(FREMONT, CA.) – On Mar. 30, many residents of Fremont approach the podium to speak at the Charter Advisory Committee’s second meeting.
Multiple different residents express concern regarding the short amount of time the committee has to decide whether or not they believe Fremont should become a charter city.
Fremont residents are no stranger to publicly expressing their opinions, as is seen in the recent No Kings protest in the city on Mar. 28.
The first of the five residents to speak on the idea of Fremont becoming a charter, Julie Moore brings up the fast pacing of this committee’s agenda.
She states that if the committee does decide Fremont should become a charter, it should not be implemented until after the November 2028 election so the city may vote in a new city council and mayor before the changes take place.
This way, she explains, the new city council would be responsible for the new challenges that come with a charter city and city staff would have more time to prepare for these changes.
Photo Credit: https://fremontca.viebit.com/watch?hash=lts4wTki9IjKDZl0
Fremont resident Fatima Cabral takes her concerns beyond just the short timeline.
She explains that city staff has not yet clearly provided basic information, such as the reason why the city is pursuing a charter or what is not working about Fremont’s current law structure.
She asserts that it is very difficult for residents to understand this process, let alone its urgency.
Citing city documents she reviewed, Cabral stated that it would cost between $610,000 and $854,966 to put a measure for a charter city on the 2026 ballot.
If the city has that much money that is not yet allocated toward something, she reasons, why not use it to address more immediate problems affecting residents?
Mentioning also the concerning timeline, Cabral expresses that the entire ordeal feels not fully inclusive to the community.
"I simply ask for transparency, [a] clear explanation of the need and the process that reflects the voice of the people who call Fremont home.”
Photo Credit: https://fremontca.viebit.com/watch?hash=lts4wTki9IjKDZl0
Former Library Commissioner Felix Lechner opens his comment with yet another concern for the swift timeline of the committee.
"I am friends with many of you, and yet I am frightened by the ambitious schedule for this body. [...] What else is this committee going to do one month from now other than to recommend to put the charter on the ballot in the fall? The optics are terrible."
He also states that he looked at a list of charter cities in California and that he would not like to live in any of them.
Lechner closes his statement by asking the committee to be vigilant and independent.
Fremont resident Kelly Abrahm takes a different approach to her concerns over the accelerated timeline. According to him, the urgency with which this committee and the city is moving reflects Fremont’s fiscal crisis.
He goes on to explain that this fiscal crisis was caused by a severe sales tax overestimate in 2023.
Other cities, such as Pleasanton, CA., are also looking for ways to tackle deficits of their own.
“This committee’s compressed six-week timeline appears designed to prevent proper community engagement. [...] Is this about government modernization and accountability or is it about accessing revenue tools unavailable under the current structure?”
Photo Credit: https://fremontca.viebit.com/watch?hash=lts4wTki9IjKDZl0
The last of the five speakers addressing this topic, Certified Public Accountant Elderberto Agulara shares his unique insight into the financial aspects of this committee’s goals.
He expresses that financial analysis is always one of the most important things when addressing alternatives to a system or solution.
“Charter [cities …] are an alternative that requires both legal and financial analysis before the city presents to Fremont city voters a choice of being a charter city or a general law city.”
Later, during the committee’s discussion regarding the presentation received earlier in the meeting, neither city staff nor committee members address the concerns brought up by Fremont residents.
If you have any questions, please email me at madison.v@lead4earth.org or comment below.
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