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Councilmember Sullivan questioned when that task force would convene, and Mr. Fialho <br />explained that it was dependent upon the completion of the General Plan and adoption of the <br />Staples Ranch Specific Plan, both of which may happen as soon as April. <br />Councilmember McGovern asked how many loans are currently out on the Downtown Design <br />Assistance Loan Program, and Ms. Ott said there are none. Councilmember McGovern worried <br />that there is something wrong with a program that no one takes advantage of. She asked how <br />much the General Fund puts forth for this sort of program. Mr. Fialho explained that the funds <br />are not earmarked until there is an active loan coming forward. These programs were previously <br />funded by block grants which are no longer available. Councilmember McGovern suggested <br />putting forth a pot of money and seeing what types of loans are requested, adding that $10,000 <br />may not be sufficient. <br />Councilmember McGovern confirmed that the EVC has focused on retail, restaurants, and <br />entertainment businesses because they are looking for pedestrian friendly businesses. Ms. Ott <br />added that the Economic Development Strategic Plan specifically calls out the recognition of the <br />value of entertainment and recreation activities. <br />Councilmember Thorne invited public comment <br />Peter MacDonald expressed displeasure over the idea of a first-floor only retail ordinance and <br />noted that the idea was previously rejected in 1992 and 2000. He pointed out that since 1992 <br />retail sales in the downtown area have grown by over 300% while growing less than 100% city- <br />wide. He said that he understands the need to discuss this, but cautioned that business owners <br />would respond much better to a slowly evolving discussion on the topic and urged the Council to <br />instead consider issues on which there is a consensus, such as a right-to-do-business <br />ordinance. <br />Councilmember Sullivan asked if the PDA has discussed first-floor retail only since 2000. Mr. <br />MacDonald said that it has come up at various times and has been on the Downtown Vitality <br />Committee agenda quite a lot recently. <br />Councilmember McGovern asked if the PDA has ever looked closely at the relationship between <br />square footage and the land available for downtown expansion. She suggested developing <br />goals that specify a percentage of square footage dedicated to types of businesses and to <br />create a strategic plan for the entire downtown area. She noted that the number one public <br />comment she hears is in regard to the excessive bank presence. Mr. MacDonald said that has <br />come up in recent discussions but that there are a lot of concerns over implementation. <br />Councilmember McGovern said the lack of evident goals is her primary concern for the <br />downtown area. She expressed additional concern that without these goals, it is difficult to <br />guarantee that any funding participation on the part of the City is on the same path as the PDA. <br />Mr. MacDonald said that there are common goals but different roles and that in order to define <br />the terms of what would make a successful downtown, further discussion is necessary. <br />Councilmember McGovern said that she feels that opportunity has been given, but to no avail <br />and added her hopes that tonight's discussion could act as a springboard for further exploration. <br />Mr. MacDonald encouraged her to offer her expertise at a Downtown Vitality Committee <br />meeting. <br />City Council Minutes Page 7 of 11 January 20, 2009 <br />