Fremont council advances charter-city draft after first public hearing

The Fremont City Council on June 2 held its first public hearing on a proposed city charter and voted to direct staff to revise the draft with specific additions and return for a second hearing in July.

City staff and the Charter Advisory Committee presented recommendations that would permit Fremont to operate under a city charter while maintaining a council–manager form of government. Staff outlined potential changes including confirmation authority over department-head appointments, adjustments to council compensation structures, and a recommendation to increase elected officials’ health benefit allowance (HBA) within limits imposed by state law.

The discussion centered on what becoming a charter city would enable that Fremont cannot already do as a general law city. The city attorney, Rafael Alvarado, told the council that a charter can provide local authority on issues such as local election rules or, in some cases, permit a real property transfer tax — but stressed that “this subject matter is not part of this evening’s consideration.” He said staff could add clear language to the next report to reassure residents that the current proposal does not itself establish a transfer tax.

Residents and advisory members were sharply divided during public comment. Jack Rogers, a longtime resident and former city employee, warned the council that the draft benefits elected officials more than voters, saying, “This is a problem in this is a solution in search of a problem.” By contrast, members of the advisory committee and other supporters urged that tailored local rules could speed project delivery and improve accountability.

Council members asked for clearer, resident-focused provisions. Among the items the council directed staff to add or clarify were explicit mayoral agenda authority, stronger public performance reporting and annual goals tied to the budget, clearer procedures for filling council vacancies (for example, a runner-up appointment), and language preserving the independence of the city attorney’s office. Council also asked staff to prepare a public statement that the draft does not contemplate a transfer tax at this time and that any future tax measure would require voter approval.

Staff cautioned that drafting procurement and bidding changes that would rely on charter authority is complex and could require more time; the council agreed to table substantive procurement changes for later work so as to preserve the timeline to meet ballot deadlines. The council voted unanimously to proceed with the requested additions and for staff to bring updated draft legislation and the revised staff report to the next public hearing in July.

Next steps: staff will incorporate the council’s direction into the draft and staff report for the July public hearing (the council discussed hearings on July 7 and July 28) and will include a clear statement on transfer-tax intent. The council did not adopt charter language tonight; it voted only to authorize staff revisions and additional analysis ahead of the next hearing.