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Council advances door‑to‑door solicitation licensing after resident concerns; one councilmember objects
Summary
After resident testimony about door‑to‑door solicitors and police response times, council placed Ordinance 10‑2026 (solicitor licensing and notice requirements) on second reading. Council discussion noted the ordinance may be restrictive; the vote on second reading recorded one dissenting vote (Councilmember Blair).
A resident told the Washington Court House City Council on May 22 that solicitors had come to her street without presenting evidence of a license and that the nonemergency police line left her on hold for several minutes. In response, council discussed enforcement and educational steps tied to a new door‑to‑door solicitation licensing ordinance.
Della Kasterke, who spoke during the public comment period, said two AES solicitors recently knocked at her door; one could not produce a solicitation license when asked, and Kasterke said she was put on hold for roughly seven to ten minutes when she called the police nonemergency number to report it. She asked how enforcement would work under the proposed ordinance.
Council members and staff explained that under current practice some AES groups obtain permits and that proof may be shown digitally, but the new ordinance (Ordinance 10‑2026) would require solicitors to provide notice at the door and hand a written notice describing the resident’s rights; failing to furnish the notice would itself be a violation that could support enforcement after the fact.
Council debated the measure’s scope. One council member described the ordinance as “overkill,” saying it contained more restrictions than expected. The clerk called a roll on second reading; the roll call recorded a majority in favor but Councilmember Jim Blair voted no. The ordinance remained on second reading (not adopted) at the meeting.
Why it matters: the ordinance will change how door‑to‑door sales are regulated and how residents can document and report potential violations. Enforcement practices and an educational period were discussed as part of implementation.
Next steps: the ordinance will proceed through the council’s ordinance schedule; staff indicated education and coordination with police will accompany enforcement when the law takes effect.
