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1 <br /> <br />COUNCIL CHAMBERS April 15, 1985 <br /> <br /> Council met in regular session on this date with the <br />following members present: Mr. Barnes, Mr. Buck, Mrs. Gleason, <br />Dr. Hall. Absent: Dr. Gunter. <br /> <br />MINUTES <br /> <br /> On motion by Mr.s. Gleason, seconded by Dr. Hall, the minutes <br />of March 26th were unanimously approved as presented. <br /> <br /> On motion by Mr. Barnes, seconded by Dr. Hall, the minutes <br />of March 27th were unanimously approved as presented. <br /> <br /> On motion by Dr. Hall, seconded by Mrs. Gleason, the minutes <br />of April 1st were unanimously approved as presented. <br /> <br />PUBLIC <br /> <br /> Mr. Darden Towe, representing the Central Virginia Little <br />League Baseball Association, requested the City's assistance in <br />supplying electricity to the ~concession stand at Pen Park. Mr. <br />Towe stated that the Association could pay up to $2500 of the <br />estimated $7300 to $7500 VEPCO would charge. <br /> <br /> Mr. Hendrix stated that the Department of Parks and Recreation <br />is conducting a study~ due in approximately one week, of the cost <br />and implications of supplying electricity to Pen Park and of <br />opening the park up for night-time activities. <br /> <br />PUBLIC HEARING: STREET VENDOR POLICY ON DOWNTOWN MALL <br /> <br /> Mr. Hendrix explained that legal issues concerning the <br />vendor policy on the downtown mall are being investigated and <br />a report providing a legal framework and alternatives would be <br />available in approximately one week. <br /> <br /> Mr. John Carter, owner of Artists Portfolio, stated that <br />merchants are limited in changing their physical appearance and <br />recommended that Council remove the restr, ictions in order to allow <br />merchants to liven up the mall. Mr. Carter favored banning push- <br />cart vendors on the downtown mall. <br /> <br /> Mr. Buck requested that persons give their reaction to <br />restricting the number of vendors allowed to seven and to regulation <br />of their appearance and location. <br /> <br /> Mr. Robert Nelson, owner of a popcorn push cart, stated that <br />he did no~ feel there had been or would be an invasion of vendors <br />on the downtown mall, that he pays considerable taxes and license <br />fees to operate his business, that he did not feel he was a <br />pedestrian hazard, and that his business meets a need. Mr. Nelson <br />presented Council with a petition signed by more than 600 persons <br />· n support of t.he vendors on the downtown mall and stated that he <br />felt the merchants opposed to the vendors were attempting to <br />restrict free trade. <br /> <br /> Ms. Betsy Fernald, owner of the Roasted Bean Restaurant, <br />stated that she felt the vendors produced trash on the mall and <br />were unattractive. <br /> <br /> Mr. Richard Carter, an attorney representing Mr. Richard <br />Rebori, owner of the Nook Restaurant, stated that the vendors <br />offered an alternative to shoppers and business people, added <br />a uniqueness to the downtown mall, and should not be banned. <br />Mr. Carter stated that he felt Council had the authority to <br />enforce regulations for the mall. Mr. Carter added that he felt <br />economics would restrict the number of carts on the downtown mall. <br /> <br /> Mr. Charles Kabbash, owner of Stitches, stated that vendors <br />should be banned on the downtown mall because the circus atmosphere <br />they created is not in keeping with the revitalization efforts. <br />Mr. Kabbash stated that a person does not have a right to vend <br />on the downtown mall, other cities have banned push-cart vendors, <br /> <br /> <br />