Avalon votes to allow temporary dining up to December 15
Avalon City Council has extended temporary outdoor dining to Dec. 15. It could end sooner if state and county restrictions change.
Temporary outdoor dining was scheduled to expire on Sept. 15.
The council voted unanimously to recieve and file the staff report that recommended extending outdoor dining at the Sept. 15 council meeting. The item was pulled from the Consent Calendar for separate consideration.
Restrictions on indoor restaurant dining in Los Angeles County “will continue for the foreseeable future,” according to City Manager Denise Radde’s report to the council.
Mayor Anni Marshall pointed out that the county could move into the next tier of the state’s pandemic-related rules within a week or so. In counties that are in the red tier such Orange County, indoor restaurant dining is currently limited to 25 percent of capacity.
Marshall wondered who would actually want to use the 25 percent dining.
“I think it’s going to be case by case,” said Jim Luttjohann, CEO and president of Love Catalina Island/Catalina Island Tourism Authority.
Luttjohann has been acting as a liason between the city and participating businesses, according to Radde’s report.
Council member Lisa Lavelle wondered if there had been any discussion of using tents in the event of rain for outdoor dining.
She also wanted to know if the Casino would be available for use.
Luttjohann did not have any answers to those questions.
Radde’s report said staff recommended extending outdoor dining in Avalon until Dec. 15 or when restrictions are lifted.
“At this time, there is no fee for businesses implementing outdoor dining on public property. As this program continues to be temporary, in response to COVID-19 restrictions, City Staff recommend continuing the program without a fee for businesses,” Radde wrote.
“To date, nine restaurants have utilized the City’s outdoor dining program — Catalina Cantina, Coyote Joe’s, El Galleon, Luau Larry’s, The M, Maggie’s Blue Rose, Mi Casitas, Steve’s Steakhouse, and NDMK Seafood,” according to Radde’s report.
