14. 21-0287
Consideration of a Fee for the Use of Temporary Street Encroachment Areas of the Public Right-of-Way (PROW) for COVID-19 Purposes (Community Development Director Tai).
APPROVE
I fully support outdoor dining and hope it continues. When looking at the lost parking revenue, I wonder if the City considered the additional sales tax revenue it receives from the additional restaurant tables? Dining patrons might also shop before/after their meal, so additional sales tax revenue may be realized. Therefore, looking at the downtown business area as a whole, before/after Covid, should be considered.
I think any conversation on the use of the ROW should include plans to finance the replacement of the parking decks, which we all know need replaced and there is no identified revenue source that will be sufficient to fund. Also, please reference the schedule of RRF funding I forwarded you earlier. You need to decide the extent the use of the ROW is perhaps an unnecessary subsidy to businesses vs. a desired community amenity with obvious trade-off/opportunity costs.
I fully support outdoor dining and hope it continues. When looking at the lost parking revenue, I wonder if the City considered the additional sales tax revenue it receives from the additional restaurant tables? Dining patrons might also shop before/after their meal, so additional sales tax revenue may be realized. Therefore, looking at the downtown business area as a whole, before/after Covid, should be considered.
I think any conversation on the use of the ROW should include plans to finance the replacement of the parking decks, which we all know need replaced and there is no identified revenue source that will be sufficient to fund. Also, please reference the schedule of RRF funding I forwarded you earlier. You need to decide the extent the use of the ROW is perhaps an unnecessary subsidy to businesses vs. a desired community amenity with obvious trade-off/opportunity costs.