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<br />charged $150, that vendors be required to pay sales tax, and that rent be charged to vendors
<br />at the rate of 10% of sales over $750.
<br />
<br /> Responding to questions from Ms. Slaughter and Ms. Daugherty, Mr. Gouldman stated
<br />that peddlers of wood, meat, milk, butter, eggs, poultry, fish, oysters, game, vegetables, fruit
<br />or other family supplies of a perishable nature grown or produced by them and participants in
<br />the City Market are exempt from the vendors license.
<br />
<br /> Mr. Anthony Dowell, speaking on behalf and in support of vendors, stated that he feels
<br />vendors are an asset to the mall. h/Ir. Dowell noted that there is a level of hostility directed at
<br />the vendors by other retail merchants on the mall.
<br />
<br /> Ms. Joan Woodfolk, a vendor and City Market participant, stated that she is required to
<br />obtain a peddlers license in order to vend outside the City Market. Ms. Woodfolk stated that
<br />she feels vendors' are an attraction for the mall, and would support a small increase in the fee.
<br />Ms. Woodfotk noted that She, as well as other vendors, collects and pays sales tax. Ms.
<br />Woodfolk stated that raising the fee to $150 would discourage people from vending on the
<br />mall,
<br />
<br /> Mr. William Whitton, Route 14, Box 1, stated that he would favor a small increase in
<br />the fee. Mr. Whitton stated that limiting where vendors who do not participate in the
<br />Christmas City Market in November and December can set up is a hardship on vendors.
<br />
<br /> Mr. Sergio Castio, owner of a bakery on the mall, stated that he represents established
<br />businesses on the mall, and while he welcomes competition, he encouraged Council to help
<br />protect the interests of permanent businesses.
<br />
<br /> Mr. Jerry Washington, a vendor who resides on Rockcreek Road, stated that he would
<br />not be able to pay a fee of $150 and recommended that a smaller increase be approved.
<br />
<br /> Mr. Larry Engel, owner of Central Virginia Jewelry and Coin Exchange, stated that he
<br />feels other issues with vendors, including what is sold, should be considered along with the
<br />fee increase.
<br />
<br /> Mr. Charles McGuinness, a vendor on the mall, stated that he pays sales tax and stated
<br />that if Council wants to charge a fair fee for vending, then the charge should be based on the
<br />percentage of sales
<br />
<br /> Mr. Ed Harris, a vendor, stated that vending has given trim an opportunity follow his
<br />dream and increasing the fee to $150 would be hard to pay.
<br />
<br /> Ms. Kate Fraley, a resident of Meadowbrook Heights and a newly established vendor,
<br />recommended that Council follow the logic used in charging rent for sidewalk cafes, and be
<br />charged based on the square footage used and number of days the vendor operates.
<br />
<br /> Mr. Robby Knoll, a member of the Mall Committee, expressed concern about vendors
<br />taking business away from permanent retailers, and used the example of a local restaurateur
<br />who had purchased an expresso machine, but was undercut by a vendor selling expresso just
<br />outside of his business.
<br />
<br /> Mr. Eldon Wood, a member of the Mall Committee and the Board of Architectural
<br />Review, stated that his interest has been in improving the aesthetics of the vendors and
<br />explained that the BAR is in the process of developing additional design guidelines.
<br />
<br /> Mr. Baughan Roemer, a member of the Mall Committee, stated that the
<br />recommendations made by the Committee were an attempt to level the playing field for all
<br />businesses, but noted that the Committee also recommended improved design guidelines, that
<br />vendors be required to vend 15 feet away from storefronts, and that there be greater
<br />enforcement of regulationS.
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