capabilities and represents vandalism of public property. I request that staff investigate these incidents and that replacement signage be installed promptly.
I remain concerned about the environmental justice implications of delaying action. San Francisquito Creek is a shared natural resource. Illegal dumping and encampments along its banks pose documented risks to the San Francisco Bay and the surrounding environment. These are harms our community bears disproportionately. I would ask my colleagues to consider whether we would accept similar conditions along waterways in neighboring jurisdictions, or whether we would demand immediate action.
I supported the development of a permit parking program precisely because it offers an equitable solution—prioritizing parking for residents who actually live in our community while addressing the legitimate concerns staff identified. I look forward to reviewing the results of the field study and returning to this matter with the same commitment to evidence-based decisionmaking.
Sincerely,
Webster Lincoln
Mayor, City of East Palo Alto
Attachments: A. Site photographs documenting current conditions and removed signage (10 images)
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CITY OF EAST PALO ALTO
Mayor & City Council
MAYOR
Webster Lincoln
VICE MAYOR
Ruben Abrica
COUNCIL
Martha Barragan, Mark Dinan, Carlos Romero
2415 University Avenue
East Palo Alto, CA 94303
Phone: (650) 853- 3100
Fax: (650) 853-3136
Web: www.cityofepa.org
Email: [email protected]
January 26, 2026
To: East Palo Alto Community and Council - specifically to residents along Woodland Ave
From: Ruben Abrica, Vice Mayor
RE: Reflections on January 20 meeting... Let's not eliminate viable parking areas.... and other topics
I first want to thank all the residents who spoke --although limited to only 1 minute-- expressing their concerns about the potential elimination of parking spots along Woodland Avenue- adjacent to San Francisquito Creek. I am writing this letter in order to elaborate on several issues that surfaced during the public meeting.
The City Council voted --with Mayor Lincoln Abstaining- to direct staff to comeback with a fuller report, including alternatives to preserve parking areas. This was better than accepting on January 20 the recommendation of the Public Works and Transportation Commission (PWTC) to put up signs and basically eliminate all parking along Woodland Avenue adjacent to the Creek.
1. The Issue of the Trash, inside and outside the Creek I think unintentionally, the staff and the PWT Commission conflated trashing a place with parking in a place and signs..."In addition to parking issues, there is also concern with illegal dumping and encampments along Woodland Avenue". As many residents pointed out...dumping trash inside or outside of the Creek is a serious but separate issue in certain spots along Woodland Ave. I agree with them and feel that the connection is false and stigmatizes neighbors in that area. Let me explain:
There are and have been several hot spots throughout the City where illegal dumping occurs. At one point in past years trash was dumped regularly around Weeks and Pulgas near the Ecumenical Hunger Program (EHP) and the Montage Housing Community. Were we to assume that the neighbors in that area were responsible for the trash and that by putting up missing parking signs and restricting parking the trashing would go away? I don't think so. Why would we associate parking issues with trashing a place and indicting a whole sub-neighborhood?
It is clear that there are a couple of spots where cars park chaotically, where some cars and trucks have people living in them and they may be generating trash and dumping it around. But if you walk up and down Woodland Ave (I have done it 3 times in the last 238
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week) you will observe that out of approximately 60 cars parked, those troubled spots may involve 10 or so cars. So why penalize and eliminate parking in the other potential 50 spaces that residents in that neighborhood need?
It is the City's responsibility to address the Trash issue. Neighbors in that area have always helped the Clean Zone project (housed in the Police Department) and Public Works assists with clean up activities at different times. More intensive work needs to be done, but let's not blame the people.
#2 The issue of missing signs and preserving parking for residents.
I look forward to a fuller report on signs and how to preserve much needed parking spaces. As most speakers pointed out, they work different shifts and need parking when coming back from work.
Why make the everyday life of residents harder than it already might be?. these days. 239