Council Approves Negotiations With County For Control Of Flood Park

The City of Menlo Park could embark on a long and studious process to annex after the city council decided Tuesday night to launch formal negotiations with San Mateo County.

The decision garnered no discussion from city leaders, and seems a popular move both in and out of city hall, especially after the county decided to close the park indefinitely last September. The move, which originated in the county parks commission, will make 2011 pipeline construction easier for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, and will save the county roughly $200,000 per year in operating costs.

Described as a preliminary step, Tuesday's decision "is not a request to take on the park formally since we do not have the final figures related to maintenance and capital needs, but is a request to pursue discussions officially," according to city staff.

The city would have to find $200,000 per year to operate the park, a luxury not included in the city's 2011-12 budget. Additionally, while under county control, a "long list of deferred maintenance projects," was created, meaning the city would need an extra cash infusion to bring the park up to city standards, according to a staff report prepared by Community Services Director Cherise Brandell. City staff is is currently working on the estimated costs of capital improvements.

A key element in the upcoming negotiations will be to leverage some maintenance spending from the county before the city commits to any takeover.

At 21 acres, Flood Park boasts a baseball diamond, tennis courts, softball field, and six picnic areas. The county estimates that roughly 75,000 people visit the park each year, many of whom reside nearby in the city's Suburban Park neighborhood.

Katie Ferrick, Vice Chair of the Planning Commission, urged the council to support a takeover, but reminded them that the future negotiations will give them a "possible" blueprint for the move, not a mandate. She actually chose her home because of its proximity to the park, Ferrick told the council during public comment.

"Thousands of people use it," she said.

A group of local residents have formed Save Flood Park, a grass roots effort to keep the park open and get it into city hands. According to their Web site, the county is considering reopening Flood Park after the pipeline construction ceases in September.

The staff report suggests the council could see such a blueprint as soon as July or August. If the council approves it, a complete community engagement process would follow and could take up to a year to complete.