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Council: No interest in outsourcing cops
N PO LI C E C A L L S This information is from the Menlo Park Police Department. Under the law, people charged with offenses are considered innocent unless convicted. Police received the reports on the dates shown. MENLO PARK Commercial burglary report: A Menlo Park man was arrested on suspicion of burglary of Draeger’s Supermarket. The
man allegedly picked out two bottles of tequila, left the store without paying for them, and fled on a bike after contact with someone from store security. Police found the man, recovered the tequila, and booked the suspect into San Mateo County jail. May 21. Theft report: Someone stole a bicycle that had been locked to a bike rack in the garage area at a Sharon Park Drive apartment complex. May 20.
PV considers plans for Redberry Ridge Further thawing may be ahead for development of 18 Redberry Ridge in Portola Valley when the Town Council meets Wednesday, May 28. In recognition of progress by property owner David Douglass toward landscape remediation following the un-permitted felling of 18 large trees in the winter of 2013, the council will consider authorizing building permits. Deliberations will include approvals already issued by the Architectural and Site Control Commission and the Planning Commission. The council meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. in the
Historic Schoolhouse. In resolving the clear-cutting incident, an April 2013 agreement with Mr. Douglass included a $75,000 fine and another $150,345 to cover costs of replanting and maintenance over the following five years, officials said at the time. Remediation was unsuccessful with three madrones, perhaps due to the drought, but 13 native oak trees were reported to be growing vigorously in January 2014, when the council voted unanimously to allow Mr. Douglass to submit plans to the ASCC.
By Barbara Wood Special to the Almanac
A
therton City Council members began their review of the town’s 201415 budget at their May 21 meeting by making it clear there is one project in the budget report they have absolutely no interest in — a study of outsourcing the town’s police services. While the council didn’t vote on a study of outsourcing, they did discuss it as part of preliminary budget considerations. In his budget report, City Manager George Rodericks wrote that while there seems to be strong support of the town’s current independent police department, “if the Council were interested in evaluating the possibility of a turn-key alternative service delivery model,� such as hiring the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office to do Atherton’s policing, the town WOODELL continued from page 19
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ments under seal. At least one person who was subpoenaed to testify at trial
might hire “an independent 3rd party consultant to evaluate the pros and cons of such a model.� No thanks, council members said. “There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the residents in this town will not support an outsourcing option,� said Councilman Rick DeGolia. With the town in good financial shape, “I see absolutely no reason to waste our economic and time resources� on researching outsourcing, he said. The three other council members agreed. For the second consecutive year, Atherton has a positive financial outlook, with a small budget surplus. The surplus exists even though City Manager Rodericks has pulled two sources of revenue out of the general fund and wants them available only for capital improvements or paying down long-term liabilities. One of those resources is the
town’s parcel tax, which produces $1.8 million a year. In the past, 60 percent of that money has gone into the general fund to support police services; but this year Mr. Rodericks is suggesting that only 20 percent, $350,000, go specifically to pay for police services, to hire two additional officers. The other pulled resource is state funding from the Educational Revenue Augmentation Fund (ERAF), which Mr. Rodericks says could be reduced or eliminated at any time by state lawmakers. Last year Atherton received nearly $1 million from this fund, and this year has budgeted $700,000. The budget discussions will continue at a study session on Wednesday, June 4, from 4 to 6 p.m., in the Council Chambers at94 Ashfield Road, in the Town Center. Go to tinyurl.com/Ath-21 to see the budget report.
shared the defendants’ relief that the ordeal may be over. Brielle Johnck, who endorsed Ms. Kiraly during the fire board election, said she hoped Mr. Woodell and his wife now
find closure. “Menlo Park residents deserve a rest from this embarrassing episode that started with a lawn sign and ended with a grave dismissal with prejudice.�
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PLEASE JOIN US Vote Yes on A A to Preserve Our Area’s Unique Natural Beauty for Future Generations to Enjoy
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Santa Clara County League of Conservation Voters
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