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Home My WebLink AboutDowntown Image Committee - Approve recommendations related t Council/Agency Meeting Held: Deferred/Continued to: �f-Ap. ov d ❑ Conditionally Approved ❑ Denied � Ci Cle k' ignatu e Council Meeting Date: 8/17/2009 Department ID Number: ED 09-51 CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION SUBMITTED TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS SUBMITTED BY: CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS DON HANSEN, JOE CARCHIO, AN DEVIN DWYERo � ' Y PREPARED BY: STANLEY SMALEWITZ, DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUBJECT: RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE DOWNTOWN IMAGE COMMITTEE Statement of Issue,Funding Source, Recommended Action,Alternative Action(s),Analysis, Environmental Status,Attachment(s) Statement of Issue: On December 15, 2008, the City Council established an Ad Hoc Committee to focus on improving the environment in the downtown area during the summer months, holidays, and weekend nights. The Downtown Image Committee has met monthly since February 2009 to study the various issues. Some of the recommendations will be brought back to the Council with the Downtown Specific Plan. Funding Source: Not Applicable. Recommended Action: Motion to: 1. Direct the City Attorney and Chief of Police to make necessary amendments to the Entertainment Permit and modify the Fee Resolution regarding penalties; 2. Direct Planning, Community Services, Public Works and Economic Development to review existing policies and activities as recommended by Council. Alternative Action(s): Modify the recommendations and/or do not direct staff to bring back the requested information. REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION MEETING DATE: 8/17/2009 DEPARTMENT ID NUMBER: ED 09-51 Analysis: The Downtown Image Ad Hoc Committee goal was to develop recommendations to improve the image of the Downtown area. The Committee began by developing a list of all the pros and cons of the Downtown area. That list was then subdivided into five separate areas: Public Safety, Business Variety and Attraction, Cleanliness/ Maintenance, Nightlife, and Culture (Attachment 2). The sub-committees met to define the issues, look at suggestions for improvement. Based on the suggestions, recommendations were provided to the Ad Hoc Committee for consideration. On June 29, the Ad Hoc Committee voted on the recommendations of the individual sub- committees. Many of the recommendations that were voted on are being addressed as part of the Downtown Specific Plan update process. Public Safety The Police Department conducted several meetings with the committee members and reviewed the staffing and various concerns regarding the Downtown area. The Committee reviewed many options. The Public Safety recommendations requiring Council direction are: • Increase Fine Schedule for Entertainment Permit Violations —The current fine schedule is $250 for the first violation, $500 for the second and $1,000 for the third and subsequent violations. Based upon input and recommendations by the Police Chief, the Public Safety sub-committee determined that the fines were not an effective deterrent. The recommendation is to modify the fine schedule as follows: $500 for the first violation; $1,000 plus five (5) days suspension of the permit for the second violation; $1,000 plus 15 day suspension for the third and any subsequent violation of the permit. Additionally, the entertainment permit would be subject to revocation by the Chief of Police for the fourth and subsequent violations. • Creation of Standardized Conditions for New Entertainment Permits in the Core Downtown Area — Standard conditions would include such issues as hours of entertainment, hours of food service, prohibition of"Happy Hours", etc. Having standardized conditions is preferred to having the conditions established and implemented by the police department. Businesses with an existing permit would be requested to comply with the established standard conditions upon renewal of their permits. • Provide information to all new tenants that will be requesting an ABC (Alcoholic Beverage Control) license of preferred/desired tenants such as full-service restaurants, and non-desired tenants such as bars or nightclubs. Information would be provided at the Planning and Economic Development counters so that new businesses understand the concerns regarding ABC license early in the application process. -2- 8/5/2009 1:14 PM REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION MEETING DATE: 8/17/2009 DEPARTMENT ID NUMBER: ED 09-51 • When new Entertainment Permits are issued for businesses adjacent to a residential area, efforts should be taken to mitigate the impact on the residential area by closely reviewing the type of entertainment and hours of operation. • Establishment of residential permit parking zones in residential neighborhoods surrounding downtown to reduce late night noise and disturbances. Business Variety and Attraction/Nightlife The sub-committee developed lists of desired tenants and also restrictions limiting where certain tenants should be located. These, and other recommendations, are land use issues that will be discussed in the Downtown Specific Plan. The Business Variety and Attraction/Nightlife recommendation for Council direction is: • Downtown patrons park on residential streets to avoid paying for parking, creating noise, trash, and related problems late at night when the bars close, placing a large burden on the adjacent residential neighborhoods. • City Council should review the installation of permit only parking on adjoining residential streets after 10 pm. • Creation of a way-finding system incorporating directional signage for parking/retail and restaurants (directing traffic away from residential neighborhoods). • Flat (low) rate systems for public parking (7 or 8 pm) to encourage patrons to park in the structure. Maintenance The sub-committee discussed several issues that will be implemented through the new Memorandum of Understanding between the City and the Downtown Business Improvement District Maintenance Agreement. City staff will be working with the Downtown BID in primarily a liaison capacity toward: • Installation of a Business Directory for businesses that incorporates visible markings for parking and public restrooms. There is an ongoing issue with the public attempting to use restrooms where they are not patrons and in public/private space (sidewalks, alleys, etc.). • BID should encourage businesses to take responsibility for their general vicinity. This should include picking up trash and monitoring loitering. • Public Awareness Program — "Don't Trash my HB". -3- 8/5/2009 1:41 PM REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION MEETING DATE: 8/17/2009 DEPARTMENT ID NUMBER: ED 09-51 o Conduct a contest with local students to create a "Don't Trash my HB" poster (BID could work with the Art Center). o Marketing through City resources (website, reader board) Cultural This sub-committee focused on how to create additional events in the Downtown area, focused on different age groups. Staff recommends that the quarterly art walk suggestion be sent to the Downtown BID for consideration. • Limitation of installation/ de-installation timeframes for beach events. • Create a quarterly Art Walk in Huntington Beach using current resources without Main Street closure. Provide a map of locations which could include Huntington Beach History, for example. Could also provide restaurant coupons to encourage local dining. o Other options include: a fundraiser; a theme night, for example, a Nostalgic Night; Theaters playing old movies. o These ideas could help attract different people to Downtown Huntington Beach so they could experience our nice restaurants. o Library- use as a venue for book signing and/or poetry reading. o Art Center as the focal point - open up rooms for more art -displays/ demonstrations. o Involve restaurants, such as Cucina Alessa's, which could have the Art of Wine Tasting. o Include businesses off Main Street, Surf Museum and restaurants. The new hotel has a lot of space and their restaurant is open until 1:30am on weekends. o Encourage outdoor movies on beach. o Plan events for the fall to give our local businesses a little post- summer boost. If the City Council approves the recommendations, staff would provide additional research and return to the City Council with the appropriate Fee Resolutions, policies and procedures. Strategic Plan Goal: Improve Internal and External Communication. -4- 8/5/2009 1:14 PM REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION MEETING DATE: 8/17/2009 DEPARTMENT ID NUMBER: ED 09-51 Environmental Status: Not applicable Attachment(s): 7. - • - • . ® • o 1. List of Committee Members Present at June 29th Meeting 2. List of Downtown Pros/Cons -5- 8/5/2009 1:14 PM ATTACHMENT # 1 Downtown Image Ad Hoc Committee Voting Members Name Type Voting Bill O'Connell At Large Absent Carol Ann Boyle At Large Absent Dan K. Court At Large Absent Dan Kalmick At Lar e Absent Dianne Thompson At Large Dick Harlow Absent Gloria M. Alvarez At Large John Azum ora At Large Joyce Baker At Large KathyHansen At Large Absent Richard Plummer At Lar e Robert McMahon At Large Roze Sweet At Large Steve Reehl At Large Luann Shoup At Large Suzanne Hart At Large Ron McLin BID Stephanie Inbody BID Steve Bone BID Absent Steve Daniel BID Susie Smith BID Bill Cuppy JBID Ron Newman JBID ATTAC H M E N T #2 Downtown Image Ad Hoc Committee Art Center 2/23/2009 Positives Negatives Sub-Categories Good police presence Cverflorni into residen#ial neighborhoods of negafrue behavior j \` Powactrve police r Over use of poUce";hehcopie�s�at nigh Lack of security at closing time _4 ;. PUBLIC SAFETY ne Fighting r Oise,arguing vandalism Insufficien#police patrol outside ofMarnstree tAI Gade'enforcemeiitsues"° Vibrant,successful downtown Lack of entertainment options A lot of opportunities for new business Need more business diversity to spend money Community markets Downtown businesses are incompatible with visitors Surf City Nights Lack of things for kids to do BUSINESS VARIETY AND Committed merchants No movie theatre downtown ATTRACTION Fantastic visitors guide Lack of family oriented businesses Farmers market Downtown is more then three blocks of Main street-need to broaden Walkable community/pier approach to encompass 22nd-Beach Blvd.and up to Palm International tourist destination Beach maintenance great het nd ofporta p OHMS" `" supported by the City blot enquhtrash pick up on weekends j \ 4 Dirty sideWratks \� % ... ` CLEANLINESS w Squatters on vary t lots sr ewalks sand residential streets ;, ,. � v 90t#am noon str et seping n�M Har�b�l sib "' ..,,_.�: ,. _ ,ond /,nnot butnes fnendjy ay Ambiance of outdoor dining Type of people at night,stigma associated with undesirable elements Nice evening out without kids Negative nighttime activity that discourages families NIGHTLIFE Perception encourages people to go elsewhere Impacts not just on business but also residents(fighting,noise,trash) Perception of negatives Competitions ` ` Lack of cultured eXhibits r e RedEBull Illume;�f nily oriented Park afi.Library;`great for family activity ,> F er a mgvres atRs tap but r2stnctrons'city bureaucracy Diversity flf cUlfure \ �... / r ,, \ / f3 \ D versity`af experiences'(famrly adult} . Unique identrt not'elitrsf„Downtowm:is funk 2 ' Hometownfeel good for families <� Surfing¢Museum „ F A .. CULT RE Diversity of culture �, z311, Surf City USA concept A y, > ,a �i Ord carsa �` �g Great prey ` Nelme HouselHistanc preservation Arttcenter \ , Very'dop friendly, Items which have been part/of inclusive public workshop process for the Downtown Specific Plan Walkable community No free validations at The Strand,encourages parking on residential Walkable pier streets Parking at beaches Lack of public transportation to and from downtown No cabs after 2:05 am PARKING/CIRCULATION Bike path/service path needs repair Lack of directional signage for parking Punitive parking policy-aggressively enforced(not visitor-friendly) Established beautiful high end neighborhoods No public restrooms during late evening hours and no directional surrounding downtown signs to these bathrooms Library Lack of architectural style&public open space DOWNTOWN SPECIFIC PLAN Lighting infrastructure poor,lighting/alleys Unfriendly zoning policy for development Downtown Image Ad Hoc Committee Page 1 of 1 RCA ROUTINGSHEET INITIATING DEPARTMENT: Economic Development SUBJECT: Downtown Image Committee Recommendations COUNCIL MEETING DATE: August 17, 2009 RCA ATTACHMENTS STATUS Ordinance (w/exhibits & legislative draft if applicable) Attached Not Applicable ❑ Resolution (w/exhibits & legislative draft if applicable) Attached ❑ Not Applicable Tract Map, Location Map and/or other Exhibits Attached ❑ Not Applicable Contract/Agreement (w/exhibits if applicable) Attached ❑ (Signed in full by the City Attorney) Not Applicable Subleases, Third Party Agreements, etc. Attached ❑ (Approved as to form by City Attorney) Not Applicable Certificates of Insurance (Approved by the City Attorney) Attached ❑ Not Applicable Fiscal Impact Statement (Unbudgeted, over $5,000) Attached ❑ Not Applicable Bonds (If applicable) Notached El t Applicable Staff Report (If applicable) Attached Not Applicable ❑ Commission, Board or Committee Report (If applicable) Attached ❑ Not Applicable Findings/Conditions for Approval and/or Denial Attached ❑ Not Applicable EXPLANATION FOR MISSING ATTACHMENTS REVIEWED RETURNED FOR A DED Administrative Staff ( ) Deputy City Administrator (Initial) ( ) City Administrator (Initial) ( ) City Clerk ( ) EXPLANATION FOR RETURN OF ITEM: RCA Author: Fritzal