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Menlo Park, CA

Recent Menlo Park City Council topics include contracts & procurement, roads & infrastructure, water & utilities, housing, budget & taxes, public safety.

Topics found in recent meetings

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Our record for Menlo Park may be out of date. The most recent record we hold is from Thu Jul 9, 2026. (53 days ago) Newer meetings may not have been published to the official portal yet, or may not have been collected by us yet — this is a statement about our record, not about whether the city council has met. Check the official portal before concluding nothing is scheduled.
Menlo ParkCA averageUS Census ACS
Population
32,775
Per-capita income
$123,422
Median home value
$2,000,001
Bachelor's or higher
73%
Typical home value $2,890,071 +7.6% yr/yr · +17.5% 5-yr
Home-value trend 2000–2026 (Zillow ZHVI)
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Municipal budget

US Census Annual Survey of Local Government Finances
Total revenue$132.5M (FY2023)
Total spending$117.2M (FY2023)
Taxes$70.4M (FY2023)
Debt outstanding$30.1M (FY2023)
Spending per resident$3,607 (FY2023)

Development activity

Housing units permitted — US Census Building Permits Survey
202566 housing units ($44.8M)
🗳️ Election results (4 races)
Local election returns — winner marked ✓.
City Council District 3 2024-11-05
Jennifer Wise ✓ 2,485 · Jeff Schmidt ✓ 2,379 · Greg Conlon 807
City Council District 1 2022-11-08
Drew Combs ✓ 2,151 · Betsy Nash ✓ 1,673 · Cecilia T. Taylor ✓ 930 · Peter Ohtaki 1,055
City Council District 5 2020-11-03
Ray Mueller ✓ 2,800
City Council District 3 2020-11-03
Jen Wolosin ✓ 1,702 · Chelsea Nguyen 779 · Max Fennell 446
🗳️ Ballot measures (3)
Propositions decided directly by voters.
Measure CC
2024-11-05 · Passed — 13,009 yes / 2,562 no
Measure U
2024-11-05 · Passed — 10,174 yes / 3,962 no
Measure V
2022-11-08 · Failed — 4,852 yes / 7,860 no

Recent meetings

Thu Jul 9, 2026

City Council Special and Regular Meeting

Council to decide appeal for home at 305 Haight St. with multiple zoning variances

The Menlo Park City Council will hold a special closed session on labor negotiations with SEIU Local 521, then a regular meeting to consider a public hearing on an appeal of a Planning Commission approval for a single-family home at 305 Haight St. with six variance requests. Other major items include a study session on Willow Road bike/ped safety improvements, a contract for electrification of Belle Haven Child Development Center, and a decision on making back-in angled parking permanent at Nealon Park. The council will also receive updates on housing element progress and the fiscal year work plan.

zoninghousingtransportationparksfeespublic-safetylaborbudget
📄 From the agenda
Extracted text of the official agenda document (automated extraction — may contain OCR/formatting errors).
City of Menlo Park 701 Laurel St., Menlo Park, CA 94025 tel 650-330-6600 www.menlopark.gov City Council SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETING AGENDA Date: 7/14/2026 Time: 5:30 p.m. Locations: Zoom.us/join – ID# 832 1285 7140 and City Council Chambers 751 Laurel St., Menlo Park, CA 94025 Reunión del Ayuntamiento forma de solicitud de interpretación presencial en español – Por favor, envíelo la forma 72 horas antes de la reunion. También puede solicitarlo llamando a la oficina del secretario municipal al 650-330-6620. City Council Meeting In-person Spanish Interpretation Request Form – please submit at least 72-hours before the meeting. You can also request this service by calling the city clerk's office at 650-330-6620. Members of the public can listen to the meeting and participate using the following methods. If you have issues viewing the meeting, please email the city clerk at jaherren@menlopark.gov. How to participate in the meeting • Submit a written comment online up to one-hour before the meeting start time: city.council@menlopark.gov • Attend in person in the City Council Chambers • Access the meeting real-time online at: Zoom.us/join – Meeting ID 832 1285 7140 • Access the meeting real-time via telephone at: (669) 900-6833 Meeting ID 832 1285 7140 Press *9 to raise hand to speak Watch meeting: • Cable television subscriber in Menlo Park, East Palo Alto, Atherton and Palo Alto: Channel 76 (Uverse channel 99) Subject to Change: The for …
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Tue Apr 28, 2026

City Council Regular Meeting

Council considers $1M loan for 87 affordable units at 320 Sheridan Dr.

The Menlo Park City Council will consider a $1 million loan for 87 affordable housing units at 320 Sheridan Dr., award a $6.1 million contract for the Sand Hill Water Main Replacement, and discuss a new Slow Streets Program. Other notable items include a fee schedule amendment and adoption of the 2025 California Fire Code.

affordable-housingwater-mainslow-streetsfee-schedulefire-codebudgetpublic-works
📄 From the agenda
Extracted text of the official agenda document (automated extraction — may contain OCR/formatting errors).
City of Menlo Park 701 Laurel St., Menlo Park, CA 94025 tel 650-330-6600 www.menlopark.gov City Council REGULAR MEETING AGENDA Date: 4/28/2026 Time: 6:00 p.m. Locations: Zoom.us/join – ID# 832 1285 7140 and City Council Chambers 751 Laurel St., Menlo Park, CA 94025 Reunión del Ayuntamiento forma de solicitud de interpretación presencial en español – Por favor, envíelo la forma 72 horas antes de la reunion. También puede solicitarlo llamando a la oficina del secretario municipal al 650-330-6620. City Council Meeting In-person Spanish Interpretation Request Form – please submit at least 72-hours before the meeting. You can also request this service by calling the city clerk's office at 650-330-6620. Members of the public can listen to the meeting and participate using the following methods. If you have issues viewing the meeting, please email the city clerk at jaherren@menlopark.gov. How to participate in the meeting • Submit a written comment online up to one-hour before the meeting start time: city.council@menlopark.gov • Attend in person in the City Council Chambers • Access the meeting real-time online at: Zoom.us/join – Meeting ID 832 1285 7140 • Access the meeting real-time via telephone at: (669) 900-6833 Meeting ID 832 1285 7140 Press *9 to raise hand to speak Watch meeting: • Cable television subscriber in Menlo Park, East Palo Alto, Atherton and Palo Alto: Channel 26 (Uverse channel 99) Subject to Change: The format of thi …
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Tue Apr 28, 2026

City Council Regular Meeting

Council to consider adopting Slow Streets Program, replacing traffic management policy

The Menlo Park City Council will consider establishing a Slow Streets Program to replace the existing Neighborhood Traffic Management program, and will also vote on a $6.1 million contract for Sand Hill water main replacement, a $1 million loan for 87 affordable housing units at 320 Sheridan Dr., and a resolution ratifying the Fire District's updated fire code. The council will hold a public hearing on amending the city's comprehensive master fee schedule across multiple departments.

slow-streetstraffic-managementwater-mainaffordable-housingfire-codefee-schedulecity-council
📄 From the agenda
Extracted text of the official agenda document (automated extraction — may contain OCR/formatting errors).
City of Menlo Park 701 Laurel St., Menlo Park, CA 94025 tel 650-330-6600 www.menlopark.gov City Council REGULAR MEETING AGENDA Date: 4/28/2026 Time: 6:00 p.m. Locations: Zoom.us/join – ID# 832 1285 7140 and City Council Chambers 751 Laurel St., Menlo Park, CA 94025 Reunión del Ayuntamiento forma de solicitud de interpretación presencial en español – Por favor, envíelo la forma 72 horas antes de la reunion. También puede solicitarlo llamando a la oficina del secretario municipal al 650-330-6620. City Council Meeting In-person Spanish Interpretation Request Form – please submit at least 72-hours before the meeting. You can also request this service by calling the city clerk's office at 650-330-6620. Members of the public can listen to the meeting and participate using the following methods. If you have issues viewing the meeting, please email the city clerk at jaherren@menlopark.gov. How to participate in the meeting • Submit a written comment online up to one-hour before the meeting start time: city.council@menlopark.gov • Attend in person in the City Council Chambers • Access the meeting real-time online at: Zoom.us/join – Meeting ID 832 1285 7140 • Access the meeting real-time via telephone at: (669) 900-6833 Meeting ID 832 1285 7140 Press *9 to raise hand to speak Watch meeting: • Cable television subscriber in Menlo Park, East Palo Alto, Atherton and Palo Alto: Channel 26 (Uverse channel 99) Subject to Change: The format of thi …
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Tue Apr 28, 2026

City Council Regular Meeting

City Council to approve $1 million loan for 87 affordable homes at 320 Sheridan

The Menlo Park City Council will consider a resolution to authorize a $1 million loan and appropriation for constructing 87 affordable housing units at 320 Sheridan Drive. The agenda also includes a $6,157,530 water‑main replacement contract, a new ordinance regulating massage businesses, and the establishment of a Slow Streets traffic‑calming program. Additional items cover fire‑code adoption and a $300,000 classification and compensation study.

housingwater-infrastructuretransportationpublic-safetyfinance
📄 From the agenda
Extracted text of the official agenda document (automated extraction — may contain OCR/formatting errors).
City of Menlo Park 701 Laurel St., Menlo Park, CA 94025 tel 650-330-6600 www.menlopark.gov City Council REGULAR MEETING AGENDA Date: 4/28/2026 Time: 6:00 p.m. Locations: Zoom.us/join – ID# 832 1285 7140 and City Council Chambers 751 Laurel St., Menlo Park, CA 94025 Reunión del Ayuntamiento forma de solicitud de interpretación presencial en español – Por favor, envíelo la forma 72 horas antes de la reunion. También puede solicitarlo llamando a la oficina del secretario municipal al 650-330-6620. City Council Meeting In-person Spanish Interpretation Request Form – please submit at least 72-hours before the meeting. You can also request this service by calling the city clerk's office at 650-330-6620. Members of the public can listen to the meeting and participate using the following methods. If you have issues viewing the meeting, please email the city clerk at jaherren@menlopark.gov. How to participate in the meeting • Submit a written comment online up to one-hour before the meeting start time: city.council@menlopark.gov • Attend in person in the City Council Chambers • Access the meeting real-time online at: Zoom.us/join – Meeting ID 832 1285 7140 • Access the meeting real-time via telephone at: (669) 900-6833 Meeting ID 832 1285 7140 Press *9 to raise hand to speak Watch meeting: • Cable television subscriber in Menlo Park, East Palo Alto, Atherton and Palo Alto: Channel 26 (Uverse channel 99) Subject to Change: The format of thi …
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Tue Apr 28, 2026

City Council Regular Meeting

Council to consider $1M loan for 87 affordable housing units at 320 Sheridan Dr.

The City Council will consider consent items and regular business, including a $1 million loan for 87 affordable housing units, a $6.2 million water main replacement contract, and new regulations for massage businesses. A public hearing is set for amending the comprehensive master fee schedule across several departments. The council will also discuss ratifying the Fire District's updated fire code, establishing a Slow Streets Program, and advancing the Middle Avenue Caltrain Crossing project.

housingaffordable-housingwater-infrastructuretrafficfire-codefeespublic-safetytransportation
📄 From the agenda
Extracted text of the official agenda document (automated extraction — may contain OCR/formatting errors).
City of Menlo Park 701 Laurel St., Menlo Park, CA 94025 tel 650-330-6600 www.menlopark.gov City Council REGULAR MEETING AGENDA Date: 4/28/2026 Time: 6:00 p.m. Locations: Zoom.us/join – ID# 832 1285 7140 and City Council Chambers 751 Laurel St., Menlo Park, CA 94025 Reunión del Ayuntamiento forma de solicitud de interpretación presencial en español – Por favor, envíelo la forma 72 horas antes de la reunion. También puede solicitarlo llamando a la oficina del secretario municipal al 650-330-6620. City Council Meeting In-person Spanish Interpretation Request Form – please submit at least 72-hours before the meeting. You can also request this service by calling the city clerk's office at 650-330-6620. Members of the public can listen to the meeting and participate using the following methods. If you have issues viewing the meeting, please email the city clerk at jaherren@menlopark.gov. How to participate in the meeting • Submit a written comment online up to one-hour before the meeting start time: city.council@menlopark.gov • Attend in person in the City Council Chambers • Access the meeting real-time online at: Zoom.us/join – Meeting ID 832 1285 7140 • Access the meeting real-time via telephone at: (669) 900-6833 Meeting ID 832 1285 7140 Press *9 to raise hand to speak Watch meeting: • Cable television subscriber in Menlo Park, East Palo Alto, Atherton and Palo Alto: Channel 26 (Uverse channel 99) Subject to Change: The format of thi …
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Tue Apr 21, 2026

City Council Regular Meeting

Council to start Prop 218 process for waste and water rate hikes

The council will consider authorizing Proposition 218 notification processes to adopt maximum solid waste rate increases over five fiscal years and water rate increases over three fiscal years, with a public hearing set for May 12. They will also discuss the Slow Streets Program and vote on a contract amendment for aquatics maintenance up to $130,114.38. The agenda includes routine consent items and a Women's History Month proclamation.

rateswastewaterstreetscontractmaintenanceproclamation
📄 From the agenda
Extracted text of the official agenda document (automated extraction — may contain OCR/formatting errors).
City of Menlo Park 701 Laurel St., Menlo Park, CA 94025 tel 650-330-6600 www.menlopark.gov City Council REGULAR MEETING AGENDA Date: 3/10/2026 Time: 6:00 p.m. Locations: Zoom.us/join – ID# 832 1285 7140 and City Council Chambers 751 Laurel St., Menlo Park, CA 94025 City Councilmember Schmidt will be participating from: 7000 N. Resort Dr., Tucson, Arizona, 85750 Reunión del Ayuntamiento forma de solicitud de interpretación presencial en español – Por favor, envíelo la forma 72 horas antes de la reunion. También puede solicitarlo llamando a la oficina del secretario municipal al 650-330-6620. City Council Meeting In-person Spanish Interpretation Request Form – please submit at least 72-hours before the meeting. You can also request this service by calling the city clerk's office at 650-330-6620. Members of the public can listen to the meeting and participate using the following methods. If you have issues viewing the meeting, please email the city clerk at jaherren@menlopark.gov. How to participate in the meeting • Submit a written comment online up to one-hour before the meeting start time: city.council@menlopark.gov • Attend in person in the City Council Chambers • Access the meeting real-time online at: Zoom.us/join – Meeting ID 832 1285 7140 • Access the meeting real-time via telephone at: (669) 900-6833 Meeting ID 832 1285 7140 Press *9 to raise hand to speak Watch meeting: • Cable television subscriber in Menlo Park, East Pal …
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💰 Federal awards (top 10 by amount)
Largest recent federal contract/grant awards to recipients in this city (2023–present), via USAspending.gov.
$155.5MSRI INTERNATIONAL
Department of the Interior · IGF::OT::IGF - NEW AWARD TO SUPPORT THE ARMY NATIONAL GUARD EXPORTABLE
$69.9MSRI INTERNATIONAL
Department of Defense · 8506396549! CONTRACT, PROCUREMENT, AND ACQ SPT SVCS
$60.6MSRI INTERNATIONAL
Department of the Interior · IGF::OT::IGF EXPORTABLE COMBAT TRAINING CAPABILITY (XCTC) TRAINING SER
$60.3MSRI INTERNATIONAL
Department of Defense · OT8507954814SPE7L121F172DP00002
$42.4MSRI INTERNATIONAL
Department of Health and Human Services · 1100022I SRI - PCS, INTERVENTIONAL AGENTS - TASK 004 - CAP CAN 8010521
$39.5MSRI INTERNATIONAL
Department of Defense · 8510795958!CONTRACT, PROCUREMENT, AND AC
$39.3MRAVENSWOOD SOLUTIONS, INC.
Department of the Interior · IGF::OT::IGF EXPORTABLE COMBAT TRAINING CAPABILITIES
$25.9MSRI INTERNATIONAL
Department of Defense · PLATO PHASE 1
$24.7MSRI INTERNATIONAL
Department of Defense · DARPA RESEARCH PROJECT
$24.0MSRI INTERNATIONAL
Department of the Interior · IGF::OT::UGF FLEXTRAIN EQUIPMENT PURCHASE

Source: USAspending.gov (U.S. Treasury) — federal awards only, not city budgets.

🌐 County-level context (San Mateo County)
County-level context — from BLS, IRS, FEMA, HUD, Census. These figures cover the whole county this city sits in, not just the city itself.
Net migration-6,762 people (-$965.1M net AGI · 2023)
Federal disasters (10 yr)10 ({"Flood": 7, "Severe Storm": 7, "Fire": 3, "Biological": 2, · last Mon Apr 3, 2023)
Traffic fatalities1 (1 pedestrian · 2023)
Business establishments21,569 (477,938 employees · 2023)
Fair Market Rent (2BR)$3,318/mo (397 assisted households · 2025)
Adults with low literacy18.1% (low numeracy 23% · 2017)

Sources: BLS LAUS, IRS SOI, FEMA, NHTSA FARS, Census CBP, HUD, NCES PIAAC

City profile

Everything below is drawn from this city’s own public record and primary-source government data. AI-written summaries are a finding aid, not a citable quote.

$132.5M
Annual budget
$30.1M
Debt outstanding
438
Employees on payroll
66
Permitted housing units

The money — in

source: Census gov-finance & state comptroller

Budget

Revenue$132.5M
Spending$117.2M
Revenue ran ahead of operating spending this year.

Debt load LOW

Outstanding debt$30.1M
Debt-to-revenue0.23×
Debt-load index36 / 100
A debt-load indicator (national percentile of debt, deficit & aid-reliance) — not a solvency verdict. Cross-checked against official state fiscal-stress scores where they exist.

The money — out

source: city procurement & payroll

Who the city actually cuts checks to.

438 employees on the public payroll — every position and salary is public record.

Outcomes — economic mobility

source: Opportunity Atlas (Harvard) · research use

For kids who grew up here in low-income households, their adult household-income rank (0–1). The average hides a gap by race:

White kids
0.508
All kids
0.475
Black kids
0.351

Research-only layer, shown here for context — not included in the CC BY 4.0 bulk download.

Where it’s happening

geocoded land-use decisions
🗺 Interactive map
Every rezoning, development approval, and permit — explore the geocoded records in the research explorer.

Meeting archives

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