Governance and Organizational
Modifications
SEPTEMBER 1, 2026
1 Background
• February – March 2026: The City Council adopted then-Vice Mayor Yajing Zhang’s charter city consideration referral and approved a charter work plan and Mayor Raj Salwan’s appointments to the Charter Advisory Committee (Committee).
• March – April 2026: The Committee held six meetings and developed a recommendation responsive to the charter work plan.
• June 2, 2026: The City Council held its first public hearing on the city charter consideration. • July 7, 2026: The City Council held its second public hearing on the city charter consideration. • July 28, 2026: The City Council deferred the consideration of a city charter and directed City staff to return with a list of items from the city charter draft that can be considered and/or adopted under the City’s current general law structure.
2 Items for
Consideration
* This action has to be accomplished in
September 2026 in order for members
of the City Council to receive
scheduled increases following the
November 3, 2026, election.
3 Potential Timeline Item
September 2026
Staff report summarizing actions from the draft City charter that can be adopted in a general law city.
Draft ordinance (introduction) to increase City Council salary as currently authorized in the Fremont Municipal Code, and a draft resolution to increase City Council health benefits as authorized under state law.
Draft ordinance (adoption) to increase City Council salary as authorized in the Fremont Municipal Code.*
October 2026
Draft resolution amending the City Council Handbook to authorize the Mayor to place items on the City Council agenda and to amend the Council vacancy procedure.
November 2026
Staff report seeking Council direction on whether to return in 2028 with a ballot measure to increase term limits to three consecutive four-year terms.
FY 2026/27 Mid-Year Budget Update, including a budget adjustment to include an additional 0.5 FTE to support the City Council. (1 FTE already included in the current adopted budget.)
Winter 2026/27
Staff report and draft ordinance (introduction) authorizing the City Council to confirm the City Manager’s appointments of City department heads.
Staff report and draft ordinance (adoption) authorizing the City Council to confirm the City Manager’s appointments of City department heads.
Fiscal Impact
• Resulting net increase of $161,872 (estimate) to the City’s annual ongoing General Fund expenditures. This accounts for:
• Potential increases to the Mayor’s and Councilmembers’ health benefit allowance (HBA); and
• An additional 0.5 full-time employee (FTE) to support the Mayor and Councilmembers. (1.0 FTE was already added
into the FY 2026/27 Operating Budget.)
4 Recommendation
Receive the staff report and provide direction on whether to proceed with the implementation of each action, according to the proposed timeline.
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