Charter City Initiative Public Meeting

Fremont’s Charter Advisory Committee is set to meet Monday, April 20, as the city moves toward a possible charter city vote this November. (fremont.gov) The meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Fremont City Hall, 3300 Capitol Ave., and the city says residents can also watch on its website, via Zoom, or on Comcast Channel 27. (fremont.gov) This committee is part of a six-week run of Monday meetings from March 23 through April 27, 2026. Fremont’s city website says agenda packets are posted the Friday before each meeting, and the Zoom link is included in the packet. (fremont.gov) A charter city writes its own local governing document, while a general law city follows more of the California Government Code. Fremont is now a general law city, and any switch would still require approval from Fremont voters. (fremont.gov) The current process started on February 17, 2026, when the City Council approved Vice Mayor Yang Shao Zhang’s referral to pursue charter city status. The city says the stated goals include more local control over municipal affairs, procurement, project delivery, and administrative and electoral systems. (fremont.gov) On March 3, 2026, the council approved a work plan for a council-proposed charter and set up a seven-member, mayor-appointed advisory committee. The city says that approach keeps charter drafting under council control while using the committee for review and recommendations. (fremont.gov) Mayor Raj Salwan appointed the seven committee members on March 20, 2026: Dharminder Dewan, Brad Hatton, Rick Jones, Sue Kwong, Kim Marshall, Sathya Sankaran, and Ben Yee. The committee page says their job is to draft a proposed charter for City Council consideration. (fremont.gov) The city is working on an accelerated schedule aimed at the November 3, 2026 ballot, not 2028. Fremont’s charter initiative page says the council chose that faster option in a 5-2 vote. (fremont.gov) Residents looking to weigh in before Monday’s meeting can review agendas and background materials in the city’s Agenda Center. Fremont says regular meeting agendas are posted at least 72 hours in advance. (fremont.gov) Monday’s meeting is one of two remaining committee sessions before April 27, when the current published schedule ends. The city’s stated plan is to use that review process and community input to shape a charter proposal for Fremont voters in November. (fremont.gov)