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September 12, 2025

City Council Mid-Year Update

At the City Council Retreat in February, the Fremont City Council launched new priorities for this year, which center on economic development, financial sustainability, public safety, environmental sustainability, and homelessness response. Every year, the City of Fremont staff across different departments and divisions engage in various initiatives and activities to support these priorities and address community needs.

This month, City Manager Karena Shackelford released the City’s Mid-Year City Council Priority Progress Report to identify notable achievements and outcomes that the City has produced during the first half of this year. The information included in this report pertains to priorities that the Fremont City Council approved in February.

The City is pleased to report that significant progress has been made since the start of this year to benefit Fremont businesses and residents, such as:

• Supporting major expansions of electric grid infrastructure to support continued advanced industry growth, grid resilience, and infill redevelopment in Fremont. This includes two new 75 megavolt-amperes transformers in Bayside and Warm Springs, an 18-megawatt Bloom Energy microgrid, and one gigawatt of regional capacity through LS Power’s “Power the Bay” project. Collectively, these projects represent a more than $500 million investment in electrical capacity in Fremont.
• The Fremont City Council’s approval of over $700,000 in grant funding for use by the FPD to purchase front-line equipment, including additional drones, crime mitigation technology, and safety equipment. In direct support of crime reduction and safety objectives, the City Council has also approved over $800,000 of a $2.5 million grant to initiate the build-out of the FPD’s state-of-the-art Real Time Information Center (RTIC). Additionally, the FPD utilized approximately $75,000 from a traffic safety grant to conduct special traffic safety enforcement missions.
• Beginning Fremont’s transition to 100% renewable energy, while maintaining affordable choices, Fremont residents will transition to Ava Community Energy’s Renewable 100 service plan in August, or they can opt for another plan.
• Adding First United Methodist Church as a sixth site to the Safe Parking Program to increase capacity. The program assisted 26 residents in Fiscal Year 24/25.

The City is poised to continue efforts to ensure that Fremont is a great city to work, play, and live in. “The achievements noted in this report would not have been possible without the hard work of our dedicated City staff. As we enter the second half of 2025, the City of Fremont remains committed to focusing existing resources in support of the City Council’s policy interests, maintaining the current level of programs and services, while ensuring a balanced Operating Budget,” wrote City Manager Shackelford in the introduction letter of the report.

Visit the City of Fremont’s website to view previous City Council Priority Progress Reports published by the City.

Fremont’s Annual Homelessness Response Report is Available Now

As City Council continues prioritizing homelessness response, each year Fremont shares a Homelessness Response Year in Review Report to detail the City’s efforts.

During Fiscal Year 24-25, housing remained a key focus area, and Fremont was able to support thousands of community members, such as assisting 107 residents move into stable housing, creating 94 new affordable housing units, and preventing 1,090 households from entering homelessness.

Additionally, the City continued to serve its unhoused residents. Notable highlights in the past year include:

• 473 residents were sheltered overnight.
• 26 residents were assisted by the Safe Parking Program.
• The drop-in wellness center received over 14,600 visits.
• Alongside these efforts, Fremont’s Fire and Police Departments answered over 3,000 calls around fire, public safety, medical assistance, encampment response, and mental health outreach.

Please view the full report to learn more about how Fremont is addressing homelessness.

Road Closure this Saturday on Mowry Avenue

City street crews will be closing Mowry Avenue this Saturday, September 13, from Overacker Avenue to Mission Boulevard for scheduled maintenance work. The closure will begin at 9:00 am and conclude no later than 4:00 pm.

Traffic will be detoured to Walnut Avenue to allow access around the closure area. Crews will be patching asphalt, repainting the roadway, cleaning the drain inlet at the pump station, and removing trash and a broken guardrail. Digital message boards are in place to provide advance public notification.

Council At A Glance

September 16 Council Meeting at 7:00 pm

At next week’s City Council meeting on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, which begins at 7:00 pm at City Hall, 3300 Capitol Ave., the meeting agenda will include the following items and more:

• 2025 California Building Standards Codes Adoption
• Operating Engineers, Local Union No. 3 MOU
• Engineers and Technicians Association MOU

Visit our Agenda Center to view the complete meeting agenda and how to attend.

Catch up on September 9 Council Meeting

Did you miss this week’s City Council Meeting? Catch up on the webcast for updates or view the agenda.

Sickle Cell Awareness Month Blood Drive

September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month, and this year we have the chance to make a significant impact. Join the Alameda County Fire Chief's Association in partnership with the American Red Cross during this month’s blood drive. This collaboration aims to increase the diversity of our community's blood supply, crucial for patients with sickle cell disease who often need regular transfusions from donors with similar ethnic backgrounds.

Help us address the critical shortage of diverse blood donors and support sickle cell patients in our community. Join us on Wednesday, September 24, from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Downtown Event Center in Fremont, 3500 Capitol Ave. Sign up now to donate and make a difference. Together, we can save lives.

Celebrate the Grand Opening of Fremont’s New Entry Plaza & Rose Garden

The City of Fremont is excited to announce the Grand Opening Celebration of the new Entry Plaza and Rose Garden at California Nursery Historical Park! Join us on Tuesday, September 30, at 5:30 pm as we commemorate the completion of this beautiful community project.

The newly designed entry plaza and destination rose garden provide a welcoming space for residents and visitors to enjoy. Enhanced with trellises, metal archways, and ADA-accessible pathways, the garden offers an inviting and inclusive experience for all. Guests can explore vibrant rose varieties, stroll along landscaped pathways, and take in the beauty of this reimagined historical site.

This project reflects Fremont’s commitment to enhancing parks and public spaces while preserving our community’s heritage. Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate together and experience the park’s transformation.

Join the Annual NAMIWalks on October 4

Participate in the upcoming NAMIWalks event on Saturday, October 4, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at Fremont Central Park, 40000 Paseo Padre Pkwy. Registration is requested and it opens at 9:00 am; there is no fee to participate. The event is hosted by NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Alameda County South and the City of Fremont is a sponsor. View the flyer.

During the event you will learn more about free NAMI mental and community resources. Also, there will be face painting for all ages, singing by the Mission Peak Chamber Choir, and a Butterfly Release to remember those who have left us physically too soon. For more information contact Joe Rose, by email or call 510-255-3903.

Ignite Your Fire Safety Knowledge!

Celebrate Fire Prevention Week with the Fremont Fire Department at their annual Safety Fair on Saturday, October 11, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The event will take place at the Downtown Event Center, located at 3500 Capitol Ave. This family-friendly fair offers a day full of discovery, learning, and fun for all ages. Attendees can explore interactive exhibits, watch live firefighter demonstrations, and participate in hands-on activities. Learn valuable fire safety tips, such as proper smoke alarm placement, creating an escape plan, and preparing for emergencies. Visitors will also have the chance to play educational games and practice hands-only CPR. The Safety Fair is a great opportunity to connect with the community and take proactive steps toward a safer future.

Interested in volunteering or helping at the event? Please email Krista Rebello with the Fremont Fire Department for more information.

Wellness Expo 2025: October 15

Join us for the Wellness Expo 2025 taking place on Wednesday, October 15, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Age Well Center at Lake Elizabeth. The event connects older adults and their families with the community resources available for adults 55+. Sponsored by Kaiser Permanente, this year’s event includes onsite health screening, interactive exercise demonstrations, and more.

Trick-or-Treat Event in Downtown Fremont

The City of Fremont and the Fremont Chamber of Commerce invites the community to join us for the annual Trick-or-Treat Event at the Downtown Event Center on Friday, October 24, from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Families can enjoy an evening filled with vendor booths, delicious food trucks, live music, and festive activities (some available for an additional fee).

Tickets for the Trick-or-Treating go on sale Monday, September 22 at 9:00 am. Children ages 2–10 will enjoy a magical trick-or-treating adventure at miniature houses during 30-minute time slots, delighting Fremont’s youngest ghosts and goblins.  Please note: tickets are limited, available by pre-sale only, and will not be sold on the day of the event. Children must be accompanied by an adult (maximum two adults per child). Other day of activities will be available for purchase.

SunShares is Back…Now’s Your Chance to Save on Solar!

The City is excited to partner once again with Bay Area SunShares to help our residents go solar. The program, which runs from September 15 to November 15, 2025, offers exclusive discounts on home solar and battery storage systems from pre-vetted installers.

A new solar and battery system can give your home a reliable source of power while helping our community accelerate clean energy adoption and become more climate-ready.

If you’re interested in going solar, we encourage you to explore the SunShares program and its exclusive discounts.

As a reminder, the federal solar tax credit is set to expire on December 31 and to qualify, your solar system must be installed and interconnected by PG&E before the end of the year. With that deadline approaching, it’s beneficial to explore other available discounts, like SunShares.

Join a free Bay Area SunShares informational webinar to learn the basics of solar & battery storage, why switching to solar is advantageous, and get your questions answered by SunShare's pre-vetted installers.

Park of the Month: Surry Park

This September, the City of Fremont is excited to highlight Surry Park, a quaint mini park in northern Fremont’s District 2.

The park features a small playground perfect for kids ages 2–5, making it an ideal spot for family playdates and small gatherings. Nestled near Quarry Lakes, it offers a peaceful retreat away from busy streets.

Fun fact: Many residents don’t realize this pocket park exists—it’s tucked at the end of the cul-de-sac on Surry Place.

Plan a visit to Surry Park and discover one of Fremont’s best-kept secrets!

Volunteers Needed for the 2026 Tax Season

For the past 23 years, the Fremont Family Resource Center’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program has been dedicated to offering free tax preparation service to income eligible individuals and families.

VITA seeks volunteers for the 2026 Tax Season to assist with various roles including:

• Tax Preparers
• Greeters
• Schedulers
• Intake specialists
• Translators fluent in Spanish, Chinese, Dari, Punjabi, and American Sign Language

No prior experience required. Training will be provided. If you are interested please send an email or call 510-574-2019.

Upcoming Events

Every Friday Through October 24: Fremont Street Eats, every Friday from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm, at the Downtown Event Center, 3500 Capitol Ave. Produced by the Fremont Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Food Truck Mafia. 

Monday, September 15: Library Advisory Commission Regular Meeting, at 7:00 pm, Alameda County Library, Fukaya Room A, 2400 Stevenson Blvd.

Monday, September 15: Human Relations Commission Regular Meeting, at 7:00 pm, City Hall Building B - HR Training Room, 3300 Capitol Ave.  

Tuesday, September 16: City Council Meeting, at 7:00 pm, City Hall, 3300 Capitol Ave.

Wednesday, September 17: Mobility Commission Meeting, at 7:00 pm, Development Services Center, 39550 Liberty St. 

Wednesday, September 17: Art Review Board Meeting, at 3:30 pm, at Development Services Center, 39550 Liberty St. 

Friday, September 19: Casino Night Fundraiser, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Age Well Center at South Fremont, 47111 Mission Falls Ct.

Friday, September 19: Movie Under the Stars. Movie starts in the evening after sunset, at the Central Park Performance Pavilion (next to 40204 Paseo Padre Pkwy.).

Saturday, September 20: Coastal Cleanup Day, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Cleanup events throughout Fremont.

Sunday, September 21: Disability Resource Fair, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Downtown Event Center and Plaza.

Wednesday, September 24: Alameda County Fire Chief's Association Sickle Cell Awareness Month Blood Drive, 8:00 am to 2:00 pm, at the Downtown Event Center, 3500 Capitol Ave. 

Friday, September 26: Pacific Commons Summer Concert Series, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm, The Block at Pacific Commons.

Tuesday, September 30: Grand Opening Celebration of New Entry Plaza and Rose Garden at California Nursery Historical Park, at 5:30 pm, 36501 Niles Blvd.

Friday, October 3: Movies Under the Stars. Movie starts in the evening after sunset, at the Central Park Performance Pavilion (next to 40204 Paseo Padre Pkwy.).

Saturday, October 4: Downtown Dog Days, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Downtown Event Center Plaza, 3500 Capitol Ave.

Saturday, October 4: Annual NAMIWalks, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at Fremont Central Park, 40000 Paseo Padre Pkwy. Hosted by NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Alameda County South.

Wednesday, October 8: Fremont's Annual Domestic Violence Candlelight Vigil, from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm at the Downtown Event Center Plaza.

Saturday, October 11: Fremont Fire Department Fire Prevention Week Safety Fair, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Downtown Event Center, 3500 Capitol Ave.

Wednesday, October 15: Wellness Expo 2025, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Age Well Center at Lake Elizabeth.

Friday, October 24: Trick-or-Treat Event, from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Downtown Event Center Plaza, 3500 Capitol Ave.

Help the City of Fremont turn your thoughts into actions! 
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