Contact: Colleen Roche or Dwight Williams (212) 788-2958
For many years the mobile food vending business was under the control of a few large corporations, some of whom took advantage of the City's permit granting system. These companies demanded exorbitant fees from vendors for the use of city permits. In fact, there were some companies whose primary business was the leasing of vending carts with the appropriate permit attached, while itself having no connection to the business of selling or distributing food. Because of these practices, many of the actual vendors, who did the hard work of preparing and selling food on the streets, found it difficult to earn a living. Moreover, the vendors who were under the control of these companies were not covered for workers compensation or other benefits normally associated with employment.
In January of 1995, this Administration developed and introduced legislation that soon became Local Law 15, to correct the inequities of the food vending permit system. The law provided that a mobile food vendor could be granted only one permit, and that the leasing of such permit would be prohibited. Hundreds of legitimate vendors have benefited, and many more will enter this field as a way to start a business in this city.
While Local Law 15 was never intended to impact upon those who were legitimate vendors, there are, however, a very small and limited group that may be negatively affected by the implementation of this law. In the bill before me today, those vendors who were exclusive manufacturers or distributors and had multiple seasonal food vending permits when Local Law 15 was enacted, and who are exclusive manufacturers and distributors today, would be able to regain up to 60 of those permits. Additionally, those vending carts, with the seasonal permits attached, may be leased, subject to the review and approval of the City. Therefore, this bill seeks to ensure that legitimate food vendors will be able to conduct their business, without taking advantage of the City's permit system and the hundreds of legitimate hard working vendors.
I will now turn to the bill's sponsor; and to any other elected official who wishes to speak.
There being no one else to be heard, I will now sign the bill into law.