Menlo Watch: Budget survey results to be posted Menlo Watch: Budget survey results to be posted (November 16, 2005)

By Monday night, November 14, the city of Menlo Park plans to post online the results of its survey of residents on the budget problems the city faces, says Assistant City Manager Audrey Seymour.

That's after the Almanac's print deadline, but the Almanac will post a report on its home page by Tuesday afternoon.

The volunteer Budget Advisory Committee will discuss the survey results at a meeting on Thursday, November 17, starting at 7 p.m. in the Menlo Park city council chambers in the Civic Center.

In September, the city mailed a survey asking residents what changes they would make -- in services, taxes and fees -- to eliminate a projected $2.9 million budget shortfall for the 2006-07 fiscal year.

The city received about 1,200 responses. The final report was compiled by the San Francisco-based nonprofit consulting firm, Community Focus.

To view the report, go to menlopark.org, select "City Council," and under related links, select "Priority Driven Budget."
Bike/road safety is meeting topic

Sparked by Mary Gilles, chair of the Menlo Park Transportation Commission, and following a two-week period in October in which two cyclists died in the immediate area, the Transportation and Bicycle commissions will hold a joint meeting to address road safety on Wednesday, November 16.

"We need to do something citywide to raise awareness for motorists and cyclists alike," Ms. Gilles said. "This meeting is a chance to get that effort started."

Comments and ideas from members of the public will be an important part of the meeting, she said.

Ms. Gilles has some ideas of her own, including establishing an annual motorist and cyclist awareness month, and having the recreation department offer bicycle safety classes to children.

Michelle Mazzei, a fourth-grade-teacher at Oak Knoll School, was struck by a car while biking on Woodside Road near Interstate 280 on October 2. Gene Raymond Torres of San Carlos died on October 13 on Valparaiso Avenue in Menlo Park after hitting raised concrete dividers and falling off his bicycle.

The joint meeting is November 16 at 7:30 p.m. in the council chambers in the Civic Center.
Council to name new mayor Dec. 6

At its December 6 meeting, the Menlo Park City Council will appoint from among its members the city's 2006 mayor and mayor pro tem.

The council has a policy, adopted in 1993, that gives preference to members who have served for more than one year, but have not been mayor.

The policy does not have the force of law, meaning a council quorum can disregard it with a majority vote.

Council members Mickie Winkler, Nicholas Jellins and Lee Duboc have all held the mayoral seat, and Kelly Fergusson and Andy Cohen have not.

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