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MINUTES City or San Leandro City CounciVSan Leandro Redevelof>.f1.1^~.!~t Agency Joint Meeting-November 18,2002 Page 6 Sexton stated her mother works very long hours and has lost a lot of business due to her attempts to address the coneems of the City and neighbors. Ms. Sexton also expressed concern that so many people have spoken out against her mother and her business and have not tried to work with her to solve the problems. Fred E. Brown, San Leandro Church of Christ, addressed the City Council in support of the statements made by earlier speakers about the problems caused by patrons of Freddie's. Mr. Brown asked the Council to uphold the decision ofthe BZA. Pat Brown, San Leandro Church of Christ, addressed the City Council, asking the Council to uphold the BZA's decision. Denise Widgrcn, 470 Bancroft Avenue, addressed the City Council regarding the problems she experienced with Ms. Wright's [om1er business, Ms. Kitty's Circlc Club, and noting the problems are very similar to those currently experienced by neighbors of Freddie's. Ms. Widgren urged the Council to uphold the decision ofthe BZA. Anthony Woods, attorney for Freddie Wright, in his final comments stated the conditions imposed by the BZA arc not rationally related to any legitimate purpose the BZA would have for restricting the sale of alcohol at Freddie's after 10 p.m. Mr. Woods stated no one has proven the reported complaints are related to the sale of alcohol at Freddie's Showcase, noting there is a liquor store across the street from Freddie's. Mr. Woods expressed concern over the use of undated and unauthenticated photob'raphs as evidence of the problems at Freddie's, and asked what rational basis could the BZA have for requiring security guards if the business must close at 10 p.m. Mr. Woods stated the issue does not appear to be the way Ms. Wright runs her business, but rather the behavior of the patrons after they leave, noting there has never been a citation or arrest inside the business. Mr. Woods stated his client would like to work with the City and community and proposed turning away clients who create problems for the neighborhood. There being no further comments from the public, and without opposition, the Public Hearing was closed. In response to a question by Vice-Mayor Glaze, Chief Kitchen reported significantly more police calls to Freddie's than to other similar businesses. Council Member Grant asked what Ms. Wright proposes to do to remedy the situation, and requested the hearing be reopened to allow the question to be answered. By consensus of Council, the Public Hearing was reopened. Mr. Woods suggested his client should be involved in the complaint process and the City should allow her to meet with the neighbors and do fact-finding and problem-solving. Mr. Woods gave some examples, such as posting warning signs, providing education to patrons to be more courteous of the neighbors, and rell1sing service to patrons who create problems. Council Member Nardine asked Mr. Woods ifhe or Ms. Wright had arranged a meeting with the neighbors, and Mr. Woods responded that they had not.