At its July 15, 2014, meeting, the Menlo Park City Council unanimously voted to place the proposed ballot initiative aimed at revising Menlo Park’s El Camino Real/Downtown Specific Plan on the November 4th ballot.

The City Council also accepted the Ballot Measure Impact Analysis report and took action on two resolutions related to the initiative petition.  The first resolution accepted the certification of the City Clerk as to the sufficiency of required signatures for placement of the initiative on the November 4th ballot.  Under the Elections Code, after accepting the certification, the City Council must then decide whether to adopt the ordinance without any alterations, or to submit the measure to the voters.  The City Council’s decision to place the measure on the November 4th ballot was approved on a 5-0 vote.

The City Council also directed Special Counsel Greg Stepanicich to prepare an impartial analysis of the measure showing the effect of the measure on existing law and the operation of the measure.  Further, the City Council authorized Mayor Ray Mueller and Councilmember Rich Cline to form a subcommittee to prepare a written argument in opposition to the measure.

Next Steps
The authors of the proposed initiative may file a written argument in favor of the measure, as well as any individual voter who is eligible to vote on the measure or bona fide association of citizens or combination of voters and associations may also submit written arguments for or against the measure.  Such arguments, whether in favor or against, shall not exceed 300 words and be accompanied by the printed names(s) and signature(s) of the person(s) submitting it, or if submitted on behalf of an organization, the name of the organization, and the printed name and signature of at least one of its principal officers, in accordance with Article 4, Chapter 3, Division 9 of the Election Code of the State of California.  

The impartial analysis and primary arguments in favor or against the measure must be submitted to the City Clerk by 12:00 pm (Noon) on August 15, 2014.  In the event that more than one written argument is filed in favor or against the measure, the City Clerk shall select one of the multiple arguments in accordance with the provisions of Elections Code section 9287.  Rebuttal arguments must be submitted to the City Clerk by 12:00 pm (Noon) on August 25, 2014, and shall not exceed 250 words.

For more information on the impacts or language of the ballot measure, please visit the City's Proposed Initiative webpage.

For information or questions about the initiative process, please contact City Clerk Pamela Aguilar.