Salt Lake's taco-cart rules unfair?

Changes in the way sidewalk vendors are allowed to operate in Salt Lake City could be seen as discriminatory, according to a Utah Hispanic nonprofit organization.

Centro Civico Mexicano is taking issue with amendments to city code unanimously passed by the Salt Lake City Council on Sept. 4 that place additional requirements on sidewalk vendors — specifically as they pertain to taco carts.

The amendments stemmed from complaints about smells, messes and locations of food-vending carts that property owners said negatively affect their businesses.

Under the amended ordinance, sidewalk vendors now must submit to a criminal background check, secure signed bathroom agreements with a neighboring business and provide written notice of intent to surrounding businesses and property owners before being issued a business license.

Some of the amendments, such as cleaning up spills and picking up litter, went into effect when the ordinance was passed. Those that pertain to business licenses take effect Jan. 1. All operators of sidewalk vending carts are required to renew their permits for 2008.

In a press release issued by Centro Civico Mexicano, spokesman John Renteria says the amendments "unjustly target and harm (taco vendors') unique commerce type." The statement also questions whether sidewalk vendors were given proper notice of the amendments and the public hearing that preceded them.

Renteria said he recently met with about a dozen street vendors, and many of them were not aware of the new requirements. A public hearing was held during the City Council's Sept. 4 meeting, but no street vendors spoke.

"The hearing took place without notice to the vendors," Renteria said. "The only intended application is at the expense of a vibrant and thriving micro-business. ... We were left in the dark."

That concerns Josie Valdez, administrator of the Mayor's Office of Diversity.

"None of the vendors were there to give testimony, and they were not included in the formation of the ordinances," Valdez said. "It's always been my opinion that those people who are affected (by an ordinance) should have some input."

Nancy Saxton , who represents the downtown area on the City Council, said it's the city's policy to notify all licensed vending-cart operators about an ordinance change.

"Unless there's someone who wasn't licensed, they should have been notified," she said.

Saxton said she received several complaints from business owners about sidewalk food-vending operations, including garbage and food spills not being cleaned up, reports of property damage and public urination and defecation by vendors and their patrons.