Sponsors Of Itinerant Vendors, Peddlers, And Solicitors Ordinance Seek Public Comment

A proposed Ordinance dealing with Itinerant Vendors, Peddlers, and Solicitors is now before the Louisville Metro Council’s Public Works, Facilities, Transportation and Accessibility Committee.

The sponsors of the Ordinance are asking for public comment as the legislation moves forward.

“This is a starting point as we begin a review of how to deal with itinerant vendors, peddlers and solicitors in this growing area of our economy,” says Councilwoman Barbara Sexton Smith (D-4). “It is important that we hear from everyone on this issue. We are in no rush to get this legislation passed. We want to make sure all interested parties and the public know where and how they can advise us on this issue.”

Sexton Smith is one of four sponsors of the Ordinance. Council member Brandon Coan (D-8), Pat Mulvihill (D-10) and Scott Reed (R-16) are also sponsors. Councilman Mulvihill chairs the Public Works Committee.

“Current regulations regarding vending are complex and outdated” says Coan. “That is why we are treating this legislation with a public process to eliminate confusion and crowdsource policy ideas.”

Appearing before the Public Works Committee, the sponsors announced the public will be able to comment online by accessing a new webpage on the Metro Council Clerk’s Homepage that shows the current ordinance, the proposed changes and offers a comment section.

“When this ordinance was recently legally challenged and changed, this prompted Metro Council to look at the ordinance governing vendors, peddlers, and solicitors and attempt to update this audience since it has not been examined since 2011. The proposed ordinance is just a proposal at this point and is seeking public input from all interested parties on what, if any, changes need to be made going forward,” says Mulvihill, who chairs the Committee.

The Committee has announced two public hearings regarding the proposed Ordinance. On October 30th, all businesses that are currently regulated as vendors will be able to testify on the Ordinance. Each person will be given three minutes to make a statement and be available for questions by any committee members. On November 13th, anyone else who would like to comment on the new proposal will be invited to speak.

Following those hearings, the Committee will begin its discussion on the Ordinance. Online comments will be taken up to Friday, November 16th.

All meetings are carried live on Metro TV, Spectrum Cable Channel 184 or on UVERSE at Channel 99. All meetings of the Metro Council are streamed live. Go to the Metro Council Home page at www.Louisvilleky.gov/metrocouncil  and click on the Metro Council Agendas link.

To access the new page that explains the proposed changes in the Itinerate Vendors, Peddlers and Solicitors Ordinance, go to: https://louisvilleky.gov/government/metro-council/proposed-changes-itine…