Title
Resolution Recommending Revisions to the Ann Arbor Sidewalk Vendor Program
Body
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor supports the economic vitality and diversity that sidewalk vendors bring to the community;
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor has attempted to encourage greater participation by local entrepreneurs in sidewalk vending opportunities by revising policies, fee structures, and ordinance enforcement directed towards sidewalk vendors;
Whereas, These revisions have led to some sidewalk vendors utilizing vendor trailers that are larger then a typical sidewalk vending trailer moved by a single person;
Whereas, These larger vending trailers have been towed by motorized vehicles onto city sidewalks, impeding pedestrian mobility and diminishing pedestrian safety;
Whereas, These larger vending trailers have been pushed by more then one person onto city sidewalks when informed by the City that motorized vehicles couldn't be driven onto city sidewalks;
Whereas, These larger vending trailers have utilized motorized electrical generators, impeding disabled pedestrian mobility and diminishing pedestrian safety due to nuisance noise;
Whereas, Sidewalk vending trailers have been, and are presently, left on city sidewalks unattended after the close of business;
Whereas, These unattended sidewalk vending trailers have been left unattended for months and months with no vending business conducted;
Whereas, Adjacent property owners are responsible for the maintenance and replacement of sidewalk slabs;
Whereas, Adjacent property owners are responsible at their expense for the clearing of snow on the sidewalks adjacent to their property including the areas around unattended vending trailers;
Whereas, Sidewalk vendors are not required to share in the costs of sidewalk maintenance that adjacent property owners are; and
Whereas, Adjacent property owners have been unfairly required to provide economic benefit to sidewalk vendors by maintaining sidewalks at their expense and in addition have complained about:
· the large vending trailers parked on the public sidewalks;
· vending trailers left unattended after the close of business;
· vending trailers left unattended for months and months without any business conducted;
· vending trailers locked to public street implements such as bike racks and street signs;
· the noise associated with motorized electrical generators used by vendors;
· the placement of vending trailers at prominent entrances to public facilities;
· the placement of vending trailers that impede pedestrian traffic;
RESOLVED, On this day, March 17, 2008, the City Council of Ann Arbor directs the Administrator to recommend policies, procedures, and ordinance amendments necessary to address the complaints that have arisen due to sidewalk vendors;
RESOLVED, The Administrator engage and receive comment from the many stakeholders involved, including, but not limited too, sidewalk vendors, the University of Michigan, the Ann Arbor Chamber of Commerce, the Main Street Area Association, the State Street Area Association, the South University Area Association, and the public; and
RESOLVED, The Administrator provide a report and recommendations on revisions to policies, fee structures, and ordinances necessary to create a sidewalk vendor program that is enforceable and works for the betterment of the community by May 5, 2008.
Submitted by: Councilmembers Stephen Kunselman, Ward 3 and Sabra Briere, Ward 1
As Amended by Ann Arbor City Council on March 17, 2008