HomeMy WebLinkAbout5/22/2020 Item 1, McMasters
To:CityClerk
Subject:Business Item 1 - Open SLO Plan, May 22, 2020 Agenda
I am writing this in support of the Open SLO Plan to to allow restaurants and other private businesses to use select areas
of City streets and Right-of-Ways, in order to expand their business area to accommodate public health
recommendations related to COVID for distancing. I have tried to support local restaurants by ordering "take-out",
however I will be very cautious before going back to dining inside. I am much more likely to dine at a restaurant if
outside dining is offered.
These are unusual times and I think it is completely reasonable to be adaptable and flexible as a City and work
collaboratively with the business community to see what practices need to be changed to improve opportunities to
continue and possibly recoup lost business. We are blessed with consistent good weather and should take advantage of
this factor especially going into the longer days of summer. While staff has done a good job evaluating the plan,
undoubtedly there will be issues, problems, and new (good) ideas as the program is rolled out. My recommendation
would be to create a rapid feedback loop with City staff and representatives of the Downtown Association/business
community that would include empowerment to enact changes without having all decisions return to the
Council. Perhaps Council review could be in the form of a regular update to the Council at their regular meetings.
I look forward to supporting more of our local businesses in a (safe) outdoor environment.
Thank you for considering this plan.
Steve McMasters
San Luis Obispo, CA
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