People often ask me what it's like to be Mayor. As you may or may not know, Menlo Park has a Council-Manager form of government. Basically, the City Council serves as a board of directors mainly setting policy, while the City Manager implements the policy and oversees the actual running of the City. Each of the five City Councilmembers has one vote; the Mayor does not have any additional legislative powers. The main difference between being the Mayor (which is a rotated position among the Councilmembers) and being one of the other Councilmembers is that the Mayor runs the meetings and acts as the ceremonial head of the City.
So, what's it like? The policy work is essentially the same a Councilmember. I spend a lot of time studying various topics, speaking to interested stakeholders and grappling with how to make the best decisions. What's special about being the Mayor is that people associate me, personally, as the leader of the City. I get invited to, and attend, many events as the representative of the City. I also receive a lot of feedback about the City, both positive and negative..."When in doubt, call the Mayor!". I can pass along these requests to the appropriate staff members, and (hopefully) help the residents find resolution to their issues. It's very satisfying to help someone navigate complex governmental processes.
Being the Mayor is an honor of a lifetime, and at the same time, it's no different than being a typical resident. I live here. My kids go to school here. I shop here. I could be you. Those of us on Council are your neighbors...we're just the ones who raised our hands to serve, to study local issues, to show up at long meetings and to make hard decisions.
It is my hope that as Mayor and as a Councilmember I will inspire YOU to learn more about the issues, get a little more involved and perhaps motivate you to raise your hand to contribute a little more to the community in which you belong.
Thank you for being my neighbor.
Warmly,
P.S. Come join my quarterly in-person office hours on Saturday, September 30th from 10-12pm at Cafe Borrone. I'll be at a table outside!
Tuesday's meeting includes two proclamations related to mental health: Recovery Happens Month and Suicide Prevention Month. San Mateo County Health has a wealth of information to promote awareness of help available and residents are encouraged to:
Share hope and connect individuals to supports in times of crisis and before.
Share knowledge and resources including the warning signs of suicide and the importance of talking openly about mental health, suicide, and suicide prevention.
Share the role different professions, organizations, and systems can play in suicide prevention.
Share experiences and stories to reduce stigma and promote healing.
The City’s stormwater drainage system consists of gutters, pipes, manholes, catch basins, bubblers, outfalls, open channels and pump stations. The City’s drainage facilities capture and discharge rainwater and runoff through major drainage areas within and outside of the City’s boundaries into San Francisquito Creek and Atherton Channel, which eventually flows into San Francisco Bay. Most of the City’s system was built between 1950 and 1965, and as such, some of the facilities are at the end of their useful life and are in need of programmatic replacement. Further, the risks and impacts to the storm system from climate change, including sea level rise, increased frequency and severity of intense storms, and groundwater rise, must also be addressed in planning for system operation.
Agenda Item G1 is a study session to review and provide direction on the proposed Stormwater Master Plan, which covers the following areas:
Inventory of existing storm drainage facilities;
Identification of storm drainage capacity and condition of facilities;
Development and prioritization of stormwater capital improvement projects;
Development of a funding strategy for the needed capital improvements;
Development of an Operation and Maintenance Manual; and
Identification of a framework to operate and maintain the facilities and implement the identified capital improvements.
Staff plans to present the final Stormwater Master Plan to City Council for acceptance tentatively at an October 2023 meeting.
Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) are cameras that law enforcement uses to record vehicle description data, location and date/time information that can aid in solving crimes. Menlo Park currently deploys mobile ALPRs on three patrol vehicles. The Police Department is requesting the deployment of 36 fixed ALPR cameras (see image above) throughout the City, along with an integrated firearm discharge detection technology. One ALPR company in particular, Flock, has been identified as the preferred vendor due to ubiquity of this particular company/service throughout the Bay Area.
This study session (Agenda Item G2) is an opportunity to provide feedback on the proposal to install this new technology throughout the City. From my perspective, the key policy question is how/if we can implement a technology that could aid in public safety, while addressing/balancing privacy, civil liberty and other community concerns.
The Sobrato Organization is seeking the final approvals of its 432 unit housing project in District 1, located at 123 Independence Drive. The Planning Commission and the Housing Commissions have supported the project, and Tuesday night's Public Hearing (Agenda Item I1) is to adopt resolutions to approve:
Three below market rate (BMR) housing agreements for the provision of 56 BMR rental apartment units and 18 for-sale BMR townhome units, affordable to low-income households (17% of total project units); and,
Vesting tentative map for a major subdivision to modify the parcel configuration and to create 116 for sale townhome units.
This project's proposed BMR component involves the Sobrato Organization donating a parcel within the project site to Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco (HGSF), to facilitate the development of the 18 inclusionary townhomes. As stated in the staff report, "the proposed for-sale BMR units would be affordable to low-income households through the partnership with HGSF, resulting in deeper affordability than required by the City's BMR Guidelines."
The City of Menlo Park maintains a Below Market Rate (BMR) Housing Fund, primarily made up of payments from new developments. According to the City's BMR Guidelines, the money is to be used for the preservation of existing affordable housing, acquisition or new construction of permanent affordable rental or ownership housing, and other activities to support housing for extremely low, very low or low-income households. The City periodically releases a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) and seeks projects that are in need of financing gaps between the projected total costs and other available funding sources.
Agenda Item J1 outlines the most recent NOFA and the project applications that were submitted in response. As shown in the table above, four applications were put forward:
Habitat for Humanity - $2,000,000 to help fund the 18 affordable low-income ownership units at 123 Independence (see previous item).
HIP Housing - $11,300,000 to majorly fund a proposed affordable housing project at 1162 El Camino Real (formerly Feldman's Books).
MidPen - $2,000,000 to help fund 62 extremely-low and very-low income rental units targeted to veterans and their families at 795 Willow Road (at the VA).
Rebuilding Together Peninsula - $180,000 to rehabilitate the homes of eight homeowners whose income ranges from extremely-low to low income in the Belle Haven Neighborhood.
Staff is recommending that the City Council authorize the funding for three of the four applications (Habitat for Humanity, MidPen and Rebuilding Together Peninsula), but to provide more direction on the HIP Housing project.
At the September 12th meeting, the City Council authorized the City Manager to execute a 5-year aquatics operator agreement with Team Sheeper, Inc., at both the Burgess Pool and the future Menlo Park Community Campus (MPCC). I voted in support of this agreement and you can read The Almanac's coverage of this topic here.
Since that meeting, I've felt uneasy about one part of the discussion regarding the pool agreement, particularly, as it relates to not requiring Team Sheeper to engage Solo Aquatics for services at MPCC, while requiring Solo Aquatics at Burgess pool. It was moving at the September 12th meeting to hear from so many Solo families about how much they love the program, and upon reflection, I realized that I didn't take the time to fully digest Vice Mayor Taylor's comment regarding wanting wonderful programs not just at Burgess, but Citywide (including in Belle Haven at the new MPCC). You can watch this short interaction at minute 5:23:44 here. This is especially important due to the horrible history of racial segregation and pools in our country, something you can learn more about here.
According to City Council guidelines, a City Councilmember who is in the prevailing majority may request that an item be reconsidered at the next Council meeting. Because I voted yes on the agreement, but I have some regret, I am bringing the item back, which is what Agenda Item M1 is about. I am hopeful that we can have a productive conversation about this narrow aspect of the agreement and that we will find an appropriate resolution.
Other Items of Interest
Below are additional items of interest.
Study Session to Consider Adding Pickleball to Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan at Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting on Wednesday, September 27th at 6:30pm
On Wednesday, September 27th at 6:30pm the Parks and Recreation Commission will hold a study session on considering adding pickleball to the Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan. I highly encourage those community members deeply invested in this topic to attend. A link to the agenda (with information on how to participate) and staff report on this item is available here.
Stuffed Animal Sleepover Storytime at Both
Main Library and Belle Haven Branch Library
Friday, September 29th from 6:30 to 7pm
Both library locations are hosting a very special sleepover just for stuffed animals! Join in the fun from 6:30 to 7pm on Friday, September 29th.
Bring your plush stuffie friends as you join for an evening storytime. Then say goodnight to your little friend, and go home for the night. When you pick up your toy the next day, you’ll learn all about their overnight adventures at the library!
Sleepover guidelines:
Just one stuffed animal per child
Sorry adults, this sleepover is just for the children’s toys!
Locations:
Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St., Menlo Park
Belle Haven Branch Library, 413 Ivy Drive, Menlo Park
Mayor Jen Wolosin's In-Person Office Hours at Cafe Borrone
Saturday, September 30th from 10am to 12pm
On Saturday, September 30th from 10am to 12pm I will be holding my quarterly in-person office hours at Cafe Borrone. Come join me to share your thoughts. I'll be sitting outside!
Pop Up and Open House for the Coleman and Ringwood Avenues Transportation Study
Saturday, September 30th from 10am to 12pm and
Monday, October 2nd from 6 to 8pm
The County of San Mateo in collaboration with the City of Menlo Park, invite you to the Coleman and Ringwood Avenues Transportation Study Pop-Up and Open House on Saturday, September 30th and Monday, October 2nd. This is an opportunity to review draft concept plans for roadway improvements, ask questions, and share your feedback.
For those unable to attend, you may view the draft concept plans online via the study webpage in the study documents section and provide feedback using the feedback tool on the webpage.
Open House
Date: Monday, October 2, 2023
Location: Menlo-Atherton High School Library
555 Middlefield Road
Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
About the Study:
This Study aims to improve safety and accessibility on Coleman and Ringwood Avenues for users of all transportation modes, including but not limited to walking, rolling (using a wheelchair or mobility device), biking, e-biking, using a scooter or e-scooter, skateboarding, and driving. Learn more about the project and sign up for updates at: https://www.smcsustainability.org/colemanringwoodwalkbike
County of San Mateo Commission on the Status of Women
Engagement Surveys 2023-2024
Deadline: Saturday, September 30th
The County of San Mateo Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is seeking community input in two areas of focus: economic stability and child care. The CSW wants to learn more about the successes and challenges in these two areas and invites you to take their Engagement Surveys. The information you share will inform their report to the Board of Supervisors in support of funding for childcare access and other aspects of caregiving that impact the economic security of women in San Mateo County. The deadline to take the surveys is Saturday, September 30th.
Electric Home Tour
Saturday, October 14th from 10am to 4pm
On Saturday, October 14th from 10am to 4pm take an Electric Home Tour. Join Acterra and Project Green Home for a free tour of 40+ homes where residents have switched from polluting gas appliances to clean electric heat pump water heaters, dual-purpose furnaces-with-A/C units, cooking appliances, dryers, and more. During the tour, residents will talk about their appliance choices, their costs, and the rebates that they received. For more information and to register, click here. Note: The tour is free, but you must register to receive the addresses.
San Mateo County Health Urges COVID-19 & Flu Vaccination as
Respiratory Virus Season Begins
San Mateo County Health officials urge residents six months and older to get the seasonal flu vaccine and the updated COVID-19 shot, which was approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Fall and winter mark the traditional flu season, as more activities take place indoors and holiday travel is popular. COVID-19 is more transmissible in confined spaces, so there is an increased risk for respiratory viruses during this period. The CDC recommends getting the flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time. To learn more click here.
Help Protect Against West Nile Virus
West Nile virus has been detected in dead birds in Menlo Park. The San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District encourages you to protect yourself and others against West Nile virus by following the safe practices below:
Report biting mosquitoes – San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District staff will check the neighborhood for standing water and work to stop the mosquito breeding. Report biting mosquitoes by calling 650-344-8592 or submitting a request online.
Report dead birds to help track West Nile virus. Report dead birds online or by calling 1-877-968-2473.
Caltrain Introduces New Fare Product Promotions
Now Through January 2024
Caltrain is thrilled to announce that a range of new promotional fares are available to customers with a focus on reduced fares for students, hybrid workers and families. From now through January 2024 Caltrain is offering the following promos:
50% Off Parking: All parking prices reduced by 50% throughout the corridor.
$1 Youth Pass: An incredible offer for our younger riders, this pass provides one-way rides for just one dollar.
Three Day Pass: Tailored to the needs of hybrid commuters, this pass offers unlimited rides for three consecutive days from the day of purchase.
Family Day Pass: For the cost of two adult fares and one youth fare, this pass allows two adults and up to four youths (18 and under) to ride together. Please note: all travelers using this pass must remain in the same train car.
Group Day Pass: Designed with group travel in mind, this pass offers groups of four to six individuals a 15% discount off the cost of four tickets. All travelers must be in the same fare class (Adult, Youth, Eligible Discount) and share the same train car.
Happy riding!
Menlo Park Community Campus
Virtual Tour Available
Curious about how construction is going at the new Menlo Park Community Campus in Belle Haven? Check out the virtual tour, now available here.
