June 2025 Newsletter

Pool Operations: Striving for Stability and Partnership

At the city council meeting on June 10, Team Sheeper, the private operator of both the Burgess and Belle Haven pools, proposed that the city council allocate funds specifically to support operations at the Belle Haven pool. In recent months, the city’s pools and the contract with Team Sheeper have been on the agenda of multiple city council meetings. Team Sheeper contends that its current agreement to operate the pools isn’t sustainable given the lower-than-expected usage of the new Belle Haven pool. As I shared during the council meeting, I’m supportive of exploring the allocation of additional funds and/or changes in the agreement with Team Sheeper.

While I respect that a majority of my council colleagues may not support allocating additional funds, my position is primarily based on the understanding that the vast majority of residents are satisfied with the operations of the pool. Additionally, I don’t think switching to the city or a different private operator would result in an improved experience for residents. A change could, in fact, degrade the experience of residents. A transition to the city would likely result in the pools being closed for months. For example, the city doesn’t have a process for hiring lifeguards. Implementing new processes to directly run the pool, including the hiring of new personnel, could take months. And the city might not ever be in a position to offer extensive swimming classes and other programming like Camp Menlo. Finally, a city takeover of the pools at this point could easily consume much and possibly all of the city’s projected $3 million budget surplus. In recent weeks, I’ve heard from a number of you on this issue. I’m hopeful that we as a community can find a way to ensure the long-term viability and success of both pools.

Santa Cruz Avenue Block to Stay Fully Closed

At the council meeting on June 10, a majority of the city council expressed support for making the full closure of Santa Cruz Avenue between Doyle Street and Curtis Street permanent. While the city council didn’t take a formal vote, it appeared as though I was the only council member who supported reopening a portion of the block. My position was that the portion of the street that was used for on-street parking could still be preserved as a community gathering space, while also reopening the travel lane which would reduce congestion on neighboring streets. While my position didn’t garner support from my council colleagues, I’m nonetheless supportive of the city ensuring that this space emerges as something we can all take pride in.

Proposed Ballot Measure about Downtown Parking Lots

The city council conducted a study session on June 3 to provide next steps on the development of three downtown parking lots into affordable housing. A majority of the council expressed support for proceeding to an RFP (Request for Proposal), a process by which developers would provide more details on their plans. I was the only council member that expressed support for pausing this process until there was more clarity around the impacts of a lawsuit challenging the city council’s authority and a proposed ballot measure that would require voters to approve any change in use of the parking lots. Additionally, I was concerned that one developer indicated that it wasn’t financially feasible to develop affordable housing and replace all (or most) of the retail parking.

As I shared at the meeting and in interviews with the press, I’m not looking forward to a divisive ballot measure on this issue, but this course of action is very much in line with Menlo Park history. Stanford’s Middle Plaza development and the Springline development were made possible by the failure of Measure M, a resident-initiated ballot effort. More recently, the proposed housing development at 320 Sheridan Avenue led to Measure V. While I’m not taking a position on this current resident-backed ballot effort, I’m generally supportive of residents availing themselves of the ballot measure process.

San Francisquito Creek JPA: Reach 2 and Flood Walls

At a special meeting on May 28, the San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority reviewed a presentation on Reach 2 Project Alternatives. This update to project alternatives was made necessary by flooding in December 2022 that indicated that prior modeling had overestimated the creek’s capacity. As I shared at the meeting, I was disappointed that extensive flood walls had returned as a key mitigation measure. Also concerning is the price tag of more than $100 million. Currently, my position is that we should focus first on the work that likely has wide support such as replacing the temporary flood wall by the University Avenue bridge and targeted creek stabilization/widening. I look forward to hearing from residents about the updated proposal in the weeks and months ahead.

Bohannon Property Development Discussions

Some parcels in the triangular commercial area bounded by Highway 101, Marsh Road and the Dumbarton railroad tracks were identified as opportunity sites as part of the city’s more recent housing element. During that discussion, I expressed concern that the development of this area into housing, especially high-density housing, continued the concentration of a disproportionate percentage of new housing along the city’s Highway 101 corridor. At the time, no property owners in the area had specifically expressed interest in developing housing. In a recent call, David Bohannon with Bohannon Companies, a major property owner in the area, shared with me the company’s nascent interest in developing housing on its parcels. Given the pressing need for housing in our community and state housing mandates, this could represent an important opportunity. But to be clear, the possible development of housing in this area is not related to the discussion about the development of affordable housing on the downtown parking lots.

A Circus Comes to Menlo Park and the Return of Summer Concerts

• July 4th Celebrations - There will be a new addition to the city’s July 4th celebrations this year: a circus. As part of this year’s festivities there will be 2 performances by Circus Bella. This unique, San Francisco-based circus troupe has been entertaining families since 2008 and I’m excited about their Menlo Park debut. As in past years, the event will include a community parade and picnic. I look forward to seeing everyone there.

• Summer Concert Series - The city’s summer concert series will return on July 9. The series kicks off with a performance by Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble in Fremont Park. As part of the series there will also be 2 performances at Karl E. Clark Park in Belle Haven.

Haven Grand Opening and Upcoming Community Office Hours

• Haven Wine + Cheese Grand Opening - The newest addition to the Menalto retail strip in the Willows neighborhood is ready to make its debut. All are welcome to a grand opening and ribbon cutting on June 21 for Haven. This sleek new establishment, in many respects, represent the passion project of two longtime Willow residents. I’m really excited to join them, other elected officials and members of the community in celebrating this milestone.

• Upcoming Community Engagement Events  

  • June 20 (Friday) - I’ll be joining Assemblymember Marc Berman’s Community Coffee which will take place at Cafe Zoe from 8:30am - 10:00am.

  • June 21 (Saturday) - Community Office Hours are canceled

  • June 22 (Sunday) - Join me and San Mateo County Supervisor Ray Mueller at the Menlo Park Farmers Market from 9:30am - 11:00am.

  • June 28 - Community Office Hours are canceled