March 24, 2026 - City Council

The City of Menlo Park City Council held a meeting on March 24, 2026, which included significant discussions on procurement and budget-related matters. Key procurement topics included the approval of a $3.6 million loan to Habitat for Humanity for an affordable housing project and the release of an RFQ and RFP for housing development on city parking lots. The Council also reviewed the 2025 General Plan Annual Progress Report, which detailed housing element implementation and environmental justice initiatives. A major focus was on the operation and programming of the Belhaven Pool, where the Council considered four models: continuing the current cost-share model, a hybrid model with city-run programming, a fully city-run model, and rebidding the contract. The Council showed interest in exploring a pilot program to improve community access and programming while being mindful of the city's financial constraints. Additionally, the Council reviewed a comprehensive Cost of Services Study proposing fee adjustments across various city services to better align fees with actual costs, including new fees for housing programs and a credit card convenience fee. The Council discussed the financial impact of these changes and the need to balance fee increases with service level reductions. Motions were passed to approve consent calendar items including contract awards and agreements, and the Council provided direction to staff to continue refining fee proposals and explore options for the Belhaven Pool operation. No votes were taken to finalize fee changes, as further review and public hearings were planned.