*Consent Items
MINUTES
FREMONT CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JULY 8, 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 7:00 p.m.
B. Flag Salute: Councilmember Kimberlin led the salute to the flag.
C. Roll Call: Mayor Salwan, Vice Mayor Keng, Councilmembers: Campbell, Kimberlin, Shao, Zhang and Liu
D. Announcements by Mayor/City Manager/City Attorney
Mayor Salwan announced the Boards and Commissions vacancies.
City Manager Shackelford introduced colleagues.
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 Campbell, seconded by Vice Mayor Keng, the City Council waived further readings of proposed ordinances.
Ayes: Mayor Salwan, Vice Mayor Keng, Councilmembers:
Campbell, Kimberlin, Shao, Zhang and Liu
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
* B. Mayor Salwan opened consideration of Approval of Minutes for the Regular Meeting of June 10, 2025, and the Special and Regular Meetings of June 17, 2025 On a motion by Councilmember Campbell, seconded by Vice Mayor Keng, the City Council approved minutes.
Ayes: Mayor Salwan, Vice Mayor Keng, Councilmembers:
Campbell, Kimberlin, Shao, Zhang and Liu
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
*Consent Items
* C. Mayor Salwan opened consideration of authorizing the City Manager to execute HOME Funding Agreements to Fremont Family Resource Center and Abode Services On a motion by Councilmember Campbell, seconded by Vice Mayor Keng, the City Council authorized the City Manager, or designee, to execute:
1. A HOME Grant Agreement retroactive to July 1, 2025, with the Fremont Family Resource Center, for FYs 2025/26 and 2026/27, for its Stay Housed Program, in an amount not-to-exceed $342,860.
2. A HOME Grant Agreement with Abode Services retroactive to July 1, 2025, for FYs 2025/26 and 2026/27, for its Rapid Rehousing Program, in an amount not-to-exceed $150,000.
Ayes: Mayor Salwan, Vice Mayor Keng, Councilmembers:
Campbell, Kimberlin, Shao, Zhang and Liu
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
* D. Mayor Salwan opened consideration of Authorizing the City Manager, or Designee, to execute, an Agreement with Chabot- Las Positas Community College for PEG Access Production and Programming through August 31, 2029 in an Amount of $150,000 per year; Appropriate $1,050,000 in the Outside Sources Capital Projects Fund (Fund 502) On a motion by Councilmember Campbell, seconded by Vice Mayor Keng, the City Council:
1. Appropriated $1,050,000 for PEG access production and programming services in the Outside Sources Capital Projects Fund (Fund 502) to PWC8857-502.
2. Authorized the City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement with Chabot Las Positas Community College District for PEG access production and programming services for a four-year term, September 1, 2025 through August 31, 2029, in the amount of $150,000 per year, with three one-year renewal options, not-to-exceed a total amount of $1,050,000.
Ayes: Mayor Salwan, Vice Mayor Keng, Councilmembers:
Campbell, Kimberlin, Shao, Zhang and Liu
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
* E. Mayor Salwan opened consideration of authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Service Agreement with the Hoffman Agency in an amount not-to-exceed $150,000 for Fiscal Year 2025/26
On a motion by Councilmember Campbell, seconded by Vice Mayor Keng, the City Council authorized the City Manager, or designee, to execute a service agreement with the Hoffman *Consent Items
Agency for police recruitment marketing and advertising services for Fiscal Year 2025/26, in an amount not-to-exceed $150,000.
Ayes: Mayor Salwan, Vice Mayor Keng, Councilmembers:
Campbell, 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 Ron Paris Construction Company Inc. in the Amount of $119,742 (Including 20% Contingency) for New Walk-in Refrigerator Project (PWC8393) Located at the Age Well Center at South Fremont; Make Findings of CEQA Exemption On a motion by Councilmember Campbell, seconded by Vice Mayor Keng, the City Council approved the following actions related to the new Walk-in Refrigerator Project at the Age Well Center at South Fremont:
1. Approved project Plans and Specifications.
2. Accepted the bid and award the construction contract to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, Ron Paris Construction Company Inc. in the amount of $99,785, and allocate a 20% contingency in the amount of $19,957 for a total construction contract amount of $119,742 and authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute the contract.
3. Found the project is exempt from CEQA review pursuant to CEQA Guideline pertaining to modifications of existing facilities involving no expansion of use.
Ayes: Mayor Salwan, Vice Mayor Keng, Councilmembers:
Campbell, Kimberlin, Shao, Zhang and Liu
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
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:
Alexander Gregory, James Gonzales, Haadiyah Pathan, Dmity Novokhatskiy, Dan Buchanan, Kelly Abreu, Kate Annon. There being no additional speakers, Mayor Salwan closed the public comment period.
*Consent Items
5. SCHEDULED ITEMS
A. Mayor Salwan opened consideration of a Public Hearing (Published Notice) on the Use of Fiscal Year (FY) 2025/26 Federal Community Development Block Grant and Emergency Solutions Grant Funds; Adoption of a Resolution Approving the FY 2025/26 through FY 2029/30 Consolidated Plan and FY 2025/26 Annual Action Plan; and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Agreements with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and Grantees and Making Findings of CEQA Exemption *See Green Sheet.
Human Services Director Arquimides Caldera and CDBG Administrator Robert Lopez were available for questions. Mayor Salwan opened the public hearing. The following people commented: Richard Godfrey. There being no additional speakers, Mayor Salwan closed the public hearing. Staff responded to questions from Councilmembers. Councilmembers provided comment.
On a motion by Councilmember Shao, seconded by Councilmember Kimberlin, the City Council:
1. Held a public hearing on the proposed FY 2025/26 CDBG Program Final Statement of Community Block Grant and Emergency Solution Grant Development Objectives and Projected Use of Funds (Final Statement) and the City’s FY 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan and the FY 2025/26 Annual Action Plan (Action Plans).
2. Adopted Resolution No. 25-29 approving the following actions:
a. Authorizing the City Manager, or designee, to submit the FY 2025/26 Final Statement and Action Plans to HUD, as recommended by staff in the amounts stated herein, and finding the action exempt from CEQA, as specified.
b. Authorizing the City Manager, or designee, to execute CDBG and ESG Entitlement funding agreements with HUD.
c. Authorizing the City Manager, or designee, to execute agreements effective retroactive to July 1, 2025, with the CDBG and ESG grantees recommended for funding by staff in the amounts set forth in the Final Statement, contingent upon a finding of no significant impact in the corresponding environmental assessments and completion of the required public comment period.
3. Allocated an additional $998,203 in CDBG funds for FY 20265/26 to projects, as detailed herein and in the Final Statement.
4. Allocated an additional $146,207 in ESG funds for FY 2025/26 to projects, as detailed herein and in the Final Statement.
5. Authorized staff to:
a. Allocate additional funds to public service projects should the City receive additional CDBG or ESG program income in FY 2025/26 or a greater entitlement. b. Reserve unallocated funds to provide gap funding or fund projects that meet emerging needs.
*Consent Items
Ayes: Mayor Salwan, Vice Mayor Keng, Councilmembers:
Kimberlin, Shao, Zhang and Liu
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: Campbell
B. Mayor Salwan opened consideration of a Public Hearing (Published Notice) to consider a resolution 1) authorizing the City Manager, or designee, to negotiate, execute and implement a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Ava Community Energy for installation of solar battery microgrids at two critical City facilities; 2) finding that the PPA qualifies for expedited procurement under California Government Code Section 4217.10; 3) finding that the project is categorically exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per, without limitation, on a separate and independent basis, Public Resources Code 21080.35, Guideline 15301 (Existing Facilities), 15303 (New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures), and 15311 (Accessory Structures); and 4) finding that the resolution supersedes Resolution 2024-49
Sustainability Manager Allyn McAuley along with Andy McElroy representing Ava Community Energy were available for questions. Mayor Salwan opened the public hearing.
There being no speakers, Mayor Salwan closed the public hearing. Staff responded to questions from Councilmembers. Councilmembers provided comment.
On a motion by Councilmember Campbell, seconded by Vice Mayor Keng, the City Council:
1. Held public hearing.
2. Adopted Resolution No. 25-30 a) authorizing the City Manager, or designee, to negotiate, execute and implement a PPA with Ava Community Energy, consistent with the terms described in the staff report; b) finding that California Government Code Section 4217.10 applies to the PPA and authorizes expedited procurement; c) finding that the project is categorically exempt from CEQA per, without limitation, on a separate and independent basis, Public Resources Code 21080.35, Guideline 15301 (Existing Facilities), 15303 (New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures), and 15311 (Accessory Structures); and d) finding that the resolution supersedes Resolution 2024-49.
Ayes: Mayor Salwan, Vice Mayor Keng, Councilmembers:
Campbell, Kimberlin, Shao, Zhang and Liu
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
*Consent Items
C. Mayor Salwan opened consideration of an ordinance that will maintain existing vegetation management, defensible space and fire-resistant building standard requirements in the Hazardous Fire Area by amending the State of California's newly released fire hazard severity designations for the City of Fremont and establishing the Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area
Fire Marshall Eric Govan and Deputy Fire Marshall Gregory Miller were available for questions. Mayor Salwan opened the public hearing. The following person commented: Kelly Abreu. There being no additional speakers, Mayor Salwan closed the public hearing. Staff responded to questions from Councilmembers. Councilmembers provided comment.
On a motion by Councilmember Kimberlin, seconded by Councilmember Liu, the City Council waived full reading and introduced an ordinance updating Fremont Municipal Code Chapter
15.65 to adopt CAL FIRE’s 2025 FHSZ map and designations, with local amendments continuing the City’s prior designation of additional areas as Very High fire hazard severity zones.
Ayes: Mayor Salwan, Vice Mayor Keng, Councilmembers:
Campbell, Kimberlin, Shao, Zhang and Liu
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
6. OTHER BUSINESS
7. ITEMS REFERRED BY COUNCILMEMBERS
A. Council Referrals – None.
B. Appointments to Boards, Commissions, Committees – None.
C. Legislative Actions – None.
D. Report on Committee Assignments
Mayor Salwan reported his attendance at the Alameda County Mayors’ Conference where he was appointed to the Homelessness Task Force.
8. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Mayor Salwan adjourned the meeting at 8:01p.m.
Attest: Approved:
_____________________________ ___________________________ Dina Lewis, Assistant City Clerk RAJ SALWAN, Mayor