Title
Consider Modifying the Use Permit to Allow the Sale of Beer and Wine at: Circle K 1716 Webster Street. (Councilmember Herrera Spencer)
Body
COUNCIL REFERRAL FORM
The Council can take any of the following actions:
1) Take no action.
2) Refer the matter to staff to schedule as a future City Council agenda item.
3) Take dispositive action if sufficiently noticed such that the public and Council have been provided sufficient information by the published agenda, and no formal published notice of a public hearing is required.
Name of Councilmember requesting referral: Trish Herrera Spencer
Date of submission to City Clerk (must be submitted before 5:00 p.m. on the Monday two weeks before the Council meeting requested): March 18, 2024
Council Meeting date: April 2, 2024
Brief description of the subject to be printed on the agenda, sufficient to inform the City Council and public of the nature of the referral:
Modify the Use Permit to Allow the Sale of Beer and Wine at a Convenience Store (Circle K Gas Station) Located at 1716 Webster Street.
The City Council approved a Strategic Plan on November 21, 2023, which established the following 5 priorities:
A. Enhance Community Safety & Services
B. Build Resilience to Climate Change & Water Level Rise
C. Invest in Transportation, Infrastructure, Economic Opportunities & Historic Resources
D. House All Alamedans & End Homelessness
E. Practice Fiscal Responsible, Equitable & Inclusive Governance
If applicable, briefly describe which Council priority the subject falls under and how it relates:
C. Economic Opportunities for a long-term business on Webster in Alameda. They have been economically hindered compared to other similar businesses in Alameda by not having a Use Permit to allow the sale of beer and wine. For example, Safeway at The Landing sells beer, wine, and spirits (hard liquor) and sells gas. Other gas stations in Alameda also sell beer and wine (no spirits/hard liquor). Circle K at 76 Gas Station in Alameda has expanded products to best meet customer requests at a significant investment, however, still cannot meet customer requests for beer and wine and strongly believes that this disparate treatment by the City of Alameda has seriously jeopardized their potential earnings. Sadly, they are struggling financially because customers expect them to sell beer and wine and they don’t, even though competitors in Alameda do. Thus, they are at a competitive disadvantage because of a historic policy that treats Webster differently than every other street in Alameda. Changing this historic policy to treat all businesses in Alameda the same is equitable, profitable, and beneficial. It will provide an economic benefit to the business and the City of Alameda.
Thank you for your consideration.