Newsletter

Kitchen Table Chat #6 Recap – Belle Haven Community Updates | June 25, 2025

The sixth Kitchen Table Chat brought together neighbors, local leaders, and advocates to discuss pressing issues and opportunities in Menlo Park including City Council Budget updates, 

🏛 City Council Budget Updates

City Council adopted budget amendments for fiscal year 2024–25 and finalized direction on the 2025–26 operating and capital budgets**. Key resolutions included:

• Use of Strategic Pension Reserve funds

• Salary schedule changes effective July 13, 2025

• Extension of the **Solid Waste & Water Rate Assistance Program** through June 2026

• Adoption of the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)

📝 ACTION: To request Spanish interpretation for in-person council meetings, submit this form at least 72 hours in advance.

🏊 Our Belle Haven Pool – Community-Driven Change

The Aquatics Working Group continues to gather feedback on the Burgess and Belle Haven Pools. Five focus groups have met, most recently on June 17, 2025. Residents shared insights on access, programming, and needed improvements.

📝 ACTION: Sessions are open to all interested community members. Join the Next date: Tuesday, July 15, 2025 | 06:00 PM to 07:30 PM

🌳 Urban Forest Canopy & Tree Education

The City Arborist introduced the Heritage Tree Education Program, tagging notable trees in parks and explaining the ordinance that protects large native oaks and other significant trees. A draft Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP) is underway, with community tree planting efforts beginning in Belle Haven.

📝 ACTION:

• View heritage tree tags info: menlopark.gov/heritagetreetags

• Report tree issues: menlopark.gov/actmenlopark

🚗 Citizen Initiative: Downtown Parking Lots

A new citizen-led initiative, filed May 15, 2025, seeks to prohibit the City from selling or redeveloping downtown parking lots without voter approval. This measure is in response to the City’s Housing Element (2023–2031) goal of creating 345 affordable units on downtown lots.

📝 ACTION:

• Read the petition and ballot summary: Development on Downtown Parking Lots

• Relevant news: 

  • Wealthy Bay Area town residents raised 6 figures to try and block new housing (SF Gate)

  • This rich California city is losing its mind over a housing project — and it shows why new rules are needed (San Francisco Chronicle)  

📅 Community Events & News Highlights

Next Kitchen Table Chat, Wednesday July 23, 2025, 5:30 to 6:45 pm

Belle Haven Community Campus, 100 Terminal Avenue, Menlo Park, CA 94025

RSVP Here – mark your calendar!

Learn about composting, shuttle updates, and events via the City Weekly Digest

✅ Stay Connected

Questions? Comments? Ideas?

📧 Email: bellehavenempowered@gmail.com

📱 Call/Text: (650) 275-2267

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Supporting Our Community,

Team Chat

“Your voice is the ONE that will make the difference!"            

                                                                                    ~ BHE 

Kitchen Table Chats are grassroots spaces for Belle Haven and Haven Avenue residents to learn, share, and shape community together.

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