HomeMy WebLinkAboutConsideration of a Temporary Closure of the Second Block of REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Oliver Chi, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Oliver Chi, City Manager
Subject:
..title
Consideration of a Temporary Closure of the Second Block of Main Street to vehicular traffic
to allow restaurants to serve patrons in the public right of way.
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Discussion:
On Wednesday, July 1, 2020, Gov. Newsom ordered that indoor operations at restaurants cease in
response to the State's current increase in coronavirus cases. While the City has developed a
Temporary Emergency Use Outdoor Commercial Permit program that can help alleviate pressures on
businesses looking to operate within this new State-ordered restaurant restriction, in the Downtown
area, given the physical environment, there are outdoor expansion limitations. To address this
concern, the City has been asked to consider a temporary closure of the 2,d block of Main Street
during the State's current restaurant limitations to allow downtown restaurants the opportunity to
remain open and serve patrons outside. Under this temporary closure plan, if approved, the City
would work with businesses to develop procedures whereby business owners would be responsible
for setting-up, managing, and taking down their expansion equipment daily. The only role the City
would play in this set-up would be to facilitate the use of the City's right-of-way to allow for outdoor
dining / seating.
Recommended Action:
.recommendation
Direct the City Manager to temporarily close the second block of Main Street in response to the
current State order prohibiting indoor restaurant service, and work with all related departments
including the City Attorney's Office, Community Development, and the Police Department to develop
a permitting system to allow restaurants to serve patrons food in the public right-of-way.
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From: Elizabeth Hofeldt
To: supplementalcommC@surfcity-hb.ora;CITY COUNCIL
Subject: Agenda Item#22
Date: Monday,July 6,2020 10:21:47 AM
Good Morning Huntington Beach City Council,
I'm writing in support of item#22 on the agenda for today, July 6, 2020. I am in full support of
closing the second block of main street so that more restaurants may safely serve customers
outdoors in the public right of way. However, I strongly urge that this measure includes
additional safety regulations including requiring businesses to have all employees wear face
coverings, require all customers not seated at a table to wear face coverings, and provide
clearly marked areas where pedestrians should walk, spaced away from seated patrons not
wearing face coverings. These safety precautions should not only be required, but enforced.
As a resident, I am hopeful we can allow our businesses to safely operate,while still
protecting the public health of our residents. As our elected officials, your responsibility is not
only to the businesses run within our community,but also to the health and safety of the
people who live and work in Huntington Beach.
Thank you,
Elizabeth Hofeldt
Huntington Beach Resident
SUPPLEMENTAL
COMMUNICATION
Meeft Date:
Agenda ham No.