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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcoa.cclc.min.070214 Commercial Core & Lodging Commission Minutes of July 2, 2014 Vice-chair, Riley Tippet called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. Commissioners in attendance were: Bill Dinsmoor, Kiki Raj, Don Sheeley, Siam Castillo, Fred Ayarza and Terry Butler. Hana Pevny was absent. Staff: Dan Nelson, Parks Superintendent Linda Manning, City Clerk Dan said he is super busy prepping for the fourth of July. Dan said the irrigation will be fixed for the roundabout and Mayor Skadron is adding wildflowers for more color planted likely this fall for a spring bloom. Fred said the floor/grass area during food and wine worked well. Dan said some people didn't like it. Dan said the white vented floor will be rotated like a rug for next year because people want it to look better. Vendors/people would love to see green not white, but the grass needs to breathe so a rotation with the white vented floor is necessary. Riley commented on the success of the new rubber padded separation between Hops and Finnbarr's which gives access to all outdoor areas more easily. Linda provided information on Saturday market. She pointed out how Amber is a 2nd floor business. Kiki pointed out how Amber's building has no first floor and how it's on the Parlor level not the second floor and only 5 steps up. Siam agreed that since Amber's building has no first floor, the "Parlor level" should be considered the first floor to be fair. Kathy clarified the rules through Linda: Stores on Hopkins were allowed to have clear space in front of their shop during the market, but if they wanted to be in market, they had to pay in January to sell from the street and would need to have a tent and a nice looking display. Commercial Core & Lodging Commission Minutes of July 2, 2014 Considering these 3 stores are in violation of the market rules as they are selling from the street, Linda said Kathy offered these options to the board for Sugar, Twinkle and Amber's Consignment store. Denial of selling to Amber's as she's not on street level. Ability for everyone to sell if they pay the market fee like everyone else, provided they clean up their display and make things look nice and there is enough room for everyone. Bill pointed out that the stores are not exercising an approved use of the clear space as they have not applied to sell from the street. Kiki pointed out that Amber is splitting many hairs: She was allowed display only, no application to sell; no owner selling; no employee selling and not a nice looking display. Siam said she would like to allow the stores to pay now and sell for the summer if they wish to. Michelle from Twinkle said she wishes to sell from the street and is struggling, she is willing to pay the market fee if needed, but it would be a strain. The board saw photos of the 3 stores "display" areas and Fred felt it looked too "garage sale" for the market. Siam felt Amber's and Twinkle looked ok, but Sugar's messy tee shirt table was unacceptable. Fred said the rules are the rules and anyone who wishes to sell needs to apply and pay in January like everyone else. Siam and Fred wished Kathy was present to comment on the comprehension of the details of the rules of these stores. Siam and Fred mentioned they both walked around with Kathy Saturday and heard about the infractions. Siam said she believes the stores most likely didn't understand the exact details of the limitations of their selling rights and didn't necessarily break the rules intentionally. The board decided to keep things "status quo" meantime and to allow Sugar, Twinkle and Amber to keep things "as is" until we can meet and discuss Commercial Core & Lodging Commission Minutes of July 2, 2014 things directly with Kathy, provided they clean things up and make them look nice, until we can make a firm decision on how to solve this problem. Riley walked the outdoor mall space with Steve Barwick in an effort to improve the arrangement for next year. Riley commented on the effectiveness of the new walkway through to reach the restaurants more directly and the maximum space is 170'. Fred mentioned Escobar had a TV outside and they were told not to and it may have returned. Riley said a new walkway is going through to make the mall function better. Riley said there is 585 square feet for each Restaurant for next year allowing a maximum of four restaurants. Kiki said we should create an overall density maximum of seats for each restaurant. Kiki said Hops operated within the rules. They are a good example of a need to set limits as they super packed their area with chairs and no board members like the look. Riley found that because of the space limit in the Hyman mall, our maximum business allowance for next year would be four restaurants only. Riley and Kiki believe the restaurant general guide referencing maximum occupancy is important to use but the exact number is yet to be determined. Dan said the businesses on the mall are running cords from their own power outlets and have worked with the Parks Dept. to run the cords under brick to supply the power. Dan said this is a quick fix, but unfortunately the big electrical redo on the mall has been tabled by City Council. CCLC agreed the mall leases should continue to allow lighting. Kiki said she wants the lighting to be standardized. Bill and Fred agreed this just makes sense. Bill said we should have a rule of maximum lumens per square foot. Commercial Core & Lodging Commission Minutes of July 2, 2014 Kiki said we shouldn't allow up lighting at all in order to preserve the dark skies. Riley recommended we speak to Engineering to find what the limits are, Kiki thinks we should allow less than is allowed. Dan mentioned there is still an issue with watering the Hops patrons twice a day with the sprinklers and he's getting complaints. Dan said he no longer has to climb over patrons to water because it's July and thankfully spring has passed. The board decided it's ok to have outdoor heaters and Dan pointed out they need to be on a flat brick surface and free of tree branches. We are waiting to hear back from the Fire Dept. regarding approval standards. Bill said there are some basic guidelines we can use regarding tables and chairs. No wood, metal or plastic and they need to be stackable and have rules for table height and size. The CCLC feels the bar size is fine to allow restaurants to decide themselves. The board discussed getting umbrellas standardized also. Perhaps the City should invest in a big sail umbrella. Riley mentioned the mall change ideas regarding standardizing chairs; umbrellas; tables etc. are vast and would be a big project. Riley asked how we should determine which restaurants are allowed on the mall for next year. Kiki recommended a weighted lottery allowing for basement restaurants. The board feels whomever wins the lottery space, should have to use it themselves, they can't sell it or transfer it on and it will not carry over if the business closes. Terry felt the lottery should rotate in fairness to allow for whomever didn't win the year before. Commercial Core & Lodging Commission Minutes of July 2, 2014 Riley said this may not work as the lease should be for 3 years if they are to invest in all the furniture. Kiki said another way we can structure is first come first serve. Creating a sign up a year before at midnight for example. Bill asked what would happen if people wanted less space, Kiki and Siam felt no one would want less than allowed. MOTION: Don moved to adjourn, second by Fred. All in favor, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 10:00 a.m. "25 J/7.