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<br />rJ- <br /> <br />- <br /> <br />CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION <br />Topic Report: Peddlers, Solicitors and <br />Transient Merchants <br />By: Jo Thieling, City Clerk <br /> <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br />As Council is aware, peddlers, solicitors and transient merchants are permitted to conduct <br />business within the City of Ramsey providing they apply for a permit to do so and meet the <br />criteria set forth in Chapter 7, Section 7.85, of the City Code. There are a couple of issues that <br />have come up recently that are not covered in this section of Code and staff feels it is important <br />to request Council to consider an amendment so these issues will be addressed. <br /> <br />The first item for consideration is to define temporary with regard to a transient merchant permit. <br />The Code currently states that transient merchant means any person, firm or corporation who <br />engages temporarily in the business of selling and delivering goods, wares, . .. However, <br />temporarily is not defined. In the past, the longest we have ever had a transient merchant request <br />a permit for is April 13 - October 31 [Micklin Rugs]). Presently, a transient merchant doing <br />business in the City, requested the year 2008 as the period of time in which activities will be <br />conducted. There is no language in the Code that would prohibit that time frame. Staff is <br />requesting Council discuss a definition for temporary and is proposing six months which should <br />cover plant sales and things of that nature (seasonal). <br /> <br />The second issue for discussion would be the location of the wares the transient merchant is <br />selling. Community Development staff suggested the following additional performance <br />standards for these permits: 1) Must be on an improved surface per the zoning requirements for <br />that district; 2) Cannot locate within required green space between parking area and right of <br />way; and 3) Site must remain in compliance with the sign ordinance. An additional license <br />requirement could be to require the applicant to produce a site drawing that shows where they <br />will be doing business on the site. . <br /> <br />Staff is enclosing a "working copy" of Section 7.85 of the City Code. The bolded, underlined <br />language deals with the issues mentioned above. In addition, Staff met with several other cities <br />regarding peddler/solicitor/transient merchant activities, and is also recommending a few minor <br />language changes. Those suggestions are also bolded and underlined. Staff is seeking direction <br />from Council with regard to the entire Section 7.85 of the City Code. <br /> <br />-3- <br />