WHAT HAPPENED:

At last Tuesday's City Council meeting, the City officially certified our Citizens Initiative petition. This was an important milestone in keeping the people of Menlo Park's voice heard on the future of our downtown.

Let's give a big round of applause to our all-volunteer team that collected roughly 3,100 qualified voter signatures—150% of what was needed!

The Council now must decide whether to adopt our Downtown Parking Plazas Ordinance outright or place it on a future ballot. On Tuesday, the Council voted 4-1 to commission a study before making that decision.

WHAT'S INTERESTING:

The City selected M-Group to conduct the study—the same consulting firm that managed the Housing Element process that led to the current controversial plan. Doing a study is reasonable, but was this a wise choice of consultant? Does it make sense to ask a firm to evaluate a measure that would let voters challenge their own work?

We hope the report will be transparent and fair—we'll be monitoring the process closely.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Stay informed, keep talking about this issue with your neighbors, and—if you're able—please donate to help our grassroots campaign continue to stand up for the people of Menlo Park on this major decision.

Thank you,
Save Downtown Menlo

P.S. The "Next steps" below are for Change.org, not us. Instead, please visit savedowntownmenlo.org. 

Paid for by Save Downtown Menlo: A Coalition of Residents & Local Businesses, FPPC ID# 1481518