05052009 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Extended Bar Hours Task Force Meeting Notes April 10, 2009 Members in Attendance: City Council Member Chris Jones-Co Chair, City Manager Rick Menchaca, City Attorney Michael Cosentino, Assistant City Manager Laurie Anderson, Police Chief Howard Williams, Chuck Swallow- Development Services Director, Kelly Franks - Main Street Program Manager, Scott Gregson, Brian Montgomery, Sherwood Bishop, Pete Champion-TABC, Julie Eckert-Texas State University, and Stephanie Reyes-Assistant to the City Manager Not in attendance: City Council Member John Thomaides, Jill Johnstone-MADD, Allen Shy Chris Jones called the meeting to order. Chuck Swallow provided an overview on the total number of Conditional Use Permits (CUPs) in the City and Central Business Area. There are 68 total CUPs in the City, with 21 permits in the CBA of which 14 are unrestricted and 7 are restricted. Scott Gregson mentioned there are two potential tenants looking at space Downtown and he is sure there will be more requests for bars. He also mentioned Travis Kelsey, who owns the Tap Room, has said that the food and alcohol ratio attached to CUPs makes it more difficult for legitimate restaurants to succeed. Sean Patrick's is still having trouble meeting CUP requirements. Chris Jones said there needs to be a closer look outside of the Task Force's purview. He recommends asking the City Council to look at the ratio of bars and restaurants in the Downtown area and said he will talk with Mayor Narvaiz and City Council Member Thomaides as placing on a future City Council agenda for discussion. Michael Cosentino mentioned the City Council almost adopted 2 a.m. bar closing previously, but the issue was can the ordinance change once it is implemented. He said changes for 2 a.m. closing could be implemented for a short period with a review at the end of the timeframe. Kelly Franks noted that Downtown has had prospective restaurants looking to locate but were not interested in having to wait years before being allowed to sell alcohol. Scott Gregson said parking continues to be a problem and asked that the next Task Force agenda have an item to look at valet parking options. Rick Menchaca mentioned he has tried to contact someone from the Sanctuary Lofts but has not received a call back. He wants to inquire about using the Sanctuary Loft's extra parking spaces for Downtown employee parking. Scott Gregson suggested that perhaps the City could work something out with Frost Bank (70 plus spaces) to use their parking lot after business hours.