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8 mall will be open. He said there is a signage plan for businesses, block captains are in place, and the marketing campaign is moving forward. He said concerns by vendors and cafes operators have been addressed. He said contractors have committed to hiring a number of local residents. He said it is not recommended that anything be done with the newspaper corrals as part of the project. Mr. Huja said he is pleased with the workforce proposal, and hopes it will be a model for other City projects. He asked if the schedule and drawings will be available on the mall, and Mr. Tolbert said yes, in storefronts. Responding to a question from Dr. Brown, Mr. Tolbert said that some of the bricks that will be taken up will be crushed to use for trails and staff is exploring selling some of them. PUBLIC HEARING/RESOLUTION : VENDOR AND CAFÉ REGULATION AMENDMENTS Mr. Tolbert said that fire lanes have been widened, there are more cafes and space for vendors has been reduced. He said staff recommended that all cafes be reduced to 700 square feet to create room for new cafes. He said discussions have also been held about not letting cafes open until the brick work is done. He said following two public meetings it is recommended that the café sizes not be reduced and that cafes be allowed to open as blocks are completed. He said it is recommended that fountains, with the exception of the one within Miller’s café space, be opened up to the public. He said because of the disruption to business, staff is recommending that the café fees be waived, a total of $50,000. He said vendors will all be moved to the front of City Hall during renovations, and it is suggested that their first quarter fees be waived. He said the vendors want to keep the current system of assigned spaces, and any changes will be worked on later. Mr. Norris commended Mr. Tolbert for his responsiveness to the vendors and café operators and said he has found good solutions. The public hearing was opened. Mr. Brandon Collins said a number of businesses have signed a petition opposing the renovations on the mall, but said he thinks they will be happy with what is now proposed for vendors and cafes. Ms. Colette Hall, 101 Robertson Lane, said it is important that two of the three fountains be open to the public. As there were no further speakers, the public hearing was closed. Responding to a question from Mr. Huja, Mr. Tolbert said it is not possible to make the third fountain open to the public without taking space from Miller’s café.