May 12, 2026 - City Council

The City Council of Menlo Park held a meeting on May 12, 2026, which included extensive discussions on public safety priorities and the city's five-year capital improvement plan (CIP). Police Chief Dave Norris presented crime trends, staffing challenges, and technology upgrades, seeking Council direction on staffing assessments, recruitment improvements, and continued investment in burglary prevention and technology. The Council unanimously supported these initiatives. The CIP presentation outlined a $12.4 million funding request for 66 projects, with proposals to delay or cancel some projects to address budget shortfalls, including delaying the high-voltage streetlight conversion and Caltrain grade separation projects, and canceling the Sandhill Tunnel Rehabilitation Project. The Council discussed funding strategies, project prioritization, and potential grant applications. Additionally, the Council held public hearings on proposed solid waste and water rate increases, both continued to a future meeting due to notification issues. The Council also considered a temporary exemption ordinance related to Senate Bill 79 (SB79) concerning housing density near transit; after public and Council discussion, the consensus was to take no action and allow SB79 to go into full effect to support housing goals. The meeting included updates on downtown parking plaza RFPs and various community and legislative matters. No specific contract awards or vendor selections were reported during this session.