Street vendors want parking spaces

City officials continued discussions Wednesday regarding a new proposal to widen sidewalks around The Hole to allow room for at least five street vendors. However, the new plan would require vendors to use the back parking lot for their vehicle parking.

“That’s impractical because I’m usually by myself,” said “Hot Dog Man” Brian Curran regarding parking in the back lot. “I have supplies I have to get out of my vehicle. I’ll have to leave my cart and money just sitting there. I’ll be out of business in no time.”

“I want a parking place for vendors,” added vendor Ken Beckwith. “The closest spot available so I can run an employee back and forth.”

Because of limited parking downtown, every space has a two-hour limit. The city’s ad hoc committee has not been considering allowing vendors to have their own designated parking spaces, as this would not be fair to others who visit, work, or own a business downtown.

“If vendors are going to have a designated area where they have to be,” said Beckwith, “I think it would be wonderful to have electric outlets.”

To date, McMinnville does not charge vendors a rate for being allowed to sell merchandise which would cover the electrical expense. The new proposed plan will charge a registration fee but that will be a minimal charge which will cover one year.

“We are not going to supply vendors with free electricity,” said Mayor Royce Davenport. “If we decide to charge for vending, we will consider giving them electricity.”

The proposed plan would require a health permit. Within 10 days of permit registration, the vendor and anyone coming in contact with any food or beverages served would have to have a statement from a doctor that they are free from infectious, contagious and communicable diseases. Without this statement, the vendor will not be issued a permit.

“Every employee has to have a doctor’s statement?” questioned Beckwith. “Restaurants don’t do that.”

“If you want to vend,” said Davenport, “you have to have it. When patrons look at your permit to vend in McMinnville, we want them to know you also have a health permit. We want everyone to have the same rules and regulations. That’s what this ordinance will do.”

Also discussed was the amount of space required between each vendor. After hearing from the vendors themselves, city officials agreed eight to 10 feet between vendors would be a reasonable amount and still allow for five vendors in the designated area.

“Sometimes I have a lot of patrons,” said Curran referring to the space needed. “Ten feet would allow them to gather around my cart without affecting other vendors.”