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2020 07-15 SpecialCITY OF POWAY CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES July 15, 2020 City Council Chambers 13325 Civic Center Drive, Poway, California (Per Government Code 54953) (Meeting Called to Order as City Council/City of Poway Planning Commission/Poway Housing Authority/Public Financing Authority and Successor Agency to the Poway Redevelopment Agency) CALL TO ORDER Mayor Vaus called the Special Meeting to order at 11 :30 a.m. ROLL CALL John Mullin (via teleconference), Barry Leonard, Dave Grosch, Caylin Frank (via teleconference), Steve Vaus STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT City Manager Chris Hazeltine; Assistant City Manager Wendy Kaserman, City Attorney Alan Fenstermacher (via teleconference); Interim City Clerk Carrie Gallagher; Director of Finance Aaron Beanan (Note: Hereinafter the titles Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Counci/member, City Manager, Assistant City Manager, City Attorney, Interim City Clerk and Director of Finance shall be used to indicate Mayor/Chair, Deputy MayorNice Chair, Councilmember/Director, City Manager/Executive Director, Assistant City Manager/Assistant Executive Director, City Attorney/Counsel, City Clerk/Secretary and Director of Finance/Finance Officer.) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilmember Grosch led the Pledge of Allegiance. MOMENT OF SILENCE Mayor Vaus led a moment of silence. CONSENT CALENDAR None. COUNCIL-INITIATED ITEMS: 1. Sharing Outdoor Space (SOS) Initiative Mayor Vaus presented the item for Council consideration. Mayor Vaus explained that, in response to the state's most recent shutdown of certain indoor activities, the Sharing Outdoor 0816 City of Poway -Minutes -July 15, 2020 Space (SOS) Initiative would temporarily allow commercial use of parks for the duration of the restriction on indoor activity. Mayor Vaus further explained that the use of parks would be limited to Poway-based houses of worship and fitness-oriented organizations with a current Poway business certificate and commercial insurance naming the City as an additional insured on their policy. Joe St. Lucas, via email, submitted correspondence expressing concerns for noise, parking, trash and suggested posting a list of events scheduled for each facility on the City's website. Chris Cruse, via email, submitted correspondence expressing concerns for crowds, limited parking, and enforcement of masks and physical distancing. Anita Edmondson, representing the Poway Chamber of Commerce, via teleconference, expressed support for the initiative and the City's continued efforts to support local businesses during the pandemic. Lisa Mello, owner of Mello Yoga, via teleconference, expressed interest in participating in the program and inquired about the availability of reserving a consistent scheduled space and time for her classes. Jenny Glen, owner of Signature Dance Academy, via teleconference, inquired about the process to participate in the program. KB, via teleconference, expressed concerns for crowds at Old Poway Park and inquired about reservations for private facility rentals. Council discussion ensued in support of the initiative as well as continued support for local businesses. Council spoke regarding social distancing and facial covering requirements and enforcement of County health orders. Additionally, Council inquired about the process specific to park inventory and availability. Council highlighted that the program is voluntary should a business choose to conduct its business outdoors and expressed support for temporary and easily obtained permits until the County allows these types of businesses to return indoors. In response to Council inquiry, Assistant City Manager Wendy Kaserman explained that there will be a rental application process, and insurance requirements, however, there will be no cost associated with the SOS Initiative. Ms. Kaserman further explained that staff will be prioritizing parks with ample parking and restroom facilities as well as explained that certain facilities such as Lake Poway, Blue Sky and Old Poway Park will have limited availability. She added the application process is anticipated to open later this week and that the Community Services Department will be assisting with the application process to help businesses identify the park that best meets their needs as well as park availability. She added that applicants will be responsible for their own set-up and breakdown and will be required to comply with all County Health regulations. In response to public comment, Ms. Kaserman explained that under the current County Health Order casual gatherings of non-household units are not currently allowed and, therefore, reservations for other facility rentals are not being processed at this time. Ms. Kaserman added that the SOS Initiative pertains to businesses currently allowed to operate under the County Health Order and should the Order change, the City will adjust its policies accordingly. 0817 City of Poway -Minutes -July 15, 2020 In response to Council inquiry regarding enforcement of facial coverings and social distancing, City Manager Chris Hazeltine responded that law enforcement has been provided with direction to educate and enforce County regulations as needed. Assistant City Manager Wendy Kaserman added that failure by applicants to adhere to County regulations could result in the cancellation of their use permit. In response to Council inquiry regarding park availability, Ms. Kaserman explained that the City and Poway Unified School District have two shared-use fields that are frequently used by youth day camps and Poway sports organizations. City Manager Chris Hazeltine responded that the Poway Sportsplex could be a potential option for the SOS Initiative. Council concurred to direct staff to proceed with crafting an application policy for the Sharing Outdoor Space (SOS) Initiative, to allow houses of worship and fitness-oriented organizations to conduct services and classes in public park areas, at no cost and with minimal paperwork. Staff will work to balance all current uses to accommodate this new practice. COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS and ANNOUNCEMENTS: Pursuant to AB1234 -((G.C. 53232(d)) None. CITY MANAGER ITEMS: None. CITY ATTORNEY ITEMS: (Including any public report of any action taken in closed session) None. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 12:09 p.m. 0818 Carrie Gallagher, CMG Interim City Clerk City of Poway, California