Citizen initiative
On May 15, a Notice of Intent to Circulate Petition(PDF, 798KB) for the purpose of adding a “Downtown Parking Plazas Ordinance” to the Menlo Park municipal code was filed with the Menlo Park City Clerk by Alexander John Beltramo, Caitlin Ann Darke and Van Richard Kouzoujian. The filing is available on this webpage and can also be viewed in person at City Hall. The filing of a notice of intent with the City Clerk is the first step in the citizen’s initiative process.
On May 29, Pursuant to Elections Code §9203, the city attorney's office drafted a ballot title and summary(PDF, 67KB) in response to the Notice of Intent to Circulate a Petition.
The proponents published the Notice of Intent in San Mateo Daily Journal June 2, 2025, pursuant to Elections Code §9205 and filed an Affidavit of Publication with the city clerk June 9, 2025, pursuant to Elections Code §9206.
The Petition regarding the Proposed Initiative was filed with the city clerk Oct. 10, 2025.
By letter dated Oct. 20, 2025, the County of San Mateo Assessor County Clerk Recorder’s & Elections Office notified the city that “of the 3,928 signatures submitted” in support of the Proposed Initiative, “2,760 were checked and 2,200 signatures were verified as valid.” The 2,200 verified signatures exceed the minimum of 2,103 signatures required to qualify the Proposed Initiative for the ballot.
On Nov. 4, 2025, the City Council adopted a resolution ordering a report pursuant to Elections Code section 9212 to evaluate the Initiative’s impact on, including but not limited, the City’s finances, land use policies, consistency with the general and specific plan, its impact on infrastructure, and public works and services.
At the Dec. 2, 2025, City Council meeting, the City Council made a determination, pursuant to Elections Code section 9215, to place the proposed measure on the Nov. 3, 2026 general municipal election ballot. The next steps in the measure is that the city clerk will submit the resolution adopted by the City Council calling for the Nov. 3, 2026, to the County Elections office. The County will process and canvas the election on behalf of the City. Additionally, ballot arguments for and against the measure, as well as rebuttals may be submitted to the County pursuant to the County elections calendar for the Nov. 3, 2026 election
Campaign finance disclosures
Campaign finance is governed by the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) of the State of California. All candidates for state and local office and any committee formed to support or oppose a candidate or ballot measure are required to file campaign disclosure statements. The FPPC has campaign disclosure manuals that walk you through the process. Candidates for City Council should review Manual 2: Information for Local Candidates. It is the responsibility of the candidate and/or committee to file the required campaign disclosure statements in a timely manner. If you have any questions please consult the FPPC's campaign disclosure manuals or ask the FPPC for advice.
Additionally, candidates running for local office are required to file Form 700 (Statement of Economic Interests). Investments, interests in real property, and business positions held on the date of filing your declaration of candidacy must be reported.
View the city's campaign finance disclosure public portal:
Campaign finance disclosure public portal