Fix Pacifica: Pacifica City Council Meeting Agenda 10/25/2010

Friday, October 22, 2010

Pacifica City Council Meeting Agenda 10/25/2010

http://www.cityofpacifica.org/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=4026

Submitted by Jim Alex

25 comments:

Scotty said...: I noticed that they've added an item to address the supposed scourge of payday loans. While I agree that they're a racket, so are pawn shops, casinos, and the lottery. Placing more restrictions on Pacifica businesses to protect people from themselves is not the best use of council's time at this point in our fiscal train wreck. For the first time, I'm disappointed in Mary Ann for driving this.; October 23, 2010 at 1:42 PM
Anonymous said...: Well get ready, because people who think they know what's best for everybody else have no limits. Of course those things are rackets but what is offered in their place for people who choose or have to use them? Nothing? Or some gov't program we all pay for? It's a legal business, stop grandstanding, spare us the handy sob story and work on the city's real problems.; October 23, 2010 at 2:00 PM
tea party member who likes her cash said...: the City Council does not want the payday loan business to horn in on their territory. Specifically, the DEMOCRAT ruled city council wants to rob your hard earned tax dollars and is acting like a local mafia who doesn't like a rival crew working in their district.; October 23, 2010 at 2:11 PM
Heather Tanner said...: Wow... we've read a lot into this added agenda item.

Here is what I know about the payday loan issue. The city council has been asked to consider a zoning ordinance - not a ban. The city council is looking into whether or not the lenders are participating in predatory lending tactics which could further deplete the economic stability of Pacifica. In addition, the city council is working together with banks in Pacifica to provide a more economically feasible alternative.

This one doesn't seem to me like the council is trying to prevent business - only to protect our citizens. My understanding is that it is just in the discussion stages right now.

As an attorney, I have had clients who felt like they had no other option than to go to one of these lenders. Sure, there may be compelling reasons to use one. But, the interest rates compound rapidly. A pay day lender or lawsuit lender should be used only as a last resort.

As for the idea that this will not help Pacifica - if this kind of business drives our economy downward as people become more and more strapped for cash and dependent on the payday loan (and paying heavy fees) - we will have an increasingly lower tax base. Lower tax base means less income for the city to provide services from. I don't see how we can't pay attention to the things affecting our citizens.; October 23, 2010 at 5:43 PM
Kathy Meeh said...: Thanks for this clarification Heather. It seems like there should be better lending alternatives for people.; October 23, 2010 at 5:59 PM
Scotty said...: What about the lottery? What about casinos? What about smoking? What about people who eat the wrong things?

This city has lots of problems. Regulating businesses because we don't approve of how people manage their individual finances should be far, far, down the list.; October 24, 2010 at 9:52 AM
Heather Tanner said...: True, Scotty - but ignoring problems is never a good tactic. I know we have lots of problems, but we can't just ignore the little problems now. Little problems grow up to be big problems. I think the council is capable of discussing the issue and still looking at the larger problems that need immediate response.

And last I checked, there were no casinos in Pacifica.; October 24, 2010 at 9:58 AM
Scotty said...: Obviously there are no casinos. But using your logic, our nanny council should start passing regulations to ensure that remains the case, which is just as ridiculous as looking at these lenders.

The council needs to be more concerned about our city's structural deficit than how individual's choose to spend their money. I'm against the government deciding how and why I do things on general principle, but I'd consider allowing them to focus on that problem once they've solved the 10,000 more pressing issues.; October 24, 2010 at 11:13 AM
Tom Clifford said...: While I do feel that payday loans are predatory, I think this is a problem best addressed by the State with fee and interest rate caps.

I don't think three locations in Pacifica is cause for a zoning change, our city is spread out over a large area.

I do encourage local banks to explore short-term loans that compete with the payday loan model, giving the consumer a better alternative is good for business.

I also encourage employers to consider doing what I have done for my employees when they have hit a rough patch. I have given advances on future wages at no cost to my workers; they then can pay them back over time or in a lump sum. I can't think of a time that I was not paid back.; October 24, 2010 at 11:18 AM
Heather Tanner said...: Scotty - I am not sure what you are ascribing to me as "my logic." I haven't actually agreed that payday lenders should be banned. I've just said that the council is simply discussing what has been raised as a potential problem to see if there is a problem there and what the council can do about it, if anything. To me, there is no harm in the council discussing problems. To me, there is a bigger harm in the council ignoring problems that seem small now simply because they have other, bigger, problems to fix. Its like ignoring a slow leak - eventually the tire will be flat and a much costlier problem then if they just dealt with it earlier on.

Tom, you are a rare employer.; October 24, 2010 at 12:31 PM
Anonymous said...: Love the term 'nannny council'. So descriptive of our council. They need to butt out of a legal and regulated private enterprise that some members of the community may choose to use-as is their right- and get to work on the important stuff that is the council's business and duty. It is a waste of precious time. Political. Must be easy publicity and probably a photo op. I can hear the outraged
'We're protecting the community' bleats now.; October 24, 2010 at 2:05 PM
Anonymous said...: We need more payday loan, check-cashing and head shops. How about some strip clubs while we're at it. Who cares if Pacifica becomes a trashy, low-rent community that encourages exploitation of the underclasses, at least we'll have revenue rolling in!

ALL HAIL THE MIGHTY DOLLAR!; October 24, 2010 at 5:43 PM
Anonymous said...: Becomes? All hail personal freedom.; October 24, 2010 at 5:45 PM
Anonymous said...: "What about the lottery? What about casinos? What about smoking? What about people who eat the wrong things?"
Jesus, Scotty, will you please shut up?; October 24, 2010 at 6:57 PM
Anonymoose said...: "What about casinos?"

The city shut the one in the back room of Dallas' Place down several years ago. Damn city.; October 24, 2010 at 7:09 PM
Scotty said...: This is such a solution without a problem. Do you NIMBYs think it's regulation that keeps businesses that we don't like out of Pacifica?!? It's the fact that we are antagonistic towards all businesses, which is also one of the primary reasons that we're nearly insolvent.

I wish that people who think that our local government should decide which businesses are allowed to set up shop (as opposed to local citizens voting with their dollars) could be somehow forced to live in 1970s Russia.; October 24, 2010 at 7:18 PM
Anonymous said...: I don't want payday loan shops. I believe it will bring shady characters into our community. And I don't want our young people to not learn how to open a bank account and save, while instead they may be in a hurry to cash their paycheck and get the money spent.

Why don't we say yes to fill in empty store spaces with more small business. Can we split up empty commercial property spaces?. An empty store gets split up into a shared space for more than one entrepreneur. For example; shoe cobbler, tailor, watch repair, seamstress all in one store. While another store will have; fresh baked bread (everyday), fresh local produce, fresh tamales, fresh yogurt and granola market. Their inventory is small, because they would sell all of it in a day.

This would be a market like atmosphere that would not necessarily be a threat to other business but could actually do several things at once. 1) fill in empty space 2) give a budding entrepreneur a chance at starting their own business with very little cost and overhead. 3) offer much needed services to people who don't like big boxed stores or want to travel out of the city to have a outfit altered or one created. Shoes repaired. Or get some fresh homemade yogurt and granola (easy to make). 4) creates jobs and income. 5) Gives more reputable and bigger business reason to take Pacifica seriously about our pro-business environment and invest in the future of our city.; October 24, 2010 at 9:42 PM
Anonymous said...: @9;42 what century are you living in? There aren't enough people here or enough disposable income to support the businesses we have let alone any new ones of the very limited appeal type you describe. Even the self-employed have to make some kind of a living.; October 24, 2010 at 9:55 PM
Winter Roads said...: "For example; shoe cobbler, tailor, watch repair, seamstress all in one store."

Don't forget the blacksmith and candlestick-maker.; October 24, 2010 at 10:46 PM
Anonymous said...: Anonymous @9:42pm,

You're talking to a group of people who would like nothing more than to pun in another Check Cashing store and Payless somewhere. This way they can get a cash advance, spend $15 on two pairs of boots made in China that will dissolve in the first rain, then hit 7-11 for a 12-pack of beer on the way home where they will watch Fox News and rant about America's debt problems and trade deficits.

In other words, don't bother.; October 25, 2010 at 6:11 AM
Anonymous said...: There aren't enough people here or enough disposable income to support the businesses we have let alone any new ones of the very limited appeal type you describe.

LOL!

Pacifica, the town no one drives through and where the residents don't wear shoes or eat.; October 25, 2010 at 6:59 AM
Anonymous said...: Majority of pacificans leave the city to go to work elsewhere. Majority buy nice shoes. Majority take their shoes, clothes to other cities for repairs. I know. I am one of them and I travel with many others just like me. Some of you need to leave this town every now and then to find out what other pacificans are doing and places they are going.; October 25, 2010 at 8:52 AM
Anonymous said...: I notice that when anyone tries to offer a solution they get called names. I think we need to change tactics. Encouraging solutions is Good. Get it? The more ideas, the better off we are.

Remember the word compromise? It can't all be one way , one side wins. It has to be some type of compromise, so everyone wins. And, we end up with a little bit of everything. I think that is a good idea.; October 25, 2010 at 9:01 AM
Kathy Meeh said...: Anon 9:01am, "compromise"? Nice idea at election time, but clear evidence of "no sale" over 8 long years.

Rather what exists is "farcical compromise", definition of which is "to cave-in". Had there been "genuine compromise" the city would have "balanced, good solutions."

What exists by clear evidence is "winner take all". Decisions make by 3 city council members (the majority) representing "the think tank" of a group of favored constituents whose seeming sole interest is "poor city"-- "nothing for Pacifica" under the disguised banner of "environmentalism." We're getting close to Halloween, well?

The folly: no compromise, talk, delays, stagnation, lowered expectations, conciliation; more complaining, more magical "what if" thinking, more victimization of our city and our population.

The only way to STOP THIS "insanity" is interrupt the cycle with new pro-economy city council members. Who are? Arietta, Vellone, Stone, Clifford, Tanner. Who are not? Incumbents Digre, Vreeland; and Leon. Keep in mind you can only vote for 3, so make your 3 votes with wisdom so they will count.; October 25, 2010 at 10:59 AM
Anonymous said...: Play nice or we'll put you in the public stocks or have a public flogging 'round the town. Then we'll have a barn raising and...; October 25, 2010 at 3:34 PM