Old Town La Verne Business Improvement District Agendas

OLD TOWN LA VERNE BUSINESS IMPROYEMENT DISTIRICT MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING Wednesday, December 2,, 2020 I The teleconference meeting was called to order by Chairperson Craig Walters at 8:30a.m Chairperson Walters stated that questions can be emailed to planning@citloflaverne.org. Advisory Board Members present: Craig Walters, Chris Cendreau, Jason Miller. Marianne Stark, Micky Rehm and Matt Forgey. City Representatives present: Community Development Director Eric Scherer, Administrative Clerk Natalie Hiatt, and Mayor Tim Hepburn. Others present: Leah Skinner. Chairperson walters remembered Brian McNerney of the La Verne chamber of commerce. Mr. McNerney unexpectedly passed the morning of rhanksgiving. ) CALENDAR Cool Cruise - Rescheduled - Date to be determined. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES None 4. NEW BUSINESS None 5. CONTINUED BUSINESS A. D Street Closure - Chairperson Walters recapped that last week Los Angeles County ordered that all outdoor dining stop and be limited to takeout and delivery for three weeks. He stated concem for the businesses on D Street that were utilizing the street closure and invested in outdoor dining setups. The City polled members and it was decided to keep the barriers in place until more information was provided regarding the court case filed by the califomia Restaurant Association. Mr. Scherer stated that since the order was issued there has been discussion of a new Safer at Home order issued by the State that would presumptively extend outdoor dining closure further. He stated that it was temporarily decided to leave the street closed. The City is now looking for direction from the Board. There were four Public Comments received. Ms. Stark asked if it would be considered outdoor dining if the restaurants left their outdoor dining area in place for takeout diners. Mr. Scherer stated that it would be considered outdoor dining because it's an extension of their restaurant area as permitted by the City, Alcohol Beverage Control, and Los Angeles County Health Department. I Ms. Stark asked if City owned park benches can be added to the center of D Street for takeout. Mr. Scherer stated that it has been discussed but there is some risk in facilitating. The City needs to investigate with their insurance company. Chairperson Walters stated that there were mixed feelings about opening the street last week but those that he spoke to directly supported opening the street if there was no activity in the street. Mr. Gendreau suggested waiting for the outcome of the court case before making a decision. He stated that many restaurants in Glendora and Claremont are going against the order and have remained open. Ms. Rehm stated that Downtown is dead and only one restaurant is still utilizing the space. She stated that by re-opening the street there would be more activity and easier access for the consumers. Ms. Stark asked if City Council can override the order. Mr. Scherer stated that the City is taking hands off approach. If complaints are received the Police Department will follow-up and educate the businesses. Mayor Hepburn stated that as of yesterday there are 832 COVID cases and I 5 deaths. He stated that he is not agreement of the order but we must abide by it. Chairperson Walters stated that this special meeting was called in hopes that the court's decision would be made but it was delayed. Mr. Forgey stated support in the street remaining closed if the coun case is successful. Ms. Rehm stated that she hopes the court case is in favor of the restaurants but if it does not rule in favor, the street should be re-opened. Mr. Miller recommended that the Board agree upon a timeframe to re-open the street based upon the court's decision. Mr. Scherer stated the decision can be handled at a staff level but City Council will be informed and given the opportunity to add the item to the City Council agenda for Monday's meeting. Ms. Stark recommended waiting until the Monday BID meeting for a decision. It was moved by Mr. Gendreau and seconded by Ms. Stark to recommend the City continue the street closure for outdoor dining if a positive court decision is received. However, if the decision is not in favor of the restaurants the City should start the process 2  of re-opening the street. If the court case is not decided today the DBID will wait untilthe regularly scheduled meeting Monday to decide. Motion carried by a 5-0 vote. Mr. Gendreau asked if the Business Assistance Grant was still available and if those that already received money can re-apply for more assistance. Mr. Scherer stated there are still funds available and it's a possibility that the Committee will decide to allow businesses to apply for more assistance. He encouraged those that have not applied to submit their applications. Mayor Hepburn stated that the businesses have the Council's full support. 6. COMMITTEE REPORTS/ UPDATES A. City Report (Eric Scherer): None B. University Report (Jason Miller): None C. Marketing (Micky Rehm): None D. Chamber Report (Leah Skinner): None E. Social Media Update (Micky Rehm): None F. Financial Report: None 7 PUBLIC COMMENT (Any discussion or action on non-agendized items must be deferred to the following meeting, as required by California Brown Act Law) 8. ADJOURNMENT Meeting was adjourned at 9: l8 a.m., to the next meeting to be held on Monday, December 7 ,2020 at 8:30 a.m. Natalie iatt ATTACHMENT: PUBLIC COMMENTS RECEIVED J From : Jackson Salinas [mailto:jaxsalinas@gmail.com ] Sent: Saturday, November 28,2020 2:23 PM To: Planning SubjecE OLD TOWN LA VERNE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT SPECIAL MEETING Public Comment t21021202A Continued Business A: I am asking this board to defy the outdoor dining ban from Los Angeles County, and to join the lawsuit filed by the California Restaurant Association as well as getting neighboring cites to form a coalition that will defy the order as well. For the sake of our residents and our businesses please do what's right for the public and our local economy. If our restaurants have to go back only for take-out or delivery it is going to make things worse for them. I sent this to the city council already but we have had enough of this. I hope you take this into consideration Committee Reports/Updates A. Has the city looked into forming a health department in regards to the health orders? San Dimas is starting to look into doing that as well because they don't like what the county is doing regarding the current orders. If we had our own health department like Pasadena and Long Beach it would let us do our own thing regarding the current health orders. Has there been any update from Kathryn Barger's office regarding getting La Verne exempt from the outdoor dining ban? Jackson Salinas 4 From : emaftinez306 [mailto:emartinez306@yahoo,com] SenE Sunday, November 29,2020 10:59 PM To: Planning Subjech Down Town La Verne outdoor dining To whom it may concern, Please keep the outdoor dining option in D St. As long as the employees follow the mask /face sheild guidelines there is no reason to shut it down. E. Martinez Resident residing on D St. Serrt from ml Spt'iut Santsuuq Oalary S10. 5 From: smoke shop <srnokeshoplaverne@gmail.com> Date: Tuesday, December 1,2020 at 9:05 AM To: Craig H Walters <chwalters@cpp.edp Subject: Ex: I hope this email finds you well during this difficult time .l wanted to thank our city council in supporting our samll businesses in down town la veme. During the start of the pandemic . I was one of the first to support the resturants surrounding my shop.The clasure of the street affected my shop and caused my business to barely survive. Since the new stay at home Order was in effect l1/30 till 12120. The resturants willNot be able to dine Outside so it will be appropriate to Re open the street . This will help the non-resturants on the street that are struggling as well. We all need to unite as a community to help One another because the pabdemic is affecting every household financially and emotionally. Thank you for your time and support Regards Frank 6 From: Michelle BENITEZ Imailto:myjuljad@att.net] Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2020 72:22PM To: Planning Subject: Support for small business Hello- I'm in favor of la Verne restaurants being able to stay open for outdoor dining. They can't survive with take out alone. If the city doesn't do something business will close, people will loose jobs and so on. It's a spiral affect that won't stop. I'm also in favor of the city working with San Dimas to get our own health officer so we are not lumped together with LA County. Please take care of the small business in la Verne. Thank you, Michelle Benitez Get Outlook fbr iOS 7