Dear City Council,
I am not sure how many residents had the opportunity to read the Almanac article titled “Menlo Park tries to improve accessibility to council meetings,” but I want to highlight some key points and share my concerns.
According to the article, Menlo Park has taken some initial steps to improve access to City Council meetings—particularly for Belle Haven residents and Spanish-speaking community members. These include occasional shuttle service from Belle Haven (only three times since 2023, with very low ridership) and Spanish interpretation upon request. However, the process is flawed: interpretation must be requested 72 hours in advance, while the city does not confirm interpreter scheduling until 48 hours before the meeting. The financial cost of interpretation services—up to $3,540 per meeting—and document translation (e.g., $586 for one police report) are significant, yet there is no dedicated accessibility budget. These services are instead funded through the city clerk’s general contract services fund. The city is also exploring AI-based interpretation tools to cut costs.
As part of its Environmental Justice Element, Menlo Park committed to holding two council meetings annually in underserved neighborhoods like Belle Haven. So far this year, only one meeting has been held at the Belle Haven Community Campus. Frankly, the article gives the impression that the city is doing its best—but in a way that ultimately justifies denying equal access to Belle Haven residents. The tone feels more like an attempt to explain away the lack of meaningful progress. City Council members have referred to the Belle Haven Community Campus as a “beautiful” building, yet it apparently is not considered beautiful enough to host more than two meetings a year. That sends a message about which communities are prioritized for civic engagement—and which are not.
While it is encouraging to see the city begin addressing long-standing access barriers, the steps outlined in the article feel more reactive than systemic. Without consistent scheduling, proper budgeting, and real community-informed planning, it’s difficult to see these efforts as more than performative. As the Mexican saying goes, *“Nos están dando atole con el dedo”—*we’re being offered sweet words instead of real, lasting change.
I urge the Council to move beyond optics and commit to meaningful, sustained engagement that treats accessibility not as an occasional offering, but as a basic civic right.
Sincerely,
Eduardo Hernandez
25-year Belle Haven Resident
