Athens City Council yesterday proposed another ordinance relating to N. Union Street vending that might take effect next year.
The proposed ordinance might require vendors on the Baker Center side of Union Street to pay $1,500 annually and vendors on the College Green side to pay $75. The ordinance also might require vendors on the College Green side to vend at least 20 days during the year to keep their licenses.
The vendor ordinance - which has not been amended since 1987 - will need to be finished by the end of November for it to be put into use for 2006, said Nancy Bain, D-3rd Ward.
Council members are trying to create one ordinance that will permanently fix the vending issue. Now some vendors buy year-round licenses and only vend on Halloween.
We need to figure out if we want vending in Athens
are we trying to encourage it or do we want to get rid of it? said Carol Patterson, D-2nd Ward.
Council also discussed assessing the Jefferson Hill Project and potentially repairing it and keeping it for the city. To assess the area and plan a project of replacement, council needs a three-quarters approval vote.
Paul Wiehl, D-1st Ward, presented project ideas, but members of council did not agree with him.
Jeff Hill is not considered a candidate of replacement; other streets are considered more vital for transportation said Jim Sands, D-at large.
At this time, no changes are being proposed for the Jeff Hill property, but members of council said they would like to see it improved as a pedestrian walkway.
Council also discussed a proposed ordinance that will allow the Athens Police Department to issue licenses to cab drivers and run background checks themselves instead of leaving it up to the taxi service.
Alice Kennedy, owner of TABS Transportation LLC, asked council why they feel background checks are so important.
As a private business I don't know how it can help public safety
she said.
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Meghan Nicholson
