*Consent Items
MINUTES
FREMONT CITY COUNCIL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 9, 2025
FREMONT CITY HALL AND
VIRTUAL MEETING VIA ZOOM
7:00 P.M.
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54953(b), the following meeting will include teleconference participation by Councilmember Shao from:
Hilton Garden Inn Camden Waterfront Philadelphia
1 Penn St.
Camden, NJ 08102
1. PRELIMINARY
A. Call to Order: Mayor Salwan called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
B. Flag Salute: Vice Mayor Keng 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 shared information regarding items of Council/community interest and introduced colleagues.
E. Report Out of Closed Session (if applicable) – None.
2. CONSENT CALENDAR
* A. Waive Reading of Ordinances: The City Attorney read the titles of ordinances to be considered.
On a motion by Vice Mayor Keng, seconded by Councilmember Liu, 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 – None. *Consent Items
C. Mayor Salwan opened consideration of adopting a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Extend the Term of Existing City Loan Agreement with Thornton Affordable Housing, L.P., an affiliate of Resources for Community Development This item was removed from the Consent Calendar. Mayor Salwan opened the public comment period. The following person(s) commented: Katie Layton (Project Manager with Resources for Community Development). There being no additional speakers, Mayor Salwan closed the public comment period. Housing Manager Lucia Hughes responded to questions from Councilmembers.
On a motion by Councilmember Kimberlin, seconded by Vice Mayor Keng, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2025-37 authorizing the City Manager, or designee, to amend the loan agreement and other implementing documents and take such other actions as required to extend the term of the acquisition and predevelopment loan agreement to September 28, 2027 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 her designee, to execute an agreement with the Fremont Unified School District to operate the After School Academy Program at five middle school sites in support of the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P) for the 2025–2026 school year On a motion by Vice Mayor Keng, seconded by Councilmember Liu, the City Council authorized the City Manager, or designee, to execute a one-year agreement with the Fremont Unified School District, with the option to extend the agreement for four additional one-year terms, to operate the After School Academy program at five middle school sites: Walters, Thornton, Centerville, Hopkins, and Horner, for the 2025-2026 school year, in alignment with the District’s Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P) requirements.
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 approval the Plans and Specifications for the Central Park Dog Park Synthetic Turf Replacement Project; award a construction contract to Heavenly Construction Inc. DBA Heavenly Greens for the amount of $506,020, plus a 15% construction contingency of $75,903 for a total construction contract amount of $581,923; and find that the project is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities)
*Consent Items
On a motion by Vice Mayor Keng, seconded by Councilmember Liu, the City Council:
1. Approved the Plans and Specifications for the Central Park Dog Park Synthetic Turf Replacement Project (PWC9099).
2. Rejected the bid protest submitted by Prado’s Landscaping, dated July 15, 2025.
3. Accepted the bid, awarded a construction contract, and authorized the City Manager, or designee, to execute all construction-related agreements with the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, Heavenly Greens, in the amount of $506,020, plus a 15% contingency of $75,903, for a total construction contract amount of $581,923.
4. Found that the project is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities).
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 authorization to Execute a Task Order to the Joint Powers Agreement with Fremont Unified School District. Task Order HSD-22 for the Provision of Mental Health Services at Two Fremont Unified School District School Wellness Centers for the FY 25-26 School Year and Make Findings of CEQA On a motion by Vice Mayor Keng, seconded by Councilmember Liu, the City Council authorized the City Manager, or designee, to execute Task Order HSD-22 to the Joint Powers Agreement with Fremont Unified School District, in an amount not-to-exceed $266,590, for the Youth and Family Services Division of the Human Services Department to provide school-based wellness center mental health services for the 2025-2026 school year and to make findings of CEQA exemption.
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: Fahad Khan (provided a hand-out), Steve Skala (Bike Fremont), Alvin Minard (Mission Peak Heritage Foundation), Joe Rose (NAMI Alameda County So.), Hammad Nazir, Salim Mastan, *Consent Items
Imdad Hussain, Adnan Arshad, Alam Khan, Amir K., and Kelly Abreu. There being no additional speakers, Mayor Salwan closed the public comment period.
5. SCHEDULED ITEMS
A. Mayor Salwan opened consideration of Public Hearing (Published Notice) in Accordance with the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act (TEFRA) to Consider and Approve the Reissuance of Tax-Exempt Bonds by California Municipal Finance Authority (CMFA) for Fremont Pacific Associates, LP. (Osgood Apartments) Finance Director David Persselin and Management Analyst Lauren Chu along with Jarod Suzuki representing California Municipal Finance Authority, and Bradford S. Dickason representing Maracor Development, Inc., were available for questions. Staff responded to questions from Councilmembers. Councilmembers provided comments. Mayor Salwan opened the public hearing. There being no speakers, Mayor Salwan closed the public hearing.
On a motion by Vice Mayor Keng, seconded by Councilmember Liu, the City Council:
1. Held a public hearing in accordance with the TEFRA;
2. Adopted Resolution No. 2025-38 approving the Reissuance of Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds by the California Municipal Finance Authority for the purpose of financing an affordable housing project in the City of Fremont to be developed by Fremont Pacific Associates, LP.
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 Public Hearing (Published Notice) to Introduce and Consider Ordinances Adopting the 2025 California Fire Code and 2025 Wildland Urban Interface Code with Local Amendments, Adopt Resolution of Findings, and Make Conforming Amendments to Various Chapters of Fremont Municipal Code Title 15 (BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION)
Fire Chief Zoraida Diaz and Fire Marshal Eric Govan were available for questions. Staff responded to questions from Councilmembers. Councilmembers provided comments. Mayor Salwan opened the public hearing. There being no speakers, Mayor Salwan closed the public hearing.
On a motion by Councilmember Liu, seconded by Councilmember Campbell, the City Council:
1. Conducted a first public hearing.
2. Introduced an ordinance repealing and replacing Chapter 15.35 of the Fremont Municipal Code to adopt the 2025 California Fire Code by reference with local amendments.
3. Introduced an ordinance adding Chapter 15.66 to the Fremont Municipal Code to adopt the 2025 California Wildland Urban Interface Code by reference with local amendments. *Consent Items
4. Adopted Resolution No. 2025-39 setting forth findings as to local conditions applicable to the proposed amendments to the 2025 California Fire Code and the 2025 California Wildland Urban Interface Code.
5. As required by state law on adopting such codes by reference, schedule a public hearing on September 16, 2025 to adopt the two ordinances.
6. Found that the action is exempt from CEQA review, per, without limitation, CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b) in that the proposed action constitutes organizational and administrative activities of government and is not a “project” which will result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment; Section 15061(b)(3) because there is no possibility the activity will have a significant effect on the environment; Section 15268 in that approval of the local legislation constitutes a ministerial action required by California law; and Section 15308 as the proposed action involves regulatory procedures for protection of the environment.
Ayes: Mayor Salwan, Vice Mayor Keng, Councilmembers:
Campbell, Kimberlin, Shao, Zhang and Liu
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
6. OTHER BUSINESS – None.
7. ITEMS REFERRED BY COUNCILMEMBERS
A. Council Referrals – 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
George W. Patterson House Advisory Board
Mission Peak Heritage Foundation Representative
Maggie Balk 12/31/2025
Recreation Commission Rick Jones 12/31/2028
On a motion by Councilmember Campbell, seconded by Vice Mayor Keng, the City Council approved appointments.
*Consent Items
Ayes: Mayor Salwan, Vice Mayor Keng, Councilmembers:
Campbell, Kimberlin, Shao, Zhang and Liu
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
C. Legislative Actions – None.
D. Report on Committee Assignments – None.
8. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Mayor Salwan adjourned the meeting at 7:40 p.m.
Attest: Approved:
_____________________________ ___________________________ Susan Gauthier, City Clerk RAJ SALWAN, Mayor