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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-20-2013 ac cash ss1Goodwin, Heather RECEIVED AUG 19 2013 From: Schroeder, Sheryll Sent: Monday, August 19, 2013 1:57 PM To: Goodwin, Heather Subject: FW: Red File Request Attachments: Councilmemo 8-20-13.pdf Sheryll Schroeder Interim City Clerk City of San Luis Obispo (805) 781-7102 From: Deborah Cash [mailto:dcashCadowntownsio.com] Sent: Monday, August 19, 2013 1:53 PM To: Schroeder, Sheryll Subject: Red File Request Sheryl], hello AGENDA CORRESPONDENCE Date � � tem#z5L , After receiving the staff report last Tuesday, our board and committees have had the chance to review and provide feedback. Attached please find a memo reflecting the Downtown Association position regarding the proposed moratorium on new alcohol outlets in the Downtown. If you can Red File this item to Council before tomorrow's meeting, I would greatly appreciate it. Let me know if you have any questions, Thank you Deborah Deborah Cash Executive Director SLO Downtown Association P O Box 1402 San Luis Obispo CA 93406 805-541-0286 dcashp_downtownslo.com 19 August 2013 RED FILE To: Mayor Jan Marx and City Council members From: Deborah Cash, Executive Director San Luis Obispo Downtown Association Re: Alcohol Outlet Moratorium and Annual Update on Deemed Approved Ordinance The Downtown Association Board of Directors is forwarding a reiteration of its position regarding the Council's consideration of an alcohol outlet moratorium in the Downtown area. In March, the Board issued a memorandum to Doug Davidson after Mr. Davidson's presentation of the item to the Board. That memo is attached and states that the Board would not approve an ordinance establishing a moratorium on new alcohol outlets in the Downtown. For one, because some of the Downtown Association's members are property owners, it would not be feasible for the organization to support regulations that limit the types of tenants property owners could lease or rent to. As well, it is the nature of the free marketplace that business sectors ebb and flow; even the best -intentioned legislation cannot anticipate the natural rhythm of business and can prove difficult to modify or remove once adopted. With regard to the annual review of the Deemed Approved Ordinance, the Downtown Association would like to provide highlights of the past year's efforts of the Food, Beverage and Service Committee (formerly Safe Night Life): The Committee, formed in September 2011, meets monthly with a core group of members (typically 8 — 10) with occasional "special" meetings to review membership drives, special activities and other topics outside standard discussion items such as providing services for "high activity" celebrations (most recently Cal Poly Graduation), member updates, police logs and developing a two-year work plan (attached). Achievements of the committee include (in part): • Working with SLO Safe Ride to provide transportation to late night users of Downtown Association • Working with alcohol outlet owners to ensure all employees are LEAD certified through ABC • Providing "peer advisory" service to members • Providing porta potties, clean up crews, extra trash pick up and security on high acitivity weekends • Inviting City Department representatives to attend meetings and give updates on related issues • Including objectives in the recently released Strategic Plan for further development of the entertainment district It is important to note that while the staff report indicates an increase in incidences, this increase is likely attributable to the increase in enforcement and not necessarily an increase in activity. As well, the report indicates no complaints were filed against alcohol outlet operators over the past year. The Downtown Association believes that in large part, the perception of a crisis is truly that —perception; the reality is that Downtown is a college town with a high level of activity but is not on the verge of ruination. In fact, opportunities abound for an evening economy that would offer more choices for people to enjoy the Downtown area well into the later hours. Many models exist of communities who've turned their problem areas into success stories. As an example, "..,in the city's downtown, sidewalk cafes sit in the shade of 19th century mansions. Designers have turned a long -abandoned shopping arcade into the Belgrade Design District where indie boutiques sell draped dresses and punk -inspired jewelry. On summer weekends, the streets of hipper neighborhoods are as full at 3 AM as at 8 PM. You might have to wait hours for a table at the waterfront restaurants, but never mind, the spicy Serbian wines served at the bars will keep you occupied." [Wall Street Journal, Travel Guide to Belgrade, Serbia, August 17, 2013] In other words, enjoying life at night is something people around the world love to do. The idea would be do look at how to cultivate such a scene and where problems exist, define those and how to best mitigate them —which is exactly what our efforts in both the Food, Beverage and Service Committee and our 2013 Strategic Business Plan are poised to do. The Board respectfully request that Council consider the possibilities and the work being done to move in a direction that will keep Downtown and our community vibrant, interesting and alive and not adopt an ordinance that could likely reverse the positive momentum we are currently enjoying. CC: SLO Downtown Association Board of Directors SLO Downtown Association Food, Beverage and Service Committee Katie Lichtig, City Manager Derek Johnson, Community Development Manager Doug Davidson, Deputy Director Community Development Attachments: 11 March 2013 Memo, "Moratorium on Alcohol Outlets" Food, Beverage and Services Committee Two Year Work Plan 2013-15 11 March 2013 To: Doug Davidson, Deputy Community Development Director From: Deborah Cash, Executive Director San Luis Obispo Downtown Association Re: Moratorium on Alcohol Outlets The San Luis Obispo Downtown Association Board of Directors recently voted to not support a proposed moratorium on alcohol outlets. It is the position of the Board that the organization's charge does not include regulating the types of businesses and tenants who may choose to locate in Downtown. Further, from a historical perspective, business trends indicate that the products and services of one era may differ from consumer demands later on —particularly once a critical mass is achieved —outmoding the regulation. Finally, the efforts of the Downtown Association's Food, Beverage and Services Committee (formerly Safe Night Life) continue to grow and reduce impacts associated with alcohol outlet activity. Because it appears it is the problem behaviors associated with alcohol outlets and not the actual number of outlets, allowing this program to expand and work with operators to run safe and responsible establishments may be justification for foregoing yet another, perhaps unnecessary, regulation. Cc: SLO Downtown Association Board of Directors SLO Downtown Association Economic Activities Committee SLO Downtown Association Food, Beverage and Services Committee Kathy Smith, City Council Katie Lichtig, City Manager Derek Johnson, Community Development Director FOOD, BEVERAGE AND SERVICES COMMITTEE (Formerly Safe Night Life Committee) Two -Year Work Plan 2013-2015 Mission Statement The Food, Beverage and Services Committee was formed to join together the owners and operators of businesses providing food and beverages to ensure the safety and well-being of patrons and the community and to responsibly promote the vitality of Downtown during the evening and late night hours. Goals • To reduce problems or the perception of problems associated with late night activity in the Downtown as identified in the Nightlife Public Safety Assessment Report by undertaking those recommendations identified as related to those establishments that sell or serve alcohol • To obtain LEAD training/certification by all establishment owners, operators, servers and staff To provide, through messaging, education to the general public— particularly the student population —regarding awareness of alcohol -related issues • To maintain close and regular communication with City of SLO departments including PD, Administration, Public Works and also City Council • To develop a solid organizational structure of regular meetings and follow an operating plan agreed upon by all parties • To include community input and feedback by inviting guests from all walks of the community including neighborhoods, university, Chamber of Commerce, and other civic and governmental agencies as appropriate to attend meetings Programs • One 86 — All 86 ■ Enjoy Downtown Responsibly • Porta potties • DT Cleaning ABC LEAD Training • SLO Safe Ride • DT Lighting • Membership Drive • Peer Advisory NOTE: This committee's membership is primarily comprised of restaurant and bar owners in Downtown SLO, or anyone who holds a permit to sell alcohol. Other parties with affiliations such as SLO Safe Ride are also included if they choose to join. The committee meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 11 AM. A board member chairs and the Executive Director staffs the committee. Budget: Members pay dues to support the costs of the committee's activities including bringing in porta potties, hiring a cleaning crew, generating and distributing promotional materials, etc.