Business Retention and Development Committee Agenda and Packet 2013 10 07

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BRAD COMMUNICATION BRAD COMMITTEE SUBJECT: 2014 DOWNTOWN PATIO PROGRAM DISCUSSION DATE: SEPTEMBER 30, 2013 PRESENTED BY: AARON M. DEJONG, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUMMARY: Staff is requesting input into program guidelines for the 2014 downtown street patio season. BACKGROUND: The downtown patios were started by the Downtown Business Association (DBA) in 2009 as a way to create activity within the downtown area. The DBA ran the program until the start of the 2013 season. The existing patios were showing significant wear and needed reinvestment. The DBA was unable to continue the program, and seeing the benefits to the downtown, the City took over the program. DISCUSSION: Staff held a public meeting on September 9, 2013 and invited all downtown restaurants to attend. Representatives from 5 restaurants attended the meeting; Jim from Empire Lounge Adam from Melting Pot Pete from The Porch Deli Bob from B.O.B.S. Diner Patrick from the Bittersweet Café Staff walked through the proposed guidelines outlined above. Comments and concerns given at the meeting were: The timeframe the patios would be out was acceptable. The restaurants should not have to pay at all. It should be a benefit of being a downtown restaurant. The patios do not provide a significant increase to their sales. Some restaurants would like to have more patios available for their business. Some restaurants will likely not participate if a fee is charged. The rental fee of $720 per 12 foot patio is too high. If a fee is charged, the ‘first year free’ was appreciated. RECOMMENDATION: Staff has not formulated a recommendation at this time. Staff will present the results of the patio meetings to the City Council at a Council Study Session. 5