 Catch up on Nov. 9 Council Meeting
Did you miss this week’s November 9 City Council meeting? Catch up on the meeting agenda and webcast for updates on the following:
- Amendment to the City of Fremont Master Fee Schedule
- Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Lease Agreement with East Bay Regional Park District for 900 Acres at Mission Peak
Stemming from the recently released 2020 Census data, we are currently in the process of redrawing our district lines to best represent Fremont equitably, but we need your input too! Please take a few minutes out of your day to share your thoughts and complete the City of Fremont 2021 Redistricting Process Survey. The results will help us draw new election council district boundaries, which will be adopted in April 2022.
Fremont has seen a concerning rise in major traffic crashes, which include those resulting in a loss of life or a life-altering severe injury, in 2021. Through the first nine months of 2021, there have been 21 major traffic crashes in Fremont which exceeds the annual average number of major crashes from 2018-2020. This increase mirrors an increase in fatal traffic crashes that has been seen nationally since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S Department of Transportation (USDOT) recently released data indicating that nationally traffic fatalities spiked in the first half of 2021.
Fremont has undertaken significant efforts to improve traffic safety in the past five years as part of its Vision Zero traffic safety program, including engineering measures to address previously identified issues such as general speed management, nighttime visibility, and safer paths and crossing opportunities for vulnerable pedestrians and bicyclists. Notably, the increase in major traffic crashes in 2021 reflects a new set of societal issues that lack clear street design fixes. In particular, the major crashes in 2021 include a striking number of crashes involving reckless speeding (25 mph to 40 mph over posted speed limits) and crashes involving homeless individuals walking in roadways. Together, reckless speeding and crashes involving homeless individuals account for six of the eight fatal crashes in 2021. These issues will require a holistic approach to address, including new partnerships and tools to enforce speed limits and create a culture of safety while building on existing City initiatives to provide services and stable housing for individuals experiencing housing insecurity. The City also urges caution and awareness for all members of the community as they travel on Fremont streets.
For more information on Fremont’s traffic safety program, including data on crash trends and circumstances surrounding 2021 major crashes visit our website.
On November 6, family and friends celebrated at Fremont Police Department’s annual Honors Event. This private event was held at the new Downtown Event Center. Each year Fremont Police looks forward to well-earned and deserved recognition of our dedicated employees. This year we celebrated over 25 new hires, including officers, dispatchers, and professional staff, 10 promotions, 6 award recipients, and 17 retirees. Congratulations to all the honorees! Special thanks to City staff who assisted with adjusting to COVID-related safety protocols and special appreciation to all friends and families that attended the event.
Nationally, Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by Christmas Day, the day before Thanksgiving, Easter, and Christmas Eve.
As you begin preparing your holiday schedule, please remember to include fire safety as part of your plan! The Fremont Fire Department encourages following a few simple safety tips so you can enjoy time with loved ones and keep yourself and your family safer from fire:
- Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stove top so you can keep an eye on the food.
- Stay in the home when cooking your turkey, and check on it frequently.
- Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and kids should stay three feet away.
- Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy, or coffee could cause serious burns.
- Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.
This week is National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week. The City’s dedicated Animal Services staff and volunteers are on site 365 days a year feeding, cleaning, grooming, walking, vaccinating, microchipping, neutering, training, and frequently nurturing animals who enter the Tri-City Animal Shelter for care. This year the shelter has cared for nearly 2,000 animals! Shelter staff has come up with a list of things the community can do to help show the team some appreciation.
Alameda County Health Officer Order requires vaccination of first responders and medical transport providers to protect patients in high-risk health care settings. Read the news release.
Children 5-11 years old are now eligible for a COVID vaccine following the FDA’s emergency use authorization and CDC’s recommendations.
- The pediatric COVID-19 vaccine is one-third the dosage given to teens and adults. Like older age groups, 5–11-year-olds must also get two shots at least three weeks apart to get the maximum protection from the vaccine.
- The vaccines are available for free to every person, ages 5+, regardless of residency or immigration status.
- Contact your health care provider or local community health center to see when they will begin vaccinating 5–11-year-olds. Visit the County's website to find a vaccine site in Alameda County.
- Existing Alameda County-supported clinics will provide vaccinations for this age group by mid-November, including weekend hours to ensure access for working families.
- Parents or guardians will be able to make an appointment here or by calling 510-208-4VAX (4829). A limited number of drop-in appointments for residents living in neighboring communities only will be available at each location.
People age 65+ or age 50+ with underlying medical conditions are the most likely to experience severe disease, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19 infection.
- Emerging evidence suggests that immunity from COVID-19 vaccination may wane over time, and these groups will benefit from a booster shot.
- The County wants to see more older adults getting their boosters and they strongly encourage boosters before winter and gatherings with friends and family for the holidays.
- Mixing and matching of boosters is permitted, meaning you may choose a different COVID-19 vaccine from the one in your original series. For example, if you are fully vaccinated with Pfizer, you could choose Moderna or J&J for your booster dose. If you received the J&J vaccine originally, you could choose a Pfizer or Moderna booster dose.
- Anyone planning to visit an older or medically vulnerable friend or family member, or planning holiday travel, should get fully vaccinated. Find a vaccination location.
No-Cost Drive-Thru COVID-19 Testing
Bay Area Community Health offers free pop-up COVID-19 testing. Check out the events calendar for a date, time, and location that works best for you. Bay Area Community Health receives United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) funding and has Federal Public Health Service (PHS) deemed status with respect to certain health or health-related claims, including medical malpractice claims, for itself and its covered individuals.
Helpful Links
Vaccine Guidance and Resources and COVID-19 Testing in Alameda County
Funds are still available to help Fremont renters. If you or someone you know is having trouble paying rent or utilities due to COVID-19, please visit our Keep Fremont Housed webpage to apply or call the Fremont Family Resource Center at 510-574-2028.
Facing financial hardship due to COVID-19? Sign up for a free phone-based navigation session.
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