The Wayland City Council Monday evening grappled with the possibility of adopting a solicitors’ license ordinance, but then decided against it.
The Planning Commission earlier had discussed the idea and asked planning consultant Janis Johnson to present a sample ordinance.
Councilwoman Jennifer Antel, herself a coordinator for Pampered Chef in-house parties, said, “It’s a free market. People are allowed to sell their businesses (products) or services. I don’t see a need for it (an ordinance), unless there are complaints.”
Mayor Tim Bala said he has more problems with telephone solicitors than door-to-door salespersons.
The ordinance would have required solicitors to register first with city police and inform them they were in town doing business.
Councilman Rick Mathis said of the proposed ordinance, “I think it’s a little bit too strict. I’d like to see something more boiled down.”
He said benevolent solicitors such as sellers of Girl Scout cookies essentially should be allowed to do what they do.
City Manager Mike Selden said, “There wasn’t even a consensus on the Planning Commission (about the proposed ordinance)… We could clean up the language and have it fit our community better.
“But I don’t know that I’ve had one complaint about solicitors since I started working here (April 2012).”
He added that he’d like to see door-to-door salespeople honors homeowners’ sign that insist on “No solicitors.”
Councilwoman Lisa Banas said, “We could have this (ordinance), but how are we going to enforce it?”
Finally, Councilwoman Tracy Bivins quipped that she’d move to let the issue die on the table. No one moved to pursue the matter further, so it expired quietly.
