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441 <br /> <br /> Mr. Schilling said it would be helpful for the public to understand the history of <br />vendors on the mall. <br /> <br /> Mr. Tolbert said he is not sure he can answer that, but said vendors have been a <br />part of the mall for a number of years. He said that in the past few years there has been <br />concern about space and the appearance of vendors. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schilling said he would like to see an estimate of the amount of sales by <br />vendors. <br /> <br />Mr. Tolbert said vendors are required to have business licenses. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schilling said he would like to see an analysis of what economic impact <br />vendors are bringing to the mall and what other benefits are being brought with their <br />presence. He agreed that he does not want to put them out of business. He said he does <br />not see how charging more helps other businesses. Regarding comments about locations <br />on the mall, he said perhaps those areas that are truly less than desirable could be priced <br />under market to generate business in those areas. He concurred with Ms. Hamilton that if <br />fees are increased, there should be a good reason for doing so and they should be <br />increased gradually. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati said that the proposals make things more complicated, and he asked <br />how they will be enforced and if there is adequate staff. <br /> <br /> Mr. Tolbert said that the Zoning Inspector is charged with enforcement, but noted <br />that enforcement problems have gone down, and since there has been a fee problem <br />vendors have disappeared. He said he does not think the proposals would be difficult to <br />deal with. He said the police on the mall also help with enforcement. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati asked if we can determine what vendors make, and Mr. Tolbert said <br />he can see if information is available for vendors as a group. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati asked what rental rates are for vendors at Fashion Square Mall. He <br />said Mr. Kleeman makes a good point about maintaining public space, and asked if this <br />proposal will address that. <br /> <br />Mr. Tolbert said thinning out will help. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown said he would like to see it be a little more clear about who gets what <br />space. He suggested that thought be given to subleasing spaces. He agreed about the <br />importance of public space for activities. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr. Lynch, Mr. Tolbert said there is a one-time <br />fee for the BAR, plus annual rent. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown asked about regulation of non-profit vendors, and Mr. Tolbert said <br />they must be set up in approved places and their appearance is regulated. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati said he would like further discussion about grandfathering the <br />original cafes. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati asked if caf6 spaces can be reassigned, and Mr. Tolbert said he <br />believes they cannot be. <br /> <br /> Ms. Hamilton said she would like more understanding of the rationale for the <br />increased fees since Mr. Tolbert said that most problem vendors are gone. She said she <br />would hate to see the vendors go away. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said it is important to note that the vendors occupy public space, but it <br />is not free space. He said major brick repair of the mall will cost millions of dollars and <br />will be paid for by the public, not the vendors or cafes. He said we need to make sure <br />there is enough room for the public on the mall. He said pricing is probably most fair to <br /> <br /> <br />