City to hold public hearing on door-to-door sales

By GINA VASSELLI
Item Staff Writer
gvasselli@theitem.com

Members of the public will have a chance to speak their minds on door-to-door sellers at Tuesday's City Council meeting.

Council will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. Tuesday to give the public — sellers included — a chance to give their opinions on the proposed change to the peddlers' ordinance.

Reworking the peddlers' ordinance was first discussed at a council meeting on July 21, when council issued a 60-day moratorium on the issuing of peddlers' badges until the new regulations could be worked out.

At its meeting on Sept. 2, council extended the moratorium so it would cover the time needed for all the proper announcements to be made for the public hearing on the ordinance changes.

City Manager Deron McCormick stressed that the ordinance is still in draft form and that changes will likely be made before it is approved.

"It's still a work in progress," McCormick said.

But as it stands, the ordinance classifies a "peddler" as anyone who makes an unsolicited attempt to sell or distribute items or collect information.

All peddlers have to have a peddler's badge, which will have the peddler's name, photo, thumbprint, contact information, the goods or services being sold and the date the badge expires.

It would also distinguish between in-town and out-of-town peddlers, setting up the possibility of restricting the out-of-towners' hours of operation.

The changes are designed to ensure that "the general public feels comfortable," McCormick said.

City Council will also consider a resolution to amend the master service agreement for the regional wastewater system.

The meeting will be held on the fourth floor of the Sumter Opera House, 21 N. Main St., in City Council chambers.

The regular meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m.