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Council authorizes three additional fixed‑stand vending licenses on Bayfront, directs review of application process
Summary
The council approved a resolution adding three fixed‑stand vending licenses at the west end of the Bayfront Boardwalk, and asked staff to return with a process (lottery or application window) for future allocations after councillors raised concerns about fairness and transparency.
The Newport City Council adopted Resolution 2025‑04‑21‑001 authorizing three additional fixed‑stand vending licenses at the west end of the Bayfront Boardwalk, and separately approved a motion to hold a future work session to develop a transparent application/renewal process for those licenses.
Derek Tokos, Community Development Director, explained the municipal vending ordinance allows the council to designate where fixed‑stand vending is permitted and that the west end of the boardwalk has physical room for a total of six 10‑by‑10 vending envelopes; the existing resolution limited fixed stand vending on that west side to three licenses. "We could do the 3 additional without any difficulty if that's what you want to do," Tokos said, noting most fixed‑stand permits are issued on a first‑come, first‑served basis at present.
Several councilors raised fairness and transparency concerns, saying the current practice favored vendors already familiar with the licensing process. Councilor Hall expressed that expanding without a clear application window or allocation procedure would create poor optics and asked staff to return with a recommendation for a lottery or an open application period. Councilor Romagu moved to adopt the resolution; Councilor Parker seconded. The council then approved a separate motion to schedule a work session to review vending license application and renewal procedures.
The resolution authorizes three additional annual fixed‑stand vending licenses at the specified west end Bayfront location; existing licenses remain annual and subject to municipal rules. Staff said food carts/trucks remain a separate licensing regime involving county health requirements.
Councilors asked staff to draft a simple, time‑bounded process for issuing newly authorized licenses (for example, an application window followed by a lottery), and to return to council with recommendations so that future allocations are more transparent.
