Committee approves changes to sidewalk cafe permits

In an effort to curb trash issues downtown, Jefferson City is looking at a few changes to sidewalk cafe permits.

At the Council Committee on Administration meeting Wednesday, city attorney Drew Hilpert presented proposed changes to the city's sidewalk cafe ordinance. The committee had discussed the issue in past meetings, but had not made a decision to move the proposed changes forward to the full City Council before Wednesday.

The proposed changes to the ordinance would add the requirement that those with a sidewalk cafe permit should sweep the sidewalk every day, and provide a trash receptacle for customers or some type of alternate plan approved by the city, which typically would be used by those restaurants with a wait staff for their outdoor seating.

Also included in the proposed changes is the requirement for a permit holder to have at least $500,000 of insurance. It also requires the permit be issued annually at a cost of $25.

Fourth Ward councilwoman and committee chair Carrie Carroll said the issue originally arose out of a need to curb trash issues in the downtown area and the committee worked to decide who should be responsible for providing trash cans.

The committee voted to move the issue to the full City Council for consideration.