CCMIN 07202021 - Laserfiche WebLink

Councilmember Balch offered a friendly amendment for enforcing the three-hour parking on Main Street. Mayor Brown clarified there is signage on the streets for three-hour parking so it can be enforced. City Manager Fialho advised he needs clarification on the motion. He believes the motion was to extend the pop-ups through December 31, 2021, and to review design guidelines through the Planning Commission and City Council to administer at the staff level. The pop-ups would come down on that date and staff would bring a set of guidelines for City Council approval that allows individual restaurants to submit applications and obtain permits, for more permanent looking parklets. In response to Councilmember Arkin, City Manager Fialho advised the spirit of the motion is that staff will work with businesses to address size and aesthetics, but the reality is most things will not change until December 31, 2021. He confirmed the pop-ups started in summer 2020 during the height of the pandemic and businesses were informed that it was not a permanent solution. Councilmember Arkin expressed concern that extending to December will impact the non-restaurant retailers. She wants the restaurants to succeed but not at the expense of the other retailers. She will support the alternative solution recommended by the staff of extending through October. Councilmember Balch stated he understood that the extension would require people to come into greater compliance with aesthetics, size, and safety. Councilmember Narum agreed with Councilmember Balch's comments but noted that staff does not have guidelines to impose. City Manager Fialho noted the weight of the City is leverage enough to make the changes on the public right of way and acknowledges the challenges staff may run into. Mayor Brown remarked that if retailers want to keep their free space they will need to work and comply with the City. City Manager Fialho stated the City has the flexibility to respond to any resurgence of COVID as they did 18 months ago. Staffs biggest concern is that regardless of the date there will need to be a reset from temporary pop-ups into something more attractive and representative of Pleasanton. Mayor Brown expressed concern regarding the impact on retailers at Christmas. MOTION: It was m/s by Narum/Testa to extend the temporary pop-up program for the restaurants through the end of the year and request staff to review the pop-ups for aesthetics, size consistent with their frontage on Main Street, and safety. Motion passed by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmembers Balch, Narum, Testa, Mayor Brown Noes: Arkin Absent: None Councilmember Balch expressed hopes the staff can work with the Planning Commission and the Economic Vitality Commission to come up with a structure for future pop-ups and they become available in 2022 with a permit for uniformity. He would support city-owned parklets on side streets to add to the breadth and depth of Main Street. He moved that the City develop design guidelines for seasonal or permanent parklets privately available to lease, rent, or manage to be implemented in 2022. Councilmember Narum seconded the motion. City Manager Fialho clarified they will be private parklets that are permitted by the City. Councilmember Narum requested an amendment to the motion to request staff evaluate in conjunction with the PDA Public Parklets on side streets. Councilmember Balch accepted the amendment and noted this presumes that the parking transportation corridor is coming online to increase parking downtown. City Council Minutes Page 9 of 14 July 20, 2021