Downtown dogs still on menu in Naperville
Hot dogs will be on the menu in downtown Naperville at least until August.
City councilmen on Wednesday served up a 90-day extension for a hot dog vendor while they work out a more comprehensive set of rules and fees for sidewalk vendors.
"I really enjoy the hot dogs out here and I support the hot dog stand, but I support others having the opportunity to have a business downtown whether it's another cart of some sort. ... We need to open that up and be fair to everybody," Mayor George Pradel said.
Joe Hornbaker got the green light last spring to operate his hot dog cart on a one-year trial basis that expires April 30. In a letter to councilmen, Hornbaker said he did not break even on his investment but received positive feedback and would like to continue.
"This year is not a risk for you. Everybody knows what to expect," Hornbaker wrote. "A good hot dog, good music and a friendly smile."
Hornbaker's cart caters to the lunchtime crowd and the late-night crowd leaving downtown bars. Most councilmen spoke favorably of Hornbaker's operation but disagreed as to how long to let him proceed, what fees to charge and how to handle others who wish to sell food or other goods from carts.
"My biggest concern with this all along is once you start this, where does it stop and how do you stop it if you don't want it to get out of control without being prejudicial to the other individuals that might come in," Councilman Jim Boyajian said.
Paul Junkroski, chairman of the Downtown Naperville Alliance, spoke on behalf of businesses Wednesday and said on the whole they do not have a problem with the hot dog vendor but are concerned about the $100 permit fee, part of which goes to the alliance.
"The $100 fee ... doesn't even come close to covering the costs of the cleanup and the marketing," Junkroski said.
The alliance would like to see a $700 annual fee for street vendors - $300 to cover maintenance and marketing costs, $300 to put Hornbaker in line with what restaurants with outdoor seating pay, and $100 for the city permit.
Councilman Richard Furstenau said he would be fine with Hornbaker being the sole cart operator and keeping the fee at $100, but Councilman Grant Wehrli argued the city can't advocate for one business. He suggested letting interested vendors bid on the available cart locations.
Councilman Robert Fieseler said the council was overthinking the issue.
"As a New Yorker I'm used to a hot dog guy on every corner," he said.
The council voted 5-3 in favor of a 90-day extension for Hornbaker and additional study to draft a formal policy on vendors.
Pradel, Boyajian, Kenn Miller, Doug Krause and Paul Hinterlong voted in favor while Fieseler, Furstenau and Wehrli voted against it. Judy Brodhead was absent.
Dogs: Council voted 5-3 in favor of extension