Side walk chained off after 8pm in front of New Leaf downtown

Office of the City Manager
Santa Cruz, CA

To Whom It May Concern:

Last week, apparently without any public hearings or notice, New Leaf Market put up chains blocking off sidewalk previously open to the public (though privately leased during the day). This blockage creates an attractive nuisance and also intentionally obstructs public passage across 2/3 of the sidewalk near Soquel and Pacific Avenues.

It interferes with handicapped access and also removes public seating space.

Please advise me of the authority by which either the City or its leasee New Leaf is closing off this area at night--at a time when no business is being done.

Please also make available for viewing or listening the following public records. I may need to make copies of some of these documents once I've reviewed them.

1. A copy of any agreements between the City and any of it agencies with New Leaf Market (on Pacific Avenue), Alfresco's, and Cafe Campesino.

2. Any e-mails between city officials, city staff, and members of the public regarding the leased sidewalk area in front of New Leaf Market on Pacific Avenue.

3. Any documents referencing City Council or staff actions concerning these three businesses in since July 2007,including but not limited to actions by Public Works, Parks and Recreation, and the Redevelopment Agency.

4. Any written communication between the any city agency (including but not limited to the City Manager, City Attorney, RDA, P&R, and Public Works) and the SCPD regarding enforcement action on or around New Leaf Market, particularly relating to the sidewalk area jointly leased by New Leaf, Alfresco's, and Cafe Campesino.

5. Any records of any scheduled meetings Mayor Coonerty and Vice-Mayor Mathews have had with any of these businesses, or with any city agency regarding the leased area in front of these businesses as required by state law from sitting Mayors.

6. Any actions by City Council or any city agencies taken regarding the use of the sidewalk space in front of New Leaf Market (including the leased space) in the last year.

Please forward this Public Records Act request to any of the relevant city agencies, and cc me with the forwarded correspondence and any response.

Thanks for your cooperation.

If you have any questions, please contact me at 831-423-4833.


Sincerely,

Robert Norse