City Council could change licensing rules

New measures would be aimed at solicitors, ice cream trucks and others

Thursday, Aug. 17, 2006

College Park could restrict door-to-door solicitors and outdoor vendors if a change to the city code is approved by the City Council in September.

After hearing resident complaints over the last six months, the city could prohibit soliciting between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m., ensure vendors cannot establish their shops on a permanent basis and demand that ice cream trucks use a bell instead of prerecorded music.

College Park staff has suggested extensive changes to the city code, including a provision requiring solicitors and vendors to obtain a Maryland and Prince George’s County license before being granted one from the city. The measure would also give College Park the power to deny a license to any applicant who is a convicted felon, a registered sex offender or anyone who ‘‘presents a clear and present danger to the public,” according to city documents.

Council members said altering license requirements could help keep College Park residents safer.

‘‘There’s a danger of opening the door and people not having the right credentials. ... A lot of people come and ask for money and you really don’t know if they’re valid or not... so I think it’s also a safety measure,” said Joseline Pena-Melnyk (Dist. 4).

Establishing more stringent provisions, Pena-Melnyk said, would clear up any confusion about who can and cannot solicit at certain times of the day.

‘‘It’s good to have rules set so people know what to expect,” she said.

Public Services Director Bob Ryan said the provisions would keep vendors on the move, requiring them to move at least 1,000 feet every 15 minutes.

‘‘It prevents someone from setting up a permanent business from a vehicle,” said Ryan, adding the new measures would require vendors to keep a clean area, picking up any surrounding litter. Food vendors would be required to have a trashcan attached to their station or vehicle.

Reviewing the city’s licensing rules, Ryan said, could provide a safeguard against less than reputable businesses and vendors looking to take advantage of residents.

‘‘It will help protect the community from any kind of door-to-door-type scams,” he said.

The new measures would also include a provision prohibiting the use of prerecorded songs from ice cream trucks rolling through College Park.

The city has always outlawed any noise but a single bell, but Councilman John Krouse (Dist. 1) said it was important to reaffirm that rule.

‘‘A lot of communities have expressed [concern] at the prerecorded music,” he said, adding that the music is often played repetitively. ‘‘We just want to keep the peace.”

The council will hold a public hearing regarding the license rules at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 26 at City Hall.

E-mail Dennis Carter at dcarter@gazette.net.