Mitchell board adopts mobile‑vending permit and metal‑detector rules for parks
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Summary
The board adopted a mobile‑vending permit process requiring a 10‑day advance application for one‑time events, restricted motorized vehicle access in park interiors and set a roughly 200‑yard exclusion area to prevent conflicts with organized concessions; it also adopted a metal‑detector policy that permits detectors but forbids soil disturbance.
The Mitchell Parks and Recreation Board on Feb. 13 approved two administrative policies affecting public use of park property: a mobile‑vending permit framework and a metal‑detector policy.
Staff presented a two‑page mobile‑vending draft modeled in part on Rapid City’s rules and adapted to local needs. The permit requires one‑time vendors to submit applications at least 10 days before their event; staff said seasonal vendors typically book earlier and the 10‑day rule is reasonable for one‑off requests. The policy allows staff to waive permit fees when an individual is distributing items for free and requires vendors to display permits while operating.
The mobile‑vending guidance includes location restrictions: vehicles must generally remain in parking areas and non‑motorized carts may be permitted near pathways and field edges. Staff described a roughly 200‑yard distance intended to prevent ad‑hoc vendors from interfering with organized concessions or rentals during tournaments. Jeremy, a parks staffer, explained that vendors should be off trail surfaces and that carts that can be pushed are acceptable; motorized vehicles and trucks are intended to stay in the parking lots.
On metal detecting, parks staff proposed a policy that permits detector use but prohibits disturbing the soil in any manner—by hands, feet, spoons, forks, shovels or other devices—to remove items. Staff said the provision was drafted after consulting city legal counsel to provide clear grounds for enforcement and for seeking repair costs if digging damages park property. The policy does not restrict use of metal detectors on the lakebed when Lake Mitchell is drained, staff said; they expect additional guidance when state and county agencies clarify shoreline reclamation rules.
Both policies passed on unanimous voice votes. Staff will publish permit forms and policy text and prepare a map of allowable vendor locations prior to the 2025 season.