City of Menlo Park 701 Laurel St., Menlo Park, CA 94025 tel 650-330-6600 menlopark.gov City Council
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Date: 10/8/2024
Time: 6:00 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 6:02 p.m.
B. Roll Call
Present: Combs, Nash, Taylor, Wolosin
Absent: Doerr
Staff: City Manager Justin Murphy, City Attorney Nira Doherty, Assistant to the City Manager/City Clerk Judi A. Herren
C. Closed Session
C1. Conference with legal counsel – anticipated litigation (Paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Gov. Code § 54956.9) Significant exposure to litigation: One case
D. Call To Order
Mayor Taylor re-called the meeting to order at 6:58 p.m.
E. Roll Call
Present: Combs, Nash, Taylor, Wolosin
Absent: Doerr
Staff: City Manager Justin Murphy, Assistant City Manager Stephen Stolte, City Attorney Nira Doherty, Assistant to the City Manager/City Clerk Judi A. Herren F. Report from Closed Session
No reportable actions.
G. Agenda Review
None.
H. Public Comment
Patrick White spoke in opposition of building housing on Downtown parking lots.
City of Menlo Park 701 Laurel St., Menlo Park, CA 94025 tel 650-330-6600 menlopark.gov Pam Jones provided information on the Belle Haven Voter Education Center at the Belle Haven Community Campus (Attachment).
Greg Conlon spoke in opposition of the proposed project design for 80 Willow Rd.
I. Presentations and Proclamations
I1. Proclamation: Domestic Violence Awareness Month (Attachment) Police Chief Dave Norris spoke in support of recognizing Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Mayor Taylor introduced the proclamation (Attachment).
CORA Director of Human Resources Tracey Cook accepted the proclamation.
I2. Proclamation: Latino Heritage Month (Attachment)
Mayor Taylor introduced the proclamation (Attachment).
I3. Proclamation: Cybersecurity Awareness Month (Attachment) Mayor Taylor introduced the proclamation (Attachment).
Menlo Park IT Manager Danny Daniels accepted the proclamation.
J. Advisory Body Vacancies and Appointments
J1. Consider applicants and make an appointment to fill an unexpired vacancy on the Housing Commission (Staff Report #24-175-CC)
Assistant to the City Manager/City Clerk Judi Herren introduced the item. Steven Switzer spoke on their application to the Housing Commission.
The City Council made an appointment to fill the vacancy.
Housing Commission:
Steven Switzer – term expiring April 30, 2026
K. Consent Calendar
K1. Accept the City Council meeting minutes for September 10, 2024 (Attachment) K2. Receive and file the annual inflation protection adjustment of $0.40 per hour for an approved local minimum wage effective Jan. 1, 2025, of $17.10 per hour (Staff Report #24-176-CC) K3. Consider and adopt a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute an application with California Department of Education for continued grant funding toward Belle Haven Child Development Center operational costs in fiscal year 2025-26 (Staff Report #24-177-CC) City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
October 8, 2024
City of Menlo Park 701 Laurel St., Menlo Park, CA 94025 tel 650-330-6600 menlopark.gov K4. Consider and adopt a resolution updating the City’s conflict of interest code (Staff Report #24-178-CC)
K5. Authorize the replacement of mobile computers for police patrol vehicles using State Supplemental Local Law Enforcement Grant funding (Staff Report #24-181-CC) ACTION: Motion and second (Wolosin/ Nash), to approve the consent calendar, 4-0-1 (Doerr absent).
L. Regular Business
L1. Authorize the city manager to execute an agreement with Flock for fixed Automated License Plate Readers and waive the first reading and introduce an ordinance amending Menlo Park Municipal Code Chapter 2.56 “Public Safety Information” (Staff Report #24-179-CC) Police Chief Dave Norris made the presentation (Attachment). Maya Sewald spoke in support of Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs). Randy Avalos spoke in opposition of ALPRs.
Derek Marsano spoke in support of ALPRs.
Lizabeth King spoke in support of ALPRs.
The City Council received clarification on Fourth Amendment and warrant impacts to Flock and ALPRs, algorithmic transparency, responsibilities for data breach and data sharing practices and policies.
The City Council discussed security and safety of residents.
ACTION: Motion and second (Combs/ Wolosin), to authorize the city manager to execute a master services agreement (MSA) with Flock Safety (Flock) to implement and operate fixed automated license plate readers (ALPRs), 3-1-1 (Nash dissenting and Doerr absent).
ACTION: Motion and second (Wolosin/ Combs), to waive the first reading and introduce an ordinance amending Menlo Park Municipal Code Chapter 2.56 "Public Safety Information" to update the city's automated license plate reader regulations, 3-1-1 (Nash dissenting and Doerr absent).
M. Informational Items
M1. City Council agenda topics: October – November 2024 (Staff Report #24-180-CC) N. City Manager Report
City Manager Justin Murphy reported out on the Belle Haven Community Campus (BHCC) Open House Oct. 10 and Flyway Trail event Oct. 19 at Bedwell Bayfront Park.
O. City Councilmember Reports
Vice Mayor Combs reported out on San Mateo County Council of Cities events at the BHCC.
Mayor Taylor reported out on the Homeless/Unhoused Subcommittee meeting.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
October 8, 2024
City of Menlo Park 701 Laurel St., Menlo Park, CA 94025 tel 650-330-6600 menlopark.gov P. Adjournment
Mayor Taylor adjourned the meeting at 8:28 p.m.
Assistant to the City Manager/ City Clerk Judi Herren
These minutes were approved at the City Council meeting November 12, 2024.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
October 8, 2024
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes October 8, 2024 Page 5 of 15 Proclamation
Recognizing October as National Domestic Violence
Awareness Month
WHEREAS, domestic violence touches all communities, affecting tens of millions of people of all genders, sexual orientations, ages, racial, ethnic, cultural, social, religious, and economic groups in the United States and here in California; and WHEREAS, more than one in three women and one in four men and one in two transgender individuals experience some form of physical or sexual violence and/or stalking by their partner in their lifetime, and over 15.5 million children are exposed to domestic violence every year; and WHEREAS, the marginalization of undocumented individuals, transgender individuals, and people living with disabilities, increases their vulnerability to domestic violence; and WHEREAS, domestic and intimate partner violence among the most under-reported crimes, and has life-long consequences emotionally, mentally, socially, spiritually and physically; and WHEREAS, domestic violence programs in California, such as Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse (CORA), provide essential, lifesaving services for survivors, their children, and communities; and
WHEREAS, there were 8,275 requests for service through CORA’s 24-hour crisis hotline and law enforcement referrals in San Mateo County last year; and WHEREAS, in San Mateo County, 94 adults and children were provided emergency shelter and 76 households were provided longer term rental assistance to escape their abusers last year, 485 adults and children received therapy to help them with domestic violence-related trauma, and CORA fielded 1,925 requests for legal assistance; and WHEREAS, all communities deserve access to culturally responsive prevention programs and initiatives to improve overall community health and safety by challenging the societal norms that perpetuate violence; and
NOW, THEREFORE LET IT BE RESOLVED, that I,
Cecilia Taylor, Mayor of the City of Menlo Park, on behalf of the City Council, hereby proclaim October 2024 as
National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Let us all
learn to recognize signs of domestic violence, promote
awareness, and honor those who have lost their lives to domestic violence.
Cecilia Taylor, Mayor
October 8, 2024
AGENDA ITEM I-1 Page I-1.1 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes October 8, 2024
Proclamation
Recognizing October as Latino Heritage Month
WHEREAS, Governor Gavin Newsom has issued a proclamation recognizing Latino Heritage Month in the State of California; and
WHEREAS, during Latino Heritage Month, celebrated annually from September 15 to October 15, we honor the immeasurable contributions and unique stories of Latinos, California’s largest ethnic group; and
WHEREAS, Californians know that our strength and prosperity lie in our state’s diversity, including the 15.7 million Latino Californians with roots that can be traced across the Americas, indigenous communities of Latin America and Africa, and beyond; and WHEREAS, generations of Latinos throughout history have helped build our state and local community as we know it, standing against inequalities and injustices and shaping the social, political and economic landscapes of the state of California; and WHEREAS, we recognize that Latino communities have always been and will always be deeply rooted in California’s history, identity, and success, contributing to local vibrancy and growth every day as teachers and business owners, scientists and soldiers, farmworkers and first responders, artists and activists, colleagues, neighbors, and friends; and WHEREAS, we also recognize the persistent disparities and disproportionate challenges that these communities face, and support the statewide expansion of access to health coverage, and the advancement of major investments in educational equity and affordable housing among other targeted investments and efforts; and
WHEREAS, this month and every month let us honor and celebrate the rich history, culture, tradition, and innumerable contributions Latinos make to our society and community; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that I, Cecilia
Taylor, Mayor of the City of Menlo Park, on behalf of
the City Council and the City, do hereby proclaim
October 2024, as Latino Heritage Month.
Cecilia Taylor, Mayor
October 8, 2024
AGENDA ITEM I-2 Page I-2.1 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes October 8, 2024
Proclamation
Recognizing October as Cybersecurity Awareness Month
WHEREAS, the City of Menlo Park recognizes that it plays a vital role in identifying, protecting its residents from, and responding to cybersecurity threats that may have significant impact to our individual and collective safety and privacy; and WHEREAS, critical infrastructure (i.e., financial services, educational institutions, energy, telecommunications, transportation, utilities, health care, and emergency response systems) is increasingly reliant on the support of information systems and technology; and
WHEREAS, cybersecurity education and awareness are crucial for everyone, including large corporations, small businesses, financial institutions, schools, government agencies, non-profit organizations, the home user, and anyone who connects to the internet, be it with a computer, mobile phone, or other internet-connected device; and WHEREAS, monitoring your accounts, being conscientious of what you share online, keeping computer software up to date, creating unique passwords and changing them regularly, installing antivirus programs and firewalls, and using mobile devices and other internet-connected devices safely, are ways people and organizations can protect themselves from phishing, viruses, ransomware, other types of malware, financial loss, and loss of sensitive data; and
WHEREAS, maintaining the security of cyberspace is a shared responsibility in which each of us has a critical role to play, and awareness of essential cyber hygiene will improve the security of the City of Menlo Park’s information, infrastructure, and economy; and
WHEREAS, all are encouraged to reduce online risks by learning about cybersecurity so they can put that knowledge into practice in their homes, schools, workplaces, and businesses;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that I, Cecilia Taylor,
Mayor of the City of Menlo Park, on behalf of the City Council and the City, do hereby designate October 2024 as
Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
Cecilia Taylor, Mayor
October 8, 2024
AGENDA ITEM I-3 Page I-3.1 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes October 8, 2024
FLOCK AGREEMENT AND ALPR ORDINANCE
UPDATEPolice Chief Dave Norris
L1-PRESENTATION
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes October 8, 2024 Page 9 of 15 Authorize the city manager to execute the master services agreement (MSA) with Flock Safety
Waive the first reading and introduce an ordinance amending Menlo Park Municipal Code Chapter 2.56 governing Public Safety Information
2 RECOMMENDATION
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes October 8, 2024 Page 10 of 15 Mobile automate license plate readers (ALPRs) in operation on MPPD Police vehicles since 2013
Study Session before the City Council in September 2023 Follow-up Study Session Before the City Council in May 2024 – Direction by City Council to place funding in the 2024-25 budget for Flock Fixed ALPRs– Flock Fixed ALPRs are approved as a 2024-25 budget item (June 2024) Over 4 hours of discussion and public commentary Extensive research into concerns of public across the national narrative Careful crafting of an agreement, ordinance, and policy that balance the public concern and civil rights with public safety needs
HISTORY OF THIS PROCESS TO DATE
3 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes October 8, 2024 Page 11 of 15
POLICY MATTERS
Compliance with the statutory process for “surveillance technology.” A proposed amended Municipal Code revised to cover the changes in operation related to implementation of Flock Technology is before you for introduction and ultimate approval. MPPD has drafted revisions to its ALPRs Policy.
4 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes October 8, 2024 Page 12 of 15
COST BREAKDOWN
BUDGETED Flock Project Costs- 24-Month Renewable Agreement -Item CostFlock Falcon ALPR Cameras (annual: 35 at about $3000 ea.) $105,000Flock Advanced Search Operating System (annual) $7,500Total Ongoing –Cameras and Detection, Software & Secure Data Storage $112,500Professional Services Implementation Fees (First Year Only)* $20,500Total First Year $133,000(Fees covered by PD – SLESF)* - $20,500Budget Impact - Two Year Total $225,000 * PD to Cover $20,500 initial Implementation through COPS-SLESF Grant Funds 5 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes October 8, 2024 Page 13 of 15 Authorize the city manager to execute the master services agreement (MSA) with Flock Safety
Waive the first reading and introduce an ordinance amending Menlo Park Municipal Code Chapter 2.56 governing Public Safety Information
6 RECOMMENDATION
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes October 8, 2024 Page 14 of 15
THANK YOU
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes October 8, 2024 Page 15 of 15