title
CC - ACTION ITEM: (1) Adoption of an Ordinance Regulating Sidewalk Vending; and (2) Direction to the City Manager as Deemed Appropriate.
body
Meeting Date: October 23, 2023
Contact Person/Dept.: Christina Burrows, Deputy City Attorney
Shelly Wolfberg, Assistant to the City Manager
Phone Number: City Attorney's Office - (310) 253-5660
City Manager's Office - (310) 253-6000
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X] Date:
Commission Name:
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (10/17/2023)
Department Approval: Heather Baker, City Attorney (10/09/2023) / John Nachbar, City Manager (10/17/2023)
______________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council (1) adopt an ordinance regulating sidewalk vending; and (2) provide direction to the City Manager as deemed appropriate.
BACKGROUND
At the February 13, 2023 City Council meeting, the majority of the City Council (3 - 2 vote) approved the introduction of an ordinance regulating sidewalk vending in the City. The City Council directed staff to delay enforcement of the ordinance for 90 days after adoption, which means that if it is adopted, it will not be enforced until January 22, 2024 or later (pending adoption of the sidewalk vending permit fee).
DISCUSSION
Since February 13th, Enforcement Services staff has reached out to sidewalk vendors in both English and Spanish to provide information about the proposed ordinance. Enforcement Services staff has not received any feedback from sidewalk vendors. Additionally, this information is on the City website. Staff has drafted a sidewalk vending permit application form, with an emphasis on making the form as simple and accessible as possible. The application form and information about the ordinance will be translated into English and Spanish.
In reviewing the proposed ordinance, staff realized that there was a typographical error in the version presented on February 13th. The ordinance stated that it was adding Chapter 11.21 to the Culver City Municipal Code (CCMC), however Chapter 11.21 already exists. The ordinance presented tonight has been updated to state that it is adding Chapter 11.18 to the CCMC.
City staff is evaluating the time it will take to review a sidewalk vending permit application, and staff intends to return at a future Council meeting with a proposed permit application fee. Staff anticipates the new sidewalk vending permit application fee will be included in the Citywide fee study, which is currently underway.
Applicants would start the application process with the Finance Department. The City’s Enforcement Services Division will be responsible for the enforcement of the Ordinance. Staff in this Division lead with an “education first” approach regarding compliance of the City’s Municipal Code.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
The adoption of the sidewalk vending ordinance will not result in a fiscal impact. However, implementation of the sidewalk vending ordinance would result in an operational and fiscal impact to the City that would depend on the extent of enforcement actions required. Potentially, the permit application fee would offset the cost of the implementation and enforcement of the ordinance.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Proposed Sidewalk Vending Ordinance
MOTIONS
That the City Council:
1. Adopt an Ordinance regulating sidewalk vending; and
2. Provide direction to the City Manager as deemed appropriate.