The Wayland City Council Monday nig
ht adopted a vendor’s license ordinance after its second reading and it held the first reading of a proposed local non-discrimination ordinance.
The vendor’s license ordinance, which was adopted by a 5-0 vote, will handle sellers of items outdoors, but will not apply to approved garage sales within the city.
The Planning Commission last month received requests from two different sellers of fireworks who want to set up shop at the Harding’s Market parking lot and the Cars2Go lot. Jake’s Fireworks has been selling fireworks out of a tent near Harding’s for the past three years. Now Phantom Fireworks also is asking for permission at sell at Cars2Go.
Janis Johnson, planning consultant from Wade Trim of Grand Rapids, told the Planning Commission the purpose of such an ordinance would be “to avoid hazards and unsafe conditions,” but she added it could also affect the sales of other outdoor items such as Christmas trees.
Outdoor vendors now will be required to pay a $25 fee selling up to five days, $100 for a 30-day license and $200 for a license to cover up to 90 days.
The measure has become more important in recent years because the State Legislature passed a law permitting sales and use of fireworks, so outdoor vendors have been proliferating.
A local non-discrimination ordinance has been been in more than 30 communities in Michigan. It is modeled after a suggestion from the Michigan Civil Rights Commission.
The template, offered by the eight-member commission, includes language referencing sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, alongside protections for race, religion, age and more.
“Basically, it’s to protect people,” said City Manager Mike Selden. “This is something other communities already have done.”
The Michigan Legislature has taken up the issue of applying non-discrimination rules statewide, but have not come to any agreement.
