Menlo Watch: Fee increases are proposed Menlo Watch: Fee increases are proposed (April 20, 2005)

City child-care fees at Menlo Park's Civic Center and in the Belle Haven neighborhood could go up 5 percent under a plan being eyed April 19 by the City Council.

The package of increases and new fees would also include a new annual fee to use city off-leash dog areas: $30 per dogs living in the city and $60 for non-resident canines.

This fee-hike plan is modest compared to previous ones. Many earlier increases -- including a 33 percent jump in some child-care fees last year -- remain sufficient, finance director Carol Augustine wrote in a staff report.

The plan includes other new fees, such as $190 per hour for a business to rent out the council chambers and $250 to rent the new concession stand at Burgess Park for three months.

All told, the new fees and increases are expected to bring the city about $122,000 more revenue annually. They would take effect on either April 19 or July 1.

For the report, go to www.menlopark.org, click on "City Council" and go to the April 19 agenda. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the council chambers at 701 Laurel St.
Police give tips on avoiding ID theft

With identity theft one of the fastest-growing crimes around, many people want to know how to protect themselves. The Menlo Park Police Department will offer some suggestions at a community meeting planned for Wednesday, April 27.

The meeting will be from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Menlo Park City Council chambers at 701 Laurel St. The department will host it with the REACT Task Force, a partnership of local, state and federal agencies focusing on identity theft and high-tech crime.

RSVPs are requested; contact Victoria Martinez at the police department at 330-6327 or vlmartinez@menlopark.org.

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