HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Councilmember Item - Councilmember Posey - Direct Staff _ City of Huntington Beach A6 /'9-��o� f, z�t�
File #: 20-1604 MEETING DATE: 5/4/2020
Submitted by Councilmember Posey - Direct staff to research expanded Outdoor Dining
Program for COVID-19 restaurant relief
Based on my assessment of the situation, I am requesting that the City Council vote to direct staff to
develop a program that would temporarily convert adjacent public spaces into outdoor dining areas to
allow restaurants greater dining capacity, given COVID-19 social distancing requirements.
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CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
CITY COUNCIL MEETING—COUNCIL MEMBER ITEMS REPORT
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MIKE POSEY, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER
DATE: MAY 4, 2020
SUBJECT: DIRECT STAFF TO RESEARCH EXPANDED OUTDOOR DINING PROGRAM FOR COVID-19
RESTAURANT RELIEF
BACKGROUND
The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically altered our business landscape, and many restaurants and
storefronts face steep obstacles as we look to reopen the economy. Those businesses able to re-open
will need to impose strict social distancing and safety measures for their workforce and customers. In
particular, restaurants, cafes, and bars will be grappling with significantly-reduced dining capacity, with
customers being required to abide by social distancing requirements.
Given the need to socially distance, I am requesting that the City Council consider directing staff to
develop a program where restaurants may temporarily use the City's public spaces to place additional
tables for outdoor dining. If this protocol is approved, it could help increase capacity and reduce the
burden placed on food and beverage establishments, and the added seating capacity could make the
difference between a business being able to stay afloat and having to close its doors. Vilnius, Lithuania,
has created a similar program for outdoor diners, and it was met with great acclaim.
In addition to helping these specific restaurant businesses, opening up the City's public spaces to
additional outdoor dining will bring people back to the City's streets faster, increasing traffic for nearby
retail and service-based businesses.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Based on my assessment of the situation, I am requesting that the City Council vote to direct staff to
develop a program that would temporarily convert adjacent public spaces into outdoor dining areas to
allow restaurants greater dining capacity, given COVID-19 social distancing requirements.
130
From: Fikes.Cathv
To: Acienda Alerts
Subject: FW:Street closure
Date: Monday,May 4,2020 4:09:15 PM
From:Scott Tucker<scott@selloutprod.com>
Sent: Monday, May 4, 2020 3:54 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL<city.council@surfcity-hb.org>
Subject:Street closure
Mimi partner own Gallagher's and in speaking to other businesses no support for closing down
Main Street and adjacent streets and putting in seating from any of the businesses
Scott Tucker Gallaghers HB