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Agenda packet

Fremont City Council
October 6, 2026

Document
Agenda packet
Meeting
October 6, 2026
Body
Fremont City Council
Pages
6
Original file
33.8 MB
Text extracted from the city's file for reading and search. Open the original on fremontcityca.iqm2.com. That file is the official record.

City Council Chambers
3300 Capitol Avenue
Fremont, CA
Fremont City Council
Raj Salwan, Mayor
Raymond Liu, Vice Mayor
Teresa Keng, District 1
Desrie Campbell, District 2
Kathy Kimberlin, District 3
Yang Shao, District 4
Yajing Zhang, District 5
City Staff
Karena Shackelford, City Manager
Rafael E. Alvarado, Jr., City Attorney
Christina Briggs, Assistant City Manager
Brian Stott, Assistant City Manager
Allen DeMers, Deputy City Manager
Kim Beranek, Community Services Director
Geneva Bosques, Communications and
Legislative Affairs Director
Arquimides Caldera, Human Services Director
Zoraida Diaz, Fire Chief
Debra Gill, Interim Human Resources Director
Alberto Quintanilla, City Clerk
Kelly King, Maintenance Operations Director
Matt Cano, Public Works Director
Donovan Lazaro, Economic Development Director
David Persselin, Finance Director
Joel Pullen, Community Development Director
Sanford Taylor, Information Technology Director
Floyd Mitchell, Chief of Police
Fremont City Council Agenda and
Report
October 06, 2026
General Order of Business

1. Preliminary
• Call to Order
• Salute to the Flag
• Roll Call
• Announcements-Mayor and/or City Manager
• Report Out of Closed Session (if applicable)

2. Consent Calendar

3. Ceremonial Items

4. Public Communications

5. Scheduled Items
• Public Hearings
• Appeals
• Reports from Commissions, Boards and
Committees

6. Other Business

7. Items Referred by Councilmembers
• Council Referrals
• Appointments to Boards, Commissions,
Committees
• Legislative Actions
• Report on Committee Assignments

8. Adjournment
Order of Discussion
Generally, the order of discussion after introduction of an item by the Mayor will include comments and
information by staff followed by City Council questions and inquiries. The applicant, or their authorized
representative, or interested citizens, may then speak
on the item; each speaker may only speak once to each
item. At the close of public discussion, the item will be considered by the City Council and action taken. Items
on the agenda may be moved from the order listed.

Consent Calendar
Items on the Consent Calendar are considered to be
routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one
motion and one vote. There will be no separate
discussion of these items unless a Councilmember or
citizen so requests, in which case the item will be
removed from the Consent Calendar and considered
separately. Additionally, other items without a “Request to Speak – Speaker Card” card in opposition may be
added to the consent calendar. The City Attorney will
read the title of ordinances to be adopted.

Agenda and Report - Fremont City Council Meeting - October 06, 2026 October 6, 2026 Fremont City Council Page 2
Important Notice Regarding the City Council Meeting.

This meeting is being conducted utilizing teleconferencing and electronic means Pursuant to Government Code Section 54953.4 (Assembly Bill 707), The live stream of the meeting may be viewed on the City of Fremont’s website at www.Fremont.gov/Channel27, which also provides a link to the live stream; or, on Comcast Channel 27. Please note, Channel 27 is only available to Comcast cable subscribers.

Submission of Public Comments: For those wishing to make public comments at the October 6, 2026 Council meeting, you may either: (1) submit your comments by email prior to the meeting, or (2) by Spoken Public Comment during the meeting. If you experience technical problems with the telephonic meeting, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (510)284-4060 or [email protected].

How to submit Public Communications by email prior to the meeting:

Send an email to [email protected] before 1:00 p.m. the day of the meeting.

Please identify the agenda item number/letter, and meeting date in the subject line of your email or specify that it is not related to an agenda item. Emails will be compiled by agenda item number/letter, distributed to the City Council and staff, and published in the City's Agenda Center on www.fremont.gov. If you wish to share an attachment, exhibit, or photo, include it as a PDF file in your email before the noted deadline. Electronic comments on agenda items for the City Council meeting may only be submitted by email.

Comments via text and social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) will not be accepted.

How to provide Spoken Public Comment during the meeting:

1. Attend meeting in-person in the Council Chamber, fill out a “Request to Speak – Speaker Card” with the agenda item number & letter, and submit to the City Clerk.

2. By phone 833-430-0037 (toll free). Webinar ID: 851 3454 4937. Click *9 to raise your hand to speak.

3. By online https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85134544937
a) Use a current, up-to-date browser: Chrome 30+, Firefox 27+, Microsoft Edge 12+, Safari 7+. Certain functionality may be disabled in older browsers including Internet Explorer. Mute all other audio before speaking. Using multiple devices can cause audio feedback.
b) Enter an email address and name. The name will be visible online and will be used to notify you that it is your turn to speak.
c) When the Mayor calls for the item on which you wish to speak, click on “raise hand.” Speakers will be notified shortly before they are called to speak. d) When called, please limit your remarks to the time limit allotted.

The City Council Agendas may be accessed online:
https://www.fremont.gov/government/agenda-center
If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable modification or accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, or if you do not have access to email or the internet, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (510) 284-4060 or [email protected] at least two working days prior to the meeting for assistance.

October 6, 2026 Fremont City Council Page 3
Agenda
Fremont City Council Regular Meeting
October 06, 2026
City Council Chambers, 3300 Capitol Avenue, Building A
7:00 PM

1. Preliminary
A. Call to Order
B. Salute the Flag
C. Roll Call
D. Announcements-Mayor and/or City Manager
E. Report Out of Closed Session (if applicable)

2. Consent Calendar
Items on the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion and one vote. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Councilmember or citizen so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the Consent Calendar and considered separately. Additionally, other items without a “Request to Address Council” card in opposition may be added to the consent calendar. The City Attorney will read the title of ordinances to be adopted.

A. Motion To: Waive Further Reading of Proposed Ordinances (This permits reading the title only in lieu of reciting the entire text.) B. Approval of Minutes

1. Approval of Minutes - for the Revised Regular Meeting of September 8, 2026, and Regular Meeting of September 15, 2026.

Contact Persons:

Name: Alberto Quintanilla
Title: City Clerk
Dept: City Clerk's Office
Phone: 510-284-4009
E-Mail: [email protected]
Recommendation: Approve minutes.

October 6, 2026 Fremont City Council Page 4
C. Cellular Phone Analysis & Data Extraction Services - Authorize the City Manager, or her Designee, to enter a Service
Agreement with Pivot Collective Solutions for a three-year term.

Contact Persons:

Name: Calvin Tang Eric Tang
Title: Police Lieutenant Police Captain
Dept: Police Department Police Department
Phone: 510-790-6875 (510) 790-6900
E-Mail: [email protected] [email protected]
Recommendation: Authorize the City Manager, or a designee, to enter into a service agreement with Pivot Collective Solutions, for a three-year term in an amount not to exceed $450,000.

D. Tract 8752 - Approval of Final Map, Agreements for
Construction of Public and Private Street Improvements, and Dedication of Land and Public Easements for Tract 8752, located at 2057 Olive Avenue.

Contact Persons:

Name: Kenneth Nagar Matt Cano
Title: Associate Civil Engineer Public Works Director
Dept: Public Works Public Works
Phone: 510-494-4732 510-494-4722
E-Mail: [email protected] [email protected]
Recommendation: Adopt a resolution to:

1. Approve the Final Map and the Improvement Plans for Tract 8752.

2. Authorize the City Manager to execute on behalf of the City the Agreement for Public Improvements entitled “Improvement Agreement, Tract 8752 – Public Improvements”, with the
developer, Lunara Homes LLC.

3. Authorize the City Manager to execute on behalf of the City the Agreement for Private Improvements entitled “Improvement Agreement, Tract 8752 – Private Improvements”, with the developer, Lunara Homes LLC.

4. Accept the developer’s offer of dedication of real property interests, as identified on the Final Map, provided that the acceptance of any property on which the developer is required to construct public improvements shall be conditioned upon the developer’s completion of the improvements to the satisfaction of the City Engineer.

5. Make findings of CEQA exemptions.

October 6, 2026 Fremont City Council Page 5

3. Ceremonial Items
A. Proclamation: Domestic Violence Awareness Month — October 2026

4. Public Communications
A. Oral and Written Communications
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY - None.

PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY - None.

CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR

5. Scheduled Items
A. Bond Issuance For Fremont Plaza 741, L.P. – Public Hearing (Published Notice) in Accordance with the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act (TEFRA) to Consider the Issuance of Tax-Exempt Bonds by California Municipal Finance Authority (CMFA) for USA Properties Fund, Inc. (Centerville Plaza Apartments Phase II)
Contact Persons:

Name: Lucia Hughes David Persselin
Title: Housing Manager Finance Director
Dept: Housing Finance Department
Phone: 510-494-4506 510-494-4631
E-Mail: [email protected] [email protected]
Recommendation:

1. Hold a public hearing in accordance with the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982; and,

2. Adopt a Resolution approving the issuance of Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds by the California Municipal Finance Authority in an aggregate outstanding principal amount not to exceed
$55,000,000 for the purpose of financing a qualified residential rental project located at 37338 Fremont Boulevard and 3780 Peralta Boulevard within the City of Fremont.

B. Introduction and First Reading of an Ordinance Amending Fremont Municipal Code Title 5, Chapter 5.35 (Vendors and Solicitors) to Align Local Regulations with State Sidewalk Vending Law
Contact Persons:

Name: Kristi Bartelmie David Persselin
Title: Revenue Division
Manager
Finance Director
Dept: Revenue Finance Department
October 6, 2026 Fremont City Council Page 6
Phone: 510-494-4797 510-494-4631
E-Mail: [email protected] [email protected]
Recommendation:

Introduce an Ordinance amending Fremont Municipal Code Title 5, Chapter 5.35 (Vendors and Solicitors) to align vending regulations with Government Code Section 51036 et seq.

6. Other Business - None.

7. Items Referred by Councilmembers
A. Councilmember Referrals - None.

B. Appointments to Boards, Commissions, Committees

1. Mayor Salwan Referral - Appointments to Advisory Body Contact Persons:

Name: Raj Salwan
Title: Mayor
Dept: City Council
Phone: 510-284-4082
E-Mail: [email protected]
Appointments:

Advisory Body Appointees Terms Expire
Youth Advisory Commission Hasini Manda 12/31/2027
Sukhjot Singh 12/31/2027
Ayush Pathuri 12/31/2028
Aaditi Koparde 12/31/2028
Arjun Khurana 12/31/2028
Adyah Addagulla 12/31/2028
Human Relations Commission Zia Oboodiyat 12/31/2027
Recommendation: Approve appointments.

October 6, 2026 Fremont City Council Page 7
C. Legislative Actions
D. Report on Committee Assignments

8. Adjournment
October 6, 2026 Fremont City Council Page 8
October 6, 2026 Fremont City Council Page 9

ACRONYMS
ABAG Association of Bay Area Governments HARB Historical Architectural Review Board ACE Altamont Commuter Express HBA Home Builders Association ACFCD Alameda County Flood Control District HCD Housing and Community ACTC Alameda County Transportation
Commission HRC
Development (State)
Human Relations Commission
HCD Housing and Community
ACWD Alameda County Water District ICMA
JPA
International City/County Management
Association
Joint Powers Authority
ARB Art Review Board
BAAQMD
BART
Bay Area Air Quality Management
District
Bay Area Rapid Transit District
LLMD Lighting and Landscaping Maintenance
District
LOCC League of California Cities
BCDC Bay Conservation & Development
Commission
LOS
MET
Level of Service
Mobile Evaluation Team
BMPs Best Management Practices MOU Memorandum of Understanding BMR Below Market Rate MTC Metropolitan Transportation
CALPERS California Public Employees’ Retirement
System
MTC Metropolitan Transportation
Commission
CBC California Building Code NRSRO Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization
CDD Community Development Department NEPA National Environmental Policy Act CC & R’s Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions NLC National League of Cities CDBG
CEQA
Community Development Block Grant
California Environmental Quality Act
NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System
CERT Community Emergency Response Team NPO Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance CIP Capital Improvement Program PC Planning Commission
CNG Compressed Natural Gas PD Planned District
COF City of Fremont PDA Priority Development Area
COPPS Community Oriented Policing and Public
Safety
PUC
PVAW
Public Utilities Commission
Private Vehicle Accessway
CSAC California State Association of Counties PWC Public Works Contract CTC California Transportation Commission RFP Request for Proposals dB Decibel RFQ Request for Qualifications
DEIR Draft Environmental Impact Report RHNA Regional Housing Needs Allocation DU/AC Dwelling Units per Acre ROP Regional Occupational Program EBCE East Bay Community Energy RWQCB Regional Water Quality Control Board EBRPD East Bay Regional Park District SACNET Southern Alameda County Narcotics Enforcement Task Force
EDAC Economic Development Advisory
Commission (City)
STIP State Transportation Improvement
Program
EIR Environmental Impact Report (CEQA) TCRDF Tri-Cities Recycling and Disposal Facility EIS Environmental Impact Statement TOD Transit Oriented Development EVAW
(NEPA)
Emergency Vehicle Accessway
TS/MRF Transfer Station/Materials Recovery
Facility
FAR Floor Area Ratio UBC See CBC
FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency VMT Vehicle Miles Travelled FFD Fremont Fire Department VTA Santa Clara Valley Transportation FMC Fremont Municipal Code Authority
FPD Fremont Police Department WMA Waste Management Authority FRC Family Resource Center ZA Zoning Administrator
FUSD Fremont Unified School District ZTA Zoning Text Amendment GIS Geographic Information System
GPA General Plan Amendment
October 6, 2026 Fremont City Council Page 10
UPCOMING MEETING AND CHANNEL 27

BROADCAST SCHEDULE
Date Time Meeting Type Location
October 5, 2026 4:30 p.m. CC/FUSD
Joint Meeting Council Chambers
October 6, 2026 6:00 p.m.

City Council Special
Meeting – Closed
Session
Council Chambers
October 6, 2026 7:00 p.m. City Council Meeting Council Chambers October 13, 2026 7:00 p.m. City Council Meeting Council Chambers October 20, 2026 7:00 p.m. City Council Meeting Council Chambers October 27, 2026 No meeting
November 3, 2026 7:00 p.m. City Council Meeting Council Chambers November 10, 2026 7:00 p.m. City Council Meeting Council Chambers November 17, 2026 7:00 p.m. City Council Meeting Council Chambers November 24, 2026 No meeting
December 1, 2026 7:00 p.m. City Council Meeting Council Chambers December 8, 2026 7:00 p.m. City Council Meeting Council Chambers December 15, 2026 7:00 p.m. City Council Meeting Council Chambers December 22, 2026 No meeting
December 29, 2026 No meetings (5th
Tuesday)
January 5, 2027 7:00 p.m. City Council Meeting Council Chambers January 12, 2027 7:00 p.m. City Council Meeting Council Chambers January 19, 2027 7:00 p.m. City Council Meeting Council Chambers Fremont City Council Meeting: 10/06/26 07:00 PM
3300 Capitol Avenue Div/Dept: City Clerk's Office
Fremont, CA 94538 Category: Approval of Minutes

SCHEDULED
Sponsors:

COUNCIL STAFF REPORT (ID # 5827) DOC ID: 5827
Updated: 9/23/2026 11:27 AM by Alberto Quintanilla Page 1 Approval of Minutes - for the Revised Regular Meeting of September 8, 2026, and Regular Meeting of September 15, 2026.

Contact Persons:

Name: Alberto Quintanilla
Title: City Clerk
Div/Dept: City Clerk's Office
Phone: 510-284-4009
E-Mail: [email protected]
Approval of Minutes - for the Revised Regular Meeting of September 8, 2026, and Regular Meeting of September 15, 2026.

Correction to the Regular Meeting Minutes of September 8, 2026, Agenda Item 5.A. - Adjustment To The Salaries Of The Mayor And Council Members - Introduce an Ordinance Amending Fremont Municipal Code Section 2.05.060, and Authorizing a Salary Increase for the Mayor and Council Members

5. Scheduled Items
A. Adjustment To The Salaries Of The Mayor And Council Members - Introduce an Ordinance Amending Fremont Municipal Code Section 2.05.060, and Authorizing a Salary Increase for the Mayor and Council Members
Mayor Salwan opened the public hearing. The following person commented: Vinita Verma. There being no additional speakers, Mayor Salwan closed the public hearing.

On a substitute motion by Councilmember Shao, seconded by Councilmember Zhang, the City Council introduced an ordinance amending the Fremont Municipal Code to authorize a 3% increase in the salary of the Mayor and City Councilmembers effective after the new City Council is seated following the election of November 3, 2026.

Ayes: Vice Mayor Liu, Councilmembers: Keng, Kimberlin,
Shao, Zhang
Noes: Mayor Salwan, Councilmembers: Campbell and
Kimberlin

2.B.1
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Council Staff Report (ID # 5827) Meeting of October 6, 2026 Updated: 9/23/2026 11:27 AM by Alberto Quintanilla Page 2

Absent: None
Abstain: None
ATTACHMENTS:
• DRAFT - 2026-09-08 CC Minutes_Revised
• DRAFT - 2026-09-15 CC Minutes
Recommendation: Approve minutes.

2.B.1
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*Consent Items

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Minutes
Fremont City Council Meeting
September 8, 2026
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 Liu, Councilmembers: Keng, Campbell, Kimberlin, Shao, Zhang
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
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 California Government Code Section 54956.8 and Conference with Legal Counsel on Anticipated Litigation (One Case) pursuant to Government Code
Section 54956.9(d)(4). No reportable action was 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 Keng, seconded by Vice Mayor Liu, the City Council waived further readings of proposed ordinances.

Ayes: Mayor Salwan, Vice Mayor Liu, Councilmembers:

Keng, Campbell, Kimberlin, Shao, Zhang
Noes: None

Absent: None
Abstain: None

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* B. Approval of Minutes – None.
* C. Security Information And Management System Renewal - Authorize the City Manager or her designee to execute an agreement with AMS.NET, LLC D/B/A MGT Impact Solutions, for the annual software licenses, maintenance, monitoring, response and support of the City’s Security Information and Event Management System (SIEMS), execute any implementing documents, and take any necessary implementing actions in an amount not to exceed $396,000 for a 3-year term.

See Green Sheet on file that contains a correction to the Staff Report.

On a motion by Councilmember Keng, seconded by Vice Mayor Liu, the City Council:

1. Authorized the City Manager, or designee, to enter into an Agreement with AMS.NET, LLC D/B/A MGT Impact Solutions, in the amount of $396,000 for a 3-Year Term for the Security Information and Event Management System renewal.

2. Authorized the City Manager, or designee, to execute any implementing documents and take any implementing actions as necessary.

Ayes: Mayor Salwan, Vice Mayor Liu, Councilmembers:

Keng, Campbell, Kimberlin, Shao, Zhang
Noes: None

Absent: None
Abstain: None
* D. Grimmer Greenway Trail Extension Project - Accept $285,000 in Transportation for Clean Air (TFCA) Grant Funds from the Alameda County Transportation Commission’s (Alameda CTC) for the Grimmer Greenway Trail Extension Project (PWC8932); and Make Findings of CEQA Exemption.

On a motion by Councilmember Keng, seconded by Vice Mayor Liu, the City Council approved the following actions related to the Grimmer Greenway Trail Extension Project (PWC8932):

1. Authorized the City Manager or designee to execute the Project Funding Agreement and prepare any other documents required to implement said agreement with Alameda CTC.

2. Accepted TFCA funds in the amount of $285,000 and appropriate the funds to PWC8932-504.

3. Found that the action taken is not a project under CEQA.

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Ayes: Mayor Salwan, Vice Mayor Liu, Councilmembers:

Keng, Campbell, Kimberlin, Shao, Zhang
Noes: None

Absent: None
Abstain: None
* E. Agreement Providing for Implementation of the Alameda Countywide Clean Water Program July 2027 through June 2042 - Approve Fremont’s Continued Participation as a Member Agency of the Alameda Countywide Clean Water Program by Authorizing Execution of a Successor Agreement For the 15-Year Period of July 2027 through June 2042
On a motion by Councilmember Keng, seconded by Vice Mayor Liu, the City Council approved Fremont’s continued participation as a member agency of the Alameda Countywide Clean Water Program by authorizing the City Manager or her designee to execute the Agreement Providing for Implementation of the Alameda Countywide Clean Water Program (July 1, 2027 – June 30, 2042)
Ayes: Mayor Salwan, Vice Mayor Liu, Councilmembers:

Keng, Campbell, Kimberlin, Shao, Zhang
Noes: None

Absent: None
Abstain: None

3. Ceremonial Items
A. Proclamation: National Hunger Action Month
The National Hunger Action Month Proclamation was accepted by Linda Leu, TCV Food Bank, Paddy Iyer, Daily Bowl, Naseer Irfan, Salaam Food Pantry, Kamal Anandpuri, 5 Sikh Seva, and Sherry Hsu, Tri City Free Breakfast Program
B. Proclamation: Recognizing Mission Peak Heritage Foundation The Mission Peak Heritage Foundation Proclamation was accepted by Al Minard, MPHF President, Maggie Balk, MPHF Vice-President, and Laura Cavillo, MPHF Board Member at Large.

2.B.1.a
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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 placed on file.

Mayor Salwan opened the public comment period. The following people commented: Ruth Gentry, Joe Rose, Krysten Laine, Margaret Balk, Janet Barton, and Sainath Nagarajan. There being no additional speakers, Mayor Salwan closed the public comment period.

5. Scheduled Items
A. Adjustment To The Salaries Of The Mayor And Council Members - Introduce an Ordinance Amending Fremont Municipal Code Section

2.05.060, and Authorizing a Salary Increase for the Mayor and Council Members
Mayor Salwan opened the public hearing. The following person commented: Vinita Verma. There being no additional speakers, Mayor Salwan closed the public hearing.

On a substitute motion by Councilmember Shao, seconded by Councilmember Zhang, the City Council introduced an ordinance amending the Fremont Municipal Code to authorize a 3% increase in the salary of the Mayor and City Councilmembers effective after the new City Council is seated following the election of November 3, 2026.

Ayes: Vice Mayor Liu, Councilmembers: Keng, Kimberlin,
Shao, Zhang
Noes: Mayor Salwan, Councilmembers: Campbell and
Kimberlin

Absent: None
Abstain: None

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C. City of Fremont Health Benefit Allowance for City Councilmembers - Consideration of a Resolution Authorizing and Restating the City's Contribution to Health and Welfare Benefits for Active City Councilmembers
Human Resources Director Tina Gallegos was available for questions.

Mayor Salwan opened the public hearing. The following people commented: Aziz Akbari, and Jack Rogers. There being no additional speakers, Mayor Salwan closed the public hearing.

On a motion by Councilmember Zhang, seconded by Councilmember Keng, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2026-64 authorizing and restating the City’s contribution to health and welfare benefits for active members of the City Council.

Ayes: Vice Mayor Liu, Councilmembers: Keng, Campbell,
Kimberlin, Shao, Zhang
Noes: Mayor Salwan

Absent: None
Abstain: None

6. Other Business – None.

7. Items Referred by Councilmembers
A. Council Referrals

1. Councilmember Keng Referral - Direct Staff to Analyze Options for the Funding and Construction of a New Community Center in North Fremont District 1
Councilmember Keng introduced her referral, Mayor Salwan opened the Public Comment period. The following people commented: James Ferris, Sai Nagarajan, and Patricia Schaffarczyk. There being no additional speakers, Mayor Salwan closed the Public Comment period.

Community Services Director Kim Beranek and Public Works Director Matt Cano were available for questions.

City Council directed City staff to analyze options to fund and construct a new community center in North Fremont District 1.

B. Appointments to Boards, Commissions, Committees – None.

C. Legislative Actions – None.

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D. Report on Committee Assignments – None

8. Adjournment: There being no further business, Mayor Salwan adjourned the meeting at 8:57 p.m.

Attest: Approved:

Alberto Quintanilla, City Clerk Raj Salwan, Mayor

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Minutes
Fremont City Council Meeting
September 15, 2026
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 Campbell led the salute to the flag.

C. Roll Call: Mayor Salwan, Vice Mayor Liu, Councilmembers: Keng, Campbell, Kimberlin, Shao, Zhang
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 Vice Mayor Liu, seconded by Councilmember Kimberlin, the City Council waived further readings of proposed ordinances.

Ayes: Mayor Salwan, Vice Mayor Liu, Councilmembers:

Keng, Campbell, Kimberlin, Shao, Zhang
Noes: None

Absent: None
Abstain: None
* B. Approval of Minutes for the Regular Meeting of September 1, 2026, Closed Session Meeting of September 8, 2026, and Regular Meeting of September 8, 2026
On a motion by Vice Mayor Liu, seconded by Councilmember Kimberlin, the City Council approved minutes.

2.B.1.b
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Ayes: Mayor Salwan, Vice Mayor Liu, Councilmembers:

Keng, Campbell, Kimberlin, Shao, Zhang
Noes: None

Absent: None
Abstain: None
* C. Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance Amending Fremont Municipal Code Section 2.05.060 (Compensation of Mayor And Council Members) to Adjust the Salaries of the Mayor And Council Members
This item was removed from the Consent Calendar. Mayor Salwan opened the public comment period. There being no speakers, Mayor Salwan closed the public comment period.

On a motion by Vice Mayor Liu, seconded by Councilmember Shao, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 05-2026 amending the Fremont Municipal Code to authorize a 3% increase in the salary of the City Councilmembers to $2,758.71 per month and of the Mayor to $4,901.26 per month, effective after the new City Council is seated following the election of November 3, 2026.

Ayes: Vice Mayor Liu, Councilmembers: Keng, Shao and
Zhang
Noes: Mayor Salwan, Councilmembers Campbell and
Kimberlin

Absent: None
Abstain: None
* D. Update of Conflict of Interest Code - Adopt a Resolution Updating the Conflict of Interest Code for the City of Fremont
On a motion by Vice Mayor Liu, seconded by Councilmember Kimberlin, the City Council adopted Resolution No 2026-065 amending Fremont’s Conflict of Interest Code as it relates to the Form 700 designated positions and the disclosure categories.

Ayes: Mayor Salwan, Vice Mayor Liu, Councilmembers:

Keng, Campbell, Kimberlin, Shao, Zhang
Noes: None

Absent: None
Abstain: None

2.B.1.b
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* E. Radio Services Provided by East Bay Regional Communications System Authority (EBRCSA) - Authorize the City Manager, or her Designee, to Issue a Purchase Order for Annual Operating Payments/Renewals and Execute Implementing Documents with EBRCSA for Use of the Public Safety Radio Communications System.

On a motion by Vice Mayor Liu, seconded by Councilmember Kimberlin, the City Council authorized the City Manager, or a designee, to issue a purchase order for the annual operating payment to EBRCSA in an amount not to exceed $408,036 for the one-year period effective July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, and execute implementing documents as necessary.

Ayes: Mayor Salwan, Vice Mayor Liu, Councilmembers:

Keng, Campbell, Kimberlin, Shao, Zhang
Noes: None

Absent: None
Abstain: None
* F. Acquisition of Parkland at Crystalline Ave. - Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager or her designee to execute an Agreement to Purchase the Property located at 501 Crystalline Avenue, APN 519-1410-011, in the amount of $4,500,000, and making certain findings; and find that the actions are exempt from CEQA per CEQA Guidelines Sections 15183, 15004, 15061(b)(3), and 15378.

On a motion by Vice Mayor Liu, seconded by Councilmember Kimberlin, the City Council:

1. Adopted Resolution No 2026-066 authorizing the City Manager, or designee, to execute a Purchase and Sale Agreement for the property, APN 519-1410-011, at 501 Crystalline Drive, and all other documents necessary to complete the acquisition of the Property.

2. Found that the Property, and its purchase, is in conformity with the City’s General Plan and also meets the criteria set forth in the Parkland Acquisition Manual of the City of Fremont’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan.

3. Appropriated $4,950,000 in Fund 542 to the Parkland Acquisition Project (PWC8311-542) for property purchase, fees, staff time, and associated costs.

4. Found that the purchase of the Property is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), without limitation, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15183 (General Plan and Zoning Consistency), CEQA Guidelines Section 15004 (Time of Preparation),

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CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption); and CEQA Guidelines Section 15378 (Not a Project).

Ayes: Mayor Salwan, Vice Mayor Liu, Councilmembers:

Keng, Campbell, Kimberlin, Shao, Zhang
Noes: None

Absent: None
Abstain: None

3. Ceremonial Items – None.

A. Proclamation/Resolution:

4. Public Communications
A. Oral and Written Communications – None.

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 placed on file.

Mayor Salwan opened the public comment period. The following people commented: Holde Effpeedee Accountabehl, Jeff, and Kelly Abreu. There being no additional speakers, Mayor Salwan closed the public comment period.

5. Scheduled Items
A. Adopt a Resolution Prohibiting the Use of City-Owned or Controlled Real Property for Federal Civil Immigration-Related Enforcement Activities
City Attorney Rafael Alvarado shared a presentation and responded to questions from councilmembers along with Police Chief Floyd Mitchell, and City Manager Karena Shackelford. Mayor Salwan opened the public comment period. The following people commented: Edilberto Aguilera, Jill Buono, Evonne Leeper, Connie Chew, Annie Koruga, Blandine, M. L. Harris, Debra Pearson, Kate Amin, Joan Weber, Bridget Monohan, Michelle Cosgrove, Ganesh Balamitran, Reverend Charlene Hinckley, Brian Tor, Izzy, Jim Raphael, Jen Uhlig, Aziz Akbari, Vipin, Felix Lechner, Lucy Shen, and Golden Shao. There being no additional speakers, Mayor Salwan closed the public comment period.

Mayor Salwan called a brief recess. Following the recess, the meeting was reconvened.

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On a motion by Councilmember Campbell, seconded by Councilmember Keng, the City Council adopted Resolution No 2026-067 that prohibits the use of City owned or controlled real property for federal civil immigrationrelated enforcement activities.

Ayes: Mayor Salwan, Vice Mayor Liu, Councilmembers:

Keng, Campbell, Kimberlin, Shao, Zhang
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 – None.

C. Legislative Actions – None.

D. Report on Committee Assignments – None

8. Adjournment: There being no further business, Mayor Salwan adjourned the meeting at 8:29 p.m.

Attest: Approved:

Alberto Quintanilla, City Clerk Raj Salwan, Mayor

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Attachment: DRAFT - 2026-09-15 CC Minutes (5827 : Approval of Minutes) Fremont City Council Meeting: 10/06/26 07:00 PM
3300 Capitol Avenue Div/Dept: Police Department
Fremont, CA 94538 Category: Agreements and Contracts

SCHEDULED
Sponsors:

COUNCIL STAFF REPORT (ID # 5816) DOC ID: 5816
Updated: 10/1/2026 10:26 AM by Alberto Quintanilla Page 1 Cellular Phone Analysis & Data Extraction Services - Authorize the City Manager, or her Designee, to enter a Service Agreement with Pivot Collective Solutions for a three-year term.

Contact Persons:

Name: Calvin Tang Eric Tang
Title: Police Lieutenant Police Captain
Div/Dept: Police Department Police Department
Phone: 510-790-6875 (510) 790-6900
E-Mail: [email protected] [email protected]
Executive Summary: The Fremont Police Department (FPD) is seeking to enter into a three-year service agreement with Pivot Collective Solutions to provide consultation in the ever-evolving area of cellular technologies to include identifying, capturing, and analyzing data related to individuals’ responsible for committing crimes. Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager, or a designee, to enter into an agreement with Pivot Collective Solutions for a three-year term in the total amount of $450,000, payable in three annual installments of $150,000.

Background: Law enforcement examines a multitude of leads related to criminal investigations. Special circumstances and consideration are given when a cellular phone is used as an instrument of crime or when a cellular phone contains records of criminal activity. These records can be in many forms including, but not limited to phonebook entries, call history, text messages, calendar entries, images and videos. While officers are trained in a variety of investigative techniques, cellular phone extractions are unique and highly specialized due to their technical nuances. It requires knowledge of cellular phones and cellular networks. Further, it requires skill in applying hardware and software tools focused on data extraction.

Cell phone analysis is specialized because of the complexity and continual innovation of smartphones, security systems within the phone and proprietary data storage formats. Complex data structures are further strengthened by encryption and evidence which can potentially be overwritten, wiped or altered. Expertise within this area is important as a forensic examiner must be able to identify, locate or even reconstruct data.

Further, they must be able to explain what the data means to investigators and testify to their analytical work for prosecutorial purposes.

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Council Staff Report (ID # 5816) Meeting of October 6, 2026 Updated: 10/1/2026 10:26 AM by Alberto Quintanilla Page 2 Discussion/Analysis: Fremont Police Department staff issued a Request for Proposals (RFP #26-206) inviting proposals for cell phone call detail record analysis and data extraction services from experienced, vetted investigators. After evaluating the proposals submitted, Pivot Collective Solutions was selected due to their extensive background, relevant experience, and competitive pricing.

Pivot Collective Solutions was founded in 2024 by a retired law enforcement officer with a background as a lead consultant, providing cellular technology, cellular record analysis, mapping, data extraction, reporting, and forensic support to Alameda County law enforcement agencies. Pivot Collective Solutions is based in the Bay Area and accessible in the event of critical incidents requiring immediate cellular technology analysis.

Pivot Collective Solutions employs current industry standard analytical software to analyze and visualize cellular records maintained for phone carriers. Along with physical data extractions, Pivot Collective Solutions produces comprehensive forensic extraction reports detailing methodology, tools used, and findings. Pivot Collective Solutions also maintains a focus on social media examination and cloud data analysis. This, in combination with cellular records, is invaluable for establishing investigative chronologies. In furtherance of criminal prosecution, Pivot Collective Solutions has extensive experience in prosecutorial case support and expert witness testimony.

Along with assisting prosecutors understand technical evidence, Pivot Collective Solutions supports investigations as a qualified expert witness in the event of criminal proceedings to include a jury trial.

Fiscal Impact: The proposal is to enter into a three-year term in the amount of $450,000 payable in annual payments. Annual payments of $150,000 will be funded by the Police Department’s General Fund.

Environmental Review: The contract for services is exempt from and not subject to review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because, without limitation, it is not a “project” as defined in CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(2) and/or 15378(b)(5) and as it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity may have a significant effect on the environment per CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), each as a separate and independent basis for CEQA compliance.

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Council Staff Report (ID # 5816) Meeting of October 6, 2026 Updated: 10/1/2026 10:26 AM by Alberto Quintanilla Page 3 Recommendation: Authorize the City Manager, or a designee, to enter into a service agreement with Pivot Collective Solutions, for a three-year term in an amount not to exceed $450,000.

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Fremont City Council Meeting: 10/06/26 07:00 PM
3300 Capitol Avenue Div/Dept: Public Works
Fremont, CA 94538 Category: Agreements and Contracts

SCHEDULED
Sponsors:

COUNCIL STAFF REPORT (ID # 5826) DOC ID: 5826
Updated: 10/1/2026 10:28 AM by Alberto Quintanilla Page 1 Tract 8752 - Approval of Final Map, Agreements for Construction of Public and Private Street Improvements, and Dedication of Land and Public Easements for Tract 8752, located at 2057 Olive Avenue.

Contact Persons:

Name: Kenneth Nagar Matt Cano
Title: Associate Civil Engineer Public Works Director
Div/Dept: Public Works Public Works
Phone: 510-494-4732 510-494-4722
E-Mail: [email protected] [email protected]
Executive Summary: The purpose of this report is to approve Final Tract Map 8752 and improvement agreements for public and private infrastructure associated with a six-unit single-family residential development.

Background: On January 22, 2026, the Planning Commission approved Tentative Tract Map 8752 for the 1.01 acre property at 2057 Olive Avenue in the Mission San Jose Community Plan Area. The developer is Lunara Homes LLC. The Final Map creates 6 residential parcels and 1 common area parcel to allow for a six-unit single-family home development.

Discussion/Analysis: The Final Map is in conformance with the Tentative Map and the developer has complied with all Tentative Map Conditions of Approval. The Final Map and Improvement Plans have been reviewed and are now ready for City Council approval.

The developer has signed the Public Improvement Agreement and has posted performance and labor and material bonds each in the amount of $219,000 to guarantee construction of the public improvements (Olive Avenue). Public improvements include curb, gutter, sidewalk, driveway, pavement, landscaping, signing and striping, utilities including storm drain, water, sanitary sewer, joint trench, and other miscellaneous items of work as identified on the approved improvement plans. The bonds will be held by the City until the improvements are accepted by the City Engineer.

The developer has signed the Private Improvement Agreement and has posted performance and labor and material bonds each in the amount of $797,000 to guarantee construction of the private and common area improvements (Lunara Common). Private improvements include the construction of private streets, installation of stormwater facilities, and other

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Council Staff Report (ID # 5826) Meeting of October 6, 2026 Updated: 10/1/2026 10:28 AM by Alberto Quintanilla Page 2 miscellaneous items of work as identified on the approved improvement plans.

The developer obtained an early grading permit (GRA2026-00021) for site grading of the building pads and private street prior to Final Map approval in July 2026. The developer anticipates starting construction of the site improvements immediately following approval of the Final Map and Improvement Agreements and finishing construction approximately late 2027.

Fiscal Impact: None.

Environmental Review: Approval of final subdivision maps is statutorily exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Statutory Exemptions, Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations Section 15268(b)(3) Ministerial Projects. Moreover, on January 22, 2026, the Planning Commission made findings that the project is categorically exempt from CEQA review per CEQA Guidelines Sections 15183, Projects Consistent with a Community Plan, General Plan, or Zoning, and CEQA Guidelines Sections 15163, as the project is consistent with the land use envisioned for the site as established by the General Plan. The Final Map and Improvement Plans are consistent with the General Plan and Zoning Ordinance, original project description, and scope of work. No further environmental review is required.

ATTACHMENTS:
• Site Plan (1 sheet)
• Draft Resolution – Tract Map 8752
Recommendation: Adopt a resolution to:

1. Approve the Final Map and the Improvement Plans for Tract 8752.

2. Authorize the City Manager to execute on behalf of the City the Agreement for Public Improvements entitled “Improvement Agreement, Tract 8752 – Public Improvements”, with the developer, Lunara Homes LLC.

3. Authorize the City Manager to execute on behalf of the City the Agreement for Private Improvements entitled “Improvement Agreement, Tract 8752 – Private Improvements”, with the developer, Lunara Homes LLC.

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Council Staff Report (ID # 5826) Meeting of October 6, 2026 Updated: 10/1/2026 10:28 AM by Alberto Quintanilla Page 3

4. Accept the developer’s offer of dedication of real property interests, as identified on the Final Map, provided that the acceptance of any property on which the developer is required to construct public improvements shall be conditioned upon the developer’s completion of the improvements to the satisfaction of the City Engineer.

5. Make findings of CEQA exemptions.

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Attachment: Site Plan (1 sheet) (5826 : Tract 8752)

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DRAFT
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-XX

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FREMONT

APPROVING THE FINAL MAP AND IMPROVEMENT PLANS FOR
TRACT 8752, ACCEPTING THE OFFERS OF DEDICATION IDENTIFIED

ON THE FINAL MAP, AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO

SIGN IMPROVEMENT AGREEMENTS FOR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE
IMPROVEMENTS FOR TRACT 8752
WHEREAS, a final subdivision map of Tract No. 8752 ("Final Map") in the City of Fremont, County of Alameda, State of California, has been presented to the City Council of the City of Fremont for approval, and the Final Map is on file with the City Engineer, and is available for review upon request; and
WHEREAS, Lunara Homes LLC (“Developer”), has submitted a Final Map and accompanying data for the subdivision of real property identified as Tract No. 8752 WHEREAS, the Final Map is geographically located within the boundaries of the “Tentative Tract Map 8752 – 2057 Olive Avenue, City of Fremont, Alameda County, California,” (“Tentative Map”), and the Tentative Map is on file with the City Engineer, and is available for review upon request; and
WHEREAS, the City's approval of the Tentative Map was conditioned upon the satisfaction of certain conditions of approval ("Conditions"), a copy of which are on file with the City Engineer, and are available for review upon request; and WHEREAS, the Final Map includes offers for the dedication of interests in real property to the City, including but not limited to Olive Avenue, and easements as shown on Tract No. 8752; and
WHEREAS, as required by the Conditions, the Developer submitted improvement plans and specifications ("Improvement Plans") to the City entitled, “Improvement Plan – Tract 8752 / SAM2026-00023, 2057 Olive Avenue, City of Fremont, Alameda County, California,” which describe the construction of the public improvements (Olive Avenue) and private improvements required by the Conditions, including but not limited to complete construction of Lunara Common; and
WHEREAS, Developer has executed an agreement with City entitled “Public Improvement Agreement, Tract 8752” ("Public Improvement Agreement"), by which the Developer has agreed to construct all public improvements required by the Conditions, including but not limited to those described by the Improvement Plans; and

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Attachment: Draft Resolution – Tract Map 8752 (5826 : Tract 8752)

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WHEREAS, Developer has executed an agreement with City entitled “Private Improvement Agreement, Tract 8752” ("Private Improvement Agreement"), by which the Developer has agreed to construct all private improvements required by the Conditions, including but not limited to those described by the Improvement Plans; and WHEREAS, Developer has posted the required security to guarantee completion of all the improvements, including: (1) a performance bond of $219,000 and a payment bond of $219,000 for the public improvements, and (2) a performance bond of $797,000 and a payment bond of $797,000 for the private improvements; and
WHEREAS, the Developer has paid all fees required by the Conditions for processing of the Final Map; and
WHEREAS, upon the City's review of the Final Map, the Improvement Plans, and the Agreements, the Final Map has been found to conform to the requirements of the Subdivision Map Act (California Government Code Sections 66410, et seq.), and the City's Subdivision Ordinance (Fremont Municipal Code, Title 17), and the Conditions.

NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FREMONT HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:

1. The City Council finds that the Final Map substantially conforms to the previously approved tentative map and all the Conditions, hereby approves the Final Map for Tract No. 8752, and authorizes and directs the City Clerk to certify this fact on the face of the Final Map.

2. All dedications and interests in real property identified on the Final Map (whether by fee, easement, right-of-way, or otherwise) are accepted by the City; provided, however, to the extent offers of dedication are for interests in real property on which the Developer is required to construct public improvements, the City's acceptance shall be conditioned upon the City Engineer's acceptance of the public improvements as complete.

3. The City Council approves the Improvement Plans for Tract No. 8752, and authorizes the City Manager to sign the public and private Improvement Agreements for Tract No. 8752.

ADOPTED 2026 by the City Council of the City of Fremont by the following vote, to wit:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:

ABSTAIN:

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Attachment: Draft Resolution – Tract Map 8752 (5826 : Tract 8752)

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Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:

City Clerk City Attorney

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Attachment: Draft Resolution – Tract Map 8752 (5826 : Tract 8752) Fremont City Council Meeting: 10/06/26 07:00 PM
3300 Capitol Avenue Div/Dept: Housing
Fremont, CA 94538 Category: Affordable Housing

SCHEDULED
Sponsors:

COUNCIL STAFF REPORT (ID # 5815) DOC ID: 5815
Updated: 10/1/2026 10:25 AM by Alberto Quintanilla Page 1 Bond Issuance For Fremont Plaza 741, L.P. – Public Hearing (Published Notice) in Accordance with the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act (TEFRA) to Consider the Issuance of Tax-Exempt Bonds by California Municipal Finance Authority (CMFA) for USA Properties Fund, Inc. (Centerville Plaza Apartments Phase II)
Contact Persons:

Name: Lucia Hughes David Persselin
Title: Housing Manager Finance Director
Div/Dept: Housing Finance Department
Phone: 510-494-4506 510-494-4631
E-Mail: [email protected] [email protected]
Executive Summary: The California Municipal Finance Authority (CMFA), a joint exercise of powers authority of which the City of Fremont is a member, has been asked by USA Properties Fund, Inc. to serve as the conduit issuer of tax-exempt bonds for the Centerville Plaza Apartments Phase II affordable housing project (the “Project”) in the City of Fremont. CMFA may not approve the bond financing unless and until the City Council approves the bond issuance after conducting a public hearing (referred to as a “TEFRA hearing”).

The Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 (TEFRA) mandates a public accountability procedure involving the legislative body of a local agency in which a proposed project to be funded with tax-exempt bonds is located. The TEFRA hearing is intended to provide members of the community with an opportunity to speak on behalf of or against the proposed project. Once the TEFRA hearing has been conducted, the City Council is asked to adopt a resolution approving the issuance of tax-exempt bonds for the project.

The bonds will be issued as limited obligations of CMFA, and the City will have no liability with respect to the bonds or any role to play in the bond issuance other than the TEFRA hearing.

Staff recommend that the City Council conduct a public hearing in accordance with the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act and adopt a resolution approving the issuance of tax-exempt bonds for the Project.

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Council Staff Report (ID # 5815) Meeting of October 6, 2026 Updated: 10/1/2026 10:25 AM by Alberto Quintanilla Page 2 Background: CMFA has been asked by USA Properties Fund, Inc. (the “Sponsor”), on behalf of a limited partnership of which the Sponsor or a related person to the Sponsor is the general partner (such limited partnership being referred to herein as the “Borrower”) requested that the CMFA serve as the municipal issuer of tax-exempt revenue bonds (the “Bonds”) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $55,000,000 (including both the issuance and reissuance from time to time of the Bonds).

The proceeds of the Bonds will be used to finance and refinance the acquisition, development, construction and equipping of a 150-unit multifamily rental housing project (the “Project”), located at 37338 Fremont Boulevard and 3780 Peralta Boulevard in the City of Fremont, California, to be owned and operated by the Borrower.

Discussion/Analysis: USA Properties Fund, Inc. (“USA”) is a privatelyowned real estate development organization specializing in the creation of senior and family housing. Founded in 1981 and headquartered in Roseville, California, USA provides a full range of capabilities for community development, including financing, development, construction services, rehabilitation and property management. USA has developed over 19,000 units of family and senior apartments in over 90 communities throughout California (including Bay Area cities such as Newark, Union City, Santa Clara and San Jose), Oregon and Nevada.

Nearly all the communities developed by USA are public-private partnerships. They have a track record in securing bond and tax credit financing from local, state, and federal sources. Centerville Plaza Apartments Phase II will be the second phase of their first development in Fremont, CA.

Centerville Plaza Apartments Phase II is a new construction project to be located at 37338 Fremont Blvd. (Building 1), and 3780 Peralta Blvd. (Building 2), Fremont CA 94536. It consists of one five-story building with 133 residential units, and one three-story building with 17 units. The project will offer apartments for people who earn 30%, 50%, 60%, 70% and 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Common area amenities include an exercise room, picnic area, play structures, resident resource room and business center.

Affordability: As detailed below, all rents will be reduced to an affordable level for extremely low, very low, and low-income residents. The project is 100% affordable, with a mix of 1-, 2- and 3-Bedroom apartments, and restricted rents for a 55-year term.

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Council Staff Report (ID # 5815) Meeting of October 6, 2026 Updated: 10/1/2026 10:25 AM by Alberto Quintanilla Page 3 • 10% (15 Units) restricted to households earning 30% or less of AMI • 30% (45 Units) restricted to households earning 50% or less of AMI • 6% (9 Units) restricted to households earning 60% or less of AMI • 47% (70 Units) restricted to households earning 70% or less of AMI • 7% (10 Units) restricted to households earning 80% or less of AMI • 1 on-site manager’s unit
TEFRA Hearing: TEFRA mandates a public accountability procedure involving the legislative body of a local agency in which a proposed project to be funded with tax-exempt bonds is located. The TEFRA hearing is intended to provide members of the community with an opportunity to speak on behalf of or against the proposed project. Notice of the public hearing must be published in a newspaper of general circulation at least seven days prior to the date on which it is scheduled. To comply with federal tax laws, as well as with CMFA policy, once the TEFRA hearing is conducted, the City Council is asked to adopt a resolution approving the issuance of tax-exempt bonds for the project.

Project Financing: The costs of the project total approximately $90 Million.

A large part of the project cost is proposed to be financed through multifamily housing revenue bonds issued by CMFA, with Low Income Housing Tax Credits as another principal funding source. Other funds will be from the San Francisco Housing Accelerator Fund, General Partner, Developer, and Equity. The City of Fremont has not provided funding for Centerville Plaza Apartments Phase II project.

A summary of the estimated sources and uses of funds for the project is presented below.

Sources of Funds: Uses of Funds:

Tax-Exempt Bonds: $22,820,000 Land Acquisition: $11,961,067 LIH Tax Credit Equity: $32,787,095 New Construction: $45,475,178 Taxable Bonds: $ 6,950,000 Arch & Engineering: $ 2,495,815 Deferred Developer Fee: $ 1,267,609 Legal & Prof Fees: $ 110,000 Accelerator Fund: $17,150,000 Permit & Imp Fees: $ 7,666,913 NOI During Const: $ 2,049,213 Developer Fee: $ 9,346,601 GP Equity: $ 750,000 Other Soft Costs: $ 13,318,343
MGP Equity: $6,600,000

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Council Staff Report (ID # 5815) Meeting of October 6, 2026 Updated: 10/1/2026 10:25 AM by Alberto Quintanilla Page 4 Total Sources: $90,373,917 Total Uses: $ 90,373,917

Fiscal Impact: The Bonds to be issued by CMFA for the Project will be the sole responsibility of the Borrower, and the City will have no financial, legal, obligation, liability or responsibility for the Project or the repayment of the Bonds for the financing of the Project. All financing documents with respect to the issuance of the Bonds will contain clear disclaimers that the Bonds are not obligations of the City or the State of California but are to be paid for solely from funds provided by the Borrower.

The Board of Directors of the California Foundation for Stronger Communities, a California non-profit public benefit corporation (the “Foundation”), acts as the Board of Directors for the CMFA. Through its conduit issuance activities, the CMFA shares a portion of the issuance fees it receives with its member communities and donates a portion of these issuance fees to the Foundation for the support of local charities. With respect to the City of Fremont, it is expected that that a portion of the issuance fee attributable to the City will be granted by CMFA to the General Fund of the City. Such grant may be used for any lawful purpose of the City.

The Borrower will be the beneficiary of the CMFA’s charitable donation through a 25% reduction in issuance fees.

Environmental Review: In 2019, the prior project known as Silicon Sage Centerville Mixed-Use was approved with an associated certified Environmental Impact Report (EIR) (State Clearinghouse Number 2018072040). The City commissioned a CEQA analysis which found that, given the substantial evidence, the current project would not require subsequent analysis to the Prior EIR pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15162.

While the project has been revised since the Prior EIR, the assessment prepared for the prior project has determined that the addendum, in conjunction with the Prior EIR, serve to satisfy requirements under CEQA and no further documentation is required per CEQA Guidelines Sections 15162 and 15164 and none of the conditions described in CEQA Guideline section 15162 requiring the preparation of a subsequent EIR or negative declaration have occurred. The Centerville Plaza project was entitled June 5,

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Council Staff Report (ID # 5815) Meeting of October 6, 2026 Updated: 10/1/2026 10:25 AM by Alberto Quintanilla Page 5 2025. Additional environmental review under CEQA is not applicable pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) (Review for Exemption) and/or 15378(b)(2), (4) and/or (5), each as a separate and independent basis. The action is a governmental fiscal or administrative action which will have no potential to adversely affect the environment, directly or indirectly.

ATTACHMENTS:
• TEFRA Resolution_Centerville Phase II Final
Recommendation:

1. Hold a public hearing in accordance with the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982; and,

2. Adopt a Resolution approving the issuance of Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds by the California Municipal Finance Authority in an aggregate outstanding principal amount not to exceed $55,000,000 for the purpose of financing a qualified residential rental project located at 37338 Fremont Boulevard and 3780 Peralta Boulevard within the City of Fremont.

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RESOLUTION NO. 2026-XX

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FREMONT

APPROVING A PLAN OF FINANCE INCLUDING THE ISSUANCE OF

EXEMPT FACILITY BONDS BY THE CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL

FINANCE AUTHORITY IN AN AGGREGATE OUTSTANDING
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $55,000,000 TO FINANCE AND

REFINANCE A QUALIFIED RESIDENTIAL RENTAL PROJECT FOR
THE BENEFIT OF FREMONT PLAZA 741, L.P. (OR AN AFFILIATE),

MAKING FINDINGS OF CEQA EXEMPTION AND CERTAIN OTHER

MATTERS RELATING THERETO
WHEREAS, USA Properties Fund, Inc. (the “Sponsor”), on behalf of a Fremont Plaza 741, L.P., a California limited partnership, or another limited partnership of which the Sponsor or a related person to the Sponsor is the general partner (such limited partnership being referred to herein as the “Borrower”), has requested that the California Municipal Finance Authority (the “Authority”) undertake a proposed plan of finance that includes the issuance and reissuance from time to time of one or more series of exempt facility bonds for a qualified residential rental project pursuant to Section 142(a)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $55,000,000 (the “Bonds”) to finance and refinance the acquisition, development, construction and equipping of a 150-unit (including one manager’s unit) multifamily rental housing project (the “Project”) to be owned and operated by the Borrower and located at 37338 Fremont Boulevard and 3780 Peralta Boulevard within the City of Fremont, California (the “City”), and;
WHEREAS, an “applicable elected representative” of the jurisdiction in which the Project is located is required to approve the proposed plan of finance for the Project under Section 147(f) of the Code; and
WHEREAS, the Fremont City Council (the “City Council”) is the elected legislative body of the City and is an “applicable elected representative” for purposes of Section 147(f) of the Code because the Project is located within the territorial limits of the City; and WHEREAS, the Authority has requested that the City Council approve the proposed plan of finance for the Project in order to satisfy the public approval requirement of Section 147(f) of the Code and the requirements of Section 4 of the Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement Relating to the California Municipal Finance Authority, dated as of January 1, 2004 (the “Agreement”), among certain local agencies, including the City; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 147(f) of the Code, the City Council has, following notice duly given, held a public hearing regarding the issuance of the Bonds and now desires to approve the proposed plan of finance for the Project;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Fremont, California, as follows:

Section 1. The foregoing recitals are true and correct.

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Attachment: TEFRA Resolution_Centerville Phase II Final (5815 : Bond Issuance For Fremont Plaza 741, L.P.) Section 2. The City Council finds the Centerville Plaza Apartments housing development satisfied the requirements under CEQA and no further documentation is required per CEQA Guidelines Sections 15162 and 15164. Additional environmental review under CEQA is not applicable pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) (Review for Exemption) and/or 15378(b)(2), (4) and/or (5), each on a separate and independent basis. The action is a governmental fiscal or administrative action which will have no potential to adversely affect the environment, directly or indirectly.

Section 3. The City Council hereby approves the proposed plan of finance for the Project that includes the issuance and reissuance from time to time of the Bondsin an outstanding principal amount not to exceed $55,000,000. It is the purpose and intent of the City Council that this Resolution constitute approval of the proposed plan of finance for the Project for the purposes of (a) Section 147(f) of the Code by the applicable elected representative of a governmental unit having jurisdiction over the area in which the Project is located, in accordance with said Section 147(f) and (b) Section 4 of the Agreement.

Section 4. The proposed plan of finance and issuance of the Bonds shall be subject to the approval of the Authority of all financing documents relating thereto to which the Authority is a party. The City shall have no responsibility or liability whatsoever with respect to the plan of finance or the Bonds.

Section 5. The adoption of this Resolution shall not obligate the City or any department thereof to (i) provide any financing to acquire or construct the Project or any refinancing of the Project; (ii) approve any application or request for or take any other action in connection with any planning approval, permit or other action necessary for the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, installation or operation of the Project; (iii) make any contribution or advance any funds whatsoever to the Authority; or (iv) take any further action with respect to the Authority or its membership therein.

Section 6. The officers of the City are hereby authorized and directed, jointly and severally, to do any and all things and to execute and deliver any and all documents which they deem necessary or advisable in order to carry out, give effect to and comply with the terms and intent of this resolution and the financing transaction approved hereby.

Section 7. The City Clerk shall forward a certified copy of this Resolution to the Authority in care of its counsel:

Ronald E. Lee, Esq.

Jones Hall LLP
4 West Fourth Avenue, Suite 406
San Mateo, CA 94402
Section 8. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.

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Attachment: TEFRA Resolution_Centerville Phase II Final (5815 : Bond Issuance For Fremont Plaza 741, L.P.) ADOPTED _______________, 2026, by the City Council of the City of Fremont by the following vote:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:

ABSTAIN:
________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_______________________________ __________________________________ City Clerk City Attorney

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Attachment: TEFRA Resolution_Centerville Phase II Final (5815 : Bond Issuance For Fremont Plaza 741, L.P.) Fremont City Council Meeting: 10/06/26 07:00 PM
3300 Capitol Avenue Div/Dept: Revenue
Fremont, CA 94538 Category: Code Adoptions & Amendments

SCHEDULED
Sponsors:

COUNCIL STAFF REPORT (ID # 5806) DOC ID: 5806
Updated: 10/1/2026 10:23 AM by Alberto Quintanilla Page 1 Introduction and First Reading of an Ordinance Amending Fremont Municipal Code Title 5, Chapter 5.35 (Vendors and Solicitors) to Align Local Regulations with State Sidewalk Vending Law
Contact Persons:

Name: Kristi Bartelmie David Persselin
Title: Revenue Division Manager Finance Director
Div/Dept: Revenue Finance Department
Phone: 510-494-4797 510-494-4631
E-Mail: [email protected] [email protected]
Executive Summary: Staff recommends that the City Council introduce and waive the first reading of an ordinance amending Fremont Municipal Code (FMC) Title 5, Chapter 5.35 (Vendors and Solicitors), Sections 5.35.010,

5.35.020, 5.35.090; and adding Section 5.35.045. Recent amendments to state law governing sidewalk vending require local jurisdictions to update their regulations to ensure compliance with Government Code Section 51036 et seq. The proposed ordinance brings Fremont’s sidewalk vending rules into alignment with state law while maintaining health, safety, and accessibility requirements for public spaces.

Background: In 2019, California adopted SB 946, regulating sidewalk vending statewide and limiting local authority to regulate vendors. Since that time, the Legislature has continued refining sidewalk vending provisions to clarify local enforcement standards and vendor protections.

Recent amendments to Government Code Section 51036 et seq. limit any enforcement of sidewalk vendors by cities to comply with the requirements in State law. Specifically, the new State laws prohibit criminal enforcement or impoundment of equipment of sidewalk vendors by cities and only allows enforcement through administrative fines that comply with statewide standards. Any regulation of sidewalk vendors by cities must be substantiated by findings that the regulation is for objective health, safety and welfare purposes. An application for a sidewalk vending business permit cannot include a criminal history, background check, or fingerprinting. In addition, cities cannot ban sidewalk vending in locations merely because they would compete economically with brick and mortar stores and cannot restrict the hours of sidewalk vending to those more restrictive than other businesses on the same street.

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Council Staff Report (ID # 5806) Meeting of October 6, 2026 Updated: 10/1/2026 10:23 AM by Alberto Quintanilla Page 2 Fremont’s current Chapter 5.35 predates these legislative changes. The proposed ordinance updates the ordinance to comply with State law.

Discussion/Analysis: Based on the changes to State law, the proposed amendments define sidewalk vendor to match State law and exempts sidewalk vendors from many of the current provisions of the FMC.

Specifically, sidewalk vendors are exempt from criminal history inquiries, background checks, and fingerprinting. Consequently, the amendments exempt sidewalk vendors from these requirements that other vendors must comply with.

State law also requires that any local restriction of sidewalk vendors be related to objective health, safety and welfare concerns, but State law also specifically exempts certain restrictions on sidewalk vendors from health, safety and welfare findings. The amendments include findings that explain the objective health, safety and welfare concerns for each restriction as required under State law.

Government Code Section 51039 establishes specific penalty limits for sidewalk vending violations. The proposed ordinance implements these maximums, setting administrative fines as follows:
• First violation: up to $100;
• Second violation (within one year, same section): up to $200; • Third or subsequent violation (within one year, same section): up to $500;
• A sidewalk vending permit may be rescinded for the term of the permit for a fourth violation; and
• Operating without a street vending permit results in higher fines, consistent with State law.

As required by State law, the proposed amendments exempt sidewalk vendors from being charged with a misdemeanor or infraction, and no additional fees or assessments may be imposed, including late payment penalties. In addition, no other penalties may be assessed for sidewalk vending violations, such as confiscation of equipment.

The proposed amendments limit the local restrictions on sidewalk vending as required under State law. The changes include:
• Prohibiting sidewalk vending within 500 feet of a school at the beginning and end of the school day;

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Council Staff Report (ID # 5806) Meeting of October 6, 2026 Updated: 10/1/2026 10:23 AM by Alberto Quintanilla Page 3 • Maintaining at least four feet of clear pedestrian passage to ensure access under the American with Disabilities Act;
• Proximity setbacks from fire hydrants, colored curbs, bus zones, bus stops, and other public use items;
• Prohibiting any vending on any median or street to cause the vendor or customers to be located on any median or street to obtain the goods; and
• Prohibiting any vending on a street, sidewalk or place open to the public where the vending obstructs the free movement of people in the area or within 50 feet of another vendor.

The amendments remove the restriction on street vending with 200 feet of a permanent food facility as State law prohibits local agencies from placing such a restriction on sidewalk vending.

Fiscal Impact: The proposed ordinance is expected to have minimal fiscal impact. Administrative updates and staff training can be accommodated within existing departmental resources.

Environmental Review: The recommended action on this item represents a fiscal, organizational, and/or administrative governmental activity that will not result in physical changes in the environment. Therefore, it is exempt from and not subject to review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because, without limitation, it is not a “project” as defined in CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(2) and/or 15378(b)(5) and as it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity may have a significant effect on the environment per CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), each as a separate and independent basis for CEQA compliance.

ATTACHMENTS:
• Draft Ordinance- Vendors and Solicitors Amendment 2026 Recommendation:

Introduce an Ordinance amending Fremont Municipal Code Title 5, Chapter

5.35 (Vendors and Solicitors) to align vending regulations with Government Code Section 51036 et seq.

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Ordinance No. XX- 2026 Page 1 of 8
DRAFT
ORDINANCE NO. XX-2026

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FREMONT AMENDING FREMONT
MUNICIPAL CODE TITLE 5, BUSINESS LICENSES AND
REGULATIONS, CHAPTER 5.35 VENDORS AND SOLICITORS, TO

ALIGN VENDING REGULATIONS WITH GOVERNMENT CODE
SECTION 51036 ET SEQ
WHEREAS, the California legislature amended Government Code Section 51036 et seq., amending the requirements for local authorities to regulate sidewalk vendors; and WHEREAS, the City of Fremont must amend its ordinance to comply with state law, including the findings to support regulations necessary to ensure the public’s health, safety, and welfare to use and enjoy the sidewalk and streets and access to the public facilities and private property.

THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FREMONT DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1. FMC § 5.35.010 AMENDED
Fremont Municipal Code Title 5, Chapter 5.35, Section 5.35.010 is amended to read as follows (additions are shown as underlined text and deletions as strikethrough):

Sec. 5.35.010 Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to regulate vendors consistent with Government Code sections 51036 through 51039 while also protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the city of Fremont and its residents. The provisions of this chapter allow the city to encourage small business activities, while still permitting regulation and enforcement of unpermitted sidewalk vending activities to protect the public’s health, safety, and welfare. This chapter is not intended to prohibit or hamper speech which is protected by the First Amendment, but merely to regulate specific activities that are commercial in nature.

The City Council hereby finds that to promote the public’s health, safety, and welfare, the following restrictions are necessary:
(a) Prohibiting vending in areas that may impede the public, restrict access requirements under the American with Disabilities Act, on portions of the sidewalk crossed by a public or private driveway or within 10 feet of a driveway or within 500 feet of a freeway entrance or exit, and in a manner in which the movement or visibility of vehicles using the public right-of-way is obstructed ensures that vendors do not unreasonably interfere with the flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic including ingress into, or egress from, any residence, public building, or place of business, or from the street to the sidewalk, by persons exiting or entering parked or standing vehicles, entering or exiting a freeway and ensures sidewalk vending activities occur only in locations where such activities would not restrict sidewalk and pathway access

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and enjoyment of individuals with disabilities and ensures no unreasonable interference with site lines of vehicles to ensure the safety of pedestrians and vendors and is necessary to protect the health, safety and welfare of disabled individuals as well as elderly individuals with paths of access in areas commonly utilized by pedestrians; (b) Preventing vendors from intentionally obstructing the free movement of people on any street, sidewalk, or other place open to the public is necessary to protect the health, safety and welfare of those who may be seeking emergency services or who are otherwise uninterested in the goods or services offered and desire to pass through unimpeded; (c) Prohibiting vending in streets and medians is necessary to protect the health and safety of vendors and customers because they are at risk of being struck by vehicles and/or causing a vehicular accident if the vending occurs in the streets or on the medians; (d) Limiting vendors’ hours of operation within residential neighborhoods to daylight hours consistent with a residential atmosphere is necessary to protect the safety of sidewalk vendors and residents who would be more vulnerable to criminal activities during evening hours, and also to promote the welfare of the residents by prohibiting commercial activities and associated noise and traffic during hours when residents should be able to enjoy peace and quiet in their homes. Further, preventing stationary sidewalk vendors in residential neighborhoods is necessary for the welfare of the residents of the City, because allowing sidewalk vendors to operate at a fixed location in residential neighborhoods may subject residents to increased noise and traffic, which may be appropriate for commercial areas, but will interfere with the peace and quiet that residential occupants should enjoy while in their homes;
(e) Limiting vendors’ hours of operation in commercial areas to daylight hours or to the same hours as other open businesses in the vicinity where the sidewalk vendor operates in the evening hours is necessary to protect the vendors’ health and safety, as they are more vulnerable to crime during nighttime hours, especially if operating where no other businesses are open;
(f) Prohibiting soliciting and vending on streets adjacent to schools during hours when school children are present is necessary to protect the health and safety of the school children, because vendors operating at close proximity to schools may attract unsupervised children to run into traffic to reach the vendor and be injured or killed in the process. Such activity would also pose a hazard to motorists who may stop suddenly or swerve to avoid hitting children, resulting in injury to those motorists;
(g) Prohibiting storage of vending equipment, including unattended equipment and locking or chaining vending equipment to other items permanently in the street or public right-of-way ensures reasonable access for the use and maintenance of street, public right-of-way, and the other items permanently located in those areas and reduces the risk of personal injury or property damage;

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(h) Prohibiting vending within 25 feet of a fire hydrant, of curbs painted or designated for specific uses, such as a bus zone, and of trash or recycling containers, bike racks, benches, bus stops or similar public use items ensures reasonable access for the use and maintenance of streets, hydrants, benches, mailboxes, other public use items as well as access to locations used for public transportation services and reduces the risk of personal injury or property damage;
(i) Prohibiting mobile vending carts, trailers or other vehicles from being located less than 50 feet from another such vehicles in the public right-of-way or street ensures no unreasonable interference with site lines of vehicles to ensure the safety of pedestrians and vendors and reduces the risk of personal injury or property damage; (j) Preventing vendors from operating where placement impedes pedestrian access to or the use of an abutting property, including but not limited to residences and places of business, is necessary to protect the welfare of residents of the city by maintaining property values and use of said property; and
(k) Requiring vendors to obtain insurance is necessary to protect the health and safety of the public and employees of vendors because insurance would cover medical expenses and other liability from injury or damages resulting from vendors’ activities that may not otherwise be covered. Further, compelling vendors to provide commercial general liability insurance coverage is necessary to protect the welfare of the city’s elected and/or appointed officials and employees as additional insureds with respect to liability arising out of the use of city premises.

SECTION 2. FMC § 5.35.020 AMENDED
Fremont Municipal Code Title 5, Chapter 5.35, Section 5.35.020 is amended to add the following definition:

Sec. 5.35.020 Definitions.
“Sidewalk vendor” means a person who sells food or merchandise from a pushcart, stand, display, pedal-driven cart, wagon, showcase, rack, or other nonmotorized conveyance, or from one’s person, upon a public sidewalk or other pedestrian path.

SECTION 3. FMC §5.35.045 ADDED
Fremont Municipal Code Title 5, Chapter 5.35, Section 5.35.045 is added to read as follows:

Sec. 5.35.045 Exceptions and penalties for sidewalk vendors. (a) The following provisions of this Code shall not apply to sidewalk vendors:
(1) 1.15.010 [Rules of Construction, Generally];
(2) 1.20.080(h) [Penalties Assessed, Failure to Pay];

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(3) 5.35.130(a)(8) [Application, Statement of Certain Prior Crimes]; (4) 5.35.140 [Background Check]; and
(5) 5.35.370 [Penalties for Violation of Permit Requirements]. (b) Failure of sidewalk vendor to pay an administrative fine pursuant to this subsection shall not be punishable as an infraction or misdemeanor. Additional fines, fees, assessments, or any other financial conditions beyond those authorized in this subsection shall not be assessed to sidewalk vendors for violations of this Chapter.

Sidewalk vendors shall be assessed the following fines:
(1) A violation of this chapter is punishable only by the following:
(A) First administrative citation: A fine not exceeding $100.00; (B) Second administrative citation within one year for violation of the same code section: A fine not exceeding $200.00;
(C) Third or subsequent administrative citation within one year for violation of the same code section: A fine not exceeding $500.00.
(2) A permit issued to a sidewalk vendor may be rescinded for the term of that permit upon the fourth violation or subsequent violations.
(3) (A) If a sidewalk vendor fails to obtain a permit pursuant to this chapter, then the violation shall be punishable by the following in lieu of the administrative fines set forth in paragraph (1):
(i) First administrative citation: A fine not exceeding $250. (ii) Second administrative citation within one year for violation of the same code section: A fine not exceeding $500.
(iii) Third or subsequent administrative citation within one year for violation of the same code section: A fine not exceeding $1,000.
(B) Upon proof of a valid permit issued by the local authority, the administrative fines set forth in this paragraph shall be reduced to the administrative fines set forth in paragraph (1), respectively.

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SECTION 4. FMC §5.35.090 AMENDED
Fremont Municipal Code Title 5, Chapter 5.35, Section 5.35.090 is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 5.35.090 General restrictions.

All permittees under this chapter are subject to the following restrictions:
(a) No permittee hereunder shall have any exclusive right to any location in a public street or sidewalk, nor shall the permittee have the right to vend or solicit on any private property without the consent of the owner or lessee of the property. he/she be permitted to operate in any congested area where his/her operations might impede or inconvenience the public. This permit does not preclude the issuance of a special events permit or other permits for events in public parks or the granting of permission to sell and/or operate on private property by its owners.
(b) Every permittee at all times while engaged in vending or soliciting, shall have in his/her immediate possession the permit issued under the provisions of this chapter and when so vending or soliciting shall display the same upon demand of any law enforcement officer and upon demand of any person to whom the vendor or solicitor is vending or soliciting. Every vehicle used for vending or soliciting shall display the permit issued pursuant to this article in a conspicuous place on said vehicle. (c) All mobile vending carts, trailers, and vehicles, and any other items associated with vending activity must be removed from public property during non-vending hours.

Mobile vending carts, trailers, vehicles or other personal property shall not be locked or chained to a parking meter, tree, streetlight or other street furniture. Mobile vending carts, trailers, vehicles and other personal property shall not be left unattended on city streets or sidewalks for more than fifteen (15) consecutive minutes. (d) No stationary vendor, mobile vending cart, trailer, or vehicle or other stationary vending activity shall be located:
(1) In any residential district;
(2) Within 500 feet of any public or private k-12 school at the beginning or end of the school day;
(3) Where clear pedestrian passage on the public sidewalk is less than four feet wide On any sidewalk where vending equipment and queuing patrons would restrict access requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act, usually a minimum of four (4) feet;
(4) Within twenty-five fifteen (125) feet of a:
(A) fire hydrant;

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(B) Curb which has been designated as a blue, yellow or red zone or a bus zone; (C) Trash or recycling containers, bike racks, benches, bus stops or similar public use items;
(5) On the portion of a public sidewalk crossed by a public or private driveway or within ten feet of either side of the driveway;
(6) Within any street corner area or midblock crosswalk On any median or on a street so as to cause the vendor and/or customers to be located on any median or on a street to obtain the goods sold;
(7) In such a way that would restrict the ingress to or egress from the adjoining property;
(8) In a manner in which the movement or visibility of vehicles using the street or other public right of-way is obstructed;
(9) Within five hundred (500) feet of a freeway entrance or exit; or (10) Within two hundred (200) feet of a permanent food facility during that facility’s operating hours, if the permittee is selling food items. On any street, sidewalk, or other public place open to the public where the vendor, mobile vending cart, trailer, or vehicle or other stationary vending activity obstructs the free movement of people in that area.
(e) Unless otherwise provided in this chapter, mobile vending carts, trailers, or vehicles shall not be placed within fifty (50) feet of another vendor, mobile vending cart, trailer, or vehicle in the public right-of-way or on the street. (f) Mobile vending carts, trailers, or vehicles shall not be locked or chained to a parking meter, tree, street light or other street furniture.
(g) Mobile vending carts, trailers, and vehicles shall not be left unattended on city streets or sidewalks for more than fifteen (15) consecutive minutes. (f) Unless otherwise provided in this chapter, utility service connections are not permitted. Electrical power supply lines are not allowed overhead or lying in the pedestrian portion of the sidewalk. City street light facilities shall not be used in any way to supply electrical service to a vending site, unless otherwise provided in this chapter.
(g) Vendors, solicitors, and temporary merchants shall keep the area of operation free of debris. Permittees selling food or beverages must provide trash receptacles and waste removal adjacent to or as a part of their operations. All spilled food, beverages, grease, or other trash or debris accumulating within twenty (20) feet of any mobile

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vending cart, trailer, vehicle or other personal property used to sell food or beverages shall be cleaned and collected by the permittee and deposited in the permittee’s trash receptacle. The permittee is prohibited from depositing its waste, ice, and any grey or waste water into sidewalk waste receptacles, privately-owned dumpsters, City planters, gutters or the street drainage system.
(h) Mobile vending carts, trailers, vehicles or other personal property shall be maintained in such a manner that prevents the spilling or splattering of grease, water, food, or trash on any public right-of-way where the cart, trailer, vehicle or other personal property is located. The permittee or permittee’s employees shall be responsible for the cleaning and repair of any public right-of-way soiled, stained, or damaged by the placement and operation of their mobile vending operations.

SECTION 5. CEQA
The City Council finds, under Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, Section 15061(b)(3), that this ordinance is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in that it is not a project which has the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. The Council therefore directs that a Notice of Exemption be filed with the Alameda County Clerk in accordance with the CEQA guidelines.

SECTION 6. SEVERABILITY
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this Ordinance is for any reason held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such a decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance. The City Council of the City of Fremont hereby declares that it would have passed this Ordinance and each section or subsection, sentence, clause and phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses or phrases be declared invalid.

SECTION 7. EFFECTIVE DATE
This Ordinance shall take effect and will be enforced thirty (30) days after its adoption.

SECTION 8. PUBLICATION AND POSTING
The City Clerk has caused to be published a summary of this ordinance, prepared by the City Attorney under Government Code Section 36933(c), once in a newspaper of general circulation printed and published in Alameda County and circulated in the City of Fremont, at least five days before the date of adoption. A certified copy of the full text of the ordinance was posted in the office of the City Clerk since at least five days before this date of adoption. Within 15 days after adoption of this ordinance, the City Clerk shall cause to be again published in a newspaper of general circulation the summary of this ordinance with the names of those City Council members voting for and against the ordinance; and the City Clerk shall post in the office of the City Clerk a certified copy of the full text of this adopted ordinance with the names of those City Council members voting for and against the ordinance.
* * *

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The foregoing ordinance was introduced before the City Council of the City of Fremont at the regular meeting of the City Council, held on the ____ day of ______, 2026 and finally adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council held on the ____ day of ______, 2026 by the following vote:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:

ABSTAIN:
_________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
__________________________________
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_________________________________
City Attorney

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Attachment: Draft Ordinance- Vendors and Solicitors Amendment 2026 (5806 : Introduction and First Reading of an Ordinance Amending Fremont City Council Meeting: 10/06/26 07:00 PM
3300 Capitol Avenue Div/Dept: City Council
Fremont, CA 94538 Category: Council Referrals & Appointments

SCHEDULED
Sponsors:

COUNCIL STAFF REPORT (ID # 5833) DOC ID: 5833
Updated: 10/2/2026 9:11 AM by Alberto Quintanilla Page 1 Mayor Salwan Referral - Appointments to Advisory Body
Contact Persons:

Name: Raj Salwan
Title: Mayor
Div/Dept: City Council
Phone: 510-284-4082
E-Mail: [email protected]
Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Body.

ATTACHMENTS:
• Youth Advisory Commission Applications
• Human Relations Commission Applications
Appointments:

Advisory Body Appointees Terms Expire
Youth Advisory Commission Hasini Manda 12/31/2027
Sukhjot Singh 12/31/2027
Ayush Pathuri 12/31/2028
Aaditi Koparde 12/31/2028
Arjun Khurana 12/31/2028
Adyah Addagulla 12/31/2028
Human Relations Commission Zia Oboodiyat 12/31/2027
Recommendation: Approve appointments.

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Submission # 4935962
IP Address 2601:646:8601:84b0:a572:ea88:3ec2:695e
Submission Recorded On 07/08/2026 1:50 PM
Time to Take Survey 40 minutes, 58 seconds

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Applications for Boards, Commissions, & Committees
The City Clerk’s Office welcomes applications for all Boards, Commission and Committees year round.

Each year, the City Clerk keeps a current list of applicants. Applications are public records.

You may submit an application at any time between January 1 and December 31. The City may consider your application for any vacancy that comes up during that year.

On December 31, all unselected applications expire. If you would like to be considered again, you must submit a new application.

This process allows the Mayor to review applications already on file if a vacancy comes up. A vacancy may occur if someone resigns, is no longer eligible to serve, or their term ends.
* Personal Information:

Adyah Addagulla
* Home Address:

Home Phone:

Cell Phone:
*
*
*
*
*
*
Questionnaire
*
I would like to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission because I feel the need to give back to the community and the city of Fremont for helping me grow. The Youth Advisory Committee gives me the option to find issues of problems within the city and address them through the council and get the problems resolved. I have seen how the Youth Commission has created programs that has helped the whole community and I would like to be part of things like that. *
One problem Fremont teens face is social media/doomscrolling. Many teens in and around Fremont spend the majority of their time doomscrolling on social media. One issue is that many high schools do most of their communication through social media such as Instagram. This means students must have an Instagram account by the time high school starts, which can lead to students getting distracted because of other influences. I would organize an event of sorts to show what doomscrolling does to children, and the school would try to reduce the need for harmful social media. I would organize the event by creating a presentation with science to back me up to show the effects of social media, and I would publicize this by sending emails or messages to all of the teachers, principals, vice principals, and superintendents to try and convince them to reduce or limit the social media use in school.
*
3 aspects of my identity that shape my outlook on life include science/scientific approaches, goals, and my parents. I love science and thinking, and every decision that I make includes some sort of scientific or analytical approach to it, using data and numbers to figure out the best option. My goals are what drive me, and I don't mean just daily goals but life goals for myself. As a child, I wanted to get into MIT, and every decision I make when it comes to internships or spending time with friends is shaped by my goals. Depending on the goal, I can make many different decisions because my goals drive me to keep on moving. Finally, my last aspect is my parents. They keep on encouraging me to work harder and smarter every day to make them and myself happy. *
Q: If you could pass any law for the whole world, what law would you get passed and why? A: If I could pass any law, I would pass a law to get fully solar by 2036, and this is because Earth is not going to be sustainable if humanity continues on the path that it is on. An effort to make Earth sustainable would be better for future generations, because the current generation is not focused enough, so all of the problems are getting piled on our generation. Going fully solar would remove the burden from the next generation to make sure Earth can continue to be sustainable.

Email
Birthdate
Age
Gender
School
Grade
Why do you want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission? What is a problem Fremont teens face and propose an event to address this problem. How would you organize and publicize this event? What are three (3) aspects of your identity that shape your outlook on life? Create and answer your own question.

Additional Information ?

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Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & **SKIPPED**
Attachment
**SKIPPED**
Thank you
Your interest in serving on a board or commission of the City of Fremont is greatly appreciated. ?

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Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & Submission # 5048978
IP Address 73.241.4.43
Submission Recorded On 08/05/2026 12:49 PM
Time to Take Survey 4 days, 8 minutes, 21 seconds

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Applications for Boards, Commissions, & Committees
The City Clerk’s Office welcomes applications for all Boards, Commission and Committees year round.

Each year, the City Clerk keeps a current list of applicants. Applications are public records.

You may submit an application at any time between January 1 and December 31. The City may consider your application for any vacancy that comes up during that year.

On December 31, all unselected applications expire. If you would like to be considered again, you must submit a new application.

This process allows the Mayor to review applications already on file if a vacancy comes up. A vacancy may occur if someone resigns, is no longer eligible to serve, or their term ends.
* Personal Information:

Aahana Agarwal
* Home Address:

Home Phone:
**SKIPPED**
Cell Phone:
*
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10 Questionnaire
*
I want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission because I've seen up close what happens when teens and families in Fremont don't have a voice in decisions that affect their health and well-being — and I want to be part of changing that. My aunt is a single mom living in Fremont, and when she had her newborn son, she was low-income and wasn't able to get proper health coverage. That meant her son missed the regular check-ups and immunizations that babies are supposed to get in their first year. When he eventually got sick, she had no choice but to pay out of pocket, which was incredibly hard for her financially. Watching her go through that made me realize that "healthcare access" isn't just a policy term; it's something that decides whether a baby gets the care he needs, and whether a parent has to choose between paying rent and paying a doctor. It's not rare, either. I think there are other families across Fremont quietly going through the same thing, and I don't think that struggle always reaches the people who could actually do something about it, like the City Council. This is also personal to me because I want to go into medicine, specifically pediatrics. Kids are something I find real joy in, and I want a career where I get to help them grow up healthy. But I've learned that being a good doctor someday isn't only about medical knowledge; it's about understanding the systems, like healthcare access and affordability, that decide whether a child even makes it into a doctor's office in the first place.

Serving on this commission would let me start engaging with that side of it now, while also representing other teens in Fremont who care about these issues. I've also tried to show up for my community already. I've volunteered at a few organizations in Fremont packing meals for people experiencing homelessness, which taught me a lot about consistency. Showing up isn't a one-time thing, it's something you commit to. I want to bring that same commitment to this commission: not just attending meetings, but actually researching issues like healthcare access, bringing them into public discussion through workshops and forums, and helping make sure Fremont's City Council hears from teens who notice these gaps and actually want to help close them. *
One problem Fremont teens face is that there aren't enough places to just go and hang out. Fremont already promotes community events on social media, but teens still don't show up in large numbers, which tells me the problem isn't awareness, it's that events ask for a specific time commitment, while teens actually need a place that's simply there whenever they want it. Downtown Fremont is technically open to the public, but "open" isn't the same as having a reason to go. Right now, downtown's few businesses require spending money, and there's nothing free to just sit near or use. To address this, I would propose a "Teen Hangout" space in the Downtown Plaza combining a free, extended-hours study lounge and a small gaming and photo corner. The lounge would offer seating, WiFi, and outlets into the evening, since teens need somewhere to study after school that isn't home or the library, which closes early. Next to it, I'd add low-cost gaming and social spots — Switch consoles or board games, plus a well-designed mural or photo backdrop. Gaming gives teens something to do together, and a photo-worthy spot means teens post about it themselves, solving publicity better than any official account could. To organize this, I'd work with the Youth Advisory Commission and City recreation staff to identify space, keep costs low with simple, durable equipment, and partner with high schools for student input. I'd also reach out to student artists to help design the mural, so the space feels created by teens, not just Email
Birthdate
Age
Gender
School
Grade
Why do you want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission? What is a problem Fremont teens face and propose an event to address this problem. How would you organize and publicize this event?

7.B.1.a
Packet Pg. 56
Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & for them. I also want to plan for how this could go wrong, not just how it could go right. An unsupervised space could attract vandalism, unsafe behavior, or people from outside Fremont treating it as a free-for-all instead of a space for local teens. To manage that, I'd set limited operating hours instead of leaving it open all day, so there's a defined, monitored window. I'd work with police who already patrol Downtown Fremont to make check-ins part of their existing route, and set up a parent volunteer rotation, similar to school event chaperones, so a trusted adult is present during open hours. For publicity, I'd rely less on the city's Instagram and more on word of mouth: recruiting teen ambassadors from different high schools to share it themselves, and letting the space generate content once people start visiting and posting. Teens are more likely to trust something a friend shows them than something posted by the city. *
Three parts of my identity shape how I see the world: being on my swim team, being outgoing, and my family's experience with healthcare. I've been swimming for years, and it's taught me that showing up consistently matters way more than being naturally good at something. There's no shortcut in swim practice — you can't fake your way through a set, you just have to keep showing up and doing the work, even on days you don't feel like it. So now, with pretty much anything in my life, I don't expect to be good at something right away. I just trust that if I keep putting in the effort, I'll get there eventually. I've also always been someone who loves talking to people and making friends easily. On the first day of school last year, there was a new girl sitting at my table who didn't know anyone yet. I just went up and introduced myself, and we ended up talking for the whole class. We got close after that, and she's actually one of my best friends now. She still brings up how comfortable I made her feel that day. Later that year during Spirit Week, this big hype event our whole grade does, she was hesitant to join in, but I convinced her to do it with me anyway, and she ended up loving it. She thanked me for that too. Being outgoing isn't really just about talking a lot to me, it's more about making sure people feel like they belong, especially if they're new or a little unsure. Lastly, my household has shaped a lot of how I see things, especially when it comes to respect. My family has always shown respect and kindness to everyone around them, no matter who it is or what's going on. I've seen my parents and grandparents treat people like that my whole life, not just family, but neighbors and even strangers.

Nobody ever sat me down and explained it to me, it was just how they acted, so I ended up picking it up without really thinking about it. Because of that, my first instinct with people is to just be respectful, no matter what. I think that's shaped the way I try to treat people, whether it's a new student at school or someone I'm meeting for the first time, like on this commission.
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Question: If you were given $500 and total creative freedom to improve one small thing in Fremont, no approval needed, what would you do? I'd use it to set up a free, teenled "Skill Share" event in Downtown Fremont, where teens teach useful skills to anyone in the community who wants to learn, no cost, no sign-up needed. There's stuff teens already know how to do that a lot of adults or younger kids in Fremont don't really have access to learning, like how to write a resume, use Canva or Google Sheets, tutor a subject, or help someone figure out an app they're confused by. At the same time, there are people in Fremont who could use that, like an adult trying to get back into the job market, a parent helping their kid with homework in a subject they forgot, or an older neighbor who just wants to figure out how to video call their grandkids. Most help like that costs money or you have to already know where to find it, which is kind of the same problem I keep noticing: help exists in Fremont, it just doesn't always reach the people who actually need it. With $500, I'd rent a couple tables and a canopy for a Saturday at the Downtown Plaza, print simple signs showing what "stations" are set up, and get classmates who are good at different things to help out, like one doing resume help, another doing tech stuff, another helping with homework. People could walk up to whatever table matches what they need, no appointment, no cost, no pressure to stay long. I'd keep it simple on purpose so it's easy to do again. I like this because it's small enough to actually do with $500 and one weekend, but it still does something I care about, it shows teens have stuff to offer the community right now, not just that we're people who need to be given programs. It also builds the kind of connection I feel like Fremont is missing, teens and adults actually talking to and teaching each other instead of just living in separate parts of the same city. This could also happen again every few months, with the Commission having different teens lead new stations each time. And down the line, local businesses could maybe sponsor it, covering stuff like tables or printing, so it's not relying on the city to keep paying for it every time. **SKIPPED**
Attachment
Aahana's Resume (2).pdf
Thank you
Your interest in serving on a board or commission of the City of Fremont is greatly appreciated.

What are three (3) aspects of your identity that shape your outlook on life? Create and answer your own question.

Additional Information ?
?

7.B.1.a
Packet Pg. 57
Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & Aahana Agarwal
Education
; US Citizen
Fremont, CA
GPA: 4.0 Unweighted
Most rigorous course of study taken at school
Extracurricular Activities & Achievements
Bioengineering Club
Member
High School,
Fremont, CA
November 2025–Present
▪ Meet with professionals from different biomedical engineering firms ▪ Engage with group presentations on current topics in biology and engineering ▪ Collaborate with peers to research emerging innovations in biology and engineering Inspirit AI
Student
Online
February - March 2026
▪ Completed a rigorous introduction to Python, machine learning, and AI concepts ▪ Worked under mentorship from instructors affiliated with Stanford, Harvard, and MIT ▪ Built an AI-powered website prototype that streamlines personal organization and task management High school Swim team
Athlete
High School,
Fremont, CA
January 2026–Present
▪ Ranked among the Top 5 highest-scoring girls at my swim team’s latest meet (10 points) ▪ Achieved one of the largest time drops in the 100 free, improving by 5 seconds ▪ Contribute to team relays and meet scoring through consistent performance Dance Academy
Competitive Dancer
Fremont, CA
November 2024–Present
▪ Training 4+ hours weekly in competitive Indian classical dance ▪ Won a regional competition and qualified for Nationals in Lake Tahoe ▪ Selected to represent Indian classical dance internationally during a cultural dance program in Greece Swim Team College,
Coach Fremont, CA
▪ Worked with my peers and other coaches to help each individual excel in their swim skills. June 2026 - Present ▪ Analyzed individual stroke techniques and provided constructive feedback to improve efficiency, speed, and form. ▪ Helped ensure a secure environment for all participants.

Interests
Traveling, Baking & Volunteering (especially at the Alameda County Food Bank)

7.B.1.a
Packet Pg. 58
Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & Submission # 4970339
IP Address 2601:646:a280:48a0:4de5:ae43:bd9e:7f4c
Submission Recorded On 07/26/2026 12:40 AM
Time to Take Survey 30 minutes, 37 seconds

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Applications for Boards, Commissions, & Committees
The City Clerk’s Office welcomes applications for all Boards, Commission and Committees year round.

Each year, the City Clerk keeps a current list of applicants. Applications are public records.

You may submit an application at any time between January 1 and December 31. The City may consider your application for any vacancy that comes up during that year.

On December 31, all unselected applications expire. If you would like to be considered again, you must submit a new application.

This process allows the Mayor to review applications already on file if a vacancy comes up. A vacancy may occur if someone resigns, is no longer eligible to serve, or their term ends.
* Personal Information:

Kanya D. Annamalai
* Home Address:

Home Phone:
(510) 945-8401
Cell Phone:
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Female
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Questionnaire
*
Throughout high school, I have always looked for ways to make a meaningful impact on my community. Whether leading engineering teams through MESA, rebuilding my school's Speech & Debate program, teaching debate to younger students, or co-founding Bay Youth Rising, I have learned that leadership is about listening first and then taking action. I want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission because it provides a direct opportunity for me to represent the voices of Fremont teenagers and help shape programs that truly reflect our real needs. As students, we experience the pressures of academics, extracurriculars, mental health, and preparing for our futures every day. I want to ensure all those perspectives are heard when decisions are made. I also enjoy bringing people together. Many of the projects I have been involved in required coordinating with schools, nonprofit organizations, city staff, and community members. Those experiences taught me how to organize events, communicate with diverse groups, and transform ideas into real results. Serving on the Commission would let me continue giving back to the city that has provided me with so many incredible opportunities. I hope to contribute new ideas, encourage greater youth participation in civic life, and help make every Fremont teen feel supported. *
One of the biggest challenges facing Fremont teens is balancing all the demanding academic expectations with extracurricular activities, jobs, family responsibilities, and mental health. Many students constantly feel pressure to succeed but rarely ever have opportunities to learn usable, practical strategies for managing stress and burnout. To address this issue, I would organize a Youth Wellness and Success Summit. Instead of focusing only on mental health, the event would provide practical tools that students can immediately apply in their daily lives. The event could include workshops on time management, study strategies, stress management, financial literacy, career exploration, and ways to maintain healthy habits. Student leaders, local professionals, teachers, counselors, and college students could share their experiences and practical advice. Clubs and community organizations could host resource booths, allowing students to discover opportunities they may not have known existed. To publicize the event, I would partner with Fremont Unified schools, ASBs, school clubs, and youth organizations. Promotion would include Instagram and TikTok content, school announcements, digital flyers, classroom presentations, newsletters, and outreach through city recreation programs. I would also encourage student ambassadors from each high school to help advertise the event, which would further increase participation. *
Three aspects of my identity that have shaped my outlook on life are being an engineer, an educator, and an advocate for others. 1. As an engineer, I naturally see challenges as opportunities to create solutions. Through a program called MESA, I have learned to approach problems with creativity and persistence. It has also helped me approach every situation by first understanding all perspectives and sides. 2. As an educator, I have learned the value of empowering others and enriching them with education.

Teaching debate, mentoring younger students, and helping classmates succeed have taught me that leadership is more than just having all the answers. It is about helping Email
Birthdate
Age
Gender
School
Grade
Why do you want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission? What is a problem Fremont teens face and propose an event to address this problem. How would you organize and publicize this event? What are three (3) aspects of your identity that shape your outlook on life?

7.B.1.a
Packet Pg. 59
Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & other people succeed and build confidence in themselves. Watching those students grow more comfortable speaking up has been one of my most rewarding experiences. 3.

Finally, I see myself as an advocate for others. As a Certified Peer Advocate through Kennedy's Peer Resources program, I have been trained to support students who may be struggling and connect them with resources. Through personal experiences, I have also come to understand how difficult it can feel when you don't know who to talk to or feel unsupported during difficult times. That perspective has increased my empathy and really reinforced the importance of creating spaces where every student feels heard and valued. It motivates me to be someone others can rely on and to work toward building a more supportive community for all Fremont teens. *
Question: What leadership quality do you believe is most important, and how have you demonstrated that? I believe the most important leadership quality is initiative. Strong leaders do not wait for someone else to solve a problem. They take the first step while guiding others along with them. I have demonstrated this by helping rebuild my school's Speech & Debate program, co-founding Bay Youth Rising to educate younger students about current events, mentoring engineering teams through MESA, and teaching debate to elementary and middle school students. If I was selected for the Youth Advisory Commission, I would bring that same initiative by listening carefully to all Fremont teens, collaborating with fellow commissioners, and working to create programs that have a lasting impact on our community.

In addition to the experiences listed above, I have managed rigorous academics with leadership roles, engineering competitions, athletics, paid employment, and community service. I have won national competitions, serve in multiple leadership positions at John F. Kennedy High School, teach debate to younger students, and work for the City of Newark in two paid recreation positions. These experiences have strengthened my communication, organization, teamwork, and problem-solving skills and reinforce my commitment to serve our community. I am extremely excited about the opportunity to contribute these experiences to the Fremont Youth Advisory Commission and to represent the diverse perspectives of students throughout our city.

Attachment
**SKIPPED**
Thank you
Your interest in serving on a board or commission of the City of Fremont is greatly appreciated.

Create and answer your own question.

Additional Information ?
?

7.B.1.a
Packet Pg. 60
Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & Submission # 5040411
IP Address 73.63.238.116
Submission Recorded On 08/05/2026 9:27 AM
Time to Take Survey 20 minutes, 20 seconds

Page 1 ends

Applications for Boards, Commissions, & Committees
The City Clerk’s Office welcomes applications for all Boards, Commission and Committees year round.

Each year, the City Clerk keeps a current list of applicants. Applications are public records.

You may submit an application at any time between January 1 and December 31. The City may consider your application for any vacancy that comes up during that year.

On December 31, all unselected applications expire. If you would like to be considered again, you must submit a new application.

This process allows the Mayor to review applications already on file if a vacancy comes up. A vacancy may occur if someone resigns, is no longer eligible to serve, or their term ends.
* Personal Information:

Ira Bhatt
* Home Address:

Home Phone:

Cell Phone:
*
*
*
*
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Questionnaire
*
I want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission because I want to help make Fremont a better place for young people. I believe students should have a voice in decisions that affect their education, safety, mental well-being, recreation, and future opportunities. I enjoy learning about business, leadership, and community issues, and I would like to use those interests to develop practical ideas and programs for Fremont’s youth. Serving on the commission would also allow me to listen to students from different backgrounds, represent their concerns, and work with other motivated young people and city leaders. I hope to contribute my ideas, strengthen my leadership skills, and make a meaningful difference in the community where I live. *
One major problem Fremont teens face is academic burnout and difficulty focusing. Many students feel pressure to earn high grades, join extracurricular activities, prepare for college, and choose a career at a young age. The rise of artificial intelligence has created even more uncertainty about future jobs and valuable skills. At the same time, social media and constant notifications can affect students’ concentration, sleep, and confidence. I would organize an event called Reset and Recharge: Teen Success Without Burnout. It would include workshops on study strategies, time management, healthy social-media habits, different learning styles, and responsible use of AI. Counselors, college students, and local professionals could also discuss stress, careers, and available academic resources. I would survey Fremont students to understand their biggest concerns and partner with schools, libraries, counselors, and youth organizations to organize the event. I would publicize it through school announcements, newsletters, posters, parent groups, and short Instagram or TikTok videos. The goal would be to help teens feel more focused, supported, and confident about their future. *
Three aspects of my identity that shape my outlook on life are being a student, an aspiring entrepreneur, and a member of Fremont’s diverse community. As a student, I understand the pressure young people face with grades, social media, and uncertainty about the future. My interest in entrepreneurship has taught me to look for solutions, take initiative, and see challenges as opportunities to improve something. Finally, growing up in a diverse community has helped me appreciate different perspectives and understand the importance of making sure everyone feels heard and included. Together, these parts of my identity encourage me to work hard, stay open-minded, and help others.
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What is something you do in your free time that shapes how you interact with others? In my free time, I enjoy reading. Reading has taught me that most situations have more than two perspectives and that the truth is often more complicated than choosing one side. It has helped me understand that people are not simply good or bad, their Email
Birthdate
Age
Gender
School
Grade
Why do you want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission? What is a problem Fremont teens face and propose an event to address this problem. How would you organize and publicize this event? What are three (3) aspects of your identity that shape your outlook on life? Create and answer your own question.

7.B.1.a
Packet Pg. 61
Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & beliefs and actions are shaped by their experiences. Even when I disagree with someone, I try to listen, understand where they are coming from, and remember that everyone has both strengths and qualities others may dislike. This has made me more open minded, empathetic, and willing to consider different viewpoints. **SKIPPED**
Attachment
**SKIPPED**
Thank you
Your interest in serving on a board or commission of the City of Fremont is greatly appreciated.

Additional Information ?
?

7.B.1.a
Packet Pg. 62
Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & Submission # 4737266
IP Address 73.93.181.230
Submission Recorded On 04/01/2026 10:14 PM
Time to Take Survey 17 minutes, 21 seconds

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Applications for Boards, Commissions, & Committees
The City Clerk’s Office welcomes applications for all Boards, Commission and Committees year round.

Each year, the City Clerk keeps a current list of applicants. Applications are public records.

You may submit an application at any time between January 1 and December 31. The City may consider your application for any vacancy that comes up during that year.

On December 31, all unselected applications expire. If you would like to be considered again, you must submit a new application.

This process allows the Mayor to review applications already on file if a vacancy comes up. A vacancy may occur if someone resigns, is no longer eligible to serve, or their term ends.
* Personal Information:

Shaurya Chaudhary
* Home Address:

Home Phone:
**SKIPPED**
Cell Phone:
*
*
*
*
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*
Questionnaire
*
I want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission so I can help connect students with the law. It has always been like this, but the distrust of law enforcement has gotten bigger within teens. I believe that if I am a part of the commission, I can help teenagers get comfortable with the law. *
I think teenagers in Fremont struggle with being social because of how advanced technology has gotten. People don't have to talk to each other anymore since they believe they can get all the interaction they need through their phones. I would hold an event specifically so people could meet each other. I think if the awkwardness is erased, and it is clear that everyone there is open to socialize, people would be more willing to talk. I would publicize this through my own social media platform and try to use some resources from the City of Fremont. It would be very important that everyone at the event are teenagers to make sure there isn't any reason to be uncomfortable. *
I am observant, honest, and understanding. I like to analyze people by focusing on things they aren't directly showing so I can really understand them. If I have a conflict with someone, I try to think exactly how they would think even if that requires me to believe they are correct. This is also an example of how understanding I am. I wasn't always like this, but throughout life I believe that even if someone disagrees with you, if you show them you understand, they are more likely to try and understand you. I make sure I am as honest as I can be. This way people have a reason to try to understand me and don't easily disregard what I have to say. *
What are your flaws? Sometimes I have trouble working with people after I fail to understand them. I still give my full effort in whatever the task is, but I have issues with collaborating with people that are crude. However, I understand that I can also be in the wrong and be perceived the same way I perceive them. Another flaw I have is with my time management skills. I have trouble setting aside enough time to complete things. I still get it done but I know that if I planned the work load out, it would be of better quality. I have gotten better at this by using agendas and calendar reminders, but sometimes I still have issues with this. **SKIPPED**
Attachment
**SKIPPED**
Email
Birthdate
Age
Gender
School
Grade
Why do you want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission? What is a problem Fremont teens face and propose an event to address this problem. How would you organize and publicize this event? What are three (3) aspects of your identity that shape your outlook on life? Create and answer your own question.

Additional Information ?
?

7.B.1.a
Packet Pg. 63
Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & Thank you
Your interest in serving on a board or commission of the City of Fremont is greatly appreciated.

7.B.1.a
Packet Pg. 64
Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & Applications for Boards, Commissions, & Committees
The City Clerk’s Office welcomes applications for all Boards, Commission and Committees year round.

Each year, the City Clerk keeps a current list of applicants. Applications are public records.

You may submit an application at any time between January 1 and December 31. The City may consider your application for any vacancy that comes up during that year.

On December 31, all unselected applications expire. If you would like to be considered again, you must submit a new application.

This process allows the Mayor to review applications already on file if a vacancy comes up. A vacancy may occur if someone resigns, is no longer eligible to serve, or their term ends.
* Personal Information:

Vivien Chen
* Home Address:

Home Phone:

Cell Phone:
* Email
* Birthdate
* Age
* Gender
* School
* Grade
Questionnaire
* Why do you want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission? My dad walked into the room after he heard crying. Tears streamed down my face as I tried to translate the Algebra 2 word problem in front of me. I didn’t know how to translate “polynomial” into Mandarin, but he listened carefully and patiently. I switched between Mandarin, English, and Cantonese, mixing the distinct grammar rules and conversational nuances. Eventually, my dad was able to unravel the meaning of the complex word problem and help me find the solution. That moment taught me that when trying to solve problems, the solution does not always come up, but the first step is communicating. Everyone speaks different “languages”— through different experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives. To work together, individuals must translate ideas so people can understand one another. Just as I had to translate between languages to help my dad and me understand one another, I believe our community also needs people who can bridge different perspectives. Teens and adults may not speak the same “language” when discussing the issues that affect our city, causing valuable youth insights to be overlooked or misunderstood. Young people experience Fremont's schools, parks, libraries, and community spaces every day. We notice the small details of daily life in Fremont, from how teens use public spaces to where opportunities exist to improve our community. Yet despite these firsthand experiences, teens often do not have a voice to create change. If selected to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission, I hope to help bridge that gap by serving as a translator between Fremont's youth and city leaders. I want to listen to the experiences and concerns of young people across Fremont and communicate those perspectives to the City Council, where people from different backgrounds, experiences, and generations work toward the same goals. By helping represent Fremont's 30,000+ youth, I hope to voice their ideas to city leaders and contribute to solutions that strengthen our community. * What is a problem Fremont teens face and propose an event to address this problem. How would you organize and publicize this event? Although Fremont is known for its strong academics and STEM community, many students lack opportunities for hands-on experience. Robotics programs like FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) offer valuable experiences and skill sets. Still, students may be intimidated by STEM because they feel a need for prior knowledge, discouraging them from engaging with STEM-related spaces. For others from lower-income households, costs such as equipment, classes, and competition fees can bar them from exploring robots. Without exposure, students may never discover their passion for STEM. To address this issue, I propose an event called Fremont Robo Rally, a free robot showcase.

Heavily inspired by car meets, local FTC high school robotics teams will bring in their robots to demonstrate, interact with attendees, and share their personal experiences.

By having high school robotics team members teach peers, the event would create a more relatable environment where participants feel comfortable exploring STEM without pressure. The event would also highlight free or affordable STEM programs, school clubs, and community resources so students can continue exploring beyond the event. I will organize this event by partnering with local FTC teams, the Fremont Main Library, and the Fremont Unified School District. Each robotics team would lead interactive workshops where attendees can drive robots, learn basic programming concepts, examine engineering designs, and ask questions about getting involved. The Page | 1

7.B.1.a
Packet Pg. 65
Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & showcase will take place in the Fukaya Room B at the Fremont Main Library. By hosting the event at the library and making it free, students from different schools and backgrounds can be introduced to STEM opportunities. To publicize the event, I will collaborate with middle and high schools in FUSD to announce the event through newsletters, announcements, and STEM clubs. I would also distribute flyers with event information at schools, local libraries, and community centers. I will also use social media by promoting through clubs, student organizations, and participating FTC teams to reach students across Fremont who may not already be involved in STEM.

Through Fremont Robot Rally, I hope to show students that STEM is not limited to those who already have experience. By creating opportunities for teens to teach and inspire other teens, this event can create a welcoming first exposure to robotics, spark curiosity, and encourage students to pursue future STEM opportunities. * What are three (3) aspects of your identity that shape your outlook on life?

1. Child of Immigrants: Wǒ aì nǐ. Though fluent in Mandarin, these three words were foreign to my ears. Translating to “I love you,” I never once heard my mother utter these words. The Chen family communicates differently without relying on words of affirmation. Even after the worst screaming matches, even fruitpologies– plates of cut apples to persimmon– create the most intimate moments. Our daily messages are short and sweet: “Where are you?”, “What are you doing?”, and our phone calls always start with “Have you eaten yet?”, asking again and again. No matter what time of day from breakfast to lunch to dinner- there will always be a fresh bowl of congee waiting for me in the microwave. Growing up taught me that love does not always need to be spoken. In my family, care is communicated through actions: a bowl of congee, a plate of freshly sliced fruit, or a simple reminder to eat. To me, these small gestures carry more weight than any “I love you.” Through this, I learned to value actions over words and effort over intention. This perspective has shaped how I approach the world. I try to let my actions speak before my words do, whether it is showing up for someone, going the extra mile, or lending a helping hand. My family showed how expressions of love are not always heard, but are felt through the actions people choose to take. 2. Learner: I love failing like I love my friends and family. To many people, the word failure has a negative connotation, but I see it as one of the best ways to grow.

Whether I am training to run a mile under ten minutes, airballing on the basketball court, or attempting to write a new rap verse that does not rhyme, every mistake teaches me something new. The hobbies that I once struggled with became skills I gradually developed because I was willing to push through each setback. I learned to embrace being a beginner and accept that growth comes from mistake after mistake. From correcting my poor running technique, practicing shooting the basketball, or finding new ways to have my words flow, every challenge brought me surprises and unexpected miracles. Being a learner influences the way I approach new experiences.

Instead of avoiding situations where instant success is not confirmed, I choose to face challenges head-on, ask questions, and continue improving myself. To me, failure is not a sign of incompetence, but a necessity to becoming your best self. 3. See attachment below! * Create and answer your own question.

What makes Fremont so happy? Every morning, I eat a bowl of plain congee. Before taking my first bite, I almost always add toppings such as steamed eggs, pork floss, Chinese kale, or preserved vegetables. I carefully mix everything, trying to create the perfect combination of flavors. Over time, I realized I had become so focused on enhancing the flavors that I overlooked what made it comforting in the first place. The plainness was not meant to be fixed, but it was what allowed each topping to stand out. The toppings are like the highlights of life, the things that we look forward to, from birthday celebrations and family vacations to special milestones. The plain congee represents the ordinary moments that fill most of our days, like a random Wednesday from when I was twelve. Without the ordinary Wednesdays in between, the toppings would no longer feel special. As a Fremonter, I have come to realize that my city’s status as the happiest city in America does not come from extraordinary experiences alone. Instead, happiness is built through the ordinary Wednesdays in between, from conversations with neighbors and the routines we rarely think twice about. What makes Fremont special is our ability to appreciate the small, everyday moments that are so easy to overlook. Just like a bowl of congee, life doesn't always need more toppings to be meaningful. Sometimes, its greatest value is the plainness of the status quo, because that is what makes the flavorful moments shine.

Additional Information
One quality I hope to bring to Fremont’s Youth Advisory Commission is that I am a people person. I enjoy meeting new people, building friendships, and learning about others. Through my experiences mentoring peers and younger athletes, and participating in community outreach with my robotics team (donating six thousand dollars for lab equipment in Uganda!), I have learned the first step is to understand and collaborate with the people around me. My outgoing personality allows me to create spaces where others feel comfortable sharing their ideas and perspectives.

Attachment

3. Trailblazer.pdf
Thank you
Your interest in serving on a board or commission of the City of Fremont is greatly appreciated.

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Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards &

3. Trailblazer:

For me, being a trailblazer means creating opportunities for others to discover their own passions.

Being a leader is not only about achieving personal goals, but also about creating paths to allow others to pursue their own.

In Citizens for Better Community (CBC) Toastmasters Gavel Club, I mentor over 30 peers while they develop their public speaking skills. By providing constructive feedback and tracking each member’s progress in a spreadsheet, I encourage hesitant members to step outside their comfort zone, gain the confidence to find their own voices, and become confident communicators.

As an assistant coach for the Fremont Youth Ball Club (FYBC) fifth-grade girls’ basketball team, I assist over 18 young athletes both on and off the court. I help plan weekly practices, organize drills, track attendance, and demonstrate fundamentals to set an example for my players. Beyond teaching the game, I encourage them to embrace challenges, learn from mistakes, become team players, and help build friendships that will last for years to come.

Growing up witnessing loved ones suffer from period poverty, I saw how something as basic as menstrual products could become a financial burden. Wanting to help others facing serious challenges, I started a small project this summer to donate 20 reusable sanitary pads– an eco-friendly option for women with sensitive skin– to a local food pantry. Although my contribution was small, it showed me that even a small-scale action can help my community. My goal was to help girls and women maintain their dignity and ensure that even something as natural as menstruation would not become a barrier to attending school, going to work, or participating in everyday activities. This experience inspired me to continue expanding my project in the future to reach more women in my community.

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Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & Submission # 4789358
IP Address 64.190.226.64
Submission Recorded On 04/27/2026 8:38 PM
Time to Take Survey 27 minutes, 10 seconds

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Applications for Boards, Commissions, & Committees
The City Clerk’s Office welcomes applications for all Boards, Commission and Committees year round.

Each year, the City Clerk keeps a current list of applicants. Applications are public records.

You may submit an application at any time between January 1 and December 31. The City may consider your application for any vacancy that comes up during that year.

On December 31, all unselected applications expire. If you would like to be considered again, you must submit a new application.

This process allows the Mayor to review applications already on file if a vacancy comes up. A vacancy may occur if someone resigns, is no longer eligible to serve, or their term ends.
* Personal Information:

Micah C. Chiang
* Home Address:

Home Phone:

Cell Phone:
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Questionnaire
*
I am curious about the role state and local governments play in enacting policies that directly affect community development and respond to key challenges at the local level.

By serving on the Youth Commission, I hope to gain a deeper understanding of the role state and local governments play in the development and implementation of policy and create consensus among competing partisan interests. I also seek to gain experiential exposure to the policy development cycle. Long-term, I will seek a career in public policy/policymaking, either through public administration or in formal elected office. As a high school junior, I want to cultivate practical experience and depth of knowledge early on to prepare me for a career that will meet these unprecedented challenges. I hope to improve my understanding and develop my professional experience in policy research, public relations and policy implementation at the state and local level. Beyond the practical exposure to develop my understanding of formal policymaking at the state level, I would like to practice and further my professional skills in analytical thinking, communication and project mangement. I am aware of the vital role these skills play into policymaking, and I hope to build upon them through the Fremont Youth Commission. *
I am passionate about the physical infrastructure of our communities, specifically regarding affordable housing. Housing is becoming increasingly inaccessible for middle- to low-income earners in the Bay Area. In 2020, Fremont experienced a $40 million scandal in my neighborhood involving a mixed-use development that was abandoned due to fraudulent activity. The unfinished project, now a “ghost building,” has sat incomplete for six years. The failure to expand and properly implement affordable housing is an issue my generation will have to combat. Having heard the concerns of young adults at my church, I am determined to explore legislative avenues that allow families of all income levels to thrive. While this issue is not solely a Fremont teen issue, it affects every teen's family, and their future after graduation. To address this problem, my idea is to arrange a youth policy forum town hall. This event would invite policymakers including California State Assembly members and city council members to speak on the current housing situation. They would also inform teens of any legislation that is happening at the state and local level that is targeting housing affordability. To make this event interactive, I propose a workshop where teens would be grouped together and given a map of a hypothetical city space to house a certain population. To make the activity realistic, I would introduce real-world constraints and sudden changes that would affect their plan - required them to adapt. This workshop would aim to expose Fremont teens to the housing affordability issue in a way that would spur civic engagement. *
The first aspect of my identity that shapes my outlook is my name. From a young age, my parents explained to me way they had chosen the name "Micah." Micah was a prophet in the Old Testament in the Bible, and there is a famous verse in the book of Micah which calls people to “act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly” (Micah 6:8). I made it a mission to memorize that verse, but more than that, I wanted to exhibit these three qualities. I especially took the “walk humbly” part to heart. Furthermore, to me, Email
Birthdate
Age
Gender
School
Grade
Why do you want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission? What is a problem Fremont teens face and propose an event to address this problem. How would you organize and publicize this event? What are three (3) aspects of your identity that shape your outlook on life?

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Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & "acting justly" in my community means advocating and instilling true change in sectors that affect Fremont residents every day. Second, I’m Cantonese - both of my parents are from Hong Kong and immigrated to the US at a young age. The Cantonese language for non-speakers is extremely hard to learn, but there is a significant Cantonese community in Fremont - I am constantly seeking fellow Cantonese-speaking teens. It’s taught me a lot about why people learn things that might seem unnecessary - the ultimate mission is to preserve and remember things that have been passed on to us. Thirdly, I would say that being the older sibling of two has taught me a lot. Having both single-child friends as well as friends that are younger siblings instead, I’ve learned to put myself in other people’s shoes much more than I used to. Being the first child to go to university, I seek to carve a path so that my younger sister is equipped with information to inform her future plans. *
Question: how do you, “walk humbly?” Walking humbly isn’t about being introverted, shy, and opportunity-refusing. You can still be ambitious, confident, and out-spoken.

What really matters is the attitude and heart you have in your everyday life. The desire to attain credit is overpowering, at times. Usually, accomplishments come with the intent to be recognized; that shouldn't be the case. Being humble in this case means accomplishing that thing anyway because it is truly beneficial. Sometimes, it doesn’t matter where the credit goes to, just see it through and that is fulfilling enough. Being humble also has to do with pride - some pride is healthy, but it is easy to take pride a step too far and be condescending. A humble leader doesn’t go above everyone - they serve them.

I am deeply interested in public policy surrounding technology, housing, and juvenile justice. First, due to the rapid acceleration of AI, the next generation of policymakers must be well-informed to put the needs of Californians first while promoting the ethical diffusion of advanced technology. Having been exposed to the forefront of the emerging artificial general intelligence industry through my research at the Aspiring Scholars Research Program, I have a strong desire to learn how legislators at the state level can hold tech companies accountable. Artificial intelligence systems permeate countless aspects of everyday life: autonomous vehicles utilize visual language models, the education system is being reshaped by large language models, and the job market is rapidly reflecting AI advancement across countless industries. Currently, the ability to develop agentic systems and generate synthetic content is readily accessible; Californians need to be educated on the dangers and benefits of these tools. I hope to learn more about current legislation involving these emerging technologies to better understand how policy can be used to safeguard citizens’ digital welfare and improve their way of life. Beyond digital welfare, I am equally passionate about the physical infrastructure of our communities, specifically regarding affordable housing. Housing is becoming increasingly inaccessible for middle- to low-income earners in the Bay Area. In 2020, Fremont experienced a $40 million scandal in my neighborhood involving a mixed-use development that was abandoned due to fraudulent activity. The unfinished project, now a “ghost building,” has sat incomplete for six years. The failure to expand and properly implement affordable housing is an issue my generation will have to combat. Having heard the concerns of young adults at my church, I am determined to explore legislative avenues that allow families of all income levels to thrive. Finally, my commitment to community well-being extends to our justice system. My involvement with the San Leandro Youth Court has sparked a deep interest in juvenile justice and crime prevention. Through my work there, I have seen firsthand how many cases stem from complex underlying struggles, particularly youth substance abuse. The widespread accessibility of drugs has played a major role in impacting students’ welfare - I hope to take steps towards combating drug abuse as a Youth Commissioner.

Attachment
Thank you
Your interest in serving on a board or commission of the City of Fremont is greatly appreciated.

Create and answer your own question.

Additional Information ?
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Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & Micah Chiang

Education

- Junior, Class of 2027
GPA: 4.63/5.00 (Highest Honors Student)
AP Courses Completed: AP Stats, AP Human Geography
AP/H Courses In Progress: Advanced Data Analysis H, AP US History, AP English Language & Composition, AP Physics 1, AP Calculus AB
UCLA - Management (5 Credits) from the Anderson School
Research & Experience
Research Assistant (Summer 2024)
● Conducted research on AI Policy in the music production industry under a former Yale Professor. Published in the Scholarly Review Spring 2025 Issue.

Research Scholar, Aspiring Scholars Directed Research Program (ASDRP) (10th Grade - Present)
● Utilized agent-based modeling in social dilemma simulations including the Prisoner’s Dilemma, Diner’s Dilemma and the Tragedy of the Commons under the guidance of a Senior Vice President of Salesforce.
● Presented at the 2025 Southern California Conference for Undergraduate Research.

Extracurriculars
Co- President, School Newspaper (Skyway Press) (9th Grade - Present) ● Revived school newspaper in 2023 after multiple years of inactivity with the aim to publish district wide, increase digital platform, and develop a sustainable legacy framework for continued publications post-graduation.
● Conducted external outreach with news/media industry professionals including journalists, editors, and publishers to hold training seminars for Skyway Press staff. ● Publish seasonal releases containing faculty member interviews, student spotlights and Op-Ed articles, working towards monthly publication frequency by 2027.

Defense Team Captain, Mock Trial (9th Grade - Present)
● One of the original members of the club, helped to initiate and develop the mock trial program at to participate in county competitions in the Santa Clara County division for the first time after a decade-long hiatus. Seeking to compete at the state, regional and national level.
● Competed on the competition team as an attorney for the prosecution and defense. ● Received MVP award for best attorney during the 2023-2024 competition season. ● Petitioned the school’s Business Entrepreneurship Innovation (BEI) executive leadership to incorporate Mock Trial into an official BEI program, securing consistent funding, publicity and coaching for the first time.
● Promoted to Defense Team Captain in Junior year, delivered lectures and organized training workshops for new and existing members. Held office hours and served as an understudy for the competition team.
● Led defense competition team to go undefeated at the 2026 Santa Clara County

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Representative, Student Government (10th Grade - Present) ● Advised the Principal and School Board on the application process and curriculum for new UC-Approved Student Government class starting with the 2025-2026 school year.
● Selected as one of five students out of forty applicants representing the ‘27 student class. ● Revised policy by refining the VCHS Code of Conduct to address political advocacy and civic communication between students and faculty.

Cellphone Policy Advisory Committee (11th Grade)
● Petitioned VCHS administration and school-board for increased student participation in developing school-based policies, and was selected as one of four high school students out of 1,600 applicants in first ever advisory committee.
● Designed a policy survey issued to parents, teachers, students, and faculty to gather feedback on cellphone usage in school to meet benchmarks for data-driven policy development goals.
● Organized a collaboration with the Advanced Data Analysis Honors class to design data-based conclusions on the survey results. Presented findings to administration, faculty, parents, and school board officials, moderated open forum discussions, and helped finalize a school-wide phone policy that took effect in January 2026.

Golf Team (9th & 10th Grade)
● Starter on Junior Varsity Golf team.

Co-Principal, Honors String Ensemble
● Co-Principal violinist in the school's audition-based honors string ensemble selected to play in the 2026 American Strings Teachers Association National Orchestra Festival.

Summer Programs
Columbia CSPA Summer Journalism Workshop (Summer 2024)
● Participated in a virtual workshop intensive that focused on editorial leadership. ● Studied organizational structure, interview skills and reporting strategies.

UCLA Mock Trial Summer Institute (Summer 2024)
● Attended residential Mock Trial intensive at the UCLA Anderson School, studied mock trial & public speaking skills, worked in a group to develop arguments centered around a robbery case.
● Crafting an opening statement, direct and cross examinations as an opening prosecution attorney.

California Boys State (Summer 2026)
● Selected as a delegate and sponsored by the American Legion to participate in the 2026 California Boys State Program.

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Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & Service
Arise Church Fremont Youth Worship Team (9th Grade - Present) ● 4 hrs/week, every other week.
● Plays violin in the youth worship team.

Jenny Lin Summer Music Program (Summer 2023)
● Intensive music training and development program for 6 hrs/week over one month including rehearsals
● Performed at a charity concert in August dedicated to raising child safety awareness.

Orchestra Volunteering (9th Grade)
● Supervised and assisted my middle school’s orchestra (consisted of both elementary & middle schoolers) during rehearsals and concerts.

Cambodia Mission Trip (Summer 2025)
● Served in a one-week service trip in Cambodia, teaching classes to elementary and kindergarten students.
● Plan to return for Summer 2026 to continue teaching obligations Awards
● UCLA Mock Trial Team Competition 3rd Place. (9th Grade) ● Principle’s Award in Modern World History Honors (9th Grade) ● Scholar Athlete Award (Men’s JV Golf) (9th Grade)
● Mock Trial MVP Attorney Award (9th Grade)

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Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & Applications for Boards, Commissions, & Committees
The City Clerk’s Office welcomes applications for all Boards, Commission and Committees year round.

Each year, the City Clerk keeps a current list of applicants. Applications are public records.

You may submit an application at any time between January 1 and December 31. The City may consider your application for any vacancy that comes up during that year.

On December 31, all unselected applications expire. If you would like to be considered again, you must submit a new application.

This process allows the Mayor to review applications already on file if a vacancy comes up. A vacancy may occur if someone resigns, is no longer eligible to serve, or their term ends.
* Personal Information:

Vinidhra Dinesh
* Home Address:

Home Phone:

Cell Phone:
* Email
* Birthdate
* Age
* Gender
* School
* Grade
Questionnaire
* Why do you want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission? The possibility for change in the way youth look at themselves and the community around them inspires me to want to serve on this commission. In a diverse city like Fremont, teens are constantly being introduced to new perspectives and influences, which play a big part in our self-confidence and the way we interact with others. By joining the Youth Advisory Commission, I hope to introduce innovative ideas that help youth feel more welcomed and connected to their community. As a teen who has previously experienced the pressures of fitting in a growing society wearing a scoliosis brace, our generation faces an ongoing struggle of having positive body connotations.

These negative thoughts often sprout from online and in-person influences that surround us, which can affect the way we look at and interpret our body image. Without a safe space for youth to express the way we feel about ourselves, our level of self-concern will continue growing. By creating a positive and uplifting support group for teens, I believe we can encourage confidence and self-growth on a larger scale. Along with maintaining our self love and confidence, creating a bond with community is essential to keeping lasting relations with those around us. Through my volunteering experience with the elderly at Masonic Homes of California, I learned the true importance of supporting my community. It meant listening to and acknowledging different points of view while creating efficient solutions to issues that affected others. As part of this Commission, I am eager to continue these connections with the youth residents of Fremont on a city-wide level. As a member of the Youth Advisory Commission, I aspire to contribute my creativity, collaboration, and positivity in a meaningful and lasting way. To me, sharing these values means instilling a sense of belonging, trust, and selfconfidence in our youth. * What is a problem Fremont teens face and propose an event to address this problem. How would you organize and publicize this event? A problem Fremont teens face is being themselves, mostly because they fear being judged by those around them. This is a problem I certainly struggled with, having to wear a scoliosis brace for 18 hours a day often made me feel singled out, I wasn’t confident wearing certain clothing, I feared those that saw the brace would make me feel vulnerable. Some of my classmates asked me why I had an excuse to run the weekly mile slower and why I had an odd shape poking out from my oversized clothes.

These questions led to my feelings of resentment. I hated the way my brace raised one shoulder higher than the other and the red and purple bruises I got from wearing the brace all day. I tried to hide my embarrassment but it quickly became unavoidable once it felt like I was constantly met with judgement surrounding me. I was overwhelmed by all the comments and thoughts floating in my head, I felt like I had no choice but to request an alternative option. During my appointment however, my doctor told me that my classmates were only curious, they hadn’t seen me in a brace so asking questions was their way of getting used to it. These words and tough moments continue to stay with me, reminding me that my uniqueness is what shapes me, and nothing should change that. To encourage self positivity and provide support to those who have trouble embracing themselves, I would organize an event called “UNIQUE YOU”, where teens from all backgrounds can meet together and share their Page | 1

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Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & personal experiences facing hardship without the worry of getting criticized. In this event we would discuss ways teens can feel more open and confident about themselves as well as hold activities that encourage other teens to embrace their differences. During the event, a support wall could be used to allow students to write words of hope on sticky notes and post them on the wall. I would also bring in a guest speaker that can talk about personal love, confidence, and being yourself. To spread the word about my event, I would make lots of posters, share about it online and work with Fremont schools, community centers, and school clubs to organize this event. * What are three (3) aspects of your identity that shape your outlook on life? My identity is framed by three core values that define my principles: integrity, passion, and empathy. As the vice president of the Energy and Sustainability club at my school, repairing the untouched school garden became a real test of my integrity. After meticulously planning all year, we began pulling out the weeds that crowded the garden beds every Wednesday during our flex period. As the school year was coming to an end, there wasn’t a way we could fully repair the garden. I was conflicted between telling the members that we couldn’t finish our project or making excuses that provided them with a false sense of hope. I made the decision to tell the members the truth. Although there were some initial frowns, we came to agreement that the garden bed project would be continued in the following school year. From this experience and others, my integrity places a big part on the decisions I make, reminding me to lead with honesty rather than convenience. Although my integrity helps me make decisions that feel right, my passion guides me to continue doing the things I love, despite the challenges I face along the way. My drive to learn a creative skill I could build upon led me to crochet. However, with no one to teach me, I resorted to watching YouTube videos that could guide me step by step. After watching countless videos, the concept of even creating one stitch seemed out of reach. My fingers fumbled on the yarn and I couldn’t get the hand placement right. Yet, giving up still wasn’t an option. I began to find tutorials that felt right for my skill level and remained patient, trying the stitches over and over again until they engraved themselves in my mind.

Initially, my creations came out lopsided, with loose stitches and holes that peaked out but through continuous practice I gradually improved my crocheting abilities. Lastly, my empathy, which pushes me to step into someone else's perspective and have a deeper understanding of their emotions before explaining my own. As a member of Citizens Climate Lobby, during my time tabling at events, I came across many visitors that were opposed to our motives. Instead of speaking against the visitor, I was driven by curiosity, I wanted to learn the why factor behind their opinion. By stepping into their point of view, I was able to tie my reasoning and relate our goals to adapt to the visitor’s disagreement while also taking note of how we could improve the way we conveyed our objectives. * Create and answer your own question.

If there is one initiative you could work on expanding in the city of Fremont what would it be? If I could choose one thing I would work on increasing in the city of Fremont, it would be pushing for more youth involvement in the local government and community. We are the voices that implement the most change, and the way we choose to carry this torch from the previous generations will affect the future. During my weekly volunteering shifts at Masonic Homes of California, I saw firsthand just how important it was that youth were involved with the community. Thinking I was just going to be interacting with the elderly proved to be much more. I was introduced to so many different perspectives that I hadn’t thought about before. Whether it was having chats with residents or assisting them with their day-to-day activities, there was always so much to learn. To encourage more positive and healthy relations in Fremont, I would organize events where everyone would be welcome to explore more service-learning opportunities centered around helping the community. Volunteer areas from around the city could put up booths explaining the purpose behind their organization and the reason residents should get involved as well. Through these experiences, youth would be able to build on their communication skills while also serving the community around them. While strong connections to the Fremont community is essential, by expanding our generation’s participation in the local government, we are creating space for the future policy makers of this world. As the driving forces of change, youth can introduce fresh perspectives and issues that should be accounted for. By taking part in the local government, our generation can learn about law-making processes and how these laws influence our society. As an advocate for the Fix Our Forests Act, which is designed to reduce the threat wildfires pose on our forests by increasing the amount of time we use to manage our forests, I learned the power of having youth voices involved in the government. Lawmakers were realizing that youth were the ones fighting for a future that was wildfire free and brought justice to a healthy planet. By incorporating youth in the local government, I hope to introduce a new kind of energy, one that is driven by the need for change and possibility.

Additional Information
Link to Energy and Sustainability club website: https://www.thorntoneands.org/home/our-team Link to my member profile at Citizens Climate Lobby:
https://community.citizensclimate.org/profile/383032
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Your interest in serving on a board or commission of the City of Fremont is greatly appreciated.

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Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & Submission # 4800967
IP Address 73.63.233.53
Submission Recorded On 05/03/2026 9:52 AM
Time to Take Survey 43 minutes

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Applications for Boards, Commissions, & Committees
The City Clerk’s Office welcomes applications for all Boards, Commission and Committees year round.

Each year, the City Clerk keeps a current list of applicants. Applications are public records.

You may submit an application at any time between January 1 and December 31. The City may consider your application for any vacancy that comes up during that year.

On December 31, all unselected applications expire. If you would like to be considered again, you must submit a new application.

This process allows the Mayor to review applications already on file if a vacancy comes up. A vacancy may occur if someone resigns, is no longer eligible to serve, or their term ends.
* Personal Information:

Zian Ding
* Home Address:

Home Phone:

Cell Phone:
*
*
*
*
*
*
Questionnaire
*
I want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission because I want to be a part of Fremont Youth Community. I want to help address some of the problems Fremont Youth face. I also want to learn how to organize events and be a good leader. *
One problem Fremont teens face is not having enough freedom when choosing classes in school. Fremont schools have strict requirements that can stop students from taking classes they are interested in. Many of my friends have also talked about this issue. If I wanted to change this, I would first create a survey at school to ask students what classes they want to take and what is stopping them from taking those classes. After collecting the answers, I would organize the results to show the main problems students are facing. Then, I would share this information with school staff and the school board. I would also suggest possible solutions, like adding more flexible class options or offering ways for students to meet requirements faster. This would help make class choices more open and better match what students are interested in. *
Three aspects of my identity that shape my outlook on life are my cultural background, being a student, and having supportive parents. My cultural background taught me to value education and respect others. Being a student, I learned how to manage time and balancing school work and outside activities. My parents also gave me many useful advices while becoming an adult.
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What is one challenge Fremont youth face? Many Fremont youth face academic pressure from their peers and parents. This forced them to take more outside classes and try to have a higher achievement in school.
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Email
Birthdate
Age
Gender
School
Grade
Why do you want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission? What is a problem Fremont teens face and propose an event to address this problem. How would you organize and publicize this event? What are three (3) aspects of your identity that shape your outlook on life? Create and answer your own question.

Additional Information ?
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Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & Applications for Boards, Commissions, & Committees
The City Clerk’s Office welcomes applications for all Boards, Commission and Committees year round.

Each year, the City Clerk keeps a current list of applicants. Applications are public records.

You may submit an application at any time between January 1 and December 31. The City may consider your application for any vacancy that comes up during that year.

On December 31, all unselected applications expire. If you would like to be considered again, you must submit a new application.

This process allows the Mayor to review applications already on file if a vacancy comes up. A vacancy may occur if someone resigns, is no longer eligible to serve, or their term ends.
* Personal Information:

Isabella Estrada
* Home Address:

Home Phone:
**SKIPPED**
Cell Phone:
* Email
* Birthdate
* Age
* Gender
* School
* Grade
Questionnaire
* Why do you want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission? I want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission to speak on issues that negatively impact Fremont teens and partake in a group to pursue and execute workshop and event ideas to engage with my community. I believe that serving on the Youth Advisory Commission will provide me with valuable skills that will set me up for success while simultaneously creating an impact on the community.
* What is a problem Fremont teens face and propose an event to address this problem. How would you organize and publicize this event? This is an issue that is not limited to our community or age range, but instead universal, which is why I care about these topics so much. I know I won’t be able to completely defeat these issues, but I believe tackling them at a community level is worth something. I firmly believe that we need to provide a variety of resources, such as hygienic care and educational tools, to the youth who need it most. Yes, food and water are vital for keeping our bodies running, but books and sanitary pads keep our dignity intact. I would tackle these issues by creating an event that will occur monthly that gives out sanitary pads, dental care, a variety of school supplies, and more. We would obtain these supplies by partnering up with several organizations, which simultaneously creates a larger platform that will enable us to reach more people. I will find and gather volunteers who will assist with the events. We can visit several homeless shelters, create social media posts, send out emails, and put up flyers in local libraries, cafes, bookshops, and more to advertise!
* What are three (3) aspects of your identity that shape your outlook on life? There are small parts of my life that reveal larger components of me that shape my outlook on life. These smaller parts include visits to the library, my curly hair, and trips to my mother’s favorite nail spa. The library embodies a treasure trove of digital and physical information that allows me to discover worlds beyond my own. I have the opportunity to read about a society that burns books through a turn of a page, or learn about Maslow’s hierarchy of needs through a click of a button. My trips to the library enable me to have something to seek—something to be excited for. It allows me to keep going because I must continue to do what I love most: learn. The most significant thing I learned while visiting libraries is that I have found something to constantly look forward to. Learning is something that I have long admired, but that is not the case for my appearance. I believe that my Achilles’ Heel is my love for perfection. My idea of perfection was not what my appearance embodied. I am imperfect, therefore hideous. Many didn’t see that, though. I would often go to the nail salon with my mother, where we would escape the exhaustion that the day provided. One day, the Nail Lady commented, “Wow, your skin is so beautiful, your hair too! My daughter is always tanning so she can have skin just like yours! If anyone tells you to straighten your Page | 1

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What is something that people often see as insignificant that you care deeply about? I really hate when people say, “If it makes you feel any better, there are so many people going through this same thing,” whenever I’m confessing sensitive events that are occurring in my life. I know this is a common method of comforting someone, as it is in practice often effective. When we are going through deeply traumatic events, we may feel alienated and misunderstood. The act of assuring someone that what they are going through is universal can be comforting because it reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles. This is what I hate about this: there are so many people struggling with the same thing as me. No one should have to undergo these struggles. This only shows how rampant these issues are without confrontation. Nonetheless, I still greatly appreciate the effort of attempting to comfort someone, even if I dislike the method. I prefer to be assured through validation of emotions, rather than a situation. I want to be reminded that what I am feeling is completely justified and that it will get better.

Additional Information
**SKIPPED**
Attachment
Isabellas Resume (as of June 24, 2026) 1.pdf
Thank you
Your interest in serving on a board or commission of the City of Fremont is greatly appreciated.

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Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & 















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Packet Pg. 79
Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & Applications for Boards, Commissions, & Committees
The City Clerk’s Office welcomes applications for all Boards, Commission and Committees year round.

Each year, the City Clerk keeps a current list of applicants. Applications are public records.

You may submit an application at any time between January 1 and December 31. The City may consider your application for any vacancy that comes up during that year.

On December 31, all unselected applications expire. If you would like to be considered again, you must submit a new application.

This process allows the Mayor to review applications already on file if a vacancy comes up. A vacancy may occur if someone resigns, is no longer eligible to serve, or their term ends.
* Personal Information:

Keya R. Gadiya
* Home Address:

Home Phone:
**SKIPPED**
Cell Phone:
* Email
* Birthdate
* Age
* Gender
* School
* Grade
Questionnaire
* Why do you want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission? Growing up in Fremont and attending has shown me just how vibrant, diverse, and driven our local youth community is, but it has also made me realize how important it is for students to have a direct channel to city leadership. Through my leadership work with organizations like STEMist Education and Art4Hearts, as well as managing team logistics in VEX Robotics and DECA, I have learned how to turn student-led ideas into organized, community-wide impact. I want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission because I want to bridge the gap between Fremont's youth and local government, helping to design inclusive civic programs, address the real needs of teenagers, and ensure our voices shape the city's decisions. * What is a problem Fremont teens face and propose an event to address this problem. How would you organize and publicize this event? A big problem for teens in Fremont is academic pressure. The competition here is intense, and a lot of students end up burned out, stressed, and honestly kind of isolated because everything revolves around grades and college prep. To address this, I want to organize "Mind & Motion," a community hobby and wellness fair where students can take a break and do things that have nothing to do with school, like art stations, a chess corner, music, and maybe a short guided meditation session. I would organize it by booking a room at the Fremont Main Library, asking student clubs to each run an activity table, and scheduling it for a weekend early in the semester before exam season hits. To publicize it, I'd hand out flyers with QR codes through club networks, partner with student organizations that already have an audience, and get it posted on school Instagram accounts and class group chats.
* What are three (3) aspects of your identity that shape your outlook on life? Growing up in Fremont right in the heart of Silicon Valley meant that technology and innovation were just part of the background noise of everyday life. Being surrounded by tech culture, combined with having an entire family completely immersed in STEM, turned dinner table conversations into practical tech briefings and naturally pushed me to dive headfirst into robotics, coding, and building things myself. Seeing how technology could actually solve real problems inspired me to stop watching from the sidelines and start creating my own impact, whether that meant building competition robots, researching AI, or running non-profit tutoring programs to share that same passion with younger kids right here in our community.
* Create and answer your own question.

Growing up in Fremont right in the heart of Silicon Valley meant that tech and innovation were just baked into everyday life, but having a family completely immersed in Page | 1

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Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & STEM took it to another level. Dinner table talk was practically a rotation of tech briefs and engineering breakdowns, which completely rubbed off on me and turned curiosity into a real obsession with building things. Instead of just hearing about breakthroughs second-hand, I wanted to actually get my hands dirty—whether that meant spending hours troubleshooting VEX robots, diving into AI research, or starting my own non-profit to teach kids coding and math. Growing up surrounded by that energy taught me that tech isn't just about abstract code or gadgets; it's a tool to actually solve problems, connect with people, and build stuff that matters right here in our backyard.

Additional Information
**SKIPPED**
Attachment
Resume_ Keya Gadiya.pdf
Thank you
Your interest in serving on a board or commission of the City of Fremont is greatly appreciated.

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Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & Keya Gadiya
Skills
● Robotics: VEX Robotics design, building, testing, was captain of Home Team and former member of Robolabs
● Education & Tutoring: Teaching K-8 students in math, science, and STEM concepts
● Web Development: Basic HTML, CSS, and Javascript
● Leadership & Communication: Team management, event coordination ● DECA: Part of an entrepreneurship club called DECA for School. Former apprentice and competitor for the club. Won Top 10 finalist for business operations research and top 10 overall for an individual finance category.
● Model UN: Part of Model UN club and
participated and gave a speech in a conference at the University of Berkeley as well as UCLA.
● Art4Hearts: Treasurer for the Fremont chapter of Art4Hearts where I have helped with fundraisers such as bake sales to raise money to make kits to give to hospital patients and senior centers.
● Stemist: President Intern of STEMist Education, Bay Area’s largest student-run STEM nonprofit, which has raised over $10,000 for charity, and has students from 40+ countries and where I help teach STEM to the next generation, helped organize and judge community events such as Bridge Building Competition, Mathathon and Build Off
● Care Circle: Events director at Care Circle, an organization where we create packages through fundraising and sponsorships. Over 1,000 packages delivered at 4 different hospitals.
● GPA: unweighted: 3.88
Experience
Former Captain – CosmoBots (VEX Robotics Team)
San Francisco Bay Area | May 2022 – Present
● Led the design and build of competition-ready robots
● Coordinated team meetings, build sessions, and competition logistics ● Mentored new team members in engineering and problem-solving ● Now part of RoboLabs working with a new team and continuing at VEX competitions
President & Tutor – Tutor2Aid.com (Non-Profit Organization) Fremont, CA | June 2022 – Present
● Currently leading a student-run non-profit that has donated over $2000 by providing tutoring in Math Science English, and Spanish to donate to charity

7.B.1.a
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Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & 2 ● Teach elementary and middle school students in math, science, and general studies along with coding
● Organize virtual and sessions, recruit volunteers, and manage outreach Science Night Volunteer – Parkmont Elementary
Fremont, CA | March 2024
● Supported TinkerOn at a school STEM event
● Directed guests at the welcome table and assisted with science activity stations
Extracurriculars
● Karate: 2nd-degree black belt
● Swimming: Former competitive swimmer
● Dance: Former competitive dancer part of multiple dance schools including RAPA
● Badminton: Varsity team member and club player
● Research Project: Working on a research project on Bio/Cs ● Summer program: Teaching kids how to do IOS coding over the course of a couple months and leading sessions with them.
● College Course: Completed a college course on C++ at DeAnza community college with an A
● College Course: Completed a college course on Python at DeAnza community college with an A
● College Course: Enrolled in a college course on Java at DeAnza ● Extending your horizons at Berkley : Attended a program at the University Of Berkeley California for science where I attended classes at the University and toured the campus.
● Attended UC Berkeley Splash 2026: Learned about computer science, data science, and proofs
● Accepted into TKS In person San Francisco program: An elite Silicon Valley accelerator embedding ambitious high schoolers into cutting-edge tech like AI and biotech to solve real-world challenges for companies like Google and the UN.
● Attended Globe BeSmart Program: Selected as one of only 20 students for the UC Berkeley Engineering Summer Machine-learning & AI Research Training (BeSMART) program, focusing on machine learning, data manipulation, and Python-driven research. Worked with professors in the IEOR department and created a website with an open-ai chatbox for fire fighting detection relying on datasets and ai prediction.

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Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & Submission # 4936397
IP Address 2601:646:8f80:9830:9fe:4c83:7ace:dc44
Submission Recorded On 07/08/2026 4:43 PM
Time to Take Survey 31 minutes, 51 seconds

Page 1 ends

Applications for Boards, Commissions, & Committees
The City Clerk’s Office welcomes applications for all Boards, Commission and Committees year round.

Each year, the City Clerk keeps a current list of applicants. Applications are public records.

You may submit an application at any time between January 1 and December 31. The City may consider your application for any vacancy that comes up during that year.

On December 31, all unselected applications expire. If you would like to be considered again, you must submit a new application.

This process allows the Mayor to review applications already on file if a vacancy comes up. A vacancy may occur if someone resigns, is no longer eligible to serve, or their term ends.
* Personal Information:

ROHAN GANDHI
* Home Address:

Home Phone:
**SKIPPED**
Cell Phone:
**SKIPPED**
*
*
*
*
*
*
Questionnaire
*
I want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission because I want to help make sure the issues teens actually care about reach the City Council, not just get talked about among ourselves. Working as a camp instructor for the City of Fremont has shown me how much staff and city leaders want to serve young people well, but I have also seen how disconnected that effort can be from what teens are actually experiencing day to day, since most teens never get asked directly. Starting my own childcare business in ninth grade taught me that I do not have to wait for someone else to notice a problem and fix it. When I saw families in my community struggling to find childcare providers they trusted, I built something to address it myself. I want to bring that same initiative to the Commission, not just showing up to meetings but actively helping identify what is going on with Fremont teens and pushing those concerns forward. I also think leadership matters more when it comes with responsibility attached. Between running a business, working for the city, and carrying a full load of AP classes, I am used to following through on commitments, and I would take a seat on this Commission seriously. *
One problem Fremont teens face is that we often do not have a real channel to make our concerns heard by the people who make decisions about our city. Issues like the lack of things to do outside of school, stress around school and college pressure, or gaps in transportation get talked about between friends, but rarely reach City Council in an organized way. To address this, I would organize a Fremont Teen Town Hall, a forum held twice a year where teens from across the city can show up, or submit input beforehand online, to raise concerns and ask questions directly to city staff and, when possible, City Council members. Each Town Hall would focus on two or three specific topics chosen ahead of time based on a short survey sent out to high schools, so the conversation stays focused instead of turning into a general complaint session. After each Town Hall, the Commission would put together a short summary of the top concerns and share it with the City Council, so there is a clear paper trail from teen voices to city decisions. To organize it, I would work with Parks and Recreation, since I already have a working relationship with staff there through my camp instructor job, to secure a space like the library or a community center and help with logistics. I would also reach out to ASB and Key Club at each high school to help spread the word and encourage students to attend or submit input. For publicity, I would use Instagram and other platforms teens actually check, post flyers at libraries, rec centers, and schools, and ask ASB to make announcements. I would also use my connections from camp to help spread the word to younger teens and their families before they reach high school. *
The first is growing up in a Punjabi and Gujarati household. My parents come from two different regions of India, with different languages, food, and traditions, so even within my own house I grew up navigating more than one culture at once. I am also fluent in Hindi, which has let me connect with an even wider range of people in my community beyond just my own family's two backgrounds. That experience taught me to notice gaps that other people might not see, like when I started my childcare business after noticing how hard it was for families in my community to find childcare providers who understood the specific cultural expectations different Indian families Email
Birthdate
Age
Gender
School
Grade
Why do you want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission? What is a problem Fremont teens face and propose an event to address this problem. How would you organize and publicize this event? What are three (3) aspects of your identity that shape your outlook on life?

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Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & have around raising kids. It also taught me to move comfortably between different groups of people and to look for common ground instead of getting stuck on differences.

The second is being a young entrepreneur. Running my own small business since ninth grade, while keeping up with a demanding course load, has shaped how I see problems. I do not just complain about something that is broken, I think about how I could actually build a fix for it, even on a small scale. The third is being a mentor to younger kids. Between my childcare business and my job as a camp instructor with the City of Fremont, I spend a lot of my time around kids much younger than me. That has made me more patient, more aware of how my actions affect people who look up to me, and more invested in making sure the younger generation in Fremont has good role models, good opportunities, and a voice in decisions that affect them. *
My question: What is one change you would like to see in how the City of Fremont involves teens in decisions that affect them, and why? I would like to see the city build more consistent ways for teens to give input before decisions are made, not just react to them afterward. Right now, a lot of city programs and policies that affect teens, like park hours, event planning, or school related services, are decided without much direct input from the teens who will actually use them. A simple way to start would be regular short surveys sent through high schools a few times a year, asking teens about specific upcoming decisions, paired with occasional in person forums like town halls where teens can speak directly to staff or Council members. This would not need to be complicated or expensive, and it would give the city a clearer, more current picture of what teens actually think instead of relying on assumptions. Since one of the Youth Advisory Commission's main roles is creating forums for teen issues and bringing those issues to City Council, I see this as something the Commission itself is well positioned to help build and run on an ongoing basis.

I currently work as a camp instructor for the City of Fremont, so I already have hands on experience with the city's youth programs and a working relationship with Parks and Recreation staff, which I think would help me connect the Commission's work to what is already happening on the ground. I am also balancing a full course load, including multiple AP classes, with running my own small business and my camp job, so I am used to managing my time carefully, communicating clearly, and following through on commitments. I would take a seat on the Youth Advisory Commission seriously and would show up prepared, ready to listen to other teens, and ready to help make sure their concerns are heard by the City Council.

Attachment
Rohan_Gandhi_Resume_2026.pdf
Thank you
Your interest in serving on a board or commission of the City of Fremont is greatly appreciated.

Create and answer your own question.

Additional Information ?
?

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Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards &

ROHAN GANDHI

EDUCATION

EXPERIENCE
Founder & Childcare Provider | Safe & Fun Babysitting by Rohan, Fremont, CA June 2023 – Present • Founded and operate a babysitting service providing safe, reliable, and engaging care for local families • Supervise children of various ages, plan age-appropriate activities, and assist with homework • Maintain household routines, communicate with parents on needs and behavior, and handle minor first aid calmly Sports Instructor | City of Fremont Recreation Services Nov. 2025 – Present • Instruct children ages 5–12 in beginning to intermediate sports camps, including badminton, basketball, baseball, cricket, football, softball, soccer, and tennis
• Set up equipment and facilities, maintain rosters, and enforce City policies while keeping score of games • Provide encouragement and a positive atmosphere for all participants Camp Counselor | India Community Center (ICC) Summer Camps, Milpitas, CA Summers 2024 – 2025 • Senior Camp Counselor (2025): supervised children ages 5–15, managed check-ins and meals, and prepared rosters and props for daily activities
• Junior Camp Counselor (2024): supported instructors with arts & crafts, extended care, and recreational games

LEADERSHIP & SCHOOL INVOLVEMENT
Student Board Representative | Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA), Aug. 2023 – Present • Elected for three consecutive years (Freshman–Junior) to represent students at PTSA board meetings • Led membership drives at Maze Days and Open House, reaching a record 577 members in 2026; ranked 2nd in Fremont Council and earned a $100 incentive award
• Managed flyers and social media, supported fundraising events, and produced the PTSA year-end video showcase Link Leader, Upperclassmen Leadership Program | 2025 – Present • Mentor incoming freshmen (avg. class of 750) on adjusting to campus, navigating academics, and connecting with upperclassmen support
• Lead team-building activities on orientation days to encourage peer connection Publicist | AHS Film Club, Aug. 2025 – Present
• Manage club promotions, social media, and outreach campaigns • Collaborate on film production, cinematography, editing, and storytelling projects

COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERING
• Badminton Instructor, neighborhood youth program: teaching badminton to children ages 5–12 (2026 – Present) • India Community Center: assisted with youth and cultural events (2023 – 2025) • Warwick Elementary Math Night: guided children in math games and learning activities (Nov. 2023) • Warwick Elementary Trunk-or-Treat: helped organize family participation and event setup (Oct. 2023)

CERTIFICATIONS & HONORS
• Gold President’s Volunteer Service Award (2024): recognized for 120+ volunteer hours at ICC Summer Camps • American Red Cross – Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED (Oct. 2025 – Oct. 2027) • American Red Cross – Babysitting Basics (Completed Aug. 2024) • Junior Achievement: completed coursework in financial literacy, career readiness, and entrepreneurship (2022)

SKILLS & LANGUAGES
Technical: Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Canva, video editing, social media, data entry Interpersonal: Leadership, teamwork, public speaking, communication, event planning Languages: Fluent in English and Hindi; working knowledge of Spanish

ACTIVITIES & INTERESTS
Sports: Badminton ( Team, 2023), volleyball, swimming, biking, hiking Creative: Film production, graphic design, event planning

7.B.1.a
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Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & Submission # 4804386
IP Address 69.209.18.186
Submission Recorded On 05/03/2026 11:56 AM
Time to Take Survey 1 day, 8 minutes, 24 seconds

Page 1 ends

Applications for Boards, Commissions, & Committees
The City Clerk’s Office welcomes applications for all Boards, Commission and Committees year round.

Each year, the City Clerk keeps a current list of applicants. Applications are public records.

You may submit an application at any time between January 1 and December 31. The City may consider your application for any vacancy that comes up during that year.

On December 31, all unselected applications expire. If you would like to be considered again, you must submit a new application.

This process allows the Mayor to review applications already on file if a vacancy comes up. A vacancy may occur if someone resigns, is no longer eligible to serve, or their term ends.
* Personal Information:

Anya Gote
* Home Address:

Home Phone:
**SKIPPED**
Cell Phone:
**SKIPPED**
*
*
*
*
*
*
Questionnaire
*
I want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission for a variety of reasons. Living in Fremont my whole life has not only shaped the person I’ve become, but my perspective of my environment. The city has introduced me to a variety of peers from different backgrounds with different experiences, and getting to know each personality has taught me the importance of diverse opinions and people in a community, because collaboration only takes place when varying input is present. I believe that my generation has been heavily underrepresented, and taking part in the commission would not only change how my voice is heard, but the action taken for numerous others in the community. Those around me know me as a deeply passionate person about the issues that bother me most, whether it be current administrations taking advantage of their power or the mistreatment of others. Being on the Youth Commission would give me the opportunity to actually make change and express beliefs both from myself and others whose voices are underrepresented. I’ve seen the community of Fremont change throughout my years living here; a personal example of this would be where a meeting was held in my garage to add a stop sign near the entrance of my community due to my dad raising the issue with neighbors. Being around people who act on their problems has influenced me heavily and taught me that problems are best solved when you take matters into your own hands. Granted the opportunity to join the Fremont Youth Advisory Commission, I would not only communicate the wishes of locals, but take direct responsibility for meeting their needs through collaboration with my peers and higher-ups, because a city is only as great as its residents’ happiness. *
One problem Fremont teens face is the rigorous pressure to do well academically, not only from their parental figures, but their environment. Bay Area high schoolers are pretty much infamous for their meticulous academics & time-consuming extracurriculars, often just to gain admissions into a prestigious college. This has become the norm in the area; having an unweighted 4.0 is just the base line for students here. However, the impact of surrounding yourself with exhausting responsibilities is not properly recognized by families or staff at schools, and measures are not taken to protect the mental health of those who are stressing themselves over their future, no matter how stable. One event I would propose to normalize mental health days & breaks for students would be a schedule of themed night markets at high schools in Fremont that align with the theme of raising awareness and looking after one’s wellbeing. Inviting different nonprofits and other organizations that surround mental health & collaborating with high school clubs would not only raise interest, but make the market an engaging way to not only spend time with friends but learn about the importance of keeping yourself mentally stable. Booths would have different, inviting items such as food, accessories, etc. and also would provide information & resources to avoid academic burnout.

Students would be able to avoid or at the very least, reduce, their experience of ‘sophomore slump’ and ‘senioritis’ among all grades. Families attending would also benefit as they would be increasingly educated about the impact of pressure on their child & how to balance both work and life. Publicizing would come majorly from social media as it is the easiest way to reach the target audience of high school students, and posts would be made on a scheduled basis beginning a few weeks before and leading up to the event(s). They would be both on the collaborating nonprofits’ accounts and the high school and/or the high school’s mental health club’s (if present) account. The city would Email
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7.B.1.a
Packet Pg. 87
Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & also publish the event on social media and flyers would be put up along public spaces and school hallways. Overall, the series of night markets around different Fremont high schools would combine a fun night out with educational information about an immensely common issue in Fremont, therefore reducing intense burden on the student and allowing them to live out their high school years with both academic success & memorable experiences. *
My identity is almost like a mosaic; it's shaped by my experiences and traits that include my cultural background, natural empathy, and the people I surround myself with.

Through the idea of intersectionality, these characteristics form a personalized perspective through which I view the world. My parents immigrated from India in 2001 and have since educated my brother and I on our culture even while living in the United States, whether that be through holidays such as Holi or participating in the Indian spirituality practice of Swadhyay every Sunday. Through embracing my background and ethnicity, I’m not only allowed to partake in societal traditions, but look at the world from the perspective of a person of color. When actively participating in Western culture, it’s necessary for me to keep in mind the systemic nuances and narratives that came from marginalized communities like mine. Along with this, my natural empathy is a leading factor in my interest towards social justice and work surrounding underprivileged communities. Growing up I came to realize that empathy without action is useless; therefore I began acting on my beliefs from a young age. This is shown through different activities; my family and I have donated towards orphanages in India, built neighborhood libraries through the nonprofit we own and distribute them across the Bay Area, and I partake in a leadership team surrounding social justice workshops and advocacy at my school. Being aware of my privilege as someone who was lucky enough to come from a relatively wealthy family allows me to support those who were not as fortunate. Another piece of who I am greatly comes from those around me, whether it be my family, friends, or mentors. I’ve learned from different situations that my values and beliefs are heavily influenced by the people around me, and almost like a sponge, I soak up the energy around me, whether positive or negative. Through varying experiences, I was able to understand the impact of the words that I hear and choose the proper people to befriend. The specific curation of my environment has led me to find life-long peers who have not only seen me grow, but also introduced me to different hobbies that I now enjoy greatly, including volleyball, piano, and art, among others. Through the intersection of these traits, I see the world through a selective lens that is shaped because of my past, present, and hopes of the future.
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As of recently, the method on how to tackle AI’s impact on education has shifted from preventing all use to managing how AI is used and prioritizing the skills that are retained from maintaining important capabilities such as critical thinking and cognitive abilities. I believe that in a time where people have only gotten more compliant, it is necessary to continue teaching the importance of coming up with your own thoughts and values instead of them being decided by an online persona. While all usage of AI is not inherently bad, the crucial threat to the future of our society is students graduating without naturally human traits that AI is not able to recreate. To promote these skills in the city of Fremont, there are a variety of ideas that are implementable across high schools. I would begin with making it mandatory for students to attend workshops or labs that educate about the importance of digital ethics and individual mental processes, along with the history behind AI so that they are able to be in control of the tools accessible to them. Along with these kinds of workshops, another would be available for workplace culture and professional development. These would be impactful as students would be able to understand how to behave when in workplace situations, whether it be collaborating with clashing personalities or presenting findings to a group of higher-ups. While using AI can be more efficient and even encouraged today, we shouldn’t allow it to replace the very traits that allow for innovation. Through spreading the knowledge necessary to preserve crucial human characteristics, we are able to sustain the future of our society and not allow for AI to metaphorically take over our collective thought processes.
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7.B.1.a
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Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & Submission # 4731775
IP Address 73.63.234.7
Submission Recorded On 03/30/2026 4:01 PM
Time to Take Survey 45 minutes, 28 seconds

Page 1 ends

Applications for Boards, Commissions, & Committees
The City Clerk’s Office welcomes applications for all Boards, Commission and Committees year round.

Each year, the City Clerk keeps a current list of applicants. Applications are public records.

You may submit an application at any time between January 1 and December 31. The City may consider your application for any vacancy that comes up during that year.

On December 31, all unselected applications expire. If you would like to be considered again, you must submit a new application.

This process allows the Mayor to review applications already on file if a vacancy comes up. A vacancy may occur if someone resigns, is no longer eligible to serve, or their term ends.
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Eckam S. Grewal, N/A
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I want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission because I want to give a voice to the voiceless, people who don't get the same opportunities as I did to speak out for others. I'm especially politically passionate, allowing me to find interest in helping the youth. When it comes to my future, politics comes first, hence being on Youth Commission Boards is especially important to me. The Youth Advisory Commission will help me learn about local government and how advocating for the youth can make a large impact on their lives. Diving deeper, most applicants find interest in applying to more and more commissions as another thing on college applications, but for me, it's more than that. I want to take action, solving problems and issues in Fremont that no one has even heard about. Already being a part of a speech and debate team, I can uphold myself in large public discussions. Overall, being on the Youth Advisory Commission can assist me in taking my political dream to the next step by educating me on pubic discussions and how the local government works.
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Stress is something known to play a factor in adults' lives when it comes to juggling work and taking care of kids, but in reality, it can be a significant factor for the youth when it comes to dealing with school, extracurricular activities, and the constant pressure of college. This is why mental health, something that is greatly overlooked, can be a huge problem in Fremont, and an event to address this issue is crucial. Diving deeper, an event like this could be held at school, where most students gather after the bell.

Looking closer, we could set up games and activities that help teens learn about mental health and what to do if their friend is struggling with it. Instead of an assembly that we are used to, which isn't engaging and thoughtful at all. These types of events could be organized with schools across FUSD, with teachers, parents, and board members volunteering. These events would be publicized to the youth in school with posters and morning announcements, which are able to remind students. Furthermore, mental health is something that needs to be addressed, and a school wide event is key to heal the problem. *
Three aspects of my identity that shape my life are religion, sports, and a challenge I faced, which helped me grow stronger. Diving deeper, Sikhism identifies one large principle of selfless work, better known as "seva," which is a clear definition of helping others without pay; it is something that comes from the heart, something that people today don't have. Moving on, sports, which have been a large part of my identity since I was little as shaped me and my outlook on life in several ways. But most importantly, leadership: as a captain of my field hockey team (one of them being Hayward Hawks), I take great pride in leading and administering my teammates. Though it isn't easy, I've persevered and grown my leadership skills, guiding my team to many golds. Lastly, at the age of nine, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, which turned my whole family into a panic, including me. With my dad researching this sickness, and him being in the hospital with my mom all the time, now me being nine, I was forced to become more independent. During this time, I was dealing with sports, debate, and a handful of other extracurriculars, and I still had to persist. Times like these shaped my Email
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Why do you want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission? What is a problem Fremont teens face and propose an event to address this problem. How would you organize and publicize this event? What are three (3) aspects of your identity that shape your outlook on life?

7.B.1.a
Packet Pg. 89
Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & outlook on life from a young age, helping me develop stronger and more perseverant. *
Question: Why is civic engagement important in Fremont, and how can we boost it? We don't know? In densely populated cities like Fremont, problems arise, such as public transportation or public health, and we wouldn't know without civic engagement. In addition, civic engagement gives a voice to the youth, something that is mostly overlooked. Moreover, civic engagement builds community trust, allowing people to rely on the Fremont government. Thus, it is a must in society, but how will we increase it, especially for the youth? Firstly, events or advertising that give reason to speak up about issues that are faced in Fremont, we could also implement technology allowing for surveys or polls, which may allow for higher voting rates. Wrapping up, civic engagement opens doors for opinions and lost opportunities to be heard, growing Fremont as a whole.
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7.B.1.a
Packet Pg. 90
Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & Submission # 4925679
IP Address 73.252.182.4
Submission Recorded On 07/02/2026 10:46 PM
Time to Take Survey 15 minutes, 2 seconds

Page 1 ends

Applications for Boards, Commissions, & Committees
The City Clerk’s Office welcomes applications for all Boards, Commission and Committees year round.

Each year, the City Clerk keeps a current list of applicants. Applications are public records.

You may submit an application at any time between January 1 and December 31. The City may consider your application for any vacancy that comes up during that year.

On December 31, all unselected applications expire. If you would like to be considered again, you must submit a new application.

This process allows the Mayor to review applications already on file if a vacancy comes up. A vacancy may occur if someone resigns, is no longer eligible to serve, or their term ends.
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Cindy Gu
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By serving on the Youth Advisory Commission, I want to make sure that the voices of young people are heard in our community. As a high school student, I have seen how decisions made by adults have affected teens in their education, mental health, and community involvement; however, teens are often not given a chance to share their perspectives. Therefore, I want to be on the Commission to advocate for students’ needs and further develop my leadership. My interest in youth advocacy stems from years of working with students of different ages and backgrounds. Since seventh grade, I have taught weekly robotics classes, mentored younger students, and helped lead FIRST Lego League and FIRST Tech Challenge clubs to International Worlds competitions. Outside of teaching, I also spread the word about robotics through activities such as hosting an exhibit at the Tech Museum, demonstrating our robot at the Newark library workshop, and presenting at the Earth Day Fair in Hayward, which, in total, captivated over 1,000 people to understand more about FIRST and STEM. Volunteering with Friends of Children with Special Needs (FCSN) to teach robotics also shaped my perspective on advocacy. When working with a student on fixing her robot, she told me about how her voice was often overlooked since she worked more slowly than her peers, and others thought she was incapable of speaking up for herself. Therefore, I dedicated more hours into helping create a specialized learning curriculum for students of all capabilities to be comfortable with learning and sharing their own ideas. Through this effort, my team received the FCSN volunteer award. Beyond robotics, I have worked with TurnUp, a youth-led civic engagement organization focused on increasing voter participation among young people. Through this internship, I actively participated in grassroots advocacy by phone banking, text banking, and conducting voter outreach campaigns to encourage all voters to vote regardless of their ages. These experiences strengthened my communication skills and reinforced my belief that civic engagement starts with helping young people recognize that their perspectives matter and that they have the ability to create meaningful change. These moments reinforced my belief that leadership is not just about organizing events or leading teams, but about making sure everyone has the opportunity to be heard and represented. *
One issue that many Fremont teens face is the intense academic pressure that comes with attending highly competitive schools. Many private and public schools in the area expect students to be high achievers, constantly giving their students the pressure to get into top colleges. According to the California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS) in the Fremont Union School District, when asked about adult expectations about grades, 74% of 7th graders, 65% of 9th graders, and 63% of 11th graders reported that adults have high expectations for students in school. In addition, between 20% and 30% of students in grades 7, 9, and 11 reported experiencing chronic sadness at school over the past 12 months, and approximately 11% reported seriously considering attempting suicide. These findings highlight the presence of high academic expectations and mental health challenges among high-school students across multiple grade levels. The City of Fremont also recognized youth mental health as an important issue by creating the Youth Mental Health & Wellness Forum in 2020, which included presentations by mental health doctors, the Department of Mental Health and Wellness, and the City of Fremont’s Youth Wellness Ambassadors, highlighting the importance of youth mental health. To address this challenge, I would organize a Student Wellness event that Email
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Why do you want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission? What is a problem Fremont teens face and propose an event to address this problem. How would you organize and publicize this event?

7.B.1.a
Packet Pg. 91
Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & focuses on promoting mental health challenges and ways to alleviate stress. It would begin with interactive stress-management workshops led by mental health professionals whom I will invite. Students could learn healthy strategies for managing workloads and coping with stress. There would also be panels in which speakers share personal experiences with setbacks and challenges and the ways they have overcome them. Hearing successful students discuss failures they have overcome will also help normalize these experiences and reduce the pressure many teens place on themselves. There would be an anonymous online survey for students to submit questions about mental health, which would then be addressed by professionals. To organize and publicize the event, I would collaborate with local schools, counseling departments, and other student organizations to spread awareness and ensure the event is shared through classroom announcements and school newsletters. I will promote our events through social media and school announcements. I will partner with local libraries and youth centers to spread event flyers. *
Three aspects of my identity that shape my outlook in life are my practice of Shaolin Kung Fu, my role as a mentor and robotics leader, and my commitment to volunteering and civic engagement. Kung Fu has been a major part of my life since I was five years old and has shaped my understanding of discipline in a way that goes beyond physical training. Through years of practice, competitions, and performances, I have learned that progress may be slow, but consistency leads to growth over time. It has also taught me about humility as no matter how much I improve, there is always more to learn. Kung Fu has given me a stronger sense of identity in traditions that have been passed down for generations to me. It has become a meaningful part of who I am. Second, my experience as a mentor and robotics leader in FIRST Tech Challenge has defined my leadership. Since middle school, I have taught robotics classes in my team’s annual summer camp, the school club I founded for FIRST Lego League and First Tech Challenge, and spread awareness about robotics throughout different activities in my community, such as library workshops and Earth Day fairs. Through teaching others, I have realized that leadership is not about control but about creating an environment where others feel confident enough to collaborate as a team. After I introduced rotating roles, members not only learned coding, hardware, and other responsibilities but also picked a task that was aligned to their interests. Subsequently, they became more confident to engage in team discussions. Third, my volunteering and work throughout the community has shaped my sense of empathy and responsibility. When teaching at Friends of Children with Special Needs, I learned how crucial inclusion is, especially when I worked with individuals who faced barriers to participation. I understand the importance of giving such students the voice to speak up and empathize with their experiences. In TurnUp Youth Activism, I have also been exposed to youth civic engagement and the importance of making sure young people are not only heard but actively involved in shaping decisions that affect their future. These experiences have shown me that service is not just about helping others in the moment but about advocating for systems that encourage long-term inclusion. *
How has your definition of leadership shaped the way you serve your community? Meaningful leadership to me is about creating opportunities for others to be heard and encouraging collaboration. As the Outreach lead in my FIRST Tech Challenge robotics team, I have helped organize and attend many events throughout the Bay Area that introduce students and families to robotics. Through demonstrating our robot at museums and libraries, hosting annual summer camps, organizing robotics fairs and scrimmages, mentoring FIRST Lego League teams, and teaching weekly robotics classes for children with special needs, I have seen how one conversation can inspire students to pursue STEM. I have spread word about robotics to create opportunities for young kids to explore their curiosity and worked with others to further advance their knowledge and start their own STEM journey. Teams that we have mentored have grown into fierce competitors, with several advancing from local qualifiers to the Northern California Championship and even the FIRST World Championship. Beyond my local community, I have also extended opportunities internationally, especially in underrepresented places that don’t have access to resources, such as Rwanda, rural China, and Colombia. For instance, my team worked with the College du Christ Roi FIRST Lego League team in Rwanda, supporting its growth in robotics through online mentorship in Zoom and donating $1,404 worth of LEGO kits and Arduino materials. As a result, all students in the Rwanda team could access meaningful STEM learning opportunities and participate in global robotics competitions. As part of my school's National Honors Society program, I furthered my leadership by expanding service initiatives with my classmates. We have run book drives and donational collections that benefited local families. In the next school year, I hope to help organize efforts to make it easier for students to get involved in meaningful and long-term service projects that strengthens the community. I am currently completing volunteer training with Hope Hospice, where I am learning how to provide compassionate support to terminally ill patients and their families during the patients’ most difficult moments. This experience is reinforcing my notion of listening with empathy and serving people in ways that meet their individual needs. Through these experiences, I hope to create a lasting impact on every community I serve and continue making a difference. **SKIPPED**
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Youth Advisory Commission .pdf
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What are three (3) aspects of your identity that shape your outlook on life? Create and answer your own question.

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7.B.1.a
Packet Pg. 92
Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards &

CINDY GU

SUMMER ACTIVITIES
1) Attended Notre Dame University Summer Scholars Program (11th, Notre Dame, IN) a) Life Science: Environmental Science and Cancer Biology b) In Cancer Biology, studied breast cancer and how to determine whether the cells are estrogen receptor positive for hormone treatment through crystal violet essays, immunofluorescence tags, and spectrophotometry microscopy. c) In Environmental Science, studied Woodland and Suburban Creeks through CQHEI (Citizens’ Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index) and PTI (Pollution Toleration Index) to determine the health of the stream and how to analyze literature review of previous papers on stream restoration. 2) Visited Stanford Ocean Lab and learned how robotics are used in their research.

Talked with David Muccairone, Lab Manager, R&D Scientist & Engineer, Climate Change and Ocean Chemistry, Stanford University (11th, Stanford, CA) 3) Talked with Professor Tingting Xiang, Bioengineering Department, University of California, Riverside and learned coral bleaching and robotics (11th, online) 4) Attended Stanford EXPLORE Lecture Series at the Stanford School of Medicine (10th, Stanford, CA)
● Studied basic fundamentals and current research areas in Immunology, Neuroscience, Regenerative and Stem Cell Medicine, Cancer Biology, Bioengineering and Bioinformactics
5) Co–organized Lobster Cup International Robotics Competition (10th, San Mateo, CA) ● 24 FTC team and over 1000 participants from around the globe 6) Organized and taught at Alphabots Lego Summer camp (10th, Newark, CA) a) Annual Summer Camp for 2 weeks, teach students from 1st-5th grade about robotics through First Lego League pieces and VEX robotics

LEADERSHIP, EXTRACURRICULARS, AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
1) National–The President’s Volunteer Service Award–Gold Inside School: (academic and non–academic)
1) FIRST FTC Robotics Club (10th–present), Founder and President (leadership role) ● Built a 10–member FTC team from scratch and taught them FIRST Tech Challenge CAD (computer-aided design) through Fusion 360, hardware of the robot, and software aspects using Java
● Mentored Team Mecha Masters, and they won Think Award 2nd Place in FIRST Tech ChallengeSaratoga Qualifying Tournament
2) Hosted NorCal FLL Challenge Spring League tournament (10th, Mountain View, CA) ○ 40+ FLL teams attended to practice, compete, and develop their skills 3) Hosted two NorCal FLL Challenge tournaments at Basis (9th) 4) FIRST FLL Robotics Club (7th–present), Founder and President

7.B.1.a
Packet Pg. 93
Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & ● Has been mentoring two FLL teams in Basis Independent Fremont Lower School since 7th grade
● Taught students in 1st–5th grade every Friday about building FIRST FLL robots using Lego Spike and coding them. Arduino Systems was also taught, including different sensors and their software mechanisms.
5) Human Anatomy and Physiology Club (10th–present), Co-Founder ● Taught students every Tuesday about human anatomy paired with their organ systems
● Helped lead dissections of cow eye, sheep brain, and pig fetuses for students 7th–12th grade
6) School NHS (11th grade)
● 2026-2027 school year
Outside School:(academic and non–academic)
7) USA Chinese Institute of Engineers/San Francisco Bay Area Chapter Member (10th–present)
8) Student Association for STEM Advocacy Member (9th–present) ● Advocate for further support in STEM Education funding of the CHIPS and Science Act, giving money for STEM in underrepresented communities and spreading robotics to more individuals
9) National Service Honor Award-Gold (10th)
10) FCSN (Friends of Children with Special Needs) Volunteer Award (10th) ● Taught at FCSN every Sunday and my FTC team was awarded the FCSN volunteer award
● Students of all ages can attend, and learned skills through Lego Education WeDo sets for hardware and software
11) The President’s Volunteer Service Award–Gold (9th)
12) Facilitated visitor interactions for the lego robotics booth at San Jose Tech Interactive Museum (9th)
13) Taught Arduino programming language to College du Christ Roi, an FLL team in Rwanda, received letter of appreciation (9th)
● Donated $1,404 of LEGO parts and Arduino kits to fuel STEM education ● Delivered an interactive, hands-on Arduino programming course via Zoom 14) Represented Alphabots at Science in the Park (9th, Cal State East Bay) ● Spread awareness about robotics and the applications between robotics helping the environment
● Demonstrated our robot to 800+ people
15) Robot Demo at Newark Library (9th, 10th)
● Demonstrated our robot at Newark Library Workshop and explained FIRST and our journey through FIRST Tech Challenge
● Inspired 300+ people to develop an interest in FIRST

SPORTS AND PERFORMANCE ART
Practice Kung Fu at Shaolin Temple USA since five years old ● Tiger Claw Kung-fu Championships (9th)

7.B.1.a
Packet Pg. 94
Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & ○ Shaolin Short Weapon - Broadsword GOLD
○ Shaolin Long Weapon - Spear SILVER
○ Shaolin Fist - Seven Star Fist SILVER
● Golden State International Wushu Championships (9th), 2000+ participants from worldwide. It is the largest Chinese martial arts event in the United States. ○ Shaolin Short Weapon - Broadsword GOLD
○ Shaolin Fist - Seven Star Fist GOLD
○ Shaolin Long Weapon - Spear SILVER
○ Qualified for US National Wushu Team
● Perform Shaolin Kung Fu in cultural events
○ China Night at San Francisco Herbst Theatre (10th)
○ Homage to Ancestors Ceremony at San Francisco Civic Center Plaza (9th) ○ “China Night” at San Mateo Performing Arts Center (9th)

7.B.1.a
Packet Pg. 95
Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards &

7.B.1.a
Packet Pg. 96
Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & Submission # 4900216
IP Address 2600:1700:3bd0:4960:ec1d:fa15:b020:f8d7
Submission Recorded On 06/19/2026 6:15 PM
Time to Take Survey 46 minutes, 27 seconds

Page 1 ends

Applications for Boards, Commissions, & Committees
The City Clerk’s Office welcomes applications for all Boards, Commission and Committees year round.

Each year, the City Clerk keeps a current list of applicants. Applications are public records.

You may submit an application at any time between January 1 and December 31. The City may consider your application for any vacancy that comes up during that year.

On December 31, all unselected applications expire. If you would like to be considered again, you must submit a new application.

This process allows the Mayor to review applications already on file if a vacancy comes up. A vacancy may occur if someone resigns, is no longer eligible to serve, or their term ends.
* Personal Information:

Ashwin Harish
* Home Address:

Home Phone:

Cell Phone:
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I want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission because I believe students should have a voice in decisions that affect them. Recently, I created a student voice platform called TheYouthLedger to give students like myself a place to share ideas, discuss issues that matter to them, and highlight youth achievements. As I was planning my first article, I wanted to answer a question that many students probably wonder about but rarely ask: “How are education decisions made in Fremont?” While researching that article, I learned about the Youth Advisory Commission. I was excited to discover that Fremont already has a forum where young people can share their perspectives directly with city leaders. The more I learned about the commission, the more I realized that it was exactly the type of opportunity I had been looking for. I immediately wanted to become involved. Fremont has been ranked one of the happiest cities for families for several years, but maintaining that reputation requires continuously listening to young people and understanding the challenges they face. Students often have valuable ideas and perspectives, yet many do not know how to share them with decision-makers. I want to help bridge that gap. Through Student Council, mentoring younger students, and creating TheYouthLedger, I have learned that leadership is not just about sharing your own opinions. It is about listening to others, understanding different viewpoints, and helping turn ideas into action. I have also learned that real change happens when people are willing to work together toward common goals. As a middle school student, I would bring a perspective that is often underrepresented. Many youth organizations focus primarily on high school students, but middle school students face important challenges and transitions as well. I would help ensure that younger students have a voice in conversations that affect them. I hope to serve in leadership roles throughout my life, and I see the Youth Advisory Commission as an opportunity to learn how local government works while helping make a positive impact in Fremont today. Most importantly, I want to help ensure that student voices are heard, valued, and included in shaping the future of our community.
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One of the biggest problems Fremont teens face is balancing academic pressure with their mental well-being. Students are expected to take challenging classes, participate in extracurricular activities, volunteer, and build impressive resumes. While these opportunities can be positive, the pressure to stand out now begins as early as middle school. Many students are never taught practical skills for managing stress, staying organized, or avoiding burnout. Over time, this pressure can build up. By the time students reach high school, especially 11th grade, some are already exhausted from years of trying to keep up. I have seen this firsthand through my sister's experience, which helped me realize how common this issue can be. To address this problem, I would organize a "Fremont Teen Reset Summit." This would be a student-led event focused on helping students build healthy habits and learn practical strategies for managing stress. The event would include workshops on time management, organization, and goal setting.

There would also be student panels where students could openly discuss their experiences with stress and balancing responsibilities. Local counselors and community organizations could provide resources and advice. To organize the event, I would work with student councils, schools, community organizations, and volunteers. My experience on Student Council has taught me how to coordinate events and work with different groups of people. I would create a planning team with clear roles, such as Email
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School
Grade
Why do you want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission? What is a problem Fremont teens face and propose an event to address this problem. How would you organize and publicize this event?

7.B.1.a
Packet Pg. 97
Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & outreach, speakers, activities, volunteer coordination, and publicity, so students could help lead the event instead of just attending it. To publicize the event, I would use school newsletters, announcements, social media, and student ambassador programs. Through Science Olympiad and Model United Nations, I have built connections with students from different schools across Fremont and the Bay Area. I would work with student leaders from those schools to spread information about the event and encourage participation. I would also use TheYouthLedger to share articles, interviews, and reminders before the event so more students understand why the summit matters. My goal would not be to create a one-time event. I would want the summit to become an annual program that helps students develop skills they can use throughout middle school, high school, and beyond.
*
My experiences have helped shape who I am and how I see the world. From science projects, sports, leadership roles, and community activities, I have learned different lessons that guide me. Science has taught me to ask questions and look for solutions. Sports have taught me to work hard and not give up. Leadership has taught me to listen to others and help people feel included. Together, these experiences have helped me become more curious, responsible, and motivated to help my community. Three parts of my identity that shape how I see the world are being an environmental problem-solver, a disciplined learner, and a listener and leader. As an environmental problemsolver, I like learning about problems that affect people and thinking about how to help solve them. Through the “You Be The Solution” Challenge, I worked on a project about PFAS contamination in drinking water. This showed me that science can be used to help with real problems in our communities. It also taught me that students can make a difference, even if we are still young. As a disciplined learner, I have learned persistence through tennis, martial arts, school, and other activities. Earning my black belt and competing in tournaments taught me that success takes practice, patience, and effort. Sometimes progress is slow, but I have learned to keep going and improve step by step. Balancing different activities has also taught me how to manage my time and stay organized. As a listener and leader, I have learned that leadership starts with understanding others. Through Student Council, mentoring younger students, and creating TheYouthLedger, I have had chances to listen to other students, represent their ideas, and bring people together. These experiences taught me that good leaders do not just talk. They listen, include others, and help people feel heard. Together, these parts of my identity have taught me to approach challenges with curiosity, discipline, and a desire to help my community. They remind me that leadership is about learning, taking action, and supporting others.
*
How can today’s teens help shape the future of our community? Today’s teens and tweens will become tomorrow’s leaders, voters, and decision-makers, so the habits we build now really matter. If we learn to care about our community, speak up respectfully, and work with others, we can help make Fremont stronger in the future. I think one way teens can shape the future is by learning more about the issues around them. When I started TheYouthLedger, my goal was to give students a place to share their voices and talk about topics that matter. While researching my first article about how education decisions are made in Fremont, I learned that many different groups help shape our schools and community. That showed me that if students want to make a difference, we first need to understand how things work. Teens can also help by taking action instead of waiting for adults to solve every problem. Through Student Council, I have learned that even small ideas can make a difference when students work together.

Through the You Be The Solution Challenge, I worked on a project about PFAS contamination in drinking water. That experience taught me that students can think seriously about real problems and try to create solutions. Another way teens can shape the future is by supporting each other. Through mentoring younger students, working with classmates, and building TheYouthLedger, I have learned that listening is a big part of leadership. Good leaders do not just talk. They listen, include others, and help people feel heard. I also think teens can use technology in a positive way. Instead of only using social media for entertainment, we can use it to share helpful information, promote community events, and encourage students to get involved. Most importantly, teens shape the future by the kind of people we choose to become. If we practice responsibility, kindness, teamwork, and honesty now, we will carry those values into adulthood. Fremont’s future will depend on the choices and character of today’s students. By staying informed, taking initiative, and supporting one another, teens can help build a better community for everyone.

One thing that is important to know about me is that I genuinely enjoy learning how things work and how they can be improved. Whether I am competing in Science Olympiad, participating in Model United Nations, serving on Student Council, practicing martial arts, playing competitive tennis, or starting TheYouthLedger, I am always looking for opportunities to learn and grow. I enjoy challenges that involve creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving. I recently started TheYouthLedger because I wanted to create a student voice platform where students can share their ideas, accomplishments, and opinions on issues that matter to them. Since it is new, I am still learning how to build it, improve it, and reach more students. Starting it has already taught me that creating something meaningful takes planning, communication, and patience. It has also helped me understand how important it is for students to have spaces where their voices can be heard. I also believe in giving back to my community. Through mentorship programs, service projects, environmental initiatives, and leadership activities, I have learned that even small actions can have a meaningful impact when people work together. Although I am still in middle school, I am not afraid to take initiative. If I see a problem, I try to understand it, learn more about it, and look for ways to help solve it.

I believe curiosity, hard work, and a willingness to listen are some of the most important qualities a leader can have. If selected for the Youth Advisory Commission, I would bring energy, enthusiasm, and a real desire to represent Fremont’s youth. I would work hard to listen to students, contribute thoughtful ideas, and help make our community even stronger for future generations.

Attachment
Ashwin Harish resume.docx
Thank you
Your interest in serving on a board or commission of the City of Fremont is greatly appreciated.

What are three (3) aspects of your identity that shape your outlook on life? Create and answer your own question.

Additional Information ?
?

7.B.1.a
Packet Pg. 98
Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards &

ASHWIN HARISH
Fremont, CA |

EDUCATION
Fremont, CA
• Honor Roll, Grades 4-6;
• Year-End Top Academic Performer
o Science (Gr 4) | PE (Gr 5) | Math (Gr 6)

LEADERSHIP & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Student Council Representative | | Oct 2025-Present
• Selected to represent Grade 6 students; supported school-wide initiatives, event planning, and student feedback • Only middle school student on Winter Social Planning Committee; collaborated with high school leaders on large campus event • Managed laser game operations, trained/supervised 200+ students, and supported safe participation • Selected as 1 of 12 students for Teacher Evaluation Panel; evaluated 6 candidates and provided written feedback • Served as Student Ambassador during Open House; led tours for prospective families Founder of “TheYouthLedger” | 2026-Present
• Started a student voice platform to highlight youth perspectives, accomplishments, and community issues • Planned first article on “How education decisions are made in Fremont?” to encourage civic awareness Bee Buddies Leadership & Mentorship Program | | Sept 2024-May 2025 • Selected as 1 of 5 students to mentor a Grade 1 student and support a positive school culture • Led service projects: 350+ clothing items donated, $200+ raised, and 2.5 barrels of food contributed • Participated in environmental cleanups, peer education, and student conflict mediation

RESEARCH
You Be The Solution Challenge | Environmental Innovation Project, Team Nerdy Neutrons | 2026 • Developed prototype multi-stage filtration system targeting PFAS contaminants in drinking water • Researched foam fractionation and ion-exchange filtration to address water safety and public health

HONORS & AWARDS
Mathematics | Grades 3-6
• Math League State Champion, Grades 5 & 6;
• Noetic Learning Math Contest National Honor Roll, Grades 3-5 • Math Kangaroo: Grade 4 Rank 22; Grade 5 National Rank 29 and State Rank 27 Science Olympiad | Grades 5-6
• BASIS 1st Overall, 1st Anatomy, 1st Pentathlon;
• Fremont 1st Pentathlon;
• Castro Valley 3rd Overall, 2nd Teamwork, 9th Entomology Science Bowl | Grades 5-6
• Dougherty Valley Middle School Tournament, 4th Place
Robotics| Grades 5-6
• Robotics Creative Award, Grades 5 & 6
Model United Nations | Grade 5-6
• Research Awards at dMUN ( UNOOSA Committee)
• Research Awards at SPBMUN (Vietnam, UNDP)
Language | Grades 5-6
• National Latin Exam: Magna Cum Laude and Bronze Medal

ATHLETICS & ARTS
Tennis | USTA Level 7 & Junior Team Tennis Competitor | 2024-Present • Competes in Northern California USTA tournaments and JTT; selected for Rafa Nadal Academy High Performance Training in Spain Martial Arts | Ernie Reyes West Coast World Martial Arts | Age 4-Present • Earned Dragon Black Belt at age 6, 1st-Degree Black Belt at age 10, and currently holds 2nd-Degree Black Belt • Received 1st-Degree Black Belt Best Technique Award and 2nd-Degree Black Belt Top Performer Award Piano | London School of Music | Grade 3
• Progressing through a structured international music curriculum

SKILLS & INTERESTS
Leadership, public speaking, student outreach, event planning, mentoring, research, writing, teamwork, community service, civic engagement, environmental problem-solving

7.B.1.a
Packet Pg. 99
Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & Applications for Boards, Commissions, & Committees
The City Clerk’s Office welcomes applications for all Boards, Commission and Committees year round.

Each year, the City Clerk keeps a current list of applicants. Applications are public records.

You may submit an application at any time between January 1 and December 31. The City may consider your application for any vacancy that comes up during that year.

On December 31, all unselected applications expire. If you would like to be considered again, you must submit a new application.

This process allows the Mayor to review applications already on file if a vacancy comes up. A vacancy may occur if someone resigns, is no longer eligible to serve, or their term ends.
* Personal Information:

Valerie Jiang
* Home Address:

Fremont CA 94539
Home Phone:

Cell Phone:
* Email
* Birthdate
* Age
* Gender
* School
* Grade
Questionnaire
* Why do you want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission? Serving on the Youth Advisory Commission would give me the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in my community while also growing as a leader. Every student has valuable ideas and perspectives, but many aren’t aware of how to share them, or feel like their voices won't actually make a difference. I want to help mitigate that by working to understand the challenges my peers face, and presenting their points of views in city commission discussions to ensure they’re heard. I believe this commission offers a unique opportunity to create meaningful improvements from students’ ideas, and I would be honored to contribute to that process. What intrigues me most about the Youth Advisory Commission is the chance to contribute youth perspectives to our local government. So many decisions, from AC Transit routes to which textbooks are taught in class, directly affect students. When these decisions are made by adults, there is only so much they can do, as they aren’t experiencing the outcomes personally.

As a result, the choices made are often not optimal. I hope to represent the needs of Fremont students by gathering feedback and presenting it when these choices are being made. I want to contribute ideas that reflect what the student community needs, and collaborate with fellow teens and city officials to come up with solutions. I also see the Youth Advisory Commission as an opportunity for personal growth. Through my experiences in school and at extracurricular activities such as badminton and debate, I have learned that a good leader goes beyond taking charge and assigning responsibilities. Rather, leadership should be about collaborating with others to create a solution that is beneficial to everyone involved. During my time on this commission, I hope to strengthen these skills by working with students and city leaders who each bring unique experiences and perspectives to the table. I believe that serving on the Commission would help me become a more thoughtful communicator, a better collaborator, and a more engaged citizen overall. Ultimately, I hope to leave the Commission knowing that I helped make Fremont a community where young people feel comfortable sharing their opinions. By working to advocate for the perspectives of my peers, I believe I can make a meaningful contribution to my community while also gaining experiences that will help me become a better leader. * What is a problem Fremont teens face and propose an event to address this problem. How would you organize and publicize this event? One of the most significant challenges facing Fremont teens is academic stress and burnout. Students everywhere, particularly in the Bay Area, face expectations to succeed. It’s far too easy to believe that all that matters is going to a top 20 college and getting a high-paying job after, and anything less equals failure. This constant pressure to achieve more and more leaves students, me included, feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. Creating opportunities for students to prioritize their well-being is essential to maintaining a healthy school-life balance, ensuring that students remain mentally and emotionally healthy. To address this issue, I would organize a wellness fair designed to help students learn healthy coping strategies. I’ve seen events like this operate successfully on a smaller scale at Irvington, so I believe it would be possible to expand this to reach more people. We would try to reach students from high schools across Fremont, and even middle schoolers who might benefit from being more Page | 1

7.B.1.a
Packet Pg. 100 Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & prepared before entering high school. This event could feature interactive activities teaching coping strategies and counselors who could chat with kids, all while ensuring students know where they can seek help if they ever need it. While the exact setup of the event would vary based on budget, venue, and other restrictions, the overall goal would be to teach students how to maintain good mental health. To organize and publicize this, I would try to work with counselors from middle and high schools throughout Fremont, as well as community partners such as the ARISE Asian Wellness Project. Students could help run activities in exchange for volunteer hours. To publicize the event, I would primarily use social media. Members of this commission could post on platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, featuring short videos containing sneak peeks of the booths and countdowns until the event. Schools could also promote it through morning announcements, and ASGs at various schools could put it on their social media page. Putting up flyers in libraries and community centers throughout Fremont could help reach more families. Finally, teachers and counselors have the best idea of who might benefit most from attending, so they could encourage students to go. Although one event can’t eliminate academic stress, it can help bring awareness to it and provide students with ways to mitigate it, hopefully creating a healthier approach to academics. * What are three (3) aspects of your identity that shape your outlook on life? Three aspects of my identity that have shaped my outlook on life are being an athlete, being an avid reader, and caring for animals. I began learning to play badminton two years ago, initially just trying to make it onto my school’s JV team. Since then, it has become my passion. It has taught me many things beyond the technical aspects of the sport, particularly what is most important when learning something new. It took me hours and hours of practice to learn badminton, most of which was spent doing footwork, drills, and basic exercises. Rather than immediately playing games, I had to become proficient in the basics first. I now try to apply this mindset to other activities by first focusing on building up individual skills. For example, if I’m trying to learn a new flute piece, I practice small sections before trying to play the entire thing. When I’m learning a new math formula, I strive to understand how it is derived and why it works before using it in a problem. By forming the foundation of a skill, I have everything I need when I’m finally ready to put it all together. Reading is another defining part of who I am. Although the book may be fiction, I can learn so much about the author’s beliefs and background from the way they write the character. Reading has helped me see a variety of perspectives, allowing me to understand how certain experiences can affect different people. It has given me a better understanding of the different challenges people may face, and how they are able to overcome them, helping me empathize with the struggles people may be experiencing. Finally, being an animal lover has influenced how I view advocacy. Animals have no way of communicating their needs and wants, forcing them to rely on people to protect their well-being. Caring for animals has taught me the importance of supporting those who cannot advocate for themselves. I hope to carry that mindset into serving on the Youth Advisory Commission. While Fremont's teens certainly have voices, many people don’t feel heard by people in power. I want to help bridge that gap between students and leaders, and allow them to have an impact on the community they live in. While my identity has far more aspects than these, I feel that these three have influenced me the most. They have shaped how I approach learning, teamwork, and advocacy, and I hope to put what I have learned to use by creating a Fremont that better represents the needs of its students. * Create and answer your own question.

Question: What qualities do you think a good leader embodies? I believe the most important quality for a leader to have is adaptability. While it’s always wonderful to have a plan work out perfectly, such flawless success rarely happens, making it important for a leader to be able to think on the spot and come up with alternative approaches to the problem at hand. It is essential for leaders to be prepared in the event that something goes wrong. At the root of it, a leader is meant to help guide their team, delegate tasks, and ensure that everything is running smoothly. This holds true even when things deviate from the plan. A leader must be able to handle missed deadlines, communication errors, and other unexpected obstacles, all while remaining calm and focused. Anyone can create plans and assign responsibilities, but what distinguishes a strong leader from a poor one is their ability to quickly adapt and ensure progress continues. In addition, leaders need integrity to create a cohesive team. Everyone needs to be able to trust that their leader has their best interests in mind. This leaves them free to focus on their own tasks rather than second-guessing decisions. Furthermore, leaders set the standard for what they expect from their team. When people see their leader fulfilling promises and doing their fair share of the work, they feel motivated to do the same. This creates a productive and collaborative environment, and forms a community where everyone contributes. Finally, a good leader must have a sense of self-awareness and accountability. They must be able to recognize when they have made a mistake, and take initiative to correct it. Although it can be difficult for people to acknowledge that they’ve done something wrong, it is necessary to ensure that the error is properly corrected. Moreover, setting a precedent of transparency and honesty helps teammates feel comfortable getting assistance when they make their own mistakes. Being able to admit to oversights is hard to do, which is why I believe accountability is the mark of a strong leader.

Additional Information
**SKIPPED**
Attachment
**SKIPPED**
Thank you
Your interest in serving on a board or commission of the City of Fremont is greatly appreciated.

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7.B.1.a
Packet Pg. 101 Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & Submission # 4732049
IP Address 2601:646:a201:930:41aa:57a3:174c:d40f
Submission Recorded On 03/30/2026 10:45 PM
Time to Take Survey 13 minutes, 26 seconds

Page 1 ends

Applications for Boards, Commissions, & Committees
The City Clerk’s Office welcomes applications for all Boards, Commission and Committees year round.

Each year, the City Clerk keeps a current list of applicants. Applications are public records.

You may submit an application at any time between January 1 and December 31. The City may consider your application for any vacancy that comes up during that year.

On December 31, all unselected applications expire. If you would like to be considered again, you must submit a new application.

This process allows the Mayor to review applications already on file if a vacancy comes up. A vacancy may occur if someone resigns, is no longer eligible to serve, or their term ends.
* Personal Information:

Anika Kannan
* Home Address:

Home Phone:

Cell Phone:
*
*
*
*
*
*
Questionnaire
*
I want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission because I am passionate about making a tangible difference for Fremont youth. Through co-founding the Unity Aid Project, I organized local fundraisers, library information sessions, and flyer campaigns to provide first aid kits and hygiene supplies to people experiencing homelessness. I guided team members in research and outreach, helping them take ownership of their roles while empowering them to make an impact. In Fremont, I have volunteered as a teaching assistant at Warm Springs and Hirsch Elementary, tutoring students in math and reading and helping them build confidence in learning. As Key Club Fundraising Officer, I organized donation drives for health-focused charities, learning how to listen, collaborate, and coordinate teams effectively. Serving on the Youth Advisory Commission would allow me to combine these leadership, service, and STEM experiences to support local youth programs, promote engagement, and help create opportunities where Fremont teens feel seen, heard, and empowered. *
Many Fremont teens face stress, anxiety, and limited access to mental health resources. I would organize a “Teen Wellness Fair” featuring workshops on stress management, mindfulness activities, peer discussion circles, and booths highlighting local mental health services. I would recruit teen volunteers to research content, facilitate sessions, and assist with event logistics, similar to how I guided Unity Aid team members in research and outreach. I would organize the event by partnering with local schools, libraries, and youth organizations, and publicize it through social media campaigns, flyers at schools and libraries, and community outreach—drawing on my experience passing out flyers for Unity Aid, hosting library information sessions, and coordinating local fundraisers. This combination of hands-on outreach and community partnerships would ensure maximum awareness and participation, creating a safe and supportive space for teens to access resources and learn valuable skills. *
First, I am a researcher, exploring STEM topics like AI prosthetics, genetic engineering ethics, and space biology, which teaches me to approach problems analytically and consider long-term impacts. Second, I am a community leader, as co-founder of Unity Aid and Key Club Fundraising Officer, experiences that showed me the value of collaboration, persistence, and empowering others to make a difference. Third, I am a lifelong learner, curious and adaptable, whether tutoring Fremont students at Warm Springs and Hirsch Elementary, teaching online through Learn To Be, or organizing library sessions and fundraisers. These aspects encourage me to approach life with curiosity, compassion, and a commitment to helping others. *
Question: How do you turn ideas into action to address challenges in your community? Answer: I turn ideas into action by combining planning, teamwork, and hands-on Email
Birthdate
Age
Gender
School
Grade
Why do you want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission? What is a problem Fremont teens face and propose an event to address this problem. How would you organize and publicize this event? What are three (3) aspects of your identity that shape your outlook on life? Create and answer your own question.

7.B.1.a
Packet Pg. 102 Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & effort. For example, with Unity Aid, I saw the need for first aid and hygiene supplies among the homeless, then organized restaurant fundraisers, library information sessions, and local flyer campaigns. I guided team members in research and outreach, coordinated logistics, and spent hours personally promoting our events. Similarly, volunteering at Fremont schools allowed me to identify students’ learning challenges and create tutoring strategies that improved their confidence. These experiences taught me that leadership is about listening, empowering others, and staying persistent—turning awareness into tangible impact.

I have a strong foundation in STEM and leadership. I have taken high level chemistry and cell & molecular biology courses and am proficient in Python and Java. Combined with my leadership and community experiences in Fremont—through Unity Aid, Key Club, and volunteering at Warm Springs and Hirsch Elementary—I am prepared to take on challenges affecting youth and public health. Organizing fundraisers, tutoring students, hosting library sessions, and leading volunteer teams have strengthened my problemsolving, communication, and collaboration skills. I am eager to apply these skills on the Youth Advisory Commission to support Fremont teens, foster community engagement, and create meaningful opportunities for youth development.

Attachment
Anika Kannan_ Resume.docx.pdf
Thank you
Your interest in serving on a board or commission of the City of Fremont is greatly appreciated.

Additional Information ?
?

7.B.1.a
Packet Pg. 103 Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & Anika Kannan
OBJECTIVE Dedicated and compassionate high school student eager to participate and explore healthcare pathways, and strengthen communication and teamwork skills.

EDUCATION
Fremont, CA
Class of 2027
Relevant Coursework
Algebra 1 & II , Geometry,
Trigonometry, Pre-Calc
English 9 & 10 Honors,
AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science
Principles,
AP Chemistry,
AP US History, AP World History,
Web Design
Extracurriculars
● Co-Founder of Unity Aid (Non-Profit
dedicated to helping the homeless)
● Track & Field Team – Sprinter and Thrower
● Tutor for the underprivileged kids in Canada
and New York through Learn to Be
Foundation
● STEM Research Scholar
● School Clubs – Outreach officer for school’s
Bio Medical club and Fund raising officer for
Key Club (Community Service)

7.B.1.a
Packet Pg. 104 Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards &

PROFESSIONAL

EXPERIENCE
Teaching Assistant – Kumon Learning Centre Aug 2025 – Till Date ● Mentored elementary and middle school students in math and reading fundamentals
● Assisted with grading, record-keeping, and instructional preparation ● Encouraged student confidence and independence in learning ● Collaborated with instructors to ensure smooth daily operations STEM Research Scholar
New York Academy of Sciences Jan 2024 – Jan 2025
Selected by merit | Team Research Projects under Professor Mentorship ● Collaborated with a 4-member international team under the guidance of a university professor
● Researched and proposed ethical frameworks for applying Artificial Intelligence in genetic engineering
● Developed scientific approaches for supporting plant growth in microgravity environments (space biology)
● Gained experience in scientific research, critical thinking, cross-cultural collaboration, and presenting complex idea
EPIC Engineering Summer Program – Cal Poly SLO Summer 2025 ● Selected to attend a merit based week-long competitive program focused on engineering exploration
● Completed hands-on labs in supply chain/operations management, with prototypes for successful restaurants
● Biomedical engineering lab learning about proper diastolic and systolic pressure as well as endothelial and factors for endothelial dysfunction. ● Architectural engineering labs learning about construction principles on bridges.
● Collaborated with peers from across the U.S. in team-based design challenges - Designed and built a functioning boat using core engineering principles and teamwork
Volunteer
● Volunteered as a teaching assistant at Warm Springs Elementary Math Club and Hirsch Elementary’s after-school homework centre, supporting young students with academic enrichment.
● Math tutor with Learn To Be, teaching a 6th grader from New York foundational concepts in arithmetic, 5th–6th grade math, and pre-algebra through personalized virtual sessions.
● Serving as a board member and music teaching assistant at Shruthi Swaralaya, helping organize the Bay Area Kala Utsavam and mentoring beginner-level Carnatic music students.
● Organized fundraisers and an art event for Unity Aid; donated first aid kits to local homeless shelters to support community health and well-being.

7.B.1.a
Packet Pg. 105 Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & Submission # 5112868
IP Address 73.71.200.42
Submission Recorded On 09/02/2026 11:30 AM
Time to Take Survey 5 minutes, 54 seconds

Page 1 ends

Applications for Boards, Commissions, & Committees
The City Clerk’s Office welcomes applications for all Boards, Commission and Committees year round.

Each year, the City Clerk keeps a current list of applicants. Applications are public records.

You may submit an application at any time between January 1 and December 31. The City may consider your application for any vacancy that comes up during that year.

On December 31, all unselected applications expire. If you would like to be considered again, you must submit a new application.

This process allows the Mayor to review applications already on file if a vacancy comes up. A vacancy may occur if someone resigns, is no longer eligible to serve, or their term ends.
* Personal Information:

Myra Kaushik
* Home Address:

Home Phone:

Cell Phone:
*
*
*
*
*
*
Questionnaire
*
I want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission because I believe young people need a direct, active voice in shaping the decisions that affect our daily lives. As high school students, we experience the unique challenges facing teens—from mental health and recreational spaces to educational resources— firsthand. Serving on the Commission would give me the platform to identify these critical issues, listen to my peers, and communicate our perspective clearly to the City Council. Furthermore, I am eager to help plan workshops, forums, and conferences that empower other teens to step up, speak out, and take responsibility for the future of our community. *
The Challenge: Food Waste & Unhealthy Eating Habits Many Fremont teens face a double-edged issue regarding food: limited access to quick, affordable, healthy options alongside a lack of awareness around local food waste. Busy school schedules and extracurriculars often lead students toward cheap, highly processed fast food. At the same time, massive amounts of edible food are wasted daily in school cafeterias and local households simply because teens aren't taught how to store, repurpose, or make full use of fresh ingredients. Proposed Event: "Nourish Fremont: The Teen Culinary & Rescue Challenge" To address both issues, I propose Nourish Fremont, a half-day interactive workshop and cooking competition hosted at a local community center or high school kitchen facility. The Educational Workshop: Partner with local nutritionists and food rescue organizations (like Abode Services or local food banks) to host a short session on meal prep, affordable healthy eating, and food preservation. The "Rescue Basket" Cooking Contest: Teams of teens receive a box of "imperfect" or excess produce sourced from local grocery stores and learn how to turn unused ingredients into simple, delicious, healthy meals. Organization Plan Partnerships: Collaborate with local culinary programs, school eco-clubs, and local grocers for food donations and expert guidance. Logistics: Secure a venue with basic kitchen facilities, establish clear safety protocols, and recruit adult supervisors and volunteer judges (e.g., local chefs or health educators). Funding/Sponsorships: Request small grants or donation matchings from the Youth Advisory Commission budget or local businesses to cover basic cooking supplies and prizes. Publicity & Outreach Strategy School Partnerships: Distribute flyers, place announcements in daily school news bulletins, and present at campus clubs (Environmental Club, Red Cross, HOSA, Culinary Clubs) across Fremont high schools. Social Media: Launch a campaign on Instagram and TikTok using short-form videos (e.g., "3-Ingredient Healthy Snack Shifts" or "Leftover Hacks") to generate interest before the event. Community Channels: Share details on local community boards, city newsletters, and library announcement spaces to reach parents and community leaders. *
Empathetic: Being empathetic allows me to listen active and see issues from diverse perspectives. Whether collaborating with classmates or listening to community members, my empathy helps me understand people's lived experiences and ensure everyone feels heard and valued. Hopeful: My hopeful outlook drives me to focus on solutions rather than getting discouraged by challenges. Believing that positive change is always possible gives me the optimism and energy needed to advocate for my community and work Email
Birthdate
Age
Gender
School
Grade
Why do you want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission? What is a problem Fremont teens face and propose an event to address this problem. How would you organize and publicize this event? What are three (3) aspects of your identity that shape your outlook on life?

7.B.1.a
Packet Pg. 106 Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & toward meaningful progress. Focused: A focused mindset helps me translate my hopes and ideas into real results. Once I identify a goal or a problem that needs solving, I stay disciplined, organized, and committed to seeing the effort through to the end. *
Question: What is one key change you would implement to help more high school students feel connected to and involved in local government decisions? Answer: I would establish a "Youth Civic Ambassador" network within local high schools to bridge the gap between students and local city boards. Many teens care deeply about community issues—like public transit, mental health resources, and parks—but don't know how or where to share their input. By partnering with existing campus clubs (such as Student Government, Speech & Debate, or Environmental Clubs), these Ambassadors would regularly share brief, student-friendly updates on local council decisions and collect teen feedback. Creating this direct feedback loop makes local government accessible, relevant, and actionable for everyday students.

I am deeply passionate about making a positive impact in our community. While I bring many ideas to the table, I am seeking the right platform to turn those ideas into action. I hope you will consider my application for a meaningful role on the Youth Advisory Commission, where I can collaborate with others to serve our city effectively.

Attachment
**SKIPPED**
Thank you
Your interest in serving on a board or commission of the City of Fremont is greatly appreciated.

Create and answer your own question.

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7.B.1.a
Packet Pg. 107 Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards &

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Packet Pg. 108 Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards &

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Packet Pg. 109 Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & Submission # 4743088
IP Address 73.222.68.131
Submission Recorded On 04/05/2026 4:50 PM
Time to Take Survey 31 minutes, 6 seconds

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Applications for Boards, Commissions, & Committees
The City Clerk’s Office welcomes applications for all Boards, Commission and Committees year round.

Each year, the City Clerk keeps a current list of applicants. Applications are public records.

You may submit an application at any time between January 1 and December 31. The City may consider your application for any vacancy that comes up during that year.

On December 31, all unselected applications expire. If you would like to be considered again, you must submit a new application.

This process allows the Mayor to review applications already on file if a vacancy comes up. A vacancy may occur if someone resigns, is no longer eligible to serve, or their term ends.
* Personal Information:

Arjun Singh. Khurana
* Home Address:

Home Phone:

Cell Phone:
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Questionnaire
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As a lifelong Fremont resident, I have seen our city evolve into a global hub for innovation, yet I often notice a gap between the city’s technological resources and the everyday experiences of its youth. I want to serve on the YAC to act as a bridge between the City Council and the diverse student body of the Fremont Unified School District.

My background in International Extemporaneous Speaking has trained me to analyze complex policy and communicate it effectively; I want to use this skill to advocate for programs that matter to us, from expanded mental health resources to modernizing our local parks with STEM-integrated spaces. I am not just looking to add a title to my resume; I am looking to be an active listener for my peers and a persistent voice in the room where decisions are made. I believe my unique blend of technical interest and public speaking experience makes me an ideal candidate to help shape a more inclusive, future-ready Fremont. *
The Problem: The "Hyper-Competitive Academic Silo." In a city as high-achieving as Fremont, students often feel immense pressure to succeed in isolation, leading to burnout and a lack of interdisciplinary collaboration. Proposed Event: "The Fremont Fusion Fest." I propose a city-wide, one-day festival that breaks down the walls between different student interest groups. Instead of a standard science fair or a standalone debate tournament, the Fusion Fest would pair "Technical" students (STEM/Robotics) with "Creative/Humanities" students (Art/Speech/Drama) to solve a local city challenge in real-time. For example, teams might design a more efficient public transit route for AC Transit using both data modeling and community storytelling. Organization & Publicity: Organization: I would partner with the Fremont Teen Center and local high school ASBs to secure a venue like Central Park. I would recruit local tech professionals from Tesla or Western Digital to serve as mentors/judges. Publicity: I would use a "MicroInfluencer" strategy, partnering with the social media accounts of every major FUSD club (Robotics, DECA, Speech & Debate). I would also utilize the City of Fremont’s "The Monthly" newsletter and physical QR-coded posters at popular teen spots like the Pacific Commons and local boba shops to reach students outside of the typical academic circles.
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The "Technical Communicator": My identity is split between the precision of Mechanical Engineering and the persuasion of Competitive Speech. This duality shapes my outlook by reminding me that a brilliant solution is only as good as one’s ability to explain it. I don't just see problems as math equations; I see them as human stories that require technical fixes. The First-Generation Innovator: Growing up in an immigrant-heavy community like Fremont, I am shaped by the "strive" culture. My outlook is defined by a deep sense of responsibility to use the educational opportunities I have to create tools—like my AI Speech Coach nonprofit—that lower the barrier to entry for others. The Local Environmentalist: Living near the Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge has made me a "Green Engineer." My identity is tied to the local landscape, which drives my interest in human-centric mechatronics. I believe innovation should not come at the cost of our local ecosystem, but should instead work to preserve the natural beauty of the Email
Birthdate
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Why do you want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission? What is a problem Fremont teens face and propose an event to address this problem. How would you organize and publicize this event? What are three (3) aspects of your identity that shape your outlook on life?

7.B.1.a
Packet Pg. 110 Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & Bay Area.
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Question: How can youth-led initiatives utilize emerging technology to solve local social inequities? Answer: Many people view technology like Artificial Intelligence as a tool for big corporations, but I believe its true power lies in "Hyper-Local" applications. For example, during my work with my AI Speech Coach nonprofit, I realized that the same NLP technology used by global firms could be used to help a student at a Title 1 school in the East Bay prepare for a job interview. Youth-led initiatives are uniquely positioned to identify these "small" but life-changing gaps. By integrating basic coding and CAD skills into our community service, we can move from simply "identifying" problems to "prototyping" solutions. As a member of the YAC, I would champion "Civic-Tech" workshops that teach Fremont teens how to build simple apps or hardware that address local issues, proving that you don't need a PhD to make a tangible difference in your own backyard. **SKIPPED**
Attachment
**SKIPPED**
Thank you
Your interest in serving on a board or commission of the City of Fremont is greatly appreciated.

Create and answer your own question.

Additional Information ?
?

7.B.1.a
Packet Pg. 111 Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & Applications for Boards, Commissions, & Committees
The City Clerk’s Office welcomes applications for all Boards, Commission and Committees year round.

Each year, the City Clerk keeps a current list of applicants. Applications are public records.

You may submit an application at any time between January 1 and December 31. The City may consider your application for any vacancy that comes up during that year.

On December 31, all unselected applications expire. If you would like to be considered again, you must submit a new application.

This process allows the Mayor to review applications already on file if a vacancy comes up. A vacancy may occur if someone resigns, is no longer eligible to serve, or their term ends.
* Personal Information:

Aaditi Koparde
* Home Address:

Home Phone:

Cell Phone:
* Email
* Birthdate
* Age
* Gender
* School
* Grade
Questionnaire
* Why do you want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission? Being part of Fremont has shown me how much teenagers have to say but how rarely those voices actually reach the people making decisions. I want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission because I want to change that. Through the Mayor Student Internship program I got to see up close how local decisions shape everyday life and it made me realize how important it is for young people to actually have a seat at that table. Interning at a dentist office also gave me a perspective on how community health and access to resources affects people differently and it pushed me to want to do more for the people around me. What draws me to this commission is the chance to take real issues that matter to teens and bring them to the City Council in a way that leads to actual change. I want to help create spaces whether that is through workshops, meetings, or open conversations where teenagers feel like their concerns are worth talking about. Teen leadership does not just happen on its own, it needs people willing to step up and build that environment and that is exactly what I want to do as part of this commission. * What is a problem Fremont teens face and propose an event to address this problem. How would you organize and publicize this event? One problem Fremont teens face is feeling disconnected from the decisions that shape their city. Most teenagers have real opinions about what happens in their community but never get the chance to express them in a setting where it actually matters. This disconnect leads to teens feeling like their voice does not count which makes them less likely to get involved at all. To address this I would organize a Teen Town Hall event in Fremont where young people can come together, discuss issues that directly affect them, and have those concerns heard by city representatives and council members. The event would include open discussion sessions where teens can speak freely about what they want to see change in Fremont and what decisions they feel left out of. To publicize it I would use social media, school announcements, and flyers across Fremont to make sure as many teens as possible know about it. Reaching teens where they already are is the most effective way to get them through the door. The goal is not just one conversation but a starting point for making teen involvement in city decisions a regular thing. Fremont teens deserve to be heard and this event would be a step toward making that happen.
* What are three (3) aspects of your identity that shape your outlook on life? The experiences I have had living in different places, being an eldest daughter, and being someone driven by competition have shaped the way I see and move through the world. Living across different places has exposed me to different cultures, environments, and ways of thinking that most people my age have not experienced. Moving and adapting taught me how to be flexible, read rooms quickly, and find my footing in unfamiliar situations. It shaped the way I see the world because I have had to see it from multiple angles. Being an eldest daughter has shaped me in ways I did not even realize until recently. There is a level of responsibility that comes with that role that nobody Page | 1

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Packet Pg. 112 Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & assigns you, you just feel it. I have always been someone who looks out for others, steps up when things need to get done, and takes accountability seriously. That has carried into everything I do. Being driven by competition is the third part of me that shapes how I move through life. I do not compete just to beat others, I compete because it pushes me to be better than I was before. Whether that is in DECA, debate, or anything else I am part of, competition is what makes me show up and give my best. Together these three things have made me someone who adapts, takes responsibility, and never settles. * Create and answer your own question.

How do you balance multiple commitments? Balancing multiple commitments is something I have had to figure out through actually doing it. Between being a co lead at the Fremont Debate program, the Mayor Student Internship, interning at a dentist office, being part of WHS TAAL, and competing in DECA, there are days where it feels like a lot. But I have never seen that as a reason to drop something. Being an eldest daughter taught me early on that when you take on responsibility you follow through on it no matter what. You do not get to just walk away because it gets hard. That mindset is what keeps me going when things pile up. I have learned to stay organized, prioritize what needs attention, and show up for every commitment the same way I showed up when I first joined. The truth is balancing everything has made me better at all of it.

Each thing I am part of teaches me something that carries over into the others.

Additional Information
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Attachment
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Thank you
Your interest in serving on a board or commission of the City of Fremont is greatly appreciated.

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7.B.1.a
Packet Pg. 113 Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards &

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Packet Pg. 114 Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards &

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Packet Pg. 115 Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards &

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Packet Pg. 116 Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission Applications (5833 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & Submission # 4728858
IP Address 24.130.35.76
Submission Recorded On 03/29/2026 1:45 PM
Time to Take Survey 49 minutes, 42 seconds

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