City of Menlo Park 701 Laurel St., Menlo Park, CA 94025 tel 650-330-6600 menlopark.gov City Council
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
Date: 6/18/2024
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Locations: Teleconference and
City Council Chambers
751 Laurel St., Menlo Park, CA 94025
Regular Session
A. Call To Order
Mayor Taylor called the meeting to order at 5:33 p.m.
B. Roll Call
Present: Combs (Remote – Brown Act), Doerr, Nash, Taylor, Wolosin
Absent: None
Staff: City Manager Justin I. C. Murphy, Assistant City Manager Stephen Stolte, City Attorney Nira F. Doherty, Assistant to the City Manager/City Clerk Judi A. Herren C. Agenda Review
None.
D. Study Session
D1. Receive an overview and provide feedback and guidance on the revised draft General Plan Environmental Justice and Safety Elements in preparation for the final draft documents (Staff Report #24-113-CC) (Informe de Personal #24-113-CC) Senior Planner Calvin Chan and ChangeLab Solutions Managing Director Erik Calloway made the presentation (Attachment).
Lynne Bramlett spoke on concerns related to balancing the Housing, Environmental Justice and Safety Elements and overall public safety.
Pam Jones spoke on commonality of funding for the Environmental Justice and Safety Elements.
Climate Resilient Communities Executive Director Violet Saena spoke in support of the Environmental Justice (EJ) Element and serving the Belle Haven community. Belle Haven Empowered and Menlo Together representative Marlene Santoyo spoke in support of the EJ Element efforts and requested updating the community feedback matrix and additional policy/program review.
John McKenna spoke in support of continuing to listen to the needs of the Belle Haven community and to include those in the EJ Element.
Rob Chua spoke on bio-safety levels considerations while working on the General Plan. Adina Levin spoke in support of clear timelines, reporting, implementation and expectations.
City of Menlo Park 701 Laurel St., Menlo Park, CA 94025 tel 650-330-6600 menlopark.gov The City Council received clarification on the Safety Element updates to Section 7, Safety Element and EJ Element public outreach, bio-safety planning, mapping of liquefaction and soft story buildings, sea-level rise within the Elements, in/outdoor air quality reporting, lead in homes in the Belle Haven neighborhood, age range of community participants, emergency preparedness versus disaster preparedness, local hazard mitigation planning and the Safety Element, and Noise Element considerations for areas in airport flightpaths.
The City Council discussed updating the City’s “hazards”, funding for the EJ Element, in/outdoor air quality policy, building electrification and heat pumps, no-smoking ordinance for Downtown, focus areas for EJ Element being 1) specific matrix 2) timeline 3) prioritization/budget and an annual check-in.
The City Council took a recess at 7:36 p.m.
The City Council reconvened at 7:50 p.m.
The City Council discussed rental assistance, eviction, relocation assistance, rent control and housing priorities and potential funding through the Bayfront Mitigation Fund.
The City Council received clarification on extreme heat and natural disasters and future discussions on rent control.
The City Council directed staff:
enhance discussion of climate change and sea-level rise in the documents return for a study session on life-sciences and planning for bio-hazard safety levels include indoor air quality discussions in the documents consider liquefaction and ground water mapping
explore anti-displacement measures such as rental registry and support programs for homeowners
refine programs/actions to 1) healthcare and healthcare resources 2) higher quality education 3) Wi-Fi 4) higher education
partner with community based organizations
consider hardcopy materials for outreach to households, particularly door-to-door outreach support cooling centers in the EJ Element
explore having designated staff to liaison with the public for EJ Element-related issues consider exploration of soft story buildings
monitor the city’s efforts in the update to the Multijurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan explore no-smoking policy downtown
clarify property owner responsibilities for soil remediation continue accessible meeting spaces for EJ Element-related topics simplify lists, prioritization, and overall documents funding evaluate transfer of $1 million from the Bayfront Mitigation Fund to support EJ efforts encourage healthcare access
consider including business districts in disaster and emergency preparedness E. Regular Business
E1. Adopt a resolution to amend the fiscal year 2023-24 budget (Staff Report #24-114-CC) City Council Special Meeting Minutes
June 18, 2024
City of Menlo Park 701 Laurel St., Menlo Park, CA 94025 tel 650-330-6600 menlopark.gov Finance and Budget Manager Rani Singh made the presentation.
ACTION: Motion and second (Doerr/ Nash), to adopt a resolution approving an amendment to the fiscal year 2023-24 operating and capital budget to include a one-time transfer from the General Fund (Fund 100) to the General Capital Improvement Fund (Fund 501) of $1.75 million for projects outlined in the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), passed unanimously.
F. Adjournment
Mayor Taylor adjourned the meeting at 8:37 p.m.
Assistant to the City Manager/ City Clerk Judi Herren
These minutes were approved at the City Council meeting July 9, 2024.
City Council Special Meeting Minutes
June 18, 2024
GENERAL PLAN ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE (EJ) AND
SAFETY ELEMENTS STUDY SESSIONCity Council - June 18
D1-PRESENTATION
City Council Special Meeting Minutes June 18, 2024 Page 4 of 28
STAFF RECOMMENDATION AND
STUDY SESSION PURPOSE Overview EJ and Safety Elements Highlight document revisions and community outreach Introduce EJ Action Guide (Implementation Guide) Review feedback from June 3 study session Receive City Council feedback/guidance and community feedback
City Council Special Meeting Minutes June 18, 2024 Page 5 of 28 Community meetings
February 2023
Study session with Planning Commission and City Council June 2023
Housing Element certified by State of California
March 2024
Community workshops
May 2024
Planning Commission study session
June 2024
City Council study session
June 2024
Adoption of elements
Fall 2024 (Tentative)
3
MAJOR MILESTONES
City Council Special Meeting Minutes June 18, 2024 Page 6 of 28 OVERVIEW:
EJ ELEMENT
City Council Special Meeting Minutes June 18, 2024 Page 7 of 28 5 BelleHaven
Bayfront
UnderservedCommunities
Menlo Park
Neighborhoods EJ ELEMENT OVERVIEW
Identify and focus on Underserved Communities
City Council Special Meeting Minutes June 18, 2024 Page 8 of 28 6 1. Address unique and compounded health risks2. Reduce pollution exposure and eliminate environmental inequities*
3. Equitably provide appropriate public facilities to individuals and communities
4. Promote access to affordable healthy and high-quality foods*5. Provide safe and sanitary homes for all residents*6. Encourage physical activity and active transportation7. Create equitable civic and community engagement * Top priority goals
EJ ELEMENT OVERVIEW
City Council Special Meeting Minutes June 18, 2024 Page 9 of 28 OVERVIEW:
SAFETY ELEMENT
City Council Special Meeting Minutes June 18, 2024 Page 10 of 28 Purpose: Identify how to reduce potential risks of injury, property damage, and economic and social disruptions resulting from natural and human-made hazards Focus: Addressing new State-required topics
– Climate change adaptation and resiliency– Wildfire hazards and risks– Identify residential developments lacking 2+ emergency evacuation routes 8 SAFETY ELEMENT UPDATE
City Council Special Meeting Minutes June 18, 2024 Page 11 of 28
REVISED DRAFT
EJ ELEMENT
City Council Special Meeting Minutes June 18, 2024 Page 12 of 28
REVISED DRAFT EJ ELEMENT
(APRIL 24, 2024)
Modify certain statements about EJ contextMake adjustments to the refinement framework matrixContinue performing and implementing robust outreachThink critically about funding needs and sourcesConsider actions with short-term results to demonstrate and communicate progress ABCD
E
10 City Council Special Meeting Minutes June 18, 2024 Page 13 of 28
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
AND ENGAGEMENT
Extensive community outreach and engagement “Meet people where they are” approach – April 13: Love Our Earth– April 18: CCCT meeting– May 2: Spanish language community workshop– May 9: English language community workshop– May 11: Housing Resource Fair Emails, flyers, social media, etc.
11 City Council Special Meeting Minutes June 18, 2024 Page 14 of 28
TOP EJ PRIORITIES FROM
MAY WORKSHOPS
12 #1 - Providing safe, sanitary, and stable homesEJ Element Goal 5#2 - Reducing pollution exposure and improving air quality EJ Element Goal 2#3 - Promoting access to high quality and affordable foodEJ Element Goal 4 City Council Special Meeting Minutes June 18, 2024 Page 15 of 28
COMMUNITY RECOMMENDATIONS
FOR REVISED DRAFT EJ ELEMENT
13 Increase opportunities for accountability through strict reporting requirements on EJ Element Programs and PoliciesEnsure "Safe, Sanitary, and Stable Housing" is used in Goal 5 language and throughout the document, replacing "Safe and Sanitary Homes"Strengthen program and policy language throughout the EJ Element, for example by changing encourage to ensure or could to should/shallElevate Anti-Displacement Actions into the EJ Element, accelerate timelines for creation and implement interim steps as soon as possible.
City Council Special Meeting Minutes June 18, 2024 Page 16 of 28
FUNDING NEEDS AND SOURCES
The EJ Element includes listing of potential funding sources Additional considerations regarding programs and actions:
– Infrastructure enhancements– Specific sites– Potentially eligible for funding through special funds June 11: City Council expressed support for use of the Bayfront Mitigation Fund to support EJ Element programs
14 City Council Special Meeting Minutes June 18, 2024 Page 17 of 28
ACTION GUIDE
(IMPLEMENTATION GUIDE)
City Council Special Meeting Minutes June 18, 2024 Page 18 of 28
ACTION GUIDE
Action Guide includes action items to implement certain EJ programs Dual-document approach allows for more frequent updating of action items to respond to changes in:
• Community needs• Funding opportunities• Ongoing community outreach, particularly from Menlo Park’s Underserved Communities
A comprehensive, re-formatted version of the Action Guide will be maintained on the City’s website to improve accountability and tracking of efforts to advance EJ • Simplified presentation• Background information (grey columns) removed• Inclusive of all EJ programs and action items 16 City Council Special Meeting Minutes June 18, 2024 Page 19 of 28
REVISED DRAFT
SAFETY ELEMENT
City Council Special Meeting Minutes June 18, 2024 Page 20 of 28
REVISED DRAFT SAFETY
ELEMENT (APRIL 15, 2024)
18 Policies/ programs revised to include community feedback Revised Policy S1.35 – Disaster Preparedness Planning – Multilingual and multimodal outreach in Underserved Communities Revised Policy S1.36 – Community Preparedness
– Support countywide preparedness, response and protection services New Program S1.M – Sea Level Rise Planning
– Collaborate with other agencies to develop a sea level rise plan as part of a subregional San Francisco Bay shoreline resiliency plan
No changes to Open Space/Conservation and Noise Elements City Council Special Meeting Minutes June 18, 2024 Page 21 of 28 JUNE 3
PLANNING COMMISSION STUDY SESSION
City Council Special Meeting Minutes June 18, 2024 Page 22 of 28
PUBLIC FEEDBACK
Enhance action items text to indicate City commitment and accountabilityExplore financial and programmatic incentives to assist Menlo Park residentsRevise documents for easier comprehensionImprove documentation, transparency, and monitor progressUpdate the Safety Element to respond to additional topics beyond state requirements ABCD
E
20 City Council Special Meeting Minutes June 18, 2024 Page 23 of 28
PLANNING COMMISSION
FEEDBACK
Focus impactful and feasible actions to advance EJ on the top three priorities identified through May 2024 workshopsExplore opportunities in the document to strengthen the City’s commitment and accountability to advance EJEnhance civic engagementClarify how EJ Element and Action Guide work together and ensure the public remains involved and informedUpdate the Safety Element to respond to additional topics beyond state requirements F
G
H
I
J
21 City Council Special Meeting Minutes June 18, 2024 Page 24 of 28
SUMMARY OF UPCOMING
ELEMENTS REVISIONS
Revise per staff recommendations within EJ Element Table EJ-8 (EJ Element Goals, Policies, and Programs) and Action Guide
Revise per May 2024 community workshops recommendations Revise per June 3 study session feedback themes from the public and Planning Commission
Revise per June 18 study session feedback/guidance from the City Council 22 City Council Special Meeting Minutes June 18, 2024 Page 25 of 28 23 EJ AND SAFETY ELEMENTS STUDY SESSION FEEDBACK PROMPTS Did the process over the past year result in appropriate refinements to the EJ Element?Does the Action Guide serve as a good implementation tool to advance EJ?Staff intends to update the EJ and Safety Elements based on feedback received and as noted in the staff report. Are there other items for consideration or inclusion? City Council Special Meeting Minutes June 18, 2024 Page 26 of 28 24 Project team will revise EJ and Safety Elements per study session feedback
Prepare for adoption hearings (tentatively fall 2024)NEXT STEPS Visit menlopark.gov/housingelementfor project updates and to sign up for email list City Council Special Meeting Minutes June 18, 2024 Page 27 of 28
THANK YOU
City Council Special Meeting Minutes June 18, 2024 Page 28 of 28