City of Menlo Park 701 Laurel St., Menlo Park, CA 94025 tel 650-330-6600 menlopark.gov City Council
SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Date: 11/4/2025
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Locations: Teleconference and
City Council Chambers
751 Laurel St., Menlo Park, CA 94025
Special Session
A. Call To Order
Mayor Combs called the meeting to order at 5:36 p.m.
B. Roll Call
Present: Combs, Nash, Schmidt, Taylor, Wise
Absent: None
Staff: City Manager Justin Murphy, City Attorney Nira Doherty, Assistant City Manager Stephen Stolte, Assistant to the City Manager/ City Clerk Judi A. Herren C. Closed Session
C1. Conference with legal counsel – anticipated litigation Initiation of litigation (paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of §54956.9): Two potential cases Regular Session
D. Call To Order
Mayor Combs recalled the meeting to order at 6:56 p.m.
E. Report from Closed Session
No reportable action.
F. Agenda Review
None.
G. Public Comment
• Masuud Mostofi spoke on concerns related to water/sanitation issue, street cleaning, and customer service issues.
• Mike Frances spoke in support of retaining Santa Cruz Avenue in its current state and in support of improving city infrastructure.
• Cherie Zaslawsky spoke on concerns related to emergency vehicle access on Santa Cruz Avenue.
City of Menlo Park 701 Laurel St., Menlo Park, CA 94025 tel 650-330-6600 menlopark.gov H. Presentations and Proclamations
H1. Presentation: Encinal Elementary School 5th graders (Attachment) Encinal Elementary School Assistant Principal Gina Watkins, San Mateo County office of Education Safe Routes to School Coordinator Theresa Vallez-Kelly and Encinal School 5th graders made the presentation (Attachment).
H2. Proclamation: Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day (Attachment) Mayor Combs introduced the proclamation.
San Mateo County office of Education Safe Routes to School Coordinator Theresa Vallez-Kelly accepted the proclamation (Attachment).
H3. Proclamation: Native American Heritage Month (Attachment) Mayor Combs introduced the proclamation.
Chairperson of the Ramaytush Ohlone Tribe Dr. Jonathan Cordero accepted the proclamation (Attachment).
H4. Proclamation: Kepler's 70th anniversary (Attachment) Mayor Combs introduced the proclamation.
Kepler's Program Manager for Premier Events Heather Birchall accepted the proclamation (Attachment).
I. Consent Calendar
I1. Accept the City Council meeting minutes for October 7, 2025 (Attachment) ACTION: Motion and second (Taylor/ Nash), to approve the consent calendar, passed unanimously.
J. Public Hearing
J1. Waive the second reading and adopt an ordinance amending Title 12 [Buildings and Construction] of the Menlo Park Municipal Code by adopting by reference the 2025 California Building Standards Code (Title 24, California Code of Regulations Parts 1, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11 and 12), together with local amendments to parts 2, 2.5, 5, 6, and 11 (Staff Report #25-167-CC) Assistant Community Development Director Ron La France made the presentation (Attachment).
Mayor Combs opened the public hearing.
Mayor Combs closed the public hearing.
City Council Special and Regular Meeting Minutes
November 4, 2025
City of Menlo Park 701 Laurel St., Menlo Park, CA 94025 tel 650-330-6600 menlopark.gov ACTION: Motion and second (Nash/ Wise), to waive the second reading and adopt an ordinance amending Title 12 [Buildings and Construction] of the Menlo Park Municipal Code by adopting by reference the 2025 California Building Standards Code (Title 24, California Code of Regulations Parts 1, 2,
2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11 and 12), together with local amendments to parts 2, 2.5, 5, 6, and 11, passed 4- 1 (Combs dissenting).
J2. Receive and file the certification of sufficiency of the petition for the proposed citizen-initiative measure entitled "Downtown Parking Plazas Ordinance Initiative” (Staff Report #25-168-CC) City Clerk Judi Herren introduced the item.
Mayor Combs opened the public hearing.
• Jenny Michel spoke in support of housing stability.
• Janice Sweeney requested clarification on number of signatures submitted and verified.
Mayor Combs closed the public hearing.
The City Council received clarification on number of signatures submitted and verified.
J3. Determination of action, pursuant to Elections Code section 9215, regarding the proposed initiative measure entitled “Downtown Parking Plazas Ordinance” (Staff Report #25-169-CC) City Attorney Nira Doherty introduced the item.
Mayor Combs opened the public hearing.
• Prudence Pingrey spoke in support of affordable housing on the Downtown parking plazas. • Keith Quiggins spoke in support of adopting the ordinance adopting the citizen sponsored initiative measure.
• Nicole Kemeny spoke in support of affordable housing on the Downtown parking plazas. • Holden Weisman spoke in support of adopting a resolution ordering the Elections Code section 9212 report.
• Laura Melahn spoke in support of amending the Housing Element with realistic opportunity sites.
• Alex Beltramo spoke in support of adopting the ordinance adopting the citizen sponsored initiative measure.
• Keri Nicholas spoke in support of adopting the ordinance adopting the citizen sponsored initiative measure.
• Cherie Zaslawsky spoke in support of adopting the ordinance adopting the citizen sponsored initiative measure.
• Van Kouzoujian read a letter from Rutan and Tucker, LLP. (Attachment). • Katherine Dumont spoke in support of adopting a resolution ordering the Elections Code section 9212 report.
• Sean Van Dril spoke in support of adopting a resolution ordering the Elections Code section 9212 report.
• Emma Stanford spoke in support of adopting a resolution ordering the Elections Code section 9212 report including input received from Menlo Together. • Will Oursler spoke in support of adopting a resolution ordering the Elections Code section 9212 City Council Special and Regular Meeting Minutes
November 4, 2025
City of Menlo Park 701 Laurel St., Menlo Park, CA 94025 tel 650-330-6600 menlopark.gov report and adding initiative to the ballot in 2026.
• Nick Merz spoke in support of adopting a resolution ordering the Elections Code section 9212 report.
• Tom Enger spoke in opposition of the ordinance adopting the citizen sponsored initiative measure.
• Jenny Michel spoke in support of adopting a resolution ordering the Elections Code section 9212 report.
• Jen Mazzon spoke in support of adopting a resolution ordering the Elections Code section 9212 report.
• Patrick Reed spoke in support of affordable housing on the Downtown parking plazas and complying with the Housing Element.
• Elysa Gurman spoke in support of affordable housing on the Downtown parking plazas including input received from Menlo Together.
• Rob Foster spoke in support of adopting the ordinance adopting the citizen sponsored initiative measure.
• Karen Grove spoke in support of adopting a resolution ordering the Elections Code section 9212 report including input received from Menlo Together.
• Jennifer Schindler spoke in support of adopting a resolution ordering the Elections Code section 9212 report.
• Mary Seaton spoke on concerns related to the cost of an Elections Code section 9212 report, requested clarification on consultants’ methodology and the scope of work and in support of adopting the ordinance adopting the citizen sponsored initiative measure. • Adina Levin spoke in support of adopting a resolution ordering the Elections Code section 9212 report and including impacts to business environment in the Downtown.
Mayor Combs closed the public hearing.
The City Council received clarification on actions allowed by future City Council, actions required at this meeting and costs of special and general elections.
The City Council discussed Housing Element requirements, building remedy project impacts and requests and suggestions provided by Menlo Together/Housing Leadership Council of San Mateo County (HCL) and Rutan & Tucker, LLP. The City Council also discussed additional topics that could potentially be studied in the future:
• Impact on non-vacant land
• Parking benefits and usage
• Parking loss during construction reimbursement
• Short-term and long-term fire impacts
• Car ownership rates of residents
• Percent of residents expected to work within the city • Impact on the Housing Element timeline
• Gaps between HLC and Menlo Together and existing 9212 scope
ACTION: Motion and second (Schmidt/ Wise), to adopt a resolution ordering a report pursuant to Elections Code section 9212; authorize a one-time budget appropriation in the amount of $164,951; and authorize the City Manager to execute an amendment to the Master Services Agreement with M-Group in the not-toexceed amount of $164,951 to draft and complete the Elections Code section 9212 report, passed 4-1 (Combs dissenting).
City Council Special and Regular Meeting Minutes
November 4, 2025
City of Menlo Park 701 Laurel St., Menlo Park, CA 94025 tel 650-330-6600 menlopark.gov K. Informational Items
K1. City Council agenda topics: November – December 2025 (Staff Report #25-166-CC)
K2. Police department quarterly update / Q3 July – September 2025 (Staff Report #25-165-CC) (Informe de Personal #25-165-CC)
L. City Manager Report
City Manager Murphy reported out on the wind advisory Nov. 4 – 6.
M. City Councilmember Reports
City Councilmember Taylor reported out on Home for All meetings resuming Dec. 10.
Vice Mayor Nash reported out on Peninsula Clean Energy board meeting.
C. Closed Session
C1. Conference with legal counsel – anticipated litigation Initiation of litigation (paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of §54956.9): Two potential cases Report from Closed Session
No reportable actions.
N. Adjournment
Mayor Combs adjourned the meeting at 10:23 p.m.
Assistant to the City Manager/ City Clerk Judi Herren
These minutes were approved at the City Council meeting December 9, 2025.
City Council Special and Regular Meeting Minutes
November 4, 2025
Promoting safe walking,
biking, and rolling around
the Encinal community
Encinal Elementary 5th Grade Students -
Community Science Leadership Academy
H1-PRESENTATION City Council Special and Regular Meeting Minutes November 4, 2025
Today’s agenda
1. Background
2. Theme 1: Bike lanes
a. 3 solutions from 3 groups
3. Theme 2: Walking path on Middlefield
a. 2 solutions from 2 groups
4. Q&A
City Council Special and Regular Meeting Minutes
November 4, 2025
Background
City Council Special and Regular Meeting Minutes
November 4, 2025
What is Community Science?
Community science can be broadly defined as members
of the public working with professional scientists to
advance a research project.
City Council Special and Regular Meeting Minutes
November 4, 2025
The Our Voice Method
Give community members a method and tools to
capture their lived experiences
Support community members in using this
information to help inform local changes and build
healthier communities
City Council Special and Regular Meeting Minutes
November 4, 2025
A simple mobile app that community members can use to document parts of their neighborhood or community that promote or hinder healthy living.
Buman, Winter, et al., Translational Behav Med, 2012; AJPM, 2013 The Stanford Discovery Tool
City Council Special and Regular Meeting Minutes
November 4, 2025
17 pairs of 5th grade students (n= 34 total) completed data collection on August 29th, 2025, along with school staff and project facilitators
Guiding question: What makes it easy or hard to walk, bike, or roll around Encinal Elementary?
The pairs collected:
● 123 photos
● 74 audio comments
● 50 text comments
Data Collection Walk
City Council Special and Regular Meeting Minutes
November 4, 2025
City Council Special and Regular Meeting Minutes
November 4, 2025
Theme #1:
Bike lanes
Quinn
City Council Special and Regular Meeting Minutes
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Our findings - bike lanes
Aria and Lucy
City Council Special and Regular Meeting Minutes
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Our findings - bike lanes
Kate
City Council Special and Regular Meeting Minutes
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Our solutions - Group 1
Solution: Widen bike lanes
Campbell & Yui
City Council Special and Regular Meeting Minutes
November 4, 2025
Our solutions - Group 2
Solution: Paint bike lanes to be more obvious
Arin, Dylan & Olivia
City Council Special and Regular Meeting Minutes
November 4, 2025
Our solutions - Group 3
Solution: Put in recycled vertical delineators to protect bikers
Noel, Elliot, Oliver & George
City Council Special and Regular Meeting Minutes
November 4, 2025
Theme #2:
Walking path on
Middlefield
Sakura
City Council Special and Regular Meeting Minutes
November 4, 2025
Our findings - walking path on Middlefield
Shiori
City Council Special and Regular Meeting Minutes
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Our findings - walking path on Middlefield
Tonya
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Our solutions - Group 4
Solution: Even out walking path on Middlefield
● Put in more compact natural material to even out path and decrease fall risk
● Pick up litter and do this as an event with class and peers ● Get rid of debris
● Keep the nature vibe
Examples: Tonya & Shiori
City Council Special and Regular Meeting Minutes
November 4, 2025
Our solutions - Group 5
Solution: Create more of a barrier between road and path ● Plant more bushes or trees along the side of the path to protect pedestrians
Example: Waverly & Olive
City Council Special and Regular Meeting Minutes
November 4, 2025
Q&A
City Council Special and Regular Meeting Minutes
November 4, 2025
rorlamation
RUBY BRIDGES WALK TO SCHOOL DAY NOVEMBER 14, 2025
WHEREAS, Ruby Bridges is an icon of the American civil rights movement who at the age of six years old in 1960, became the youngest member to integrate public schools in the American South; and WHEREAS, segregation continued to exist in various states despite the Supreme Court of the United States' 1954 ruling in Brown
v. Board of Education barring any state laws allowing racial segregation in public schools; and
WHEREAS, Ruby Bridges was the lone student of her group of African-American students to integrate William Frantz Elementary School in the City of New Orleans on November 14, 1960, being escorted by four federal agents while bravely walking amongst protesters full of vitriol; and WHEREAS, the San Mateo County Board of Education adopted a resolution in 2019 that November 14, or the following Wednesday should it fall on a weekend, be henceforth annually known as Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day in the County of San Mateo to celebrate the spirit of inclusivity; and WHEREAS, the California State Senate adopted a resolution in 2021 that November 14, or the following Wednesday should it fall on a weekend, be henceforth annually known as Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day in the State of California to recognize Ruby Bridges' role in the civil rights movement; and WHEREAS, the City of Menlo Park Safe Routes to School program encourages children to bicycle and walk to school to develop life-long skills and independence in their community; and WHEREAS, this year, the City of Menlo Park will participate in its seventh annual Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day, partnering with local schools and the community in promoting walking to school and inclusive communities; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED, that I, Drew
Combs, Mayor of the City of Menlo Park, on behalf of the City Council and City, do hereby recognize November 14
as Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day in Menlo Park.
City Council Special and Regular Meeting Minutes
November 4, 2025 Page 26 of 34
roclamation
NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH NOVEMBER 2025
WHEREAS, long before Europeans settled North America, the ancestors of Native Americans were the original, indigenous inhabitants, explorers and settlers of the lands that have since become the United States; and
WHEREAS, it is impossible to fully understand the history of California without understanding the history of the indigenous people who have lived within the current boundaries of the state for thousands of years; and WHEREAS, California is home to more people of Native American heritage than any other state in the country, with 11 O federally recognized tribes and several additional tribes petitioning for federal recognition through the Bureau of Indian Affairs; and
WHEREAS, the Ohlone, a band of distinct groups of indigenous people who spoke similar languages, thrived in the land now known as San Mateo County and other parts of the San Francisco Bay Area; and WHEREAS, due to devastating policies and practices of European explorers and missionaries, settlers, and various levels of government, the Ohlone lost the vast majority of their population and land; and WHEREAS, National Native American Heritage Month encourages San Mateo County residents to actively learn about the Ohlone people, their role in the history of the county and the Bay Area and their efforts to keep their culture alive; and
WHEREAS, Land Acknowledgements, statements that recognize indigenous peoples as traditional stewards of the land, are one way to express gratitude and appreciation to those whose ancestral territory one resides or meets on; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED, that I, Drew
Combs, Mayor of the City of Menlo Park, on behalf of the City Council and City, do hereby proclaim and celebrate November 2025 as Native Americ~ Mo
Menlo Park.
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November 4, 2025 Page 27 of 34
rorlamation
KEPLER'S BOOKS 70th ANNIVERSARY
WHEREAS, Kepler's, founded in May 1955 by peace activist Roy Kepler, has been an intellectual and cultural hub for the San Francisco Peninsula, known for its outstanding literary events, knowledgeable staff, broad selection of books and magazines and deep ties to the community for the past 70 years; and WHEREAS, along with Cody's in Berkeley and City Lights in San Francisco, Kepler's led the paperback revolution in the San Francisco Bay Area in the 50's and 60's, attracting a loyal following among Beat intellectuals, pacifists, students and faculty of Stanford University and other members of the surrounding communities, interested in serious books and ideas; and WHEREAS, in 2005, changes in the bookselling landscape and deteriorating business conditions caused Kepler's to close its doors, but the community responded with demonstrations and campaigns in support of the store. Within weeks of closing, Kepler's re-opened its doors with new shareholders from the community, a renegotiated lease, a new board of directors, a new membership program and tons of volunteer support; and WHEREAS, Kepler's went through a planned transition in 2012 during which the business was re-started in a hybrid business model that includes Kepler's Books, a community-financed bookstore set up as a social purpose corporation and Kepler's Literary Foundation, a nonprofit events organization. Kepler's vision is to continuously innovate to create a model next-generation community bookstore that can be a sustainable cultural institution; and
WHEREAS, since the 2012 restructuring and launch of the Kepler's 2020 program, Kepler's has been a trailblazer in the book industry winning awards, hitting new milestones, growing from strength to strength and implementing a Living Wage initiative that is now being replicated by bookstores across the country; and WHEREAS, recently, Kepler's started a project called Reimagining Bookstores to articulate and amplify a bold new vision for what bookstores can be - not just as retail spaces, but as essential cultural, civic and community institutions. The inaugural gathering in 2021 attracted over 600 participants from 49 states and a dozen countries to discuss a community-centered vision for bookstores; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED, that I, Drew
Combs, Mayor of the City of Menlo Park, on behalf of the City Council and City, do hereb ecogn e
a
~ ebrate
the 70th Anniversary of Kepi s Books.
4,2025
City Council Special and Regular Meeting Minutes
November 4, 2025 Page 28 of 34
2025 California Building
Standards Code Building
Adoption with Local
Amendments
Ron La France, Extra Help Retired Annuitant Assistant Community Development Director J1-PRESENTATION City Council Special and Regular Meeting Minutes November 4, 2025
Background
California Building Standards Code (CBSC) updated every three years
Cities allowed to adopt local amendments
City Council unanimously voted to waive first reading and introduce the ordinance at Oct. 21 meeting
Proposed ordinance is inclusive of:
- Local amendments adopted in 2022
- Amendments adopted in February and August 2025
City Council Special and Regular Meeting Minutes
November 4, 2025
Recommendation
Waive the second reading and adopt ordinance (Attachment A):
- 2025 CBSC as the Building Code of Menlo Park
- Local amendments to the 2025 CBSC
- Accept the cost effectiveness study that demonstrate the proposed energy efficiency amendments are cost effective
Effective Date for ordinance is Jan. 1, 2026
City Council Special and Regular Meeting Minutes
November 4, 2025
Thank You
City Council Special and Regular Meeting Minutes
November 4, 2025
James R. Sutton
Direct Dial: (415) 732-4501
E-mail: [email protected]
November 4, 2025
Ru t an & Tu ck er , LL P | 45 5 Mar ke t Str ee t, Sui te 1 40 0 Sa n Fran c isc o, CA 941 05 | 415 -7 32 -7 700 | Fax 41 5 - 51 0- 296 3 Or an ge Coun ty | Pa lo Alto | San Fra nc is co | Sc ot ts da le | www. ru ta n. co m 3159/039580-0001
23002513.1 a11/04/25
VIA E-MAIL; [email protected]; [email protected] Mayor Drew Combs and Councilmembers
701 Laurel St.
Menlo Park, CA 94025
Re: City Council Meeting Agenda Items J2 and J3 Regarding “Downtown Parking Plazas Ordinance Initiative”
Dear Mayor Combs and Councilmembers:
We represent the proponents of the Downtown Parking Plazas Initiative, who have asked us to submitting comments to the City Council about a potential “section 9212 report” about the Initiative. Specifically, if the Council elects to use its authority under sections 9215 and 9212 of the California Elections Code to have the City commission a report regarding the Initiative, we respectfully ask that its scope be both comprehensive and balanced, so that the Council and the community receive a full and credible analysis of the Initiative.
Specifically, we request that the report include a fair and impartial evaluation of the following issues relating to the possible redevelopment of the downtown parking plazas:
• Business viability and economic impacts on downtown merchants and property owners • Risk of litigation, including potential claims related to business access and viability • Parking availability and downtown access, including ADA accessibility • Traffic circulation, congestion, and emergency response access • Fire safety and evacuation implications
• Soil and environmental contamination risks associated with redevelopment of the parking plazas
• School capacity and projected enrollment impacts
• Financial exposure to the City, including legal costs, mitigation costs, infrastructure costs, and potential lost tax revenue
We also request that the report evaluate the consequences of the City not adopting the Initiative and instead continuing to pursue the redevelopment of the downtown parking plazas.
This analysis should include realistic assessments of the business, legal, environmental, safety and fiscal risks associated with that path, thereby providing a baseline for residents and the Council to compare alternatives.
J3-PUBLIC COMMENT City Council Special and Regular Meeting Minutes November 4, 2025
Mayor Drew Combs and Councilmembers
November 4, 2025
3159/039580-0001
23002513.1 a11/04/25
A complete and transparent report will strengthen public trust and ensure that Menlo Park makes informed, defensible decisions about the future of our community and downtown economy. A one-sided report would not only damage the public decision-making process, but could also run afoul of the legal limitations on City’s actions around citizen initiatives.
The request of the Initiative’s proponents is simple: if the Council chooses to have a section 9212 report prepared, that the report is a fair, thorough and balanced analysis of the Initiative. The community deserves nothing less.
Thank you for your consideration of these issues surrounding a potential section 9212 report.
Sincerely,
RUTAN & TUCKER, LLP
James R. Sutton
JS:er
cc: City Clerk Judi Herren
City Attorney Nira Doherty
Alex Beltramo, Initiative Proponent
City Council Special and Regular Meeting Minutes
November 4, 2025