Fremont City Council Meeting
Tuesday, February 4th, 2025
7:00 p.m.
>> MAYOR SALWAN: GOOD EVENING.
COUNCILMEMBER SHAO?
WE'RE READY.
GOOD EVENING, EVERYBODY.
WELCOME TO CITY HALL.
WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER.
I WOULD LIKE TO ASK COUNCILMEMBER KENG TO LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER KENG: PLEASE RISE.
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE
TO THE FLAG
OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
AND TO THE REPUBLIC
FOR WHICH IT STANDS
ONE NATION UNDER GOD,
INDIVISIBLE,
WITH LIBERTY
AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
>> MAYOR SALWAN: THANK YOU.
ROLL CALL.
AND WE HAVE VICE MAYOR CAMPBELL JOINING US REMOTELY.
>> MS. GAUTHIER: COUNCILMEMBER LIU, HERE.
COUNCILMEMBER ZHANG, HERE.
COUNCILMEMBER SHAO, PRESENT.
COUNCILMEMBER KIMBERLIN, HERE.
COUNCILMEMBER KENG, HERE.
VICE MAYOR CAMPBELL, HERE.
MAYOR SALWAN, PRESENT.
SO AT THIS TIME I'D LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT OF SILENCE IN MEMORY OF FORMER VICE
MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBER STEVE CHO, WHO SERVED THE CITY WITH DISTINCTION FOR
MANY DECADES.
AND HE WAS A GREAT LEADER AS WELL AS ONE OF OUR EARLIER ASIAN AMERICAN ELECTED
OFFICIALS.
AND WE GIVE OUR CONDOLENCES TO HIS FAMILY AS WELL AS AMY AND BEVERLY, AND WE
GRIEVE WITH THE REST OF THE FAMILY.
SO WITH THAT, IF WE COULD TAKE A FEW MOMENTS OF SILENCE.
THANK YOU.
WITH THAT, WE'LL START THE MEETING.
SO WE DO HAVE SOME VACANCIES ON BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS.
THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE ACCEPTS APPLICATIONS YEAR-ROUND.
IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN APPLYING FOR A BOARD OR COMMISSION OR COMMITTEE, PLEASE
VISIT OUR WEBSITE, FREMONT.GOV, OR CONTACT THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE.
EMAILS SUBMITTED TO THE CITY CLERK ARE COMPILED AND DISTRIBUTED TO THE CITY
COUNCIL AND STAFF AND PUBLISHED IN THE CITY'S AGENDA CENTER.
AND THEY WILL BE PLACED ON FILE AND CONSIDERED PART OF THE PUBLIC RECORD.
I WOULD LIKE TO ANNOUNCE THAT THIS MEETING WILL GO ON UNTIL 11:30 P.M.
WE WILL ALLOW FOR 30 MINUTES OF GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT.
IF THERE ARE ADDITIONAL SPEAKERS FOR ORAL COMMUNICATIONS AFTER THE INITIAL 30
MINUTES, WE WILL TAKE THESE SPEAKERS AT THE END OF THE MEETING IF TIME ALLOWS.
I WILL NOW TURN OVER THE MEETING TO CITY MANAGER KARENA SHACKELFORD TO MAKE
ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS AND INTRODUCE HER STAFF.
>> CITY MGR. SHACKELFORD: THANK YOU, MAYOR SALWAN.
GOOD EVENING.
GOOD EVENING, COUNCILMEMBERS.
WITH US THIS EVENING IS CITY ATTORNEY RAFAEL ALVARADO.
ACROSS FROM US ARE DINA LEWIS, ASSISTANT CITY CLERK, AND SUSAN GAUTHIER, CITY
CLERK.
A COUPLE OF ANNOUNCEMENTS I'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH THE COMMUNITY THIS EVENING.
ONE IS REGARDING OUR 18TH ANNUAL CITY OF FREMONT CRAB FEED.
THAT WILL BE HELD ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14TH FROM 5:30 P.M. TO 8:00 P.M. AT THE AGE
WELL CENTER AT LAKE ELIZABETH.
SO PLEASE COME OUT.
AND ALSO, THE FREMONT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT AND CITY OF FREMONT WILL BE
HOSTING A STUDENT JOB AND INTERNSHIP FAIR.
THAT WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20TH, FROM 4:30 P.M. TO 7:00 P.M. AT OUR
DOWNTOWN EVENT CENTER.
AND YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBPAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT BOTH EVENTS.
THANK YOU.
>> MAYOR SALWAN: THANK YOU.
NEXT WE HAVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS.
THE CONSENT CALENDAR WILL BE PASSED WITH ONE COUNCIL VOTE AND STAFF
RECOMMENDATION WILL STAND.
DOES ANY MEMBER OF THE CITY COUNCIL WISH TO REMOVE AN ITEM FROM THE CONSENT
CALENDAR?
NO?
DO WE HAVE ANY SPEAKERS ON THE CONSENT?
>> MS. GAUTHIER: CONSENT, NO.
>> MAYOR SALWAN: OKAY.
SO ONE MOMENT.
I'M GOING TO PULL UP THE AGENDA REAL QUICK.
I DID WANT TO NOTE ON ITEM 2C MY RECUSAL WILL CONTINUE ON THE SECOND READING.
SO WITH THAT, IF WE COULD GET A MOTION TO MOVE?
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER SHAO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER KENG.
PLEASE VOTE.
O I GUESS ROLL CALL VOTE SINCE VICE MAYOR IS REMOTE.
>> MS. GAUTHIER: COUNCILMEMBER LIU, AYE.
COUNCILMEMBER ZHANG, AYE.
COUNCILMEMBER SHAO, AYE.
COUNCILMEMBER KIMBERLIN, AYE.
COUNCILMEMBER KENG, AYE.
VICE MAYOR CAMPBELL, AYE.
MAYOR SALWAN, AYE, WITH MY RECUSAL NOTED FOR THE SECOND READING, 2C.
THANK YOU.
>> CTY. ATTNY. ALVARADO: IF I MAY READ THE ORDINANCE TITLES WHEN YOU'RE READY.
>> MAYOR SALWAN: YES, PLEASE, THANK YOU.
>> CTY. ATTNY. ALVARADO: THIS EVENING THE COUNCIL ADOPTED THREE ORDINANCES, FIRST
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FREMONT AMENDING FREMONT
MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 6.60.040, AND 9.60.130 TO REVISE THE RENT REVIEW PROGRAM
ADMINISTRATION FEE, AND THE NOTICE REQUIREMENTS FOR RESIDENTIAL RENT INCREASES
TO CONFORM WITH STATE LAW.
THE SECOND ORDINANCE IS TITLED AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FREMONT AMENDING MUNICIPAL CODE TITLE 18 PLANNING AND ZONING TO COMPLY WITH
STATE LAW AND IMPLEMENT PROGRAM 4 OF THE CITY'S 2023-2031 HOUSING ELEMENT, AND
MAKING FINDINGS OF CEQA EXEMPTION PLN2025-00074.
AND THE THIRD AND FINAL ORDINANCE ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL THIS EVENING IS AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FREMONT REZONING A 4.2-ACRE SITE AT THE SOUTHEAST
CORNER OF FREMONT BOULEVARD AND ICE HOUSE TERRACE FROM REGIONAL COMMERCIAL
TO TECH INDUSTRIAL TO ALLOW DEVELOPMENT OF AN APPROXIMATELY 69,872 SQUARE FOOT
INDUSTRIAL BUILDING AND MAKING FINDINGS OF ADOPTION OF NEGATIVE DECLARATION.
THANK YOU, MAYOR.
>> MAYOR SALWAN: THANK YOU.
AND THE MOTION PASSED 7-0 UNANIMOUS.
>> CTY. ATTNY. ALVARADO: WITH THE EXCEPTION OF 2C.
>> MAYOR SALWAN: WITH THE EXCEPTION OF 2C.
WITH THAT, WE'LL DO THE CEREMONIAL ITEMS.
CLOSE AND PERSONAL OVER HERE.
DO WE HAVE TIFFANY HALE HERE AND KHLOE?
OKAY.
THERE THEY ARE.
YOU'VE GOTTEN SO TALL!
WE'VE BEEN SEEING KHLOE SINCE SHE WAS SO LITTLE.
YOU CAN COME A LITTLE BIT CLOSER.
I DON'T BITE.
SO THIS FIRST PROCLAMATION IS FOR CONGENITAL HEART DEFECT AWARENESS WEEK, WHICH
IS FEBRUARY 7 TO 14, 2025.
WHEREAS, THE HEALTH AND
WELL-BEING OF ALL CHILDREN
THROUGHOUT OUR CITY ARE OF
PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE TO
FREMONT’S FAMILIES AND
COMMUNITIES; AND
WHEREAS, THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN
ARE BORN WITH BIRTH DEFECTS
EVERY YEAR, INCLUDING
APPROXIMATELY 40,000 CHILDREN, WHICH IS 1 IN 110, IN THE UNITED STATES WHO BEGIN
LIFE WITH ONE OF MORE THAN 35 IDENTIFIED FORMS OF CONGENITAL HEART DEFECTS, AND
WHEREAS, CONGENITAL HEART DEFECTS ARE AMONG OUR CITY'S MOST COMMON BIRTH
DEFECTS, AND THEY CAN BE FATAL DUE TO THEIR SERIOUSNESS, INSUFFICIENT
INTERVENTIONAL MEDICAL OPTIONS AND LIMITED AVAILABILITY OF INFANT DONOR HEARTS.
AND WHEREAS THEY ARE BECOMING MORE READILY IDENTIFIABLE AND THE INTERVENTION
OPTIONS -- AND FIELD EXPERIENCES THAT EXTEND OUR BODY OF KNOWLEDGE EVERY DAY.
AND WHEREAS, THERE'S MUCH TO LEARN ABOUT THE CAUSES OF AND EFFECTIVE TREATMENT
FOR CONGENITAL HEART DEFECTS AND IT IS IMPORTANT FOR PARENTS, FAMILY MEMBERS,
PEDIATRICIANS AND NURSES TO RECOGNIZE THE WARNING SIGNS ASSOCIATED WITH
CONGENITAL HEART DEFECTS AMONG NEWBORNS SO THEY MAY PROVIDE PROPER
TREATMENT AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.
AND WHEREAS, MANY OF OUR CITY'S FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES ARE DIRECTLY OR
INDIRECTLY AFFECTED BY INFANT ILLNESS AND DEATH CAUSED BY CONGENITAL HEART
DEFECTS, AND WE APPLAUD THE EFFORTS OF DOCTORS AND SCIENTISTS EVERYWHERE WHO
WORK DILIGENTLY TO SOLVE LIFE'S MEDICAL MYSTERIES AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE
FOR US ALL.
NOW THEREFORE THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FREMONT RECOGNIZES FEBRUARY 7 TO
14, 2025 AS CONGENITAL HEART DEFECT AWARENESS WEEK IN THE CITY OF FREMONT AND
CALL THIS OBSERVANCE TO THE ATTENTION OF ALL OUR CITIZENS.
SO WITH THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT KHLOE OUR PROCLAMATION AND CAN YOU SAY A
FEW WORDS?
COME ON, KHLOE.
DON'T BE SHY.
>> HI.
MY NAME IS KHLOE HALE.
I AM 12 YEARS OLD AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A CHD, CON GENERAL TALE HEART DEFECT.
THE SHORT NAME IS TAVPR.
THIS STANDS FOR TOTAL ANOMALOUS PULMONARY VENOUS RETURN.
IF THAT SOUNDS SCARY AND CONFUSING TO YOU, IMAGINE HOW IT SOUNDS AND FEELS TO
ME.
SPREADING AWARENESS LIKE I AM IS VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE WHEN PEOPLE ARE
EDUCATED ON IT, KINDNESS WILL SPREAD AND EVERYONE WILL COME TOGETHER TO HELP
LIKE YOU ARE ALL DOING TODAY.
OVER THE PAST YEARS, I HAVE HAD OPPORTUNITIES TO SPREAD AWARENESS, I HAVE SHARED
INFORMATION AT MY SCHOOL, CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS, AND HELPED MY MOM PLAN A BIG
ANNUAL FUN RUN TO FUNDRAISE FOR FIVE YEARS.
LAST YEAR AFTER BEING SEEN SPEAKING HERE, I WAS PROVIDED AN INCREDIBLE
OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE MY STORY AND AWARENESS AT A LARGE GOLF TOURNAMENT
FUNDRAISER, AND I RECEIVED A GENEROUS DONATION TO LITTLE HEARTS.
CONGENITAL HEART DEFECTS ARE THE MOST COMMON BIRTH DEFECT IN THE WORLD.
1 IN 110 PEOPLE ARE BORN WITH A CHD.
THIS MEANS THAT APPROXIMATELY 1 MILLION TO 1.4 MILLION BABIES ARE BORN WITH A CHD
EVERY YEAR WORLDWIDE.
WHEN A BABY IS BORN, THEIR HEART IS THE SIZE OF A WALNUT.
ABOUT 25% OF BABIES BORN WITH A CHD ARE CONSIDERED CRITICAL AND REQUIRE A LIFE-
SAVING SURGERY.
BETWEEN BIRTH AND THEIR FIRST BIRTHDAY.
I WAS ONLY 10 DAYS OLD AND MY FRIEND WAS 2 MONTHS OLD WHEN WE HAD OUR SURGERY.
THIS IS BECAUSE WE WERE BORN WITH DIFFERENT HEART DEFECTS, BUT BOTH WERE
CONSIDERED CRITICAL.
ABOUT 85 TO 90% OF HEART DEFECTS HAPPEN WITHOUT A KNOWN REASON.
I DON'T FEEL LIKE IT IS FAIR FOR HEART WARRIORS AND THEIR FAMILIES TO NOT KNOW WHAT
CAUSED THEIR DEFECT.
THIS IS ONE REASON WHY CHD RESEARCH IS SO IMPORTANT.
25% OF BABIES BORN WITH A CRITICAL HEART DEFECT WILL NOT LIVE TO CELEBRATE THEIR
FIRST BIRTHDAY.
CHD IS OFTEN DIAGNOSED IN NEWBORNS, BUT MAY GO UNDETECTED AND NOT DIAGNOSED
UNTIL LATER IN LIFE.
EACH YEAR, 200 TO 300 NEWBORNS ARE RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL UNDIAGNOSED.
ACTUALLY THE DOCTORS DID NOT EVEN REALIZE I HAD A HEART DEFECT WHEN I WAS FIRST
BORN.
MY MOM WAS THE ONE WHO KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG AND DID NOT GIVE UP UNTIL
SHE HAD ANSWERS.
THIS IS WHY I WAS 8 DAYS OLD BEFORE BEING DIAGNOSED.
THIS IS ALSO WHY RESEARCH AND UPDATES TO TESTING IS SO IMPORTANT AND SURELY DOES
SAVE LIVES.
SURGERY FOR CHD IS A LIFELONG DISEASE THAT WILL NEED SPECIAL CARE BY A CARDIOLOGIST.
I WANTED TO SHARE THIS CAUSE THAT IS SPECIAL TO ME WITH YOU.
I AM VERY PROUD TO RECEIVE A PROCLAMATION FOR THIS WEEK.
I HOPE YOU ENJOYED MY SPEECH AND LEARNED SOMETHING NEW.
HEARING THESE FACTS SHOULD CLEARLY EXPLAIN WHY RESEARCH AND AWARENESS IS SO
IMPORTANT.
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING CONGENITAL HEART DEFECT AWARENESS WITH ME.
I AM 1 IN -- I AM 1 IN 110.
I AM A HEART WARRIOR.
>> MAYOR SALWAN: THE NEXT TWO ARE REALLY EXCITING BECAUSE I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY
TO WORK WITH BOTH OF THESE DISTINGUISHED WORKERS OF CITY OF FREMONT.
FIRST WE HAVE RUBY WUN, WHO WE'RE HONORING.
SHE'S THE GIS SPECIALIST II DATA COORDINATOR FOR 43 YEARS OF SERVICE UPON HER
RETIREMENT.
YOU CAN COME ON UP, RUBY.
OR ARE YOU -- WOULD YOU PREFER TO SIT?
OKAY.
43 YEARS IS A LONG TIME.
TOO MUCH FUN, GOOD!
WHEREAS, RUBY WUN HAS SERVED IN
VARIOUS ROLES WITHIN THE
COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PLANNING
DIVISION AND INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
DEPARTMENT GIS DIVISION,
DISPLAYED EXCEPTIONAL
LEADERSHIP, INITIATIVE, AND
TEAMWORK
CONTRIBUTING TO THE SUCCESS AND
DEVELOPMENT OF MAKING
SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO GIS
COORDINATING ADDRESSING AND
STREET NAMING ISSUES WITH
PROPERTY OWNERS, DEVELOPERS, AND
OUTSIDE AGENCIES (SUCH AS U.S.
POSTAL SERVICES AND UTILITIES),
AND HAS EARNED THE RESPECT AND
ADMIRATION OF COLLEAGUES, STAFF,
AND THE COMMUNITY; AND
ME, THE MAYOR, SO I'M A FAN.
WHEREAS, RUBY WUN HAS BEEN
INSTRUMENTAL IN THE DEVELOPMENT
OF THE CITY’S OPEN
DATA HUB, AN ONLINE REFERENCE
LIBRARY WITH THE INCLUSION OF
CITY MAPS, WEBSITES, STORY MAPS
AND APPLICATIONS, AND THE GIS
STRATEGIC PLAN, WHICH INCLUDES
DESIGNING A STRATEGIC PLANNING
FRAMEWORK INCLUDING
RECOMMENDATIONS AND STRATEGIES
FOR A 5-YEAR GIS PROGRAM ROADMAP
FOR THE CITY’S ORGANIZATIONAL
NEEDS; AND SHE HAS BEEN A MENTOR
TO MANY, SHARING HER
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE WITH
OTHERS, AND HAS PLAYED AN
INTEGRAL ROLE IN TRAINING, AND
DEVELOPING FUTURE LEADERS WITHIN
THE CITY; AND
WHEREAS, RUBY WUN, AFTER 43
YEARS OF SERVICE, HAS DECIDED TO
RETIRE, LEAVING
BEHIND A LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE,
HARD WORK, AND DEDICATION THAT
WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR YEARS
TO COME AND WHILE RUBY WUN WILL
BE GREATLY MISSED BY ALL WHO
HAVE WORKED WITH HER
RUBY’S CONTRIBUTIONS WILL
CONTINUE TO INSPIRE FUTURE
GENERATIONS OF CITY EMPLOYEES.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED,
THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF
FREMONT, ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE
COMMUNITY, EXPRESSES ITS DEEPEST
GRATITUDE TO RUBY WUN
FOR HER WONDERFUL REMARKABLE 43 YEARS OF SERVICE AND DEDICATION AND EXTENDS
BEST WISHES FOR A LONG, HEALTHY AND FULFILLING RETIREMENT.
CONGRATULATIONS, RUBY.
>> THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE]
TO GIVE EVERYBODY A CONTEXT OF WHAT 43 YEARS MEANT IS WHEN I FIRST STARTED, ALL
THE INFORMATION WAS PAPER.
MAPS WERE ON PAPER, YOU GET GREAT MUSCLES BECAUSE THE MAPS ARE LIKE THIS BIG,
AND THEY WOULD STICK LIKE 20 ON ONE RACK AND SO YOU'D HAVE TO LIFT IT UP AND TAKE A
LOOK AT IT.
THE THING IS, IS THAT YOU COULD NOT SHARE THE INFORMATION TO GET THE STUFF, YOU
HAD TO LOOK AT IT AND BE LIKE ONE PERSON AT A TIME.
AND THEN, I WAS LIKE ONE OF THE YOUNGEST ONES IN THE DEPARTMENT, SO I HAD ACCESS --
I KNEW ABOUT COMPUTERS.
THE PEOPLE THAT WERE THERE BEFORE, THE MORE EXPERIENCED PLANNERS AND THAT, THEY
WERE ALL INTO PAPER, SO I HELPED BRING THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT INTO THE
COMPUTER WORLD, PUTTING THE STUFF INTO LIKE PERMITTING SOFTWARE.
SO THREE PERMITTING SOFTWARES LATER, WE GOT GIS, AND IT'S LIKE -- IF ANYBODY USED
GOOGLE, IT'S LIKE GOOGLE ON SUPER STEROIDS.
YOU CLICK ON A PARCEL, YOU KNOW, IN GOOGLE, YOU GET THE BUSINESS, RIGHT?
BUT FOR FREMONT, FOR STAFF, AND A LITTLE BIT FOR THE PUBLIC, YOU CLICK ON THE PARCEL
AND YOU GET INFORMATION, STUFF ON BUILDING PERMITS, STUFF ON ASSESSOR, SOMEBODY
WANTS SOMETHING THEY GET ACCESS TO, THEY CALL UP GIS AND GO CAN YOU STICK THAT
ON THERE AND IT'S THERE.
THAT WAS IMPRESSIVE TO STAFF, ACTUALLY THEY GOT SO USED TO IT, IT'S LIKE THEY DON'T DO
PAPER ANYMORE.
THEY WANT EVERYTHING ON GIS.
SO I AM SO HAPPY AND PROUD TO BE PART OF THAT, AND IT'S A LOT OF WORK BUT IT IS FUN.
AND ALSO TOO, IT'S NOT ALWAYS ON THE STUFF THAT'S ACCESSED ON GIS BECAUSE MY MOST
FUN IS CHASING DATA, COMPILING IT TOGETHER.
IT'S KIND OF LIKE BAKING COOKIES WHEN YOU PUT PIECES TOGETHER.
COMPILING TOGETHER AND GIVING TO SOMEONE SO THAT THEY CAN USE IT FOR THEIR
PROJECT.
WHETHER IT'S POLICE, HUMAN SERVICES, OR RENT REVIEW ANALYSIS, THE CENSUS,
ANYTHING LIKE THAT, PUTTING ALL THAT STUFF TOGETHER IS SO MUCH FUN, SO I'M HERE 43
YEARS LATER, AND I THINK I NEED TO RETIRE SO I CAN PAY ATTENTION TO MY HUSBAND.
MY SISTER -- TAKE A PICTURE.
YOUR PHONE.
>> MAYOR SALWAN: CONGRATULATIONS.
WELL-DESERVED.
THANK YOU, RUBY.
>> ANYONE WANT TO JOIN GIS, IT'S GREAT FUN!
>> NOW SHE'S RECRUITING!
>> MAYOR SALWAN: I'LL JUST GIVE AN ANECDOTE BECAUSE I WAS ON THE GIS COMMITTEE, I
CHAIRED IT, AND THERE'S SO MANY LAYERS IN THIS GIS SYSTEM.
THEY HAVE STORYMAPS WHERE YOU CAN GET TO KNOW YOUR COUNCILMEMBER, KNOW
WHERE ALL THE ARTS ARE, AND YOU CAN CLICK AND YOU CAN KEEP GOING AND GOING.
SO STARTED OFF AS FOR SIMPLE ADDRESS, BUT THERE'S SO MANY LAYERS, IT'S AMAZING.
SPEAKING OF GIS, WE HAVE ANOTHER GREAT CHAMPION, WHO I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO
WORK WITH WHICH WAS JOHN LEON.
COME ON UP, JOHN.
JOHN IS A TRUE GENTLEMAN.
SO WE'RE HONORING JOHN ON HIS 36 YEARS OF SERVICE UPON HIS RETIREMENT.
SO HERE'S THE PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS, JOHN LEON BEGAN
EMPLOYMENT WITH THE CITY OF
FREMONT AS AN
ENGINEERING SPECIALIST IN THE
DESIGN ENGINEERING OFFICE IN
SEPTEMBER 1988; TRANSFERRED TO
THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
SERVICES DEPARTMENT/GIS DIVISION
IN JULY 1997; WAS PROMOTED
TO APPLICATION SPECIALIST III IN
DECEMBER 1999; AND LATER
PROMOTED TO GIS SYSTEMS
ANALYST/PROGRAMMER IN JULY 2013;
AND
WHEREAS, JOHN LEON WAS ONE OF
THE ORIGINAL MEMBERS OF THE
GEOGRAPHIC
INFORMATION SYSTEM EXPLORATORY COMMITTEE IN 1989, WHICH BECAME A FIVE-AGENCY
GIS CONSORTIUM THAT IMPLEMENTED THE NEW GIS APPLICATION FOR THE CITY IN 1995,
PROVIDING PERTINENT PROPERTY INFORMATION TO CITY STAFF THROUGH USER-FRIENDLY
APPLICATIONS,
INCLUDING
THOSE NECESSARY FOR OUTREACH
SUCH AS TARGETED MAILING LISTS;
AND
WHEREAS, JOHN LEON IS A
DEVELOPER, DESIGNER, PROGRAMMER,
AND SYSTEM
ADMINISTRATOR OF MANY GIS
APPLICATIONS NOW USED THROUGHOUT
THE CITY OF FREMONT, INCLUDING
ACCELA PERMITTING AND A ROBUST
APPLICATION OF CRITICAL DATA
SUCH AS PIPELINE AND UTILITY
INFORMATION FOR PUBLIC SAFETY
DISPATCHERS AND FIRST
RESPONDERS; AND HE SPEARHEADED
AN
UPGRADE OF THE CURRENT EGIS WEB
APPLICATION, PROVIDING MORE
FUNCTIONALITY, CONTINUES TO SEEK
AND IMPLEMENT WAYS GIS CAN
ENHANCE CITY SERVICES BY
PROVIDING EASY ACCESS TO DATA
AND
CREATING MOBILE APPLICATIONS FOR
DATA COLLECTION, DASHBOARDS, AND
ANALYSIS; AND
WHEREAS, JOHN LEON WAS APPOINTED
AS INTERIM GIS MANAGER IN
DECEMBER 2018
AND A LITTLE OVER A YEAR LATER,
IN FEBRUARY 2020, HE WAS
APPOINTED TO THE POSITION OF GIS
MANAGER.
JOHN’S MANY YEARS OF DEDICATED
SUPPORT OF THE GIS FROM BEHIND
THE SCENES AND
FOR HIS REMARKABLE TALENT IN
BEING INNOVATIVE AND SOLUTION
FOCUSED. JOHN REPRESENTS THE
CITY
BY SERVING AS SECRETARY OF THE
SOUTHERN ALAMEDA COUNTY GIS
AUTHORITY, AND JOHN IS WIDELY
-- WHICH IS THE THREE CITIES, SANITARY DISTRICT AND WATER DISTRICT.
AND JOHN IS WIDELY RECOGNIZED AS THE " GIS GO-TO" BY ALL HIS PEERS.
AND WHEREAS, JOHN LEON WOULD VENTURE ALMOST ANYWHERE FOR A GOOD BURGER.
GOOD MAN.
LOVES
FRAPPUCCINO’S (BLENDED COFFEE
DRINKS), IS A LOYAL GIANTS FAN,
OFTEN MAKES PILGRIMAGES TO
HOUSE OF PRIME RIB, DISNEYLAND,
KNOTT'S BERRY FARM, PALM
SPRINGS, AND WAS EXCITED TO
DISCOVER THERE ARE OTHER GEEKY
PEOPLE JUST LIKE HIM AT THE GIS
ESRI DEVELOPERS CONFERENCE.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED,
THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF
FREMONT, ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE
COMMUNITY, EXPRESSES ITS DEEPEST
GRATITUDE TO JOHN LEON
FOR HIS REMARKABLE 36 YEARS OF
SERVICE, DEDICATION, AND
INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE
CITY
RETIREMENT.
THANK YOU, JOHN.
WE APPRECIATE YOU.
OF FREMONT AND EXTENDS ITS BEST WISHES FOR A LONG, HEALTHY AND FULFILLING
>> AS I WAS MENTIONING TO A NUMBER OF COLLEAGUES, I REALLY THOUGHT IT WAS GOING
TO TAKE LONGER TO GET HERE.
THE YEARS GO BY VERY QUICKLY.
WE HAVE A GREAT GIS TEAM.
THOSE MAPS THAT YOU SEE THERE ON THE WALL ARE PRODUCED BY THE GIS DIVISION, AND
WE HAVE NUMEROUS AMOUNT OF MAPS THROUGHOUT THE CITY AS WELL AS APPLICATIONS,
OUR OPEN DATA HUB.
WE JUST COMPLETED OUR GIS STRATEGIC PLAN FOR A FIVE-YEAR ROAD MAP TO GO FURTHER.
AND ONE OF THE GREATEST JOYS OF WORKING AT THE CITY IS THAT WE HAVE THE BENEFIT
AND FORTUNE OF WORKING WITH ALL CITY DEPARTMENTS AND DIVISIONS IN ONE CAPACITY
OR ANOTHER.
BUT ALONG THE WAY, I'VE MET A LOT OF GREAT PEOPLE, AND YOU KNOW, DAY IN, DAY OUT,
EVERYBODY IS DOING THEIR BEST AND WE'RE REALLY TRYING TO GET SOLUTIONS OUT FOR
THE PUBLIC.
FOR GIS, PUBLIC SAFETY IS NUMBER ONE.
WHEN WE DO ADDRESSING, STREET NAMES, WE WANT TO ENSURE THAT EVERY MINUTE, IF
NOT EVERY SECOND, COUNTS ON GETTING TO THAT ADDRESS.
AND THAT'S ONE OF THE KEY COMPONENTS THAT WE HAVE WORKING WITH FIRE
DEPARTMENT, AS WELL AS THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
AND THAT'S JUST ONE OF MANY COMPONENTS THAT WE DEAL WITH.
BUT LIKE I SAID, ALONG THE WAY, WE HAVE HAD GREAT COOPERATION WITH ALL CITY
DEPARTMENTS, AND I REALLY CAN'T THANK ENOUGH EVERYBODY WHO'S PARTICIPATED.
REALLY, THANK YOU TO THE CLT, CITY MANAGER SHACKELFORD.
CLT, FOR ALL THEIR COOPERATION IN HAVING US INTERVIEW AND ALSO FIND OUT WHAT THE
DEPARTMENT'S NEEDS ARE GOING FORWARD.
AND THAT'S WHERE THIS GIS STRATEGIC PLAN IS GOING TO BE A VERY KEY COMPONENT ON
MOVING FORWARD.
SOMEONE ASKED ME TODAY WHAT ARE THINGS YOU'RE GOING TO LIKE, WHAT ARE THINGS
YOU'RE GOING TO MISS OR NOT MISS.
ONE OF THEM WAS THE COMMUTE TODAY.
THE COMMUTE TODAY WITH ALL THE RAIN AND SUCH, REALLY 37 YEARS OF COMMUTING
FROM SAN FRANCISCO ROUND TRIP, THAT TAKES ITS TOLL ON YOU.
AND SO -- BUT OTHERWISE, I AM GOING TO MISS EVERYBODY HERE, AND WORKING WITH ALL
THE PARTNER AGENCIES WE HAVE THERE, WE HAVE A GREAT COLLABORATIVE TEAM THERE,
AND WE'RE ALL DATA SHARING, KNOWLEDGE SHARING AND HOWEVER WE CAN HELP OUT
EACH OTHER AS AGENCIES, BUT BOTTOM LINE IS I REALLY WISH PEOPLE WOULD GET TO SEE
HOW PEOPLE AT THE CITY REALLY DO MEET AND REALLY HAVE YOUR BEST INTERESTS AT
HEART.
AND THAT'S FROM THE PERSPECTIVE THAT I HAVE.
AND SO AGAIN, I REALLY THANK THE CITY FOR REALLY 36 1/2 WONDERFUL YEARS, AND IT'S
REALLY BEEN GREAT.
I'VE HAD THE PLEASURE OF WORKING WITH RUBY FOR 32 OF THOSE YEARS, YOU KNOW?
AND IT'S ALMOST AS LONG AS I'VE HAD MY HAIRSTYLIST, MY DOCTOR, AND YOU KNOW,
MARRIAGE GOING ON 40 YEARS, BUT EITHER WAY, IT'S BEEN A GREAT, GREAT PLACE TO WORK,
A GREAT PLACE TO SEE THE DIVERSITY IN THE COMMUNITY, BUT BOTTOM LINE, IT'S REALLY
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY, THE PUBLIC SERVICE, AND I'M SO FORTUNATE TO BE IN THIS
POSITION, BUT IT'S REALLY TIME TO MOVE ON TO THE NEXT CHAPTER, AND I WISH I COULD
DO MORE BUT, YOU KNOW, TIME TO BRING UP THE 2.0, IF YOU WILL.
SO I'LL LEAVE IT AT THAT.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> MAYOR SALWAN: THAT WAS A WONDERFUL TWO VERY DEDICATED MEMBERS OF OUR
COMMUNITY, OF OUR CITY OF FREMONT.
THEY HAVE A GREAT LEGACY.
WHEN WE SEE OUT OF FIVE AGENCIES, THE CITY OF FREMONT PRETTY MUCH RUNS IT.
JOHN WAS LIGHT YEARS AHEAD AND AGAIN RUBY WITH HER STORY MAP.
TODAY WE'LL BE MAKING AN APPOINTMENT, AND I THINK COUNCILMEMBER LIU WILL BE
TAKING OVER THAT COMMITTEE SINCE HE'S THE COMPUTER GUY, THE COMPUTER GEEK ON
OUR CITY COUNCIL.
SO HE'LL BE TAKING THAT OVER.
SO WITH THAT, WE'LL GO ON TO OUR NEXT ITEM, WHICH IS PUBLIC COMMUNICATION.
ORAL COMMUNICATION.
AND BASICALLY THIS IS A TIME WHERE PEOPLE CAN SPEAK ON AN ITEM THAT IS NOT
SCHEDULED ON THIS AGENDA.
WE CANNOT TAKE ANY ACTION NOR RESPOND TO ITEMS THAT ARE BROUGHT UP UNDER THE
ORAL COMMUNICATION PERIOD.
HOWEVER, THIS ITEM COULD BE AGENDIZED FOR A FUTURE MEETING IF THE COUNCIL MAKES
A REFERRAL TO STAFF FOR A REPORT BACK.
WHEN SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF AN ORGANIZATION, STATE YOUR NAME OF THE
ORGANIZATION YOU'RE REPRESENTING.
A BELL WILL RING WHEN 30 SECONDS REMAIN FOR YOU TO SUM UP YOUR COMMENTS.
THE BELL WILL RING AGAIN WHEN TIME HAS ENDED.
CITY CLERK WILL START THE TIMER FOR EACH SPEAKER.
I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO NOTE THAT PLEASE, LET'S MAINTAIN RESPECT FOR EACH OTHER WHILE
MAKING COMMENTS.
PLEASE REFRAIN FROM CLAPPING OR SHOUTING OR ANYTHING, REALLY, JUST MAINTAIN
PROFESSIONALISM AND ALLOW THE SPEAKER TO COMPLETE THEIR COMMENTS.
HOW MANY SPEAKERS DO WE HAVE?
>> MS. GAUTHIER: 32.
>> MAYOR SALWAN: OKAY.
SO WITH THAT MANY SPEAKERS, I'LL ALLOW ONE MINUTE EACH.
>> MS. GAUTHIER: OKAY.
>> MAYOR SALWAN: THANK YOU.
>> MS. GAUTHIER: I'LL CALL SEVERAL SPEAKERS AT A TIME, AND WHEN YOU HEAR YOUR
NAME, IF YOU'LL PLEASE LINE UP OVER ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BUILDING HERE, PLEASE.
JOHN HINDS.
BARB HOWARD.
STANLEY GU.
JOHN BERNER.
>> HELLO, EVERYONE.
THIS COMMENT IS REALLY FOR NEXT WEEK.
I WON'T BE HERE.
EVEN BEFORE 2018, IN THAT DISASTROUS RULING BY THE NINTH CIRCUIT, THERE WERE
ALREADY PEOPLE SLEEPING IN FREMONT'S PARKS BUT THEY WERE FEW IN NUMBER AND THEY
WERE DOING THEIR BEST TO STAY OUT OF SIGHT BECAUSE THEY KNEW THEY WEREN'T
SUPPOSED TO BE THERE.
SINCE THEN, THE NUMBER OF HAVE EXPLODED, STAYING OUT OF SIGHT IS IMPOSSIBLE.
NOW THAT THE RULING HAS BEEN OVERTURNED, WE LOOK AT HOW TO GET BACK TO
NORMAL, I HEAR THIS IDEA THAT THE ONLY WAY IS THAT THE CITY NEEDS TO PROVIDE AN
AFFORDABLE PLACE TO STAY FOR ANYBODY WHO WANTS ONE.
THERE WILL NEVER BE ENOUGH MONEY FOR THAT.
EVEN IF WE DISCONTINUE POLICE, FIRE AND ALL OTHER SERVICES.
THE ONLY WAY THAT WE GET OUT OF THE PROBLEM AT THIS SCALE IS FOR THE INDIVIDUALS
TO SOLVE IT THEMSELVES, AS THEY DID BEFORE, AS THEY WOULD DO AGAIN, ONCE THEY
HAVE TO.
THANK YOU.
>> I'M BARB HOWARD.
I'VE LIVED IN FREMONT OFF AND ON SINCE 1959.
I'M HERE TO PLEAD WITH YOU TO NOT DO THE CAMPING BAN.
OR -- AND I DON'T WANT TO BE A CRIMINAL BECAUSE I WANT TO HAND SOMEBODY A PAIR OF
SOCKS OR KIND BAR OR A HYGIENE KIT.
THIS IS NOT THE WAY TO GO.
WE NEED HOUSING.
WE DON'T NEED TO MAKE IT A CRIME TO BE HOMELESS.
AND DON'T MAKE ME A CRIMINAL AND MAKE ME PROUD OF MY FREMONT.
THANK YOU.
>> JOHN BERNER, RESIDENT OF FREMONT SINCE 1979.
I'M WITH ST. ANN CHURCH, ST. VINCENT DEPAUL, VOLUNTEER.
I WOULD ECHO WHAT BARBARA SAID.
I JUST WANTED TO SHARE BRIEFLY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE I HAVE IN BRINGING FOOD TO
PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN CAMPS.
I'VE ENCOUNTERED PEOPLE WHO THEY REALLY TRY TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP THE
PLACE CLEAN, AND PEOPLE THAT I WORK WITH, THERE'S ONE PERSON I KIND OF CASUALLY
REFER TO HIM AS THE MAYOR OF THE CAMP BECAUSE HE TAKES ON RESPONSIBILITY TO
DISTRIBUTE THE FOOD, AND TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE HELPED.
AND HE'S VERY CONSCIOUS OF THE FACT THAT IT'S IMPORTANT TO KEEP THINGS CLEAN AND
SAFE.
SO I JUST ENCOURAGE NOT TO PAINT WITH TOO BROAD A BRUSH.
I KNOW THERE ARE ISSUES OUT THERE, BUT MAYBE TRY TO DEAL MORE WITH A SCALPEL
MAYBE THAN TOO BROAD BRUSHED AN APPROACH, AND THAT'S BASICALLY ALL.
I JUST WANTED TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONSIDER THAT.
>> MS. GAUTHIER: THANK YOU.
AFTER STANLEY GU IS JOANN SCHWOB.
LIZ AIMS.
AND LAYLA BORHA.
>> I WANTED TO SPEAK AS A LIFELONG RESIDENT -- OKAY.
AS A LIFELONG RESIDENT OF FREMONT.
I WANTED TO SPEAK IN OPPOSITION TO THE CAMPING ORDINANCE.
I BELIEVE WE SHOULD TAKE AN EVIDENCE-BASED APPROACH TO ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS
IN THE CITY AND THE CITY'S EXISTING PROGRAMS, THE HOUSING NAVIGATION CENTER, THE
SAFE PARKING PROGRAM AMONG OTHERS ARE WORKING AND WE SHOULD EXPAND ON
THOSE PROGRAMS.
THE SAFE PARKING PROGRAM IS BEING IMPLEMENTED IN MY CHURCH AND I'VE BEEN SEEING
HOW IT'S BEEN HELPING PEOPLE.
WE SHOULD ALSO INCREASE THE AVAILABILITY OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING WHICH THE CITY
HAS MADE PROGRESS ON.
THE CAMPING ORDINANCE IS GOING TO CRIMINALIZE SLEEPING ON THE STREETS AND
POTENTIALLY JAIL OR FINE PEOPLE WHO ARE FACING HARDSHIP OR MENTAL ILLNESS.
I DON'T BELIEVE THAT'S THE RIGHT APPROACH.
AND I BELIEVE HOMELESSNESS CAN AFFECT ANYONE, SO WE SHOULD TREAT OUR FELLOW
NEIGHBORS WITH COMPASSION.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> MS. GAUTHIER: THANK YOU.
JOANN SCHWOB FOLLOWED BY LIZ AMES.
>> I APOLOGIZE BUT I LOST MY NOTES SO I'M GOING TO HAVE TO WING IT.
MY NAME IS JOANN SCHWOB.
RESIDENT IN FREMONT FOR 46 YEARS.
I'VE WORKED 27 YEARS OF MY LIFE, I RAISED MY SON HERE, I'VE BEEN HOUSELESS FOR SIX
YEARS.
I WILL NOT LET THIS CITY FINE ME, JAIL ME, OR FIND THAT I'M A CRIMINAL BECAUSE THEY DID
NOT DO THEIR JOB IN BUILDING ENOUGH AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND SUBSIDIZED HOUSING.
WHEN THIS CITY IS 1200% OVER THEIR QUOTA FOR THE HOUSING ELEMENT OF MARKET RATE
HOUSING, AND STANDS AT ONLY 8% OF THEIR QUOTA WHAT THEY SHOULD HAVE UP TO DATE,
THAT THEY LACK IN AFFORDABLE SUBSIDIZED HOUSING IS COMMENTARY AGAINST YOU.
YOU NEED TO DO YOUR JOBS BETTER.
TO BEND --
>> MS. GAUTHIER: THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.
LIZ AMES, FOLLOWED BY LAYLA BORHA AND FREEWAY.
>> GOOD EVENING.
I'M LIZ AMES.
I'M YOUR BART DIRECTOR.
AND WE DEAL A LOT WITH THE UNHOUSED, THEY TAKE OUR TRAINS AT NIGHT BECAUSE
THERE'S NO SHELTER, WE HAVE CAMP SITES ON OUR PROPERTY, SOMETIMES THEY CAUSE
FIRES.
AND I WOULD JUST IMPLORE THAT THIS CITY REALLY WORK WITH OUR PARTNERS LIKE THE
CITY COULD COLLABORATE WITH THE COUNTY.
I KNOW WE HAVE A GREAT RELATIONSHIP WITH ALAMEDA COUNTY.
AND I'VE SEEN PARTNERSHIPS LIKE IN VENTURA COUNTY WHERE THEY HAVE A 50/50 COST
SHARE ON SHELTERS.
SO THE COUNTY OWNS A BUILDING, THEY DID A 50/50 COST SHARE TO DO TENANT
IMPROVEMENT.
THEY HAVE POLICE THAT ACTUALLY BRING THE -- PUT FOLKS IN THE CAMPS OVER TO THE
SHELTER, AND I THINK THIS KIND OF PARTNERSHIP NEEDS TO HAPPEN WITH BART.
WE REALLY -- IT'S DIFFICULT FOR BART TO DEAL WITH THE UNHOUSED.
WE DO NEED TO HAVE A WAY TO GET THOSE FOLKS TO A SHELTER.
AND WE JUST CAN'T DO IT OURSELVES.
SO I'M HOPING WE CAN HAVE A COLLABORATIVE MEETING.
>> MS. GAUTHIER: THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING.
I'M LELA, REPRESENTING HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS IN FREMONT.
WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE RECENT EFFORTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO REMOVE -- IN THE AREA
SURROUNDING OUR BUSINESS, AND WE APPRECIATE THE CITY'S ACTIONS.
HOWEVER, THERE REMAINS A CONCERN ABOUT THE ONGOING NOTATION OF -- IN AND
AROUND OUR LOCATION.
DESPITE TEMPORARY REMOVALS IT SEEMS THEY OFTEN RETURN, CONTINUING TO IMPACT
OUR BUSINESS AND THE OVERALL COMMUNITY.
SO WE WANT TO BE PART OF THE SOLUTION BUT WE NEED THE SUPPORT AND
COLLABORATION OF THE CITY TO HELP ADDRESS THESE RECURRING ISSUES.
THANK YOU.
>> MS. GAUTHIER: THANK YOU.
NEXT IS FREEWAY FOLLOWED BY SINDARI, SISTER ANNETTE AND MARILYN HARRIS.
>> HELLO.
MY NAME IS FREEWAY.
I USE THEY/THEM PRONOUNCE, ACTIVIST, FORMALLY UNHOUSED COMMUNITY LEADER FROM
OAKLAND.
I'M REPRESENTATIVE AND FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE NEW HOMELESS UNION AS WELL AS --
I'M HERE TONIGHT TO SHOW SOLIDARITY AND SUSTAIN WITH THE UNHOUSED COMMUNITIES
OF FREMONT.
MY ROLE IN THE COMMUNITY CONSISTS OF MANY HATS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER, HARM REDUCTIONIST AND ACTIVIST AND ORGANIZER.
I'M ASKING THE CITY, I'M STRONGLY URGING THE CITY OF FREMONT TO USE COMMON SENSE
TO USE COMPASSION IN MOVING FORWARD AND TO NOT PUSH THIS THROUGH.
THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER WAYS THAT YOU COULD DO THIS THAT WOULD BE WAY MORE
EFFECTIVE.
THERE ARE PLENTY OF ORGANIZERS AND GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE ON THE
BOOTS ALL DAY LONG, DOING THE REAL WORK, AND PROVIDING SERVICES AND TO PUSH THIS
FORWARD WOULD NOT ONLY MAKE THE UNHOUSED COMMUNITY CRIMINALS, IT WOULD
MAKE MYSELF A CRIMINAL, HALF THE PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM A CRIMINAL.
THERE ARE ALREADY OVERCROWDING IN JAILS, THIS IS NOT THE WAY TO GO.
PLEASE USE YOUR BRAINS AND YOUR HEARTS.
THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING.
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT 6.
I STILL HEAR THE VOICES IN THE CITY HALL THAT SAYS NOT TO BAN.
BUT THIS -- TODAY TO SAY YES TO THE BAN.
A BAN DOESN'T MEAN THAT ABANDONING THE HOMELESSNESS, IT'S CALL TO INVEST IN A
BETTER ALTERNATIVES, LIKE SAFE SHELTERS, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND AFFORDABLE
HOUSING, WHERE THESE PEOPLE CAN REBUILD THEIR LIVES WITH DIGNITY AND SUPPORT AND
CAN ENJOY THE LIFE LIKE YOU AND ME.
MANY SISTERS AND BROTHERS OF FEF AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS CAN COME THROUGH
WITH THIS THOUGHT ACTUALLY.
IT'S TAX SEASON.
EVERY HOMEOWNER, SMALL BUSINESS OWNER IN THIS ROOM HAS PAID A HEFTY AMOUNT
OF TAX.
THEY AREN'T ABLE TO ACCESS THE PUBLIC PARKS WITHOUT ANY FEAR.
THE DAY WITHOUT ANY FEAR, THAT'S THE REAL DAY WE CAN SAY THAT FREMONT IS FOR
EVERYONE.
THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING.
I'M SISTER ANNETTE AND REPRESENTING -- I HOPE THAT YOU WILL TAKE --
>> MS. GAUTHIER: I THINK SHE MUTED THE MICROPHONE.
>> MAYOR SALWAN: YOUR VOICE WENT DOWN, SISTER.
>> I HOPE YOU WILL TAKE THE CHARTER FOR COMPASSIONATE FREMONT TO HEART.
AND RECOGNIZE THAT THE PEOPLE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT ARE OUR BROTHERS AND
SISTERS.
THE CHARTER FOR COMPASSION IS BUILT ON THE PHRASE, DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD
HAVE THEM DO UNTO YOU.
I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO THINK OF YOURSELF AS A HOMELESS PERSON, AND WHAT AIDS
AND NEEDS YOU MIGHT HAVE AND THAT THIS CITY WOULD BE A FORERUNNER OF DOING
SOMETHING NEW AND CREATIVE TO HELP THOSE WHO NEED OUR HELP.
THANK YOU.
>> MS. GAUTHIER: THANK YOU.
AFTER MARILYN HARRIS IS SISTER JANE RUDOLPH.
FOLLOWED BY ARSH SHAH, JUDITH ZLATNIK AND REVEREND GREG WARD.
>> HELLO.
I'M MARILYN HARRIS WITH FREMONT FOR EVERYONE.
WHEN RAJ RAN FOR CITY COUNCIL HE EMPHASIZED COLLABORATION SAYING THAT WE CAN'T
DO THIS ALONE.
SO IF THIS IS TRUE, WHY DO YOU NEED TO CRIMINALIZE PEOPLE?
-- REMINDED US AT THE HEART OF ALL WE ARE ALL NEIGHBORS AND HAVE TO HELP EACH
OTHER SO WHY ARE YOU VOTING TO CRIMINALIZE US?
AND RAY BROUGHT THE BALANCE OF CONVERSATION SAYING NOT EVERYONE CAN AFFORD A
$2 MILLION HOUSE.
WE NEED SOLUTIONS THAT REFLECT REALITIES OF OUR COMMUNITY.
THE REALITY IS THAT WE NEED LOWER RENTS.
IT'S ABOUT WORKING ACROSS BOUNDARIES AND BUILDING A CITY WHERE EVERYONE HAS A
PLACE CALLED HOME.
VOTE NO ON THE CAMPING BAN.
>> HI THERE.
MY NAME IS IRSH SHAH, A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT.
THERE'S THIS NOTION AMONG THE COUNCIL AS WELL AS MANY PEOPLE HERE TODAY THAT
THIS IS NOT A CAMPING BAN, THIS IS SOMETHING OF A CAMPING SCALPEL.
I'D INVITE YOU TO READ THE BAN AND I'LL DO SO AND SHOW YOU FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE
WHY I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A BAN.
FIRST LET'S THINK ABOUT WHAT CAMPING IS PERMITTED TO BE.
TO LIVE TEMPORARILY AND MAKE CAMP FACILITY.
WHAT IS A CAMP FACILITY, YOU MIGHT ASK?
A CAMP FACILITY IS TENTS, VEHICLES, CAMPING OUTFITS OR TEMPORARY SHELTER.
THESE ARE COTS, HAMMOCKS, SLEEPING BAGS AND OTHER SIMILAR EQUIPMENT.
SO I'D ASK IF THIS BAN VERBATIM SAYS THESE ITEMS ARE TO BE ILLEGAL AND CONSIDERED AS
A MISDEMEANOR, WHICH PART OF THIS SAYS IT'S A SCALPEL?
THANK YOU SO MUCH, HAVE A GREAT DAY.
>> GOOD EVENING.
I'M SISTER JANE RUDOLPH.
AND I'M SPEAKING ON MY OWN BEHALF OPPOSING THE PROPOSED BAN THAT'S CREATING A
CRIMINALIZATION OF PEOPLE WHO ARE UNHOUSED.
MOST NOT OF THEIR OWN CHOICE, BECAUSE OF LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND
RESOURCES.
THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES FOR ADDRESSING ENCAMPMENTS ISSUED BY THE INTERAGENCY
COUNCIL ON HOUSING NEED TO BE OUR GUIDE.
THE CITY HAS DONE SO MUCH GOOD AND CONTINUES TO DO SO MUCH GOOD FOR THE
UNHOUSED.
CONTINUE, PLEASE, TO WORK FOR SOLUTIONS AND A PROCESS.
ONLY HOUSING CAN REDUCE HOMELESSNESS.
LET US HONOR THE DIGNITY OF OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS AND KEEP OUR LEGACY OF
FREMONT AS A COMPASSIONATE CITY.
THANK YOU.
>> I'M JUDITH ZLATNIK AND I'M PROUD TO HAVE BEEN A COUNCIL MEMBER WHO VOTED FOR
THE HOMELESS SHELTER.
IF YOU HAVE THE WISDOM AND THE FORESIGHT TO WORK WITH ABODE, YOUR OWN HUMAN
SERVICES DEPARTMENT, BAY AREA COMMUNITY SERVICES, FREMONT'S FAITH COMMUNITIES,
PROPERTY OWNERS, AND INTERESTED COMMUNITY MEMBERS, YOU CAN CRAFT A WIN-WIN
SOLUTION RATHER THAN ADOPTING AN ORDINANCE THAT WILL BE A FAILURE.
FREMONT HAS ACHIEVED RECOGNITION FOR THE PROGRESS THAT WE HAVE MADE.
AND I'VE ALWAYS BEEN PROUD OF WHAT THE CITY OF FREMONT HAS DONE.
IF YOU VOTE FOR THIS ORDINANCE, YOU WILL BE KNOWN FOR ADOPTING A PROGRAM WHICH
OTHERS HAVE TRIED AND REJECTED AS A FAILURE.
>> MS. GAUTHIER: THANK YOU.
>> MAYOR SALWAN: THANK YOU, MS. ZLATNIK.
THANK YOU.
>> MS. GAUTHIER: REVEREND GREG WARD FOLLOWED BY JENNA DOHERTY, ELIZABETH
SHAVER, JOHN R. SMITH.
AND ERIK PARKS.
>> MAYOR SALWAN, COUNCILMEMBERS, I'M GREG WARD --
>> MAYOR SALWAN: PLEASE PRESS THE BUTTON.
WE CAN'T HEAR YOU.
>> THERE WE GO.
I'M GREG WARD, AND I'M BLESSED TO BE THE PASTOR OF MISSION PEAK UNITARIAN
UNIVERSALISTS ON WASHINGTON BOULEVARD.
WE HAVE A LOT IN COMMON, MR. MAYOR.
MY CHURCH IS RADICALLY INCLUSIVE, COMMUNITY-COMMITTED TO SERVE EVERYONE, WITH
THE GOAL OF LOVING THE HELL OUT OF THE WORLD.
YOU CALL YOURSELF A MAYOR FOR EVERYONE.
I SERVE A CHURCH COMMITTED TO PUT LOVE AT THE CENTER.
YOU SERVE A PLACE DESIGNATED AS A COMPASSIONATE CITY, LIKE JESUS, MY CHURCH TRIES
TO CREATE A COMPASSIONATE CITY.
WE SHELTER THE POOR, WE FEED THE HUNGRY, WE HELP THE SICK, WE VISIT THE
IMPRISONED, WE INVITE, NOT INDICT, PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR PLACE.
CALL TOGETHER A CONSORTIUM OF LEADERS THAT INCLUDES THE UNHOUSED WHO CAN
COME UP WITH A MORE VIABLE PLAN THAN TICKETING, ARRESTING AND TAKING THE
POSSESSION --
>> LAST WEEK IN OHIO A PASTOR WAS CONVICTED FOR HOSTING UNHOUSED PEOPLE WHO
NEEDED SHELTER IN HIS CHURCH.
THE STORY MADE NATIONAL NEWS, WITH PEOPLE OUTRAGED AT SUCH EXTREME MEASURES.
WITH THE VAGUE PUNITIVE MEASURES OF THE CAMPING BAN FOR THOSE WHO ARE
UNHOUSED AND THOSE WHO HELP THEM, WHAT'S TO STOP THE CITY OF FREMONT FROM
SELECTIVELY ENFORCING IT AT ANY TIME FOR POLITICAL REASONS?
HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO FEEL PROUD OF OUR CITY, HAVING SO MUCH UNCHECKED
POWER TO TARGET THOSE MOST VULNERABLE?
FOR SIMPLY EXISTING?
WE ALREADY HAVE LAWS TO DEAL WITH CRIMINALS.
IF BEING CRUEL ISN'T A DEAL BREAKER AT THE VERY LEAST, ONE WOULD THINK BEING A
NATIONAL STORY FOR ALL THE WRONG REASONS WOULD BE.
THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR SALWAN AND COUNCILMEMBERS.
MY NAME IS JOHN SMITH AND AS SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW, I'VE BEEN AN ADVOCATE FOR
AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR 25 OF THE 48 YEARS THAT I'VE LIVED HERE IN FREMONT.
I AM PERSONALLY A CHRISTIAN, BUT ALONG WITH MY JEWISH BROTHERS AND MUSLIM
FRIENDS AND HINDUS, OUR RELIGIONS, I AM CALLED TO FEED THE HUNGRY, CLOTHE THE
UNCLOTHED, AND HOUSE THE UNHOUSED.
I FOUND THE CAMPING BAN ORDINANCE THAT YOU ARE CONSIDERING TO BE AN INSULT TO
MY CORE BELIEFS AND VALUES AS WELL AS CONTRADICTORY TO COMPASSIONATE CITY STATUS
THAT WAS DECLARED BY THE FREMONT -- BY FREMONT SOME TIME AGO.
I BELIEVE THAT YOU INTEND TO CRIMINALIZE -- I DON'T BELIEVE YOU INTEND TO CRIMINALIZE
ME FOR TRYING TO HELP THE UNHOUSED, BUT THAT IS WHAT PASSING THIS ORDINANCE
WOULD DO.
I HAVE DELIVERED TO THE CITY CLERK A COPY OF A STATEMENT FROM NILES DISCOVERY
CHURCH.
ONE FOR EACH OF YOU FROM OUR 150 MEMBERS SIGNED BY OUR MODERATOR AND PASTOR.
>> GOOD EVENING.
I'M BETH SHAVER, PRESIDENT OF THE MISSION PEAK UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST
CONGREGATION HERE IN FREMONT.
OUR BOARD JOINS WITH OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND FAITH COMMUNITIES TO
PUBLICLY OPPOSE THE PROPOSED CAMPING BAN ORDINANCE.
WHICH THE CITY COUNCIL IS CONSIDERING.
EVEN ACCORDING TO FREMONT'S OWN HOMELESS RESPONSE PLAN WHICH THE CITY
COUNCIL ADOPTED LESS THAN ONE YEAR AGO, THIS PROPOSED ORDINANCE WILL NOT BE
SUCCESSFUL IN ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM OF HOMELESS PEOPLE IN FREMONT.
THIS IS NOT THE ANSWER.
COMPASSION AND LOVE FOR OTHERS IS AT THE CENTER OF OUR FAITH, AS IN ALL FAITHS, AND
CRIMINALIZING THOSE WITHOUT HOUSING IS CRUEL.
I'M SURE THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCILMEMBERS ARE KIND PEOPLE WHO TREAT THEIR
FAMILIES AND FRIENDS WELL.
SO WHAT WOULD MAKE THEM FEEL THEY CAN DO LESS FOR THOSE WHO ARE OUTDOORS
SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO OTHER OPTION AT THE TIME?
I URGE YOU STRONGLY TO VOTE NO ON THE CAMPING BAN ORDINANCE.
>> MS. GAUTHIER: THANK YOU.
AFTER ERIK PARKS IS VALERIE STEWART, STEVE SCALA.
>> GOOD EVENING, COUNCILMEMBERS.
MY NAME IS ERIK, I'M A LIFELONG FREMONT RESIDENT.
I SEE PEOPLE LIVING ON THE STREET AS AN EFFECT AND NOT A CAUSE.
I DON'T SUPPORT THE CAMPING BAN.
THE CAMPING ORDINANCE AT ALL.
THERE'S SOMETHING CALLED HUMANE ENCAMPMENT RESOLUTION THAT I THINK WOULD --
THAT I THINK WE SHOULD DO INSTEAD.
THANKS.
DO I PUT THIS SOMEWHERE?
>> MS. GAUTHIER: YOU CAN GIVE TO US.
THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR SALWAN, COUNCILMEMBERS.
AS A FORMER STATE AND FEDERAL PROSECUTOR, I UNDERSTAND THE COLLATERAL
CONSEQUENCES OF A CRIMINAL CONVICTION.
I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT YOU DO.
THESE CONSEQUENCES CREATE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC BARRIERS FOR INDIVIDUALS
ADVERSELY AFFECTING EMPLOYMENT, HOUSING, PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE, AND OTHER
BENEFITS.
WE HAVE PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS SLEEPING IN CARS.
WE HAVE FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN IN RVS WHO GET UP IN THE MORNING AND GO TO WORK
AND A GO TO SCHOOL TO TRY AND GAIN A HOUSE, RESOURCES TO BECOME HOUSED AGAIN.
YOU ARE THE ELECTED STEWARDS OF OUR RESOURCES, THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE IS NOT
BASED ON INFORMED RESEARCH.
WHY ARE YOU NOT USING THE FREMONT HOMELESS RESPONSE PLAN?
THE PLAN IDENTIFIES GOALS AND STRATEGIES.
>> MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL, YOU HAVEN'T HEARD ANYBODY AVOID THE FACT THAT THERE ARE
PROBLEMS FOR THE UNHOUSED AND NOBODY'S ASKING YOU TO IGNORE THE PROBLEMS.
YOU SHOULD ADDRESS THE VARIOUS PROBLEMS THAT SOME PEOPLE HAVE RAISED.
HOWEVER, AS YOU JUST HEARD, CRIMINALIZING EVERYBODY IS ABHORRENT, AND THERE ARE
HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE THAT PEOPLE HERE ARE WORKING WITH DAY IN, DAY OUT, WHO HAVE
LOW WAGE JOBS, WHO ARE HELPING OUR CITY, AND ARE NOT CAUSING ANY PROBLEM,
THEY'RE NOT STARTING FIRES, THEY'RE NOT YELLING AT PEOPLE, AND THEY ARE NOT
CRIMINALS.
YOU SHOULD NOT TAKE THIS ACTION THAT CRIMINALIZES EVERYBODY.
I'LL ASK YOU TO KINDLY SCRAP THIS ORDINANCE THAT LOOKS LIKE YOU PULLED IT OFF OF
STEVEN MILLER'S WEBSITE, START OVER AGAIN USING AN ORDINANCE FROM ANOTHER CITY,
MAYBE PALM SPRINGS, THAT ADDRESSES THE PROBLEMS THAT PEOPLE RAISED BUT DON'T
CRIMINALIZE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE DOING NOTHING WRONG.
THANK YOU.
>> HELLO.
KATE AMAN, RESIDENT SINCE 1985.
THE PROPOSED CAMPING BAN WOULD DECLARE THE UNHOUSED PEOPLE ILLEGAL, THEIR
BELONGINGS AS CONTRABAND, ILLEGAL TO CONFISCATE AND THOSE INDIVIDUALS AND
ORGANIZATIONS THAT HELP THEM AS CRIMINALS TO FINE AND JAIL.
THERE'S NO SUGAR COATING OR DENYING THAT THE EFFECT OF THIS BAN WOULD BE
CRIMINALIZING HOMELESSNESS.
YES, THOSE WHO COMMIT CRIMES SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE, WHETHER HOUSED OR
UNHOUSED.
BUT DON'T MAKE A PERSON'S EXISTENCE A CRIME.
LET'S EXPEDITE AND FUND MORE REAL SOLUTIONS.
SAFE PARKING WHICH INCLUDES FAMILIES AND RVS, SHELTERS AND HOUSING.
VOTE NO ON THE CAMPING BAN.
LET'S DO REAL SOLUTIONS.
THANK YOU.
>> MS. GAUTHIER: THANK YOU.
AFTER MARGARET RAMAN, KATHRYN RUBY, MONICA, ANTONIO, AND RICHARD GODFREY.
>> HELLO, MY NAME IS PEGGY RAMAN, SORRY, MY LEGAL NAME IS MARGARET.
I AM HERE REPRESENTING THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS ALAMEDA COUNTY
AFFILIATE.
SINCE 1977, WE HAVE BEEN PRESENT IN ALAMEDA COUNTY, HELPING THOSE ADVOCATING
FOR THOSE WHO HAVE MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND FOR THEIR FAMILIES.
OUR OFFICE IS DOWN THE STREET.
FIVE YEARS AGO, NAMI ALAMEDA COUNTY PROUDLY SUPPORTED THE ADOPTION OF THE
CARE FIRST JAILS LAST POLICY.
IT WAS PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON MAY 25TH, 2021.
TO DEVELOP THIS INITIATIVE, PROVIDERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, COMMUNITY MEMBERS WITH
LIVED EXPERIENCE MET MONTHLY FOR TWO YEARS UNDER THE BROWN ACT TO DEVELOP A
COORDINATED STRATEGY FOR DIVERSION FROM JAIL.
AS THOSE WHO SUFFER AND THOSE WHO LOVE PEOPLE WHO SUFFER WITH MENTAL HEALTH
CONDITIONS KNOW FIRSTHAND, THOSE FOLKS ARE PRONE TO CRIMINAL VICTIMIZATION.
>> MAYOR SALWAN: THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, MA'AM.
IF YOU'D LIKE TO SUBMIT YOUR STATEMENT, YOU CAN GIVE IT TO THE CITY CLERK AND WE
CAN READ THE REST IF YOU'D LIKE.
YOU'RE MUTED.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR SALWAN AND CITY COUNCILMEMBERS.
MY NAME IS KATHRYN RUBY.
TONIGHT I'M SPEAKING AS A PRIVATE CITIZEN.
I'M DYING.
I'VE KNOWN THIS FOR 3 1/2 YEARS.
AND I'M TELLING YOU THIS BECAUSE MY DREAM HAS BEEN TO HELP END HOMELESSNESS IN
MY BELOVED CITY.
I'VE BEEN FIGHTING FOR THIS SINCE I BECAME HOMELESS IN 2019.
I KNOW FROM EXPERIENCE AND A TRULY AWFUL EXPERIENCE IN EVERY WAY IMAGINABLE BUT
I DO NOT KNOW HOW MUCH TIME I HAVE LEFT TO SEE THIS DREAM THROUGH.
I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT WORKING COMPASSIONATELY TOWARDS BETTER SOLUTIONS FOR
GETTING PEOPLE OFF THE STREETS AND INTO SHELTERS AND HOUSING IS INCONSISTENT WITH
ALL OF OUR GOALS OF LIVING BETTER LIVES.
WE HAVE BEEN ON THE RIGHT TRACK FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS.
I KNOW IT TAKES TIME BUT THERE ARE MANY SOLUTIONS.
>> MAYOR SALWAN: THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING.
MY NAME IS MONICA.
I WAS HERE BEFORE.
LIKE MANY PEOPLE HAVE SAID TO YOU ALREADY, YOU HAVE THE ORGANIZATIONS AND THE
RESOURCES TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM.
AND BECAUSE THIS PROBLEM IS NOW, WE NEED A SOLUTION NOW.
IT'S GOOD THAT IT IS FINANCES AND PROJECTS FOR FUTURE BUILDINGS OF AFFORDABLE
HOUSING, BUT THE PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE SOLVED NOW.
SO WE NEED AT LEAST TEMPORARY SOLUTIONS.
NOBODY SAYS A FOREVER SOLUTION, BUT AT LEAST SOMETHING THAT SOLVES THE PROBLEM
RIGHT NOW.
AND FOR THE PERSON THAT CAME BEFORE SAYING BUSINESSES WERE CLOSING BECAUSE OF
THE HOMELESS, BECAUSE MY BUSINESS WAS CLOSED WAS NOT THE HOMELESS.
THE REASON IS BECAUSE THE -- MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR SMALL BUSINESS FOLKS TO
CONTINUE.
IT'S NOT THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE ON THE STREETS.
IT'S THE MONEY.
THE GREED OF THE PEOPLE.
NOT THE HOMELESS.
YOU HAVE THE SOLUTION IN YOUR HANDS.
>> MAYOR SALWAN: THANK YOU, MA'AM.
>> HI, EVERYONE.
I AM A RESIDENT IN FREMONT SINCE 2019, SO WHEN I COME IN HERE I HAVE WORK BUT
RIGHT NOW I AM HOMELESS.
SO WHEN YOU SAY REMEMBER EVERYONE, IT'S NOT FAIR TO KICK OUT PEOPLE FROM LIVING
IN RVS AFTER -- SO WE JUST PARK IN THERE.
-- AND NOT APPLY THEM TO EVERYONE, THIS IS -- PEOPLE DON'T KNOW LIVE LIKE VAGABOND,
THEY LIVING LIKE THEY CAN.
THANKS.
>> MS. GAUTHIER: THANK YOU.
AFTER RICHARD GODFREY IS JOANN KEMP.
BARBARA TAY, AND ELIZABETH BUFFINGTON.
>> THANK YOU, RICH GODFREY FROM THE NILES DISTRICT AND THE LARGER COMMUNITY OF
FREMONT.
I WISH TO MAKE MENTION OF THE TWO GOLDEN RULES.
ONE OF THOSE RULES IS WHO CONTROLS THE GOLD MAKES THE RULES.
AND THE OTHER WE'VE HEARD TWICE TONIGHT.
AND THAT IS TO DO UNTO OTHERS AS THEY WOULD DO UNTO YOU.
SO I WOULD SUGGEST AS WE THINK GOING FORWARD FOR THIS ORDINANCE THAT IT REALLY
MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS OF THAT FIRST RULE, NOT THE SECOND.
I WOULD LIKE TO SAY IN MEDICINE, WE KNOW IF THERE'S A SIGN OR A SYMPTOM, YOU DON'T
JUST TRY TO HIDE THAT OR TREAT IT AND GET RID OF IT, YOU WANT TO UNDERSTAND THE
LARGER PROBLEM IN THIS CASE, SOCIAL MALAISE, IN OUR CITY, OUR COUNTY AND OUR STATE,
AND WE LOOK TO YOU AS SOLUTIONS WE'VE YET TO SEE.
I DID SUBMIT A COMMUNITY BLOCK GRANT WHICH WAS DECLINED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY
FOR REASONS I DON'T UNDERSTAND, BUT I HOPE THAT YOU WILL SUBMIT BETTER ONES.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> MAYOR SALWAN: NO SIGNS, MA'AM.
NO POSTERS OR SIGNS.
PLEASE PUT THEM TO THE SIDE.
THANK YOU.
>> UNHOUSED PEOPLE LIVE THE WAY THEY DO FOR MANY REASONS.
BUT ONE THING THEY HAVE IN COMMON, THEY ARE NOT CRIMINALS.
WE AS A CITY CANNOT MAKE THEM CRIMINALS.
WE CAN PASS LAWS THAT MAKE THEM CRIMINALLY ARRESTED, CHASE THEM FROM PLACE TO
PLACE AND MAKE THEIR MARGINAL EXISTENCE MORE OF A STRUGGLE THAN IT IS.
WE CAN THREATEN THE GENEROUS PEOPLE THAT SUPPORT THEM WITH FOOD AND CLOTHING
AND KIND WORDS, OR WE CAN COME UP WITH A SOLUTION TO THEIR ISSUES, FIND ONE BY
ONE, PLACES FOR THEM TO CAMP THAT THEY WON'T BE THREATENED REGULARLY AND OUR
OTHER CITIZENS WON'T FEEL THREATENED EITHER.
I URGE ELECTED OFFICIALS TO FIND SOLUTIONS RATHER THAN CRIMINALIZING SURVIVING
BEHAVIOR.
WE CAN START TO BE A COMPASSIONATE CITY THAT REACHES OUT TO THE LESS FORTUNATE
WITH A HELPING HAND AND A CARING, SERVING HEART.
NOT A HURTFUL ORDINANCE.
THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVEN.
MY NAME IS BARBARA TAYLOR.
MIGHT GET A LITTLE EMOTIONAL HERE.
I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE HOMELESS THROUGH SALVATION ARMY FOR 31 YEARS.
THEY'RE FAMILY TO ME.
THEY'RE NOT JUST PEOPLE OUT THERE, BUT THEY'RE PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT WANT DIGNITY,
THEY WANT A PLACE TO STAY JUST LIKE YOU AND ME, AND IF YOU -- EVERYBODY HERE, MORE
OF THE PEOPLE WANT YOUR SOLUTIONS, NOT TO SWEEP IT UNDER THE RUG.
YOU'VE GOT TO DO SOMETHING, BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT WE NEED TO DO HERE.
I GREW UP HERE, AND I WAS -- I'M PROUD OF IT.
I LIVE IN HAYWARD NOW AND I'M PROUD OF HAYWARD BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THIS BAN
AND I HOPE TO GOD THAT WE NEVER DO.
BECAUSE I WILL GO TO JAIL.
I DON'T CARE, BECAUSE I'M GOING TO HELP THEM.
>> MS. GAUTHIER: AFTER ELIZABETH BUFFINGTON IS LISA DANZ, CAROLINE HARRIS, TERRY
MCGREGOR, AND WILLIAM UREGGY.
>> GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL.
I'M CURRENTLY A RESIDENT OF FREMONT, BEEN HERE SINCE 2019, CAME DOWN HERE, MY
GIRLFRIEND BROUGHT ME DOWN HERE BECAUSE IT'S A SAFER AREA FOR A HOMELESS LADY.
I'VE BEEN HERE SINCE 2019 IN THE ARDENWOOD AREA, NORTH FREMONT.
THERE ARE NO SERVICES IN NORTH FREMONT.
IT'S VERY HARD TO GET AROUND TO THE SERVICES THAT ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE
TOWN.
I KIND OF HIT ON THIS BECAUSE MOST OF OUR PEOPLE ARE MENTALLY ILL, WE HAVE QUITE A
FEW PEOPLE OVER THERE THAT NEED HELP, DRAMATIC HELP, THEY'RE NOT IN REALITY, AND
THEY CANNOT HELP THEMSELVES.
THE PEOPLE THAT YOU GUYS ARE SENDING OUT TO PICK UP TRASH, IT'S A GREAT IDEA, BUT
THEY'RE NOT JUST PICKING UP TRASH, THEY'RE PICKING UP OUR WORK AND OUR MONEY,
AND THEY LEAVE THE TRASH BEHIND.
SO IT'S KIND OF A CONTRADICTORY -- IT'S KIND OF HARD TO WORK.
WE DO TRY TO WORK WITH YOUR REQUEST FOR CLEANED UP AREAS.
WE'RE DOING IT AS FAST AS WE CAN.
THE SHELTERS ARE NOT WORKING FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.
WE HOPE YOU FIND MORE --
>> GOOD EVENING.
MY NAME IS LISA DANZ, I'M IN DISTRICT 4 WITH FREMONT FOR EVERYONE AND I'M HERE TO
REITERATE ABOUT THE U.S. INTERAGENCY COUNCIL ON HOMELESSNESS SEVEN PRINCIPLES
THAT SISTER JANE RUDOLPH REFERRED TO EARLIER WHICH WE'VE SENT YOU INFORMATION
ON IN THE PAST.
IN PARTICULAR I WANT TO NOTE THE INTRODUCTION TO THESE PRINCIPLES EXPRESSES THESE
ARE NOT JUST THEORETICAL.
THESE WERE U.S. AGENCIES OBSERVED CITIES THAT HAD BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN ADDRESSING
ENCAMPMENTS AND REDUCING HOMELESSNESS IN THEIR CITIES AND CAME UP WITH THOSE
PRINCIPLES-BASED ON THOSE SUCCESS STORIES.
I'M GOING TO QUICKLY READ OUT ALL SEVEN FOR YOUR REMINDER.
NUMBER ONE ESTABLISH A CROSS AGENCY MULTI-SECTOR RESPONSE TO ENCAMPMENTS.
TWO ENGAGE -- FOUR, ADDRESS BASIC NEEDS AND PROVIDE STORAGE.
FIVE, ENSURE ACCESS TO SHELTER OR HOUSING OPTIONS.
SIX, DEVELOP PATHWAYS TO PERMANENT HOUSING AND SUPPORTS.
SEVEN, CREATE A PLAN FOR WHAT WILL HAPPY WITH ENCAMPMENT SITES AFTER CLOSURE.
>> HELLO, MY NAME IS CAROLINE HARRIS.
I'M THE CURRENT CHAIR OF THE TRI-CITY ECOLOGY CENTER.
AND -- BEING UNHOUSED A CRIMINAL OFFENSE, I DON'T SEE SPENDING FUNDS AND
PROSECUTING THOSE HOMELESS PEOPLE IS GOING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM, AND YOU CAN
NEVER HAVE -- YOU'RE NEVER GOING TO HAVE ENOUGH MONEY OR RESOURCES TO CLEAN UP
THE PROBLEM WITH POLICE ACTION.
I REALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT THIS COULD BE A SOLUTION AT ALL SO WHY NOT JUST USE
THE FUNDS THAT YOU WOULD OTHERWISE USE FOR FUNDING THE POLICE AND THE TRASH
CLEAR UP TO ACTUALLY SOLVE THE PROBLEM RATHER THAN JUST MOVING PEOPLE ON TO A
DIFFERENT SITE?
THANK YOU.
>> HI, MY NAME IS TERRY MCGREGOR, AND I HAVE LIVED HERE IN FREMONT FOR ABOUT 45
YEARS AND RAISED MY FAMILY HERE.
THIS IS A VERY PERSONAL ISSUE TO ME.
MY WIFE AND I HAVE A SON WHO'S HAD MANY MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES, AND HE
EXPERIENCED HOMELESSNESS IN ANOTHER COMMUNITY, AND AT ONE POINT WAS BEATEN
OVER THE HEAD WITH A METAL PIPE AND HOSPITALIZED, WHICH EVEN WORSENED HIS
CONDITION.
THE DECISIONS YOU MAKE HAVE REAL CONSEQUENCES FOR PEOPLE.
AND I REALLY ASK YOU TO REALLY STEP BACK.
IT'S NOT TOO LATE.
YOU CAN TAKE THE COURAGE TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION AND IN BRINGING PEOPLE
TOGETHER, YOU CAN MAKE THIS A BETTER FREMONT.
THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL.
FREMONT RESIDENT SINCE '84.
BUSINESS OWNER, SIERRA CLUB MEMBER, MISSION PEAK CONSERVANCY.
I'M CHANNELING KELLY TONIGHT SINCE HE'S NOT HERE.
INTERESTING THAT WE HAVE A POLICE PRESENCE.
YOU KNOW, IN A COUNCIL MEETING, I'M SURPRISED, FOUR PEOPLE HERE, FOUR COPS, NOT
OUT ON THE STREET, THEY'RE HERE PROTECTING US.
I DON'T KNOW WHICH OF YOU MADE THAT DECISION, BUT THANK YOU.
THIS IS AN ISSUE, HOMELESSNESS IS AN ISSUE THAT YOU'RE NOT GOING TO RESOLVE IT BY
CRIMINALIZING AND YOU'VE HEARD THAT AGAIN AND AGAIN TONIGHT.
WE NEED SOLUTIONS THAT ACTUALLY HOUSE PEOPLE, AND MANY OF YOU OR SOME OF YOU
WERE HERE WHEN WE BUILT THE WARM SPRINGS NEIGHBORHOOD, 4500 HOMES, ALMOST
NO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
WE CAN DO BETTER.
WITH NEED TO BUILD HOUSING AND WE NEED TO FIND A PLACE FOR PUTTING THESE
CAMPERS AND THE CAMPS SO THEY'RE NOT CRIMINALIZE DOLLARS.
THANK YOU.
>> MS. GAUTHIER: MR. UREGGY WAS THE LAST SPEAKER.
>> MAYOR SALWAN: GREAT.
THANK YOU, EVERYBODY, FOR COMING OUT.
AS MENTIONED, THIS IS NOT AN AGENDIZED ITEM.
WE JUST ARE HERE TO LISTEN.
WE WILL HAVE THIS ITEM NEXT WEEK, FEBRUARY 11TH.
WE WILL ADDRESS YOUR QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS AT THAT MEETING.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING, AND WE'LL GO ON TO OUR NEXT ITEM.
NEXT ITEM IS 7A, COUNCILMEMBER REFERRALS.
THIS IS FOR COUNCILMEMBER COMMITTEES.
IF THERE'S NO QUESTIONS, CAN I GET A MOTION?
COUNCILMEMBER SHAO?
>> COUNCILMEMBER SHAO: I'LL MAKE THE MOTION.
>> MAYOR SALWAN: MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER SHAO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER
KENG.
PLEASE VOTE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER SHAO: ROLL CALL VOTE.
>> MAYOR SALWAN: ROLL CALL VOTE.
>> MS. GAUTHIER: I APOLOGIZE.
COUNCILMEMBER LIU, AYE.
COUNCILMEMBER ZHANG, AYE.
COUNCILMEMBER SHAO, AYE.
COUNCILMEMBER KIMBERLIN, AYE.
COUNCILMEMBER KENG, AYE.
VICE MAYOR CAMPBELL, AYE.
MAYOR SALWAN, AYE.
OKAY, GREAT.
UNANIMOUS PASSAGE, 7-0.
NEXT WE HAVE 7B, APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMITTEES.
THERE'S NO QUESTIONS, CAN I GET A MOTION?
>> COUNCILMEMBER SHAO: SO MOVED.
>> MAYOR SALWAN: MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER SHAO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER
KIMBERLIN.
ROLL CALL VOTE.
>> MS. GAUTHIER: COUNCILMEMBER LIU, AYE.
COUNCILMEMBER ZHANG, AYE.
COUNCILMEMBER SHAO, AYE.
COUNCILMEMBER KIMBERLIN, AYE.
COUNCILMEMBER KENG, AYE.
VICE MAYOR CAMPBELL, AYE.
MAYOR SALWAN, AYE.
MOTION PASSES 7-0, UNANIMOUS.
THANK YOU.
NEXT ANY REPORT ON COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS?
COUNCILMEMBER SHAO.
>> COUNCILMEMBER SHAO: THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR.
I'M GLAD TO ANNOUNCE THAT I'VE BEEN APPOINTED BY THE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES AS
THE AT LARGE DIRECTOR OF THE ASIAN AND PACIFIC ASSOCIATION OF MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS.
I'M ALSO APPOINTED AS THE COMMITTEE MEMBER OF THE 2025 PUBLIC SAFETY AND THE
CRIME PREVENTION FEDERAL ADVOCACY COMMITTEE, THEREFORE I AM OBLIGATED TO
ATTEND THE CONGRESSIONAL CITY CONFERENCES HELD IN WASHINGTON, D.C. THIS COMING
MARCH TO PERFORM SUCH DUTIES ON THOSE TWO COMMITTEES.
THANK YOU.
>> MAYOR SALWAN: ANYBODY ELSE?
SEEING NONE, THAT'S ALL FOR COMMUNITY REPORTS.
SO AT THIS POINT, I'LL ADJOURN THE MEETING.
THANK YOU, EVERYBODY, FOR COMING OUT.
WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.
HAVE A GREAT EVENING.
GOODNIGHT.