City of Menlo Park 701 Laurel St., Menlo Park, CA 94025 tel 650-330-6600 menlopark.gov City Council
EMERGENCY MEETING MINUTES
Date: 2/23/2023
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Locations: Teleconference
Emergency Session
A. Call To Order
Mayor Wolosin called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m.
B. Roll Call
Present: Combs, Doerr, Nash, Taylor, Wolosin
Absent: None
Staff: City Manager Justin I. C. Murphy, City Attorney Nira F. Doherty, Assistant to the City Manager/City Clerk Judi A. Herren
C. Emergency Business
C1. Discussion and direction regarding power outages from recent wind storm and associated health, safety and welfare risks
City Manager Justin Murphy introduced the item.
Ali Ardalan spoke in support of improving communications. Heather Leitch spoke in support of the City’s relief centers. James Pistorino requested information on the down tree on Coleman Avenue and in support of undergrounding electrical power.
Skip Hilton spoke in support of a postmortem report on communication with residents, City, and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E).
Martin Rosenblum spoke on concerns with PG&E communications and services. Anna spoke in support of the removal of dangerous trees to alleviate future outages. Miyko Harris-Parker spoke in support of stop signs at all disabled traffic lights. Kathleen Gilles requested clarification on communications to people without power. David Axelrod spoke in support of organizing residents to communicate and help each other out. Stephanie Simon requested clarification on communications to people without power. Margaret Spak spoke in support of utilizing Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program involvement with future City emergencies.
Tom Prussing spoke in support of utilizing of MPC Ready involvement with future City emergencies.
The City Council received clarification on current PG&E outages in the City and the cause of outages, how the City is communicating with residents without power, order of power restoration, declaring an emergency, and stop signs outside of City jurisdictions for intersections without power.
City of Menlo Park 701 Laurel St., Menlo Park, CA 94025 tel 650-330-6600 menlopark.gov The City Council discussed prioritizing City services to those without power and how to communicate with them, impacts from inconsistent information and updates from PG&E, reverse 9- 1-1 calls for those without internet access and written communications (e.g., flyers) and door-todoor, partnering with citizen organizations to assist with communications, extending open hours at City facilities, and extending the hotel voucher deadline.
The City Council took a recess at 6:32 p.m.
The City Council reconvened at 6:44 p.m.
The City Council directed communications using street feedback signs, keeping warming centers located at the Belle Haven Library and Main Library open until midnight, and a bilingual City flyer with information related to the power outages.
D. Adjournment
Mayor Wolosin adjourned the meeting at 6:57 p.m.
Judi A. Herren, Assistant to the City Manager/City Clerk These minutes were approved at the City Council meeting of March 14, 2023.
City Council Emergency Meeting Minutes
February 23, 2023