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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFCS-17-046 - Street Vendor By-law 2017 REPORT TO: Committee of the Whole DATE OF MEETING: March 20, 2017 SUBMITTED BY: Christine Tarling, Director of Legislated Services & City Clerk, 519-741-2200, ext. 7809 PREPARED BY: Helen Fylactou, Manager of Licensing, 519-741-2200, ext. 7854 WARD(S) INVOLVED: All DATE OF REPORT: February 21, 2017 REPORT NO.: FCS-17-046 SUBJECT: 2017 STREET VENDOR BY-LAW ___________________________________________________________________________ RECOMMENDATION: st That the annual Street Vendors bylaw with the current locations and the May 31 application deadline as outlined in Finance and Corporate Services report FCS- 17-046 be prepared for Council’s consideration on March 20, 2017. 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, popcorn vendors, and 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) 45 Woodside Avenue (Harry Class Pool) On an annual basis the Street Vendors bylaw must be approved by Council in order for Licensing Services staff to prepare the business licences for the current year. The 2016 Street Vendor By-law expired on December 31, 2016 and a new by-law has been prepared for the 2017 season which requires Council’s approval. The licensing of street vendors is an annual process and the bylaw is relatively unchanged from previous years. 2. - 1 In 2016, Council approved the addition of a May 31 renewal application deadline in order to enable consideration of other applications after that date should the currently- assigned vendors not apply. The addition of a renewal application deadline also supports a more fair and transparent process, and gives opportunity to other vendors. REPORT: As part of the 2017 comprehensive licensing review the Street Vendor By-Law will be evaluated for efficiency and effective city services as well as customer service enhancements. In the interim, Licensing Services staff, in consultation with Legal Services, are recommending the current Street Vendor By-Law and associated processes remain the same as in 2016.An updated 2017 bylaw is included as part of the March 20, 2017 meeting based on the approved recommendation. Licences will be issued to those vendors that have been licensed previously at the st specific locations if they have made an application before May 31. After this date, all other applications would be considered for the approved locations. The process would include an advertisement being placed in a newspaper inviting applicants to apply to the Manager of Licensing. The Manager of Licensing 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. 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 2016 there were two Street Vendors licensed with revenue of $1050.00. The 2017 fee is $547.00, which is an increase of 2% and is consistent with all other 2017 business licenses increases. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: INFORM – This report has been posted to the City’s website with the agenda in advance of the council / committee meeting. PREVIOUS CONSIDERATION OF THIS MATTER: Report FCS-16-023 ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Dan Chapman, DCAO, Finance & Corporate Services 2. - 2