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Menlo Park council names Betsy Nash mayor, Jennifer Wise vice mayor; approves 2026 calendar and disbands two ad hoc subcommittees
Summary
Council unanimously appointed Betsy Nash mayor and Jennifer Wise vice mayor for 2026, adopted the 2026 meeting calendar and voted to disband two inactive ad hoc subcommittees; Council also named Jeff Schmidt as the city's voting delegate for the Dec. 19 City Selection Committee meeting.
Menlo Park — At its Dec. 9 meeting, the Menlo Park City Council unanimously selected Vice Mayor Betsy Nash as mayor for a one-year term and appointed Councilmember Jennifer Wise as vice mayor, approved the City's 2026 regular meeting schedule and voted to disband two inactive ad hoc subcommittees.
The Council followed the process described by City Clerk Judy Herron for annual leadership selections. Councilmember Cecilia Taylor nominated Nash for mayor; Mayor Drew Combs seconded the motion and the Council voted unanimously to appoint Nash. Nash said the appointment was "truly an honor, and I will do my best" to represent the city.
Why it matters: The mayoral and vice-mayoral roles are one-year selections among sitting councilmembers and guide the City's representation at regional bodies and ceremonial duties. The Council also confirmed the 2026 regular meeting calendar, retaining a July 14 meeting to shape the summer recess schedule.
Votes at a glance - Consent calendar (approval of routine items, including meeting minutes): motion by Councilmember Cecilia Taylor, second by Councilmember Jennifer Wise — outcome: approved unanimously. - Appoint Betsy Nash as mayor (one-year term): motion by Councilmember Cecilia Taylor, second by Mayor Drew Combs — outcome: approved unanimously. - Appoint Jennifer Wise as vice mayor: motion by Councilmember Drew Combs, second by Mayor Betsy Nash — outcome: approved unanimously. - Adopt 2026 City Council regular meeting schedule (retain July 14 meeting): motion by Mayor Betsy Nash, second by Vice Mayor Jennifer Wise — outcome: approved unanimously. - Disband two ad hoc subcommittees (Homeless/Unhoused and Parkline Development Agreement negotiations): motion by Councilmember Drew Combs, second by Vice Mayor Jennifer Wise — outcome: approved unanimously. - Appoint City Selection Committee voting delegate (Dec. 19): motion by Councilmember Cecilia Taylor, second by Vice Mayor Jennifer Wise to appoint Councilmember Jeff Schmidt as primary and Councilmember Drew Combs as alternate — outcome: approved unanimously.
Council discussion and next steps: Councilmembers discussed logistics tied to meeting dates and the procedural differences between ad hoc and standing subcommittees under the Brown Act (public notice and agenda requirements). Several appointments to external agencies and liaison roles were discussed and deferred to the Dec. 16 meeting to allow members to verify calendars and interests. The Council confirmed a plan for further discussion next week to finalize subcommittee structures and regional assignments.
