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Menlo briefs: Council reviews budget, housing

The Menlo Park City Council will hold its regular Tuesday night meeting on Oct. 19, after a week's hiatus. Scheduled for discussion are the city's below-market-rate units and other aspects of its affordable housing program, as well as a financial review of the general fund, which includes an unexpected $517,000 sales tax shortfall, according to the staff report.

The council will also consider whether to formally support Measure M on the San Mateo County ballot, and oppose state Proposition 26. The county measure seeks to add $10 to the vehicle registration fee to fund pollution and traffic mitigation; Menlo Park would receive an estimated $143,100 annually from Measure M, according to the staff report. Proposition 26 would require all state or local tax increases, as well as certain types of fee increases, to be approved by two-thirds of voters in an election.

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. in the council chambers at the Civic Center (701 Laurel St.)

Preliminary hearing on hit-and-run case

The driver who allegedly hit a motorcyclist in Menlo Park on Oct. 4, then fled the scene despite the victim, who suffered a broken back, pleading for help, will face a preliminary hearing on Tuesday, Oct. 19.

Police arrested Eric Olvera Nieto, 21, at his girlfriend's home in Ripon. According to the district attorney's office, Mr. Nieto rear-ended the motorcycle at a red light, throwing the victim onto the hood of the car.

Police said the suspect had no license, and fled because he was in the United States illegally. Mr. Nieto remains in custody on $50,000 bail.

Chamber mixer, Allied Arts event

On Wednesday, Oct. 20, the Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce will hold a mixer at AutoVino (205 Constitution Dr.) from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event is open to Chamber members and their guests.

For weekend mingling, the Allied Arts Guild (75 Arbor Road) will host an open house on Saturday, Oct. 23, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with refreshments, live music and garden tours. For more information, call 322-2405.

Pancake breakfast raises funds

The community pancake breakfast, held Oct. 2 at Fire Station No. 1 in Menlo Park, raised more than $10,300 for the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation, according to Jon Jonston of the Menlo Park Fire Protection District.

Hosts for the breakfast were the Menlo Park Protection District, the Menlo Park Firefighters' Association, the Junior League of Palo Alto/Midpeninsula, and the Stanford Park Hotel.