Title
Authorizing the establishment of Carts in Parks, a food vending pilot program in Madison Parks for the summer and fall of 2021, to aid City Licensed food carts’ economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Body
WHEREAS, Vending of food and goods in City of Madison parks is regulated by section 8.17 of the Madison General Ordinances. Vending in Parks requires a Parks vending permit and payment of associated permit fees. The Board of Park Commissioners has authority, under section 8.17(2)(b)2., MGO to adjust parks vending permit fees from time to time; and
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 Pandemic has been ongoing since March 2020, resulting in “Safer at Home Orders” and a series of emergency orders from Public Health Madison & Dane County (PHMDC) that have deemed parks essential outdoor spaces that are better options for gatherings when allowed; and
WHEREAS; the severe consequences of COVID-19 have caused City of Madison licensed food cart and truck operators to lose, on average, 69% of their revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic; and serious economic hardships for businesses are expected to continue as local, state, and federal governments work to, among other things, distribute COVID-19 vaccines; and
WHEREAS, PHMDC has lifted its orders as of June 2, 2021, and there is optimism that the community is beginning to recover from the pandemic; and
WHEREAS, Parks Division and Economic Development Division (EDD) staff have been approached by a number of food vending businesses to explore creative ways to utilize park spaces to attempt to recover and provide opportunities to the community in COVID-safe ways; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that, the Board of Park Commissioners authorizes staff from the Parks Division and Economic Development Division to conduct a pilot Carts in Parks vending program to place food vendors at locations in City parks until the end of the shelter/parks reservation schedule in 2021, and approves the following temporary changes to the P...
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