The city’s executive committee has approved a number of changes to make the CafeTO program permanent, but has asked staff to take a closer look at the fees charged to businesses, among some criticisms.
Mayor John Torrey and other members considered the changes at Tuesday’s executive committee meeting.
The program was launched during the pandemic as a way to help struggling restaurants and bars stay open, but has gained popularity since its implementation. Recognizing the way it was made, the council moved to make the program permanent in 2021.
However, a staff report released last week stated: Cities recommended to start charging participating businesses Help pay for the program and stop some businesses from taking up space in underused sidewalk cafes.
Staff-recommended annual membership fees result in companies paying about $1,449 for the average sidewalk cafe and about $3,077 for the average curbside cafe. This would be on top of his one-time application fee of $865 and his one-time construction costs for the curb patio, which typically amount to about $14,000.
Some funding is available through federal grants and local business improvement areas to offset some of the costs, but some companies raise concerns that the fees may be exorbitant. I am expressing.
Responding to some of its concerns on Tuesday, the Tories told senior staff to include options on fee schedules, a grace period for setting up the platform, and other issues when the council considers the matter on Feb. 7. I submitted an amendment requesting to report to .
Businesses are now required to pay a fee, but the city is committing $1.4 million to subsidize the program again this year. The proposed fees from businesses only cover about 68% of the city’s costs, staff said.
