CC MIN 01042022 - Laserfiche WebLink

Councilmember Arkin reported the City needs time for maintenance. She advised some businesses have already removed their parklets so if they change the January 7 deadline now it is not fair to those who have removed their parklets. Councilmember Testa stated the City is making a mistake by shutting down outdoor dining at this time. Councilmember Balch noted they already extended the temporary pop-ups well past the original plan's ending date. He advised Pleasanton deserves high-quality parklets and agreed they are in a middle ground situation due to many pop-ups already being removed, but the City has to clean the streets. He explained it is a health and safety issue due to potential infestations. He noted this is the right time on a calendar to redo the parklets due to the colder season. Councilmember Narum reported the City Council set a deadline and almost every pop-up is already gone accordingly so it would be unfair to change it now. She noted how much better Main Street looks without some of the more poorly-constructed pop-ups, but it is also obvious the City needs to clean the street. She advised the City needs to proceed forward with maintenance and have the parklets come back in a few months with a good design to fit the City. She supported sticking to the plan and removing the parklets on January 7. Councilmember Testa noted the cleaning is ambiguous because they will be able to clean without full removal in the future. She agreed the City deserves a higher quality of pop-ups. She advised it is ridiculous to think something could be up-and-running again in two weeks if the County has another shutdown. She lamented the conversation was not clearer at the last meeting relative to her understanding there would be more case-by-case flexibility. She acknowledged she stands alone but advised she cannot support the timing. Mayor Brown acknowledged the dais agreed the temporary pop-ups were unsightly but noted the pop- ups had been extended several times despite comments about the need to clean the streets. She advised the City is ready to turn the corner and make the parklets look like they should in Pleasanton. She agreed downtown looks better now without them and also there is a renewed visibility for the retail establishments on Main Street hidden from view by some of the larger temporary parklets. She supported moving forward with the proposed calendar and noted individual businesses could go through a design review process if they do not wish to wait. Councilmember Arkin noted that postponing the removal date would also postpone the needed maintenance and possibly the release date for the City's pre-approved designs, along with the March 1 date for design-reviewed parklets to be reinstalled. She advised she would rather have the new parklets ready for the start of spring when the outdoor dining weather is better. Mayor Brown moved to approve the staff's proposed timeline. Councilmember Balch seconded the motion. MOTION: It was m/s by Brown/Balch to approve the timing of the parklet program as recommended and as noted. Motion passed by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmembers Arkin, Balch, Narum, Mayor Brown Noes: Councilmember Testa Absent: None MATTERS INITIATED BY COUNCIL Mayor Brown advised the City flew its flags at half-staff in recognition of Mr. Maddens recent passing. She requested having a banner under the Pleasanton arch in tribute to Mr. Madden for the upcoming week. The dais unanimously expressed their support. City Council Minutes Page 9 of 10 January 4. 2022