City of Fremont, CA Official Website

Sincerely,

Karena Shackelford
City Manager

• Used $58 million of one-time funding from the General Fund to increase the amount available for allocation as part of the 2023/24 – 2027/28 Capital Improvement Program (CIP), providing for improvements to City facilities and infrastructure desired by the community. Those include an expanded new community center, the replacement of park restrooms and outdated City facility HVAC systems, and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.
• Applied $15 million of one-time revenues and savings to establish a reserve for accrued leave liabilities.
• Transferred $3.5 million of one-time revenues and savings to stabilize the available fund balance in the Risk Management Fund.
• Used $17.3 million of one-time revenues and savings to pay off the City’s 2017B Lease Revenue Bonds—resulting in $1.3 million annual expenditure savings beginning 2023/24.
• Applied $7.5 million of one-time revenues and savings to increase the General Fund Budget Uncertainty Reserve to address future economic uncertainty.
• Implemented the Council approved inflation-adjusted increase to development impact fees to ensure that funding for infrastructure upgrades related to new development keeps pace with construction cost increases.
• Received the Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the FY 2021/22 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report.
• Continued the City Council policy of making additional annual pension contributions to reduce the City’s unfunded liability more rapidly.
• Set aside $22 million of one-time General Fund surplus to repay prior year sales tax misallocated to Fremont.
• Received $3 million in direct funding from the State budget for the Housing Navigation Center ($500,000), the Downtown and District Wi-Fi program ($1.5 million), and to use for the design/planning of the Multi-Use Community Center at Central Park ($1 million). 
• Partnered with an affordable housing developer to obtain a $45.8 million State grant from the Affordable Housing Sustainable Communities Program to help build new affordable housing, construct the Centerville Complete Streets project, and replace an Altamont Corridor Express diesel locomotive with a modern zero emission locomotive.
• Facilitated the opening of Papé Machinery and the entitlement of Enterprise Car Sales, two major dealerships in Fremont that will provide significant sales tax revenue once fully operational.
• Facilitated numerous Fremont company expansions (including Lam Research, Quanta Manufacturing, EnerVenue, Bionova Scientific, Bloom Energy, Raxium, and many others) that will positively impact Fremont’s local economy and General Fund revenues.
• Attracted new technology companies to Fremont including SMART Modular, RadiSurf, Our Next Energy, Ohmium, and Nitricity.
• Accelerated reinvestment in the city's major employment areas by advancing over a dozen commercial and industrial development projects. These include the groundbreaking of Tech Center @ 880, a flex-industrial project at the former Globe shopping center site; the entitlement of the Campus @ Bayside, an advanced manufacturing campus in Bayside Technology Park; and the groundbreaking of 49000 Milmont, an advanced manufacturing building in Warm Springs. 
• Partnered with East Bay Economic Development Alliance, Union City, San Leandro, and Oakland to secure a $500,000 grant from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission in support of Fremont's designated Priority Production Areas (PPAs) to develop long-term industrial land preservation strategies and promote reinvestment.
• Served as lead advisory partner for Resilient East Bay, a regional economic recovery effort funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration focused on creating long-term economic resiliency and growth through promoting the region's advanced industries, where Fremont holds a regional leadership position.
• Facilitated a new dedicated production line for Fremont’s Nextracker at Fremont-based Asteel Flash, expanding Fremont’s national leadership in cleantech through supporting local Inflation Reduction Act investments.
• Assisted multiple Fremont companies in their applications for CHIPS Act funding, ultimately helping to secure commitments for business expansions in semiconductor manufacturing and R&D in Fremont.
• Partnered with BART on a Line A Jobs Study that will serve as a basis for future development opportunities on BART-owned properties to support adding transit-oriented jobs and new resident amenities near Fremont's regional transit stations.
• Received a $2.5 million grant to combat organized retail theft.
• Adopted a Parks Capital Improvement Program that addressed significant revenue shortfalls while maintaining progress on priority projects that provide for five acres of developed parkland per 1,000 people. 
• Supported FEMA reimbursement efforts for damage caused by winter/spring storms of 2023. Active projects include repairs and future mitigation efforts at Old Canyon Road bridge over Alameda Creek, Morrison Canyon Road and Trail, Mill Creek Road, Sullivan Underpass, and Agua Fria Creek at Rancho Higuera Historical Park.
• Secured $383,000 in grant funding from the U.S. Forest Service's Urban and Community Forestry Program—made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act—to support tree planting and green job development.
• Secured ongoing funding of $10,000 from East Bay Community Foundation for the enhancement and preservation of the Fremont Arboretum at Shinn Historical Park.
• Finished FY 2022/23 with a positive net revenue in the Recreation Cost Center for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, including the waterpark reaching pre-pandemic levels for revenue and attendance.
• Secured 37 sponsors to donate a total of $106,000 to help support Summer Concerts, Movies in the Park, and the Low-Income Recreation Scholarship program.

• Launched the Homelessness Response Plan development process and conducted extensive community outreach including: a project overview, timeline, and community survey on MyFremont; two in-person community meetings; stakeholder interviews/meetings; and focus groups with Fremont businesses. Plan completion is expected in 2024.
• Created a new Homeless Response section on the City’s website. Centralized relevant topics and facilitated community access to resources, including: a new encampment response section, homeless services, affordable housing information, a homelessness news feed, a storytelling series, a homeless response year in review report, and instructions on how to report a concern.
• Developed a comprehensive transition plan to assist unhoused community members at Vallejo Mill Historical Park. The plan includes outreach, connection to intensive supportive services, temporary shelter placements, and stable housing options. To date, staff has conducted robust outreach and service support efforts with the individuals currently living at the park to help with relocation when it closes early next year.
• Continued to conduct enhanced encampment cleanups with significant coordination across several City departments to enforce or implement parking restrictions, dismantle hazardous structures, remove large quantities of debris, and perform outreach at the following sites: Central Park, Washington Overpass, Vallejo Mill Historical Park, Ardenwood Overpass, Isherwood, Bay Street Parking Lot, Kato Road, Christy Street, Albrae Street, and Stewart Avenue.
• Increased funding for encampment abatement contract services by approximately 25% over last year to expand capacity and improve the City’s ability to address urgent cleanup issues. Added Monday morning to the regular weekly cleanup schedule of Wednesday and Thursday, which expands the schedule to two and a half days per week. 
• Conducted approximately 112 encampment abatement days in 2023, an increase from the 97 cleanup days occurring last year.
• Conducted encampment debris removal activities at 889 discrete locations in 2023, requiring approximately 4,820 contractor hours to remove 608 tons of debris. 
• Continued power washing services for City sites and public right of ways to support public health and safety. 
• Established comprehensive and proactive measures for addressing camping in parks—including targeted outreach programs and robust support services—in coordination with the Mobile Evaluation Team (MET), Park Rangers, Park Maintenance, Human Services, and Environmental Services.
• MET responded to 295 mental health and encampment support service requests in FY 2022/23 while adjusting staffing to deploy the Crime Reduction (Community Resource) Team in support of MET.
• Created a new MET Community Service Officer position to assist with a variety of homeless response related tasks to include vehicle towing/ticketing, complaint follow up, outreach, data collection, and site monitoring. Started recruitment for two MET mental health clinicians.
• Operated the drop-in Housing Resource Center at the Family Resource Center to respond to the needs of the unhoused, the marginally/insecurely housed, and new refugees. Available service agencies included the Ohlone Career Center, Bay Area Legal Aid, and Bay Area Community Health. Nearly 250 visitors were able to enroll in the Coordinated Entry System, the County’s system for making housing matches.
• Launched the Housing and Community Supports Housing Navigation and Tenant Sustaining Services Program where case workers locate those individuals with housing matches, ensure their paperwork is complete, and assist them in successfully maintaining housing. This year, approximately 31 clients were enrolled in the program.
• Serviced approximately 51 unhoused adults through the Safe Parking Program in 2023. 10 participants have transitioned into interim or permanent housing situations since the program launched in 2021.
• Operated the FY 2022/23 Winter Relief Program at two hotels. 49 individuals were sheltered including nine minors. Two babies were born during the program. At the end of the program, 14 individuals were able to find alternate placements ranging from permanent housing to other emergency shelter. 
• Increased capacity of the FY 2023/24 Winter Relief Program by adding a third motel to the program and doubling the number of available rooms. With up to 60 shelter rooms available, the program is positioned to provide up to 9,000 bed nights of service.
• Partnered with local restaurants to provide daily meals for unhoused individuals participating in the Winter Relief Program.
• Contracted with Abode Services to provide increased service coordination and administer flexible funding to help transition participants in the Safe Parking Program and Winter Relief Program into longer-term shelter/housing solutions.
• Continued to provide mobile shower and laundry services through the CleanStart Program.
• Renewed a contract with City Serve Compassion Network to assist with volunteer recruitment and registration for the Safe Parking Program and CleanStart Program.
• Extended shower and laundry service for the Homeless Wellness Center Day Program to include Saturdays and Sundays.
• Filled one Human Services Specialist position to support homeless response.
• Nearing completion of two City-funded affordable housing developments that include units targeted for unhoused individuals and families (Doug Ford Senior Apartments and Fremont Family Apartments). Started construction of three additional affordable housing developments (Osgood South, Osgood North, and Bell Street Gardens). Together, these projects will provide over 300 new affordable units for Fremont.
• Issued a Notice of Funding Availability for the creation of affordable housing in Fremont. Approximately $30 million in funding is available to add to the pipeline of affordable projects. Five proposals are currently under review. Recommendations for funding are anticipated to be presented to the City Council in early 2024.
• Updated the Housing Element of the General Plan and received State certification that the Housing Element complies with State law, positioning the City to remain competitive for State grant funds related to housing and homelessness.
• As one of the first implementation efforts of the City’s new Housing Element, completed a significant cleanup of the zoning code to comply with recent changes in State law.
• Applied to Round 3 of the State’s HomeKey program for approximately $35 million in grant funding to convert the Motel 6 on Research Avenue to 156 units of permanent and supportive affordable housing for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

• The Fremont Police Department (FPD) and Human Resources completed a comprehensive update to recruitment and hiring policies, procedures, and practices to ensure FPD remains competitive and sustains the ability to hire qualified and competent police personnel. (This also included a new social media digital marketing and advertising campaign.)
• Issued a hiring bonus to six entry-level Police Officers and three lateral Police Officers. In addition, four current employees received a referral bonus for referring successful entry and lateral Police Officers.
• Received a $2.5 million grant to develop a Real Time Information Center (RTIC) to significantly enhance FPD’s ability to deter, detect, respond, and investigate organized retail theft and other crimes impacting the community. Funds will be used to deploy two full time FPD positions and technology.
• Obtained funding for updated FPD equipment including body worn camera systems, interview room recording devices, in-car cameras, and arrest control devices. 
• Held a “Gun Buy Back” event with funds generously donated by the Fremont community. Over 250 unwanted firearms were collected. 
• Upfitted police vehicles and deployed pursuit alternative technology enhancing FPD’s ability to recover stolen vehicles, increase apprehension, and reduce the number of police pursuits.
• Adjusted FPD’s Traffic Unit schedule to better align with data driven information regarding traffic volume and frequency of collisions. 
• Developed tactical crime prevention strategies in key commercial “hot spots” being targeted for theft and vandalism.
• Supported small businesses in addressing theft and vandalism challenges. Responded to inquiries and conducted advisory visits with different business stakeholders, including commercial property owners, Downtown businesses, and small business groups.
• Continued to deploy the Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) in support of the Mobile Evaluation Team (MET) to enhance mitigation of criminal activity.
• Identified grant funding which will be used to install additional pursuit alternative and stolen vehicle apprehension technology on FPD’s patrol vehicles.
• Neared full implementation of the Fremont Public Safety Drone as First Responder initiative.
• Initiated a plan to restore FPD’s Reserve Police Officer Program intended to support the efforts of the department and full-time Police Officers in delivering public safety services.
• Expanded public safety messaging on preparing for emergencies and storm events.
• Continuing to expand public safety messaging to improve traffic safety and help manage speeding, impaired driving, and creating awareness of people walking and bicycling with a focus on seniors, youth, and unhoused persons.
• Completed construction of a new emergency power generator at the Police Center to ensure reliable operations during power outages. 
• Completed rehabilitation of the outdoor firing range to support required training for Police Officers. 
• Initiated promotional Police Lieutenant recruitment, selection, and hiring process to fill two vacancies and establish an eligibility list for future vacancies that may become available.
• Awarded a construction contract for a new building at the Police Center for storing vehicles involved in traffic crashes or criminal activities for investigative purposes and evidence retention.
• Continued diverse hiring practices by hiring a group of 18 recruit Fremont Fire Department (FFD) firefighters that started a six-month academy in October 2023 to support opening the 14th company. The group included five females and 13 males. 
• Continued the development of a Tri-City Local Hazard Mitigation Plan to reduce risks associated with natural disasters, with FFD as the lead agency working with other stakeholders in the Tri-City area. A draft plan will be available for review by the end of 2023. 
• Renewed the agreement between FFD and the Alameda County Fire Department for fire dispatch services through the regional emergency communications center. 
• The Office of the State Fire Marshal renewed FFD as an Accredited Local Academy (ALA), authorizing FFD to deliver approved State Fire Training (SFT) curriculum within a given region.
• Implemented Tablet Command on all FFD front-line apparatus, which increases situational awareness, speeds incident response, streamlines incident management, and improves firefighter accountability. 
• Hired two Fire Inspectors and made a conditional offer to fill the Fire Marshal vacancy. The Fire Prevention Bureau will be fully staffed by January 2024. 
• Updated and published new FFD performance standards based on purchasing and implementation of new hose equipment.
• Completed the first phase of an ambulance feasibility study, a First Responder Fee Study. The final phase will be completed by March 2024.
• Completed the design phase of the Phoenix G2 Fire Station alerting system. Collaborating with City stakeholders, the installation is planned to commence in July 2024.
• Used grant funding to enroll four FFD employees in paramedic school to enhance life-saving service to the community.
• Began FFD station redistricting analysis using Deccan International resources deployment software analytical tool, which is built to assist with placing FFD’s 14th company in service. Timeline for project completion is February 2024.
• FFD successfully passed Cal OES Fire and Rescue Division Hazardous Material Type II training and equipment re-certification requirements, which allows FFD to remain available for mutual aid responses both locally and statewide.
• Upgraded every Type III and VI Fire apparatus with a fully programmed and operational Bendix King Radio. 
• Replaced FFD Engine 56 and Engine 57 with two new Fire Type 1 engines.
• Completed FFD standpipe operations training, focused on making connections to mid- and high-rise buildings to establish a water supply for fire suppression efforts. Also, updated and standardized hose bed configuration and supplied each apparatus with standpipe bags and equipment.
• FFD entered into an agreement with EMS University to accept EMT students on ride along outings and provide supervised field experience and mentorship to select trainees.
• FFD and Milpitas Fire updated the Mutual Aid Assistance Agreement, a partnership that provides a mutual aid response by available emergency response units for fire suppression, medical and rescue, and other emergency incidents.
• Provided public cooling centers at community centers and age-well centers on days when temperatures exceeded 91°F. 
• Developed a new Short-Term Rental Ordinance which will provide new tools for dealing with problem short-term rental providers and renters. 
• Abated over 275 residential tree hazards resulting from heavy winter storms. 
• Installed new park signage to ensure clear messaging about rules, ordinances, and regulations to support park visitors’ enjoyment and experience. 
• Installed defibrillators in 10 Recreation buildings throughout the city. Provided training for City staff to operate and maintain these units.
• Completed significant infrastructure repairs at the Central Park Skatepark for sustainability and improved safety.
• Completed playground safety resurfacing and replacement projects at Always Dream Park, Blacow Park, David Jones Park, and Sylvester Harvey Park.
• Improved walkways and ADA accessibility at Central Park and Sylvester Harvey Park to enhance pedestrian safety.
• Relocated a basketball court closer to the street at Rix Park to improve visibility.

• Launched Fremont’s inaugural Restaurant Week, which supported over 40 local restaurants during what is typically a slow time of year. The event generated tens of thousands of unique online visits to the Restaurant Week website and social media engagement. 92% of  participating businesses reported attracting new customers and 75% reported an increase in revenue.
• Facilitated the multi-year successful renovation of the historic Centerville Theater. Extensive site improvements—including the rebuilding of the iconic marquee sign, fire prevention measures, HVAC upgrades, and accessibility upgrades—will allow for numerous future commercial uses, including a basketball league space in the near-term and an envisioned public market and food hall in the longer term.
• Launched the Shop Small Fremont marketing campaign to showcase the small businesses that help make Fremont unique. Highlighted the stories of the business owners behind the scenes through a monthly video series on the City’s social media channels and YouTube channel. 
• Continued to support development and investment in Downtown and the surrounding City Center area, which currently has a development pipeline of eight multifamily, commercial, and mixed-use projects.
• Facilitated the pending sale of the Wells Fargo property at Liberty Street and Walnut Avenue for future redevelopment. Once the site is developed, it will result in a significant influx of new residents into the City Center, supporting nearby businesses. 
• Worked with major Downtown property owner Kimco to finalize their applications for redevelopment projects at both the Fremont Hub and Gateway Plaza shopping centers. The projects were approved by the Zoning Administrator in December. When constructed, these two projects will begin the transition to mixed use at both centers, adding 520 new rental units. The Hub project also includes new retail space and infrastructure improvements. 
• Facilitated leasing activity and expedited the permitting and opening of new small businesses in Downtown Fremont, with six new businesses expected to open on Capitol Avenue by the end of 2023.
• Worked with ownership and representatives of Capitol Square (formerly Locale @ State Street) in Downtown to divide larger ground floor medical suite into two smaller spaces to support additional retail on Capitol Avenue. Anticipated tenants include an upscale barber and artisanal ice cream shop. 
• Played an active role in facilitating the leasing of the former Elephant Bar and PF Chang’s restaurant spaces to new operators, helping to re-activate long-vacant commercial spaces.
• Continued to support the design and implementation of Downtown and District Wi-Fi, engaging with key community stakeholders and identifying key areas to concentrate Wi-Fi nodes.
• Increased the number of events receiving City-wide special event sponsorships in FY 2023/24 to assist event organizers in promoting districts and commercial corridors, heritage, and diversity as well as provide new fun opportunities for social gatherings in Fremont.
• Supported the continuation of street activation events in Mission San Jose, building upon the successful Better Block event, Arts Mosaic event, and the Taste of Summer Fair.
• Publicized commercial district events in the summer issue of the Fremont Events Digital Guide, the weekly Fremont Connection newsletter, and on the City’s social media channels.
• Worked with the Niles Main Street Association to support and promote over 15 events to draw people to the Niles District from around Fremont and the greater region. Supported events using the newly renovated California Nursery Historical Park parking lot. 
• Hosted a variety of special events focusing on commercial corridors including Concerts in the Park at Central Park, Movie Nights at Central Park, and the Downtown Trick-or-Treat event. 
• Assisted over 120 small businesses with site selection, permitting, resources, regulatory hurdles, and conceptual planning. 
• Continued to support small businesses interested in permitting their outdoor commercial patios.
• Assigned Fremont Police Department staff to partner with Economic Development and engage with businesses on matters of public safety.
• Commissioned professional photography services to profile small businesses across each of Fremont’s Districts to enhance marketing of these areas. Photos and videos are also shared with small business owners free of charge for their own uses.
• Launched a Small Business Saturday campaign in November, publishing a full-page ad in the Tri-City Voice newspaper and sharing information across the City’s communication channels. Relatedly, published a printed ad for National Small Business Week in April.
• Added more in-person hours of operation at the City’s Development Services Center to assist the public with their permitting inquiries while continuing to balance staff resources dedicated to in-person versus online permitting functions.
• Engaged with leading retail and placemaking organizations to share resources and best practices including the International Downtown Association (IDA), International Council for Shopping Centers (ICSC), Urban Land Institute (ULI), and California and National Main Street Associations. 
• Revitalized the Centerville area by opening the new four-acre Dusterberry Neighborhood Park and creating a new outdoor community space for families of all ages that has received rave reviews.
• Completed a pruning project of 173 palm trees in the Irvington District, increasing safety, improving aesthetics, and reducing business and traffic disruptions.
• Completed the Capitol Avenue string light upgrade and conversion to LEDs to improve the look and feel of Downtown and save energy. 
• Supported the City’s successful earmark for Auto Mall Parkway beautification by connecting with nearby employers and providing economic data.

• 2023 Year-End Council Priority Report (current)
• 2023 Mid-Year City Council Priority Progress Report 
• 2022 Year End Council Priority Report