HomeMy WebLinkAboutFCS-16-023 - 2016 Street Vendor By-law
REPORT TO: Finance and Corporate Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: March 7, 2016
SUBMITTED BY: Christine Tarling, Director of Legislated Services & City Clerk,
519-741-2200, ext. 7809
PREPARED BY: Tanya Daniels, Manager of Licensing, 519-741-2200, ext. 7854
WARD(S) INVOLVED: All
DATE OF REPORT: February 23, 2016
REPORT NO.: FCS-16-023
SUBJECT: 2016 STREET VENDOR BY-LAW
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RECOMMENDATION:
That the annual Street Vendors By-law with the addition of a renewal application
deadline of May 31, 2016 for vendors with currently-assigned locations as
outlined in Finance and Corporate Services report FCS-16-023 be prepared for
Council’s consideration on March 21, 2016.
BACKGROUND:
Street vendors have been licensed via the Street Vendor By-law to operate on
specifically-approved city property for the past 25 years and consist of refreshment
vehicles such as hot dog carts and popcorn vendors as well as portrait artists. In most
cases these vendors operate on city sidewalks in the downtown core. The locations
where the above-noted vendors are currently permitted are:
Victoria Park;
King and Gaukel Streets;
King Street East across from 53 King Street East;
King Street West and Water Street;
King Street and Benton Street (Portrait Artist); and,
45 Woodside Avenue (Harry Class Pool).
Annually, the Street Vendor By-law must be approved by Council in order for Licensing
staff to prepare the business licences for the current year. The 2015 Street Vendor By-
law expired on December 31, 2015 and a new By-law for the 2016 season is now
required.
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REPORT:
As part of the 2016 Comprehensive Business Licensing review the Street Vendor By-
Law and associated processes will be evaluated for efficiency and effective city services
as well as customer service enhancements. In the interim, Licensing staff, in
consultation with Legal Services, are recommending the current Street Vendor By-Law
and associated processes remain the same as in previous years with the addition of a
May 31, 2016 renewal application deadline for vendors with currently-assigned
locations. Previously, these vendors were not required to apply for their license by a
specific date which has resulted in the assigned locations being made unavailable to
other potential vendors even when the location is not in use. The addition of the
renewal application deadline gives first-right-of-refusal for a license to those vendors
who have been previously licensed at those locations but would enable consideration of
all other applications after that date should the currently-assigned vendors not apply.
The addition of a renewal application deadline is seen to support a more fair and
transparent process, and give opportunity to other vendors.
After the May 31, 2016 deadline, the process would involve advertising in a newspaper
to invite interested vendors to apply to the Manager of Licensing who would review all
applications using the criteria as set out in the By-law to determine a successful new
applicant. If there are multiple applicants meeting the same criteria, the names would
be subject to a lottery process whereby the successful applicant would be chosen
through a draw.
An updated By-law for the 2016 season will be brought forward to the March 21, 2016
Council meeting based on Council’s decision this date.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
The recommendation of this report supports the achievement of the city’s strategic
vision through the delivery of core service.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
In 2015 there were two Street Vendors licensed with revenue of $1050.00. The fee
approved in 2015 was $525 for all locations except the King Street and Benton Street
location which was set at $95 for a Portrait Artist. Staff is recommending to remain at
the 2015 fees for the 2016 licence year with the understanding that the Street Vendor
fees will be included in the Comprehensive Business Licensing review.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
INFORM – This report has been posted to the City’s website with the agenda in
advance of the council / committee meeting.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: D. Chapman, Deputy CAO Finance & Corporate Services
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