CC MIN 02152022 - Laserfiche WebLink

MOTION: It was m/s by Arkin/Narum to approve all 6 staff recommendations as recommended and as noted. Motion passed by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmembers Arkin, Narum, Testa, Mayor Brown Noes: None Absent: None Recused: Councilmember Balch Councilmember Balch returned to the meeting. Mayor Brown recessed the meeting at 9:16 p.m, and reconvened at 9:20 p.m. 15. Approve framework and estimated expenditures for Weekend on Main Street Closure Program in Downtown Pleasanton and allocate $100,000 event sponsorship to Pleasanton Downtown Association for 2022 programming Interim Assistant City Manager Pamela Ott reported the Weekend on Main Street Closure Program involved closing Main Street to vehicular traffic every weekend to provide merchants an opportunity to expand operations during the pandemic and attract visitors to downtown with an opportunity to social distance. The program, recommended by the Pleasanton Downtown Association (PDA), ran from June 19 to November 1, 2020, every weekend with Main Street closed from Del Valle Parkway to Old Bernal Avenue, including portions of Neal Street, and East Division Street. In 2021 the program returned from April 30 through Labor Day weekend based upon the PDA's recommendation. Interim Assistant City Manager Ott reported the Council directed staff to collaborate with the PDA to develop a future plan. An advisory group was formed involving a PDA retailer, restaurateur, and service business, and a resident of downtown and City at large. The input received included having the Weekend on Main closure once a month, having a window from Friday afternoons through Sunday evenings, having the event from May to October, only closing from the Main Street bridge to south of Old Bernal Avenue, and adding daytime programming to attract more patrons outside of typical dining windows for better retailer support opportunities. She added the advisory group landed on once a month instead of weekly to make the event feel more special. The general perspective of retailers is they have been negatively impacted by Weekend on Main but do understand and support it conceptually. She noted retailers would like the event to happen once a month from May to October, extending from the Main Street Bridge to Old Bernal Avenue, with street programming. Retailers strongly opposed Weekend of Main extending into November and December due to access to their storefronts during the holiday shopping season. Interim Assistant City Manager Ott reported the restaurateurs feel they have been positively impacted by Weekend on Main and value how it enlivens downtown. She added they support having Weekend on Main twice a month with an extension of the Sunday evening closure to 9 p.m. allowing for more evening diners. She reported restaurateurs want Weekend on Main to run from May to December, closure from the Main Street Bridge to Old Bernal Avenue, and street programming. She reported the community input was very positive for being pedestrian -oriented, offering expanded outdoor dining, and an opportunity to better enjoy downtown. Concerns from the community include access to businesses and lack of parking availability. Interim Assistant City Manager Ott stated some other considerations for the discussion include matters of traffic and circulation, including the rerouting of deliveries. She stated downtown residents found the closures impeded direct or convenient access to their homes, noting some can only access their City Council Minutes Page 10 of 16 February 15, 2022