Public Agency CompensationEast Palo Alto & Menlo Park Ravenswood City School School District -School Mergers
2 Publisher’s Corner 3 Subscription Form 4 Events Calendar. Past ,
Upcoming And Ongoing 7 Police Officers are Top Earners in both East Palo Alto and Menlo Park 12 Michele René Mouton. April 17, 1948 - February 20, 2020 13 Fred Dorn March 28, 1941 — Dec. 25, 2019
14 Black History And Culture Celebration At The East Palo Alto Library 15 Ravenswood City School District Classified Staff Employee Association (CSEA) elected new officers 17 Brentwood And Willow Oaks To Close - Willow Oaks May Become A KIPP Charter School 19 About Covid-19 Referred To As ‘Coronavirus’
20 Former Nairobi Shopping Center Site Bought by Largest East Palo Alto Residential Property Owner JANUARY 2020 EL RAVENSWOOD 1
H
ow much are elected and appointed public officials paid in agencies serving East Palo Alto and Menlo Park? What positions are the best paid and which are not? What are the internal differences in pay within each agency and how do agency compensation compare across those agencies. Starting with this issue, El Ravenswood will begin publishing the salaries of the agencies serving the communities of East Palo Alto and Menlo Park including both cities; special districts including the Menlo Park Fire Protection District, the East Palo Alto Sanitary District, the Westbay Sanitary District, and the San Mateo County Harbor District; and school districts including the Ravenswood City School District and the Sequoia Union High School District and the only college district in the county, the San Mateo Community College District. The information will include compensation for each paid position in every agency including those for elected officials. The information is derived from the 2018 financial compensation report that state law requires each public agency submit to the state controller’s office by April 30 of each year. In this issue, we will publish the information about the cities of Menlo Park (17.4 sq. miles) and East Palo Alto (2.6 sq. miles). The two cities are different in many ways: Menlo Park is larger, has a bigger budget and consequently a larger staff able to do a lot more for its residents. East Palo Alto is a younger city, much smaller and with different challenges. With a population of 32,000, Menlo Park has a population that is only slightly larger than East Palo Alto’s 28,155. Staff of both cities face like challenges in terms of the cost of living, the highpriced housing and the need for most to commute from communities as far away as Antioch, Modesto, Stockton, Sacramento and even Gilroy and Los Banos. We hope that this information helps readers appreciate how their agencies are spending public funds. and depending on what they conclude hopefully decide on the best course of action to take to address any issues that may arise from the information. The March issue will have the compensation information for local school districts.
The cover photo is a 2002 picture of a participant in the local Ravenswood Little League program. This unnamed player is probably in is late twenties or early thirties.
2 MARCH 2020 EL RAVENSWOOD
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COMMUNITY
PAST EVENTS Art; Clay Workshops with Eddie Orrego; Fabric Painting Workshop by Asual Aswad; Live Music by Andre Thierry; Cowrie Shell Jewelry Workshop with Keisha Evans. Maker Nights: February 4, Tuesday Self Portraits with Painter and Portrait Artist Kehinde Wiley 6-7:30 P.M. February 18, Tuesday Poetry and Art, featuring local artist Kalamu Chache February 12, Wednesday, February 25, Tuesday, March 7, Saturday EPA Creating a Community Quilt. February 29, Saturday East Palo Alto Senior Center Annual Crab Feast 5:00 p.m.560 Bell Street, East Palo Alto.
February 19, Wednesday Learn How to DJ 2-3:30 P.M.
January 7, Tuesday 9:00 A.M. County Board Chambers 400 County Center Redwood City, County Board of Supervisors Reorganization, Warren Slocum, Supervisor for District 4 assumes the presidency of the Board. January 20, Monday 9:00 A.M.-12:30 P.M. Mayor’s Tree Planting and MLK Day of Service, Martin Luther King Jr. Park 435 Daisy Lane, East Palo Alt
February 20, Thursday Storytime with local author Khalid White and Vision Board Workshop with Lakiba Pittman 10:30-11:00 A.M.
February 5, Wednesday 7:30-9:00 P.M. State Senate Candidates Debate, Palo Alto Art Center, 1313 Newell Road Palo Alto
February 26, Wednesday Screen Printing: Inspired by JeanMichael Basquiat 3:30-5:00 P.M. Music by Quinn Deveaux 7-7:45 P.M.
February 11, Tuesday 6:30-8:30 P.M. Community Meeting on the Future of the “Four Corners” (University Avenue and Bay Road) East Palo Alto Senior Center 560 Bell Street, East Palo Alto.
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East Palo Alto Library African/Black History Month Activities: February 1, Saturday “The Soul of East Palo Alto (EPA) African American History Month at the East Palo Alto Library. 12:00-3:00 P.M. Food by Thandiwe Jennifer Lyons; Spray Paint
COMMUNITY February 11, Tuesday Main Library “Baltimore Rising” a documentary chronicling the Baltimore protests following the unfortunate death of Freddie Gray
Menlo Park Library African/Black American History Month Events
February 13, Thursday Main Library “Ruby Bridges” a docudrama about Ruby and the New Orleans school desegregation crisis of 1960
February 8 Saturday Main Library “A Visit with Harriet Tubman” a one-woman show by actor Betty Slater.
February 18, Tuesday Soul of a Nation-Art in the Age of Black Power. Display of works by African American artists inspired by the Civil Rights struggle.
February 24, Monday “Paint Like Basquiat” February 27, Thursday 6:30-9:00 P.M. Chasing the Dream Inequity in Higher Education, Cubberly Community Center Theatre, 4120 Middlefield Road Palo Alto. February 28 Friday-Menlo Park Senior Center hosts its 20th Annual Black History Lunch & Gospel Fest 11:30-1:00 P.M. February 29 Saturday Second Annual Black History Festival Event 1-5:00 P.M 2555 Pulgas Avenue, East Palo Alto
UPCOMING EVENTS April 22, Wednesday Public Hearing on Rate Increases, West Bay Sanitary District 500 Laurel Street Menlo Park.
March 31, Saturday Annual Ravenswood Little League-Youth Sports Parade. Bell Street to Jack Farrell Park
May 21, Thursday San Mateo Credit Union (SMCU) Annual Meeting and academic scholarship awards
April 11, Thursday Foundation For College Education (FCE) 25th Annual Gala
July 25 Saturday, Annual East Palo Alto Collard Green Cultural Festival
July 25 Saturday, Annual East Palo Alto Collard Green Cultural Festival
MARCH 2020 EL RAVENSWOOD 5
EVENTS CALENDAR | PAST , UPCOMING AND ONGOING
ON GOING MEETINGS & EVENTS
1st and 3rd Mondays, Kiwanis Club of the Bayshore Community Club Meeting, 12:00-1:30 P.M. 1875 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto
1st Thursday of the month, East Palo Alto Sanitary District, 7:00 P.M. 901 Weeks Street, East Palo Alto
Every Thursday, East Palo Alto Bayshore Rotary Club meeting 7:00-8.30 P.M. East Palo Alto YMCA 550 Bell Street.
2nd and 4th Thursday of the month, Ravenswood City School District regular board meetings 7:15 PM in the District Office Board Room, 2120 Euclid Avenue, East Palo Alto
1st and 3rd Tuesday, East Palo Alto City Council Meetings 7:30 P.M., 2415 University Avenue, East Palo Alto.
Tuesdays (varies), Menlo Park City Council 7:00 P.M. 701 Laurel Street, Menlo Park.
3rd Tuesdays, Menlo Park Fire Protection District regular board meeting 7:00 P.M. 170 Middlefield Street, Menlo Park.
2nd and 4th Wednesdays, West Bay Sanitary District regular board meeting 7:00 P.M. 500 Laurel Street, Menlo Park. 3rd Tuesdays, Menlo Park Fire Protection District regular board meeting 7:00 P.M. 170 Middlefield Street, Menlo Park. 4th Thursday, The Peninsula Clean Energy Board of Directors usually meets on the fourth Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m. Meetings are held at the Peninsula Clean Energy office, 2075 Woodside Road, Redwood City, CA 94061. The San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority (SFCJPA) Board meets monthly at the city council chambers of either East Palo Alto, Menlo Park or Palo Alto. Phone: 650-324-1972 Email: jpa@sfcjpa.org 2nd and 4th Monday of each month. The East Palo Alto Commission Meetings are held in the City Council Chambers: 2415 University Avenue in East Palo Alto.
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COMMUNITY
Police Officers are Top Earners in both East Palo Alto and Menlo Park
F
ifty percent of the top salaried employees in East Palo Alto are in the Police Department, while in Menlo Park, it is 80 percent! Sixty percent of the top earners in East Palo Alto are part of its executive management team, whereas in Menlo Park, only 30 percent are, including the Chief of Police. East Palo Alto has a total annual payroll of $11 million, according to the 2018 submittal to the California State Controller’s Office. Menlo Park, on the other hand, has a total of $29 million.
With a total workforce of 531 including temporary employees working limited hours during the year, Menlo Park’s median wage amount was $29,000. East Palo Alto, with 132 employees recorded a median annual wage of approximately $69,000. Each of the members of the City Council in both cities get a stipend totaling $3,600 annually, regardless of their role on the council. This information on employee pay and benefits for approximately 2 million positions for more than 5,000 public
employers is subsequently provided on the State Controller’s Government Compensation in California website. The public can view and search employee job titles, compensation levels and benefits. El Ravenswood will be publishing reports on the compensation of public employees, including position titles and total pay for all public agencies serving East Palo Alto and Menlo Park in next few issues of the magazine.
EAST PALO ALTO PUBLIC COMPENSATION Position Total Wages Nutrition Site Supervisor $ 394 Pt Community Services Aide $ 1,616 Van Driver Pt $ 1,773 Assistant Civil Engineer $ 2,957 Police Officer $ 3,436 Council Member $ 3,600 Council Member $ 3,600 Council Member $ 3,600 Mayor $ 3,600 Vice Mayor $ 3,600 Recreation Leader II $ 4,370 Assistant Planner $ 4,939 Assistant Planner $ 6,406 Recreation Leader II $ 7,030 Community Services Aide $ 8,745 City Engineer $ 11,693 Pt Community Services Aide $ 12,733 Assistant Civil Engineer $ 13,657 Senior Engineer $ 15,405 Administrative Intern $ 15,934 Recreation Leader II $ 17,348 Police Officer $ 17,942 Community Services Aide $ 18,210 Police Officer $ 18,356 Community Services Aide Pt $ 18,827 Interim Dir. Of Community Development $ 18,948 Police Officer $ 19,072 Kitchen Aide $ 20,346 Account Technician $ 20,674
Van Driver Pt Van Driver Executive Assistant to City Manager Nutrition Site Supervisor Account Technician I Police Officer Police Officer Police Officer Maintenance Worker I Building Inspector Assistant Planner Records Clerk I Maintenance Worker I Maintenance Worker I Code Enforcement Officer I Associate Civil Engineer Office Assistant Code Enforcement Officer II Assistant Civil Engineer Cold Case Investigation Maintenance Worker I Police Officer Office Assistant Police Records Clerk I Secretary I - Maintenance Police Officer Maintenance Worker II Permit Technician Code Enforcement Officer II Maintenance Worker II
$ 21,507 $ 25,066 $ 31,769 $ 32,199 $ 34,970 $ 37,467 $ 40,289 $ 42,120 $ 43,567 $ 43,985 $ 44,845 $ 45,820 $ 46,814 $ 47,881 $ 49,266 $ 49,494 $ 52,139 $ 53,503 $ 54,728 $ 54,833 $ 58,031 $ 59,406 $ 59,446 $ 60,629 $ 61,620 $ 61,705 $ 62,361 $ 64,090 $ 64,493 $ 65,129
MARCH 2020 EL RAVENSWOOD 7
COMMUNITY Maintenance Worker II $ 65,494 Housing Project Manager $ 65,801 Permit Technician $ 66,492 Community Services Officer $ 67,460 Senior Engineer $ 68,305 Secretary II $ 68,914 Executive Assistant To City Manager $ 72,424 Maintenance Worker II $ 72,879 Administrative Grants Coordinator $ 73,700 Public Works Inspector $ 74,531 Accountant I $ 76,051 Police Records Clerk II $ 78,013 Legal Secretary $ 79,006 Administrative Assistant $ 79,485 Police Officer $ 79,826 City Clerk $ 81,812 City Engineer $ 84,349 Police Records Clerk II $ 84,439 Maintenance Worker III $ 84,514 Maintenance Worker III $ 86,233 Financial Services Manager $ 87,391 Rent Stabilization Counselor II $ 88,919 Payroll/HR Analyst $ 94,848 Human Resources Assistant $ 95,464 Senior Planner $ 98,067 Deputy City Attorney $ 101,535 Police Officer $ 102,080 Police Records Supervisor $ 102,727 Police Officer $ 106,235 Police Officer $ 106,429 Police Officer $ 110,337 Management Analyst $ 111,586 Community Programs Manager $ 111,726 Police Property Officer $ 114,131 Police Officer $ 114,925 Police Officer $ 115,595 Financial Services Manager $ 116,813 Police Officer $ 117,494 Police Officer $ 120,286 Administrative Services Manager $ 122,289 Police Officer $ 124,982 Planning Division Manager $ 125,362 Police Officer $ 127,822 Police Officer $ 128,937 Police Officer $ 129,198 Police Officer $ 131,684 Police Officer $ 133,574 Rent Stabilization Administrator $ 134,844 Police Officer $ 135,598 Human Resources Manager $ 135,848 Police Officer $ 136,352 Police Officer $ 137,002 Maintenance Division Manager $ 137,105 Police Officer $ 137,980 Police Officer $ 141,467 Police Officer $ 143,012
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Police Officer Police Detective Police Sergeant Administrative Services Director Police Sergeant Police Sergeant Commander Commander Police Officer Police Sergeant Police Sergeant Public Works Director Finance Director City Attorney Assistant City Manager Chief of Police City Manager
$ 145,974 $ 146,228 $ 147,871 $ 160,379 $ 161,161 $ 161,615 $ 164,935 $ 166,795 $ 167,511 $ 170,815 $ 171,955 $ 179,537 $ 189,877 $ 202,002 $ 206,784 $ 209,091 $ 209,538
2018 TOP TEN EARNERS City Manager $ 209,538 Chief Of Police $ 209,091 Assistant City Manager $ 206,784 City Attorney $ 202,002 Finance Director $ 189,877 Public Works Director $ 179,537 Police Sergeant $ 171,955 Police Sergeant $ 170,815 Police Officer $ 167,511 Commander $ 166,795
2018 CITY COUNCIL ANNUAL COMPENSATION Council Member $ 3,600 Council Member $ 3,600 Council Member $ 3,600 Mayor $ 3,600 Vice Mayor
$ 3,600
OTHER PERTINENT WAGE INFORMATION Median Wage Average Wage Highest Wage Total Payroll No. of Employees
$ 68, 914 $ 76,692 $ 209,538 $ 10,519,423 132
COMMUNITY
MENLO PARK PUBLIC COMPENSATION Position Wages Office Assistant $ 87 City Councilmember $ 295 City Councilmember $ 295 City Councilmember $ 295 Police Recruit $ 1,043 Construction Inspector $ 2,120 Gymnastics Instructor $ 2,274 Water System Operator I $ 2,604 Police Recruit $ 3,165 Management Analyst II $ 3,687 Child Care Teacher II $ 4,377 Human Resources Technician $ 5,491 Management Analyst I $ 6,373 Police Officer $ 7,427 City Councilmember $ 7,680 City Councilmember $ 7,680 City Councilmember $ 7,680 City Councilmember $ 7,680 City Councilmember - Mayor $ 7,680 Senior Office Assistant $ 7,690 Parking Enforcement Officer $ 7,740 Library Assistant I $ 7,855 Program Assistant $ 7,974 Librarian I $ 8,304 Program Assistant $ 8,394 Library Assistant II $ 9,020 Accounting Assistant II $ 9,581 Library Assistant I $ 10,090 Librarian II $ 11,839 Library Assistant I $ 12,603 Senior Civil Engineer $ 13,466 Accounting Assistant II $ 14,817 Senior Librarian $ 14,927 Program Assistant $ 15,795 Library Assistant I $ 17,503 Child Care Teacher I $ 18,380 Library Assistant II $ 18,418 Building Inspector $ 18,900 Library Assistant II $ 22,492 Senior Building Inspector $ 22,592 Gymnastics Instructor $ 24,634 Senior Maintenance Worker $ 25,593 Police Officer $ 25,903 Police Recruit $ 26,187 Library Assistant II $ 26,639 Police Recruit $ 27,338 Police Recruit $ 27,338 Accounting Assistant II $ 27,812 Accountant I $ 30,242 Police Commander $ 30,895 Engineering Technician II $ 31,566 Child Care Teacher’s Aide $ 32,771
Program Aide/Driver $ 32,850 Child Care Teacher I $ 32,917 Accounting Assistant I $ 34,469 Senior Management Analyst $ 36,333 Planning Technician $ 37,694 Senior Office Assistant $ 37,786 Engineering Technician II $ 38,150 Child Care Teacher’s Aide $ 38,817 Senior Office Assistant $ 39,070 Police Officer $ 39,276 Gymnastics Instructor $ 39,423 Child Care Teacher’s Aide $ 39,736 Child Care Teacher’s Aide $ 40,004 Program Assistant $ 40,359 Library Services Director $ 40,484 Police Records Specialist $ 40,682 Associate Civil Engineer $ 41,618 Police Officer $ 42,157 Community Service Officer $ 42,943 Office Assistant $ 44,323 Librarian II $ 44,357 Custodial Services Supervisor $ 45,096 Child Care Teacher’s Aide $ 46,011 Child Care Teacher’s Aide $ 47,266 Child Care Teacher’s Aide $ 47,672 Office Assistant $ 47,802 Assistant Engineer $ 47,889 Assistant Community Services Director $ 48,785 Maintenance Worker I $ 48,854 Senior Office Assistant $ 49,078 Community Service Officer $ 49,363 Administrative Assistant $ 49,672 Recreation Coordinator $ 50,621 Accountant II $ 50,734 Police Records Specialist $ 51,165 Assistant Planner $ 51,429 Library Assistant II $ 52,039 Child Care Teacher I $ 52,491 Management Analyst II $ 53,015 Maintenance Worker I $ 56,658 Senior Program Assistant $ 56,734 Program Assistant $ 56,863 Recreation Coordinator $ 57,294 Water System Operator I $ 57,727 Water System Operator I $ 59,648 Maintenance Worker I $ 60,053 Senior Office Assistant $ 60,216 Child Care Teacher I $ 60,507 Building Custodian $ 61,370 Child Care Teacher II $ 61,534 Child Care Teacher I $ 61,592 Child Care Teacher I $ 63,031 Child Care Teacher I $ 63,078
MARCH 2020 EL RAVENSWOOD 9
COMMUNITY
Deputy City Clerk Program Assistant Senior Sustainability Specialist Library Assistant III Program Assistant Child Care Teacher II Librarian II Library Assistant II Child Care Teacher II Parking Enforcement Officer Permit Technician Deputy City Clerk Senior Program Assistant Senior Program Assistant Parking Enforcement Officer Child Care Teacher II Senior Office Assistant Building Custodian Program Assistant Engineering Technician II Senior Civil Engineer Library Assistant II Librarian II Maintenance Worker I Permit Technician Housing & Economic Development Manager Management Analyst II Human Resources Technician Police Officer Senior Maintenance Worker Administrative Assistant Information Technology Specialist I Permit Technician Management Analyst I Police Officer Assistant City Manager Recreation Coordinator Management Analyst II Junior Engineer Senior Library Assistant Senior Police Records Specialist Recreation Coordinator Maintenance Worker II Permit Technician Water System Operator II Accountant I Maintenance Worker II Accounting Assistant II Maintenance Worker II Associate Civil Engineer Building Inspector Recreation Coordinator Community Development Technician Contracts Specialist Building Inspector Senior Maintenance Worker
$ 64,388 $ 64,410 $ 64,619 $ 66,607 $ 67,855 $ 68,772 $ 68,809 $ 68,914 $ 69,176 $ 69,582 $ 69,794 $ 70,107 $ 70,218 $ 70,274 $ 70,683 $ 71,013 $ 71,338 $ 71,457 $ 71,918 $ 72,530 $ 72,915 $ 73,186 $ 74,495 $ 75,763 $ 75,911 $ 76,082 $ 77,511 $ 77,876 $ 78,440 $ 78,714 $ 79,007 $ 79,020 $ 80,699 $ 80,776 $ 81,059 $ 81,360 $ 81,601 $ 81,618 $ 81,802 $ 81,958 $ 81,985 $ 82,824 $ 82,874 $ 82,911 $ 82,938 $ 83,188 $ 83,286 $ 83,523 $ 83,721 $ 83,992 $ 84,025 $ 84,359 $ 84,552 $ 85,035 $ 87,938 $ 90,086
Senior Maintenance Worker Police Officer Executive Assistant To The City Manager Assistant Planner Senior Maintenance Worker Information Technology Specialist I City Clerk Property And Court Specialist Police Officer Police Officer Senior Civil Engineer Management Analyst I Community Development Director Transportation Demand Management Coordinator Building Inspector Senior Equipment Mechanic Information Technology Specialist II Red Light Photo Enforcement Specialist Recreation Supervisor Code Enforcement Officer Recreation Coordinator Facilities Maintenance Technician II Executive Assistant Associate Planner Police Officer Management Analyst I Police Chief Police Officer Plan Check Engineer Enterprise Applications Support Specialist II Management Analyst II Public Works Supervisor - Streets Recreation Supervisor Communications Dispatcher Water Quality Specialist Senior Planner Business Manager Communications Dispatcher Senior Accountant Gis Coordinator II Public Works Supervisor - Park Water System Supervisor Senior Librarian Associate Civil Engineer Public Works Supervisor - City Arborist Senior Civil Engineer Communications Training Dispatcher Management Analyst II Recreation Coordinator Assistant Engineer Senior Planner Police Officer Senior Facilities Maintenance Technician Associate Civil Engineer Construction Inspector
$ 90,429 $ 90,665 $ 90,692 $ 91,164 $ 92,241 $ 92,392 $ 92,456 $ 92,591 $ 92,932 $ 93,353 $ 93,879 $ 93,906 $ 94,606 $ 94,787 $ 94,827 $ 95,248 $ 95,288 $ 95,363 $ 95,661 $ 95,876 $ 96,248 $ 96,915 $ 97,494 $ 97,935 $ 98,204 $ 98,273 $ 98,800 $ 98,848 $ 99,893 $ 100,317 $ 100,488 $ 101,457 $ 103,926 $ 106,833 $ 107,186 $ 107,233 $ 107,402 $ 108,276 $ 108,535 $ 108,815 $ 108,896 $ 109,505 $ 109,666 $ 110,544 $ 111,883 $ 112,044 $ 112,149 $ 112,373 $ 113,128 $ 115,296 $ 115,301 $ 117,277 $ 117,426 $ 118,983 $ 119,068
COMMUNITY Communications Training Dispatcher City Attorney Recreation Supervisor Police Officer Maintenance Worker II Permit Manager Assistant Engineer Communications Dispatcher Public Works Supervisor - Fleet Associate Engineer Senior Maintenance Worker Associate Transportation Engineer Senior Civil Engineer Management Analyst II Senior Communications Dispatcher Communications Training Dispatcher Senior Planner Community Services Director Associate Civil Engineer Communications and Records Manager Police Officer Police Officer Police Officer Senior Planner Principal Planner Senior Building Inspector Police Officer Assistant Library Services Director Senior Transportation Engineer Senior Transportation Engineer Senior Civil Engineer Associate Transportation Engineer Assistant Community Development Director Police Officer Finance And Budget Manager Sustainability Manager Police Officer Engineering Services Manager Police Corporal Police Officer Revenue And Claims Manager Police Officer Police Sergeant Information Technology Manager Assistant To The City Manager Police Officer Police Officer Police Officer Public Works Superintendent Police Officer Police Officer Police Officer Police Officer Police Corporal Administrative Services Director Public Works Supervisor - Facilities
$ 119,694 $ 120,000 $ 120,932 $ 121,115 $ 121,870 $ 123,213 $ 123,923 $ 124,759 $ 126,454 $ 127,034 $ 127,178 $ 127,900 $ 129,373 $ 131,698 $ 131,902 $ 132,188 $ 132,258 $ 132,895 $ 133,885 $ 136,511 $ 136,525 $ 136,546 $ 136,926 $ 136,930 $ 139,411 $ 139,588 $ 139,638 $ 141,203 $ 141,773 $ 141,782 $ 143,325 $ 143,860 $ 144,410 $ 145,192 $ 145,508 $ 145,703 $ 150,685 $ 151,237 $ 151,924 $ 153,316 $ 157,833 $ 158,017 $ 158,054 $ 162,749 $ 163,254 $ 168,459 $ 169,193 $ 169,271 $ 169,370 $ 170,410 $ 171,069 $ 171,667 $ 171,826 $ 173,361 $ 173,735 $ 176,464
Police Corporal Police Sergeant Community Services Director Police Sergeant Police Officer Police Officer Assistant Public Works Director Police Sergeant Police Officer Library Services Director Police Corporal Assistant Community Development Director Community Development Director Police Sergeant Public Works Director Police Commander Police Officer Police Officer Police Sergeant Police Chief Police Officer Police Sergeant Police Sergeant Assistant City Manager Police Sergeant City Manager
TOP TEN EARNERS - 2018 City Manager Police Sergeant Assistant City Manager Police Sergeant Police Sergeant Police Officer Police Chief Police Sergeant Police Officer Police Officer
$ 180,207 $ 181,586 $ 182,304 $ 182,525 $ 182,892 $ 185,109 $ 186,127 $ 188,049 $ 188,280 $ 189,728 $ 191,135 $ 191,845 $ 198,727 $ 199,472 $ 202,507 $ 202,700 $ 207,119 $ 210,083 $ 218,894 $ 220,190 $ 220,278 $ 227,155 $ 227,737 $ 233,011 $ 233,147 $ 326,385
$ 326,385 $ 233,147 $ 233,011 $ 227,737 $ 227,155 $ 220,278 $ 220,190 $ 218,894 $ 210,083 $ 207,119
CITY COUNCIL ANNUAL COMPENSATION - 2018 Council Member $ 3,600 Council Member $ 3,600 Council Member $ 3,600 Mayor $ 3,600 Vice Mayor $ 3,600 OTHER PERTINENT WAGE INFORMATION Median Wage $ 28,863.00 Average Wage $ 54,339.00 Highest Wage $ 326,385.00 Total Payroll $ 28,854,257.00 No. of Employees 531
JANUARY 2020 EL RAVENSWOOD 11
OBITUARY
April 17, 1948 - February 20, 2020
M
ichele René Mouton, popularly and affectionately known as Mama Maisha, died February 20, 2020. One of six children of the late David and Barbara Mouton, she was born April 17, 1948 in San Francisco. Her father served in the United States Navy, and due to his job responsibilities, the family traveled a lot and Maisha and her siblings attended schools throughout the country. In the 60s the family finally settled in East Palo Alto. She graduated from Ravenswood High School. After graduation, she attended the College of San Mateo and Nairobi College before enrolling at the University of California, Berkeley. She lived in Berkeley with her son Malik Erin for 12 years. While in Berkeley, she reveled in the vibrant African cultural scene as well as other movements. It was in Berkeley that she began practicing Nicherin Buddhism as a member of the Soka Gakkai International, a lay Buddhist organization. In the early eighties, Maisha moved back to East Palo Alto and began teaching at Shule Mandela Academy, a local independent school with an afro-centered curriculum. At the school, popularly known as “the Shule,” students fondly and respectfully called her “Mama Maisha.” A strong believer of the dictum that “it takes a village to raise a child,” she went beyond her responsibilities as a teacher and often regularly hosted her students, their parents and community leaders at her home for homemade meals in addition to actively engaging students in community projects and activities. At her memorial on Saturday, March 7, at the Soka Gakkai International community center in Santa Clara,
12 JANUARY 2020 EL RAVENSWOOD
Beverly Scott, a fellow Buddhist and former trustee with the Sequoia Union High School District, lauded her teaching, mentoring and cooking skills. There were many requests from the community for her culinary creations. Others commented on her extraordinary teaching, mentoring and gardening skills. LaPria Wilks, while acknowledging her great skills nurturing and growing plants, noted that Maisha also had the ‘red thumb’ allowing her to nurture and facilitate the overall growth of family members, friends and members of the community. She encouraged everyone to continue that legacy. Maisha served on the board of several community organizations: the East Palo Alto Historical and Agricultural Society (EPA HAS), One East Palo Alto (OEPA), the Girls Club of the Mid-Peninsula, the East Palo Alto YMCA, the Bayshore Rotary Club, EPA CAN DO, and the African American Community Health Advisory Council (now renamed the Bay Area Community Health Advisory Council). Maisha was a devoted member of Soka Gakkai Nicherin Buddhism for the last four decades. Before her health challenges, she was an active member in her district and chapter. While a member, she introduced and recruited many to Nicherin Buddhism. Parents: David P. and Barbara A. Mouton (first mayor of East Palo Alto) Siblings: Brothers: David Mouton Jr. (deceased) and Martin (Marty) P. Mouton Sr. of East Palo Alto, CA. Sisters: Barbara A. George (JC) of Hayward, CA. Robin Cecile Blair of
Sacramento, CA. Manon Patterson and Laurienne Mouton-Owens of East Palo Alto. Children: Malik Erin (son) Grandchildren: Malia and Shamar Cousins: Reginald Maxwell of Richmond, CA Nephews: Joseph, Jermaine, David, Martin Pierre Jr., Clarence, Michael, David, Demetrius, Charles (Reggie Jr.), Joshua, Jeremiah and Wesley III Nieces: Antoinette, Alisa, Kia, Jamela, Phaness and Ashley Closest friend: Jeri Dillard Oakley (deceased)
OBITUARY
P Fred Dorn
March 28, 1941 — Dec. 25, 2019 Fred Dorn, a 35-year resident of East Palo Alto, and the husband of Midge Dorn died on Christmas Day, 2019. Fred was born in Baltimore, Maryland and grew up in Houston, Texas. After graduating from the University of Texas with a BA in Anthropology, Fred joined the Peace Corps in 1965 where he met his wife, Midge. He taught English and learned to read and write Thai in a small town in northern Thailand where he was deployed as a Peace Corps volunteer. When he returned to the United States, he became a technical writer and worked for several Bay Area technology companies. He retired in 2001. Fred always had many interests including photography, music, ham radios, building computers, and traveling to Mexico to study Spanish. He also enjoyed being in community theater productions at Menlo Players Guild including Bus Stop, Once Upon a Mattress and Annie Get Your Gun. He particularly loved performing in musicals and often sang the songs at home. In 2017 Fred and Midge moved to Davis, California. In the last year, he had several falls eventually leading to his death. He is survived by his wife of 51 years and his daughters, Lisa and Erin. A memorial for Fred was held on Saturday, Feb. 22 in Davis.
atrick Brock a long term feature in East Palo Alto’s social landscape passed away on January 23 at his home in East Palo Alto. He was born on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1950, in San Francisco. One of six siblings. He was baptized as a catholic at Sacred Heart Church in San Francisco. His family moved to Palo Alto from San Francisco in 1962 and he attended Terman Middle School and later Woodside High School where he played Football as a Woodside Wildcat. By 1970 he had relocated to East Palo Alto where he and the late Steve Smothers founded and operated the Nairobi Cleaners at the defunct Nairobi Shopping Center, then located at the corner of University Avenue and Bay Road across from the municipal building. Following the Shopping Center’s demise, Patrick relocated to other parts of the United States living in Hawaii and New York before moving back to the Palo Alto and East Palo Alto area in 1990. He worked with several non-profits including the now defunct Plugged In and Start Up which was subsequently absorbed by Renaissance. With the purchase of the property currently housing Amazon in 2000 by Carrasco and Byrd, he was recruited to help the company navigate their way through city processes. He continued to be a consultant to subsequent purchasers of the property, TMG in 2007 and Sobrato in 2011. Patrick Brock proclaimed himself the go-to-person particularly by developers seeking to know who’s who in East palo Alto and how to successfully navigate the various city processes. He also worked with residents seeking to navigate the city’s permitting and other processes. A regular feature at city council meetings either speaking on behalf
of developers or promoting local community festivals such as the Juneteenth, which his Brock and Company sponsored and organized for several years until he founded the East Palo Alto Blues Festival. His founding of the East Palo Alto Blues Festival gained him entrance into the local “ Blues Hall of Fame.” Prior to his death he led the effort to establish an East Palo Alto and BelleHaven Chamber of Commerce. Parents: Joseph Clayton Brock and Ozella Richmond Brock Wife: Karen Sue Kepney Brock (East Palo Alto) Siblings: Richmond Milton Brock Sr. (Deceased); Luther Clayton Brock Sr. (San Jose, CA) Bernadine Nelson (Deceased); Sandra Ashah Alamin (San Jose, CA); Monalisa Brock (Stockbridge, Georgia) Children: Waynette Brock (Redwood City); Antoine Brock (Seattle); Alicia Arguello Brock (Clovis); Christin Brock (Welches, Oregon); Charles Chew (East Palo Alto); Lashawna McKnight (East Palo Alto); Maurice Hanks Jr. (East Palo Alto) MARCH 2020 EL RAVENSWOOD 13
COMMUNITY
Participant at the Fabric Painting Workshop by Asual Aswad.
Keisha Evans conducts a cowrie shell jewelry workshop 14 MARCH 2020 EL RAVENSWOO
TRANSITIONS
Ravenswood City School District Classified Staff Employee Association (CSEA) elected new officers Randolph ‘Randy’ Jackson was reelected President. He works as a Network Specialist for the district. Opal Okikiadi, Vice President, Frankie M. Drake, Secretary. She currently works as an Administrative Secretary. Marie Elena Ayala, and interpreter and translator for the district was elected Bilingual Secretary. Mohammad S. Islam, a payroll specialist was named Treasurer, Tala Sailele, a para educator and Marie Elena Ayala, grievance Officers and Margaret Thompson as Member at Large. CSEA is a 130-member union representing both current and retired classified employees of the school district. Elected officers serve for two years.
President - Randy Jackson
Patrick Heisinger was appointed the City of East Palo Alto’s Assistant City Manager on January 13.
Member at Large - Margaret Thompson
Secretary - Frankie Drake
Ravenswood Family Health Center is seeking board members Treasurer - Mohammad Islam Marie Elena Ayala, new Bilingual Secretary & grievance officer Tala Sailele, grievance officer
The Center is currently accepting applications on its website (ravenswoodfhc.org) to join its Board of Directors. The board is looking for new members from current Ravenswood patients or parents of current patients; persons working in local community organizations in East Palo Alto, the Belle Haven community in Menlo Park and Fair Oaks in Redwood City. Individuals passionate about improving the health of the community would be considered favorably.
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COMMUNITY
INSTRUCTIOINS:
• Find as many words as you can by linking letters, up, down, side-toside and diagonally, • Write words on a blank sheet of paper. • You may only use each letter in a box once within a single word. • Play with others and compare word finds. • Set your own point system awarding more points for words with more letters.
Find at least six names of local public agency leaders (First or last names). Leaders include City Managers, General Managers, i.e. all chief executive officers of agencies serving the communities of East Palo Alto and Menlo Park.
16 MARCH 2020 EL RAVENSWOO
COMMUNITY
Brentwood And Willow Oaks To Close - Willow Oaks May Become A KIPP Charter School
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fter months of discussions and several community meetings, the Ravenswood City School District board of directors finally decided on which two schools to close to avoid dire financial implications, largely attributable to the rapid decline in student enrollment. Brentwood and Willow Oaks are the two schools that will close at the end of the 2019-20 School Year. At its January 9 meeting, the board after exploring several alternatives, voted to accept the original proposal offered by district staff. The proposal called for Los Robles-Ronald McNair to remain at its current site as dual immersion; Brentwood and Costaño to merge and both locate to the Costaño site; Willow Oaks and Belle Haven to merge and both locate to the Belle Haven site; and the 49er Academy will
still relocate to the old Green Oaks School. No change is proposed for the middle school i.e., Cesar Chavez will remain as a middle school at its current location. The District, to address a Prop 39 Charter Request, has reportedly designated Willow Oaks School as the possible site for an expanded KIPP Charter School. KIPP Charter School, currently located at Ronald McNair School, requested a larger campus and the district is legally obligated to designate an appropriate school by February. The need to merge schools was influenced by the decreasing student enrollment due, according to district officials, to such factors as the high cost of living, forcing many families to leave the district, as well as the increased movement of students from public schools to charter schools and other
private schools in the area. Currently, the total student population of the district, according to staff reports to the Board, is at approximately 2,000 students down from over 4,000 a few years ago. This decreased enrollment has drastically impacted the district’s budget forcing the district to have to cut its budget by $1.35 million. Operating the district with five schools open and only 2,000 students was not an option and would have further exacerbated the district’s budget woes. The district, according to Gina Sudaria, the interim superintendent,
MARCH 2020 EL RAVENSWOOD 17
COMMUNITY
plans to continue to engage the community in planning and implementing a smooth transition. She told the board that she intends to implement transition activities such as “student and family visits to the new site this spring, social events at the new site, and playdates/meetups at the new campus during the summer.” During the transition, the district will also grapple with issues around how 18 MARCH 2020 EL RAVENSWOOD
students from the district would be assigned to the remaining schools, the projected enrollment and staffing at each school, and the reduction of administrative support staff as well as teachers. In an earlier meeting in December, Jim Lianides, former Superintendent of Sequoia Union High School District and Interim Business Official for the Ravenswood City School District, told
the board that the District would be able “to meet its financial obligations for the current year and the two out years 2020-21 and 2021-22 by proceeding with its plan to close two elementary schools, leasing out one of the empty sites and utilizing one-time former Redevelopment Agency funds as a bridge to support the budget through the current year and the two out years.”
COMMUNITY
About Covid-19 Referred To As ‘Coronavirus’ What is COVID-19? Novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is a new virus strain that originated in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. It has spread among humans since December 2019. COVID-19 is now the name of what is commonly being referred to as “coronavirus.” There have been previous coronavirus strains and four of them are responsible for the common cold, which is a mild respiratory illness. Some coronaviruses have caused more severe illness, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). When the virus first appeared, we did not know if COVID-19 would cause mild respiratory symptoms or more severe ones, which is why many countries developed significant efforts to contain the virus. Now that cases have been identified in the U.S. in people who have not traveled, we know that it may spread to our community. Fortunately, we know more about this virus now than we did before and national, state and local organizations are coordinating efforts to help with control. We need your help too! • By spreading appropriate and factual information, you can help control the spread of the virus. • Please share these resources with friends and family and have them practice the precautions below. What should I do if I think I have COVID-19? • For the protection of health care professionals and other patients, please call before coming to RFHC or urgent care facility so that a nurse can speak with you. There is currently no specific treatment for COVID-19, but your nurse can provide you with information and home care instructions that can help alleviate your symptoms. • If you have symptoms or are concerned about being sick, please stay at home and allow health
care professionals to address your concerns over the phone. How can I protect myself? The best thing you can do to protect yourself against COVID-19 is to avoid exposure. Here are some strategies from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on how to do that: • Avoid close contact with people who are sick. If possible, try to stay 6 feet away. • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. • Stay home when you are sick. • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. • Clean and disinfect frequently-touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe. • Follow the CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask: o The CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. o Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility). • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. o If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. o Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty. o If you will be visiting the clinic or other medical office for a
scheduled appointment, please do not bring with you anyone who is sick with cold and flu symptoms, including family members. • There is currently no vaccine available to prevent COVID-19 infection. Most cases of COVID-19 infection will be mild and will not require medical attention. For the most up to date information about COVID-19, see the CDC website. Can I get a test for COVID-19? Currently only the CDC and certain county Departments of Public Health have access to COVID-19 testing for individuals with specific symptoms. People without symptoms are NOT being tested for this virus. Ravenswood Family Health Center does NOT currently have access to testing kits and is, therefore, unable to test patients concerned about symptoms or exposure. Will I die if I get COVID-19? Most patients who get sick with COVID-19 will have very mild illness and will not need to see a medical provider or go to the hospital. At the time of this update, (March 4) approximately 3,000 people in the world have died from COVID-19. By comparison, this year, at least 18,000 people in the U.S. alone have died from the flu. Your risk from COVID-19 is much lower than that of the yearly flu virus. The best thing you can do to keep yourself and your family safe from illness in general is to get your flu shot. My child’s school was affected by COVID-19. What should I do? In addition to the above prevention steps, see the CDC’s information guide regarding COVID-19 in children. Can I get COVID-19 from packages delivered from China or other countries? No. Coronaviruses do not survive long on objects such as letters and packages. MARCH 2020 EL RAVENSWOOD 19
COMMMUNITY
Former Nairobi Shopping Center Site Bought by Largest East Palo Alto Residential Property Owner
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and Hill Property Company, the largest residential property owner in East Palo Alto, bought the approximately six-acre property at 1675 Bay Road, formerly occupied by the Nairobi Shopping Center and a site that has been a community eye sore for years. Sand Hill Properties sponsored a community meeting February 11 which was attended by approximately eighty members of the public and Sand Hill Property Company staff. Also attending were two council members, two Sanitary District Directors, and at least one member of the Ravenswood City School District Board. The meeting, according to Sand Hill Property Company officials, was intended to solicit public input on the future of the site known in city documents as the “Four Corner’s” site. Sand Hill Property came into East Palo Alto real estate in 2016 when it purchased through its subsidiary company, Woodside Communities, the problem-ridden properties formerly held by the defunct and bankrupt Page Mill Properties. The 1800-unit purchase included both apartment buildings and single-family residential units. Sand Hill Property Company was founded in 1988 by Peter and Susanna Pau as a real estate investment and development company. Mr. Pau was born in Shanghai, China and raised in Hong Kong. Ms. Pau was born and raised in Hong Kong. Peter and
20 MARCH 2020 EL RAVENSWOOD
Susanna have lived in the Silicon Valley area for the last 30 years. Sand Hill Property Company prides itself as a local, peninsula-based familyowned company. The former Nairobi Village Shopping Center site was previously owned by the Green Valley Corporation, a company associated with developer Barry Swenson. Sand Hill Property bought the company under a new Sand Hill
Properties subsidiary, Four Corners EPA Property LLC. Sand Hill has remained silent about the price at which the property was bought but local real estate companies have estimated that it was $42 million. The Nairobi Village Shopping Center was built in 1957 and once included Littleman’s Market among other stores. The Palo Alto Cooperative Market also occupied the space before the center
shut down. By 1981, most buildings had been destroyed and only a liquor store that was a community source of shame and embarrassment and an eyesore remained. The former shopping center was finally torn down in 1989. Attendees at the community meeting had an opportunity to provide information about the history of the property as well as to indicate what kinds of uses the facility should have. One old-time resident who now lives six months in East Palo Alto and six months in Alabama told El Ravenswood that when he came to East Palo Alto in the late sixties, there was a nightclub in the “Four Corners” called Check Mate. “The club showcased some of the best musical groups. I saw Tina Turner, the Whispers and Johnnie Taylor at the venue,” he said. Sand Hill Property Company officials indicated that they would be abiding with the two planning documents that included the Four Corners: the Ravenswood Four Corners Specific Plan and the updated City of East Palo Alto General PlanVista 2035. The East Palo Alto City Council began discussing the Four Corners Project as early as 1994. Then Mayor Sharifa Wilson and Vice Mayor Bill Vines, according to media reports, both saw the site as the next significant project after the approval of the now existing Ravenswood Retail Center. The next community meeting will be in March 2020.
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EPA Belle Haven Information Inc P.O. Box 50849 East Palo Alto, CA 94303
Please Find El Ravenswood At These Choice Locations Want to be an El Ravenswood distribution location? Please contact El Ravenswood at info@eastpaloaltoinformation.com EAST PALO ALTO Above All Insurance, 907 Newbridge Street # B; | Boys and Girls Club-East Palo Alto, 2031 Pulgas Avenue; | Brentwood School, 2086 Clarke Avenue; | Cesar Chavez & Green Oaks, 2450 Ralmar Avenue; | Ravenswood Child Development Center, 952 O’Connor Street, | Community Development Department, 1960 Tate Street; | Costano School, 2695 Fordham Street; | County Services Building-Lobby; 2415 University Avenue; | East Palo Alto Academy, 1040 Myrtle Street; | East Palo Alto Charter School, 1286 Runnymede Street; | East Palo Alto Phoenix Academy, 1039 Garden Street; | East Palo Alto Police Department, 141 Demeter Avenue; | East Palo Alto Senior Center, 560 Bell Street; | East Palo Alto YMCA, 550 Bell Street; | Ecumenical Hunger Program, 2411 Pulgas Avenue; Gregory’s Enterprise & Barber Shop, 1895 E. Bayshore Road; | Jones Mortuary, 660 Donohoe Street; | Oakwood Market, 2106 Oakwood Drive; | Peninsula Park Apartments, 1977 Tate Street; | Rainier’s Service Station, 1905 E. Bayshore Road; | Ravenswood City School District, 2130 Euclid Avenue; Ravenswood Family Health Center, 1885 Bay Road; | Ronald McNair School, 2033 Pulgas Avenue; | San Mateo Credit Union, 1735 Bay Road; | St Francis of Assisi, 1425 Bay Road; | St Johns Baptist Church, 1050 Bay Road; | Stanford Community Law Clinics, 2117 University Avenue; | Starbucks-East Palo Alto, 1745 East Bayshore Road;
MENLO PARK Belle Haven Library, 415 Ivy Drive; | Belle Haven School, 415 Ivy Drive; | Esquire Barber Shop, 830 Newbridge street; | Job Train, 1200 O’Brien Drive; | Jonathan’s Fish & Chips, 840 Willow Road; | Markstyle Barber Shop, 828 Willow Road; | Menlo Park City Hall, 701 Laurel Street; | Menlo Park Senior Center, 100 Terminal Avenue; | Mt Olive AOH Church of God, 605 Hamilton Avenue; | Project Read-Menlo Park, 800 Alma Street; | Tony’s Pizza, 820 Willow Road; | Tutti Frutti, 888 Willow Road; Willow Cleaners, 824 Willow Road; | Willow Oaks School, 620 Willow Road
