03-18-2004 Planning Commission Meeting

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FROM : C I TY_OF_PECEOT_LRKES FRX NO. : 2185687229 Mar. 03 2004 02:34PM P5 AMERICAN GOURMET CATERING P.O.BOX 635 PEQUOT LAKES,MN 56472 218-568-5434 PHONE 218-568-5431 FACSIMILE gourtnet@uslink.net o� ):DJ A61-0-Mr.Charles Morohn August 19,2003 l n Planning&Zoning Consultant 0?'/© Department of Planning&Zoning City of Pequot Lakes Pequot Lakes, MN 56472 Dear Mr.Morohn, For at least the last decade,the City of Pequot Lakes through creative interpretation of its own ordinances have restricted select private businesses from quiet and peaceful enjoyment of the opportunity to engage in open commerce within city limits,while at the same time created an enviroment that allows any outside vendor or charitable organization to engage in food or retail sales with little or no restriction. Furthermore,many of these organizations,groups and individuals are given privileged status and preferential treatment on City property or property in the care of the City but owned and/or managed by other agencies without regard to minor issues such as sales tax permits, required licenses, liability insurance and such. This could not be more true as I experienced first hand during the early part of July. On July 7,2003,I stopped by City Hall(Old 371 location)to purchase a vendors'permit for the following Wednesday. I was told by office staff that I needed to speak with you about this;that it could not be done over the counter. I asked if you were the only person authorized to distribute the form and again was told that I needed to speak with you I asked if there was something going on I was unaware of and again was told"you need to speak with Chuck". After a series of unanswered phone calls to you and unreturned messages at your Minneapolis office,I finally received a call back at 9:20 A.M.on the morning of July 9,the very day that I chose to operate a vending stand. It was at that time that you explained to me that I was not going to be allowed to conduct business outside of my premises and although you were unable to explain why,I was on your"radar screen for not being allowed a vendors'permit". A subsequent check with City staff revealed that indeed no permits were issued to any of the vendors actively conducting business on that day or any other day during the week. Verification of that was made upon questioning the various vendors operating food and merchandise stands along the Paul Runyan Trail and around the community. These vendors consistently stated that they just paid a fee to the Pequot Lakes-Breezy Point Chamber of Commerce and were allowed to operate during the Fourth of July weeklong