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the community can assemble for all kinds of events. She added that they are connected with the community and take pride in working with other merchants during regular street activities and at night. She noted that they support charitable groups, youth clubs, and soccer teams in Pleasanton, and run events regularly with the St. Andrew’s Society and Valley Community Society. Ms. Kennard explained that a pub in the British tradition is not like a bar, but more like a hub of a community place, and this is how she wants to be seen.She noted that in her original application six years ago, her intention was to have evening hours to provide music and dancing, initially on Fridays and Saturdays. She indicated that the building owner had invested in improving what was a beautiful, old building but in extremely poor repair, and she had invested in the interior of the building. She stated that she applied to serve breakfast in an effort to help gain back her investment but that she ceased that operation because it was not profitable. She explained that this is what led her to request to have the same hours of operation and to provide music on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. Ms. Kennard stated with the economy being currently dire, all the Downtown merchants are in survival mode and are doing what needs to be done to remain open until things turn around. She noted that dining is slow because people can cook at home; however, they are looking for places to assemble for entertainment such as Barone’s, where they can enjoy music and go dancing. She indicated that extending her operations on Wednesday and Thursday nights would allow her to expand her offerings to a younger crowd in the same way that the 30- to 45-year-old age group patronizes her establishment on Friday and Saturday nights. Ms. Kennard stated that she currently has 21 employees, mostly Pleasanton residents, down from the 50 people she originally employed. She requested the Commission to approve her application, which would allow her to fill the need, bring in sales tax revenue, and provide jobs to local residents. Commissioner Narum noted that Condition No. 4 of the original conditions indicates that the applicant shall maintain the area surrounding the restaurant, outdoor dining areas, etc. in a clean and orderly manner and that the applicant shall regularly monitor the area outside of the restaurant/bar to ensure peace and quiet. She asked Ms. Kennard if she had a plan and whether individuals were assigned to implement this condition. Ms. Kennard replied that the first job of her morning crew, specifically the dishwasher, is to survey the outside of the building, pick up litter, and sweep and tidy the area. She indicated that out of concern for the Finches’ property, her employees have gone up that far to pick up litter, which is a rare occurrence. She added that when she gets to work, she also walks the area to ensure this is being done, noting that she occasionally finds in the alleyway next to her restaurant or in the rear parking lot by the Finches, litter that did not come from her establishment or a beer bottle or can that she does not sell. She noted that at the end of every evening and at night after an event, her security staff also look around and perform a pick-up. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, November 18, 2009 Page 5 of 25