05052009 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Rick Menchaca pointed out that when analyzing alternative parking options, we have to consider how far people are willing to walk and ensure the route is safe. Kelly Franks stated that she hears a lot about ADA accessibility. Sherwood Bishop discussed that he stills hears the desire to protect the diversity of Downtown businesses to keep it from turning into another Sixth Street. Chris Jones proposed that the Task Force recommend no changes to current CUPs and look at the effect 2 a.m. bar closing has after a six-month period. Sales receipts will determine if 2 a.m. bar closing has pushed sales above the 50% requirement. Michael Cosentino noted that CUPs are currently tracked on a rolling 9-month period so if the business goes over the 50% requirement for one month, it should not be considered a violation. Chuck Swallow added that the way the CUP requirements are currently written allow for a six- month review period without penalty. Brian Montgomery said if we want to encourage people Downtown then need to look at a model to see what we need to do to get the type of restaurants we want to recruit for Downtown. Chris Jones asks the City Manager to put a discussion item on a future City Council agenda to talk about how the City Council wants the makeup of Downtown to look like in terms of the number of bars and restaurants. He mentioned that perhaps there is clarification provided in the Downtown Master Plan. Task Force agrees that active CUPs should be left alone for now and recommends that the City Council review in 6 months. The Committee also agrees that changes to the number of bars allowed to locate in the Downtown area is a policy issue which would require City Council direction. Chief Williams began to discuss taxi services currently available Downtown. He said there are two cab companies but he is not sure about the number of drivers. When he talked with one of the cab companies about making changes if 2 a.m. bar closing is implemented, the owner said he might add another vehicle if there was a demand. He said there is not enough business to commit to stay open past 7 p.m. The taxi ordinance prohibits them from trolling and only requires them to be available until 7 p.m. Anything different would require a City ordinance change. Chief Williams said the cab companies are willing to discuss this further with the Task Force. Sherwood Bishop indicated that before it seemed like taxis avoid Downtown because they do not want to pick up inebriated people but now it seems like they avoid Downtown because the Ordinance does not allow trolling and they don't have a cab stand. Brian Montgomery said there are older adults who want to do the right thing but cabs avoid Downtown. Chief Williams pointed out that cab companies cannot refuse service to an orderly customer