Mayor Mueller, Mayor Pro Tem Taylor, Council Members Nash, Carlton, Combs and Staff,
Please review my comments on Agenda Item H-2 including Attachment.
H-2: Commissions and Committees
Belle Haven Neighborhood Library Advisory Committee (BHNLAC)-This is a critical time for the City to demonstrate their full
commitment to a Belle Haven Branch Library. BHNLAC’s lead in the first phase, needs assessment, provided the neighborhood with a
dedicated committee that was invaluable in moving forward the needs of the neighborhood. It is now time to change the charge of
the Committee to reflect the next steps that will ensure a library is actually built. To disbanded, designate as a Library
Commission sub-committee, or add two additional seats to the Library Commission will send the wrong message to all residents and
potential funders.
I strongly urge the Council to instruct staff to work with the current BHNLAC members to develop a new direction and composition
for this committee.
F. Meetings and officers
4. Meeting locations and dates: Commissions and committees are the key to robust civic engagement and includes accessibility for
all residents of the City of Menlo Park. I would like to recommend that all commission meetings be held in the city council
chambers to be televised and video recorded. That would allow residents who are unable to attend meetings to watch first hand the
issues and discussions that are important to our City. This would also prevent missed and misinformation that can occur through
second hand reporting. Additionally, this may assist Council Members to better understand the concerns of residents. It is
sometimes difficult to interpret the tone and intent of the commissions’ recommendations without understanding the text that is
create through dialogue.
G. Memberships
1. Attendance: Define attendance the same as for Council Members to include allowing commissioners and committee members to
“phone-in” to meetings when traveling. Residents volunteer for commissions and committees which requires active participation
through researching of issues and materials, in addition other outside activities that enhances their role as commissioners and
committee members. This policy may assist in decreasing absences and almost always ensure a quorum.
Qualifications, compositions, number
1.“All residents shall be eligible regardless of voting status.” Being a registered voter and a civically engaged member of
society are not synonymous. Civic participation includes attending meetings, voicing concerns, volunteering, etc., as well as both
political and nonpolitical involvement. The voter registration requirement also eliminates active residents who are working on
citizenship which may take 10 years or more.
4. The Housing Commission should remain at seven (7) members. The charge of this commission is critical particularly given the
housing-jobs imbalance and severe lack of affordable housing. The Housing Commission number was increased to seven (7) in late
2017. The amount work they have completed and presented to the Council is addressing the major issues that remain critical to the
City.
Thank-you for your time and consideration.
Regards,
Pamela D Jones
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