City Council removes fixed cap on mobile vending permits; vendors say change will help renewals

At first reading, council approved amendments to the city’s mobile vending permit rules that remove a fixed annual cap and instead allow staff to issue permits annually based on operational and enforcement capacity and the availability of safe locations.

Staff explained the original cap of 20 was set based on staffing capacity and regional benchmarks and that the amendment replaces a rigid number with an administrative determination "based on the city's capacity to effectively manage, inspect, and enforce mobile vending operations, as well as the availability of suitable locations for considerations of public health, safety, and welfare." Planning Commission will review the amendment in June.

During public input, Jamiki (self-identified assistant manager for Country Catering & Barbecue) said his business was denied renewal after slots filled under the prior cap and that the situation created a hardship. Council members and staff said the approved administrative approach should allow pending applications to be processed pending the formal ordinance amendment.

Council voted to approve staff’s recommendation; the motion carried unanimously.