City of Menlo Park 701 Laurel St., Menlo Park, CA 94025 tel 650-330-6600 www.menlopark.gov City Council
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Date: 12/9/2025
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 Combs called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
B. Roll Call
Present: Combs, Nash, Schmidt, Taylor, Wise
Absent: None
Staff: City Manager Justin Murphy, Assistant City Manager Stephen Stolte, City Attorney Nira Doherty, Assistant to the City Manager/ City Clerk Judi A. Herren C. Agenda Review
None.
D. Public Comment
• Brian Schmidt spoke on a Menlo Spark site visit for a project in Berkeley converting five apartment units to 100% electric on a single 200-amp panel.
• Peter Lenhardt spoke on the growing inequity in Recology rates.
E. Consent Calendar
E1. Accept the City Council meeting minutes for November 4, 2025 (Attachment) ACTION: Motion and second (Taylor/ Wise), to approve the consent calendar, passed unanimously.
F. Regular Business
F1. Recognition of outgoing Mayor
• Ray Mueller spoke in appreciation of the service of Mayor Combs. • Pam D Jones spoke in appreciation of the service of Mayor Combs. • Sally Cole spoke in appreciation of the service of Mayor Combs.
Vice Mayor Nash read the proclamation (Attachment).
Mayor Combs accepted the proclamation.
City of Menlo Park 701 Laurel St., Menlo Park, CA 94025 tel 650-330-6600 www.menlopark.gov F2. Selection of Mayor and Vice Mayor (Staff Report #25-182-CC) Assistant to the City Manager/ City Clerk Judi Herren introduced the item.
Assistant to the City Manager/ City Clerk Judi Herren accepted nominations for Mayor 2026.
ACTION: Motion and second (Taylor/ Combs), to appoint Betsy Nash as Mayor for a one-year term, passed unanimously.
Assistant to the City Manager/ City Clerk Judi Herren accepted nominations for Vice Mayor 2026.
ACTION: Motion and second (Combs/ Nash), to appoint Jennifer Wise as Vice Mayor for a one-year term, passed unanimously.
F3. Consider and adopt a resolution approving the 2026 City Council regular meeting schedule (Staff Report #25-183-CC)
Assistant to the City Manager/ City Clerk Judi Herren introduced the item. • Adina Levin requested religious holidays are included when considering meeting dates.
The City Council discussed the proposed July meetings and potential conflicts and meeting locations.
ACTION: Motion and second (Nash/ Wise), to adopt a resolution approving the City Council’s 2026 meeting schedule and rescheduling the July 7 meeting to July 14, passed unanimously.
F4. Appoint City Council representatives, alternates and liaisons to various local and regional agencies and as liaisons to City Council advisory bodies (Staff Report #25-184-CC) Assistant to the City Manager/ City Clerk Judi Herren introduced the item. • Pam Jones spoke in support of the addition of the San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans) appointment.
• Adina Levin spoke in support of the addition of the SamTrans appointment.
The City Council directed this item to be returned to the Dec. 16 meeting.
F5. Appoint City Councilmembers to standing and ad hoc subcommittees (Staff Report #25-185-CC) Assistant to the City Manager/ City Clerk Judi Herren introduced the item. • Pam Jones spoke in support of retaining the Belle Haven Community Campus Subcommittee.
The City Council received clarification on future reporting of the number of unhoused and unhoused programs administered by San Mateo County.
The City Council discussed retaining the Belle Haven Community Campus Subcommittee.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
December 9, 2025
City of Menlo Park 701 Laurel St., Menlo Park, CA 94025 tel 650-330-6600 www.menlopark.gov The City Council directed staff to return this item and discussion on the Belle Haven Community Campus Subcommittee to the Dec. 16 meeting.
F6. Provide direction to the City’s voting delegate regarding regional vacancies for the next City Selection Committee meeting Dec. 19 (Staff Report #25-186-CC) Assistant to the City Manager/ City Clerk Judi Herren introduced the item.
The City Council discussed voting delegates.
ACTION: Motion and second (Taylor/ Wise), to select City Councilmember Schmidt and, as alternate, City Councilmember Combs, as the City's voting delegate regarding regional vacancies for the next City Selection Committee meeting Dec. 19, passed unanimously.
G. Informational Items
G1. City Council agenda topics: December 2025 – January 2026 (Staff Report #25-187-CC) H. City Manager Report
City Manager Murphy reported out on the Dec. 13 Photos with Santa event at the Belle Haven Community Campus.
I. City Councilmember Reports
Mayor Nash reported on the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency (BAWSCA) meeting.
J. Adjournment
Mayor Nash adjourned the meeting at 7:19 p.m.
Assistant to the City Manager/ City Clerk Judi Herren
These minutes were approved at the City Council meeting January 13, 2026.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
December 9, 2025
HONORING MENLO PARK MAYOR
Drew Combs
WHEREAS, Drew Combs was first elected to the City Council in 2018, selected as Vice Mayor for 2020 and for 2024, and served as Mayor in 2021 and 2025; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Combs served first as a Bicycle Commissioner and then a Planning Commissioner, developing his knowledge and ability to create lasting impact for the Menlo Park community, and igniting his passion to further this work by serving on City Council; and WHEREAS, Mayor Combs advocated for new playgrounds at Burgess Park and Willow Oaks Park as well as the overall renovation of Willow Oaks Park – designed with community feedback for inclusive play; and WHEREAS, Mayor Combs supported the approval of over 1,000 housing units spanning four new developments as well as the pre-approved Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) process; and WHEREAS, Mayor Combs worked with staff to implement beneficial improvements such as the Coleman Avenue pilot project, solar panels on several City facilities, and electrification in Menlo Park homes and City buildings; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Combs represented the City at numerous civic and special events, including the Black Liberation Month celebration, Love Our Earth, Spring Festival and Egg Hunt, Juneteenth, Fourth of July celebration, Halloween Hoopla parade and carnival, Light Up the Season and numerous other events; and WHEREAS, Mayor Combs traveled to Sister City Galway, Ireland and met with Galway City officials and Mayor Mike Hubbard, strengthening the connection between Menlo Park and Galway; and WHEREAS, Mayor Combs organized multiple City Hall visits for Menlo Park students to learn and ask questions about local government, creating the next generation of engaged community members; and WHEREAS, Mayor Combs recognized the essential role that local businesses play in fostering a vibrant community, and encouraged residents to support and patronize these businesses throughout the City; and WHEREAS, Mayor Combs committed to maintaining and improving City streets and public infrastructure, ensuring safe, accessible, and well-maintained roadways for all residents, visitors, and businesses; and WHEREAS, Mayor Combs augmented his role on City Council by serving on the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and the San Mateo Operational Area Emergency Services Organization, further demonstrating his commitment to coordinating with Bay Area cities and ensuring that Menlo Park is prepared for emergencies; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Combs regularly connected with community members through office hours to listen to concerns, provide additional information and deepen his understanding of community needs; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED that the City Council
recognizes and honors Drew Combs for his dedication and service to the Menlo Park community.
Betsy Nash, Vice Mayor
December 9, 2025
AGENDA ITEM F-1 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
December 9, 2025