City Council discusses requirements for business licenses at length

A lengthy agenda was set for the City of California Board of Aldermen Monday, April 6, for its regular monthly meeting.

Although the council quickly went through many of the items brought before it, a request for closure of the approximately 100 foot length of Moreau Street between Versailles Avenue and Business 50 on Saturday, April 25, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., made by Gina Baker, Z Krafty 1, for a Spring Craft Show, basically stopped everything. Baker was unable to attend, but had apparently been informed by a council member the request could be made without her attendance. Information provided was the craft show vendors will be set up on the parking lot of the business and the parking lot of Paul Bloch's business across the very short street. The request was apparently made for safety concerns for people crossing the street between vendor booths, and the council approved the street closing. Then, a council member asked if the city had an ordinance requiring licensing of vendors.

After that discussion appeared to be going nowhere, Mayor Norris Gerhart tabled the discussion of the request until later in the meeting.

When brought up later, it was determined that the ordinance provides that any merchant doing business in the city, indoors or outdoors, must have a license. Not-for-profit vendors, such as fundraisers for causes or organizations, are exempted. After discussion, the council also approved waiving the requirement for vendors at "community-wide special events" such as the Ozark Ham and Turkey Festival.

By a 4-2 vote, the council decided that for-profit vendors would be required to purchase a city license. This includes the vendors at the craft show. One of the council members in contact with the business sponsoring the craft show volunteered to inform the requesting person of the decision.

As to how this will apply generally, City Attorney Ann Perry said that specific applications of the ordinance are under review at this time. Whether tickets or warnings will be given to those found in violation will be determined later.

For information on needed licenses, contact the city hall office at 573-796-4729

In other business, the council rejected the single bid for the shelter house and restroom facility planned for the east side of Proctor Park, due to the bid being significantly more than the funds allocated.

The council approved wrapping Christmas lights on the period street lights from the traffic light to the fairgrounds by the Moniteau County Relay for Life group from June 7-13, for the event on June 12.

A request by Bill Campbell for the city to mark all easement lines on the Barbour property was discussed, with the decision that it had to be done by a surveyor and doing the survey is up to the property owner.

The next council meeting is planned for Monday, May 4 in the City Hall meeting room.