CC - Agendas - City Council - WORKSHOP - 8/17/2010

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Mike and Terry Johnson, Owners of All Gods Children, indicated that they were thankful that the gate had been locked and they believe that it has been better. They further noted that in the four years of being located in the Depot Marketplace they have witnessed a lot of response from PD and Fire to aid the homeless. As business owners in the area, they would like to keep the gate locked. They also noted that they have been approached from a bike club to sway them to open the gate. Overall they were very pleased and asked that I convey their thankfulness to the City Manger for taking the area and problem on. Check and Go is closed down and vacant. The French Hen, specialty store for woman is owned by David Homer. Mr. Homer noted that there has been a reduction of the homeless being seen in the front area of the shopping center however he felt that they were gathering in the location behind Staples and Albertsons. He also did not like the fact that people can come in and park with RV's in the parking lot. He did indicate that the gate should stay locked if PD could do something about the area behind the stores. Overall, he was very vocal about what was wrong but could not offer suggestions about how to fix the problem. Assistant Manger of Staples, Pat McFarland indicated that the locking of the gate has been positive. They would prefer to have the gate permanently locked. Gwen Lelushe, Manager for Fresh Vitamins indicated that she believes it has not helped and that she still has to run off pan handlers from in front of the store. She indicated that she was part of the greenway society and that the gate should stay open. She took me through the back of the store and pointed to a makeshift tree house that she believes is being utilized by homeless possibly due to the trash location of Albertsons. She does not want the gate to be locked but wants more security in the shopping center. Walgreen Drug Store Manager, Matt Cushman, indicated that the locking of the gate has helped deter the homeless into the area. Their thief rate is down. As well as the calls for service to PD. Mr. Cushman noted that the staff and customers have stated that they are not so concerned about their safety at night. I also spoke to an employee (front line cashier) who did not want to provide their name. They noted that the cameras that are utilized within the store are for the cash register only. The liquor should not been located at the front of the store and it is not monitored. (Added that the cameras were just dummies and not even hooked up.) Lastly I spoke with several front line store employees and the store director, Bill Smith at Albertson's. This was interesting because all the employees have been talking about the gate situation and how it has helped with reducing theft however there has been no discussion on the part of management. They also indicated that they like the fact that people can't enter into or from the area after dark. Mr. Smith, the store director indicated that they would remain neutral. He indicated from the 3/9/2010 2