Menlo Park Mayor Nicholas Jellins, a member of the Menlo Park City Council for eight years, said he will not seek re-election this November.
Mr. Jellins was elected to his first four-year term in 1998, and re-elected in 2002. He is currently serving as the city’s mayor for the third time.
He is one of a three-member council majority that often votes together on major issues.
All three of their seats are up for election in November. The other two members — Mickie Winkler and Lee Duboc — have not announced whether they will run.
“It’s disappointing that [Mr. Jellins] isn’t running again, but I wish him the very best,” said Ms. Winkler. “He’s done a great service to our city the years he’s been on the council.”
Mayor Jellins said he made his decision for “personal and professional reasons.”
The council majority — council members Jellins, Winkler and Duboc — tend to win more support from business interests than the other two council members — Kelly Fergusson and Andy Cohen.
The majority has pushed for privatization of public services, and voted February 28 to contract out the operation of the new $6.8 million Burgess Aquatics Center.
Mayor Jellins also consented to a push by council members Duboc and Winkler to explore privatizing the city’s child care programs.
Candidates who back the positions of the majority must win all three seats to stay in control of the council.
“I make this announcement at this time because I am comfortable with my decision and to provide additional opportunity for potential candidates to consider fully the enormous responsibility of the position to which they aspire,” said Mayor Jellins in an e-mail.
Three candidates have announced they intend to run for council in November. They are Parks and Recreation Commissioner Richard Cline; former mayor Steve Schmidt; and Bayfront Park advocate Elizabeth Lasensky.
