Sebring council authorizes staff to create guidelines for a vendor pop-up pilot on the Circle

The City Council on May 20 authorized staff to finalize guidelines and begin a pilot pop-up vendor program for the Circle downtown.

City administration proposed a special-event-style application for short-term retail/pop-up vending on the Circle. Staff recommended several guardrails: no food or beverage vendors (to avoid direct competition with downtown food businesses), proof of liability insurance naming the city as additional insured, limits on consecutive days and annual frequency, and coordination with existing scheduled events.

Council discussion settled on an initial framework: vendors may reserve the site up to six times per year, with a maximum of three consecutive days per reservation unless special circumstances apply; hours were set broadly at 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; insurance will be required; and staff will re-evaluate the program in about six months. Council asked staff to return with a detailed application and operational guidance and authorized staff to accept reservations subject to those guidelines.

Councilmembers and members of the public asked specific questions about acceptable vendor types. Staff said the program is intended primarily for small retail and business incubator uses (crafts, clothing, nonprofit outreach and similar activity). Entertainment-only uses and services that fall under other local ordinances may be handled separately. One prospective vendor, Isaura Perez, asked about tarot readings and services; staff said the code will clarify which services are permitted.

The council approved the motion to authorize staff to implement the pilot program and directed staff to bring back a formal application and rules for administrative implementation.