As I write this email, I can overhear my 11-year old son being taught in school how to strum on a ukulele "This Land is Your Land" by Woody Guthrie. I never really thought much about this song before. Now, given the events of the past week, the song makes me emotional. How do we turn aspirations of inclusiveness into a reality, not just a longing? I'm not sure, but I suspect that caring for one another and being engaged in ones community is a good place to start.
Sincerely,
City Council Meeting Tomorrow (January 12th at 5pm)
Tomorrow (1/12/21) night's City Council agenda is accessible here. Like all City Council meeting agendas, it includes links to staff reports for each item, login/call-in information and ways to weigh in on the issues being discussed.
Below are just a few of the agenda items coming before Council tomorrow:
E1. Consideration of the final approvals for the Menlo Park Community Campus project located at 100-110 Terminal Avenue. If passed, this item will move forward a new multigenerational community center and library in Belle Haven (see site plan and rendering below). Facebook is primarily funding this project, with the City of Menlo Park contributing additional funds for city-requested project enhancements (new swimming pool, environmental upgrades and more). Details are in the staff report.
G2 - Provide direction on the annual goal/priority setting process.This item is to talk about how the Council will talk about goals and priorities for this year. The reason I'm highlighting it is because the staff report outlines the capacity available for special projects (Hint: Not much in Fiscal Year 21/22). It also defines mandated vs. baseline vs. "nice-to-have" services. As a resident, I always wondered why the City couldn't just get things done...this staff report helps to answer that question. Note: The staff report mentions that the goal/priority setting meeting may take place on January 19th - the latest I've heard that it will likely be early February.
Other agenda items not listed above include budget amendments, changing the City's below market rate (BMR) service provider and more.
Other Items of Interest
Below are some things that may be of interest:
COVID-19 Vaccination: What You Need to Know - The San Mateo County Health Department is hosting a Facebook LIVE event this Wednesday, January 13th at 11:30am. Topics to be covered include phases of vaccination in San Mateo County, equitable distribution, and what to do while you wait for the vaccine. You can access the event via Twitter, YouTube or Facebook by searching @SMCHealth. If you are unable to attend the event, or just want County information about the vaccine, please visit https://www.smchealth.org/covid-19-vaccination.
Race, Prejudice & Policy: A Three Part Conversation on Segregation and its Legacy on Education Around Menlo Park - The Menlo Park City School District is hosting a series of conversations with community members and local organizations that are open to all. The first of the three (online) events took place on January 6th and had over 150 attendees. The organizers have added an additional date of Friday, January 15th at 4:30pm for "The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America…and Menlo Park." For more information about this and all events, including registration information, please visit http://www.mpcsdspeakerseries.com/events.html (be sure to scroll down the page to find the event).
Star Wars Safe Routes to School Escape Room - Do you have a young Jedi Knight or Sith Lord in your house? Check out the virtual escape room created by the San Mateo County Safe Routes program. The journey will go over some basics of bike and pedestrian safety, while providing an out of this world (galaxy!) experience. And yes, Grogu (aka Baby Yoda) is part of the fun! Embark on the adventure here.
Two Steps to Prevent Eviction (Must take action by January 31st!) - Are you or someone you love behind on rent and facing eviction due to COVID-19? State law AB 3088 provides renters with some protections. Please see the graphic below for more information on how to get help. Note that new statewide legislation is currently under consideration that may extend the statewide eviction moratorium. For more information visit www.legalaidsmc.org/covid19.
* The observations expressed in this email are my own, and are not an expression of the Menlo Park City Council.
