December 2025 Newsletter

Council Puts Parking Lots Measure on November 2026 Ballot; 3 Developers Submit Housing Proposals

At its meeting on December 2, 2025, the city council voted unanimously to place the proposed initiative restricting the city’s ability to repurpose the downtown parking lots on the November 2026 ballot. I tended to favor holding a special election for this referendum which would have allowed for the issue to go before voters much earlier. I voted for holding off the election until next November after concluding that the longer time horizon would allow for a more robust community discussion.

There is precedence in Menlo Park for major development proposals ending up as voters’ initiatives. But as I stated during the city council discussion, there were alternative paths to pursuing redevelopment of the parking lots. It would be a mistake for city council and city staff to not reflect on how we got here and learn from it.

Three Bids Received

The city sent the Request For Proposal (RFP) related to developing the downtown parking lots into affordable housing to 6 developers. The following 3 developers responded: Alliant Communities, Presidio Bay Ventures and Related California. The proposals are available on this city webpage. These proposals represent important data points for residents to use in informing their vote in November. Given the upcoming referendum, I don’t think the city council should take any additional actions to move the project forward until the voters have spoken.

East Palo Alto Sanitary District Update

At a meeting earlier this month, the East Palo Alto Sanitary District Advisory Board discussed how to assess a classification of parcels that are part of the O’Connor Water Tract. The sanitary district service area includes parcels in Menlo Park. The city is represented on the advisory board by Dianne Otterby, who provided an update following the meeting. Fees are normally based on water consumption determined by metered water information. Since the O'Connor Water Tract parcels in this classification are not metered that method cannot be used. The discussion did not result in a formal proposal, and the issue will be discussed again at a meeting on February 25, 2026. 

Otterby to Step Down

Dianne Otterby also shared her plan to step down as the Menlo Park representative to the advisory board. A search for a new representative will kick off in the new year.

Community Focus

• Holiday Suspension of Overnight Parking Prohibition - In recognition of the winter holidays, the city will suspend enforcement of the ordinance that prohibits parking from 2:00a.m. - 5:00a.m. until January 4, 2026. You can learn more about the holiday suspension, which has become a city tradition, at this city webpage.

• Willows Neighborhood Break-ins - Police are investigating the home break-ins that occurred in the Willows earlier this month. These recent incidents represent sobering reminders that our homes can be targets. In addition to thoroughly investigating incidents like these, the city has a role in partnering with residents to ensure our community is as safe as possible. I’ll be teaming up with Chief Norris in the new year to host a neighborhood forum.

• Lockdown Event - On December 16, a tragic event led to a lockdown at schools in the western part of the city. I wanted to take this opportunity to thank our first responders and everyone involved in reporting and trying to bring this incident to safe conclusion.

City Council Reorganization and Mayoral Transition

At its meeting on December 9, 2025, the city council selected Betsy Nash as mayor and Jennifer Wise as vice mayor for 2026. The mayorship in Menlo Park, similar to many suburban California cities, is a rotation among members of the city council. Serving as mayor this year represented my second stint in the role. I had previously served as mayor in 2021. While this most recent turn as mayor did not present challenges related to a global pandemic, it certainly came with challenges of its own. Nonetheless, as I’ve said numerous times, serving as mayor (and on city council) ranks among the most rewarding things I get to do. When I was a student intern in the office of Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan (see throwback picture above), I couldn’t have ever imagined that I would one day be a mayor. Granted, a year rotation as Menlo Park Mayor is a somewhat different gig than being the mayor of L.A.

2026 Outlook

As I embark on the last year of my second-term on city council, I remain grateful for the trust that the voters of District 2 have placed in me. During 2026, I’m looking forward to getting several key District 2 projects across the finish line including those related to Bay Road and Highway 101 landscaping.

Winter Break for Community Office Hours

Community Office Hours will be on hiatus until after the holidays. Sessions will resume Saturday, January 10, 2026, and continue on the following Saturdays in January (17, 24, and 31). Community office hours are held at Neighborhood Pizza Guy/Cafe Zoë from 9:00a.m. to 10:00a.m. Wishing everyone happy holidays and a joyful start to the New Year!