Staff outlines temporary vendor permit model for special events, including organizer fee and vendor limits

City staff presented a proposed framework for temporary vendor permits intended to streamline special-event permitting and make it easier for small vendors to participate.

Under the draft, one approved event organizer would apply for an event, submit a site plan, maintain the vendor roster and act as the city's point of contact; vendors would receive temporary permits valid only for the approved event date, time and location rather than a general permit to operate year-round. Staff emphasized compliance guardrails such as sales-tax acknowledgment, hold-harmless language, stricter health and fire reviews for food vendors using generators or propane, and limits on the number of temporary days per vendor.

"The temporary permit would not allow the vendor to operate generally … it's only specific to the event that's being applied for," a staff member said while describing the proposed process and a suggested cap of six temporary event days per vendor annually unless the vendor obtained full licensing.

Staff also proposed a fee model: a master fee paid by the event organizer plus a per-vendor fee that would ultimately go to the city. Council members cautioned that fee levels should reflect actual regulatory cost rather than become revenue-generating. Garnet said fees should "equate no more than what it's actually going to cost the city to engage in the regulatory conduct."

Council asked staff to review the draft, consult legal counsel as needed, and return the framework for later discussion alongside the special-event ordinance. The council indicated consensus to continue refining the proposal at a subsequent work session.