pages: CityCouncil/2020-09-01.pdf, 16
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CityCouncil | 2020-09-01 | 16 | 488 Association-DABA) and Webster Street (West Alameda Business Association-WABA) to Adapt the Configuration of Park and Webster Streets, including Potential Temporary Street Closures. (Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft and Councilmember Oddie) For the resolution, the Human Resources and Acting Finance Director gave a Power Point presentation. The City Manager stated staff is comfortable with either approach; noted a full time Finance Director is set to begin work this month. For the Referral, Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft and Councilmember Oddie gave a brief presentation. Councilmember Daysog inquired whether his recusal is needed for this matter. The City Attorney responded Councilmember Daysog lives near one portion of Webster Street; stated the public generally exception likely applies to this discussion and Councilmember Daysog may participate without recusal. Vice Mayor Knox White expressed support for the matter; questioned the need to provide free parking to replace parking that is not free, which is counter to transportation goals; expressed support for the funding to fully go towards business districts and business grants; stated not enough money was raised during the previous round of business grants; the City has two goals in supporting the commercial district: building foot traffic and ensuring full storefronts; now is the time to go further with funding; the budget has brought in more money than predicted; Council should take advantage of the funding while possible. Councilmember Oddie expressed support for including an extension of the COVID-19 permit to October 2021, or earlier, if the pandemic ends and for allowing merchants who park in front of their stores to have an alternate parking location on open days; stated the discussion preempts concerns raised by merchants opposing street closure. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft inquired whether merchants have allocated parking lots to ensure front of business parking is available for customers; stated that her preference is to allocate some of the funding to address homelessness similar to Oakland's Housed Program; addressing homeless concerns does have an impact on the business community; discussed business town hall meetings; stated the Block by Block program provides safe and sanitary environments to support outdoor services; the City is contracting with Village of Love; inquired whether the program would occur in addition to the contract. The Community Development Director responded Block by Block is a different program; stated Village of Love runs the day center, safe parking and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) trailers; Block by Block is an ambassador program which provides enhanced cleanup and manages the interface between homeless and business communities; launching the pilot program will be helpful as more business is being conducted outdoors and would reduce the friction of the interface with ambassadors and extra cleaning; Block by Block is a different provider which operates in a number of cities throughout the country and would be something new. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated that she understands Village of Love to be more than just a day center; Village of Love has an outreach van which provides transportation to the day center; more resources could be used. Councilmember Vella stated the Village of Love program is limited to Monday through Friday from Regular Meeting Alameda City Council September 1, 2020 | CityCouncil/2020-09-01.pdf |