# October 27, 2026 - City Council

The October 27, 2026, Menlo Park City Council meeting approved guidelines for new rental-assistance and tenant legal-assistance programs. The proposal sets aside $75,000 for rental assistance in year one, with MTC Transit-Oriented Communities policy requiring at least $300,000 per program over four years ($600,000 total for both programs); council discussion described the initial funding as subject to later evaluation of whether and how to continue. Rental assistance would be available to eligible households earning up to 80% of area median income, with a proposed maximum of $5,000 per household per 12-month period. The legal program would offer education and prevention, limited representation, and full representation. Council approved the guidelines unanimously; staff anticipated issuing an RFP on November 2 to select a provider or providers, with implementation expected in the first quarter of 2027. The RFP is to address outreach, centralized intake and coordination, response times, and reporting. Council discussed whether to require a minimum residency period but approved the guidelines without a change, with program data to inform future review.

The council also considered an update to the user-fee cost-recovery policy, including reclassifying the senior nutrition program, changing the tennis-reservation recovery classification, and identifying heritage-tree appeal fees and electrification permit incentives for future review. The transcript does not capture the final action on that item. Separately, the council unanimously approved salary-schedule amendments, including creation of a community programs manager position funded through specified city funds. No vendor contract award was recorded.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Professional Services
**Topics:** Grants & Funding
**Published:** October 27, 2026

### Sources
- [October 27, 2026 - City Council](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btJc38oC5KE) - CityofMenloPark