Wow, it's really raining as I write this! Please stay away from the moist creek beds, and drive with extra caution. Also don't forget that today (Sunday), we are springing forward for Daylight Savings ...you're reading this newsletter an hour later than it feels.
Another packed agenda at this Tuesday's (3/14) City Council meeting! Below is a summary of six of the agenda items for Tuesday, however there are 13 (yes 13!) more items, ranging from proclamations and consent calendar items to public hearing and informational items on the agenda. Yes, that's 19 items in total this week!
I do my best to highlight the agenda items that I think are of most interest to residents, both who live in District 3, and who live city-wide. That being said, it's always a good idea to skim the actual agenda in case there are items of particular interest to you that I don't happen to cover. As always, I'm open to feedback!
Over the past few years the City of Menlo Park has been working on an updated Housing Element to meet its Cycle 6 state-mandated Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) that runs from 2023 to 2031. Agenda Item G3 contains the Annual Progress Report (APR) for the just completed Cycle 5 RHNA which ran from 2015 to the January 31st, 2023. As shown in the top row, the required housing units for Cycle 5 was 655 (vs. 2,946 in Cycle 6), and 2,349 units of housing were permitted, exceeding the state requirement. This was done primarily through an overproduction of above moderate housing, especially concentrated in District 1. As a reminder, the Cycle 6 requirements changed substantially, and include a need to Affirmatively Further Fair Housing and to also focus efforts on affordable housing vs. above moderate income housing (aka market rate housing).
Senate Bill 9 (SB 9) became effective January 1, 2022 and allows:
Homeowners in most areas around the state to divide their property into two lots, and;
Two homes to be built on each of those lots, with the effect of legalizing fourplexes in areas that previously only allowed one home.
This agenda item introduces an ordinance to establish Menlo Park-specific regulations that conform with State law. Areas covered under the ordinance include lot dimensions, setbacks & setbacks, floor area limits and building coverage, maximum unit sizes, parking requirements, building massing and privacy and architectural design elements.
Consistent with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the environmental review process in Menlo Park begins with the City's decision to prepare an Environmental Impact Report (EIR). It then engages an EIR consultant to prepare the report and issues a Notice of Preparation (NOP). The NOP and the subsequent "scoping" process is designed to enable the City (with input from the public) to determine the scope and contents of the EIR at an early stage, including identifying possible issues to be studied, topic areas that do not warrant additional study based on specifics of the proposed project, and possible alternatives and mitigation measures to be analyzed and considered in the EIR. For the Parkline/SRI project, the City issued a NOP on December 2, 2022 and as part of the scoping process, the Planning Commission held a scoping session for the EIR for the proposed project December 12, 2022. The scoping period ended January 9, 2023.
When the City Council authorized the contract with the EIR consultant and began the process, it requested that staff bring a summary of the public comments received on the scope and content of the EIR to the City Council for review and input following the close of the NOP comment period. This agenda item stems from that request and provides the City Council the opportunity to provide additional feedback and confirm the scope and content of the EIR, and to consider policy issues that may be addressed through the EIR or other analysis conducted concurrently with the entitlement process.
Upon advancement of this item, the next step in the Parkline review process will be the release of the Draft EIR, which, according to the staff report, is expected to be ready in the Fall of 2023.
The City Council approved the fiscal year 2022-23 budget at its June 28, 2022 meeting (the City's fiscal year runs from July 1st to June 30th). At that time, the adopted General Fund operating budget was balanced with the use of $6.4 million in reserves. This agenda item contains amendments to the adopted budget, both changes in revenues and expenses. As stated in the staff report, "The net impact of the recommended amendments results in a forecasted General Fund deficit of approximately $15,000 for fiscal year 2022-23, compared to a budgeted deficit of $6.4 million. This is primarily due to approximately $1.6 million more in revenues (vehicle license fee, transient occupancy tax and interest income) and salary savings of roughly $5.5 million." The fiscal year 2022-23 General Fund forecast is now expected to result in $76.64 million in revenues offset by $76.66 million in expenses, closing at a deficit of approximately $15,000 (to be covered by reserves, as previously mentioned).
Construction of the Menlo Park Community Campus (MPCC) in Belle Haven began in November 2021 and is anticipated to be completed by early 2024. Meta (formerly Facebook) generously donated $40,000,000 to make this project possible. The City of Menlo Park identified certain project enhancements that it wanted included in the project that went above and beyond the initial proposal, and previously committed $13,464,000 towards the project on its own. Enhancements included new swimming pools, enabling the center to be a Red Cross evacuation facility, sustainability measures and other features.
At this stage in development, there is now a need for additional funding for the project, for both City requests (primarily for furniture and non-fixed equipment) and cost escalations. The staff report for this item outlines the details of the additional funds that are needed. Staff is recommending that the City Council appropriate $2,225,000 in recreation in-lieu fee funds towards the project. The Friends of Menlo Park Library, the Menlo Park Library Foundation and the Maria S. Hoffman Trust together are also generously contributing $850,000 at this time to help offset costs.
The City Council adopts the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) as part of the budget adoption process annually in June. The City Council’s annual priority-setting process provides clarity on the use of city resources as well as prioritization of services and projects for the upcoming 12 to 18 months. Goals and priorities identified in the City Council’s annual priority-setting process are typically incorporated into the CIP each year based on available funding. This agenda item provides an update on the current CIP projects, in advance of the March 18th Priority Setting Workshop.
Other Items of Interest
Below are some additional items of interest.
Middle Plaza’s El Camino Real Changes
Coming Soon
Stanford’s Middle Plaza development will be opening in the near future. As the development wraps up, there are several changes to the El Camino Real intersections at Middle Avenue and Cambridge Avenue that are about to open.
At Middle Avenue, a new left turn lane was installed that allows access to the Middle Plaza site. Caltrans will be programming the new signals and this will be opened soon. At Cambridge, the existing left turn lane that was used to access the Stanford Park Hotel now also accesses the Middle Plaza site.
Before construction, there was only a single pedestrian crossing across El Camino Real at these two intersections. Now, pedestrians will be able to cross El Camino Real on both sides of each intersection. These signals are being programmed and will include new audible push buttons, new curb ramps at each location, and high visibility crosswalks.
Safe Routes to School Survey for Parents and Caregivers
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to complete the San Mateo County Safe Routes to School survey. Your feedback allows impacts Safe Routes to School (SRTS) education and encouragement program features to best meet the needs of each individual school. Feedback will also be shared with decision makers throughout the county who can address infrastructure issues regarding safe walking and biking and decision makers in your school community. This survey will take approximately 4 minutes to complete.
Fentanyl Awareness Event
Wednesday, March 22nd at 6pm
Santa Clara County Supervisor, Joe Simitian, in conjunction with Palo Alto and Gunn High Schools is hosting a Fentanyl Awareness Event on Wednesday, March 22nd at 6pm. This is an opportunity for the public to learn more about the dangers of fentanyl. The event will include a panel of experts about addiction treatment and prevention, free Narcan kit distribution, and light refreshments. The event is at the Palo Alto High School Performing Arts Center at 50 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto. To attend virtually, visit https://youtube.com/live/leFThuKW3dU?feature=share.
Menlo Park Quiet Zone Study Community Meeting
Thursday, March 23rd at 6pm
Join the City of Menlo Park for a community meeting to review options for establishing a railroad quiet zone for the at grade crossings in Menlo Park and at Palo Alto Avenue in Palo Alto. The meeting is on Thursday, March 23rd at 6pm and will be at the Arrillaga Family Recreation Center, Oak Room at 700 Alma Street in Menlo Park. To attend virtually via Zoom, please register at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_AjtnLkTaSxatq24ToJsecw.
"Safe Sundays" Cycling Seminars
Starting Sunday, April 2nd at 9:30am
Join Menlo Park's own e-bike store, Pedego, for "Safe Sundays." Pedego has partnered with the American Bicycle Education Association to produce a comprehensive cycling education program for members of the community. The content is for all cyclists, not just e-bikers. Sessions are open to the general public and there is no charge, although prior registration is required. For more information, email jeff@pedegomenlopark.com.
Behind the Scenes: Architectural Practice and Interior Design
Thursday, April 6th at 5pm
Are you interested in learning how the residential remodel/new build design process works? Join the Menlo Park Design District on Thursday, April 6th at 5pm for an informational and fun tour with the Ana Williams Architect (AWA) team. There will be tactile presentations of different architectural materials, finish materials, and social interaction with AWA team members. Hors d'oeuvres and drinks will be provided. This First Thursday event will be located at Ana Williamson Architect, 885 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park.
First-Time Homebuyer Workshops
Tues, April 11th at 2pm and Wed, April 12th at 6pm
HEART is a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in which all of the cities in San Mateo County, and the County, pay membership dues. As part of serving its mission to create and preserve affordable housing for low- and moderate-income families and individuals, HEART offers down payment assistance loans for first-time homebuyers in San Mateo County. To goal of the program is to help residents purchase a home with a 5% down payment and no Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI). HEART has created a unique loan package in partnership with Meriwest Mortgage, a subsidiary of Meriwest Credit Union, that is not offered by any other lender.
On Tuesday, April 11th at 2pm, and Wednesday, April 12th at 6pm, HEART is offering a virtual workshop to to learn about HEART's unique down payment assistance program and the home-buying process. Click here to learn more and register.
Library and Community Services News
Lots of Great Opportunities
Every Saturday the City of Menlo Park sends out a Library and Community Services Newsletter to those who subscribe to the mailing list (see screenshot above of part of this week's newsletter). I'm including this item to encourage you to subscribe to the City's mailing list. The newsletter is filled with City offerings and activities happening in person and online in Menlo Park. It's also a great way to stay up-to-date on what's happening the world of Parks and Recreation citywide. Examples of topics promoted this week include:
