CC MIN 02152022 - Laserfiche WebLink

Mayor Brown closed the public hearing. Councilmember Balch stated the pendulum has swung back a little bit from the past two years but the challenges are real. He noted downtown parking has been very packed lately. He expressed concerns about the non-active use between traditional meal windows, stressing the need for programming to keep people around. He stated downtown cannot only be for restaurants. He would like to see it at least twice a month but noted this is a steppingstone, echoing public comments about not wanting to dine around moving cars. Councilmember Balch moved to approve staff recommendation but added going through December could work as a compromise and the Hometown Holiday Parade would be an outstanding back -end anchor point. He called for additional signage. He added there should be a prohibition on parklet construction during the Weekend on Main period. In response to Mayor Brown, Councilmember Balch agreed with having staff handle the barriers due to cost. Mayor Brown requested that it be part of the motion. Councilmember Balch amended his motion to incorporate the staff -only option. Councilmember Testa reported many restaurant owners feel like twice a month is a sufficient compromise. She agreed every weekend is too negative of an impact on retailers. She added twice -a - month also allows for bimonthly Concerts in the Park on the other two weekends. She reported speaking to a staffer at Baci Cafe and Wine Bar saying downtown had become a destination and reported business is down 30% without Weekend on Main and added all restaurants want at least bimonthly as reflected in the staff report. She stated restaurants have had to turn away diners without the parklets and closures and twice a month is a fair compromise to support retailers. Councilmember Balch stated he would also prefer bimonthly but expressed concerns there would be sufficient programming based upon comments from staff and the PDA. Councilmember Testa stated reducing to once a month for the PDA is not necessary. She requested to make a substitute motion. City Attorney Sodergren clarified the need for a motion and a second on the original motion before there can be a substitute motion. Councilmember Narum seconded Councilmember Balch's motion. Councilmember Testa made a substitute motion to have Weekend on Main on the first and third weekends of every month from May through December with the City handling the barriers for cost reasons. In response to Mayor Brown, Interim Assistant City Manager Ott noted Weekend on Main creates costly overtime pay and doing it bimonthly would necessitate using outside vendors. Councilmember Testa's substitute motion failed for lack of a second. Councilmember Narum agreed bimonthly would be nice but they have to be realistic with what the PDA can handle. She added Main Street cannot survive with restaurants alone, stressing the importance of its retailers and service businesses. She noted the advisory group the Council asked staff to assemble put a lot of work into the recommendation and it should be honored, along with the PDA's wishes. Councilmember Arkin stated she loves the closures, but they need to support all downtown merchants. She added retailers are struggling and the recommendation by staff and the PDA is a good City Council Minutes Page 13 of 16 February 15, 2022