2026-09-15 - City Council

Summary

Built from the official approved minutes (approved October 13, 2026). No video or transcript is on file for this meeting.

Special session began 5:36 PM with closed session; regular session reconvened 8:14 PM; adjourned 10:50 PM. All five members present (Combs and Taylor remote; Taylor left at 8:10 PM, so she is recorded absent on later votes).
Closed session: anticipated litigation (one case; 27 people commented, 24 in opposition to the proposed project at 80 Willow Rd., 2 in support of it and 1 for affordable housing generally), existing litigation (a suit against the City by the owner of 12 Maywood LLC, Case No. 26-CIV-05627) and labor negotiations with unrepresented management. No reportable actions.
Agenda reordered to J2, J4, J5, J1, J3, with two public comment periods for J2.
Consent calendar (August 5 and 11 minutes; library book purchases from Ingram Content Group up to $115,000 in fiscal year 2026-27) approved 4-0-1 on a motion by Nash, seconded by Wise.
Coleman Avenue pilot made permanent, 4-0-1.
Axon platform agreement approved for 10 years with council approval required before ALPR activation, 4-0-1.
SEIU Local 521 successor agreement (to June 30, 2029) and salary schedule amendment (effective September 20) each approved 4-0-1.
Annual work plans for six advisory bodies approved 4-0-1.
Proclamations: 25th anniversary of September 11, Constitution Week, National Service Dog Month and National Preparedness Month.

Item J2 (Staff Report 26-151-CC), presented by Associate Transportation Planner Cortez. About 16 speakers, nearly all for making the pilot permanent with bollard-protected bike lanes (including Cole, Rascoff and Silverstein); others raised Santa Monica Avenue parking and safety, apartment resident parking and a timed bike lane.
Council directed staff to research street sweepers for streets with bollards and to include in the Santa Monica Avenue parking effort (1) potential bollards for awareness of the bike lane and (2) further southbound improvements at Coleman Avenue and Willow Road.
ACTION: Schmidt/Nash, adopt a resolution making the Coleman Avenue Pilot permanent, passed 4-0-1 (Taylor absent).

Item J3 (Staff Report 26-152-CC), presented by Police Commander Lau. Hoddie opposed ALPRs on police dash cams. Council discussed 10-year versus 5-year hardware options.
ACTION: Combs/Wise, authorize the city manager to sign a single source 10-year agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc. and require council approval to activate the ALPR technology, passed 4-0-1.
Related: Herscher asked in general public comment for a council discussion on ALPRs; see also Civil Grand Jury ALPR report response.

Items J4 and J5 introduced by Administrative Services Director Mello.
ACTION: Combs/Wise, approve the successor agreement with SEIU Local 521 expiring June 30, 2029, passed 4-0-1.
ACTION: Wise/Schmidt, amend the salary schedule effective September 20, 2026, passed 4-0-1.

Item J1 (Staff Report 26-150-CC), presented by Deputy City Clerk Sandoval. Council stressed clear goals tied to council priorities, the Complete Streets Commission reviewing e-bike restrictions and downtown circulation, the Finance and Audit Commission coordinating a budget forum, and cross collaboration between commissions.
ACTION: Schmidt/Wise, approve the annual work plans for the Complete Streets, Environmental Quality, Finance and Audit, Housing, Library and Parks and Recreation commissions, passed 4-0-1.
See also Environmental Quality Commission 2026-2027 Work Plan and Community budget forum subcommittee.

Public comment: Menlo Park Historical Association representative Betty Meissner gave an update; Hoddie opposed ALPR use.
Informational items: council agenda topics for September and October (26-154-CC) and the fiscal year 2025-26 year-end status (26-155-CC).
City Manager Murphy reported on Coastal Clean Up Day, September 19. Schmidt reported on the vehicle license fee, Assembly Bill 762 and Commute.org.
Proclamations were accepted by a Menlo Park Fire Protection District deputy chief, City Clerk Herren, First Responder Therapy Dogs representatives and Public Works Director Mitch.