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 February 16, 2024
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Fremont Appoints New Fire Marshal Eric Mendoza-Govan
The City of Fremont is proud to announce the appointment of Eric Mendoza-Govan to Fire Marshal. With 16 years of service at the Richmond Fire Department, Fire Marshal Govan has been instrumental in leading efforts related to fire investigation, hazardous material facilities, fire protection, wildland-urban interface, public education programs, plan review, and code enforcement.
As a collaborative leader, Fire Marshal Govan places a high value on relationship-building, with a particular focus on community risk reduction. Notably, he successfully implemented a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program, introduced and taught the first Spanish-speaking CERT classes in Richmond, and cultivated strong ties with the local business community. Fire Marshal Govan brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our team with experience in both fire suppression and prevention. In his own words, Fire Marshal Govan shares:
“I embrace the opportunity to serve as the Fire Marshal of Fremont, where every challenge is met with resilience and every community safeguard is placed with unwavering dedication to ensure those who live, work, and play in Fremont remain safe.”
Fremont Fire Chief Zoraida Diaz echoed similar sentiments:
"As Fire Chief, I believe that the strength of our department lies in the talent and dedication of our team. Fire Marshal Govan's expertise and passion for fire safety will undoubtedly enhance our Department's capabilities and further our mission of protecting our community. I have full confidence in his ability to lead, inspire, and ensure the highest standards of fire prevention and investigation. Together, we will continue to serve our community with excellence and make a positive impact on the lives of those we are sworn to protect."
With more details on his formal badge pinning to come, please join us in extending a warm welcome to Fire Marshal Govan!
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 Special Event Staff Charges Master Fee Schedule Update
At the February 13, 2024, Council Meeting, the Fremont City Council adopted new fees for the special event staff charges. The City’s special event services typically involve the following types of work: fire prevention inspections, medic services, road closures, and public safety services. The work is performed by various City departments including Fire, Police, Public Works, and Community Development. The current special event staff charges have been in effect since July 1, 2020. Staff reviewed these charges and determined revisions were needed to align with current staff costs. The fee increase will better represent the cost and extent of City services provided for special events. The increase will also help to solidify the budgeting process for staff costs and the City’s Special Event Sponsorship Program. The new fees will go into effect July 1, 2024.
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On February 20, 2024, at the regularly scheduled City Council Meeting, the Fremont City Council will consider updates to the posted speed limits on Fremont’s major streets. Posted speed limits are proposed to be decreased by 5 mph along 30 roadway segments. Speed management is an essential aspect of traffic safety, as higher speeds increase both the likelihood and severity of crashes. Higher speeds mean drivers require more time to react and longer distances to brake and crashes have an exponentially greater transfer of energy. The chance of a pedestrian being killed when hit by a vehicle increases from 35% to 68% when vehicle speed increases just 5 mph from 35 mph to 40 mph. State laws define how speed limits are set and recent legislation is providing cities with more opportunities to reduce speed limits in the interest of improving traffic safety.
Many of the roadway segments with recommended speed limit reductions are along high-speed corridors like Paseo Padre Parkway, Fremont Boulevard, Stevenson Boulevard, Auto Mall Parkway, Thornton Avenue, Mowry Avenue, and Alvarado Boulevard, which supports the City’s Vision Zero Program objective of taming high traffic speeds along arterial corridors. Other roadway segments with recommended speed limit reduction are located near areas with higher pedestrian/bicycle activity and higher density land uses. For a complete list of roadway segments that are recommended for a 5 mph speed limit reduction, please read the Council staff report.
For any questions related to the Citywide speed limit update effort, please contact the City’s Transportation Engineering team by email or call 510-494-4745.
City of Fremont offices will be closed Monday, February 19 in observance of Presidents Day. This closure will not affect police and fire services, except for the Fremont Police Department’s front desk will also be closed. City offices and FPD’s front desk will reopen Tuesday, February 20 for regular business hours.
Did you miss this week’s City Council meeting? Catch up on the meeting agenda and webcast for updates on Military Equipment Use Policy Update, Wi-Fi Equipment and Installation Purchase for the Six Commercial Districts, Special Event Staff Charges Master Fee Schedule Update, and more.
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We're in for more wet weather this weekend and into next week. To help community members stay safe and be prepared this rainy season, here are some resources:
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Sandbags: Protect your property from hazards by keeping storm drains clear of debris and having sandbags handy. The City provides sand and bags for Fremont residents and businesses (maximum of 10 bags and while supplies last). Just bring your shovel to one of the three designated locations throughout the city. For more information on inventory replenishment and sandbag alternatives, please send us an email.
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Know your risk for flooding. Preparations can include checking whether your property is located in a flood zone, purchasing flood insurance, building responsibly, and developing an evacuation plan for your family.
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Know who to call for services in Fremont during a storm.
- Wet Weather driving safety tips.
The City is in the process of developing a Homelessness Response Plan to engage the community and help guide our increased efforts in responding to homelessness in Fremont. The plan will include:
- Long-term best-practice recommendations to reduce homelessness.
- A framework to address the impacts of homelessness on the community.
- A roadmap for addressing homelessness that uses coordinated and data-driven solutions to help remove barriers to assistance, expand housing opportunities, and improve the quality of life for the community.
The goal is to bring the plan to the Fremont City Council for adoption in the spring or summer of 2024.
The City has concluded the Community Engagement phase of the process and is now in the Plan Development phase. We would like to thank all the community members who shared feedback with us, completed our surveys, participated in interviews and stakeholder meetings, and attended our community workshops. The feedback received has been reviewed and considered by our staff and consultant team as we develop the Homelessness Response Plan.
As part of the Plan Development phase, we are inviting community members to attend an informational webinar to learn more about the draft plan that is being prepared and to ask any questions they may have. Community members can select a date below and register via Zoom. Both webinars will cover the same information. Registration is required.
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Homelessness Response Plan Informational Webinar
Thursday, February 29
6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Register
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Homelessness Response Plan Informational Webinar
Saturday, March 2
10:00 am to 11:00 am
Register
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 Recycle Your Used Batteries
Fremont residents have several safe options for recycling small household batteries. Proper disposal is important as these batteries contain toxins that can contaminate soil and water, and when damaged, can become a fire hazard. To learn how to recycle and donate old batteries, please visit the RE:Source search tool or inquire at your local hardware store for additional battery drop-off options.
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 Recycling E-Waste 101
Fremont offers convenient options for residents to safely recycle electronic waste items, also known as e-waste, including donation, scheduled curbside collection, and drop-off at the Fremont Household Hazardous Waste Facility.
The next time you are looking to get rid of a working printer, computer, TV, DVD player, and more, please visit the RE:Source search tool to learn how you can properly donate your e-waste.
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 Drive-Through Ballot Drop Stop at FRC
A Drive-Through Ballot Drop Stop (BDS) for voters who wish to drop off their Vote-By-Mail (VBM) Ballots will be available in the Fremont Family Resource Center parking lot on Monday, February 26 and Tuesday, February 27, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Enter at the FRC driveway on Liberty Street and follow directions in the parking lot to the Ballot Drop Stop. No need to exit your car. The Ballot Drop Stop is being staffed by the Registrar of Voters Staff, for the Presidential Primary Election, which is scheduled on March 5, 2024.
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Join the City of Fremont Parks & Recreation for the Summer Job Fair on Thursday, February 22, at the Downtown Event Center, located at 3500 Capitol Avenue. Drop by anytime from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Learn about part-time job opportunities, meet the Parks & Recreation team, and receive a screening interview. This is an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in making a difference, strengthening college applications/ resumes, and building long lasting life skills. For those retirees or people looking to supplement their current income during school hours or on evenings and weekends, this is a perfect employment opportunity as well. As part of the Parks & Recreation team, individuals will gain valuable experience, develop critical skills, and create lasting friendships. Visit our website for more information or contact us by email or call 510- 494-4327 for additional details.
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Attention Fremont homeowners! You can now register for a chance to receive grant funding to help strengthen your home against earthquakes. Registration is open until February 21, 2024, for California’s Earthquake Brace + Bolt program, which offers eligible homeowners up to $3,000 toward a residential seismic retrofit. The program aims to help homeowners lessen the potential for damage to their homes during an earthquake by "bracing" the crawl space, when necessary, and "bolting" the foundation to the frame. Only raised-foundation wood-framed homes built before 1980 qualify for the program. For income-eligible homeowners, a supplemental grant above the $3,000 may be available. The program is sponsored by the California Earthquake Authority and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.
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Tuesday, February 20: City Council Meeting at 7:00 pm.
Tuesday, February 20: Zoning Administrator Regular Meeting at 3:00 pm.
Wednesday, February 21: Citizen Advisory Committee Regular Meeting at 6:00 pm.
Wednesday, February 21: Recreation Commission Special Meeting at 7:00 pm.
Thursday, February 22: Planning Commission Meeting at 7:00 pm.
Thursday, February 22: Summer Job Fair hosted by City of Fremont Parks & Recreation, at the Downtown Event Center and Plaza, 3500 Capitol Ave., from 4:30 pm-7:30 pm.
Thursday, February 29: Homelessness Response Plan Informational Webinar, from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm via Zoom.
Saturday, March 2: Homelessness Response Plan Informational Webinar, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am via Zoom.
Wednesday, March 6: Coffee with a Cop, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm at Starbucks, 3950 Mowry Ave.
Wednesday, March 27: Spring into STEAM Event, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Downtown Event Center, 3500 Capitol Ave.
In Case You Missed It:
Fremont Receives First-Ever Platinum Designation for Advancing Solar Energy
Sidewalk Repairs in Central Park
New Call for Professional Artists for boxART! Program
Free Tax Preparation Services Now Available
New Lobby Hours at the Fremont Police Department
Summer Camps - Recreation Guide
More Express Building Permits Available for Fremont
Urban Forestry Learning Course
Help the City of Fremont turn your thoughts into actions!
my.fremont.gov
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