(FREMONT) -- Are there concerns about a heavily reliant consent calendar in the city council's meeting agenda last night?
And does it raise questions about the depth of deliberation and public transparency?
That is what this news outlet reports about the regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday evening.
After coming from a closed session regarding labor negotiations, Mayor Raj Salwan opened public comment, which would not have existed if not for Item 2 C being removed from the meeting agenda by request.
Citizen Steve Skala said the item has been on his list to discuss for the last decade, but it only comes up on the agenda every two years.
"I finally get a chance," Scula said regarding the construction debris fees policy he claims has holes."You know it is illegal to put construction debris in the trash."
He noted the $62 fee to transfer debris for up to 800 pounds of debris, "but if I had 20 pounds, it is the same rate."
Skala said officials need to allow disposal of smaller amounts for less money, adding, "I bet many residents bring the same issue with me."
Fremont Construction Transfer Rate Fee Chart in Tuesday Agenda
The citizen got really honest, noting other ways residents get rid of trash.
"Or you get a saw, cut it up, or sneak it in the trash," Skala said.
At the mayor's request, who noted that elected officials are not allowed to address the public who comment, Cathy Codey, said the current minimum rate is in fact "a little over 60 dollars," which is comparable to other services.
"If we set a fee lowering the management of the material, we are subsidizing it, and who is going to pay for it?" Codey said.
Lowering fees could attract residents of the adjacent town to use the local service. With a "cost covering and stable rates philosophy," Codey said, adding she understands citizen frustration.
It's not about frustration to Skala, who said a lower cost structure, "will allow people to do the right thing."
Councilwoman Teresa Keng was not a fan of a resident paying the same for a thousand pounds if only dropping off 20 pounds of trash, noting the cost leads to deceit.
"I think it is very often that people sneak it into their garbage cans," Keng said.
Fremont Councilmember Terese Keng agrees with a citizen on the waste fee amount
Debris fee schedules were not the only issue, according to the OpGov.ai platform.
"While critical administrative functions like approving past meeting minutes were addressed, significant policy decisions such as setting solid waste collection rates for 2026-2027 and authorizing over $150,000 for new community surveillance cameras were placed on this consolidated agenda, potentially limiting public debate," the platform reports here.
Fremont Council Meeting on Tuesday, where resident Steve Skala argued for smaller construction waste fees
There's more.
"A major item, the 2025 General Plan Update, involving amendments to land use, open space, and conservation elements, was scheduled for a public hearing, though the agenda already included findings that 'no further environmental review is required,' which may preempt critical scrutiny."
And more.
The OpGov.ai platform ends the meeting summary noting, "Conspicuously absent from the provided transcript and embedded PDF content were any actual public comments, which prevents a comprehensive critical assessment of citizen engagement on these important issues."
Something to think about in Fremont tax payers. We had seen similar pattern of passing items in consent calender in City of San Ramon where a Law Measure G protecting open space and hillside was deleted on the pretex of Text Amendment in the consent calender and the residents were not able to get any explanation from the city council.
OpGov.ai is now covering the City of Fremont and looks forward to addressing all agenda items, whether tucked away in consent or not.
If you would like to add to this report, please email me at reporterangelaunderood@gmail.com.
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