carlos Hernandez of the Bay Philharmonic, Anthony Prince of the California Homeless Union, and Robbie Powels of the California Homeless Union. There being no additional speakers, Mayor Salwan closed the public comment period.
5. SCHEDULED ITEMS – None.
6. OTHER BUSINESS
A. Mayor Salwan opened consideration of Update on the Status of the FY 2024/25 General Fund Operating Budget and Preliminary Three-Year Forecast; Approve Budget Adjustments; Make Findings of CEQA Exemption. (Mid-Year Budget Report) Finance Director David Persselin gave a presentation and responded to questions from Councilmembers. Mayor Salwan opened the public comment period. The following person commented: Kelly Abreu. There being no additional speakers, Mayor Salwan closed the public comment period. Councilmembers asked questions and provided comment.
On a motion by Vice Mayor Campbell, seconded by Councilmember Keng, the City Council:
1. Decreased the General Fund revenue estimate for property tax by $1.4 million, sales tax by $0.3 million, business tax by $0.8 million, and hotel tax by $0.4 million.
2. Increased the General Fund revenue estimate for interest earnings by $2.3 million.
3. Found the action is exempt from CEQA review, per CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b).
Ayes: Mayor Salwan, Vice Mayor Campbell, Councilmembers:
Keng, Kimberlin, Shao, Zhang and Liu
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
*Consent Items
7. ITEMS REFERRED BY COUNCILMEMBERS
A. Council Referrals
1. Mayor Salwan opened for consideration of Councilmember Kimberlin and co-authored by Mayor Salwan: Request the City Council’s Consideration of an Amendment to the Camping Ordinance
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 Kimberlin introduced her referral, Mayor Salwan opened the public comment period. The following people commented: Herbert Chiu, Marie Hughes, Sabyl Landrum of the East Bay Community Law Center, Richard Godfrey of TriCity Ecology, Barbara Taylor of Braided Bridges, Tawney Warren, Sandra, Elizabeth Schaefer of Mission Peak Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Kate B. Amon, Jason Sarris of the California Homeless Union, Robbie Powelson of the California Homeless Union, Sundari Yanamanram, Marilyn Harris, Reverend Barbara Meyers of Mission Peak Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Caroline Harris, Liz Ames of BART, Vivian Wan of Abode Services, Andrea Henson of Where Do We Go, Sway Soturi of Forest & Flour, and Arsh Shah. There being no additional speakers, Mayor Salwan closed the public comment period.
On a motion by Councilmember Kimberlin, seconded by Councilmember Keng, the City Council directed City staff to bring back an amendment to the Camping Ordinance at the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting as set forth in this referral amending Section 8.90.060 (b)(1) to strike “aiding, abetting”; and include an additional amendment discussed by Council to amend Section 8.90.030 (a) to omit the limitation of “three consecutive nights” as it pertains to camping on private residential property.
Ayes: Mayor Salwan, Councilmembers: Keng, Kimberlin, Shao, Zhang and Liu
Noes: Vice Mayor Campbell
Absent: None
Abstain: None
*Consent Items
B. Appointments to Boards, Commissions, Committees
1. Mayor Salwan opened for consideration of Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies
Appointments:
Advisory Body Appointee Term Expires
Economic Development Advisory Commission Cindy Bonior n/a Fremont Chamber of Commerce Representative
Environmental Sustainability Commission Wilson Hu 12/31/2026 Development/Construction Representative
Senior Citizens Commission Kathleen Caine 12/31/2028
On a motion by Councilmember Keng, seconded by Councilmember Shao, the City Council approved 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 9:36 p.m.
Attest: Approved:
Susan Gauthier, City Clerk RAJ SALWAN, Mayor