REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on Policy Options to Amend Regulations Related to Street Vending Activities in the City of Santa Clara
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Deliver and Enhance High Quality Efficient Services and Infrastructure
Enhance Community Engagement and Transparency
BACKGROUND
Mr. Gibbins, owner of The Hot Dog Dude, operates a sidewalk vending business on the 5000 block of Stars and Stripes Drive near Levi's Stadium. Mr. Gibbins has attended Council meetings on multiple occasions to express concerns regarding the sidewalk vending that is occurring during events at Levi's Stadium. From his perspective, it appears that there are several unpermitted vendors conducting business on event days. It is also his belief that a lack of permitting enforcement is having a negative financial impact to his business and he has requested assistance from the City.
During the past event season, the Police Department experienced a drastic increase in the number of unpermitted food and merchandise vendors within the immediate footprint of large-scale stadium events. This increase has caused several health and safety concerns which are outlined below.
As currently written, the City Code and regulations do not align with recently adopted State legislation related to sidewalk vending. Consequently, the City's ability to address these health and safety concerns or the issues raised by Mr. Gibbins is constrained.
The purpose of this report is to provide the City Council with an overview of the current regulatory environment including the two pieces of recently adopted legislation that shape the options to regulate street vending on sidewalks as well as in the public right-of-way. In addition, this report provides policy options for the Council to consider that will, hopefully, better position the City to address the concerns raised by Mr. Gibbins as well as the health and safety concerns that have been identified by staff.
DISCUSSION
Definition of Sidewalk Vending
P...
Click here for full text