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445 item 5b Actions Taken by the Design Review Board and Planning Commission at their meeting of December 14, 1988 Mr. Swift presented his report (IR 88:94) dated December 15, 1988, regarding this matter. No action was required or taken by Council on the item. MATTERS INITIATED BY COUNCILMEMBERS item 6a Encourage the Location of Restaurants in the Downtown Area Mayor Mercer presented the report of the Sewer Committee which sets forth alternatives to encourage restaurants in the downtown by assisting with the sewer connection fees. He stated if there is any interest by Councilmembers then this matter can be scheduled as a public hearing to allow for consideration of additional information and public testimony. Councilmember Butler stated that restaurants were the focus of this discussion because of the area involved and because they have a much larger connection fee due to their usage. The sewer Committee felt that restaurants in the downtown area should be encouraged and envisioned in the Specific Plan. The report sets forth options, however, he personally thinks that the option to reduce the fees by 50% for restaurants locating in the downtown with other users making up the difference would be difficult to get involved with and would require public hearings both in the City and the District. To have the City loan money for these fees for a fixed period of time would only involve the City; he felt a short term loan over 3-5 years might be a good use of City funds to encourage business downtown. Councilmember Brandes stated he felt this is an excellent idea and that it should be thoroughly looked into at this time. He favored Options 1, 3, and 4 of the report and would support further input. Councilmember Mohr felt Council is heading in the right direction to bring restaurants and pedestrian trade to the downtown. Councilmember Tarver stated the intent is a good one. He felt the option of a loan process is a good one, he is not sure about the other options. Councilmember Brandes stated he would like to know what other cities are doing relative to this matter; he would also like to know if there will be a time frame for the assistance. Mrs. Bev Davis, President of the Chamber of Commerce, stated the Chamber is extremely interested in the referenced subject, however, due to the short time prior to the Council meeting they have not been able to consider the matter in detail nor process it through the Board of Directors to take a position of support or opposition. She requested this matter be continued until the - 5 - 12-20-88