At the March 14, 2023, meeting of the Franklinton Board of Alderman, Franklinton Chamber of Commerce president Joe Felder presented to the board an activity hosted by the Chamber of Commerce. On May 6, the Chamber will host "Lawn chairs and Lemonade" in the parking lot on Main and Jackson Streets with vendors set up on Pearl Street. The event will feature a car show, live music, arts and crafts and face painting.
Mr. Felder stated that the cost to have a booth at the event or to enter the car show is $25. He and the Chamber asked for the town to grant permission for using the parking lot area and waive the occupational license $50 fee for that day only. The board immediately approved the usage of the property for the event but could not come to a satisfactory conclusion on the waiving of the fee for potential vendors. After lengthy discussion and no concrete decision, the Council and Mayor decided to call a special meeting on Tuesday, March 21 to discuss the matter further.
Franklinton's occupational license is required for selling anything within the town limits. As the ordinance is written, there is no avenue for a special rate or waiving of fee. Currently Franklinton has a "no rolling vendors" ordinance and no food trucks with the exception of the Farmer's Market. However, those food vendors must have an occupational license to set up at the Market. According to the board, this is monitored by members of the Farmer's Market board and town Code Enforcer Danny Knight. Anyone doing business in town must have an occupational license because ultimately it may hurt businesses in town.
At the March 21 special meeting, there was also some discussion of booths with owners who might be school-aged children.
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Alderman TJ Butler emphatically stated that he does not want to charge school-aged children a license fee for whatever goods they may be selling that day. The mayor agreed with this. It was concluded that a new ordinance that addresses such events that showcase the town is the correct course to take.
Chamber member Penny Jones spoke to explain that first the Chamber wanted permission to use the parking lot. This was granted at the March 14 meeting. She reiterated that the $25 fee the Chamber of Commerce is charging for vendors is primarily to cover the cost of the music, car show awards and portable bathrooms. The Chamber is asking for the town to suspend the occupational license fee for the event only for folks to come to town and sell wares. There will be no food trucks and local eateries in the general area are encouraged to be open for visitors. The ultimate purpose of the Chamber of Commerce is to show off Franklinton.
With all that being said, Alderman Seth Descant recommended introducing an occupational license holiday for such events if requested, but maintain the no food trucks portion of the ordinance. Alderwoman Patrice Crain, who seconded Descant's motion stated, "I want to get an ordinance straight for rolling vendors so let's take care of it." Mr. Butler empathized again that, "I am totally against kids having to pay." According to Franklinton's Charter the Board of Alderman will have to adopt an ordinance to waive or grant exemption upon approval of the Board.
Therefore, two amendments to the current ordinance will be suggested at the March 28 meeting. One will suspend occupational license requirement for special events (this covers minors), and one to allow rolling vendors for special events and festivals. Being satisfied that there will be a new ordinance to adopt at the next meeting, the board ended the special meeting.
