Watertown council holds first reading of mobile vendor permit ordinance

The Watertown City Council on Aug. 18 held the first reading of an ordinance to create a permit regime for mobile vendors operating on city property. City Manager Steger told the council the draft ordinance was developed with input from three council members and city staff and would establish an annual permit, to be issued by the city engineer, for a proposed fee of $100. The city manager said the ordinance would designate locations on public property where vendors may operate and would not restrict a vendor's ability to set up on private property. Key provisions and council comment The ordinance would: - Require an annual permit issued by city engineering staff and a fee anticipated to be set by a fee resolution after second reading (staff indicated a $100 annual fee as a placeholder). - Establish designated vending locations on public property and a process for approving vendors near an existing private business; the permit requires approval by the city engineer and the adjacent business owner when the vendor proposes to set up on a city street in front of a business. - Require liability insurance and indemnification by the vendor. City Manager Steger said the ordinance does not interfere with vendors operating on private property and that staff and council members had worked on language to address concerns about vendors locating in front of brick‑and‑mortar businesses. Next steps This was a first reading; no vote is required. Staff expects to bring back the ordinance for second reading and a fee resolution to set the exact $100 fee at a future meeting. Discussion vs. decision Discussion only: ordinance language, permitted locations on public property, and protections for adjoining businesses. Direction/assignment: staff to prepare a fee resolution for council consideration at second reading and finalize ordinance language after council comment. Formal action: first reading completed; no binding action taken.