From: Eric Dematteo
Date: January 31, 2022 at 4:29:34 PM PST
To: Billy Hales
Subject: Pismo Beach City Council Meeting on 2/1/2022 (Parklets)
Dear City Council,
My name is Eric DeMatteo and I'm an operating partner at Shell Beach Brewhouse. I'm reaching out in regards to the parklet portion of the meeting on 2/1 (Tuesday). I was hoping to comment on a few topics both on and off the agenda. First, we are very happy that the council sees the value of the parklets to the businesses and the public. There are many great things going on that the city has done or doing (Streetscape, Parklets, public events) that local business and public truly appreciate. The goal of this email is to get better understanding of the proposed points, and hopefully be able to be involved in how things move forward with respect to businesses effected. I hope that moving forward that before businesses are going to have to have a bill that we can be noticed and included in the conversation. I think in certain matters that a call or an email would be awesome before a bill is sent, especially since it's a rather small sample size of those effected. I do take blame for not checking and following the bulletins as much as I should. I would have definitely reached out had I. I think 28K to any bottom line of a business a year would be an eye opener. That said we do appreciate the free rent months through the pandemic. That helped offset our investments as businesses we had to do to accommodate flows and create the physical infrastructure needed. The parklets have become a vital part of our business, and we would undeniably take a hit if we lost them. The outside seating is quite desirable for numerous reasons.
Below are some bullet points that I would hope could be discussed or taken into consideration at the appropriate time. There are more things that could be put on for discussion like anything else, but I think this is the meat and potatoes of our concerns and I do value your time.
The Monthly rate and possible flexibility options:
1. Brewhouse road parking is public and generates no capital for the parking fund unlike downtown establishment. There's a loss to the city downtown so the recouping makes more sense unlike in our situation. Foot traffic and parking are a completely different animal downtown.
2. Possible to pay a one-time in Lieu fee instead of an indefinite monthly payment.
3. City fund doing well? Is it possible to cut or subsidize the businesses monthly rate to help local businesses in this situation. Inflation, wages, food costs and a pandemic make what little margins we have even tighter without continuous menu price hikes.
Two year permit concerns:
1. Reinvestment costs and the uncertainty involved. To put more money (fees/infrastructure) into the parklets just to have to remove them after two years seems slightly off. Not top mention, if someone drives in to the parklets that permit could be all for nothing as well. Permit should be for longer to protect those investing for stability and return on investment.
2. To have a parklet for two years, and a new business takes it with no investment or guest expectation via lottery doesn't seem fair either. If there's some spaces open then they're good and that's awesome. If there aren't any available at the time then there are not. To take away from a business after investment and goodwill hurts more then knowing the situation up front. We shouldn't cripple an existing business to benefit one that doesn't yet exist or have the expectation.
Thanks for taking the time to read this, and I hope to have conversations moving forward through the process when possible. I appreciate the fact this is being discussed and I thank you for taking my concerns into consideration. Look forward to listening in on the meeting and thanks again!!
Sincerely,
Eric DeMatteo
Partner/Operator
Shell Beach Brewhouse