MENLO WATCH: Council to mull stoplight at busy downtown crossroads MENLO WATCH: Council to mull stoplight at busy downtown crossroads (December 01, 2004)

The problematic intersection of University Drive and Menlo Avenue in downtown Menlo Park is back on the City Council's agenda, with the council scheduled to vote November 30 on installing a stoplight there.

A signal could improve safety at the crossroads, where there have been several auto-versus-pedestrian accidents in recent years, city staff members say. But it could also cost $285,000, an expense that is not included in the current budget.

Staff members are recommending that the council consider a traffic signal during a later priority-setting meeting for the 2005-06 budget, transportation engineer Rene Baile wrote in a staff report.

In the interim, staff members recommend making changes such as relocating an existing crosswalk and painting more curb area red. Those changes would cost about $6,500 and could be paid for with Measure A transportation sales-tax money, Mr. Baile wrote.

The intersection sometimes confuses drivers and pedestrians; it's called "offset" because the east and west portions of Menlo Avenue don't line up, and drivers heading south on University Drive come to a stop sign that's set far back from University's eastern crossing with Menlo.

The November 30 meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the council chambers at 701 Laurel St.
City, union members reach agreements

City and union officials have signed off on two labor agreements affecting 187 employees of the city of Menlo Park.

The contracts affect the 150 workers represented by Service Employees International Union Local 715, whose positions are below the supervisory level; and the 37 supervisory workers represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 829. (Police officers and sergeants are represented by the Menlo Park Police Officers' Association.)

Both contracts are two-year agreements and will be retroactive to October 31, assuming that the City Council signs off on them at the November 30 council meeting. The contracts both contain 2 percent pay raises effective October 31, with a 1.5 percent pay raise taking effect on October 30, 2005.

Both unions have ratified the contracts, which also include other enhancements such as an increase in the amount of sick leave an employee may accrue.

The council meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the council chambers at 701 Laurel St.

E-mail a friend a link to this story.