City approves new fines for street vendors in Fresno’s Tower district

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — The City of Fresno is stepping up enforcement of street vendors, introducing new fees amid concerns in Fresno’s Tower District. “We are seeing a public health and a public safety issue,” Councilmember Annalisa Perea told Action News. She and Councilmember Miguel Arias sponsored the new ordinance. Perea said she has heard from vendors themselves. “An actual vendor [ reached ] out and [ said ] they know of a few other vendors that use canal water to cook with,” Perea said. “They call out vendors that are pouring grease into the streets, gutters, [ and ] into the sidewalks.” Supporters say the ordinance is intended to target “bad actors,” enabling the city to fine vendors who fail to comply with safety regulations. RELATED: Postponed amendment on food vendor ordinance leaves small businesses concerned A first violation would result in a written warning, followed by fines between $25 and $500. “I want to express my opposition today,” Tower resident Josian Zuniga told the council. He said the fees could harm the neighborhood’s nightlife and punish working families. “By bringing forward these punitive measures, it pushes these families, these people away from their livelihoods,” Zuniga told Action News. As the Tower’s popularity grows, Perea says it is straining city resources. Enforcement has already cost $45,000 in police overtime so far this year. “We are pulling police resources from just about every corner of the city and diverting them to the Tower District on Friday and Saturday nights to help with the increasing number of calls that we are seeing out there,” Perea said. Weeks ago, the ordinance would have outright banned vendors from the Tower on weekends. Perea said the council worked to find a better solution, and the original proposal got watered down after it did not have the votes. But the council still appeared divided. Councilmembers Nelson Esparza and Nick Richardson, along with Council President Mike Karbassi, all put their opposition on the record, although they voted to support the new fees as part of a larger bundle.
https://abc30.com/post/city-approves-new-fines-street-vendors-fresnos-tower-district/18182528/