Major governance changes are on the way for the City of Fremont. A work plan that stemmed from the charter city process was approved during the Sept. 1 city council meeting.
The city council decided to move up a plan to have the ability to confirm department leaders that the city manager hires. That was planned for this winter, but the council asked staff to have an ordinance ready by early October.
This is a significant change for the Fremont government. The city manager is considered the chief executive officer of a city, who’s in charge of hiring department leaders and other city staff. Having the council confirm department lead appointments gives the council a position of oversight on how the city runs.
The work plan includes already scheduled raises for the mayor and council members. This raise has to happen through an ordinance, which has to be introduced then adopted at a future meeting. The salary raise ordinance is expected to be brought up later this month, along with a resolution to increase health benefits for the mayor and council.
Another proposal is for the mayor to have a process where he can put items on the agenda. A discussion on the topic is planned for the first council meeting in October along with a resolution that would allow it. Mayor Raj Salwan said it would be a transparent process where the mayor would bring up potential items during a city council meeting.
In November, the council would decide if they want to create a 2028 ballot measure to increase term limits to three consecutive four-year terms. That would mean one person can serve on the city council for up to 12 years.
There would also be a budget review to see if they need another parttime assistant. The council is looking to hire a fulltime assistant first before deciding if they need another to work parttime. The position covers administrative duties, such as answering phone calls, responding to resident emails and concerns, and being the legislative aide who can research information for the council members instead of relying on staff to provide information. Names considered for the position are “constituent services coordinator” or “council aide.”
