September 11, 2018 - City Council

The City Council meeting of Menlo Park on September 11, 2018, focused extensively on local traffic management and city financial planning. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing and approving a neighborhood traffic management plan (NTMP) involving traffic calming measures such as speed humps and street closures to address speeding and cut-through traffic in residential areas. The council approved a six-month trial installation of the plan, including a full closure on Clover Lane and no speed hump on Baywood Avenue, with funding appropriated from Measure A. Public comments reflected mixed opinions on the traffic measures, emphasizing safety concerns and neighborhood preferences. Additionally, the council reviewed a detailed report on the city’s pension liabilities and financial planning in response to a San Mateo County Grand Jury report, discussing strategies for managing unfunded liabilities and pension costs. The council approved a response letter to the grand jury with amendments reflecting ongoing and planned pension funding strategies. The meeting also included approval of an updated travel policy for city officials and staff, establishing clear guidelines for travel reimbursements, third-party payments, and required approvals for international travel and document signings. The council directed the city attorney to return with amendments to the travel and communications policies to address third-party reimbursements, FPPC letter requirements, and pre-approval of agreements. Other topics included concerns about the Highway 101 interchange project costs and pedestrian safety at local intersections. Overall, the meeting involved multiple procurement-related decisions including contract awards for traffic management construction, budget appropriations for capital projects, and policy updates affecting future procurement and travel reimbursements.