For World Cup, Seattle kicking around new plans for ‘unpermitted vendor’ enforcement

Enforcement efforts against “unpermitted vendors” in Seattle will step up for the FIFA World Cup as officials say the city must review the way it takes part in shutting down unlicensed food and drink sellers.

The Seattle City Council’s Transportation, Waterfront, and Seattle Center Committee is scheduled to hear updates Thursday on the enforcement efforts this summer as a push to review the city’s approach to unlicensed vending continue.

In this year’s budget planning, a statement of legislative intent directs the mayor’s office to review how the city engages in the enforcement process.

CHS has reported on tensions over where enforcement should fall in a messy mix of SDOT, OED, SPD, FAS, SPR, and Public Health priorities.

Seattle/King County Public Health continues its role on the frontline of the process. A crackdown on unpermitted vendors hasn’t made a crack in Capitol Hill’s street food scene.

Meanwhile, CHS reported here on the crackdown ensnaring two recent well-regarded Capitol Hill pop-ups — coffee on wheels business Common Cart and Afghan pop-up Bolani Place.

In Thursday’s presentation (PDF), officials say the push around FIFA will include a review of how the various departments involved are “delegating enforcement authority” and a possible shuffle to get more resources — including Seattle Police Department time — on the issue.

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