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Menlo Park: Budget, housing on City Council agenda

As the council heads into the final weeks before taking a holiday in July, city officials are reviewing "big picture" items such as the budget and the housing element.

The agenda for the May 22 meeting includes a public hearing on the proposed budget for fiscal year 2012-13. Staff recommend increasing the tax on hotel guests from 10 percent to 12 percent, which could add more than $560,000 annually to Menlo Park's general fund, but not changing the utility users tax. The budget also proposes cost-cutting measures such as eliminating paper council agenda packets to save $10,000 a year, sharing services with other city entities, and delaying the replacement of $100,000 worth of police cars for one year.

The regular meeting starts at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the council chambers at the Civic Center at 701 Laurel St., following a closed session at 5:30 p.m. to discuss settlement of a lawsuit filed over the city's failure to comply with state housing law.

Helfrich commended

Frank Helfrich, long-time Menlo Park resident and keeper of town history, was tapped for a commendation from the City Council on May 22 for "his dedication in preserving the history of Menlo Park." Mr. Helfrich has lived in Menlo Park for more than 80 years and volunteers with the Menlo Park Historical Association, a nonprofit organization that has archived the town's memories for nearly four decades.