The Menlo Park City Council will resume discussing hot-button budget issues — including privatizing the city’s child care services and putting a utility tax measure on the November ballot — at a special meeting Wednesday, April 19, starting at 5:30 p.m.
Check AlmanacNews.com for news updates.
This will be the third round of council discussions on the budget. Council members have been divided over how to eliminate a projected $2.9 million shortfall.
Council members Mickie Winkler and Lee Duboc showed more support for privatization, and less for the utility tax, but Kelly Fergusson and Andy Cohen supported exploring the tax and not privatizing city services. Mayor Nicholas Jellins said he needed more information before making a decision.
The council meets in the council chambers at the Civic Center, between Laurel and Alma streets.
The council will still hold its regular meeting at 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 18.
Union campaigns on budget issues
The Service Employees International Union local 715 is orchestrating a media campaign to urge residents to oppose budget cuts and privatization of child care services.
The campaign includes an automated telephone message, mailed fliers and newspaper advertisements that question the city’s projected $2.9 million shortfall.
Union representatives argue that the city can take funds needed to maintain the city’s streets, sidewalks, parks and storm drains from its $21 million of unallocated reserves.
Council creates panel on El Camino projects
Developers want to build high-density housing projects along Menlo Park’s segment of El Camino Real, and the City Council wants to specify how the city will benefit from the projects.
At an April 4 study session, the council decided to form a subcommittee of council members — probably Lee Duboc and Andy Cohen — to meet with developers and city staff to determine what type of benefits the city could receive to compensate for the likely noise, traffic and school impacts from the proposed multi-story developments.
The decision to form a subcommittee came after a presentation by San Mateo-based Sand Hill Management Co., which is proposing a 134-apartment complex with office and retail space at 1300 El Camino Real, the site of a former Cadillac dealership.
Council members suggested several ways developers could contribute to the city in exchange for approval of their large-scale projects.
Councilwoman Mickie Winkler said developers could help improve nearby storm drains and city streets; Kelly Fergusson suggested a developer could restore the abandoned Park Theatre; and Councilman Andy Cohen said a developer could help fund a bicycle path or tunnel at Middle Avenue.
A report on how the city could go about setting preferred benefits is expected in about six weeks.
Commission vacancies
The deadline to apply for two expired seats on the Menlo Park Planning Commission is April 26. The terms end April 2010.
The seats are currently filled by commissioners Henry Riggs and Melody Pagee. Mr. Riggs is reapplying for his seat, and Ms. Pagee has yet to announce her decision.
Reapplying commissioners and new applicants will be considered by the City Council at a future meeting.
All applications must be submitted to the city clerk’s office. For more information, call the city clerk at 330-6620.
Free compost
If you’re looking for compost on Earth Day, Bayfront Park is the place to go.
On Saturday, April 22, starting at 9 a.m., there will be piles of free compost and mulch just inside the entrance to the park, near the intersection of Bayfront Expressway and Marsh Road.
Residents need to bring their own shovels and containers. If rain is heavy, the event will be postponed one week.
