CC MIN 01042022 - Laserfiche WebLink

Mayor Brown acknowledged City Council did not give staff direction on how to handle this issue, noting how it could impact adjacent parklets differently than parklets with the need for a wheel stop at both ends. Associate Planner Campbell advised staff wanted to bring this complication to the City Council's attention. She reported either option to account for the varying length of parking spaces would work from the staff's perspective. She advised using 18 feet across the board could slightly simplify the process. Councilmember Balch suggested a 21-foot maximum so when there is a 24-foot spot or two 24-foot spots together, the wheel stop can be on the dividing line between spaces and not into the adjacent spot. In response to Councilmember Narum, Traffic Engineer Mike Tassano clarified there is no set standard for when to have an 18-foot space as opposed to a 24-foot space. He advised typically 18-foot spaces are at the end of a block and noted sometimes there will be two of them depending on the distance to the street corner. Traffic Engineer Tassano responded to Councilmember Balch's earlier inquiry by stating the 21-foot option would work where 24-foot spaces are adjacent. He explained the City Council can decide where the length limit should be set, but noted putting the wheel stops into adjacent spaces is something staff can work with. In response to Councilmember Arkin, Traffic Engineer Tassano reported there are only one or two locations where an eight-foot parklet drops the road to only 12 feet of vehicular driving space, bringing motorists close to either the middle line or the parklet. In response to Councilmember Arkin, City Attorney Sodergren clarified as a part of the permitting process for a parklet the City would require an indemnity provision and insurance from the business owner. Councilmember Testa noted her only feedback on wheel stops is to allow the businesses to maximize their parklet size. She advised her recollection from the last meeting staff recommended extending the current parklet removal deadline as opposed to moving up the pre-approved design deadline and this was not done. She expressed disappointment this did not happen along with an ability to work individually with restaurants. She reported residents prefer to sit outside during this spike in COVID-19 infections and the City is requiring parklets to be removed at a time outdoor dining is needed. She advised her recollection for case-by-case grandfathering of existing parklets being discussed at the last meeting but not tonight. In response to Councilmember Testa, Associate Planner Campbell confirmed moving forward street maintenance will be able to be performed with the new parklets in place. In response to Councilmember Testa, Interim City Manager Dolan clarified staff heard the City Council's direction was for all parklets to be removed by January 7. He clarified the flexibility on a case- by-case basis exists with a design review. He reported it has been a long time since tree and street maintenance has been performed, requiring thorough cleaning. He advised staff has very little confidence any existing parklets will meet the new guidelines, requiring significant reconstruction, so accommodating just a couple of them while performing the cleaning is not fair. Councilmember Testa advised it is not about accommodating restaurants, but rather accommodating residents in a time of the pandemic. She lamented not having this discussion earlier noting many parklets have already been removed and the timeline decision unfortunate. City Council Minutes Page 6 of 10 January 4. 2022