Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending the Black Liberation Celebration at the Belle Haven Library. The event featured stories of local heroes, dance performances, singing and more. The multi-generational event made me proud to live in Menlo Park and I look forward to more community-led events all over the City in the months and years to come.
February is Black History Month, and this Tuesday's Council meeting features both a proclamation (Item F1) and a presentation of a youth poster exhibition titled "What Black History Means to Me" (F2). The posters from kids throughout Menlo Park are displayed in the Belle Haven Library and I encourage residents to check them out. There is also a Black History Pop Up Museum currently on display in Redwood City through February 28th. For more information on how to visit, click here.
Each year the City distributes funds to local community organizations that fulfill human services needs of residents of Menlo Park. Tuesday's staff report on this item contains a recommendation to the City Council (by the Community Funding Subcommittee) of which organizations should receive funding and the associated amounts. A total of $307,000 is being recommended to allocate.
On Tuesday (2/14) the City Council will make a long-awaited decision on the preferred bikeway design for Middle Avenue. The staff report and attachments detail three options for bike lanes which have varying degrees of widths and buffers. The associated parking impacts include:
Pilot parking removal of both sides
Remove parking from one side
Remove parking on both sides, except in high need areas
The project webpage includes detailed information about the process and also a staff-created project summary video.
The City of Menlo Park issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) in October 2022 for an aquatics/pool operator for both Burgess Pool and the future Menlo Park Community Campus aquatics center in Belle Haven. Please note that the current operator, Team Sheeper, Inc., was invited and encouraged to respond. The City received three proposals (SOLO Aquatics, Swimming Swan, LLC, and Team Sheeper, Inc.) in response and they are are included as attachments to the staff report.
Tuesday night's agenda item is a discussion-only item and no decision will be made on Tuesday regarding which operator to select. The City Council may provide feedback, ask questions and give direction to staff at Tuesday's meeting. According to the staff report, it is anticipated that staff will return to Council on February 28th with additional analysis and a recommendation on which operator to select. While subject to change, the Council could be making selection that evening. Stay tuned.
The last few years have been hard on residents, and many have felt isolated and lacking in community connections. To help bring neighbors together, the City Council is considering establishing a grant program to incentive and support local organizations and groups to produce their own cultural and community events for the larger community's benefit. This informational item previews a program that the City Council will consider and discuss at its February 28th meeting (date subject to change).
Other Items of Interest
Below are some additional items of interest.
Major Impacts to Caltrain Weekend Service
Now through 2023
As you likely know, Caltrain is in the process of electrifying its trains. In order to reach the current 2024 electrification launch target, significant construction must be performed along the corridor. To avoid disruptions to weekday commutes, Caltrain is performing much of this work over 31 weekends in 2023. During these weekends, service will be adjusted to accommodate construction and testing for electrified service. Riders can expect various segments along the Caltrain corridor to be closed during weekends, and while there will be shuttles to help riders connect between impacted segments, those thinking of taking Caltrain on weekends should carefully check ride times and status updates, and consider alternate transportation options. For more information, visit caltrain.com/status.
San Mateo County Disaster Recovery Center
Open Until Thursday, February 16th
Were you or someone you know impacted by the January storms? The County, CalOES, and FEMA have created a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) at the San Mateo County Events Center open now through Thursday, February 16, from 9am-7pm daily to provide federal, state, county, and nonprofit resources to storm-impacted residents. Residents can receive help with their FEMA disaster assistance applications, learn about disaster unemployment assistance, replace government documents, and more. Please help spread the word. For more information visit https://www.smcgov.org/ceo/news/disaster-recovery-center-open-next-week-san-mateo.
Gas Leaf Blower Ban
and other Zero Emission Landscaping Equipment Rules
Take Survey (and other Actions) to Share Thoughts
Menlo Park is considering adopting a zero-emission landscape equipment (ZELE) requirement that would prohibit using gas powered landscaping equipment due to its negative impacts on health, and noise and air pollution. The City Council will consider adopting the regulations in April/May 2023 with phased enforcement beginning July 2024 for some landscaping equipment. Please visit the City's webpage on this topic to learn more, including outreach being conducted directly to gardeners and how you may be able to help in this effort. The City's webpage has a link to a survey about the proposed regulations, or you can access it directly here.
Stanford vs. Santa Clara University: Battle of the Bands
The Guild on Friday, March 3rd at 7pm
On Friday, March 3rd at 7pm, The Guild in Menlo Park will host a Battle of the Bands, featuring Pluie!, Vudu Caravan, and 3pm Oats representing Santa Clara University, and Bitch Cup, Easha, and Banana Bred representing Stanford. The bands and their fans will compete for points.
The winner will be determined by a judging panel of two and the audience members. The winner will receive a special prize package of $250 in cash and the chance to open for a future act at the Guild Theater. The event is being hosted by Vecino Lemonade, a youth grassroots creative experience organization. For tickets, visit The Guild's website or click here.
Apply to Serve on a Menlo Park Advisory Body
Applications Due April 7th at 5pm
Every year the City of Menlo Park holds a recruitment for its Advisory Bodies. Please consider getting involved in the local government and apply to serve on a Commission or a Committee. For more information please click here. I'm happy to talk with you if you're interested. Thanks in advance for you consideration.
Volunteer to Be a Second Harvest Site Leader
Are you looking for a meaningful and impactful volunteer opportunity? Second Harvest is seeking committed volunteers to serve as site leaders for Free Grocery Distributions, a vital service that feeds so many in our community. For more information, click here.
