Weekly Digest for June 20, 2022   

This week's features

• Heat advisory issued for Tuesday, June 21
• Menlo Park selects Justin Murphy as new city manager
• City partners with BlocPower to electrify homes and businesses by 2030
• All fireworks are illegal in Menlo Park
• California Mortgage Relief Program expands eligibility

Upcoming public meetings and events

• Tuesday, June 21, 10 a.m.
  Preschool/Toddler Tuesday: Lavender Blues Music
• Tuesday, June 21, Noon
  English Conversation Club
• Wednesday, June 22, 2 p.m.
  Joint Library Commission and Parks and Recreation Commission meeting
• Wednesday, June 22, 6:30 p.m.
  June Teen Open Mic Night
• Thursday, June 23, 7:30 p.m.
  Documentary Screening and Q&A: TherActivist: They/Them/Theirs
• Monday, June 27, 6:30 p.m.
  Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book Group: Parable of the Talents by Octavia E. Butler
• Monday, June 27, 7 p.m.
  Planning Commission meeting
• Tuesday, June 28, 6 p.m.
  City Council meeting
• City calendar
  View the event calendar

Heat advisory issued for Tuesday, June 21; cooling centers to open

The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for Tuesday, June 21, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Temperatures are expected to reach the mid- to upper-90s resulting in an increased risk for those sensitive to heat, especially those without effective cooling or adequate hydration. In anticipation of the heat, the City of Menlo Park will open facilities to the public on Tuesday, June 21, from Noon to 6 p.m., as air-conditioned cooling centers to provide relief...Click to continue

Menlo Park selects Justin Murphy as new city manager

On Friday, June 17, the Menlo Park City Council unanimously selected current interim city manager and resident, Justin Murphy, to be its next city manager. Mr. Murphy was announced as the City Council’s choice during a report out from the afternoon’s closed session meeting. The City Council will formally vote on Murphy’s new employment contract during open session at an upcoming regular city council meeting. “Justin Murphy is an accomplished public servant and leader who has done an outstanding job as our interim city manager for the past five months. His familiarity with our city and extensive municipal government experience gives him a unique skillset to lead our organization. Mr. Murphy’s proven record of excellence and integrity is well-known and admired,” said Mayor Betsy Nash. “The City Council welcomes Mr. Murphy to this role and looks forward to continuing to work with him to achieve City Council policy priorities and goals on behalf of the residents of Menlo Park.”…Click to continue

City partners with BlocPower to electrify homes and businesses by 2030

The City of Menlo Park and BlocPower announced a public-private partnership to provide building electrification services to the Menlo Park community. Menlo Park's Climate Action Plan has set a goal of carbon neutrality by 2030. Building decarbonization is a central component of the city’s 2030 climate plan, with fossil fuel consumption in buildings accounting for 41% of Menlo Park’s greenhouse gas emissions. Through the partnership with BlocPower, the city aims to electrify 15 buildings in 2022, 100 in 2023 and 1,000 or more…Click to continue

All fireworks are illegal in Menlo Park

As the July 4th holiday approaches, the Police Department reminds local residents and visitors that all forms of fireworks are strictly prohibited in Menlo Park. This includes “safe and sane” fireworks, as the potential for fires is extremely high due to hotter temperatures along with dry grass and brush. It only takes one spark to start a fire, which can cause tremendous damage. The City Council previously adopted a fireworks ordinance that allows violators to be arrested and cited in the City of Menlo Park for the following: 1) Sale or offer to sell…Click to continue

California Mortgage Relief expands eligibility

The California Mortgage Relief Program has significantly expanded eligibility requirements to offer funding to a greater number of California homeowners who have fallen behind on housing payments due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible households can qualify for up to $80,000 in relief for their past due housing-related bills. The program has modified the past-due requirement to include homeowners who missed payments in the first half of 2022, expanded the income eligibility and will now cover past-due property…Click to continue