Candidate for
Council Member; City of Menlo Park

Re-Elect Peter Ohtaki I've been honored to serve on our City Council since 2010 and as your Mayor last year. I grew up here and graduated from our local public schools. I ask for your vote and support to re-elect me to the Menlo Park City Council this November. We've accomplished a lot, but there's more to do!

Improve Economic Vibrancy Downtown and in Industrial Zone

I worked to attract a start-up incubator and restaurateur downtown, and convinced Facebook to establish a community fund that benefits our residents. Now it's time to revitalize our industrial zone near 101 to attract technology and biotech businesses and jobs in the update of our General Plan.

Balance Growth and Small Town Character

I worked with downtown merchants to preserve our small town character by precluding 5-story parking garages and buildings on Santa Cruz Avenue parking plazas under the Specific Plan. I'm working to fix the traffic bottleneck on El Camino Real, so empty car dealership lots can be developed with apartments and tech offices within walking distance of the train station and bring new customers downtown. The City Council unanimously opposes Measure M.

Keep Our City's Budget Balanced

After years of a "structural deficit", I helped balance Menlo Park's budget by paying down an unfunded pension liability that was costing about $800k each year, saving taxpayers $3.6 million in interest expense. We held the line on salaries and headcount during the recession, including managing the unexpected loss of redevelopment funds in 2012.

Continue Productive Leadership

While serving as your Mayor, I created a respectful and collaborative tone on the City Council, which improved Council productivity. I also convinced our State Assemblyman Rich Gordon to introduce legislation (AB1690) that gives cities more flexibility in implementing zoning for housing. Experience on the City Council matters!