REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Oliver Chi, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Oliver Chi, City Manager
Subject:
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***NEW ITEM*** Consideration of a temporary closure of the third block of Main Street to vehicular traffic to permit restaurants and select retail to serve patrons in the public right of way
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Statement of Issue:
On Wednesday, July 1, 2020, Gov. Newsom ordered indoor operations of restaurants, personal care services, hair salons, and other select businesses to cease in response to a recent increase in coronavirus cases statewide. While the City has developed a Temporary Emergency Use Permit program to help alleviate pressures on businesses looking to operate outdoors, in the Downtown area, given the physical environment, there are outdoor expansion limitations. To address this concern, on July 6, 2020, the City Council authorized the City Manager to temporarily close the 2nd block of Main Street to allow downtown businesses the opportunity to operate outdoors within the State's reopening guidelines.
The closure of the 2nd block of Main Street has been well received, and this week, the City received a request from the Downtown BID and merchants located on the 3rd block of Main Street. That request asks that the City consider expanding the Main Street closure up to the 3rd block of Main Street, between Orange Avenue and Olive Avenue. If authorized by the City Council, staff would close the block to vehicular access and coordinate a process through which businesses would be able to expand their operations into the street and public right of way.
Financial Impact:
The fiscal impact is minimal. City staff time will be required to process permit requests and also install safety bollards to close the third block to vehicular traffic.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
Authorize the City Manager to temporarily close the third block of Main Street.
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Alternative Action...
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